Mattresses are big-ticket items; so deciding to buy a new one is an equally big decision. A great mattress can mean the difference between waking up with aches and pains or waking up with some seriously beneficial added energy. Mattresses are meant to cradle and support your body and offer a safe and comfortable place to rest.
If your mattress is not doing as good of a job as it used to, it might be time to look into purchasing a new one.
The expected life of a mattress is between seven and ten years. For many of us, this pricey item is just something that we don’t get around to adding to the yearly budget.
If your mattress is beginning to show signs of wear or is simply leaving you tired in the morning, it might be worth the added expense to get into a new bed each night.
Since you are looking for an expert to help you out in making the right decision you will be happy to read this article and make a calculative decision.
I am going to assume that whoever is reading this has absolutely no idea about mattresses and online purchases so that this article can be a help to everyone.
Table of Contents
Types of Mattress
The first thing anyone looking to buy a mattress should know is the types of mattresses available in the market and what would fit the needs of the buyer. There are many types of mattresses available these days in different ranges.
To get further clarity let’s break down these mattress types and what purpose they solve.
Types of mattresses commonly bought:
- Innerspring
- Airbed
- Latex
- Waterbed
- Hybrids
- Foam
Every mattress type mentioned above caters to different body types. Not every mattress is made for everyone so it is important that you understand what these mattresses are and what they are made of.
Innerspring Mattress
Innerspring mattresses are the coil mattresses that most of us grew up with. These mattresses seem to be the old standby, and with good reason! These durable sleepers are tried and true, but innerspring mattress makers are also keeping up with the trends.
Pocketed coils are becoming an increasingly popular choice in innerspring beds. These mattresses offer individually wrapped coils that are held together by a series of fabric pockets, allowing for greater movement and comfort.
These beds also offer the strength of traditional coil mattresses and will hold strong for the life of the mattress. There are loads of great coil options on the market, making it easy to find ones with foam and plush toppers for added comfort.
These mattresses come in two types, single coiled and multiple coiled mattresses. The single coiled mattresses are now obsolete as they are more of a concern than of use. These mattresses are known to disturb the partner sleeping next to you when you change positions while sleeping. However, if you were on a budget then this is not a bad option provided you are still able to find one. The Multi coil mattress however is a good choice.
The coils in the mattress are attached to the base and run pocketed so that they stay in their position. These mattresses are soft to medium soft and bouncy in nature.
A layer of padding is added at the top so that the coil stays intact and does not poke out from the top of the mattress. Without a doubt, these mattresses are durable and pocket friendly but these are not the best option for people with back or neck issues, heavy-bodied individuals and combination sleepers.
Pros of Innerspring Mattress
There are so many choices in coil mattresses, so rest assured (pun intended), there is an option out there for nearly everyone. This also means that these mattresses come in at a variety of price points to fit every budget.
Pressure relief and support care also great selling points for innerspring mattresses.
Cons of Innerspring Mattress
As with many things, when purchasing a coil mattress, you get what you pay for. Make sure that while you are out shopping, you take a look at coil count and gauge when purchasing an innerspring mattress.
Lower counts mattresses are cheap in both quality and price. Connected coils also transfer motion easily, making it annoyingly clear when your partner has to get up in the middle of the night.
Brands Ranking High for Innerspring Mattresses
The Saatva mattresses which come with astonishing design and features find themselves on top of this category. Despite the quality, this mattress comes with a relatively fair price of about $899 for the Queen size. This new brand received the highest customer satisfaction in this category, the durability of the Saatva mattresses also isn’t a thing to worry about as they are manufactured to be used for 10 to 15 years.
Helix mattresses come as a second brand in this category as they also received relatively high customer satisfaction rates, this brand invested a lot in providing their customers with beyond satisfaction products as they have an option of providing personalized mattresses that suits the customers based on their specific and special needs.
These mattresses are also sold at fairly cheap prices of $900 for the queen size but the personalized ones come with an additional cost of $100 and two to three days’ delay on deliverance.
There other brands that are worth considering and are also rated highly are Sealy Posturepedic Firm and Serta Perfect Sleeper Delway mattresses.
Airbeds
An Air bed mattress is an inflatable mattress that can be adjusted as per your comfort or needs. When I talk about an airbed it does not mean any inflatable bed or mattress available online. There are good quality air bed mattresses that are made keeping in mind the longevity and proper use.
