Mattresses: How do I choose?
It's always important to make sure that you spend your money on where you spend your time. Considering that we spend at least a third of our lives asleep or in a bed, skimping on your mattress or sleeping surface can be detrimental to your health. At the same time, not everyone has the budget for a top of the range, quality mattress. This article may help you determine the best mattress for your money, what you should be on the look for, and what to look out for.
Do your research and create a budget!
The first thing you should do is figure out how much you're willing to spend. Going into any major purchase with a budget in mind will help you avoid spending too much. It will also help you buy the best mattress that you can afford, while avoiding all the extraneous costs.
Mattress stores are commonly known for making it difficult to compare with other shops. Don't expect to be able to go from store to store and see the same mattress for difference prices; however you can do this online. You're better off paying attention to the mattress brand and mattress type when you go shopping.
If you're trying to stick to a budget, check out your local mattress stores or Internet sites. Make notes of model names and numbers that are within your price range. Then when you get to a store, ask to see these specific models. In some cases, mattress stores only stock a few of the models on sale, so find out early if they have what you're looking for by ringing them up or sending them an email.
Understand what type of mattress is right for you.
Mattress manufacturers and retailers have dozens of names for different types of mattresses, but there are only really a few basic types:
Tempur-Pedic/Memory Foam - Tempur-Pedic mattresses are actually a brand name, but many people use them to describe any mattress type that uses 'Memory foam' or another type of foam that moulds to the shape of your body whist you sleep. You essentially sink into it and the mattress applies even pressure to your body at all points. Tempur-Pedic and memory foam mattress tend to get warm over the course of the night, so if you need a cool sleeping surface under you, they may not be right for you.
Sleep Number Beds - Sleep number beds use inflatable air pressure chambers inside of the mattress that you can customise to suit the level of firmness you want in your sleeping surface. You can, at any time, make the mattress firmer or softer, depending on your preferences. Additionally you can adjust the bed into a reclining position, but this depends on the model that you purchase.Sleep Number Bed is the trademark of Select Comfort, who make most of the beds that fit this description; the only downside is that they tend to be rather expensive.
Firm Vs Plush - Firm and plush, as their names would suggest, indicate the firmness or softness of the mattress in question. You'll often see some mattresses described as extra firm, firm, plush or ultra plush. This is so you can determine for yourself how hard or soft the mattress actually is. In some cases, to get the ultra plush end of the scale, manufactures add thick pillowtops and cushions to the tops of a standard mattress to make it feel softer. You can also find mattress types between like cushion form or pillowtop.
Try everything that interests you. Start high and work down.
If you're in a mattress store and a salesman is leading you around the store, letting you try out each mattress but is rushing you, then leave. You shouldn't have to rush when it comes down to choosing any potential purchase. You should be able to take your time to genuinely test out the mattress; after all, you're going to be spending a lot of time on it.
It is imperative when making a high value purchase of this kind that you thoroughly test all mattresses with all levels of firmness, so you get the right product at the right price. Don't be swayed by sales person's patter, ask for test pillows and compare everything.
One great way for you to find a mattress that you'll like is to start with the high end mattresses in the store and working your way down. You may be leading your salesperson on a little bit, but the point is that you get to experience the super high-end, top notch line of mattresses first to get a feel for how comfortable they are, and then you can start to step down in features and padding until you start to test mattresses that are less comfortable which you'd like to settle upon. This way you can achieve an understanding of where the balance is and it'll help you make a decision.
Don't be afraid to haggle with people!
You've tested out several different mattresses, and you're ready to pick one. Now it comes down to price. Some mattress stores won't haggle the price and they'll try their hardest to get more money out of you on accessories and warranties. If you're shopping in any of the major chains however, the price is almost always flexible. Don't be afraid to ask for a price, and then propose something different, or let the salesperson know that you really like this particular model but you're not will to spend 'X' amount of money on it. You won't get a yes every time, that's just how business works, but you may be able to negotiate for free on a mattress that you initially thought was out of your price range. Pay attention to sales and holiday weekends where you're likely to get a good price. Mattress retailers tend to do a lot of business on weekends you may not expect.
Take Advantage of Your In-Home Trial, and Lock In a Good Warranty!
Before you seal the deal, make sure that the mattress comes with delivery and disposal of your old mattress (often something you can negotiate in for free), a solid warranty and your retailer has an in-home trial period. Most reputable retailers will give you 30 to 60 days to try out the mattress in your home, and if you hate it, they'll refund your money or exchange you for another mattress. Make the most of that period of time, and pay close attention to how you're sleeping and how you feel when you're awake.
You won't be able to tell much from the first couple of days, but once you get used to it, Virginia-based chiropractor Dr. Eugene Su says: "You should start feeling better overall. If you have more energy and getting up in the morning is easier than it used to be, you may be on to something good." He also warns against falling in behind a specific brand, model, or type, and encourages his patients to try different types of mattresses to see what they find most comfortable. If you have the mattress at home already, he suggests you pay attention to a few specific things:
When you wake up, do you have less energy, or more?
After you've been up for a while, do you have any unusual soreness, or aches and pains, specifically in your back or sides?
When you do get up and get ready, what's your mood like? Are you ready to take on the day, or do you find you're suddenly really grumpy in the mornings (compared to your usual self, of course?)
Are you tossing and turning, or frequently waking up to shift position during the night?
Dr. Su notes that all of these symptoms are also warning signs that it's about time to replace your mattress, but if you're trying out a new mattress at home for the first month and you see these signs getting worse and not better, it may be time to call the mattress store and trade for a different model.
If you've had your mattress for a few months and you still notice you're uncomfortable, or the mattress is suddenly uneven, don't hesitate to call the manufacturer and make a warranty claim. A warranty claim will net you the same mattress you already have, most likely, but if the problem is a defect, you'll be happy you have it. As we've said before, make sure an extended warranty or protection plan is worth it before buying. A good manufacturer's warranty will serve you better than a retailer's replacement plan in many cases, and instead of spending the extra money, consider an extended warranty fund with the money you would have spent on a protection plan in case an issue comes up.
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