The average person spends one third of their life asleep, so why not get a mattress that is as comfortable as possible. Contrary to popular belief, a good quality mattress doesn’t have to break the bank, in fact, some of the best mattresses on the market right now can be had for under $100 as long as you know where to look.
Perhaps you are moving and need to pick out new furniture.
Perhaps you are unhappy with the mattress that you currently own.
It can seem daunting trying to buy the right model, since there are so many. There are a number of different options and features to chose from. Also, certain mattresses are made for certain medical conditions. If you have back pain, there are units that are designed specifically for people suffering from that ailment.
If that seems overwhelming, don’t worry. There are just three big things that you should always think about when buying a mattress.
1. The different types of mattresses
2. The different sizes of mattresses
3. Where to buy the mattress
The Types
Among the different types of mattresses, your selection should be based on your sleeping needs. You need to focus on:
• If you experience pain when you are sleeping
• The position your body takes when you are sleeping
Innerspring Mattress
Even if you don’t think you know what an innerspring mattress is, you’ve definitely seen them. This is what most people imagine a mattress to be: a spring-filled bed.
Thanks to how they are built, they offer good support. One thing to watch out for is if they have too many coils though. According to some experts, you don’t want a coil count of over 390.
These kinds of mattresses are ideal for:
• People who sleep on their backs
• People who sleep on their fronts
• People who have back pain
• People who are overweight
Memory Foam Mattress
Another common type of mattress seen in stores and on TV, memory foam is known for its body-contouring ability.
People often buy memory foam to reduce the number of pressure points created and noise from restless sleepers who move around. This is especially helpful if you share the bed with someone else, and can help keep you from disturbing them.
Because these mattresses match the shape of your body though, you can start to feel very warm when sleeping on one. Heat can’t escape as easily, so this is a thing to consider if you live where it gets very hot during the evening.
These kinds of mattresses are ideal for:
• People who sleep on their side
• People who suffer from muscle pain
• People who suffer from chronic fatigue
Latex Mattress
If you want something similar to memory foam without the heat, you might want to look at latex.
The material doesn’t heat up, so it is much better for those summer nights.
Something else to consider is that latex can be natural or synthetic.
These kinds of mattresses are ideal for:
• People who sleep on their side
• People who sleep on their back
• People who sleep on their front
• People who suffer from back pain
Air Mattress
It should be noted that the term “air mattress” here does not refer to those cheap inflatable beds you might take camping with you.
Instead, these air mattresses are highly engineered for ultimate comfort. Some even have separate air pockets so that you can fill either side to a different firmness.
Aside from being easy to adjust, you should also consider an air mattress if you spend a lot of time in bed. For example, patients with spinal cord injuries might benefit from models that change air pressure throughout the night. This prevents one area of the body from receiving the pressure of your entire weight for the whole evening.
These kinds of mattresses are ideal for:
• People who sleep on their back
• People who suffer from back pain
• People with back injuries
• Couples who prefer different firmness
Adjustable Bed
Some medical conditions require you to sleep in certain positions. For example, people with acid reflux or sleep apnea will want to have their head in a much higher position than the rest of their body. If you have an edema in your legs, you’ll want your feet to be elevated instead.
Some models will have a mechanical lever to move the bed into position, while others use electric motors for button operation.
These kinds of mattresses are ideal for:
• People who have certain health issues like sleep apnea, heartburn, or acid reflux
• People who suffer from back pain
• People who suffer from muscle aches
The Sizes
The two main things to consider when picking out a size is comfort and the size of your room. You want enough space to be comfortable, especially if you are sharing the bed with someone else.
On the other hand, you don’t want the bed to be so large that it takes up your entire bedroom. You’ll have to find the best of both worlds based on the following chart:
• King Size – 76 x 80 inches
• California King Size – 72 x 84 inches
• Queen Size – 60 x 80 inches
• Full or Double XL Size – 63 x 80 inches
• Full or Double Size – 53 x 75 inches
• Twin XL Size – 38 x 80 inches
• Twin Size – 38 x 75 inches
Where To Buy Your Mattress
Once you know what kind of mattress you need and in what size, you need to actually buy it. If you choose to go to a brick-and-mortar store, you can either go to a department store or a specialized mattress store.
Tips for Buying In-Store
While going online is super convenient, there are several big advantages to buying a mattress in person. Being able to lay on the bed for a quick five-minute test nap is superior to just blindly picking one off a website. Of course, being able to feel it is one thing, but there are several other benefits to consider as well. For example, you’ll be able to talk directly to a salesperson to have all your questions answered. They’ll be able to help you find out what kind of warranty will be offered, or if the store will take returns.
Speaking directly to a sales representative will also help you haggle for a better price. Whether you are trying to knock a few dollars off the sticker price or maybe getting some free extras, negotiating is easier face to face. Offering to pay in cash is another tactic you might want to employ to get the store to give you a discount.
