How to Choose a Mattress
Losing sleep about which mattress is best for you? There’s such a range of choice available today that it’s hard to know where to start looking. Do you want a firm mattress, one which provides the best support? Should you opt for springs, foam, latex or hybrid – do you even know the difference? (If you want to choose between hybrid or memory foam, you can also read my in-depth guide here). When it comes to choice, the sky’s the limit, but first you need to know which mattress suits you best. Do you simply go for the most expensive option? Careful! As is so often the case, the most expensive mattress is not necessarily the best. So, where do you start? I’m here to help with a guide that I’ve put together to make your choice easier. So, let’s get going.
Innerspring Mattress
As the name implies, an innerspring mattress (or coil mattress) consists of springs that give support and structure to a firm mattress. Today, many different innerspring beds are available. We will investigate the pocket coils and the continuous coils.
1) Pocketed coils
Sold since the 2000s, pocket coil mattresses are the most present on the market. Each spring is individually wrapped: each one reacts individually to the pressure it receives, thus offering independence in terms of sleeping. The pouches also avoid the rebound effect. Pocket coils mattresses also benefit from good ventilation.
The vast majority of bedding brands nowadays opt for the use of pocket coils for their mattress ranges. This technology offers the advantage of offering a longer life to your mattress.
The springs are arranged in individual sachets to allow a better harmony and reliability of body support when lying on the bed. Because each spring can move independently of the others, the result is a truly homogeneous support of all parts of the body. Pocket coils are also very interesting for the thermo-regulation of mattresses.
If you sleep as a couple, the sleeping independence will often be very good too (depending on the brands and the range of mattresses chosen).
Last but not least, springs remain a very interesting technology for overweight people because of the good support of the body (if you choose a quality mattress of course).
2) Continuous coils
A continuous coil mattress is made from a continuous steel wire. These kind of mattresses are known for their firmness and sturdiness. However, if you sleep in pairs, nighttime movements can quickly become uncomfortable. This is a decent option if you are on a budget
Memory Foam Mattress
Probably the most widely used material in the bedding industry, especially since the appearance of new brands of universal mattresses. As you can imagine, memory foam or visco-elastic foam takes shape following a heavy manufacturing process. It is a material that can be easily modulated and is cheap, which is why it is of interest in the field of entry-level bedding for example.
Memory foam is most often used for the reception of mattresses in order to give this soft and enveloping side to them that people love so much.
Be careful, mattresses with memory foam tend to be warmer than other types of mattresses.
It is also a good idea to take some time to read reviews as this will help you know precisely what kind of memory foam mattress is best for your needs. This way, you will be able to choose the best one and ensure that it perfectly fits your sleeping habits.
Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are renowned for their durability and elasticity that conforms to the shape of the body. Their cells provide good ventilation. This makes this type of mattress interesting for people who perspire a lot at night. They are also very suitable for people with allergies, as latex is not a good environment for dust mites. On the other hand, latex mattresses are generally quite heavy, and the presence of handles can make them easier to handle.
Latex is an elastic material that can be of natural or synthetic origin. For a quality latex mattress, it is advisable to opt for a 100% latex mattress that contains at least 20% natural latex. Let’s take a closer look at the differences and advantages of latex mattresses.
The first important thing to know is that synthetic latex is derived from rubber unlike pure natural latex which is made from rubber sap and often imported from Central America or Asia. It is easy to understand why there are such price differences between the two types of latex: on the one hand you have a highly polluting raw material and on the other hand an eco-responsible and often biological raw material.
Latex mattresses are interesting in terms of ventilation and for people who are quite strong, especially because of the high density of latex.
If your budget allows it, I really recommend investing in a 100% natural latex mattress, both for eco-responsible reasons and for the quality and comfort offered by these mattresses, as well as their superior durability compared to synthetic models.
Hybrid Mattress
Hybrids have two central elements: an innerspring support core and a substantial foam comfort system. The comfort layers can include foam or latex, and sometimes will even include a shorter layer of coils. These mattresses provide a blend of bounce and contouring with low heat retention and can be a good fit for sleepers in any position depending on exactly how they are built.
If you intend to get a hybrid mattress, then the decision may come down to how severe your back pain or neck pain is. If your slumber is interrupted by suffering due to the pressure that your back feels each morning, then a hybrid mattress may be the right choice.
Another feature to determining if a hybrid mattress is right for you is how well the firmness conforms to your body. A firm bed is better suited to someone who has back problems and those who don’t have any problems sleeping in this type of mattress.
When you are ready to buy your new hybrid mattress, the most important thing to do is to look for reviews to see which ones are popular. This will help you make an informed decision and find the ones that are best for your need.
Conclusion
Of course, the final decision on how to choose a mattress involves the amount of money available for spending. If you want to spend the least amount of money, then you can select a mattress on sale at a mattress store or online. Many mattress stores sell very cheap mattresses, and they are not likely to last as long as a high-end model.
Many people prefer to invest in high-quality mattresses because they are more comfortable and generally made of quality materials. Some people are happy with just a light foam pillow top, while others want a real supportive bed.
If you want a mattress that will provide adequate support for your body, you should select a firm mattress. However, if you are looking for a comfortable mattress, then you might want a softer mattress to give your body a comfy feel.
The next most crucial aspect you should consider is your comfort level. Do you have back problems? Are you uncomfortable with the shape of the mattress, or is it too large for your body?
There are many models of soft mattresses to choose from. There are also several types of firm mattresses, including latex, foam, memory foam, latex foam and air.
Once you determine which firmness you would like, consider the benefits and the drawbacks of each type of mattress. This can include cost, comfort, support, firmness, size, and other factors.
The right firmness will depend considerably on the amount of stability you desire. You should not buy a soft mattress if it is too malleable; consequently, this may cause you to experience headaches, among other problems.