Air mattresses are a great, transportable option for occasional overnight guests or travellers. These mattresses can fold up small and store away when not in use, making them very convenient for people residing in smaller living spaces.
The technology built into these beds has come pretty far. Nowadays, airbeds offer a durable and comfortable option at a very reasonable price.
People with back issues can have a go at it as you have the option to adjust the firmness of the mattress as per your needs. Although this is a good option to consider, one of the most difficult aspects of this type of mattress is its durability.
These tend to leek very easily and then a lot of patching up needs to be done to maintain them. So if you are sure of it only then consider this mattress.
Pros of Air Mattress Beds
The biggest benefit of an air mattress is its portability and price tag. Adjustable valves allow the user to control the firmness of the mattress to their liking, allowing for a comfortable nights rest.
Cons of Air Mattress Beds
This mattress type is not generally used as an every night option. Remember, that even though the product has improved, it still comes along with the serious risk of damage. Though modern covers are made to be very durable, they do not have the long-lasting qualities of other options.
Brands Ranking High for Airbeds
The SoundAsleep Dream Series air mattress has some seriously amazing customer satisfaction rates. It is well-liked but comes in as one of the more expensive air mattress options.
The AeroBed Classic and the Intex Pillow Rest also offer up a lot of positive reviews along with a much lower price tag of just under 50 dollars. As with waterbeds, steer clear of the store brand options that have a much thinner covering.
Latex Mattress
Combination and side sleepers have the best experience when they use a Latex mattress as these are soft and comfortable. Mostly the latex comes from natural organic materials as it is long-lasting and a better quality product.
Latex mattresses are a somewhat newer option of mattress that is proven to have a great level of success in regards to owner satisfaction. Natural latex mattresses are made from the sap of the rubber tree and depending on which one you choose, can provide an all-organic option for your sleeping surface. These natural, green mattresses offer hypoallergenic qualities resulting partly from the chemical-free sleeping surface.
They are known to be a surface that repels dust and dust mites, helping you to breathe and sleep easier. Latex mattresses also come in a lower cost, a synthetic variety that has all the comfort of the natural variety but is a more affordable alternative.
Be sure to check out the all-latex options, as well as the hybrid options. This fill is sometimes found over or under a layer of foam, providing differing levels of firmness. Latex mattresses offer a great amount of durability and are known for their comfort level and for relieving aches and pains.
Make sure you check the product carefully before going for this product as a synthetic latex mattress would not give you the best sleep experience. The cost of these mattresses varies as per the quality of latex used but they are more reasonable than a hybrid mattress.
Pros of Latex Mattress
Natural latex is a great choice for those looking for a natural and chemical-free bed. They offer comfort and support that is virtually unmatched and come in a variety of firmnesses in order to satisfy many different sleepers.
Cons of Latex Mattress
Not all latex is created equally, and if you are interested in an all-natural variety, make sure to read the labels. This type of mattress can also be a little more difficult to find, but if you can find a good one it may be worth the search.
Brands Ranking High for Latex Mattresses
In this category, mattresses with natural latex seem to be rated higher than other mattresses. The Plushbeds Botanical Bills 12 inch and the Latex for Less are the biggest brothers in this category, these all-natural latex mattresses come with appealing and luxury comfort designs, as expected they also come with higher price tags of $2,399 and $1,699 respectively for the Queen size.
But for the Latex mattresses’ fans with a somehow tight budget, the LUCID latex mattresses are worth considering.
Looking to save on Latex matress? Check out the latest Plushbeds botanical discounts and promo codes.
Waterbed
There was a time when a waterbed mattress was all everyone spoke about. The feel of the mattress when you use it, the ability to control the temperature of the bed and also the premium feel was just a great marketing trick.
Waterbeds were a seriously big trend throughout the 1970s and 1980s. These wobbly wonders were seen as a big luxury item, offering the ultimate level of relaxation. Nowadays, the hype has diminished a bit, but it’s still possible to find a water-filled mattress if you’re in the market.
Look for these mattresses in two varieties, either hard or soft-sided. Hard-sided structures add a bit more resilience and durability. If you are looking for a waterbed that offers a bit more support, look for a waveless or semi-waveless variety.
