How to Buy a Mattress

How much should you spend on a mattress? And when should you buy? Read this mattress buying guide to pick a good mattress for you.

Sleep is important. Everyone knows this, but so many people let a bad mattress get in the way of good sleep.

Besides the obvious signs of wear and tear, other signs you should buy a new mattress include:

• Your mattress is more than 8 years old.
  
• Your mattress is lumpy or saggy.
  
• You wake up with aches and pains.
  
• You just can't get comfortable.
  
• Your body has changed.

Your old mattress isn't doing you any favors. If you're consistently waking up feeling unrested, it's probably time to replace it.

Mattress Buying Basics

Here's everything you need to know before you start shopping for your new bed.

How Much Should You Spend on a Mattress?

© CreditDonkey

The first thing you have to do when making a big purchase is set a budget. Remember: More expensive doesn't always mean better quality. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to get a good night's sleep.

Here are the average prices of a queen size mattress for each mattress type:

• Innerspring mattress: $950–$1,000
  
• Memory foam mattress: $900
  
• Hybrid mattress: $1,650
  
• Latex mattress: $2,000

$1,000 is a good place to start your budget for a quality queen bed. You can find mattresses that cost as little as $200, but you'll get less durable materials with them. On the other hand, a $5,000 mattress could be packed with extra features that you don't even need.

Now that you know how much to spend, let's figure out which mattress type is right for you.

Which Type of Mattress is Best?

© CreditDonkey

There are a lot of mattress types, with pros and cons for each. The best one for you depends on your needs. Find out below which popular choice fits your sleeping preferences.

Innerspring
Pros

• Sleeps cool and has good airflow
  
• Strong support for all body types
  
• Bounciness makes moving around easy

Cons

• Sleeping partners will feel each other toss and turn
  
• Doesn't conform closely to the body
  
• Cheaper models can be noisy/squeaky

An innerspring mattress uses metal coils under a comfortable top layer. The top layer's material and the number of coils can vary. An innerspring mattress provides firmer support and can work for side, stomach, or back sleepers.

Fans of innersprings love the bounciness of the bed. But if you're concerned about movement disturbing your sleeping partner, look for one with pocketed coils.

These coils are individually wrapped in fabric and not interconnected. It'll cut down on movement while still giving you the strong support innersprings are known for.

Memory Foam
Pros

• Great pressure relief
  
• Lots of budget-friendly options
  
• Doesn't transfer motion to your partner

Cons

• Sleeps hottest out of all mattress types
  
• Less support for bigger bodies
  
• Less bounce makes it harder to move around

When you lie on a memory foam mattress, you'll feel as if you are sinking in. The mattress conforms to your body. Memory foam mattresses helps relieve pressure, which makes it especially great for side and back sleepers.

Because it's so good at contouring your body, it tends to sleep warm. To combat this, try looking for gel memory foam or copper/graphite-infused memory foam. These materials are better at wicking away heat.

New memory foam mattresses sometimes smell. It's part of a process called off-gassing, where the mattress gives off small amounts of VOCs. Look for foams that are CertiPUR-US certified to ensure that the foam is made without harmful amounts of chemicals and ozone depleters.

It's a good options for couples who move around a lot at night. Since it absorbs motion, you won't be disturbed by your partner's tossing and turning.

Hybrid
Pros

• Good pressure relief
  
• Breathable and sleeps cool
  
• Has benefits of multiple materials

Cons

• Don't get full benefit of each material
  
• Tends to be expensive
  
• Can be confusing to shop for

If you like more than one mattress material, try a hybrid. Hybrids use thick layers of two or more materials. Most hybrids are made of innerspring and memory foam. The result is like an innerspring bed with more pressure relief and less motion transfer thanks to memory foam.

Hybrid beds are great for all sleeping positions and body types. They're good for people who sleep hot. The combination of innerspring and foam lets more air flow than an all-foam mattress would.

Hybrids are a big trend in the mattress world. Be wary of innerspring "hybrids" that only use a thin layer of foam. These will feel like a regular innerspring rather than a true hybrid.

