How to Choose a Mattress

Sifting through the seemingly endless mattress options can seem daunting, but not for the sleep specialists at Mattress World Northwest. We’re here to help you find the best mattress based on your lifestyle, body type, sleep preferences, and budget. The signs that your mattress needs replacing are:

• impressions remain on your bed
• pain and discomfort upon waking up
• tossing and turning in the night
• fatigue due to not getting a good night’s sleep

Choosing the correct mattress is an important decision that should not be taken lightly.

Personal Sleeping Needs and Preferences

First, you must understand your sleep type. Are you a hot or cold sleeper? A side sleeper, a stomach sleeper, or a back sleeper? What is your build type? If you are lighter, you will probably prefer a plush pillowtop mattress. If your build is more big-and-tall, you might find that a firmer mattress is more effective at supporting your spine and keeping it in a neutral position. When buying a mattress, your primary focus should be to find one that maintains proper alignment of your spine, shoulders, and hips so that you wake up feeling properly refreshed and without pain.

Sleeping Positions

The way you sleep has a big impact on your overall health and well-being. There are different reasons why you may prefer to sleep on either your back, stomach or side. The way you lie on your mattress is an important thing to consider when selecting a new partner that you’ll spend one-third of your life embracing!

If You Are a Side Sleeper

65% of Americans are side sleepers. If this is you, you’ll find comfort in a medium-firm or softer mattress that will allow your shoulders and hips to sink into the mattress. Latex or memory foam mattresses rise to this challenge well. If you don’t want to lose that springy feel of traditional innerspring, hybrid models are an outstanding compromise. Side-sleeping is recommended for people with back pain, sleep apnea, acid reflux, snoring, and pregnant women.

If You Are a Back Sleeper

As a back sleeper, you will want something supporting your lower lumbar area. Look for comfort in either a latex, memory foam, or innerspring mattress. A very plush mattress can cause your hips to sink too low; an overly firm mattress can create a gap between your lower lumbar area and the mattress.

You will want a medium-firm mattress that is neither too soft, nor too firm.

Back sleeping is the best position for preventing facial wrinkles and alleviating neck pain or congestion (especially if you keep your head elevated on pillows). People who suffer from sleep apnea are told not to sleep on their backs because it increases the likelihood of airway collapse. GERD and acid reflux symptoms can also worsen with back sleeping.

If You Are a Stomach Sleeper

For stomach sleepers, you’ll want to pay special attention to the position of your spine, as your neck will always be twisted to one side or the other. However, this position can prevent snoring and with a thin pillow or no pillow at all, your neck won’t be more elevated than necessary.

People who sleep on their stomachs will often be better off with a firmer mattress that supports their hips adequately.

Stomach sleepers can choose from either latex, memory foam or innerspring mattresses.

Weight

How much you weigh is another important factor in choosing a mattress that feels comfortable yet supportive for your optimal sleep health. If you are on the lighter side (150 lbs or below), a plush or pillowtop mattress will be comfortable for you. Your weight will not be enough to really sink into the coils of a firmer innerspring, latex or memory foam mattress.

People of a more midrange weight (between 150 and 200 lbs) will probably find a medium-firm mattress comfortable.

Those above 200 lbs will likely find comfort and a properly aligned spine in a firmer mattress. These are not rules, though –  merely guidelines. Other factors like your sleeping position and temperature should influence your decision.

Temperature Tendency

Some people wake up covered in sweat in the middle of the night, while others often find themselves in the fetal position trying to stay warm. We all sleep differently, and mattresses are catered to complement the body temperature of a wide range of sleepers. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses typically allow the most airflow, but many of today’s memory foam and natural latex mattresses have technology that can greatly reduce heat capturing. Tempur-Pedic’s Breeze line and Purple’s GelFlex Grid system are both designed to provide greater airflow to the hot sleeper.

Types of Mattresses

There are dozens of different mattress designs depending on the manufacturer and seller. The majority can, however, be broken into several main categories.

