Choosing the Perfect Mattress: A Mattress Buying Guide

Whoever came up with the saying “You snooze, you lose” clearly doesn’t know the value of good sleep. It can play a major role in your day-to-day mood, energy levels, and even overall health. While developing good habits is one piece of the sleep puzzle, there’s another piece that plays a huge role: your mattress. Think about it—the best sleeping habits will only get you so far if you sleep on the equivalent of a board. You want a surface that supports your body and provides comfort in all the right ways. So here’s our mattress buying guide, which can help guide you to a better night’s sleep.

Determine Your Sleep Style and Needs

We all have our sleeping preferences. Some of us are side sleepers. Some people sleep on their backs, and others their stomachs. Whatever your preference, you should keep it in mind when choosing a mattress.

• Side Sleepers: With so much pressure being placed on the shoulders and hips, a softer mattress is recommended to make for sleep you won’t regret in the morning.

• Back Sleepers: Spinal alignment is imperative here, so make sure you purchase a mattress that offers medium to firm support.

• Stomach Sleepers: Excessive sinking into a soft mattress could cause strain on your lower back, so we recommend avoiding overly soft options. Choose a mattress that offers plenty of firmness.

• Combination Sleepers: A balanced mattress that isn’t too soft or too firm is the ticket here, since you’ll be sleeping in multiple positions throughout the night.

We can make these general recommendations, but you know your sleep preferences and habits much better than we ever will. When mattress hunting, consider any back or joint pain you may have. It could be remedied with memory foam or other hybrid mattresses.

Do you need the temperature to be just right? Breathable materials like latex, as well as cooling, gel-infused options may be worth looking at. And of course, there’s the ongoing debate between partners who are disturbed by the sleep habits of their better halves. Motion-isolation materials and mattresses that have separate cooling zones can help alleviate these conflicts.

But all that is just the first step of our mattress buying guide! It’s time to learn about the various types of mattresses we offer.

Understanding Mattress Types

Not all mattresses are created equal. Some are bouncy, while others mitigate motion. Some prioritize comfort, and then there are those that emphasize support. Let’s go over the primary mattress types:

• Memory Foam: This variety molds to your body, providing pressure relief and isolation motion. It’s like a gentle hug!

• Innerspring: Coils provide firm support and offer that timeless “bouncy” feel.

• Hybrid: Foam and coils come together to create a mattress that provides a nice balance of support and comfort.

• Latex: Made of naturally hypoallergenic materials, this durable option provides more cooling than memory foam.

Choosing the Right Firmness

Earlier in this mattress buying guide, we mentioned firmness, but how important is it and what are the levels? There are three primary firmness levels you can choose between: soft, medium, and firm. Soft mattresses are best suited for those who sleep on their sides and require pressure relief on their hips and shoulders. Medium firmness is ideal for combination sleepers who assume several positions throughout the night. Finally, firm mattresses work best for stomach sleepers as well as those who need additional support for maintaining spinal alignment. Your joints and long-term comfort will thank you for choosing the right firmness level. 

A Guide to the Different Mattress Sizes

Though several different mattress sizes exist, this mattress buying guide covers the five main categorizations they all fall under:

• Twin: This is the ideal bed size for children or single sleepers who don’t toss and turn much in the night.

• Full: A great size for single adults who want a little more space in which to sprawl out.

• Queen: The most popular size for couples. It offers enough room for two individuals to fit comfortably without taking up too much space in a room.

• King: A great choice for couples who want more personal space.

• California King: Similar to a king bed, but with additional length that’s perfect for taller individuals.

In addition to your sleep preferences, you should take bedroom size into consideration. Also, double check your door size to make sure a larger mattress will fit through it!

Budget and Where to Buy

It wouldn’t be a mattress buying guide without mentioning budget! With so many options available to customers these days, it can be difficult to choose. But before you do, you need to have an understanding of pricing. Though we can’t give a one-size-fits-all price for the kind of mattress you’re looking for, you can browse our website to get a feel for the price range you’ll likely be dealing with. It’s also important to note that while the price of a quality mattress may not seem low at first glance, it’s a purchase you won’t regret. With the benefits offered by continual quality sleep, the benefits you get from your mattress are well worth the investment.

Perhaps one of the biggest shakeups in the economy has been the rise in prominence of internet shopping. Just a couple decades ago, you had to hop in your car and go to the store to buy just about anything. Fast forward to the present day, and almost everything can be bought online from the comfort of your couch. While this may be convenient, there are certain things that require a more personal touch if you want to make the right buying decision. Testing out the feel of a mattress just can’t be done on an e-commerce site. If you pay us a visit, we’ll be happy to give you the timeless customer experience of “try before you buy.”

You Snooze, You Win

A lot goes into choosing a mattress that’s right for you, and we hope this mattress buying guide has made the decision at least a little bit easier. When you consider mattress style, the various types, different mattress sizes, and their firmness, you can trim your pool of options down to a manageable size. When you’re ready to try out some high-quality mattresses, visit us at The Mattress Connection and we’ll be happy to help!

Don’t just sleep tight. Sleep right!