Latex
Pros

• Hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites
  
• Very durable material
  
• Good bounce and support

Cons

• Most expensive mattress type
  
• Can be too firm for petite sleepers
  
• Bounciness can disturb sleeping partner

Latex mattresses have good support but less pressure relief than foam mattresses. When you lie on a latex mattress, you'll feel like you're sleeping on top of it rather than sinking into it. This supportive choice is a great option for stomach and back sleepers.

Softer latex mattresses exist, but most tend to be a bit on the firmer side. This makes it great for average and heavy people. But very petite sleepers might need a softer mattress.

If you're looking for a natural mattress, latex is one of the few mattress materials that can actually be organic. Keep an eye out for mattresses with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifications.

The material is also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, so allergy sufferers should have no problem on it.

What to Look for in a Mattress

Mattresses might look similar, but lie on a few and you'll feel the difference. Use these factors to narrow down your choices before buying a mattress:

• Pressure Relief
  Pressure relief refers to how well a mattress conforms to your body. Imagine lying down on concrete. It feels uncomfortable because your weight pushes into the hard surface. This puts a lot of strain on your body.

  A mattress with good pressure relief would soften around your body's contours. This takes pressure off your shoulders and hips and prevents sore joints.

• Support
  A supportive mattress keeps your body properly aligned while you sleep. One way to test for support is to lie on the mattress for 10 to 15 minutes in your normal sleeping position. Are you comfortable in that position or do you find yourself fidgeting?

  It's helpful to mattress shop with a friend. Ask them to take a look at your spine and see if it's straight or unnaturally bent.

  Is it better to sleep on a soft or hard mattress?
  For back and stomach sleepers, a firmer mattress is best. People with back pain, arthritis, or other joint issues may benefit from a soft mattress with more cushion than rigid support.

  The "best" mattress is the one that keeps your spine in a neutral position. With your body in alignment, you shouldn't feel pressure on your joints.
  

• Temperature
  If you've ever felt too hot to fall asleep, it might be caused by a warm mattress. Look for a mattress with cooling materials and proper ventilation if this is an issue for you. Innersprings, gel foam, and latex can help with sleeping hot.

• Motion Transfer
  If you share a bed, you want to be sure it doesn't transfer motion. This means that your partner can shift in bed without disturbing your sleep. Be sure to test the mattress together. Have your partner roll around and even get in and out of the bed to see how much movement you feel.

• Edge Support
  Without proper edge support, the mattress will sag when you sit on the side of the bed. If you take your time getting out of bed or use it to help you get dressed, good edge support will keep you from sliding off the mattress.

  If you have a sleeping partner, good edge support allows you both to use the full surface of the mattress without falling off.

• Trial Period
  Always ask about and make use of the trial period. It's there for a reason! Most online and in-store sellers will give you at least 90 days to sleep on your mattress. You'll never truly know if a mattress is right for you until you try it out for at a few days.

• Shipping and Delivery
  Some online sellers offer free shipping and delivery within the U.S., except Alaska and Hawaii. Many mattress stores will charge shipping and delivery fees. Each retailer is different, so make sure you ask about all fees.

  If you don't want to drag a heavy mattress to your room, some sellers offer white-glove delivery. This means they'll set the mattress up for you. But, you might have to pay extra.

Phew, you've gotten through the nitty gritty of mattress shopping. The rest is easy. Find out at the end what steps you can take to get the best deals.

Choosing the Right Mattress Size

© CreditDonkey

Is your mattress still the best size for you? A lot of things have probably changed since you first got your old mattress. Maybe you now sleep with a partner, pet, or both. You want to be sure you have enough space to fit everyone without sacrificing your sleep quality.

Here are the common mattress sizes and who they're best suited for:

• Twin - Children and single adults
  
• Twin XL - Tall single sleepers
  
• Full - Single adults
  
• Queen - Single adults who want space, couples
  
• King - Couples and people with children or pets
  
• Split king - Couples with different sleep preferences
  
• California king - Tall couples and tall people with children or pets

How to Pick the Right Mattress Firmness

Mattresses are rated on a scale from 1 to 10:

• 1–2 are very soft
  
• 3–4 are soft
  
• 5–6 are medium to medium-firm
  
• 7–8 are firm
  
• 9–10 are very firm

The average person sleeps well on a medium-firm mattress, or around a 5–7. Your ideal mattress firmness depends on your sleeping position and body weight.

