A Mattress Shopping Guide
Choosing the right mattress can be very daunting these days. There are so many different types of mattresses and even more features. Do you need a memory foam mattress? What's the difference between pocket springs and bonnel springs? Well have no fear - this lens will guide you through the features of the best mattresses, to help you choose the right mattress for you.
What Do You Need In A Mattress?
Everyone's different, but these factors should be considered when choosing a mattress.
Soft, Medium or Firm
Most people will do a Goldilocks test finding a mattress that isn't too soft or too hard, but just right. You generally know what level of firmness you prefer.
Some people opt for a firm mattress because they assume it will be good for their back. This is a big mistake as firm mattresses can not only be uncomfortable but can even damage your back. The best mattress for you is one that has the best support.
Level of support
Firmness and support are not the same thing. You can get medium or even soft mattresses that are extremely good for your back without resorting to something that feels like you're lying on a hardwood floor.
If you need support specifically for your lower back you need it concentrated in the centre third of the mattress. For your shoulders, you need support distributed evenly over the mattress. Mattresses with specifically 'zoned' support areas are available, providing varied firmness to areas requiring greater support.
Of course if you have advice from your doctor on a particular type of mattress, he knows your body better and what it needs. If you suffer from a medical condition such as a slip disc or arthritis its best to consult your doctor or specialist.
Mattress Size
It may seem obvious but mattress sizes can be tricky at times, especially if you are buying online or from another country. Always measure your bed yourself and check the dimensions of the mattress you're buying to ensure they match up. The term king is the biggest trap in this regard, as it can either mean a 6', 5' or 5'3" wide mattress.
Price
"You'll regret buying the cheapest mattress, but don't pay for features you don't need."
While it is the case that the most expensive mattress is not always best for you, price is a good indicator of quality. You really do get what you pay for; cheap mattresses will generally have a short or no manufacturer's warranty and will not be supportive. As you go up in price more fillings are added and mattresses become thicker and more supportive.
You should always research the make up of a mattress. Some expensive mattresses have the same support as medium priced mattress but have nonsensical additions, such as fancy fabric. You'll regret buying the cheapest mattress you can find, but you should still be careful not to pay for features you don't need.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergies or asthma there are mattresses that are especially designed and marketed for you needs. However, more and more mattresses, particularly latex and memory foam mattresses, are hypo-allergenic as standard. Also, if you do like a mattress but it isn't hypo- or anti-allergenic you can always buy hypo-allergenic covers; just ask the sales assistant or website to ensure this wont impact the mattress performance.
What Types of Mattresses Are There?
Springs, latex, memory foam ... what type of mattress will suit you?
There are three main types of mattress to look out for, each with their own advantages - springs, memory foam and latex. Don't assume the most expensive or newest types always make the best mattresses. Some people are better suited to traditional spring mattresses, while others prefer the support of memory foam.
The best approach is to be informed of your options, and hopefully our comparison below will help.
Spring Mattresses
There are various kinds of spring mattresses available on the market today. The most popular is the bonnell or traditional sprung mattress. These mattresses consist of a series of hour glass shaped coils held together in a grid or mesh. Firm bonnell spring mattresses are particularly good for those that are heavier, as the hour glass shaped springs give resistance and support against weight.
Pocket sprung mattresses would be next in popularity. Theses mattresses have a nest of coils which are individually wrapped in a fabric pocket and either glued or stitched together. The springs are therefore independent and unlike traditional mattresses there is no transfer of movement. This has two benefits. The first is that when one person gets in on one side the person on the other does not feel it; the second and more important benefit is that the lower back has increased support as the independent springs fill in the arc of the back.
Continuous spring mattresses are becoming more popular and are the main spring type in Silentnight mattresses, amongst others. These mattresses are created with rows of springs going from head to toe. As the name suggests, each row of springs is made from one long coil. This has a benefit of having the springs spread out accordingly, so a higher percentage of the springs are found in the centre of the bed, targeting support for the lower back.
Visit this lens to find out more about pocket sprung mattresses.
PocketZing Pocket Springs
Here's a good example of how pocket springs work from Silentnight.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is a new technology that was original developed by NASA as a pressure absorbing material. Although the foam was abandoned by NASA, its usefulness was realised by mattress manufacturers. These mattresses have a top layer of memory foam of varying thickness and density, below which is either high-density bedding/reflex foam or a spring core.
Memory foam changes shape in contact with your body temperature. It cocoons the sleeper and prevents them from tossing and turning at night. The memory foam is very supportive and evenly distributes pressure so that hips and shoulders have reduced tension and pain.
Memory foam and spring mattresses, also known as combination mattresses, tend to be found at the higher end of a brand's range. They combine the supportive properties of the memory foam with the familiar feel of traditional sprung mattress. This can be a good option if you are accustomed to springs and unsure about making the switch.
"Memory foam evenly distributes pressure throughout the body."
Memory foam mattresses with reflex foam cores are lighter than normal mattresses and thus easier to turn. They are also found vacuum packed and shipped rolled up, so these mattresses can be found online for quick dispatch or can be carried out of a shop without requiring a specialist delivery company.
As memory foam cocoons you it can make some sleepers feel warmer. This is a side effect that people who are normally sensitive to heat in bed should be aware of if considering buying a memory foam mattress. However, you can usually compensate for the increased temperature by using lighter bedding or turning of central heating in the bedroom.
Natural Latex Mattresses
Another modern advancement in mattresses, latex, has become the latest trend in mattress design. These mattresses, like memory foam, have a layer of latex foam with either a spring or foam base.
The latex acts similar to memory foam but does not use body heat to change shape. The latex doesn't return to its original shape but rather takes on the shape of your body in its preferred sleeping position.
A latex mattress doesn't cause increased body temperature, so is a suitable choice if you find memory foam too warm. Latex is also environmentally friendly because it is a natural product, made from the sap of the rubber tree.
As latex mattresses do not return to their original shape, they may appear to look old or haggard after a few months. This is not the case as the support given by these mattresses supersedes any other mattress type, particularly when combined with pocket springs.
Looking For More Information?
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