Mattress Buying Tips Review

Buying a new bed is one of the more significant purchase decisions we make. Sure,we spend more money on a house or a car, but neither of these purchases can so directly affect our actual well-being as can a bed. You know what they say. "You spend one third of your life sleeping". Oh yeah? Who says? I don't think I spend a quarter of my life sleeping. Six hours? A monumental waste of time if you ask me. But don't ask me to compromise the comfort in which I sleep.

Most of us buy only a relative handful of beds in our lifetimes. Today, with new sleep technologies available and prices of quality beds (as well as some shoddy beds) often exceeding $3,000, it's more important than ever to do your research up front.

Oh I know this comes off as a truism, but as a reader and writer of bed and mattress reviews I'm stunned by how many negative reviews I read that might have been unnecessary had the buyer just done a little more homework before making the purchase.

Here are some pointers I recommend before making your purchase.

Establish a realistic budget
Before shopping decide how much money you're willing to spend. Be realistic. Once you're in the showroom it's too late. Salespersons are so good at pointing out that given the life expectancy of the product (10+ years) you can afford anything. Can you really? Do your pocketbook a favor and set a realistic budget before you step into the showroom.

Understand Bed Construction and styles
Inner coil spring (conventional and pocket coil) still make up the overwhelming majority of bed construction today. Generally speaking, the more springs and the smaller the size of each spring the better.

Foam, whether visco-elastic or poured polyurethane, is increasingly popular and prices vary widely. Foam conforms to your body shape but some varieties (Tempurpedic) trap and radiate body heat. This may be good for some but bad for others. Poured polyurethane is usually far less costly and radiates less heat. On the other hand it is generally a little less firm. How firm is enough for you?

Air-chamber beds like the Select Comfort Bed are among the most expensive beds to buy but among the least expensive to manufacture. It's an air mattress by any other name. Consumer satisfaction with this style bed seems to vary the greatest. If you are seriously considering a bed of this type read reviews before you purchase.

Lay a good foundation
The box spring is the foundation of your bed. Buy the box spring designed to give your mattress the proper support. Most mattresses are sold with either one or more box spring alternatives. Buy the highest quality box spring designed specifically for the mattress you've chosen. When purchasing a king-size mattress you are usually better off with a two piece box spring (dual twin-size) for the added support. Some warranties are valid only if you purchase both mattress and box spring as a set.

Size it right
Most of us don't want to live with a wall-to-wall mattress. But, within reason, purchase the largest size bed practical for its application. Your 10 year-old probably doesn't need a queen or king-sized bed, but you and your spouse probably do. Remember, you're going to be sleeping on this bed for a long time.

A quality frame
The frame is often an afterthought purchase. If you're buying a queen-sized or larger bed make sure the frame has a center support. You may have an old adjustable size frame at home, but a larger frame isn't enough. Center support is a must to avoid the larger beds from sagging over time. Most manufacturer's recommend at least six points of contact with the floor. I'd recommend eight. Failure to comply with the manufacturer's recommendation can void your warranty, such that it is.

The all important test drive
Try the bed out. But if you're visiting a showroom for the purchase, try only a few at a time. In the store all better quality beds feel pretty good. The more mattresses you try out at a time the more you're likely to become desensitized and confused. And, the more likely you'll be talked into a more expensive mattress.

Better yet, sleep on one. Sound strange? You can you know. Many hotel chains (Westin, Hilton, Marriott) feature their own beds manufactured by the likes of Simmons, Serta, Jamison, etc. I personally like and recommend the Westin Heavenly Bed by Simmons. It features pocket coil construction and a pillow-top and it isolates sleep partner's movement nicely. The Cloud Nine Bed by Serta (Hilton) features conventional coil construction with a plush-top and runs a close second for me. Finally, Marriott in concert with Jamison Bedding offers the foam Marriott Bed. Made with poured polyurethane, it's body conforming without being heat radiating. These beds are actually sold by the hotel chains and can be had for about $1,500 (King-sized) or less plus about $200 for shipping. If you're itching to try a Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort, choose to stay at a Radisson Hotel who offers their loyalty club customers discount coupons for the purchase of a Select Comfort Bed.

Most importantly, for the cost of a room for the night you just might make a much smarter long term purchase decision, save hundreds of dollars and enjoy a romantic evening as well. Not a bad homework assignment, is it?

Before closing this article let's briefly touch on Warranties. Succinctly, don't depend on them. They are very difficult to exercise. Often, the mere presence of a stain on the mattress voids it. Body indentations have to be inspected by a manufacturer's representative and generally have to be cavernous to warrant a return. Successful returns are often accompanied by restocking fees, shipping fees, etc. In short, it can be very costly to return a bed you're not happy with.

By spending more time up front doing your homework you'll be more likely to enjoy your bed once you've chosen it.  And maybe, just maybe we'll read one less "torture chamber" mattress rant.

Pleasant Dreams,

Rudi