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Want to experience the best night’s sleep of your life?
Choosing the right mattress can make all the difference in how you sleep. And here’s the thing…
93% of people recognize that a mattress is a crucial element for a good night’s sleep. However, with the overwhelming number of options on the market, how can you ensure you are making the right choice for your home?
Here’s the problem: Most people find it difficult to choose the right mattress. They feel overwhelmed with all the options, get confused with marketing lingo and end up making costly mistakes.
It doesn’t have to be like that.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to pick the perfect mattress to give you amazing sleep for years to come.
What you’ll discover:
- Understanding Your Sleep Style & Body Type
- The Best Mattress Types For Different Sleepers
- How Much Should You Really Spend?
- Top Mattress Shopping Secrets
- Common Mattress Buying Mistakes To Avoid
Why Your Mattress Choice Matters More Than You Think?
It’s not just about feeling cozy and comfortable when you lay your head down at night, a good mattress is vital to your overall health, energy levels and quality of life.
Poor sleep has been linked to everything from irritability and low mood to impaired immune function.
What most people don’t realise is that the mattress industry is now worth $46.48 billion globally and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Companies are spending millions on marketing budgets to influence your mattress-buying decisions.
But here’s the truth…
The majority of mattresses on the market provide a decent level of comfort and support for most people.
The key is finding the one that works perfectly for your body and sleep preferences, and retailers like Bed Supermarket offer detailed specifications to help you make informed decisions about beds and mattresses for your home.
The best part is that once you understand your unique sleep needs and body type, the process of finding the ideal mattress can be surprisingly simple.
Understanding Your Sleep Style & Body Type
Before you even consider going out to purchase a mattress…
It’s vital to figure out your sleep style first. That is the foundation of picking the perfect mattress that will allow you to have the best sleep of your life.
Here’s how that works:
Your sleeping position can help you determine what type of support you will need.
Side sleepers will need different support from back sleepers, and stomach sleepers require something different.
In addition, your body type and weight will also influence your ideal mattress.
If you are a heavier person, you need to go for firmer mattress support, whereas if you are on the lighter side, you might prefer a softer bed. It’s as simple as that.
Side Sleepers (Most Common)
Side sleeping is the most popular sleep position, so there are plenty of mattress choices to help you.
Side sleeping requires a mattress that contours and cradles your body, particularly in the hips and shoulders.
If your mattress is too firm, you will create pressure points, leading to pain and restless sleep.
Side sleepers need to go for a mattress that features:
- Medium to medium-soft firmness
- Good pressure relief around your hips and shoulders
- Memory foam or hybrid construction
- Excellent motion isolation if you share the bed
Back Sleepers
A person sleeping on their back needs good mattress support to maintain a neutral spine position.
A mattress that is too soft will cause the hips to sink into the mattress, creating a curve in the lower back. On the other hand, if the mattress is too firm, there will be pressure points on the lower back area.
Back sleepers should choose mattresses that have the following features:
- Medium to medium-firm mattresses
- Good support for lower back curve
- Even weight distribution
- Responsive materials that won’t trap you in the mattress
Stomach Sleepers (Least Common)
Stomach sleeping requires a firm mattress for good support, to prevent the hips from sinking in and causing back pain.
Stomach sleepers should go for a mattress that has:
- Firm to extra-firm support
- Minimal sinkage around the midsection
- Responsive surface materials
- Good edge support
The Best Mattress Types For Different Sleepers
Okay, now that you know your sleep style…
Let’s check out the different mattress materials and types.
There are several main types of mattresses that the industry offers. All have their strengths and weaknesses, but if you know your sleep position, it will be easy to understand what works for you.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is the most popular mattress type by a large margin.
It contours to your body, relieves pressure points and offers the best motion isolation. It is particularly good for side sleepers and couples.
The only downside is that foam mattresses don’t tend to sleep very cool and have a less responsive feel than other materials.
Foam mattresses account for 45% of total market share in 2024.
Innerspring Mattresses
The good old traditional innerspring mattress is having something of a comeback.
Modern innerspring beds offer excellent support, airflow and strong edge support. They are also less expensive than most foam beds.
Good for:
- Hot sleepers who need more cooling
- People who like a bouncier, more responsive feel
- Back and stomach sleepers
- Those on a tight budget
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine both worlds into one.
Pocketed coils are used for support with layers of foam on top to give you comfort. This way, you get the benefits of both types with very few downsides.
The result is balanced performance for most sleepers and body types.
How Much Should You Really Spend?
And here is a little secret that most mattress salespeople don’t want you to know…
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to enjoy great sleep.
The average queen-size mattress costs about $1,000. However, there are plenty of excellent options out there for a lot less money.
Here’s a rough budget breakdown:
- Under $500: Basic but functional models
- $500-$1,000: Ideal range for most buyers
- $1,000-$2,000: Premium features and materials
- Over $2,000: Luxury options with advanced technology
A good-quality $800 mattress can give you just as good sleep as a $3,000 mattress if it matches your sleep style.
Top Mattress Shopping Secrets
You want to know how the experts shop?
Use these insider secrets to save money and avoid typical mistakes when mattress shopping:
- Shop at the right time. There are major sales during all the holiday weekends.
- Don’t rush the decision. Sleep on it! Most good mattresses come with sleep trials. Use them.
- Read the fine print. Be sure to know the warranty terms and return policies first.
- Test similar models. If you like one mattress in the store, research the same models online.
How Poor Sleep Affects Your Life?
Still not convinced that your mattress is that important?
Did you know that 57% of men and 40% of women sleep less than seven hours per night? This is a serious health issue.
Sleep deprivation leads to:
- Lowered immune system function
- Higher stress and anxiety levels
- Poor productivity and focus
- Higher risk of accidents
- Weight gain and other health issues
The right mattress will not solve all your sleep problems.
However, it will give you a solid foundation for good sleep hygiene.
Putting It All Together
As you can see, finding the perfect mattress is not as overwhelming as you thought.
Start by identifying your sleep position and preferences, and then narrow down your options based on your budget and needs.
Remember…
The best mattress is the one that gives YOU the best sleep. Don’t get caught up in marketing buzzwords or overpriced features you don’t need.
Focus on the fundamentals: support, pressure relief, and comfort. Everything else is secondary.
Sleep better starting today.
The perfect mattress is waiting for you out there.
By understanding your sleep style and needs and being aware of the different mattress types, you can make an informed choice.
The truth is that you can have great sleep every night, with the right mattress and good sleep hygiene habits.
Take the first step and find your perfect mattress now.
Here’s the bottom line:
You will feel so much better once you have a good night’s sleep with the right mattress. It really is that simple.