Choosing a New Mattress – A Complete Buying Guide

Mattresses are heavy, bulky and awkward to move. They also wear out over time and need to be replaced. If you plan to move your belongings yourself and your mattress has seen better days, it may be a good idea to ditch your old mattress on moving day.

Shopping for a new mattress can be overwhelming. Today’s mattresses incorporate foam, latex, pocketed coils, cooling gels and proprietary materials in an attempt to stand out. And, while you may have purchased your current mattress from a showroom or department store, you can now order a mattress online that will arrive on your doorstep rolled up in a box.

Because they’re so many options, we’ve compiled this guide on how to choose a mattress.

Do you need a new mattress?

Most mattresses are an investment, costing more than $1,000 for a queen. Some even top $3,000! So, you don’t want to toss your current one just because it will be difficult to move. Instead, take stock of its condition. In general, it’s time to get a new mattress when you:

• See a depression on its surface
• Wake up with pain or numbness in your limbs
• Start sinking too far in
• Toss and turn all night
• Feel the mattress is sagging or lumpy

How to choose a mattress, the basics

Certain types of mattresses work better for some sleepers than others. Before you start shopping, familiarize yourself with the main types on the market.

Innerspring: The most common option on the market, innerspring mattresses feature a comfort layer, such as foam or latex, over steel coils. Because of their natural bounce, they make it easier to change positions and for people with mobility issues to get out of bed. However, couples will often feel their partner move. To avoid that, some have individually-wrapped, pocketed coils to minimize movement.

Memory foam: These mattresses conform to your body and give you a cradled, “sinking in” feeling. Usually softer, they work well for people with pain. They can also be a good choice for couples who don’t want to feel their partner move. On the downside, memory foam can trap body heat, so if you sleep hot, you may want to consider a different type of mattress. Also, foam mattresses that are not CertiPUR-US certified may release odors and/or chemicals.

Latex: Similar to memory foam in that it contours to the body, latex tends to sleep cooler and is exceptionally durable. It is also more responsive than a memory foam mattress, meaning you should be able to easily change positions at night. But latex mattresses are usually more expensive than other options. And, they can contain harmful chemicals if they are not organic.

Hybrid: These mattresses typically have a coil base topped by one or more layers of foam or latex. These comfort layers can be injected with cooling materials, like copper-infused gel, or include proprietary materials, like gel beads, to provide more support or keep them cooler.

Adjustable air: Not to be confused with air mattresses, adjustable air mattresses contain pockets filled with air. You can adjust these air bladders to the firmness that’s comfortable for you. These beds can be a good option for couples since each can adjust their side of the bed to the firmness that works best for them. Some even allow you to elevate or recline your side of the bed independently of your partner.

How to choose a mattress, the specifics

Various factors come into play when choosing a mattress. Understanding these factors can help you decide whether the mattress will be a good fit for you.

Firmness: This is how soft or supportive a mattress feels. Mattresses are rated on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Generally, 6 is considered medium. Often, companies will rate the firmness of their mattress, but how it feels to you will depend on your size. People who are larger will sink further into a mattress, so a 6 may feel soft to them. Those who are petite may experience the same mattress as too firm.

Sinkage: How much you sink into a bed depends not only on your weight but the mattress’ comfort layers. You’re more likely to feel like you are sleeping on top of an innerspring mattress and sinking into a foam mattress. If you prefer the sensation over the other, you’ll want to choose a mattress made of the appropriate material.

Pressure relief: This refers to how well the top layers distribute the weight of your body across the surface of the mattress. The more pressure relief a mattress has, the less likely you will wake up sore. Side sleepers and those who have back pain will want a mattress with more pressure relief. Memory foam usually delivers the best pressure relief, but the multiple layers found in hybrid mattresses are a close second.

Zoned support: Some mattresses have a layer divided into three zones, with the middle zone under your shoulders and hips slightly firmer than the head and foot of the mattress. You probably won’t feel the difference in firmness; however, it is designed to keep your spine aligned as you sleep.

Motion isolation: If your partner wakes you up in the middle of the night when they change positions, you’ll want to pay close attention to motion isolation. Typically, foam mattresses have excellent motion isolation. This means you won’t feel movement on your side of the bed when your partner rolls over. Innerspring mattresses, especially those without pocketed coils, usually do a poor job with motion isolation.

Edge support: Those who like to tie their shoes or sleep on the edge of the bed should pay attention to edge support. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses do the best job with edge support while foam mattresses perform poorly.

Heat regulation: As a general rule, you’ll feel hotter sleeping on an all-foam mattress because foam retains heat and you sink into the material. Latex does a better job dissipating heat, and coils help with air circulation, which keep the mattress cooler. Several companies add cooling gels or heat-dissipating bands to their mattresses to help keep them cool.

Options for mattress delivery

Delivery is another consideration, especially in the midst of a move. If you purchase a mattress from a retailer, they will usually deliver it for a fee. Online companies ship the mattress to you compressed in a box. When it arrives, you remove it from its packaging and it springs into its full size. However, it can take several days for it to reach its proper firmness.

Most online companies will ship your mattress to you for free and allow you to try it if for a period of 100 to 365 days. If you decide you don’t like it, you can return it for a full refund.

If you decide to keep your current mattress after all or you can’t wait to buy a new one, you may want some help moving it. Moving.com has an extensive network of reputable and reliable movers who can pack and move your belongings, including the mattress.