Sleep is the way we release the stress during the day – it’s our recharge time, if you want. As an adult, you need about 6 to 7 hours of sleep in order to function at optimum levels. If this doesn’t happen and, regardless of the reason you can’t sleep, you’ll get anxious, you’ll feel tired, and you won’t be able to think straight.
So, to avoid all these, and be able to continue doing what you love during the day, you must make sure your sleep is the best you can get. This involves setting the mood in the bedroom, choosing the best sheets for your comfort, and most importantly, choosing the best mattress for your needs.
I know the importance of a good night sleep, but I also know the deep connection between your health and the mattress you are currently using. For instance, if the mattress doesn’t offer the correct type of back support, your spine will suffer, leading to back pain and maybe damage.
Even more, a mattress that doesn’t cater to your every need can lower the quality of your sleep and even lead to insomnia or other sleep-related problems. But how do you know you have the wrong mattress? Well, the answer is quite easy to get: if you wake up even more tired than when you went to bed and your back pain is constantly present (even in the morning), then you are not getting good sleep or support.
Sure, these symptoms can also be the cause of an underlying health condition, but more often than not, it is the fault of your sleep surface. Even more, if you’ve had the current mattress for several years and it starts to sag or get lumpy, it’s time to consider shopping for a new one.
I also recommend patience to buy a top mattress. Sometimes buyers make the mistake of buying whatever they see advertised on TV or in stores, and it’s usually the wrong type. In today’s guide, I will give you all the information you need to make the perfect choice for both your back and your sleeping time. After all, there isn’t one universal sleeping surface that will work for everyone – if this were true, the market wouldn’t be offering so many choices, designs, and materials.
Below you can read a step-by-step guide that specifies how to choose the best mattress for the money and how to adjust it to your sleeping pattern and needs.
Guide To Choosing Top Mattresses That You Can Buy Online
I decided to focus my attention on online stores because these are growing in popularity these days. There are even some services that will be happy to send you a few mattresses for testing at home. This way, you order several products you like, you test them for a few days, and then you choose which one works best for you.
Still, I decided to focus on buying top mattress online because it’s a bit of a grey area. I am a strong believer of the testing method, but since not all services/ stores will send their mattresses for a test, the only obvious way would be to go to a brick and mortar store and choose from their offer. But this is no longer online shopping right?
Well, when you decide to go for that perfect dream bed, you shouldn’t skip the testing phase; you should just skip the buying from the store phase. First of all, online stores can and will offer a discount so you may be lucky enough to pay less than the price in regular stores. Second, you now have an idea of what you need and it’s easier to find information on that specific product.
If you still don’t see the fun in buying a mattress online, you should consider the pro aspects of this situation:
- You don’t have to go from store to store and talk to a bunch of people who will say almost anything just to make you buy from them. I don’t like pushy salespersons and if there’s a way to avoid dealing with them, that’s my choice!
- Online stores have generous return policies so if you don’t like the product, you can always return it and take a new one. I know it may seem like a lot of hassle, but it’s worth it if you’re not the one walking the mattress from point A to point B.
- The delivery services are usually fast and you don’t really have to worry about anything else than getting the mattress inside and testing it out.
- The shopping process happens in the comfort of your home and you may actually get to enjoy it.
Of course, the cons would be that online stores don’t have access to limited edition products that only sell in retail stores. However, if you’re not looking for anything too fancy, you have good chances of finding it online.
Another cool aspect that may make you decide to go online and shop for a mattress is the trial period. Of course, you get such a period (also known as return policy) in retail stores, but it’s shorter than what you get online. Also, many retailers only offer store credit instead of a refund so, if you decide all their products are low quality, you’ll get stuck with at least one of them. On the other hand, many online sellers offer 100% refunds and don’t charge you for the trial period.
In my opinion, shopping for a mattress online is a cool way of dealing with a pesky task that usually takes lots of time and energy. It’s also a relaxed way to find the right type of bed for your needs and if you follow the steps I described below, it can be a success from the very first try.
#1: Finding Most Popular – Top 10 Beds
The idea behind the search for the most popular mattress is that a popular product is appreciated and tested by lots of users all over the country (or even the world). This means that you get new information about the product from reviews, comments, and even videos that will be helpful in learning everything there is to learn about your future mattress.
