Mattress Buying Tips
My husband and I are on the hunt for a new mattress. We have had our current mattress for about 10 years and while the mattress is in good shape my aging body needs something different.
When we purchased our current mattress, my husband and I were on the same page for the level of firmness of our mattress. We selected a memory foam mattress that was on the firmer side. This worked well for many years however, lately both of us are finding that a softer mattress would suit us better. For me, the firmer mattress is pushing on the pressure points of my hips and shoulders (I sleep on my side) and for him, his lower back and neck need a little more cushioning.
Mattress technology has come a long way. Now you don't need to choose just a standard coil mattress, memory foam or adjustable mattresses. Most companies are now offering hybrid mattresses that combine coils and memory foam or memory foam and adjustability. The benefit of this technology is that provides a wider range of options when looking for that perfect mattress.
In addition to the different mattress options, you can add an adjustable base to your bed. Adjustable bases offer options such as raising or lowering your feet or head, night lights, massage features and more. Some even offer the ability to monitor your sleep patterns from your iPad or smart phone.
Here is a roundup of some of your choices when buying a mattress, and their pros and cons.
Memory foam mattress conform to your body and have no coils. You don't feel as much movement in the bed (such as when your partner gets up in the middle of the night). They do retain heat so if you get warm while sleeping you should go with one that offers cooling technology. These mattresses do offgas an odor when you receive it. It does dissipate after a few days and can be faster if you leave it without sheets for 24 hours.
Airbeds offer the benefit of dual control allowing each person to control their side of the bed independently. A big plus for couples who have different mattress needs. The adjustability also allows for changes in your preferences over time. So, if you like a firmer mattress now but in two years need something softer then you can adjust your mattress rather than having to buy a new one. The beds are mechanical so they do make noise when you are changing the level of firmness. Also, being mechanical there is the possibility of repairs being needed unlike a memory foam or traditional coil mattress.
Hybrid mattress offer both traditional coils as well as memory foam or airbed with memory foam. Inner spring hybrids are touted as the "best of both worlds" as they give both the traditional coil support with the softness of memory foam. Unlike traditional inner spring mattresses they offer motion separation and the conforming feature of memory foam. Airbed hybrids offer the dual adjustability with the softness of memory foam. It is harder to feel the bed adjusting however, due to the layer of memory foam.
Inner spring mattress are the most common mattress type. Technology for these mattresses have also come a long way. They too now offer memory foam topper options as well as cooling technology. They are the most affordable option out of the ones I mentioned. Their biggest complaint is that it looses its initial comfort over time.
Another option I mentioned earlier is an adjustable base. This allows you to raise or lower your head or feet as well as massage and other options. Most companies now offer adjustable bases. Most adjustable bases can be used with any bed including traditional inner spring mattresses. Some raise and lower independently, together or split. Split are usually on airbeds and only allow the head to be raised independently but the feet together. One downside to this is you can't buy normal sheets which can be a significant added expense. Since they are mechanical there is a risk for failure and they make noise when raised and lowered. Having an adjustable base does however, help with those who snore, need to raise their feet to assist with blow flow or for those who have acid reflux.
There are many great options out there to find the perfect mattress for you. We are narrowing down our choices and will hopefully be making a decision soon.
Did you find this helpful? Comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Happy decorating!
When we purchased our current mattress, my husband and I were on the same page for the level of firmness of our mattress. We selected a memory foam mattress that was on the firmer side. This worked well for many years however, lately both of us are finding that a softer mattress would suit us better. For me, the firmer mattress is pushing on the pressure points of my hips and shoulders (I sleep on my side) and for him, his lower back and neck need a little more cushioning.
Mattress technology has come a long way. Now you don't need to choose just a standard coil mattress, memory foam or adjustable mattresses. Most companies are now offering hybrid mattresses that combine coils and memory foam or memory foam and adjustability. The benefit of this technology is that provides a wider range of options when looking for that perfect mattress.
In addition to the different mattress options, you can add an adjustable base to your bed. Adjustable bases offer options such as raising or lowering your feet or head, night lights, massage features and more. Some even offer the ability to monitor your sleep patterns from your iPad or smart phone.
Here is a roundup of some of your choices when buying a mattress, and their pros and cons.
Memory foam mattress conform to your body and have no coils. You don't feel as much movement in the bed (such as when your partner gets up in the middle of the night). They do retain heat so if you get warm while sleeping you should go with one that offers cooling technology. These mattresses do offgas an odor when you receive it. It does dissipate after a few days and can be faster if you leave it without sheets for 24 hours.
Airbeds offer the benefit of dual control allowing each person to control their side of the bed independently. A big plus for couples who have different mattress needs. The adjustability also allows for changes in your preferences over time. So, if you like a firmer mattress now but in two years need something softer then you can adjust your mattress rather than having to buy a new one. The beds are mechanical so they do make noise when you are changing the level of firmness. Also, being mechanical there is the possibility of repairs being needed unlike a memory foam or traditional coil mattress.
Hybrid mattress offer both traditional coils as well as memory foam or airbed with memory foam. Inner spring hybrids are touted as the "best of both worlds" as they give both the traditional coil support with the softness of memory foam. Unlike traditional inner spring mattresses they offer motion separation and the conforming feature of memory foam. Airbed hybrids offer the dual adjustability with the softness of memory foam. It is harder to feel the bed adjusting however, due to the layer of memory foam.
Inner spring mattress are the most common mattress type. Technology for these mattresses have also come a long way. They too now offer memory foam topper options as well as cooling technology. They are the most affordable option out of the ones I mentioned. Their biggest complaint is that it looses its initial comfort over time.
Another option I mentioned earlier is an adjustable base. This allows you to raise or lower your head or feet as well as massage and other options. Most companies now offer adjustable bases. Most adjustable bases can be used with any bed including traditional inner spring mattresses. Some raise and lower independently, together or split. Split are usually on airbeds and only allow the head to be raised independently but the feet together. One downside to this is you can't buy normal sheets which can be a significant added expense. Since they are mechanical there is a risk for failure and they make noise when raised and lowered. Having an adjustable base does however, help with those who snore, need to raise their feet to assist with blow flow or for those who have acid reflux.
There are many great options out there to find the perfect mattress for you. We are narrowing down our choices and will hopefully be making a decision soon.
Did you find this helpful? Comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Happy decorating!
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