Whether it’s your first mattress or your partner has finally convinced you to replace that twenty-year-old spring and coil box you’ve been sleeping on, buying a mattress should be a simple endeavor. Once upon a time, it was. There were straightforward choices. Then mattress companies created so many different types of mattresses that you need study guides and a personal assistant just to navigate the store. Assuming you’re interested in purchasing a new mattress, consider that buying used can save money but is fraught with pitfalls. I once read an ad for a “like new” mattress with a “slight urine smell” for $40. I’m sure the ad is still running.
Back support is the primary concern for almost everyone heading to the mattress store. After all, we put our backs through a myriad of challenging tasks, leading to back pain for many people between the ages of 25 and 150. Waking up repeatedly throughout the night because your hips and back feel like they’ve been subjected to medieval torture devices doesn’t bode well for a good day. Crawling out of bed at about half your original height for the first hour is another clear indicator of a poor mattress.
There should be a simple solution: a reasonably priced mattress that offers incredible back support and feels heavenly when you flop your weary body onto it. Of course, there is. However, since people have different comfort levels, there is no “one bed fits all backs” mattress design. Thus, you will need to do a little “lay testing” while shopping.
Generally, online shopping for a mattress is not recommended. While most companies offer attractive delivery deals, getting them to retrieve a mattress that was advertised as feather-soft but feels like a rock can be a taxing headache that drives you to sleep on the couch. You’ll need to visit the mattress store, try out their offerings, and make a decision.
When you head to the mattress store to explore different styles, try to go as late in the day as possible. Buying a mattress is typically done while you’re awake, which means your body experiences different hormone levels than when you lie down to sleep at night. This can affect your perception of comfort. While a mattress might feel great at 11:00 AM, it could feel like a droopy sleeping bag twelve hours later when your body is ready for sleep. Even people who work third shifts experience varying hormone levels throughout their sleep schedule. Thus, by shopping late and opting for a mattress that feels a bit firmer than you prefer while testing, you are likely to be much happier with your mattress choice.
Mattress features can be very tempting. If you can afford a bed that gives you a massage, warms you when it’s cold, elevates you, or ties your shoelaces before you leave the house, go ahead and splurge! However, financing a mattress usually means that by the time you pay it off, you could have bought enough mattresses to furnish a six-bedroom house. It’s best to pay in full for a mattress that makes you most comfortable. There are many adjustable, water, and heated mattresses available for only slightly more than a regular mattress. With memory foam technology and a few enhancements, the average price can be manageable for most incomes without going into debt.
Regardless of how, when, or why you end up buying a mattress, read the warranty and exchange information carefully, including the fine print at the back of the last page, which outlines what the company won’t do if you find yourself less than happy with your new bed. Protecting yourself against mattress faux pas isn’t difficult as long as you’re willing to slow down and gather all the necessary information.