Mattress Comparisons
Comparing mattresses can be a difficult choice due to the number of brands in the market. You can never be entirely sure what you are going to get, and it gets more difficult if you’re not aware of the materials and which ones work best for you in relation to your sleeping style.
We want to add some light to this conundrum by providing you with the necessary mattress comparison criteria so that you can make an informed choice. By the time you are finished reading these words, you should have all you need to know when it comes to materials, free trials, sleeping position and the cost.
See our complete reviews of mattresses list.
Why It’s Necessary to Compare Mattresses
The mattress industry has changed a great deal since new brands entered the market and created pure-play online bedding distribution channels and traditional manufacturers have started to migrate to the World Wide Web to counter this stiff new competition. This development has made it all the more vital for you to be able to compare what there is on the market so that you get the best bed suitable for your needs.
Memory foam mattresses are at the forefront of this trend because they are easy to ship and they offer excellent body-contouring and anti-microbial properties. Many brands have a one model suits all strategy – it might work for some, but if you prefer something else you must be able to form a comparison with other brands and the materials they use.
Not only that but foam sometimes has gel or copper components or a grid system for breathability – each type is different, and you need to find out which you prefer. Then come the other materials such as latex, the innerspring and the hybrid – we will look into those in more detail later on.
Price is another important factor, and you need to compare bed brands in order to find the top deal – some makes have excellent promotions that will save you a ton of money. When that is done, more questions arise – are you allergic to specific materials like all-natural latex or the wool and cotton components in the innerspring bed? Do you like to sleep soft or hard? Will you be sharing the sleeping surface with your partner?
Eco-friendliness has become a major determinant for many of us when we are on the prowl for some new bedding. In addition to that, you need to consider the size and whether the shop has everything from the Queen through to the King. Or maybe you require the perfect solution for your kid. Whatever the reason mattresses need to be compared.
So, you see there is a lot to consider and comparing manufacturers is the ideal way to determine what is perfect for you. And don’t forget your sleeping position – read on for more information.
Comparing Sleeping Positions
Side
If you prefer to sleep on your side, you have to be sure that your spine is in perfect alignment. The vertebrae need to form a straight line from the head down to the tailbone. In essence, many people claim that a memory foam bed is best for this while others swear by latex or the innerspring. It doesn’t matter really as long as you wake up pain-free and feeling refreshed in the mornings.
As a side sleeper, you need a mattress that cushions the body. However, certain parts of your physique require more sinkage like the shoulder pressed against the sleeping surface – this area needs to indent subtly.
The hips, on the other hand, are another pressure point. Here you require adequate support without the bed adding too much pressure. If both the hips and shoulder are comfortable, the entire side of the body will gently brush the bedding surface.
Back
Back sleepers are the least frequent type around – only approximately fourteen percent of us prefer this position. In general, those of us who sleep like this appreciate a slightly firmer mattress; in other words medium to firm.
Other factors also come into play. As with the stomach position certain parts of the body crave pressure relief while others enjoy support. If you sleep on your back, compare different bedding so that your buttocks have a surface into which they can gently sink.
At the same time, the shoulder blades need to be supported. The result is that the lumbar area on the back touches the sleeping surface finding plush support – there will be no empty space as when you lie down on a hard floor for example.
Just be sure to have the right pillow. If it is too firm and high, the neck will fall out of alignment with the rest of the spinal column.
Stomach
Sleeping on the front is the second most popular position with about sixteen percent of us preferring it. Again, a slightly firmer mattress is best. Many stomach sleepers do not like memory foam because of the sinking feeling – the viscoelastic surface may feel too soft.
Latex and innerspring beds are firmer. As a stomach sleeper, you will have undoubtedly noticed that the knees, ribcage, arms, and pelvis need the least amount of pressure. As the entire front of your body is pressed against the bed, an excellent degree of lift is required.
The knees need cushioning and so does the pelvic area. The ribcage, on the other hand, feels better if the sleeping surface provides a delicate amount of give so as not to impede breathing. Remember it is highly recommended to avoid a hard cushion when resting on your front. Choose something softer so that the nose or ears don’t get crushed.
Things You Should Analyze
Cost
If you could look at all of the mattresses in the market compared on one spreadsheet, you will immediately notice the incredible variation in price. Nowadays, you can buy anything from a few hundred Dollars up to stratospheric amounts. It all depends on the brand – see our top-rated but affordable mattresses here.
Once you have set your budget, the work begins. Having so many manufacturers to choose from is both a boon and a bane. They do say that too many comparisons make life difficult. Subconsciously, we prefer to have that responsibility taken away from us – ignorance is bliss.
But we do not have that luxury when it comes to bedding. There’s nothing for it – you got to get working, and you will find that it is really worth it. After some time of researching the internet, you will discover that there are many good deals – maybe wait for special holidays for money-off promos – or if you decide for bricks-and-mortar be sure to haggle.
Materials Being Used
Long gone is the time when only the innerspring ruled the bed market. Now, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to material. But let’s start with the oldest model out there, namely the innerspring. This type of mattress is composed of individual pockets containing springs that individually adjust to the pressure exuded by your body. They can be very cheap or very expensive. But make sure that you are not allergic to the materials used.
Then we have the much-touted memory foam – this buyer’s guide. The viscoelastic makeup of the foam adapts to your shape of your body due to the heat. In most cases, either gel or copper is used to maintain breathability and moisture transference.
Latex is the most durable and in many cases the priciest. You can choose between synthetic and organic latex. This material is excellent for breathability.
Finally, there is the hybrid that contains elements from the materials mentioned above.
Free Trials
Free trials are crucial when comparing mattresses. Most serious brands offer at least one hundred-night trial so that you can rest at ease with your order. The online industry uses them the most. Although some traditional stores try to entice consumers with them by promising free returns if you’re dissatisfied.
It is paramount that you take free trials into consideration, especially if you order via the internet. Be aware; you have neither seen nor touched the sleeping surface. The only way for you to know whether you have made the right choice is to test it. And the more time you have to so, the more detailed the sleeping experience.
In some cases, brands offer upward to a year to try their product. That is great. Yet, in our view, one hundred days should suffice.
Our tip: scour the web and compare the top-rated offers; you will not regret it.
Read: What’s the Top Place to Buy Mattresses? – In-Store or Online?
Conclusion
Comparing the different bedding brands is made easy thanks to our internet. Having said that, there is also far more information available than say twenty years ago. Information is king and nowhere is that more vital than when considering a new mattress.
Take your time – it is not a race. We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping in beds, so a few extra hours comparing brands and their offering will not rob you of your life. In the end, you will be happy you did so. Every morning you will wake up with a smile because you feel rested, relaxed and healthy. Sleep does all of that and more.
