Buying a new mattress? Then pay closer attention, as 92% of people agree that our quality of sleep depends on it and we know how much sleep affects our health. Actually, studies confirm a good night’s sleep can improve memory, help with weight control, and reduce stress, which ultimately leads to a happier and longer lifespan.
However, the mattress market is huge and offers so many different models that it’s no wonder online mattress shopping became such a hit. People feel exhausted even thinking about going from store to store and trying out multiple designs, so orders over the internet made the process easier. Not to mention the lower prices and free delivery straight to your home.
While it has its advantages, the problem is you don’t really know what you’re getting. Maybe the mattress is not firm or soft enough, or maybe you miscalculated the proportions and the mattress can’t fit like it’s supposed to.
Whatever the case may be, all roads lead one best solution – in-store purchases and mattress checks until you find the most suitable type. Still, there are a few tricks to help you ease the process, and those little secrets are precisely what you need for getting the comfort you deserve.
Do You Need a New Mattress?
If you take into account that an average person sleeps for about 8 hours a day, which accounts for 229,961 hours in a lifetime, this means that people spend one-third of their life in bed. Of course, this applies only for nights, but what about daytime naps and relaxation? So, around one-third of each day is spent in the comfort of our mattress.
That said, how long is your warranty? Although on average warranties guarantee a 7 to 10 year mattress lifespan, in reality, you can start considering replacing the old one after only 5 years. No matter the quality, they wear out eventually, so spot the signs telling you it’s time for a change:
- The mattress has visible spots and dents
- Increase in allergies
- Sleep deprivation due to tossing and turning at night
- Back and neck pains, muscle stiffness, and joint pains
- Sagging
Deciding Upon the Mattress Model
What is your type? Are you more of a spring person or is memory foam what you are looking for? Each mattress model has its own unique features, and according to those specific qualities the prices go up or down. So let’s take a look at the different mattress models.
Spring
This type is widely available, as it is affordable. The mattress has a lot of comfort and firmness options, but it lacks durability. Also, some specify that the springs can make a bit of noise, yet the average price of a satisfying option is around $940.
Memory Foam
They are rated well by numerous satisfied customers who confirm above average motion isolation and conforming ability. However, the bad side is that memory foam mattresses retain heat, limit body movement, and don’t possess enough bounciness. They tend to be a bit pricey, but a quality memory foam mattress can be found for under $1000.
Air
Long-lasting, comfort adjustable, and above average support are the main qualities of air mattresses. The cons, on the other hand, are restricted availability, noise, air loss, prices, and difficulty of use for first-time users. It is obvious that they are costly – the average price is around $2180.
Foam
Perfect motion isolation with a bit of bounciness and without heat retention. A foam mattress is a true sleep supporter with good return policies and an affordable $900 price tag. Some may find it too firm or not thick enough, so the possibility of not being satisfied with your online purchase is the only real drawback of foam mattresses.
Hybrid
Hybrids are a blend of memory foam and spring mattresses, with an ideal firm but soft back support. The durability and weight of these mattresses is definitely nothing to brag about, and neither is their overall value for money, given that this is the most expensive model of them all.
Water/Latex/Futon
Among the three, latex is the best option. Futon and water mattresses are a better choice for college students, while latex mattresses provide above-average customer approval across the board. The only disadvantage is that they are hard to acquire and test due to the limited availability in stores.
Comfort Testing
By now we can agree that comfort is the main priority. But if you think the firmer the better, then you couldn’t be more wrong. Our body has curves, so a quality mattress has to provide the much-needed support, while still soft enough to allow those curves to fit properly.
Once you’re in a store and doing comfort testing, pay attention to how your body feels. If the mattress is too tight or firm, your body will feel the pressure. And you certainly don’t want a mattress that will keep you tossing and turning all night long.
So the correct thing to do is to lay on the mattress for 5 minutes to see if your body tries to instinctively turn in order to find a better or more comfortable position. If this happens, the mattress is not for you. In addition, pay attention to the heat retention and the motion of the mattress when you get up.
Prices are Negotiable
Did you know you can negotiate the mattress price? With such a large market, everyone wants to be the king of mattresses, which opens up the possibility of getting a good bargain. To get the best deal, you’ll need to do some research on the mattresses you are interested in and the companies that offer them.
Armed with knowledge, go from one place to another and mention the quote the other place provided. Soon after you develop this strategy, you will notice that they will try to edge out their competition by lowering the price.
Then again, you can always try out mattresses in stores and order the most comfortable model online. This is an excellent way to make the most of both online and traditional shopping methods, as you will get exactly what you want, and for a lower price.
Conclusion
If the time has come to switch your old mattress with a new and improved model, try to be careful and don’t rush things.
Quality sleep is vital for our health, so it really matters what mattress you buy. Follow these simple rules to wake up each morning feeling like a million bucks on your affordable luxury mattress.