A good night’s sleep depends on having the correct mattress. The factors that go into choosing the perfect mattress include comfort, support and durability. Most experts suggest that you start by measuring and tracking your current mattress. This will help you identify areas where your bed may need improvement.
Comfort
A good night’s sleep is critical for your physical and mental well-being. Sleep can cause problems, including grogginess, mood swings, and poor cognitive performance. In addition, it can increase the risk of back pain and other physical health issues. The right mattress can help you sleep better and reduce aches and pains. When selecting a bed, it is important to consider your body weight, sleeping position, and budget. If you are heavy, choose an innerspring or hybrid mattress with durable coil layers. Beds designed for heavy sleepers typically have a higher coil count and are thicker than those intended for light-weight individuals. In addition, a mattress should be comfortable enough to support your body’s natural curves. The best beds will be able to conform to the curves of your head, shoulders, and hips. They will also be able to contour to the contours of your lower back, allowing you to lie in a neutral position while you sleep. A mattress should also be breathable to help you sleep cooler. Sleeping on a hot bed can make it hard to fall asleep and lead to restless sleep. Mattresses designed for cooler sleepers may have special cooling materials or open-cell foam structures that help reduce heat build-up.
Warranty
A good warranty shows that the mattress company stands behind its product. A contract can range from a few years to a lifetime and typically covers defects such as sagging or manufacturing flaws. It’s important to read the fine print to see whether the warranty is prorated or non-prorated, which affects how much you may have to pay if you ever need to repair or replace your mattress. Many mattresses come with a sleep trial period. This allows you to test the mattress for comfort and determine whether it fits you. During this time, if the bed feels lumpy or doesn’t support your spine correctly, you can request a refund. Experts recommend focusing on size, durability, and customer service when buying a mattress. They also suggest considering your budget and specific sleep needs when choosing a mattress. For instance, if you’re a hot sleeper, you might need a bed with cooling technology to prevent overheating. You can opt for innerspring or hybrid mattresses with cooling coil layers and breathable fabrics. Alternatively, you can opt for a memory foam mattress that doesn’t retain heat as easily. If you want to buy a mattress that regulates temperature, ensure it has a breathable cover and ventilation holes to promote airflow. When purchasing, many retailers include coupon sections on their websites, like Ashley Furniture coupons or mobile applications that allow you to clip and save coupons for use in-store. You can also join store loyalty programs, which occasionally send out exclusive offers to subscribers. Some apps, like the Benjamin app, will scan the internet for coupons that match your shopping list.
Support
The mattress you sleep on affects your comfort, posture, and spine health. That’s why it’s important to take the time to shop around for one that prioritizes your needs and sleep style. The first consideration is the level of firmness that works best for you. Firmness levels vary from 1-10, with 3 out of 10 being the softest. A mattress at this level may be made of memory foam or another soft material that relieves pressure, especially for side sleepers. A bed with a higher firmness rating will provide more structure and support for heavier sleepers and those with back pain. Memory foam, latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses are all available in different firmness levels. Edge support is also a key feature to look for. This refers to the weight the mattress can handle at its edges without sagging or losing shape. This is important if you like to sleep close to the edge of the bed or if you share the mattress with a partner. Many mattress shoppers also want to consider other features when shopping for a new mattress. These include temperature regulation, motion isolation, and durability. These factors are more challenging to gauge than firmness, but it’s worth asking yourself questions about what you need from your mattress and looking at retailers that offer a wide selection of options to find the right one.
Durability
In addition to the mattress firmness that matches your comfort needs, look at a bed’s construction and materials. Consider breathable fabrics that help mitigate heat build-up, especially if you sleep hot. Graphite, copper, Tencel and cotton are excellent options, as well as memory foam and latex. These natural materials also provide antimicrobial and odor-resistant properties that may help if you suffer from allergies. Foam density is another factor to consider when shopping for a durable mattress. The higher the density, the less it will sag over time. Many foam mattresses sag because of lower-density layers. For example, a 2.5-lb foam layer will lose its pliable qualities and begin to fade faster than a 4- or 5-lb foam layer. The thickness of a mattress is also important. A thick mattress has more foam and puffed polymer layers, making it more resilient to pressure and body weight. A thin mattress, on the other hand, may feel saggy or lumpy over time. Additionally, a thin mattress doesn’t provide enough support to align the spine or cushion pressure points.
