Your Mattress Buying Guide
Doctors say that we need about eight hours of sleep per night in order to function at our best. Even though most of us don't get that much sleep, if we did that would translate into one third of our lives being spent in bed. That's a lot of time in one place. That's why it's so important to have a mattress on which you can sleep comfortably night after night. That's also why it's so important to take your time and do your research when buying a new mattress.
In the United States there are five standard adult mattress sizes for you to choose from:
- Twin
- Double
- Queen
- King
- California king
There are several other sizes for custom beds and special needs, but these five are generally what you'll find at a mattress store or online. Twin beds are typically what we use for children up to their teen years, before they grow into a double; most couples can sleep comfortably on a queen mattress unless they are unusually tall or large; the king and the California king mattresses are the largest and provide the most room.
There are also several different options to consider for mattress construction. While different manufacturers will claim their construction is superior to everyone else's, nothing could be further from the truth. Body sizes, shapes, and weights vary drastically from one person to the next, as do sleeping preferences. Some construction designs work well for one group of people and not so well for another. You'll need to try out the different types of mattresses in order to find what's best for you. You'll need to look at:
- Inner spring mattresses
- Latex or memory foam addresses
- Inflatable air mattresses
- Waterbed mattresses
Inner Spring Mattresses
The inner spring mattress has been around for decades and is currently the most popular type of mattress in the United States. This mattress uses a series of coiled springs attached to a wooden or metal frame and encased in a fabric cover. The typical lifespan of an inner spring mattress is about 20 years; some can go as long as 30 years. Their construction makes them very reliable and durable, which may be the single most important reason why they are so popular.
Inner Spring mattresses provide good body support and comfort. Their biggest downfall is that they produce pressure points where the body lays directly on top of a spring. These pressure points can cause pain in the back, shoulders, and knees. Inner Spring mattresses also tend to have the quickest "drop off" time when they reach the end of their lives. In other words, once your inner spring mattress is ready to be replaced you might notice a spring popping through the cover seemingly out of nowhere. An inner spring mattress goes from appearing completely intact to falling apart very quickly.
Latex and Memory Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses have also been around for decades and come in one of two forms: latex foam and memory foam. Latex foam usually is a natural substance made from the sap of rubber trees. There are some synthetic latex foams but they are not as common for bedding as they are for seat cushions and other applications. Latex foam tends to be very comfortable, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic. The biggest downside to latex foam is that it doesn't provide the "pushback" support that memory foam does. For people with certain back issues latex may not be the right option.
Memory foam is an entirely different substance than latex. It is a synthetic material developed by NASA scientists in the 1960s who needed heat-sensitive foam for seat cushions that could withstand the rigors of space travel. Memory foam gets its name from its ability to spring back to its original shape once heat and pressure are removed. To see this in action, press a piece of memory foam with your hands and then watch how quickly and perfectly it returns to its natural state once your hand is removed.
Memory foam is also considered extremely comfortable by many people who use it. It conforms nearly perfectly to your body regardless of your sleep position. It is also gets softer and more pliable as heat is applied. On the downside, memory foam tends to sleep hot. This means that without a breathable mattress cover and the right linens you could be very warm on this mattress during the summer months.
Inflatable Air Mattresses
Inflatable air mattresses come into three types: the camping mattress, the temporary guest mattress, and the permanent mattress. Obviously, camping mattresses are the smallest, cheapest, and least comfortable. They are not intended for long-term use by any stretch of the imagination.
The guest mattress is also intended for short-term use when you have more guests in your home than you have beds. Some of these guest mattresses are incredibly sturdy and well constructed and can be used as a permanent mattress in a pinch. The downside to both the camping and guest air mattresses is that they don't tend to hold air very well and can become very uncomfortable after several hours of sleeping on them.
The permanent inflatable air mattress is one that is made of heavy-duty materials and designed to last 20 to 30 years. The mattress itself is encased in a fabric covering similar to that used in an inner spring mattress. It will also have protective pieces of foam to give the mattress additional rigidity. This type of mattress is intended to give you customizable firmness based upon individual needs. They come with small electric compressors that remain attached to the bed on a continual basis so that air pressure can be monitored. A remote control or wired controller allows the user to adjust the air pressure and the firmness.
Adjustable inflatable beds tend to be very popular among people with arthritis and back pain issues. The ability to adjust firmness on the fly means that individual users can choose how soft or hard their mattress is every single night. They can even make adjustments in the middle of the night if they find they are uncomfortable. Though these types of mattresses are quickly gaining popularity, they are rather expensive - especially if you purchase a pedestal and foundation as well.
Waterbed mattresses
Water beds were all the rage back in the 1970s and early '80s. However, they quickly lost popularity when it became evident that they offered little support. They were also difficult to get in and out of, caused "seasickness" issues because of the ways they produced, and were terribly uncomfortable in warmer climates. New technology has largely mitigated those issues to the extent that waterbeds are once again on the rise. It remains to be seen whether or not they reach their former glory of days gone by.
Choosing the Right Mattress
Choosing the right mattress depends on your sleep position, your comfort preferences, and any medical conditions you might have. If you're not sure what's best for you a good place to start is by asking your doctor. You will know the firmness most likely to be suited to you and your medical conditions. Beyond that, choosing the best mattress requires that you go to the mattress stores in your area and try them out. By lying on a mattress for 15 minutes or so you get an inkling of how your body will respond.
Even with a 15 minute nap, you can't be sure that your mattress will be perfect when you get it home. So be sure to shop with a retailer that offers a 30 or 60-day in-home trial. If the mattress you purchase is still comfortable at the end of the trial, you can rest reasonably assured that you made a good choice. But if you find during the trial that it's not comfortable, you can return it and try something else.
Finally, where you purchase your mattress depends on your shopping preferences. Older individuals tend to go to a physical store where they can see and touch individual mattresses. Younger folks, who are already accustomed to buying things online, are more willing to shop for their matches via the Internet. If you do choose to purchase online you will probably get a better price than you would in a retail store. Just be sure to do the same thing we mentioned previously. That is, shop with an online site that will give you a 30 or 60 day in-home trial.