Mattress Buyer’s Guide

When Should You Buy a New Mattress?

This mattress buying guide will help you navigate the research and shopping process.  By highlighting the items of concern, this mattress buying guide should show you what to look for in a new mattress.  It can also make buying a new mattress a little less stressful.  The first step to the task is determining the need for a new mattress.  You should consider a new mattress if you feel coils or dips in your current one.  If pieces of it are peeling or tearing off, it’s a good idea to start looking.  Also, if you wake with back pain, this could be sign that it is time for a new mattress.  Depending on the type of mattress you previously purchased, the quality may have differing lengths of useful life.  For example, a cheaper low density foam mattress or one made with coils may only last three years.  Whereas a high density foam, latex or hybrid model made with quality in mind, could last ten years or longer.
 

Adjustable Bed Buying Guide

You can pair many mattresses with adjustable beds. There are different types of mattress sizes and adjustable bed sizes that match.  There are different brands of adjustable beds that have their own unique features. In this buying guide, you will learn which adjustable beds and mattresses can pair.
View Adjustable Bed Buying Guide

Mattress Considerations

If you have back pain
If you feel coils through the mattress
You feel coils or dips in your current mattress
if your mattress is falling apart, pieces peeling off or tearing
If the mattress is three years old for low quality mattresses. For example, low density memory foam, low quality coil materials
If the mattress is ten years old for high quality mattresses. For example, high density memory foam, latex, hybrids with quality materials

Mattress Selection

The second step we recommend to establish a budget.  Mattresses can vary greatly in price so it is important to know what you are willing to spend.  This will actually help reduce the number of models to evaluate.  So it will save you time as well.  Next, determine what kind of sleeper you are.  Click here to learn about sleeper types.  Use it to compare material types and comfort levels.  Remember when making your final decision to ask about shipping time and of course, buy an online mattress from a trusted source.
 

 Check List

• Find a budget
• Narrow down what type of sleeper you are-(click here to see)
• Read our guide on different types of mattresses-(click here to see)
• Pick which type of mattress you prefer
• Ask about shipping time-(click here to see)
• Find the comfort level-(click here to see)
• Ask about shipping time-(click here to see)
• Buy from a trusted source

Type of Sleepers

Spinal alignment is of primary concern when sleeping as you spend a significant amount of your life sleeping.  Personal medical issues may impact your spine’s natural curvature.  When we mention spinal alignment in this mattress buying guide we are referring to the impact a mattress has on the majority of the population.  If you suffer from scoliosis, for example, you will want to contemplate your own specific needs.  There are three basic types of sleepers; side sleepers, stomach sleepers and those who sleep on their backs.

Side Sleeper

How a side sleeper can achieve a straight spine during sleep is by positioning in a manner that gives way to the hips and shoulder.  Of course not everyone is the same but in general a side sleeper will find comfort and joy on a medium or soft mattress.

Back Sleeper

A person who sleeps on their back will find more enjoyment in a medium mattress. On a flat firm mattress hips will be raised forward which is uncomfortable. A medium mattress will sink in just enough to allow hips and upper back to achieve a comfortable, aligned position.

Stomach Sleeper

Stomach sleepers sleep best on a firm mattress.  A firm mattress forces a stomach sleeper into a straight position, reducing strain on the spine.

Combo Sleeper

For the indecisive, sleep position commitment avoiders, a medium mattress might just be the best choice.  If you choose to sleep on your back one night, stomach the next and on day three shoot for the side, pick a medium firm mattress.  It will likely best meet your needs.

Different Types

Latex:

Latex is constructed of 100 % all-natural Dunlop Latex. Hybrid Latex are a combination of latex and coils by Kingship Comfort® brand. Natural latex is made from tropical trees called Hevea Brasiliensis. Sap from these trees is harvested and minimally processed to with a latex mattress. There is adjustable latex which the Restful and split top latex mattress have. This means moving the layers around will change the comfort while the hybrid is in comfort options soft, medium, or firm.

IFD
ILD determines the softness and firmness of the latex layers. ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflections which are usually presented as a range. 30-32 range is medium, 19-22 is soft, and 37-40 is firm.

Latex Mattress Price: A latex mattress can fall anywhere between mid-range to high cost, depending on a few factors.  First, the type of latex impacts the asking price.  For example, if it is Dunlop or Talalay.  Second, whether it is a natural latex or organic latex mattress greatly affects the overall price.  However, latex mattresses last a long time so the price is easy to justify.

