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The following 12 tips for buying a mattress will help you make the right choice of mattress. However, none of our tips will result in you purchasing the ideal mattress. That is a personal matter, and everybody has their own idea of what they want from the perfect mattress. What we can do, however, is to help you make an educated choice based upon facts rather than opinion.
1. Have You a Health Condition That May Influence Your Choice?
If you have back pain, neck pain or any other orthopedic issue than talk to your doctor or chiropractor first. Listen to what they recommend. They will mostly give you good information based on your personal needs. However, doctors may not have a good knowledge of mattresses, so are likely able only to give you general advice rather than recommend a specific mattress.
2. Carry Out Research Online First
Do not go to your local mattress store for advice. They will give you advice, sure, but only regarding the mattresses they are selling. Look for advice online first, focusing on sites that specialize in mattresses and provide information about them. InsideBedroom.com is one of these that can provide you with expert information on how to choose the best mattress to meet your needs.
3. Buy Your Mattress Online
Purchasing a mattress from an internet store gives you a better choice of options than if you visited a mall store. If you check out mattress websites you will find a much wider choice than any physical mall store could offer. You will also get a lot more information on the mattresses that attract you. You can find full details of sleep tests, warranties, and other useful information without feeling obligated to purchase as many people feel when they visit a mall store. Despite that, you can also look for feedback on these mattresses on various review sites, like, for example, Mybestmattress.com.
4. Don’t Buy on Price Alone
Many people believe that the more they pay for a mattress, then the better it must be. Not so – the best mattress for you may not be the most expensive. First, choose the type of mattress you believe would suit you best then look at prices. You might find the same mattress available at a range of prices depending on what deals are on offer or where you are buying it.
You can often save money by purchasing online than in a mall store. People tend to know that, so the most important choice you have to make is the type of mattress you need (memory foam, innerspring, latex, soft, medium or hard and so on). Also don’t forget the extras (pillow, protector, etc) some of which are mentioned below.
5. Be Wary of How Mattresses are Labeled
Don’t believe everything you read online – particularly the way some mattresses are labeled. If you see a mattress labeled ‘Medically Approved’ keep in mind that no official medical organizations certify mattresses in this way. You may also see the term ‘Orthopedic’. Many companies promote their ‘orthopedic’ mattresses, but check whether or not they provide links to the authority that has confirmed this – if any!
6. How Hard Should the Mattress Be?
Many people think firm mattresses are best for their back, but that is not necessarily so. A lot depends on your sleeping position. Are you a stomach sleeper, back sleeper or do you tend to sleep on your side? A memory foam mattress might suit side sleepers better than stomach sleepers. A back sleeper might be better with a medium hard memory foam layer with innersprings below that. Carry out your research on the best mattress for the various sleeping positions before parting with your money.
7. Should You Choose an Adjustable Bed?
Adjustable beds can work with many types of mattress, although innerspring mattresses would cause problems! There are many different adjustable options available, and if the idea appeals to you then choose a foam mattress. The thinner the mattress, the better it conforms to the adjustment.
A good thickness is a foam mattress of 10″ – 12″ thick. Some innerspring manufacturers have developed a design that can suit certain adjustable frames, although generally, you may prefer to keep to a foam mattress.
8. Partners Disagree – So Do You Need a Mattress Topper?
You might have a partner who needs a softer mattress and you need a harder surface to sleep on. It is possible to purchase single toppers to modify the sleeping surface of one side of a King or Queen Size mattress compared to the other. You could have the same mattress, but with a topper on each side that suits the personal needs of each partner.
This is frequently the case when two partners vary significantly in weight. For example, on an innerspring mattress, heavier people tend to appreciate a cushioned top layer to separate them from the coils, which could cause discomfort. Some adjustable bed foundations or frames enable you to use different mattresses on each side. This could be a solution for couples whose individual preferences or needs are completely different.
9. Try the Mattress Out – Or Check for a Sleep Test
When you purchase a mattress online, look for a sleep test period. This enables to try the mattress for a period – usually for 30 nights or more. The way this works is that you get to use the mattress for the specified time, and if you don’t like it you can return it for a full refund of the payment. Sometimes you have to pay for the return carriage and may be charged a restocking fee – establish these costs in advance.
10. Mattress Protection is Important
You should also purchase a waterproof mattress protector. This prevents your mattress from being stained by any spillages or ‘accidents’. This is particularly important if you are using a sleep trial period since the seller may not accept it back if stained. In addition to that, staining will also likely void your warrant (see below). Protectors also help prevent contamination of the mattress with dust, dust mites and bedbugs.
11. Check the Warranty
Make sure you understand the terms of the warranty. Don’t buy a mattress without checking the warranty. As stated above, mattress protection is important since you may void the warranty if your mattress gets stained. Other potential issues could be indentations in the mattress above a stated depth and any issue other than faulty workmanship. Hence the importance of a sleep trial as stated in Tip #9, particularly if you buy your mattress online.
12. Don’t Forget the Pillow
Your choice of mattress is important, but don’t forget the pillow. Your pillow supports your head, neck, and spine and should ideally keep all three in alignment. Sleeping on the wrong pillow can lead to neck pain. Your sleeping position (back, side or stomach) will have a large influence on the type of pillow best for you. When buying a mattress, choose a pillow recommended for your sleeping position, and if possible, get a sleep trial period to test the pillow. You can then return it if it doesn’t suit you.
Tips for Buying a Mattress: Conclusion
If you follow the above tips for buying a mattress you should avoid the pitfalls that many encounter. Fundamentally, make sure you know the size and type of mattress most suitable for your size and your sleeping position, then consider each of the factors above. The sleep test should tell you whether you have made the right choice or should try something else. Give yourself a wide choice, which is one reason we suggest you purchase online and not from a store with limited stock.
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This content is sponsored by Richard Morse.
Photo: Shutterstock