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Mattress Buying Guide
A good mattress is the most important home investment you'll make. After all, you'll spend a third of your life sleeping on it.
The right mattress should support your body throughout the night, helping you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more refreshed. But navigating the wide array of mattress types isn't easy.
In this mattress buying guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about how to pick a mattress, from material to firmness.
Exploring the Different Types of Mattresses
If you've just started looking for a new mattress, you've probably noticed a staggering number of options on the market. Knowing the basics about the different types of mattresses can help guide your search.
Material
While the most common and traditional type of mattress material — innerspring — used to dominate the market, other mattress types have risen in popularity over the years. Now, there are plenty of dynamic options to choose from.
Foam
These mattresses are built with layers of different foam or a block of the same type of foam. This makes foam mattresses light and airy, with a cushion-like feel.
Innerspring
A traditional and durable option, innerspring mattresses have a row of spring coils within the core. This provides additional support and airflow.
Memory Foam
Like regular foam mattresses, this mattress type can be made up of all one type of foam or different layers of foam. What sets it apart, however, is that it's made of a particular type of pliable foam that molds to cradle the body.
Latex
Latex mattresses — often combined with foam — are known to be especially durable. While they can be more expensive than other types, they're also known to offer superior comfort, support, and airflow.
Size
To determine the size, consider the amount of space in your bedroom, the number of sleepers, and personal preference. Here are the sizes you'll find on the mattress market.
Twin
To determine the size, consider the amount of space in your bedroom, the number of sleepers, and personal preference. Here are the sizes you'll find on the mattress market.
Full
Full beds are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. These beds work well for single adults who want a little extra room but don't have the bedroom space for a queen or king. It's also ideal for upgrading a kid's room to a teen room.
Queen
At 54 inches wide and 75 inches long, these beds are one of the more common mattress sizes. While not the largest you can get, these beds have ample room for two adults to sleep.
King
King beds are the largest mattress size you can choose from. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, these beds work best for sleepers who move often during the night, sleep with pets, or just prefer the extra room. They can also fill large bedrooms to balance the space.
California King
California King beds aren't necessarily bigger than regular king beds; they just provide different dimensions. At 72 inches wide and 84 inches long, they work best for people who want more length without the extra width.
Firmness
The softness of a mattress isn't necessarily an indicator of comfort. Different people may need different levels of firmness to feel comfortable and supported.
A soft mattress allows you to sink into the surface. The mattress may conform to your body shape and cradle your body for a gently supportive sleeping experience.
The firmer a mattress gets, the more support it provides. With a firmer mattress, you won't sink as deeply into the surface. You can find mattresses in any combination of soft to firm, including from medium to extra firm.
How To Choose the Right Mattress for You
From softness to size, all of these factors can impact how a bed will feel and perform. But the sleeping experience won't be the same for everyone. If you want to pick a mattress that feels like the perfect fit for your sleeping style and preferences, there are a few steps you need to take.
Here are a few mattress considerations to put you on the right track.
Find Your Sleeping Position
What position do you naturally take when you get comfortable in bed? And what position do you find yourself in when you wake up?
Understanding your usual sleep position can provide key insight into what mattress to pick. Depending on your sleeping posture, different parts of your body may need additional support.
Here are the mattress types typically recommended for different types of sleepers:
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Side sleepers are best-suited to a soft to medium-firm mattress that relieves pressure at the shoulders and hips, allowing them to sink into the bed while still properly aligning the spine.
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Back sleepers typically prefer a medium to firm mattress that supports the spine, keeping it straight and aligned.
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Stomach sleepers may like a firm mattress that provides more hip support and keeps the spine properly aligned.
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Combination sleepers may need a mattress that's balanced between soft and firm to accommodate all sleeping positions.
Consider Sleep Concerns
Not all sleepers are the same. If you have specific sleep concerns that make it hard to get a good night's rest on the average mattress, you should look for a mattress that can address these issues.
For example, sleepers who run hot may want to consider a mattress with cooling features, like gel toppers or gel-infused memory foam.
For those sharing a bed, consider an adjustable smart bed that allows each person to adjust their side of the mattress to their preference. With a split bed, you can adjust the firmness of your side of the mattress or even individualize sleeping positions by elevating your head and/or legs.
Whatever you need to be comfortable at night, there's a mattress out there to meet your needs. Create a wish list of features to find the mattress that meets — or even exceeds — your sleep expectations
Do a Mattress Test
Looking at a mattress and understanding its features is one thing. But the actual experience of lying down on it, let alone sleeping on it night after night, can be completely different.
To make sure the mattress you choose is right for you, we recommend doing a mattress test before making a purchase. Many retailers offer local showrooms so you can try it out in person before committing.
Mattress Buying Guide: Complete Your Bedroom Setup
Once you bring your mattress home, then congratulations. It's time to put on the sheets, arrange your pillows, and get ready for a good night's sleep.
The mattress may be the centerpiece of your bedroom, but it's not the only piece of essential furniture. Everything from your headboard to the vanity is a chance to deck out your bedroom space with the pieces you need to be comfortable and show off your personality. Check out our bedroom buying guide to explore all the furniture you need to complete your bedroom.