Here are some guidelines to see which firmness is right for you:

• Side sleepers
  Side sleepers usually prefer a medium-soft to medium mattress since side sleeping puts a lot of pressure on your body. A softer mattress lets you sink in and takes pressure off your shoulders and hips.

• Back sleepers
  Back sleepers do well on medium-firm mattresses. When you sleep on your back, you need enough support to keep your body from sagging. But a mattress that's too firm will make your back arch up uncomfortably.

• Stomach sleepers
  Stomach sleepers need a medium-firm to firm mattress that keeps the hips from sinking. The front of your body should lay flat on the mattress surface. If your mattress is too soft, your hips and spine will dip too much.

Your body weight will affect how firm a mattress feels to you. In general, heavy people will need a firmer mattress and petite people need a softer mattress.

What Experts Recommend

CreditDonkey interviewed a medical expert about getting a good night's rest:

• How can you tell if you're getting high-quality sleep?
  
• Is there any consensus on how much sleep we really need?
  
• What can people do to make sure they're getting quality sleep?

Here's what she said:

How to Buy a Mattress in Store

© CreditDonkey

The biggest draw of shopping at a mattress store is seeing the mattress before you buy. You can also talk face-to-face with a knowledgeable sales team. If you have any questions, they'll be able to point you in the right direction.

If you plan to shop in stores, follow these tips to find the perfect mattress at a good price:

1. Test several beds
   Take time to try out many types of mattresses. Make sure to lie down the way you normally sleep and spend a few minutes in that position.

2. Ask questions
   Find out as much as you can about the warranty, delivery, and return policy. Ask about the warranty, delivery, and return policy.

   Some "money-back guarantees" include a re-stocking fee, which means you won't get back the whole purchase price.

3. Try bargaining
   The price you see isn't necessarily the price you have to pay. Mattress sellers often have some wiggle room, especially at certain times of the year.

4. Be ready to walk away
   You have options. There's always another mattress store out there. Or, you could save a lot by shopping online.

Popular mattress stores include:

• Mattress Firm - Best selection and helpful sales team
  
• Macy's - Best department store pick
  
• Costco and Sam's Club - Best value

How to Buy a Mattress Online

© CreditDonkey

You can save 25%–50% by shopping online. Online companies don't have physical stores, so they have less overhead costs. They pass those savings onto consumers.

Follow these steps to find the best bed for your needs (and budget) online:

1. Cast a wide net
   You can shop dozens of places online in just a few short minutes. While you can't make an apples-to-apples comparison of specific mattresses, you can get a sense of what features you need.

2. Read customer reviews
   As with any kind of online shopping, figure out what other people are saying about the product. Take a look at both positive and negative reviews to see if the pros outweigh the cons.

3. Contact customer service
   Talk to a representative if you can't find an answer to your questions on the website. Some sites even offer 24/7 customer service. Though it's unconventional, people have even had luck negotiating price online. According to Consumer Reports, 66% who haggle online get a discount.

4. Look for discounts
   Some online retailers have sales or coupon codes during special times of the year, usually around the major holidays. Search online for these promo codes before buying.

Popular online mattresses include:

Saatva - Best Place to Buy Online
Saatva is known for their reasonably priced, high-quality innerspring mattresses. They have great customer service available 24/7. This makes it easy for online shoppers to get any questions or issues addressed quickly.

Casper - Best Bed in a Box
Casper sells affordable foam and hybrid beds. Their mattresses are a great choice for people who like foam but sleep hot. The material they use is more breathable than traditional memory foam, so you won't wake up sweaty.

Tuft & Needle - Best Budget Option
Tuft & Needle is the best pick if you're looking for a cheap bed that doesn't skimp on quality. You won't find any luxury, high-end features here, but you will get a good foam mattress that doesn't sleep too hot.

What Cyber Security Experts Say

CreditDonkey assembled a panel of cyber security experts to get their advice on how to safely buy things online.

Here's what they said:

Bottom Line

Buying a mattress is a decision you'll live with for the next 7 to 10 years. Take the time to do your research, consider your needs, and shop around to find the mattress that is right for you.