How to Choose a Mattress: The Ultimate Buying Guide
A mattress is your sanctuary of comfort and rest, helping you recover after a long day. To ensure quality sleep, having the right mattress is essential.
If you’re exploring options for a new mattress and trying to find the best fit, we're here to guide you.
In this comprehensive mattress buying guide, you’ll learn how to select a mattress tailored to your specific needs. We’ll cover essential factors like budget, support, and materials, so you can make an informed choice.
01 Determine Your Budget
Before you dive into the search for the perfect mattress, it’s essential to decide on a budget. Remember, your mattress is a long-term investment for your well-being, with the average person spending about 38 years of their life in bed. A quality mattress that supports good sleep is worth considering.
While prices vary, here’s a quick breakdown of mattress types and what you can expect to pay:
- Foam: These soft, cushiony mattresses range from $500 to $1,600.
- Innerspring: Known for spring coils, these cost around $600 to $1,300.
- Hybrid: Combining foam or gel layers with springs, these range from $1,500 to $2,200.
- Latex: Often pricier, these cost between $1,500 and $2,500.
- Airbed: Inflatable and budget-friendly, typically costing between $100 and $300.
Your budget and sleep needs will guide you toward the right type.
02 Choose a Mattress Size
When selecting a mattress size, consider both your available space and comfort needs. In smaller rooms, a twin or double (full) mattress might be best, while larger rooms can accommodate king or super king sizes, offering more room to stretch out.
Here’s a breakdown of the common mattress sizes in the UK:
-
Single
- 90 x 190 cm
Ideal for small rooms or single sleepers.
- 90 x 190 cm
-
Small Double (Three-Quarter)
- 120 x 190 cm
A good option for solo sleepers needing a bit more width without taking up too much space.
- 120 x 190 cm
-
Double
- 135 x 190 cm
Comfortable for solo sleepers who prefer more room or couples in limited spaces.
- 135 x 190 cm
-
King
- 150 x 200 cm
Popular for couples, offering a balance of space and comfort.
- 150 x 200 cm
-
Super King
- 180 x 200 cm
Perfect for couples who desire extra space or those sharing with kids or pets.
- 180 x 200 cm
-
Emperor
- 200 x 200 cm
The largest standard size in the UK, ideal for those who prioritize luxury and ample sleeping space.
- 200 x 200 cm
These UK sizes offer a range of options for different spaces and comfort needs, helping you choose the right fit for your lifestyle.
03 Evaluate Mattress Thickness
Contrary to mattress myth, the thickness of a mattress does not define its level of comfort—but it does influence how mattress mavens design it. Mattress thickness plays a large role in the cost, too.
Let’s sink in.
Because thicker mattresses require more material, they’re automatically more expensive than thinner alternatives. Most often, mattresses comprise at least two layers. Mattresses of higher quality, however, often have a more intentional design and may have four layers or more.
So how does one gauge the best thickness for their sleeping needs? Well, we’ve got a chart to help you navigate how to pick a mattress.
Mattress Thickness Chart
As you sleep, your body sinks into the material of the mattress. A thick mattress—let’s say 10 inches—gives manufacturers more room to design a supportive cushion.
Mattress Thickness Chart
As you sleep, your body sinks into the material of the mattress. A thick mattress—let’s say 24-26cm—gives manufacturers more room to design a supportive cushion.
Deep/Thick Mattresses 28 inches and above
Vesgantti Nova Luxe Hybrid Mattress- Euro(Box) Top Mattress-Medium Firm(28CM)
fall within the deep profile. They are both designed with unique comfort layers composed of different materials that increase the durability, support, and comfortability of the mattress.Medium or Standard Profile Mattresses 22 to 27 cm
Vesgantti Pro Hybrid Mattress- Boxtop Mattress-Medium Firm(22/26cm)
has a standard profile and is the perfect addition to any bedroom.Low Profile MattressesLess than 20cm
04 Consider Body Support
Whether you’re small or tall, your mattress should support your whole body. To that end, let’s talk about spine alignment and comfort zones. These are key factors to consider when looking for a mattress that provides support.
Align the Spine
When you align your body properly during sleeping hours, you give your muscular-skeletal system a better chance to rest—whether it’s from hours hunched over a computer screen or spending seasons in the garden.
To avoid sleep-time soreness, body support is a crucial element when choosing a mattress.
Get in the Zone
A lot goes into making a comfortable mattress fit for all sleeping styles and body types. The good news is that Casper mattress experts succeeded in creating zoned mattresses that ergonomically aligns spines and supports various sleeping positions.
When perusing the options, look for a mattress that has proper zoning requirements for body support.
- Shoulders/Upper BackThere should be a soft zone for the shoulders to sink into the mattress.
- Waist/Lower BackThis area should be more firm to provide more support for the back and allow it to relax.
- HipsThe hip zone should have medium-firmness that cradles the hips.
05 Select Your Desired Mattress Firmness
When determining how to pick the right mattress, you must consider your preferred firmness level.
There is a common misconception that the firmness of a mattress affects its support, but really, firmness is subjective and does not equate to support. This is because firmness is determined by how far a sleeper sinks into their mattress, while support is measured by how well the mattress maintains a sleeper’s alignment.
FIRMNESS is measured by how much the sleeper sinks into the mattress
SUPPORT is measured by how the mattress is maintaining the sleeper’s spinal alignment.
On the same mattress, a heavier sleeper will inevitably sink deeper than a lighter sleeper. So, when is a mattress too firm? To which, the perception of firmness will be determined by the individual.
Sample Block Quote
Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo loremous convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos.
Sample Paragraph Text
Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo eu convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos dui.
Cras suscipit quam et turpis eleifend vitae malesuada magna congue. Damus id ullamcorper neque. Sed vitae mi a mi pretium aliquet ac sed elitos. Pellentesque nulla eros accumsan quis justo at tincidunt lobortis denimes loremous. Suspendisse vestibulum lectus in lectus volutpat, ut dapibus purus pulvinar. Vestibulum sit amet auctor ipsum.
