How to Choose the Perfect Mattress

The average person will spend more than 3,000 hours sleeping on their mattress every single year. This adds up to nearly 30,000 hours over the life of a mattress. So before you go out and buy the cheapest option, make sure you do the research.

Why Your Mattress Matters More Than You Know

When you go rock climbing, you don’t scale the face of a mountain without the proper harness and gear. And when you go skydiving out of an airplane, you don’t jump without a parachute. 

So why do people spend nearly a third of their lives sleeping on a mattress that’s ill-prepared to provide the necessary health benefits they need?

Here are a few reasons why you should prioritize choosing the right mattress:

• According to one study, having the proper mattress is shown to significantly decrease stress levels in both men and women. More specifically, sleeping on a good mattress for 28 consecutive nights reduces the frequency and severity of racing thoughts, nervousness, headaches, and irritability. 

• Over time, an old mattress collects dust mites (microscopic organisms that feed on dead skin cells). And as many as 20 million Americans are allergic to these invisible creatures. Upgrading your mattress can eliminate this problem and give you several years of allergen-free sleeping.

• Your mattress has a direct impact on your neck, back, and spine health. Without the proper support, chronic pain, soreness, and fatigue are common. With the right mattress, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed.

How to Choose the Right Mattress

According to a National Sleep Foundation survey, 92 percent of people believe a comfortable mattress plays an important role in a good night’s sleep. Yet, most people don’t know where to begin.

As you search for the right mattress for your needs, here are a few different factors to take into account:

• Type

Start with the type of mattress. The most common are:

• Innerspring mattresses – Made with steel coils that gently compress when weight is placed on them. 

• Foam mattresses – Constructed of latex foam that relieves pressure and provides more bounce. (Also retains less heat than a traditional mattress.)

• Hybrid mattresses – Constructed of both foam and coils. This gives you the best of both worlds – a soft top that cradles your body and a supportive and bouncy innerspring.

In addition to these options, there are also water mattresses, adjustable beds, pillow-top mattresses, etc. However, most people are going to choose one of the three types above.

• Company

This is one purchase where the brand and company matters. While you can find mattresses in discount stores (and even local high schools selling mattresses at fundraising events), this is one purchase where it’s wise to shop with a reputable company that has a wide selection of different mattress options. 

• Price

A mattress isn’t something you want to cheap out on. If you’re going into a purchase thinking about how you can pay the least amount possible, you’re going to end up with a poor-quality mattress. However, you do need to set a budget. If you only have $1,000 to spend, there’s no sense in looking at $2,000 mattresses. Set a reasonable budget and go from there.

On a related note, make sure you also consider expenses like sheets, mattress toppers, bedspreads, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. If you’re changing mattress sizes (or purchasing your first bed), all of these added expenses come into play. Plan your budget accordingly.

• Customization

Every person has their own unique sleep needs. Depending on your health, posture, and personal preferences, there will be a specific mattress that’s right for you. And if you have a partner, they’ll have their own individual needs. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that you’ll both need the same mattress. 

The best option for couples is to purchase an adjustable bed that allows both individuals to adjust their side of the bed accordingly. These beds are definitely more on the expensive side, but they’re arguably the best option.

Make the Right Decision

When searching for a mattress, you shouldn’t feel the pressure to find “the one.” There are plenty of mattresses that have the potential to work for you. The key is to eliminate the ones that aren’t suitable for your body/needs and develop a shortlist of ones that could work. From there, it’s a matter of shopping around until you find the right price.