If you don’t know which store to start with, ask your friends and family for recommendations. They’ll be able to tell you what the shopping experience was like, or maybe even slip you a few tips to how they were able to save cash. Perhaps they had an excellent sales person that they think you should speak with. Whatever the case, just asking definitely won’t hurt. What also won’t hurt is doing extra research online even if you have your heart set on buying in a store.
Tips for Buying Online
Speaking of going online, it is definitely far simpler browsing a website than having to drive down to a store. All the information is at your fingertips, just a single click away. After all, you’re already reading this article online.
There are just a few things you should keep in mind if you chose to go this path. You should always buy from a trusted website, which will ensure that your online private information stays private. Check up on review sites to see if a particular vendor has a solid reputation.
Review sites will help you figure out if a model you are looking at is worth your time and money. Remember to look for reviews that are written after the customer has tried the bed for a period of time already. Initial impressions can sometimes be deceiving.
Also be sure to examine things like warranty options, shipping rates, and financing options. Mattresses can be very big purchases, so having flexibility when it comes to payment is key. A good warranty and return policy will have your back in case your package comes in damaged, or if something goes wrong after a few weeks.
A good bare minimum is a six-month warranty, and some will cover you for much longer than that.
Armed with all of this information, you are now ready to have the best sleep of your life. The most important thing is to do your research ahead of time, as information can be your greatest ally when making purchases.
It’s no secret that the past few years have been hard on businesses. This has been especially true of stores with physical locations, such as places that sell mattresses. Complicating things is the fact that more and more people are turning to the internet to buy beds.
Long story short: the mattress industry is a very cutthroat landscape, with retailers trying to undercut each other for customers. Brick-and-mortar stores have dropped prices to compete with their online counterparts. Meanwhile, these web-based retailers are offering their own deals and trial periods to woo people who want to try before they buy. That means high-priced mattresses are caught in the crossfire, and you can take advantage.
Casper
If you’ve heard of any online mattress store before, Casper is probably it. It’s one of the biggest in the United States, and has been around since 2014. Currently, they are offering 15% off on their stock, which means savings for any budget. If you’ve been thinking on splurging on your sleep, this might be the deal for you.
While they are mostly known for their higher-end range, Casper does have a budget option as well. The Essential is their cheapest unit, so is definitely worth a look.
One thing people worry about is buying a mattress online that they end up not liking. Casper makes things simple by offering a 100-night risk-free trial period. Not only that, but their website has a locator that can show nearby stores that carry their products. That way, you can at least feel one in person before taking the plunge.
Mattress Firm
As for a store you can just drive to, Mattress Firm has thousands of locations in the United States. It’s one of the biggest and well-known vendors around, so there’s likely one not too far away from you. On top of their fantastic sales prices, they also have no interest financing offers with no money down.
Even though online stores have trial periods now, some people just really want to be able to feel a mattress before purchasing. If you feel the same and want to have a lot of options, Mattress Firm should be your next stop. Besides, they boast the same kind of risk-free trial, so it’s not like you have to give up that benefit.
Linenspa
For customers who are on an extreme budget, there are some low-cost choices floating around on Amazon. Linenspa is one of those options, and their prices are truly hard to beat. Their twin-sized units cost around $100-$150 through their Amazon storefront, with larger Queen sizes starting at $150. Whether you want something firm or soft, their different models offer something for all sleepers.
According to many reviewers, Linenspa mattresses are surprisingly comfortable for the price. Tens of thousands of people have left feedback, and the majority of it is positive. Thanks to being on Amazon, you also have access to their free return policy. If you don’t like it, you can return the item in its original condition within 100 days of receipt. That’s plenty of time to see if your purchase was the right one.
Signature Sleep
Another Amazon vendor is Signature Sleep, who has a large variety of products you can choose from. In additional to traditional spring mattresses, there are also memory foam and hybrid options. This gives their catalogue a lot of variety and price points, including twin sizes that cost less than a hundred dollars. If you just need something quick as a spare, it’s difficult to argue with that value. Be sure to check out their “Deals” tab on their storefront page.
Nectar
As popular as Casper is, one of the major complaints about them is their high price. Enter Nectar, which offers models that are comparable to Casper’s more premium selections without the same price tag. Their thick memory foam mattresses can usually be found for under $1000 outside of their largest units, especially when there’s a sale. As of this writing, 900 dollars will get you a queen size mattress along with 400 dollars extras that include a pillow, sheets, and a protector. Remember, don’t settle for their MSRP since they usually have a sale, or a sale incoming.
Final Thoughts
With so many different vendors all competing for your dollar, that gives the consumer much more power of choice. The only thing you really need to find the best price is the knowledge of where to look. Always shop around online even if you plan on going to a brick-and-mortar store. This will inform you how much you can get a good mattress for, and help you save the most money.
For people who are worried about buying online because they want to try first, remember most internet retailers have trial periods. Not only that, but some of them also sell through other vendors who have physical locations, like Target. Whatever the case, just be aware of all of your options, and you’ll be able to save hundreds of dollars.
