How to Choose a Mattress

Life is full of decisions, from choosing between salt or sugar for the rim of your margarita to picking out the perfect mattress. When it comes to making bigger financial decisions, so many options can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Choosing a mattress is a very personal decision. We’ve created an easy way to choose a mattress that takes into account your different sleeping needs. By bearing in mind these factors, you’ll be cozy and relaxed in your new bed in no time.

Sleep position and mattress firmness

Knowing which type of sleeper you are is the first step in choosing the right mattress for you.

 

  • Side sleepers: Since side sleepers often move around during the night, a soft to medium level of firmness is ideal. A softer mattress helps to relieve the pressure on the neck and back that comes with sleeping on your side. 3-5.5 out of 10.
  • Stomach sleepers: More than any other position, stomach sleepers need proper support. A mattress that is too soft can lead to spine misalignment and lower back pain. 5-7.5 out of 10.
  • Back sleepers: Support and firmness should be the main factors. A mattress that is soft enough to relieve pressure points but also firm enough to prevent any spine misalignment is perfect for back sleepers. 4-7 out of 10.

Budget and brand

Dropping six month’s salary on a mattress doesn’t guarantee it is better than a less expensive model. Ideally, your budget should be around $600-$1300. Bear in mind that retail stores often inflate prices. Many online mattress companies like Eight remove markups and offer financing programs so you can get the bed of your dreams without a nightmare of debt.

Tech obsessed and smart mattress capabilities

Do you want your mattress to help improve the quality of your life in addition to helping you sleep better? If so, then buying a smart mattress is the best decision you can make. Smart mattresses such as those from Eight track your sleep automatically. This allows you to view sleep specifics and learn how your daily life impacts your time spent asleep. Additionally, many smart mattresses hook up to other smart devices like WeMo coffee makers and Amazon Alexa. You can either purchase a smart bed, or make any mattress smart by placing a sleep tracker over it.

Body type and mattress comfort

Bear in mind that mattress firmness is based on the average sleeper (about 180 pounds). Since most mattresses are designed for the average sleeper, anything in the universal comfort range or medium-firm range is ideal. The more you weigh, the harder foam has to work to support your body. A firmer mattress tends to provide the support needed for those on the heavier side (200 pounds and above). For those on the lighter side, soft mattresses are best since you don’t have to worry about sinking into the mattress.

Square footage and mattress size

Most people opt for queen sized beds. Depending on the layout of your bedroom, a full size mattress may be the better option. You want your mattress to accommodate you and any potential partners. If you’re sleeping alone, make sure your mattress is big enough for you to roll over about one and a half times.

Additional sleepers and bounce

Do you sleep alone or with a partner, pets, and/or kids? If you’re not sleeping alone, a mattress with minimal movement transfer is the best option. Buying a mattress with more layers of support provides less bounce, so you won’t be disturbed by anyone moving in bed next to you.

For more mattress shopping tips, check out this article.

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