You can never overestimate the role a good mattress plays in the quality and quantity of sleep you get every night. While most people focus on things like nutrition and exercise, their sleeping issues may be closer to home. Closer to home means their sleeping issues might have everything to do with a mattress that is not as comfortable as it used to be.
Most of us know that a good mattress will last up to 10 years if we take good care of it. That doesn’t mean it’s going to deliver a consistent good night of sleep for ten years. The reality is our bodies and needs will change over time. When the quality of our sleep starts to wane, it’s time to start thinking about why.
If you suspect your mattress is no longer delivering the goods, it’s time for you to start your search for a new one. It’s not a complicated process, but it might take some time, effort, and money to get the mattress you want and need.
As you start your quest to find the right mattress, it might be a good idea for you to get a quick education on the mattress market as it is today. With that in mind, here is a short course in Mattress Buying 101.
1 Understanding Your Mattress Options
If it has been a while since you went mattress shopping, you are in for a real surprise. In the last 10 to 15 years, the mattress manufacturing industry has developed many new technologies that have made mattresses more durable, eco friending, and futuristic.
In a market where there used to be a handful of quality mattress manufacturers, there are now dozens of companies that have innovated new mattresses. That translates to you now having access to several futuristic mattresses features like:
- Adjustable mattresses with remote controls (duel controls for more extensive beds)
- Heated mattresses
- Memory and Gel foam mattresses
- Mattresses that can monitor body and sleep metrics
You also have more choices regarding firmness options, sizes, and mattress materials. If you support eco-friendly merchandise, you’ll have no problem finding quality mattresses made from natural materials. You’ll also find that many of today’s mattresses are made without dangerous chemicals and offer extra protection against mattress fires.
2 Where to Shop
If you like the traditional approach to mattress shopping, you can still find many of the same brand-name mattress stores of years gone by. However, you will find that online shoppers now drive a majority of the mattress marketplace.
In recent years, consumers have come to realize they can cut down on the time and effort they spend on mattress shopping by searching for online options. The “mattress in a box” option has become very popular. The prices on these mattresses are the same as what you might find in a retail store, and they get shipped right to your front door.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that retail stores have become mattress display cases. It’s pretty standard for mattress consumers to locate the right mattress in a retail store and then turn around and buy that same mattress online.
3 Timing and Price
The right time to think about buying a new mattress is when your mattress is no longer comfortable. As we stated above, your needs will change over time. If back issues become a problem, you might need a different kind of mattress.
As far as pricing is concerned, mattresses are available in every price range ($300 to $3,000 or more). All you have to do is set your budget and start your search. Here are a few pricing tips you might want to consider:
- Brand name mattresses are more expensive than off-brand options without a difference in quality
- Eventually, every mattress will go on sale
- Wholesale mattress stores can offer great value if you can pick up the mattress yourself
4 Getting the Right Mattress
Getting the right mattress is finding the one that fits your needs and helps you sleep better at night. If you are unsure about comfort, you can request a mattress trial for a day or two at home. Other issues you should consider are your health issues, bed and room size, extra features you might want, and mattress durability.
A queen-size mattress is usually a good size option if you are unsure what size mattress you want. The queen mattress normally fits every bedroom, no matter your room size. Often people think bigger is better, but that’s not always the case here.
Conclusion
With a bit of effort and patience, you should be able to find a good mattress that suits your wants and needs. Before you start your search, you might want to review this article and gather a little more information about mattresses. By the way, at higher price ranges, your mattress purchase should be viewed as an investment.
