Experts believe that obtaining enough sleep is one of the most important things we can do to preserve and improve our health. The importance of a mattress in our ability to sleep properly is often overlooked, and many individuals continue to use a mattress that does not give adequate support and comfort. Getting a new mattress can be a costly endeavor, but it is a move that can help you sleep better. As with any large purchase, you want to be sure you make the best decision possible.

If you’re in the market for a new mattress, one of the most difficult decisions you’ll have to make is where to begin. Do you prefer to purchase in person or online? Do you like to stick to a budget or spend on a high-end model? What about the size, shape, make-up, and style of the item? Yes, there are a lot of factors to consider, especially if this is your first time buying for a bed. But have no fear, SleepCity is here!

Different Types of Sleepers

There are a lot of factors that you need to account for when trying to choose the right mattress. Firstly we are going to go over the different types of sleepers. Though most people toss and turn in numerous positions during the night, most people prefer certain positions over others. Perhaps you prefer to start on your back and then turn over to your side. Alternatively, you could sleep on your side for the majority of the night and then complete the night on your stomach while hitting the snooze button in the morning. If you’ve never given any thought to your favored sleeping positions, I recommend paying special attention to how you wake up in the morning for the next week. You’ll probably discover that you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper, or a combination of the three.

Support For Back Sleepers

Back sleepers, more than any other sleeper type, are in can be very particular when it comes to their mattresses. If the firmness is too high, these people may endure excessive tension in their shoulders and lower back. If their hips are too soft, their shoulders may drift out of line, resulting in a bent back and shooting pains up the spine. As a result, these dreamers want a medium firm feel that is somewhere in between these two extremes. Though back sleepers are fortunate in that they can usually find comfort in a wide range of mattress types and materials, I definitely suggest that you look into hybrid mattresses, which have both a foam and coil layer.

Support For Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers require an ultra-firm mattress that lifts the hips in line with the shoulders. The most serious problem these people will experience is a soft mattress that causes their hips to sag out of alignment with the rest of their spine, so they should look for models that are quite supportive. Finding a bed that blends very strong foundations with thin comfort layers to add just a hint of cushion to the overall hardness is the key here. As a result, stomach sleepers will benefit from an innerspring or hybrid mattress with tall coil sections combined with either pillow tops or a quilted cover layer.

Support For Side Sleepers

Side sleepers require deep pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. This implies they’ll probably want to go with a softer mattress that molds to their body’s curves to avoid uncomfortable nighttime jams. Because side sleepers put so much pressure on their joints when sleeping, it’s critical that they sleep on a comfortable bed created with pressure reduction in mind. Many mattresses claim to cure shoulder and hip pain, but it’s crucial to look into the design specifications to see how well a bed will relieve pressure in these areas. Memory foam mattresses, which are recognized for their deep body contouring, sinkage, and pressure relief, are recommended for side sleepers.

Heavy Sleeper vs Light Sleeper – Body Types

Light Sleepers

People who weigh less than 130 pounds have a lower profile and don’t sink as deeply into a mattress. They often benefit from a softer mattress to receive enough contouring, especially if they sleep on their side and/or have obvious pressure spots. Innerspring mattresses aren’t always the best fit, so foam or hybrid beds are appealing alternatives. People weighing 130 to 230 pounds can normally follow the mattress firmness recommendations in the previous section based on sleeping position. Foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses are all good choices, and you can pick one based on your preferences.

Heavy Sleepers

People who weigh more than 230 pounds will sink deeper into a mattress, especially near their heavier areas of the body, potentially disrupting spinal alignment. To assist reduce that risk, these sleepers frequently prefer mattresses that are a little firmer. A responsive mattress is simpler to move on top of, which is beneficial for those who weigh more than 230 pounds because it minimizes the likelihood of feeling trapped in bed. The most responsive options are latex and hybrid. All sleepers value durability, but persons who weigh more than 230 pounds can cause more wear in the upper layers of a mattress. As a result, sleepers with a heavier body weight frequently choose a mattress with a thicker comfort system made of long-lasting materials. It’s not simply your weight that influences your mattress selection. People with broad shoulders or hips, especially side sleepers, may want a softer, more contoured mattress. Mattress size should be carefully examined by anyone over six feet tall to ensure that they can stretch out comfortably.

