A Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Mattress

Shopping for a new bed that’s a good combination of size, comfort, and price can leave you feeling ready for a nap. But don’t fret — here’s a handy guide that’ll make the process a breeze.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Mattress

Your sleep position, personal preferences, sleep issues (if any), cost, and durability should all be considered when choosing a new bed.

Types of Mattresses

Memory Foam: If your primary goal is pain relief, memory foam is the way to go. It adjusts to your body and takes the weight off your pressure points.

Latex: These mattresses are similar to memory foam, but latex is more expensive because it comes from trees. Latex is also more resilient than memory foam and has a bouncy feel with less of a sinking-in sensation.

Innerspring: Made of steel coils, these mattresses are firmer and provide more bounce. People who sleep on their tummies or backs may find this bed most comfortable because it keeps the spine aligned.

Hybrid: Hybrid beds combine the support of coil springs with the pressure-relieving comfort of memory foam or latex. They’re expensive and heavy, but they’re also the best of both worlds.

Firmness Levels and Sleeping Styles

Side Sleepers: Side sleepers should pick mattresses with soft to medium firmness levels to help keep the spine aligned.

Stomach Sleepers: If you tend to sleep on your stomach, a firmer mattress will keep your pressure points from sinking too far into the bed.

Back Sleepers: Back sleepers should choose a medium firm mattress to ensure proper spine alignment.

Sleep Concerns

Hot Sleepers:  If you’re someone who overheats when you sleep, a cooling mattress may help you stay comfortable. While a bed won’t cure night sweats on its own, it can certainly help you sleep better.

Back Pain: Studies have shown that the right mattress can help reduce body pain, stiffness and sleep problems by as much as 50 to 60%. If you suffer from backaches, pick a bed with a layer of foam for pressure relief and be medium in firmness for support and spine alignment.

Motion Isolation: If one partner tosses and turns in bed, choosing a mattress that won’t transfer movement and disturb the other partner is crucial. We’ve found that foam beds generally are better at reducing motion transfer than innerspring mattresses, and luxury foam beds, in particular, do the best job.