How to Buy a Mattress

Purchasing a new mattress can be a big investment and if you want a decent night’s sleep for the next 8 to 10 years, it’s something you really don’t want to get wrong. But as tempting as it is to snap up a mattress with a good discount when you see it, there are a few things you might want to consider before parting with your cash. We all have different sleeping habits, health requirements and budgets, and thankfully there are many different types of mattress available to suit many different folks. We’ve focused our attention on a few of the products you might find on the mattress market right now, and assessed what type of person each one might suit…

Open Coil/Continuous Coil Mattresses

The is what could be described as the most traditional type of mattress – the main structure is made of coils that are either constructed from a single wire, or coils that are linked together by a continuous wire running through the mattress. The main benefit of this type of mattress is that they tend to be significantly cheaper than some of the others listed below, but they do come with a number of drawbacks. Due to being linked, these coils move together, so if you plan on sharing your mattress with a heavier partner, this means a possible increased risk of you together when they move or both of you rolling towards the centre of the mattress, rather than their movement being isolated (although this risk is reduced when opting for a continuous coil rather than an open coil). The coils can also wear over time which means if this rolling around isn’t a problem to begin with, it might become one sooner than with any other type of mattress.

But opting for this type of mattress doesn’t necessarily mean you have to skimp on comfort – the extensive Soak & Sleep range includes their Classic Soak & Sleep Mattress which is a continuous coil orthopaedic mattress that offers superb support and an extra foam layer on top.

This type of mattress is suitable for:

• Those on a budget
• Those who are restful sleepers
• Those who don’t suffer from any sort of back, muscle or joint issues
• People who won’t be sharing their mattress with anyone else

Memory Foam Mattresses

One of the more popular types of mattress available in recent years, memory foam products have a reputation for providing comfort and support by moulding themselves to your body shape, but within this category there are a number of things you need to consider. Different memory foam mattresses come with different levels of thickness (of the top foam layer) and density, with increased levels of both of these generally associated with a better quality of mattress. Most memory foam mattresses are actually sprung mattresses with the foam layer on top, but you can also buy pure foam mattresses than are usually softer. Memory foam mattresses have good ‘point elasticity’ which means you generally stay in one place and won’t roll towards the centre (alleviating the problem associated with open coil mattresses mentioned above).

However, in spite of their good reputation and popularity, these mattresses do come with some drawbacks – they insulate your body heat, so if you sweat a lot while you’re sleeping, this could contribute to your discomfort (although a lot of newer examples have eliminated this problem by using cooling outer-fabrics and layers), and while they do keep you in one place, this isn’t always ideal if you have mobility issues, need to get up in the night a lot or are a restless sleeper that doesn’t usually stay in one spot.

If you already know that memory foam is for you, but can’t narrow down the choice available, Eve Mattress have slim-lined this process by offering just one premium quality foam mattress after carrying out extensive research in this area. It consists of 3 different types of foam – a top layer of memory foam, a breathable central cooling layer and a high-density base foam for support.

This type of mattress is suitable for:

• Those looking for a balance of comfort and support
• Restful sleepers
• Those with a more flexible budget (though cheaper options are available)
• People who want a mattress they don’t have to turn

Pocket Sprung Mattresses

Although also based on a coil structure, open sprung mattresses are filled with coils that are wrapped in individual fabric pockets. As the coils can move independently (to a certain extent), this means open sprung mattresses have better ‘point elasticity’ than the open and continuous coil types and because they are separated by the fabric pockets, they stay in better condition meaning your mattress will probably last longer. These come with different levels of tension and support, so it’s highly likely that you will find one to suit your specific comfort and support requirements. They also tend to be more cooling than memory foam, but if you’d prefer one with a foam component, then you can buy pocket spring mattresses with a thinner memory foam top layer and good quality examples of these could offer the best of both worlds.

Hyde & Sleep offer one such mattress that is a top of the range combination of 2000 mini pocket springs and cooling next generation memory foam and topped with a breathable cover.

This type of mattress is suitable for:

• Those with a bit more money to spend
• People who need the support of a harder mattress with more tension
• Those who have different requirements or sleeping habits to their partner (this mattress can be adapted to suit)

Latex Mattresses

These are similar to memory foam mattresses in a lot of respects, as they mould themselves to the shape of your body, but whereas memory foam slowly re-shapes itself, latex has a faster spring back quality and more elasticity. Whether this is suitable for you all depends on your own preferences – some people might find this aids comfort, others not so much. Another way in which latex mattresses differ is in material – many are made from anti-microbial components and are therefore anti-allergy.

If you think a latex variety is the mattress for you, Slumber Slumber provides a good choice of options within this category including adjustable latex mattresses suitable for tilted beds.

This type of mattress is suitable for:

• Those with more money to spend (latex mattresses are usually at the upper-end of the price scale)
• People who suffer from allergies
• Those who like the feel of memory foam but not its more immobile qualities

Other Considerations

Some people might prefer to invest in a mattress topper if they want extra comfort but don’t see the need to completely replace their mattress. This could be an ideal solution, but they can vary a lot in price and quality so if the latter is a priority, compare pricing and consider whether it might be more cost effective in the long run to replace that mattress instead. And of course, it goes without saying, but make sure you purchase the correct size of mattress for your bed frame or divan, and that it can be easily delivered to your home if there is restricted access.

Finding the perfect mattress can make a huge difference to your sleep quality and consequently your lifestyle. Price is important for many, and luckily some of the best quality mattresses around are often available with great discounts. However, even though new innovations can look tempting, they aren’t always the answer for every individual and you might find your comfort needs are better met by a more traditional sprung mattress. Always bear in mind that you’ll be sleeping on your mattress of choice for at least the next 8 years so do your research to guarantee the best value for money.

By Anna Scott, 12th April 2017