Latex

Latex mattresses are the most environmentally friendly and long-lasting mattresses of the bunch. Natural latex is primarily derived from Brazilian Rubber trees and is hypoallergenic, naturally antimicrobial, and biodegradable. Latex mattresses are the number one choice for people who suffer from allergies. They do not need to be combined with copper, gel, or other materials to facilitate airflow like memory foam mattresses do.

Latex is similar to memory foam in that it does not transfer motion when your partner moves. It does have a springier, more responsive feel that makes it easier to move and can prevent the sinking feeling that people sometimes get with memory foam. High-quality natural latex mattresses like those from Posh + Lavish can be expected to last for about 10 years before showing signs of degradation. Their maximum life expectancy is roughly 20 years.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses combine multiple layers of foam at different densities to cradle your body, hug your curves and keep your spine neutral. Memory foam mattresses possess outstanding movement cancellation and adaptability and can keep colder sleepers warm. If your partner moves around on the other side of the bed, you can sleep undisturbed. They also complement a wide range of body types. While they can be helpful for people who tend to get cold, they should not be disregarded for hot sleepers. Today’s memory foam mattresses are often infused with cooling materials like gel or carbon to effectively neutralize heat.

Memory foam mattresses come in different densities ranging from one pound to five pounds. The density determines the cost and lifespan of your mattress. Lower-density memory foam easily develops body impressions and needs replacing in as little as one or two years. Higher-density mattresses in the three or four-pound range can last over a decade. As you can probably imagine, an inexpensive memory foam mattress that needs replacing in a couple of years will cost more in the long run than a higher-quality mattress.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds. They offer the support of an innerspring with the cozy, body-hugging comforts of a latex or memory foam mattress. Hybrid mattresses are some of the most outstanding mattress types available and are a stellar option for every kind of sleeper. The comfort layer of hybrid mattresses is often of equal or greater thickness than the coil layer.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are the most traditional mattress construction type. They come in various styles and types, from the higher-quality pocketed, offset, or microcoil types to less expensive bonell or continuous coil designs. Innerspring mattresses have a comfort layer that is made from a thinner foam layer and a wide variety of fabric tops.

Mattress Purchasing Factors

After determining the type of mattress best suited for your body, think of other considerations that will influence your buying power.

Budget

The old adage that you get what you pay for holds true in mattresses. Higher-quality materials will last longer and ultimately be a more cost-effective choice. Traditional innerspring mattresses come in a variety of different coil types, and the higher-end, pocketed coil types transfer weight more effectively. They are also more durable in the long run.

Memory foam mattresses come in different foam densities ranging from one to five pounds, with the higher density having better springback and ability to keep its shape much longer.

Hybrid mattresses tend to be more expensive. They combine innerspring and either latex or memory foam technology, resulting in a mattress that is body-hugging but still has that familiar springy feel.

You can expect the cost of an inexpensive mattress to be in the $1,000 or below range. A mid-range mattress would cost approximately $1,000 – $2,500, and a higher-end luxury mattress will cost $2,500+. We highly recommend buying the highest-quality mattress that you can afford, as it will pay for itself in the long run.

Mattress Sizes

The price of your mattress depends heavily on the size you need. Queen or king mattresses often cost at least $1,000 more than their twin or full-size companions. Most couples prefer the extra room of queen or king sizes.  Full and twin sizes are best suited for single sleepers. The extra width comes with extra length, so be sure to measure the size of your room with your other furniture before making a decision.

Buying In-Person or Online

While both have their advantages and disadvantages, happy sleepers worldwide have had success through both purchasing avenues. Ultimately, it’s up to you.

In-Person

Pros:

• The ability to try before you buy
• The expert help of our trained sleep specialists to guide you toward finding the perfect fit
• May be able to save on floor models and clearance pricing

Cons:

• Inconvenience of traveling to the store
• Not all models may be available online at each showroom

Online

Pros:

• The convenience of modern technology
• Ample information and customer reviews are available

Cons:

• No chance to try it out prior to purchase.

Fine Print

Be sure to research each manufacturer’s warranty before purchasing. A good warranty is a sign that you are buying from a high-quality and trusted manufacturer. At Mattress World Northwest, helping you get the best night’s sleep is our goal. If you are not completely happy with your purchase, you can exchange your mattress within 90 days of purchase.

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