A good night’s sleep improves focus, concentration, memory, and creativity. It also puts you in a great mood! Unfortunately, many of us don’t get our recommended 8 hours because we sleep on poor-quality mattresses. A good mattress is crucial to getting your beauty sleep, but many of us don’t know the first thing about buying a bed. That’s where this handy guide comes in.
The Three Major Types of Mattresses on The Market
Foam mattresses are all manufactured differently. Memory foam adapts to the weight and contours of the body, while non-memory foam (polyurethane foam) is a lot firmer. Latex foam gives your mattress a springy feel.
An innerspring mattress is constructed with layers of cotton, wool, or foam covering a bed of steel coils. These coils may be individually wrapped, meaning the mattress won’t move around too much when a sleep partner shifts or moves around. Hybrid mattresses have more foam or padding on top of the coils.
An Adjustable air mattress allows you to adjust the level of firmness by having an inflatable portion under a layer of foam. Depending on the manufacturer, you can adjust the firmness using a smartphone app, remote, or electric pump.
Handy Shopping Tips
Try Before You Buy
When you’re in the store, lie down on the mattress in the sleeping position you prefer. Take as much time as you like and notice what feels comfortable and relaxing. Even if you’re sure you’ve found the mattress of your dreams, make sure you check the return policy before you buy it.
Consider Buying a Mattress with A Green Certification
This will limit your exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Green mattresses come with a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) label or a Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) label.
Read the Warranty Document
Mattress manufacturers usually design warranties ranging between 10 and 25 years. Find out what manufacturing defects your warranty covers and whether your warranty is prorated (meaning that coverage decreases over time).
Inspect the Mattress when Delivered
Look out for the “all-new material” label and check the mattress carefully for damage and stains. Take pictures of faulty products for when you get in touch with customer service.