These beds often have supportive channels that provide the same relaxation qualities as free-form beds but have some added structure. Also, be sure to look for thicker coverings in order to avoid the potential of a leak.
The actual shell of a waterbed is very inexpensive, as mattresses go, but don’t forget about the initial water bill!
There is no doubt that the waterbed mattress is great for your lower back and almost all types of people can go for this option but it comes with some real issues. The number of leakages that can occur on your mattress is just too annoying. It becomes very messy at times and eventually, your beautiful waterbed mattress would be full of patches.
I would only recommend this to people who have a big budget and have a very protective type of bedroom free of pets and kids. Still, this is an investment that needs to be made with a lot of thought.
Pros of Waterbeds
The waterbed offers great relief to those suffering from injury or sores. This floating oasis also acts as a very relaxing escape from reality. Be sure to remember that these beds offer some temperature control by being cool in the summer months, and sometimes offering heated capabilities during the cold winter months.
Waterbeds offer some serious nostalgic benefits, too.
Cons of Waterbeds
These things are seriously cumbersome and come with a slight risk of a big leak. They also offer less support than traditional mattresses, sometimes leading to aches and pains. Waterbeds are also much harder to find than they were thirty years ago.
Brands Ranking High for Waterbeds
Blue Magic Fiber, Innomax and Strata are the three big names remaining in waterbed production nowadays, and each company provides a good warranty as well as positive reviews from owners, and all three of their standard options come in at $100 to $300 dollars.
Be sure to check out these brands’ waveless or semi-waveless options for more support, and steer clear of options with a thin outer covering.
Hybrid Mattress
One of the most popular mattresses is the Hybrid Mattress. It is made with a combination of multiple coils and pocketed into good quality foam. The Hybrid option is best suited for most of the sleep positions along with almost all weight sizes. However, if you have been recommended a soft mattress then you should avoid this option.
This is an expensive option from many of the mattress types in the market but I do recommend it. The durability of this mattress type is great and you will be able to use it for up to 9 to 10 years depending on what quality mattress you purchase.
Memory Foam Mattress
There are two types of foam mattresses available in the market, memory foam and normal foam. The regular foam mattress is hard and great for people who sleep on their backs, it helps you get rid of a lot of back problems. However, if you were to be a side sleeper then I would not recommend this to you.
Memory foam is an out of this world option for mattress coverings, literally. This high-tech, conforming foam surface was originally developed to head into space with NASA but has since been adapted for our horizontal sleeping surfaces here on the ground.
Memory foam offers a seriously unique property in a mattress as it actually conforms to all of the curves of your body. This surface can provide a layer of support that wraps you in comfort.
This foam mattress actually responds to the heat of your body and sinks in and forms a cocoon around you. This conforming quality decreases pressure on your joints while you sleep. This is the fill to consider if you are interested in purchasing an adjustable mattress.
Some important things to look for when purchasing memory foam are density and ILD, or how hard the foam is. The higher these two numbers, the firmer the mattress. It is also important to determine how thick the layer of memory foam is, in order to make sure that you are getting the most for your money. Because we all have a different preference for firmness, and our bodies have varying needs for support, the ability to select a higher or lower density memory foam may be a great option.
Memory foam is a type that adjusts to your body and sleeping position to give you great comfort. A Memory Foam mattress is great if you have pain issues in your back and neck as it gives support to your entire body when you sleep. One of the main issues that you could face, if you live in warm places, is that the mattress gets super hot at times.
Many companies use gels to get rid of these issues but you need to be sure that you are buying the right product from the right seller.
Pros of Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam offers a topper that will conform to any shape and size.
This option can be great for those with aching joints, as it reduces pressure on delicate bones. Memory foam is also a good option for couples that are sensitive to the tossing and turning of their partner, as motion is not easily distributed through the surface of this mattress.
Cons of Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam tends to trap heat and can be a poor option for any of the warm-blooded bodies. The lack of ease of mobility is also frustrating and restrictive for some individuals who like to move around throughout the night.
The cost of memory foam mattresses is also a bit higher than other options, making it a no-go for some budgets.
Highest ranked brands for Memory Foam Mattresses
In this section, we will start with the Puffy Mattresses which we consider as the best in this category. The Puffy mattresses have been dominant in this category for years, thanks to the high ratings received from customer satisfaction reports.
