Smart Shopper: How to Choose the Right Mattress for a Good Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep can depend on the mattress you use. If your bed doesn’t provide the comfort it once did, it may be time to upgrade. A new mattress can keep you from tossing and turning in the night, but choosing one, might turn out to be a complex process. Before you head to the mattress store and get overwhelmed by the choices, it’s best to know a few key things.

The 3 Types of Mattresses

There are three main types of mattresses, each characterized by its style of construction and feel: innerspring (spring), foam, and hybrid.

Innerspring

For many people, an innerspring mattress is the best choice. They are made of a series of steel coils (also known as springs), which can be arranged in different ways to provide different levels of support and comfort—the number of coils and the quality of materials used in the mattress influence its price and lifespan.

The layers on top of the coils are called comfort layers. These layers are added for comfort, support, and durability. Comfort layers can include padding, foam, fibres, or other materials. Innerspring mattresses typically have a layer on top to cushion your body when you lie down. This layer is known as the pillow top or upholstery layer. It is usually covered with fabric and padded with polyester, cotton, wool, memory foam, or another material to make it soft and comfortable. Innerspring mattresses are often highly customizable because they can include various firmness levels, pillow tops, upholstery layers, and coil types.

Foam

Foam mattresses are made from polyurethane or memory foam. These mattresses may also have a layer of polyfoam or latex foam on top. There are three main types of foam mattresses, differentiated by the type of foam used: all-foam, hybrid and memory foam. All-foam mattresses have a support core made of polyfoam or latex and a comfort system made from polyfoam, latex, gel memory foam, copper-infused memory foam or copper-gel memory foam. Hybrid models have pocketed coils as their support core and a comfort system made from polyfoam and/or latex. Memory foam mattresses have a support core made of high-density polyfoam and a comfort system made entirely of memory foam.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds, the support of innerspring and foam’s comfort and body contouring. In a hybrid mattress, you’ll find a sturdy innerspring core topped with layers of responsive foam. The combination offers something for everyone, you get the pressure relief and comfort of memory foam without feeling trapped in your mattress. And because they’re hybrids, they sleep cool! The coil layer allows air to flow through the mattress, so you don’t have to worry about overheating. While they’re pricier than most all-foam mattresses, you can find cheap mattresses online hybrids that are still affordable and offer great value.

What to Look For in a Mattress

Your mattress should support and align your body while you sleep and be comfortable enough that you feel rested in the morning. In addition to these basics, how you sleep can determine additional factors that could make a good mattress even better for you.

How You Sleep

The most important consideration is pressure relief when it comes to what to look for in cheap mattresses online for your sleeping position. If your mattress does not provide pressure relief on the areas of your body that press into it as you sleep (especially your shoulders and hips), you’re likely to wake up with aches and pains.

For back sleepers: If you sleep on your back, the top layer of a mattress should provide slight contouring around your lumbar area and allow your spine to remain naturally aligned throughout the night. A medium-firm or firm mattress works best for back sleeping, as softer mattresses may allow the hips and pelvis to sink too far into the bed. This misalignment can cause back pain or increase existing aches.

Side Sleepers: If you sleep on your side, pressure points can build up along your body’s heaviest areas, shoulders, hips, and buttocks, so it’s important to find a mattress that conforms to these areas. Generally, a soft-to-medium firm mattress works best for side sleepers because it conforms to the shape of your body. However, it should still have enough support to keep your spine in neutral alignment.

Stomach Sleepers: Sleeping on your stomach places the most pressure on your back, neck, and spine. Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress that prevents the torso from sinking too deeply, which can cause lower back pain and prevent the spine from maintaining its natural curve. A firmer mattress will also help with keeping the spine aligned.

Your Partner’s Sleeping Style

If you share your bed with someone else, for both of you to get a good night’s sleep, make sure to choose a mattress that meets both of your needs.

Mattress Type and Firmness

While there are many different mattresses, all of them can be described by their firmness. When choosing a mattress, it’s best to go with one that’s as firm as you can stand. While soft mattresses may seem comfy at first, they tend to sag over time and don’t provide the support your body needs to stay healthy.

To Sum Up

When you’re ready to go mattress shopping, it’s best to make a list of what you want in a new mattress. That way, when you head to the mattress store, you have an idea of what you need out of the experience. The most important thing to keep in mind is the type of sleep you get and your mattress’s amount of support. Take some time sleeping on various mattresses and see how you feel. And when it comes time to make your purchase, do not be afraid to ask questions about the materials used or any extra features available for your new mattress.