Mattress Buying Guide

When buying a new mattress, it is important to take into consideration a number of features that go into building a mattress to ensure you choose the right one for you. Below is a buying guide on how to purchase the best mattress that will give you a great night’s sleep.

Don’t Compromise

Because we spend approximately one third of our lives in bed, it is important to think about how much time you will be in it and buy the best mattress you can afford to.

Types of Mattress:

There are three main types of mattresses to choose from;

  • open spring;
  • pocket spring;
  • memory foam

All of these mattresses offer varying levels of comfort and support, therefore it is important to pick the right one to suit your sleeping needs.

Open Spring

An open spring mattress means that the springs are interconnected. This means that movement on one side of the bed could be felt on the other side. Open spring mattresses are typically more affordable than other mattresses, however they have a tendency for needing to be replaced more regularly than other types. An open spring mattress is a great option for a guest bedroom where it will be used occasionally.  

The open coils also provide great support due to their firmness and are lighter, making them easier to turn, however partner disturbance can be more of an issue with open spring mattresses.

Pocket Spring

Pocket spring mattresses are made from individual small springs that are housed in their own pocket of fabric. This makes it ideal for someone that is sharing a bed, as the springs will move independently and will reduce partner disturbance. By having each spring individually housed in a pocket of fabric, this makes pocket spring mattresses heavy to turn because of the density. If you are looking for extra support while you are sleeping, this mattress will give you the support you need.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are built from a mouldable material that responds to a person’s weight and temperature. By absorbing your weight, this mattress will mould to the shape of your body and help relieve pressure from your joints and help you maintain your posture and spine alignment while sleeping. If you are interested in more of a firmer mattress, you may not like the sinking feeling you can experience when lying in a memory foam mattress. There is also the tendency to get rather warm while lying down as the memory foam is surrounded around your body.

 

Choose the right size

Depending on your height, sleeping preferences and sleeping partner the size of your mattress may vary. The standard sizing for the different sizes are as follows:

Single: 92cm x 188cm

Long Single: 92cm x 204cm

King Single: 107 x 204cm

Double: 138cm x 188cm

Queen: 153cm x 204cm

King: 183cm x 204cm

Super King: 204cm x 204cm

 

Comfort and Support Layers

Plush

Plush, the softest out of the three comfort layers, a plush mattress is ideal if you sleep on your side as it will relieve pressure from your spine. Plush mattresses will also contour to your body’s curves and provide adequate support and conformability to smaller-sized people.

Medium

Medium, the most popular mattress choice, a medium mattress provides great support and conformability for average to small sized people. If you prefer to sleep on your back, a medium mattress will support your spine, back and neck while still offering a great deal of comfort.

Firm

A firm mattress provides a good level of support however only a small amount of conformability. This mattress is ideal for larger people who exert enough pressure for conformity. If you have a tendency to sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress will keep your spine aligned.