MATTRESS BUYING GUIDE

MATTRESS BUYING GUIDE

How to choose a mattress? What is the best mattress? We know choosing a mattress can be daunting – especially since it’s probably been a while since your last trip to the mattress store. We’re here to help make sense of it all and provide you with everything you need to know so you can find the best mattress to buy for your lifestyle and budget. 

Let’s get started! 

It’s time to buy a new mattress if:

• You wake up with aches and pains that dissipate throughout the day.
• Your arms or shoulders fall asleep throughout the night, or you wake up tossing and turning.
• Your mattress shows visible signs of wear and tear, such as sagging or the sides breaking down.
• You feel the coils when lying on your bed.
• You hear noises/creaks on your mattress when moving around.
• You roll toward the middle of the bed at night, or you easily roll off the edge of the bed.
• No matter what the temperature in your bedroom, you always seem to feel too hot in bed.
• Your mattress is more than eight years old – check the tag to determine the age of your mattress.
• You’ve outgrown your current mattress size or are in need of a larger one.

Mattress Shopping Checklist

Complete this checklist before your visit to the mattress store and bring it with you to help narrow your search. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – that’s what the sales representatives, known as sleep consultants at Mattress Firm, are there for!

1. Size
2. Budget
3. Comfort

SIZE

• To identify the correct mattress size for your space, consider the following:
• The mattress should be longer than the tallest person sleeping on it.
• The bed width should allow enough space to fold your arms behind your head without going beyond the mattress edge or touching your partner’s elbows (for two adults, we recommend either a queen or a king).

BUDGET

Determine a budget you’re comfortable with and let your salesperson know so he or she can direct you to the best mattress options in your price range.
Not sure how much you should spend for a good quality mattress? As a general rule with mattresses, you get what you pay for – the higher the quality, the better the comfort, support and durability. However, it’s important to choose a model that suits your needs and your pocketbook. We recommend the “eight days of pay for eight years” model: Take one day’s pay and multiply it by eight. That’s how much you should spend on a mattress that will last eight years. If you don’t plan on keeping your mattress that long, or it’s going to be a guest mattress that will be used less often, you may consider spending less, but consider using this equation to find your ballpark price range.
TEST-DRIVE: Once your salesperson has shown you some different mattress brands within your size/budget range, test out your mattress options by laying on each side (back, stomach, left side, right side) for about five minutes per side (20 minutes total). We know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want to lay on a bed in front of my fellow shoppers?” Don’t worry – we see it all the time, and it’s an important step in the shopping process. Some questions to ask yourself as you test drive each mattress include:

COMFORT

When you’re shopping for a mattress, one of the most important things to decide is what comfort category you’d like for your mattress. With five different options to choose from, narrowing it down can be overwhelming if you don’t have the right information. Below, take an in-depth look at what sets each comfort category apart, as well as which type suits which sleepers best. While no category is better than another, one will be best for you, and getting the right information will help you make an informed decision when you’re ready to buy.

EXTRA FIRM

• Suit back or stomach sleepers who need uncompromising stability.
• Lack extra layers, so are thinner than other mattresses but equally supportive.
• Feature a dense, unyielding construction.
• Can be made with either an innerspring or foam construction.
• Are compatible with softer mattress toppers for couples who need extra firm support but don’t want to give up cushioning.

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FIRM

• Work best for back or stomach sleepers, but some can be comfortable for side sleepers.
• Focus more on support than extra cushioning, so are on the thinner side.
• Feature a denser construction that has some give.
• Are available in a variety of materials, from innerspring, to foam, to latex, to hybrid.
• Offer couples a stable, supportive feel with the potential to add extra cushioning in the form of a mattress topper or pillow top construction.

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MEDIUM

• Adapt well to back, side, or stomach sleepers.
• Available in a wide array of materials and constructions, so can vary in degree of softness or firmness.
• Sub-categories can include medium firm, medium plush, and luxury firm, which are actually made to feel more like medium mattresses.
• Offer a balance of support and cushioning that’s ideal for compromising couples.
• Are a great comfort category to start with if you aren’t sure which type of mattress you want.

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PLUSH

• Generally work best for side sleepers.
• Constructed with multiple layers of cushioning, so are usually thicker.
• Provide excellent support to lighter sleepers and those who sleep on their sides.
• Help sleepers prone to pressure points avoid pain.
• Available in a range of materials, from gel memory foam to innerspring.

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ULTRA PLUSH

• Usually accommodate side sleepers best.
• Are constructed with several individual layers of cushioning, so are often tall.
• Keep side sleepers and lighter individuals supported.
• Allow sleepers to sink into cushioning rather than sleep on top of it.
• Significantly limit the likelihood of painful pressure points with extra softness.

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