How To Find A High Quality Mattress The First Time

Introduction

If you’ve ever shopped for a new mattress, you already know it can be an overwhelming process. With hundreds of options on the market, the last thing anyone wants is to waste money on bad sleep.

Sleep experts often tell you to buy strictly based on your primary sleep position. But let’s be honest: most of us twist, turn, and wake up in completely different positions. Instead of guessing based on sleeping styles, this guide focuses on three real factors: mattress materials, body type, and objective test data so you can choose a high quality mattress right the first time.

Deciding the Best Bed Material

We all have mattress material preferences. Some of us prefer a natural, eco-friendly, organic mattress, and some of us wouldn’t mind either way. But this isn’t about that. This is simply about whether or not you should get a foam, spring, or hybrid mattress.

Foam — a mattress constructed entirely from foam. Foam mattresses provide comfort and support through various layers of foam, such as memory foam (pressure relief and contours to the body), polyurethane foam (varies in density and firmness, mainly a supportive foam), and latex foam (durable and bouncy).

Foam mattresses are made to last between 6 and 15 years when made from high-quality materials. Rotating it every three months and having a supportive bed frame will help extend its lifespan.

Spring — (also known as an innerspring mattress) is made up of metal springs or a coil count ranging from 400 to over 1,000 that offers bouncy support. The higher the amount of coils, the better support and comfort the mattress provides.

The construction typically consists of several layers of coils and foam or just coils and felt. There are four types of coils.

• Bonnell Coils: Interconnected to provide firmness.

• Pocket Coils: Individually wrapped in fabric to reduce motion transfer.

• Offset Coils: Same as pocket coils but has extra flexibility and support.

• Continuous Coils : Offers firm support and durability but poor motion isolation.

Spring mattresses are made to last from 5 to 10 years, depending on materials used. Regular rotating of the mattress can extend its lifespan.

Hybrid — is a mattress composed of two different types of bed materials. This combination aims to provide pressure relief with foam on top of a supportive coil system.

Hybrid mattresses are made to last 6 to 10 years, depending on their materials and construction used. Mattresses made with high-density foam last longer.

Reference The Past or Present

For reference, use your current or previous mattress to answer these questions.

• Is your mattress too firm or too soft?

• Is it too bouncy or not bouncy enough?

• Do you like sinking or not sinking too much into the mattress?
  

These answers will help provide detailed information on a starting point of what you are looking for.

For example:

• If you have trouble getting off of the mattress, look for a mattress with more bounce.
  

• If you sink too far into a mattress, look for a firmer one, the firmer the mattress, the more you’ll be laying on top of the mattress.
  

• If you don’t like laying on top of a mattress, look for a softer mattress so that you can sink further into the mattress.
  

If you are bothered by your partner's movements while sleeping, look for a mattress with low motion transfer (amount of movement felt on mattress when one person moves) or one with high motion isolation (how well a mattress absorbs and minimize movement in a specific area).

How it works:

If you look for high motion transfer, you will get low motion isolation (high partner disruption).

If you look for low motion transfer, you will get high motion isolation (less partner disruption).

How To Scientifically Test A Mattress

Surprisingly, there are measurements and tests that can be done to a mattress, and one of the best websites to get this information is naplab.com.

Naplab.com provides scientific measurements of bounce, sinkage, motion transfer, and so much more to help you identify a better mattress with ease.

When you get to the website the mattress information can be overwhelming, so the first thing you need to do is identify your current mattress on the website and write down the numbers that matter to you, then proceed to look into other mattresses based on the information you’ve acquired.

Jot down things like sinkage, bounce, and firmness. It’s best to create a list and then weigh the pros and cons, test out the mattress, and then determine the price to find the perfect mattress that suits you.

Example of How To Use NapLab

If your current mattress is an all foam mattress like The Plank by Brooklyn Bedding, the numbers are:

• Bounce height — 8.05 inches

• Motion transfer acceleration — 6.8 m/s squared

• Sinkage depth — 2.11 inches

Note: If you can’t find your mattress on Naplab.com, then look for a review on your mattress on Google or Youtube. For example, you can search “Serta mattress review”.

