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What you need to know when buying a mattress
Most of us spend over half our life on our mattress, and they are often a significant investment, not just financially - but in your overall health and wellbeing. However, the choice can also be overwhelming, so we want to help you avoid making an expensive mistake! Here are your key need to knows when choosing your new mattress.
Sprung, hybrid or memory foam?
Type of filling is important, natural materials keep air circulating in the mattress, and they take moisture and perspiration away from your body. Traditional ‘sprung’ mattresses with coils offer good support and breathability, and are best for people who prefer a bouncy, responsive feel. Memory foam mattresses are good for people with joint pain, and particularly great if you share a bed, absorbing movements and preventing them from disturbing your partner’s sleep. Hybrid mattresses are a combination of spring and foam, offering the best of both worlds – support and comfort.
When should you replace a mattress?
You should expect to replace a mattress every 7-10 years. Look for high-density foam or sturdy coil systems, as these materials tend to offer longer-lasting comfort. Avoid cheap materials that can break down quickly, resulting in sagging or lumps over time. Also consider if your current mattress is causing you discomfort or you experience poor sleep quality. There could be sagging or damaged coils which means it is no longer supporting your body properly.
Can I try before I buy?
Many mattress brands offer trial periods ranging from 30 to 120 days. This allows you to test the mattress at home to ensure it’s the right fit. If it doesn’t work for you, you can often return or exchange it for something else. This is a crucial factor, as it takes time to truly know if a mattress suits your needs.
Know your sleep position
Your preferred sleeping position should be a key consideration when choosing a mattress. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, your body requires different types of support. For back sleepers, a medium-firm mattress can offer proper spinal alignment. Side sleepers generally prefer a softer mattress to cushion their hips and shoulders, while stomach sleepers may require a firmer option to prevent their lower back from sinking in too much.
How firm should my mattress be?
This depends mostly on body weight and personal comfort. To get the correct support, your body weight needs to engage the springs; too firm and it will push your spine outwards and out of line, and too soft will make your body bow into it, putting pressure on the lower spine. It a mattress is too firm or too soft for your body weight, it will end up putting too much pressure on specific joints, leading to an uncomfortable sleep.