Making a Dunlop Latex Mattress

There are a couple ways that Dunlop latex mattress are made; the traditional way and the continuous pour method.  Get the specifics below.  Dunlop latex production is simple and energy efficient.  Either process that is used starts the same way with tree tapping and sap collection.

• Tapping Trees: To begin manufacturing a latex mattress, it starts with farmers on plantations, generally in Southeast Asia.  We visited a rubber estate in Malaysia and saw firsthand the tall rubber trees in action.  Farmers first use a Jabong knife or a V-groove tool to tap the trees.  This gets the flow of sap dripping down the trees into collection pans near the ground.  Collection pans can be recycled jugs, bowls or cans.
• Milk Collection: The latex milk is then gathered from all the trees and poured together.  It is dumped through a strainer to filter out impurities such as dirt and tree bark.  Water is added to dilute the milk.
• Foaming and Pouring: Manufacturing a mattress using the Dunlop production technique is a large-scale production.  As so, factory machines are used to add and mix air into the liquid latex before pouring into a mold.

Hybrid:

Hybrid mattresses can a combination of coil-memory foam, memory foam-latex or coil-latex.

Pricing for Hybrid Mattresses: Generally, hybrid mattresses are constructed of coils or latex, memory foam and some type of cooling gel. The price of these mattresses usually lands in the middle, not too much or too little.

Air Bed:

Air Bed Mattresses utilize air chambers adjustable by remote control and upper layers made from memory foam or a latex-memory foam combo.

Memory Foam:

Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses contain memory foam but also usually contain other materials such as cooling gel.
Market Price of Memory Foam: Several things that can influence the price of a memory foam mattress. Some of these include the type of memory foam, cover material, and type of cooling gel. Most memory foam mattresses will be low cost to mid-range.

Trundle Bed:

The special design of a trundle bed means typically, there are two mattresses of different sizes used.  The lower bed is usually a Twin size with dimensions of 39” x 75”.  The bed that is house above it would then need to be slightly larger.  In many cases, this one will measure 41” x 77” so it is a little wider and a little longer.  Another common size combination that trundle beds use is a Full-size mattress paired with one that measures 55” x 81.25”.

 
Trundle Bed Mattress Sizes
Now, these are just a few examples of trundle bed mattress size possibilities.  Manufacturers of trundle beds can build these beds to fit traditional or custom sizes.  Some brands may even make them to specifically fit mattresses they make themselves.  This further expands the possible size combinations found on trundle beds.  Models made for adults versus young kids may also impact the size of mattress used on a trundle bed.  The trundle bed will move in and out underneath the upper bed frame.  For this reason, the lower mattress is usually smaller than the one on top.

Other Considerations

• Sizes: Mattress sizes vary.  You can almost always choose between the standard sizes; Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King. There are also “specialty mattress sizes” of Full XL, Split Queen, Split King, Split California King, Split Top Queen, Split Top King and Split Top California King.  Size choice is largely based on personal preference. Example, there are custom sizes such as Wyoming King and Texas King which fits a custom need and there are standard sizes. However, the base you have or choose can definitely impact the options.
• Temperature: Temperature might not be something that you think of when you first start looking for a mattress though it should be.  Latex natural sleeps cooler and latex featuring pincore holes make it more so.  Memory foam can be either cooling gel or cooling infused.  Cooling gel means the foam has a gel coating whereas gel infused has gel within the foam itself.
• Edge Support: Edge support on a latex or memory foam mattress is similar in that it isn’t reinforced.  This provides a consistent feel throughout the mattress.  Hybrids on the other hand have memory foam walls encasing the coils. This gives hybrid mattresses stronger edge support but makes them less consistent feeling on the edges.
• ILD and Density: Firmness in a latex mattress is described using an ILD rating.  Firmness for memory foam is noted as density.
• Support: Good support is a vital part of any mattress.  Support is not firmness though this is a common misconception.  A soft mattress can feel soft but be just as supportive as a firmer one.  The base of a mattress is what provides the underlying support so the construction matters.
• Odor: The odor emitted from a mattress mostly comes from chemical emissions.  For less intense odor, choose a mattress that is CertiPUR-US Certified, tested and regulated for emissions.
• Certifications: Different certifications can be listed on different mattresses.  GOTS and GOLS are certifications that the mattress is organic.  CertiPUR-US is a memory foam certification.
• Couples Sleeping Types: Consult your partner and be sure to consider his or her favored sleeping preferences.  What position do they regularly sleep in?  Do you each favor different firmness?  You might both like a medium firmness mattress or maybe an adjustable firmness mattress will be a better option.