Different Types of Mattresses

Next we are going to talk about the types of mattresses. This is big factor to consider if you want to choose the right mattress. If you’ve just started looking for a mattresses the amount of options and types can be a little overwhelming. Almost every mattress falls into one of five categories: foam, innerspring, latex, hybrid or airbed. Innersprings are the most well-known and were once the standard in houses across the country. Other mattress kinds, on the other hand, have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Types

Foam – These mattresses have no coils and are entirely constructed of foam. They provide above-average body contouring, pressure relief, and motion isolation, making them ideal for couples and side sleepers. Memory foam is the most well-known of the foams utilized in these mattresses.
Innerspring – A coil-based support system and a few more layers make up an innerspring mattress. While the coils provide some support, pressure relief is generally lacking in innersprings. Their sleeping surface is bouncy, and motion isolation is limited. These are more popular among budget customers due to their reduced price point.
Latex – Some people refer to a mattress as all-latex or true-latex if it has latex rubber in all of its layers. We’ll just call it a latex mattress for the sake of simplicity. These have excellent bounce and durability, as well as modest contouring. They are a popular choice among eco-conscious shoppers when created from natural and organic latex.
Hybrids – Hybrid mattresses include two main components: an innerspring support core and a large foam comfort system. Foam, latex, and sometimes even a shorter layer of coils can be found in the comfort layers. These are sometimes referred to as micro-coils. This type of mattresses offer a combination of bounce and contouring with low heat retention, and depending on how the mattress is constructed, they can be a suitable match for sleepers in any posture.
Airbeds – Airbeds use an air chamber that serves as the support core of for the mattress. A pump is incorporated inside it and can be controlled by a smartphone or remote to add or drain air at the touch of a button, providing sleepers the most firmness flexibility possible. Airbeds are popular among couples since each side may be adjusted to a different firmness levels.

Mattress Types Pros Vs Cons

Pros and Cons Of Memory Foam Mattresses

Pros

Memory foam mattresses respond to heat and pressure to reduce pressure point problems. This means that your spine, neck and hips are realigned, evenly distributing body weight and effectively correcting a poor sleeping posture.
Memory foam mattresses are made from materials that promote good health, they are hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant – great for people who have respiratory problems or who are allergy sensitive.
Long-term use has been shown to reduce chronic back and neck pain.
It also has a positive effect on chronic respiratory problems as it eases breathing during sleep.
It’s quiet, with no squeaks or creaks, and it’s ideal for individuals who sleep next to a restless partner because there’s no movement transfer, allowing you to get a full night’s rest.

Cons

They have been known to be hotter than normal mattresses because they cradle your body and the dense foam retains heat. But with new cooler open cell and gel technologies, people are experiencing less and less of this.
Some people have complained of an odor from the mattresses. This problem occurs when they haven’t been aired properly.
In hot climates the mattress may be softer than expected and in cold climates it may be harder than expected. However, thanks to central heating and cooling systems, most households run at a temperature perfect for the mattress to be neither too soft nor too hard.
Memory foam mattresses can be quite heavy. However, because you don’t need to turn them this should not pose a huge problem.

Pros and Cons Of Innerspring Mattresses

Pros

One of the biggest pros about innerspring is the affordability. You can get an inner spring mattress for relatively good price, which makes them a great choice for those who are on a budget.
The responsive you get with an inner spring mattress is amazing, it’s like it adds a bit of bounce to your movement.
It can help provide you firmness where you need it most. The support you can get is perfect while still allowing for a soft and bouncy surface.
Innersprings can be some of the the coolest mattresses available. This is thanks to airflow that can move between coils to give you a cool refreshing sleep.

Cons

Some people may find innerspring mattresses to be a bit too firm.
When you move your body while on the mattress it tends to make some noise. People do tend to find it annoying.