These mattresses are relatively expensive but we would say the quality is worth it, they are available for $1099 for the Queen (60”x80”) size. The Puffy mattresses also receive good reviews on their comfortability and durability.
The Nest Bedding mattresses are also one of the best in this category, and they come as the first runner-up in our selections for the best brands in this category. The Loom & Leaf mattresses come with a no-doubt high-quality design and feel, accompanied by a fairly cheap price compared to its competitors, they are sold at $719 for the FLIP mattresses.
Other options in this category that are considered as some of the best as they come with a better look and quality but with extremely high price are Tempur-Pedic mattresses and the Layla Sleep mattresses which are sold for $1,049 for the Queen size. With the customer satisfaction rate above 83%, these brands are worth considering if money isn’t a barrier.
For low budgeted customers that are obsessed with Memory Foam Mattresses should consider the Perfect Cloud and Innovation SureTemp mattresses which are sold for $449.99 and $448.16 respectively.
Benefits of Purchasing Mattresses Online:
Let’s talk about the benefits of purchasing mattresses online.
Competitive Online Brands
When you search for a mattress online you have the option of comparing multiple brands and prices as you surf through the web. If you were to compare the mattresses by visiting stores physically then the time and effort would be too much.
Also, there would not be much ground covered by you, at the most you would be able to compare 3 to 4 brands. The online markets give you swift compatibility options from the comfort of your homes.
This in turn is great as they are well aware of the situation and need to keep a track of their quality and pricing. You are going to get the best deals online as the competition is tough. However, you cannot just keep the price tag as your main decision-maker. There are a lot of other things to consider.
Tackling retail store sales representatives
When you walk into a store, every detail given to you is as per the salesperson. You cannot be sure of what product you are about to purchase as they are more interested in selling you the products with the higher commissions or something that needs to be off the stores at the earliest.
This turns out to be a big setback if you end up with the wrong product. If you were to compare this with the online stores the best thing you have in hand is to compare user reviews and how the mattresses have fared in the hands of the consumers.
Your buying decision would not be as per the sales representative but by the user reviews, which is great.
Trial periods offered online
Before you decide on purchasing a mattress online you can opt for a trial. This is now offered by most of the brands online. Only once you get a feel of the product and how your sleep is on your new mattress will you decide whether you would like to pay for it.
This is a really convenient way of confidently purchasing your mattress.
Know your mattress’s warranty, terms and conditions
While you compare the type of mattress online, you just should not rely on the reviews of the products. You also need to compare the best possible terms and conditions offered by the brands along with the warranties.
If you are able to get the best deal with free shipping and doorstep delivery then there is nothing like it and there are a lot of online sellers offering this feature.
You also need to be sure of the kind of warranty you get, what damages are covered and will you be able to get a fair exchange if your mattress has a default.
There are brands that offer free mattress disposal services and trust me this is the best feature that you need to look out for as one of the biggest hassles is disposing of your old mattress once its life is over.
Conclusion: How To Buy Mattress Online?
If you are looking to purchase a mattress then you need to understand that this is a committed decision and you will have to stick with your purchase for a lot of years. Hence you should be absolutely sure of the product you are going to buy.
It’s easy to see that there are many great products on the market. There may not be one best option for a mattress, but there is definitely the best option for you. Armed with this knowledge and a little bit of time for some mattress testing, you will find a tone that is best for you!
With so many options of mattresses currently available in the marketplace, you can be sure that you will find something that fits all of your wants and your needs. From guest beds to bunk beds, mattresses make the difference between waking rested and needing to go back to bed.
There definitely should be times where you can lounge around in bed all day, but make sure that it’s in a comfortable and supportive one! Whether you prefer the softness and flexibility of the memory foam mattress or the firm durability of an innerspring mattress, there is a mattress out there that is perfect for you.
Equipped with this guide, your budget and your wish list, you will be able to find a mattress that provides you or your guests with the great night rest that they deserve.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the surface that you should be spending up to a third of your life in. This year is definitely the year that you should be adding that new mattress to the annual budget, and getting the bed that’s worth dreaming about.
With this guide, I hope you get an idea of how you should start your mattress hunt. There are other things that you should consider too like how good the mattress is from the corners, some mattresses turn out to be quite weak and this knowledge can be obtained from the online review available online.
The reason online mattress companies are offering trials before you can buy is that you really need to test your mattress before you can purchase it.
