Finding a mattress to meet all your needs without breaking the bank can be a difficult challenge, but with proper research it can be accomplished.
Keep an eye out for companies with generous trial periods and return policies, especially when shopping online. Be sure to verify warranties as well.
Comfort
Comfort in terms of mattresses is measured by its softness and whether or not it contours and supports your body, though preferences for each sleeper will differ. But certain factors can help narrow down your search; for example if you sleep on your side you might prefer a soft or medium-soft mattress while for back or stomach sleepers or those suffering chronic back pain you might require something firmer.
Your mattress material and construction will have an effect on how it feels to sit or lie down on it, too. Some types use pressure-relieving memory foam or latex while metal coils provide bounce and support; hybrid mattresses combine an innerspring core with layers of foam for ultimate comfort and durability.
Durability refers to how long a mattress will remain intact before beginning to sag or develop indentations. Mattresses are an investment, so make sure that the one you purchase lasts. Read up on warranty policies as well as reviews written by long-term users to be certain your choice will stand the test of time.
Most mattress brands provide a firmness scale from one to ten, with 10 being the firmest option. Unfortunately, these ratings can often be deceptive since their firmness levels depend on the specific materials used to construct each mattress.
Experience is the best way to know whether a mattress will meet your comfort requirements, so seek out stores offering generous trial periods and return policies – usually brick-and-mortar shops, though online retailers may also provide these policies. Keep an eye out for holiday sales; many offer substantial discounts on top-rated mattresses.
Support
Finding a quality mattress can be one of the biggest investments you make in yourself over your lifetime. When making this important purchase, select one that will perform for several years without indentation and sagging, particularly if sharing with someone. Durability may be difficult to test in person or during an online sleep trial but look out for long warranties or reviews from owners who have tested its durability over time.
Comfort and support should be top priorities when searching for a new mattress. Firmness levels vary according to personal preference; typically soft mattresses tend to work best with side sleepers while medium-firm ones work better for back or stomach sleeping positions. You may even find mattresses that fall somewhere in between for optimal results.
If you are uncertain of which firmness level best suits you, many manufacturers provide a firmness scale on their product pages with descriptions of each mattress’s various levels of firmness ranging from softest (one) to firmest (10). It is important to keep in mind that this scale serves only as an overall guideline and what may be considered medium-firm by one brand may be too soft by another.
Consider how easily the mattress moves when getting in and out of bed, with most people preferring responsive mattresses with minimal sinkage for ease of movement when moving across them. Some mattresses with foam layers, in particular, may emit an off-gassing odor for several days after purchase – this process is known as off-gassing.
As you shop for mattresses, look out for sales both offline and online retailers. Holidays such as President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Black Friday and Labor Day provide great opportunities for savings as retailers often slash prices to attract customers. Furthermore, certain mattress brands provide free shipping while offering White Glove Delivery (with installation in your home and removal of old mattress upon request) at premium costs.
Temperature Regulation
Temperature control should be an integral component of mattress shopping if you sleep hot and reside in a hot climate, which includes material composition and construction as determinants in terms of temperature management and moisture wicking properties. When searching for your mattress, keep an eye out for those boasting cooling technologies such as gel-infused foam or breathable covers to help manage temperature effectively.
Durability should also be an integral consideration when choosing a mattress. A durable model should retain its shape, structure and support over the course of several years without sagging or developing indentations. Since mattresses represent such an enormous investment, it’s crucial that one lasts. As testing the durability during a sleep trial or online return period can be tricky at best; instead it would be wiser to research brands with lengthy warranties as well as reading reviews from long-term users to help make your selection decision.
Sleep positions should also be taken into account when selecting a mattress. Side sleepers typically need softer mattresses that contour closely to their bodies; in contrast, back and stomach sleepers require firmer mattresses for proper spinal alignment. Memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses are great choices for relieving pressure points while encouraging correct posture.
Mattress size is another important consideration. Twin (38” x 75”) and twin XL mattresses are great choices for single sleepers while full (54” x 80”) and queen (60” x 80”) mattresses offer more space to couples sleeping together.
When purchasing a mattress, it’s also essential to keep in mind your budget and delivery options. Most mattress companies offer free shipping while some provide special White Glove delivery services with professional setup and removal of old mattresses. Make sure to shop around and compare prices before making your selection. Mattress sales often occur around holidays like Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Black Friday and Labor Day when retailers slash their prices to attract customers and shoppers can find some amazing bargains on premium mattresses during these sales events. But be aware of potential fine print as some may require minimum spend or exclude certain products altogether.
Motion Isolation
When sharing a mattress, it’s essential that the one chosen isolates as much motion as possible. If your partner tends to move around at night or get up frequently during the night, a motion-isolating mattress will prevent sleep disturbances for both of you. Foam mattresses typically perform best at isolating movement; however hybrid models also offer great isolation capabilities.
Reading customer reviews is the ideal way to assess a mattress’s motion isolating properties. While all reviews must be taken with a pinch of salt, certain patterns may give an idea of its performance over time – for instance if multiple reviewers mention that their mattresses have become sagging or lacking support after several years then this may indicate that manufacturer claims aren’t being met by what has been claimed about that mattress’s ability.
On the other hand, if a mattress has received high marks for its ability to isolate motion, it could be the ideal choice for your bedroom. Just be sure to research its warranty first as long-term coverage such as indentations and sagging is usually covered beyond trial periods or return policies.
Many mattress models boast excellent motion isolation capabilities. When shopping for an all-foam model, make sure it contains dense memory foam layers to maximize performance. Or consider an innerspring or latex mattress with higher coil counts and individually wrapped springs instead.
High-motion-isolation mattresses often lack bounciness, which may prove problematic for those who require more bouncy feel when engaging in sexual or other bedtime activities. If this is a source of discomfort for you, consider an innerspring mattress with offset coils or helix coils as these improve on Bonnell coils design by connecting each spring head directly with thin pieces of wire for improved shaping and reduced motion transfer.
If you’re in search of an internal spring mattress with high motion isolation ratings, consider the Nolah Evolution Hybrid. Featuring 4 inches of plush comfort layers to absorb and isolate motion as well as Nolah’s proprietary AirFoamICE to dissipate body heat quickly, this mattress makes an excellent choice for couples. Plus it comes with a lifetime warranty!