Pros and Cons Of Latex Mattresses

Pros

Natural latex is know for being very breathable. This allows for airflow and doesn’t sleep as hot as other mattress types such as memory foam.
Latex is quick to snap back to its original shape which gives the mattress a very springy and conforming feel.
Natural latex is eco-friendly due to it being made from rubber, which is harvested from rubber trees through tapping (much like with maple syrup). Since natural latex is a plant-based material, it will break down more quickly than memory foam in a landfill.

Cons

One of the biggest cons with a latex mattress is that they do tend to be a bit more expensive than other mattress types.
Another big problem is that some companies sell latex mattresses made of synthetic rather than natural materials. Synthetic latex isn’t eco-friendly. Be sure to do your research before making a purchase.

Pros and Cons Of Hybrid Mattresses

Pros

Hybrid mattresses have an advantage when it comes to contouring your body. It does this much more effectively than a simpler mattress, such as innerspring.
Hybrids have a pretty unique feel to them that some people ether really love or really hate.
Because hybrids are a mix of mattresses you get the metal coil system of a innerspring mattress. This can give you the softness of an all foam but with better overall edge support.

Cons

Hybrids are a little more expensive than other mattresses of a similar overall quality. The higher price tag is, in part, because hybrids are not currently as popular as some of the other mattress types.
Everybody seems to be calling their mattress a hybrid these days, so you might have to sift through a few mattresses that aren’t really hybrids to find one that truly is.

Pros and Cons Of AirBed Mattresses

Pros

As they do not contain any foam or materials other than PVC, air mattresses do not bring that unpleasant, toxic-like smell into your house. As such, you can start to use your mattress right from the moment you take it out of the box.
Air beds do not sag in the manner spring/coil mattress do, so you won’t find a depression where you normally sleep. If you notice that the mattress is not as firm as it used to be, you don’t have to go and buy another one – all you need to do is inflate it a little more.
Even though an air bed may not be the first thing you think about when it comes to choosing a bed for someone who suffers from acute or chronic back pain, there is actually a clear advantage of using this kind of bed in this situation. Because air beds are inflatable, you can set the level of firmness exactly as you need it by inflating or deflating the mattress to suit your preferences.

Cons

Even though air beds are quite comfortable, they are not the right choice for sleeping on every night for extended periods of times. They also do not provide you with the same level of comfort as a memory foam or latex mattress, simply because they cannot offer the right level of support for your spine.
While this may not actually be a disadvantage per se, many people find it annoying to have to re-inflate the air bed every time they need to use it, especially if this is quite often.
The pump may make enough noise to wake up other people, so this could be a problem if you decide that you need to inflate your air bed a bit in the middle of the night. This is definitely not a problem if you only use your mattress sporadically.

Average Cost Of A Mattress

A new mattress is a investment in your health and comfort because it is the piece of furniture that is almost certain to get tons of use. At the same time, it can be a significant financial commitment, and price is an important consideration to consider when purchasing a mattress. Consider your entire bedroom budget as a beneficial exercise for most shoppers. This covers a new mattress as well as any other accessories, such as new pillows or bedding, that may be required.

Price Chart

So What Makes A Mattress Good?

There are numerous things to consider when trying to choose the right mattress. While a lot of things depend on personal preference, According to studies, sleeping on a medium-firm mattress, particularly one with adjustable firmness, improves comfort, spinal alignment, and sleep quality. If you suffer from body aches and pains, research reveals that the surface you sleep on has an impact on your comfort. People who slept on medium-firm memory foam mattresses experienced less pain and fell asleep faster, according to a small 2015 study. Other research done published to the National Library Of Medicine claims, latex foam puts less peak pressure on the body than memory foam. This means it resists the “sinking in” sensation that memory foam is known for. This may aid sleepers in maintaining a comfortable sleeping temperature and position. A mattress should, in general, maintain the natural curve of your spine, not overheat you, and match your budget.

Closing thoughts

Investing in a new mattress can be a smart choice for those who want to improve their heath and get an amazing nights sleep. When comparing brands and specific types of mattresses we know can get confusing. We hope that this has helped you narrow down your search on how to chose the mattress that will be perfect for you. Here at SleepCity we offer that wide selection of mattresses that will fit your every need and price range. If you are interested in learning more about our wide selection of mattresses please click here.