A mattress is perhaps the most important piece of furniture in your home. If you get the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night, you will spend at least 1/3rd of your life in that mattress. That means if you keep that mattress for 9 years (which is about the average), 3 of those years will be spent on it. However, many of us don’t think about our mattresses and how it impacts our lives every day.In this post, I will go over the basics on selecting the correct mattress.In our complete Mattress Buying Guide, it’s our goal that you are able to identify things you need and incorporate this information into your final buying decision. So, grab a pen, sit back, and prepare to learn everything you need to know to arrive at the best choice for you.
Compare the Types
If you’re shopping for a new mattress, you could be overwhelmed by the variety of choices and prices, ranging from too-low-to-believe to astronomical. But there’s good news: Our years of testing have shown that, whichever type you choose, you only need to spend around $1,000 for a comfortable, supportive mattress. Here are the major types you’ll see:
- Innerspring mattresses
One of the oldest and most popular styles of mattress, this type of mattress uses a wrapped steel support system. The style of the coils and how they’re wrapped, padded and connected, differ by brand. Many innerspring mattresses have pillow tops on one side or both, although less expensive ones don’t.
- Gel mattresses
Gel mattresses feature a foam material that contains gel to form the mattress’s support, and that material provides varying levels of comfort and heat dissipation.
- Latex foam mattresses
Latex mattresses feature foam that comes from petroleum-based or plant-based materials, and they feature foam as part of the support system and in the outer layers.
- Memory foam mattresses
Also known as visco elastic foam, these mattresses include high-density polyurethane foam that’s used as part of the support system and on the outer layers, which adapts to the shape of the sleepers.
- Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine the best parts of both innerspring and foam mattresses. Innerspring coils are interspersed with one or more kinds of foam support. This foam takes many forms, including latex, visco elastic or polyurethane. Some even combine innersprings with gel-filled foam for support.
- Pillow top mattresses
Pillow top mattresses are available on all types of bed mattresses, with the pillow top on one side or both, especially on higher-end mattresses. The thickness of the pillow top varies by mattress and can be made from fiber or foam materials。
- Air mattresses
Although some air mattresses are only filled with a single pocket of air, some have multiple chambers to allow for more flexibility and are usually covered in a cloth or foam material that has padding underneath.
What Size Should I Get?
There are six basic sizes for mattresses:
- twin (30 inches by 75 inches)
Twin sized mattresses are the smallest, and this makes it ideal if just one child or adult will be using the product. However, taller adults may want to explore other options
- full (54 inches by 75 inches)
Also known as a double mattress, full mattresses provide a wider surface area for single sleepers. If you’re more than 5’5”, this option may not be right for you. This is often a great choice for growing children as it provides the space they need and even allows for a spot for parents to enjoy as they tuck their youngsters in for bed at night.
- twin XL (39 inches by 80 inches)
Approximately six inches longer than the twin version, twin XL mattresses are very popular in dorms. It can also be a great choice for taller adults who sleep alone.
- queen (60 inches by 80 inches)
The queen bed enters the realm needed for sleep partners to enjoy, and this is the most popular choice today. It can also be a great option for a guest bed. However, if you or your sleep partner is a bed hog, you may want to look for something a little larger.
- king (76 inches by 80 inches)
The king-sized mattress is approximately the size of two twin XL products. This can make it a great option for sleep partners who move around a lot or for those who will be sharing the product with children or pets.
- California king (72 inches by 84 inches)
If you’d prefer a king-sized bed with more length, a California king product takes four inches from the width of a king and applies it to the length. If you’re looking for a mattress to use on an adjustable bed, the California king dimensions can prove helpful in providing ample length even with the head and/or foot elevated.
Posted on May 5, 2023