So, one way to find the best mattress reviews is by reading comments. Online retailers, like Amazon, offer this possibility and the feedback offered by users everywhere is priceless.
However, when it comes to mattresses, the most popular products are memory foam surfaces. People go absolutely nuts about this kind of mattresses and, in most cases, they have a good point. But, before you click the Buy Now button, let’s talk a bit about memory foam.
First, memory foam is a trend and a marketing selling point. But, not every mattress that includes this element in its composition is good, which is why it’s important to do your research. First, make sure to read the specifications on the producer’s site. Here, you’ll learn about the foam density (I recommend 5lb or at least a top layer of 5lb with a core of 3lb foam). This is important for durability, not the general feel – like most people think.
Memory foam is also great when you sleep with someone (meaning for couples). Because there are no bouncy surfaces, the mattress doesn’t move when the other person moves so your sleep won’t be disturbed if your significant other has a restless night.
Another mattress type that is quite popular these days is represented by hybrid products. These combine the best features from different materials, keeping the quality high and offering a very sweet deal on the price. However, this type of mattresses is less durable than the ones made out of a single type of material such as latex or memory foam.
But, back to the main topic – popular mattresses are easy to find online. Besides reviews and comments, you can always follow social media and authority sites. On social media, you can learn about your friends’ choices or the ones public people make when it comes to their sleep comfort. But authority sites usually have a wide selection of products and will offer unbiased information to anyone interested.
Finally, each producer has a special line, with a special product they would like to promote. If you decide to go with a direct-to-consumer option (no intermediary site like Amazon), you should look for sites that implement a rating system and allow for comments. This way, you can guide your decision based on the most bought products and their comments.
Overall, a popular mattress will always be easy to find on the Internet, but you must make sure to check all the information provided by real users. You can also ask questions from real users to test if the sleeping surface and firmness are a good fit for your needs.
#2: Finding the Time
A new mattress is not something to take lightly as it will have a pretty strong impact on your budget. That’s why it is important to take the time and find the best product for the money. This means that for the allotted budget, you should find the best possible offer that fits your needs without sacrificing durability or quality.
For this, I broke the operation into four easy to follow steps, which I also described below.
Do the Research on the Best Type of Mattress
Just like when I talked about finding the most popular mattress, the research is important. But first, you need to identify your needs.
For instance, think about your current mattress – what’s wrong with it besides being saggy and old? Is it too firm or too soft? Do you like the way it supports your back? In general, a good mattress must adapt to the natural curves of your body in order to distribute your body weight equally. It’s also important to know if it will trap the body heat (it sleeps hot) or it uses a cooling system (it sleeps cold or just warm).
These details are important if you don’t want to keep sending the mattress back because it’s not what you thought it should be. Do your research, read reviews, and ask questions to gather all the information you need, before you pay for a product that is so important for your health.
Set your Budget
There are thousands and thousands of mattress designs and models! Some look so amazing that the buying impulse may be too strong to restrain yourself. However, if you don’t want to spend your savings on a mattress that you may not actually like, it’s best to set a budget.
If you know how much you want to spend, you will know not to be tempted by flashy mattresses that promise lots of features but may not deliver for you. It’s also a healthy way to find a good mattress that is worth every penny you’re paying.
Know the Sizes
One element that baffles many buyers is the size chart. The names for each type of size can be misleading and, you may think you’re buying a huge bed when instead you’re only getting a regular-sized bed. To help you out and reduce your research time, here is the size chart (or at least the most common ones):
- Twin Size (W 39 in x L 74 in)
- Twin Extra Long (W 39 in x L 80 in)
- Full Size (W 54 in x L 74 in)
- Queen Size (W 60 in x Length: 80 in)
- King Size (W 76 in x L 80 in)
- California King Size (W 72 in x L 84 in)
Know the Materials
The material used to make the mattress is just as important as the type of support it offers. I already mentioned memory foam and the hybrid mattress, but the list continues with gel foam, latex, and other materials that will make you confused if you don’t know what they mean.
In order to get the best mattress for the money, you must research mattress brands, the materials and see which ones fit your needs the best.
#3: Reasons for Buying a Highest Quality Bed
I talked about finding the most popular mattress, but I didn’t tell you why I think it’s important to go through so many hoops to find one. Well, the main reason behind this search is the comfort. And your comfort is translated into several aspects when it comes to the surface you lie on during your sleep.
