Mattress Buying

Knowledge to make the Best Purchases for you

If you haven't shopped for a new mattress in a while, you'll be surprised to find a wide variety of new choices. Just as computer, wireless and electronic technology gets more advanced each year, new developments are continuously being introduced that make the latest model mattresses and foundations a new experience in comfort.

The Trend Scoop

Indulge me: Pillow top mattresses are among the most popular designs in sleeping luxury, offering an extra layer of soft cushioning that looks much like a comforter attached to the mattress surface. A wide selection of luxury materials are now used in mattress construction, including everything from natural fibers like cotton and wool to 21st century technologies such as foams that mold to the body. Mattresses made of these "memory" (visco-elastic) foams are also among today's most popular designs.

Super size me: Mattress makers are going to new heights, literally, when it comes to building top quality mattresses, adding in so many extra comfort layers that they can be 14, 15 or 16 inches thick, sometimes more. New technologies are also giving consumers a choice between mattresses that perform best with regular turning and single-sided designs that don't need to be turned.

But there's no better way to experience the full array of new choices without a personal bed-shopping trip to see them first hand.

Menu Of Options

Just like any other major purchase, it is important to research your options before you buy. Discover what is available before you shop so you have a clear direction of what will suit your individual needs. The most satisfied consumer is typically one that has made an informed decision.

General Mattress Categories

Innerspring. The most widely purchased type of bedding uses the support of tempered steel coils in a variety of configurations. Layers of upholstery provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the spring unit. The result of this basic approach, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, is a full range of comfort choices.

Foam. Solid foam mattresses also offer a wide choice of "feels." They can be made of a solid core or of several layers of different types of foam laminated together. Advanced technology in polyurethane foams, refinements to traditional latex and the new visco-elastic ("memory") foams have added to the choice of comfort, support and performance.

Airbeds. Airbeds are now designed to look like the familiar mattress/box spring combination, with an air-filled core providing the support instead of an innerspring unit or foam core. These designs also offer a range of feels and typically are adjustable to suit individual sleeper's needs.

Futons. Futons are a popular alternative for those who need a sofa by day and a mattress by night. The mattresses must be very flexible, so they are typically made of cotton, synthetic fibers and foam in various combinations. The futon is designed to support sitting as well as sleeping.

Adjustable Beds. Electrically adjustable beds allow sleepers to adjust the head and foot of the bed to the most comfortable position. The mattress and foundation must be specially built for the flexing motion and can be innerspring, foam or a combination. Since the flexing causes extra wear on the mattress, quality construction is very important. Mattresses not built for this purpose should not be used with an adjustable bed frame.

Waterbeds. Most waterbeds are now designed to look like the familiar mattress/foundation, with a water-filled core providing support coupled with layers of upholstery for insulation and surface comfort. Quality construction is especially critical when water is involved, so look for assurance that the vinyl and seaming are designed for maximum durability.

The Matching Foundation. A good foundation is as important as a good mattress. The foundation takes a lot of the nightly wear and tear and contributes to the bed's overall comfort and support. Never put a new mattress on an old foundation. When you select your new mattress, buy its companion foundation – the two are designed to work best together. In fact, buying the mattress without its matching foundation may affect the terms of the warranty.

The Pillow. Just as your bed should provide good support for your body, your pillow should give you the right cushioning to position your head and neck properly. It should hold your head in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing with correct upright posture. If you sleep on your side, you may want a fairly firm pillow to give your head and neck extra support. If you sleep on your back, try a medium-firm pillows to cradle your head with more "give." And if you sleep on your stomach (although some physicians caution against this position), choose a soft pillow to lessen the strain on your neck.