Mattress Guide

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.

Unfortunately, when it comes to purchasing a mattress you'll find there are very few objective resources out there to help you make a purchasing decision. Nobody wants to publish a "best" mattress list. With perhaps the exception of the purchase of your engagement ring, purchasing a mattress is about as blind a purchase as you're likely to make.

Even Consumer Reports, although they will give you some useful information, cannot give you a recommendation on which bed is right for you. And, I can't either. The reality is that very person has different sleeping patterns!

But, I can share some pointers on things you should consider before buying your mattress.  Oh, and it doesn't matter if it is a queen mattress, king  mattress, full bed or twin-same rules apply.

As a reader and writer of bed and mattress reviews and mattress ratings I'm stunned by how many negative mattress reviews I read that might have been unnecessary had the buyer just done a little more homework before making the purchase. So, here's to making you smart, and helping you make a more informed decision.

Getting started....

Establish a realistic budget for your mattress purchase
Before shopping for a mattress 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.

Familiarize Yourself with Mattress Construction and Styles
This is especially important if it's been awhile since you've last shopped for a mattress. There are so many choices of mattress sets. Fortunately, in the Internet Age this isn't as daunting a task as it might sound.

• Inner Coil Spring mattresses still account for the overwhelming majority of bed construction today. Conventional coil springs are generally larger (3-4 inches) and are joined top and bottom into a "network" of springs that support your body. They are covered with a bedding material or foam so you never actually feel the springs. Generally speaking, the more springs used in the construction of the bed the better.
  
• Pocket Coil Springs feature a somewhat smaller coil spring (2 inches) that is pre-compressed and housed in a fabric pocket (duon). Unlike conventional springs they are not joined to one another top and bottom. But rather, each fabric pocket is attached along its side to the next. The advantages of this construction are, many more springs are used and the method of their attachment better isolates movement of sleeping partners. Simmons, with their Beautyrest line is the manufacturer that comes to mind when looking for a bed featuring this type of construction
  
• Foam beds are increasingly popular. While the term "memory foam" is being hurled about by everyone, there are actually different types of foam being used. TempurPedic mattresses are probably the best-known brand to use a visco-elastic foam that is extremely dense and responds to the heat of your body. It is about as firm as foam mattresses get. Many people note that this type of foam traps and radiates heat back into the sleeper. If you like warm and snuggly, this might be good. But, if you're a kick the blankets off type of sleeper you may not find it to your taste. The visco-elastic foam is generally the most expensive variety of foam.
  
  
• Poured Polyurethane, though less commonly discussed is another popular type of foam used. Jamison Bedding uses this foam in the manufacture of the Marriott Hotel Bed. Less firm than the visco-elastic variety it is nonetheless a very comfortable sleep experience. It is less prone to trap and radiate heat back into your body.
  
• Finally, there is Latex, the softest of the varieties of foam. Generally, this is the least expensive variety of foam. While it is not likely that your skin will ever make contact with the latex, since there are many who are allergic to this material, this might be something worth studying more closely.
  
• Air-Chamber beds such as offered by the Select Comfort brand are among the most expensive beds to purchase but among the least expensive to manufacture (go figure!). They are usually adjustable via an internal or external air pump and in larger sizes may allow two sleep partners to sleep on a bed of varying firmness. Keep in mind that this is an air mattress. It will over time leak some air and have to be firmed up some with more air. From my experience reading reviews on beds, consumer satisfaction with this type of bed varies the greatest.

Decide: Pillow-top Mattresses, Plush-top mattresses, what's your preference?
Pillow-Tops mattresses have become increasingly popular and controversial over the last several years. These usually down-filled layers add a plush softness to the underlying firm mattress. You usually love that feeling or hate it. We really love it. It feels like it's coddling your body. The controversy seems to center around the question of whether or not the pillow-top compresses and mats down, potentially creating permanent impressions and lumps. Pillow-top mattresses usually can't be flipped periodically like most mattresses.

An alternative to the pillow top mattress is the plush top mattress. Usually, here the manufacturer employs an extra layer of bedding to the surface of the mattress, that while soft, is more compressed than a pillow-top. Although it's not as cuddly as a pillow-top still it imparts a luxurious plush feel to your body. This is really a matter of personal preference.

And, don't forget....

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 your mattress 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.

Get a quality bed 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 manufacturers 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.

Test drive a Mattress 
Try the mattress 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.

In a recent article, Consumer Reports suggested testing each mattress for 15 minutes.  It makes a certain amount of sense to me, but I think most of us measure a bed's comfort by how we feel when we awaken the next morning.  This is especially true as we grow older.  I think I have a better suggestion.

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 & Hampton Inn) 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?

Reconsider the Mattress Warranties

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.

An interesting note with regard to your warranty.  You know that little tag on your mattress and on all pieces of furniture that states "Do not remove under penalty of law"?  Well of course as consumers, we can remove any tag we wish.  But, I have now heard several claims that warranties were voided because of their removal.

Summing Up
With so many choices confronting us, you'll be amply rewarded by spending a little more time up front doing your homework on mattresses before you commit your money. You'll be more likely to find the right bed for you; a bed that hopefully you'll be sleeping in for years.