Back Support
During sleep, our spine has a chance to decompress and get rid of the stress and tension accumulated during the day. Some specialists even say that, because of this process, there’s a chance that you are taller when you wake up. However, the spine gets compressed back in place during the day, under the action of the gravitational force.
Still, if your mattress doesn’t offer the proper back support during the night, the spine can’t decompress and this leads to back pain and muscle strain. So, I think we can consider back support one of the most important aspects of your comfort.
But what it means to have proper support? Well, the mattress must mold to the natural curves of your body and offer equal body weight distribution. This is one of the reasons why memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses are so popular.
Mattress Temperature
Next on my list of comfort elements is the temperature of the mattress. If you’ve ever slept on a memory foam mattress during a hot summer night, you know what I’m talking about! Historically, memory foam mattresses are known to sleep hot – this means that they will trap the body temperature and will store it overnight, making you hot as well.
Still, modern designs implement cooling systems and agents (like gel beads) to reduce this huge disadvantage. And it works – modern memory foam mattresses are less hot, but still can’t dissipate heat the proper way.
If you want a mattress that will consider your heat needs, latex is the best material. However, organic latex is quite expensive so you may want to consider a hybrid option.
Material & Texture
This is a personal choice and everyone should choose the type of material and texture they need to increase their comfort. Don’t go choosing a latex mattress just because people consider that a firmer sleeping surface will be good for your back. If you don’t like it, you won’t sleep well!
A top rated mattress will get an important amount of money out of your pocket so you must make sure you are comfortable with the type of material on top and inside. So, if you want a fluffier top layer, go for it!
Firmness
This is in close relation to the material used to make the mattress and makes reference to how the surface feels when you lie on top of it. For instance, a memory foam mattress feels soft and gives you a sinking in sensation, making you feel like you’re being hugged. Still, some people don’t like this – actually, this sensation is one of the main reasons why some buyers avoid this type of mattress.
So, if you want a firm mattress, that will offer great support and great temperature control, latex is a great choice. Even more, organic latex is 100% hypoallergenic and it is more durable.
#4: What Position Sleeper Are You?
Have you ever watch a child sleep? They’ll all over the place, sleeping in all sorts of weird and unnatural positions. However, as we grow older, we tend to favor a certain sleeping position, and when we’re really tired, we don’t even change it for several hours on end.
But did you know that certain top rated mattresses fit certain sleeping positions? This is one of the reasons why there is no universal mattress that would everyone’s needs. A sleeping surface that works great for your friend may not be as great for you, just because you have different sleeping positions.
To lend a helping hand, I put together a short guide of mattresses according to your sleeping position before you go on and find a mattress to buy.
Side Sleepers
These are people who usually sleep on one side (left or right) with their arms and legs bent in something that resembles the fetal position. The spine is curved, and it is one of the positions that may cause back problems and blood flow restrictions towards the arms and legs. Still, if you get a mattress that was specially designed for this position, you can avoid such problems.
The best mattress for this position is memory foam because it offers even weight distribution and reduces the pressure put on your limbs. The soft top allows the body to actually sink into the mattress, but I also recommend choosing a thicker top layer.
Back Sleepers
Sleeping on your back, with your arms at your sides is the best possible sleeping position. However, not that many people practice it because it can be uncomfortable (unless you’re using the right mattress).
For this position, you need a thinner comfort layer and maybe a more firm material like a combination of memory foam and latex.
Stomach Sleepers
Sadly, this is the worst position you could have for sleeping. First, the neck sits in an unnatural position because of the pillow, and if you’re not using a pillow, you will bend your back slightly backward, putting pressure on the spine. This leads to back pain, but if you manage to get a mattress that supports this position, you may get rid of this issue.
If you sleep on your stomach, you will need a firm mattress (latex, for instance) with a thin layer for comfort. If the mattress you’re using is soft and allows you to sink in, you’ll put even more strain on your spine.
Combination Sleepers
If you’re not falling into one category, then you’re not alone and you can still find the best mattress for you! Lots of people combine these positions, but these are also the clients harder to satisfy. In this case, find the middle ground by considering your deep sleep position. For instance, if you tend to sleep on your side during deep sleep cycles, but then roll on your back, you will need a medium-firm mattress to accommodate both positions.