Finding a Similar or Better Mattress

Now, to solve The Plank’s mattress issue of difficulty getting out of bed, it’s best to look for a mattress with a higher bounce height number. In this case, any mattress that bounces higher than 8.05 inches is ideal.

To solve the issue of feeling a partner move in bed, it’s best to look for a lower motion transfer number. In this case, any mattress with motion transfer less than 6.8m/s squared is ideal.

To solve the issue of feeling like you are sinking into the mattress too much, it’s best to look for a lower sinkage depth number. In this case, any mattress that sinks less than 2.11 inches is ideal.

Each mattress review on Naplab.com has the measurements on their website or Youtube video so you can easily identify and create a list of mattresses you would like to test.

New Mattress Shopping List

Create a list of potential mattresses that meet the measurements that you need. This will help narrow down the list and speed up the shopping experience.

Comparing the Plank mattress to others:

After you’ve made the list, narrow down each mattress by which mattress measurements meet your needs the most, as well as other factors like price, thickness, and any other preferences.

Based on our list of looking for a new mattress to replace the Plank we would choose the Zenhaven as a winner, but since it’s expensive, a more cost efficient winner is Ikea Morgedal, but it has a downside of being just under 8 inches thick.

Body Type and Weight

We’re all shaped differently. Some of us have heavier upper body weight, and others carry more weight in their lower body. This factor plays a more crucial role in determining the right mattress we need than you think.

Despite your weight, we believe choosing a mattress based on the heaviest part of your body works best because that body part will typically sink furthest into a mattress.

Shopping by Body Weight

For example, if your butt and hips area are the heaviest part of your body, they will sink the most. If you find sinking uncomfortable, search for something firmer like an all foam mattress made of high density foam, or a spring/hybrid mattress with 13 gauge coils.

If you prefer a soft mattress, you can look at all foam mattresses made of memory foam and spring and a hybrid mattress with spring wires of 14 gauge or 15 gauge.

Lower gauge numbers mean thicker, firmer coils (e.g., 13 gauge is firmer, while 15 gauge is softer and more flexible).

You could also approach it by comparing it to your couch. If you love the way your couch feels, search for a mattress that feels just like it. If you have a firm couch, you’ll probably like a firm mattress, and if you love a soft couch, you’ll probably love a soft mattress.

It’s important to note that these recommendations are general guidelines, and individual preferences may vary. The best way to find the perfect mattress for your body type and weight is to try out different options and see how they feel for you personally.

Test and Research

Now that you have a better understanding of each type of mattress and what to look for it’s time to put your knowledge into action. Here are some practical steps to follow:

1. Test In-Store

Visit mattress stores and spend time lying down on different mattresses. Take your time to assess the comfort, support, and overall feel of each mattress. Lie down in your preferred sleeping position for at least 10 minutes to get a real sense of how the mattress supports you.

2. Read Reviews

Look for online reviews, YouTube videos, and ratings of the mattresses you are considering. Pay attention to reviews from people who have similar body types as you. While individual experiences may vary, reading reviews can provide valuable insights and help you narrow down your options.

3. Consider Materials and Brands

Research different mattress materials, such as foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses. Each material has its unique characteristics and benefits. Similarly, explore reputable mattress brands known for their quality and customer satisfaction.

By testing mattresses in-store and conducting thorough research, you can make a more informed decision and increase your chances of choosing a high quality mattress that meets your specific needs.

Conclusion

Remember, these are general guidelines, and each person’s preference and body type can vary, but ultimately, the key is to find a balance between comfort and support that suits your unique needs.

Choosing a high quality mattress is a decision that deserves careful consideration. By considering your body type and weight and conducting proper research and testing, you can find a mattress that provides the comfort and support your body needs for a restful sleep. Remember, investing in a high-quality mattress is an investment in your health and well-being. So, prioritize quality, and get ready to enjoy the benefits of a good night’s sleep on a mattress that truly suits you.