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How to Choose the RIGHT Mattress

You're ready to buy a new mattress and box spring and, like most consumers, you haven't got a clue as to what to buy, where to go or even where to start with the multitude of choices available today. Your mattress is lumpy, springs stick up, body impressions have set in, you wake up with a sore back or muscles...or maybe you've bought a new home, built-on to your existing home or rented a new apartment and you need a new mattress and foundation.

While a segment of consumers purchase online or by phone, most consumers want to try out or test several types of beds in order to determine which is best for them. While we believe that using the internet for research and information can be invaluable for mattress consumers, our philosophy is to “try it before you buy it” whether you buy it in a retail store or “buy direct”.

First of all, decide what size mattress you need. (Also see Types of Beds)

The most common sizes are: Twin beds, full-size beds, queen-size beds and king-size beds.

Set your budget! Be realistic. You want the best deal, but you really will get what you pay for if you shop for cheap prices in mattresses and boxsprings. It is not unusual these days to pay $1,000 or more for a premium product and as much as even $2,500 or more for ultra-premium or luxury mattress and box spring. If you shop correctly, you should get a quality constructed mid-range mattress and boxspring for the $600 to $900 range; however, more and more consumers opt for the $1000 to $1500 dollar range to get the options and materials they want in a sleep set. Remember you may spend as much as $25,000 to $30,000 for your average automobile, and you spend a whole lot more time in your bed than you do in your car.

Once you've decided you want a sleep set, determined the size and budget, then set aside the time to try it and buy it the right way.

Select at least three stores in your area: perhaps a furniture store, a department store, and a sleep shop for innerspring beds, or a specialty sleep shop if you want a full range of non-innerspring, “specialty sleep” bed such as temperature-sensitive foam, foam rubber latex, air-beds, waterbeds, gel beds, all-natural or organic beds, adjustable beds, futons and convertible or sleeper-sofas.

Upon entering the store, tell the Sales Associate that you are going to three stores and not going to buy until you've tried a minimum of three beds in each store. Tell the sales clerk right up front that you are not in a hurry. You've set aside the time to do this right, and you will go to all three stores before making your final decision...testing nine beds in all. Of equal importance, tell the sales professional what your budget range is. Expect this sales professional to try to sell you up particularly if he/she has a product that meets your needs. Tell the sales professional to to only show you sleep sets within your overall budget range. Don't waste your time!

IMPORTANT! Take your sleep partner along! Women, do not let your sleep partner off the hook. It's an industry fact that 85% percent of final purchase decisions are made by women. But, if you choose wrong, you'll never hear the end of it...So drag him along. You'll be glad you did.

Dress comfortably and be prepared to “Rest-Test” all nine or more of your potential mattress selections. That means BOTH of you! Wear comfortable clothing and either bring the pillows you sleep on or be prepared to test the right pillow along with the mattresses you test. When you test each mattress give it ten to fifteen minutes per mattress. Don't let your partner simply sit on the edge of the bed and tell you he's testing it. Make sure that both parties “Rest Test” the bed in the normal sleep position you prefer: on your back, your side, your stomach or a combination.

What is the heart of the “Rest Test”? 

Two words: Comfort and Support.

Some retailers focus buyers on coil count, construction, materials, fashion design, etc. While these components and construction elements are of some importance, the real bottom line for the average consumer is, performance, value and durability leading to comfort and support providing a great, restorative night's sleep for the consumer. Simply put, how does it feel and perform over the fifteen minute test. Do it right and you'll know!

Three things to avoid:

First: This is a personal purchase for you and your sleeping partner. There is really no such thing as the “best mattress”...only the mattress that provides the best comfort and support for you within your budget range.

Second: Put aside words such as firm, soft, hard, and plush. These are all subjective terms that differ greatly with each individual and each manufacturer.

Third: This is not a science project. Unless you are an expert on foam densities and tensile strength, as well as engineering and manufacturing processes, it is best to work with a quality retailer to find the right sleep solution for you and your partner. It does not hurt for you to research brands and products before you go shopping; however, the real determining factors are your comfort, support and budget. The only way to find the best product for you is to rest test it at your retail store.

Things to look for:

• Reputation of the local retailer. Is the furniture store, chain or the local “Mom and Pop” sleep shop reputable?

• What are the warranties of both the manufacturer and the retailer?

• What is the store's delivery policy? Do you pay? Do they pay? Do they set up the bed for you?

• Will the store remove your old mattress if you are disposing of one and do they do it responsibly.

• How easy is it to contact the store after purchase?

• What is the return policy for the store and the manufacturer?

• Be sure the mattress model delivered to you is the one you bought in the store.

• Be sure the mattress is in full compliance with the new (July 2007) fire retardant regulations.

Things to do:

• Educate the retailer about you and your concerns.

• Do you have health considerations which will factor into your decision?

• How tall are you and your partner?

• How much do you weigh?

• Do you toss and turn?

• Do you or your partner snore?

• Educate the retailer on how you use the bed.

• Do you read in the bed?

• Do you watch TV?

• Do you eat in bed?

• Be sure to purchase the right pillows, sheets and comforters to go with your new bed.

• If you need anti-microbial or anti-allergenic products, tell the retailer right up front.

• If you are concerned about environmental, all-natural or organic issues inform the retailer.

Take notes as you go: Take your time, and at the end of the day, do your best to decide between all parties, which sleep set really met your needs individually or as a couple, and then buy the mattress, take delivery and sleep well!

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