Choosing the Right Mattress
Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks believes that a mattress "is arguably the most difficult consumer product to buy." Choosing the right mattress is not an easy decision to make, but it is a very important one. It is said that the average person spends about 3,000 hours (more than 120 days) in bed each year. Studies show that mattress conditions can deteriorate by as much as 70% over 10 years. With so much time spent in bed, consumers should take extra care when purchasing a new mattress. In this article, AngelBeds will help you learn to make your mattress purchase decision count!
How to Tell if you Need a New Mattress
Sleep expert Dr. Chris Idzikowski ran a study for two years and found that those with comfortable beds sleep an average of one extra hour each night over those who are uncomfortable. But does that mean you're sleeping trouble is related to your new mattress? Here are a couple of questions to help you decide if it's time for a new bed:
- Do you feel sore when you wake up?
- Do you feel un-rested in the morning?
- Do you notice obvious sags in the middle of the mattress?
- Did you purchase your mattress more than 9 or 10 years ago?
- Do you feel obvious lumps when running your hands over the top of the mattress?
If the answer to any 3 of these questions is yes, then you're definitely overdue for a new mattress. Sleep experts agree that it is much better to do a little research, when deciding which mattress is the best for you. Consider which type of mattress you prefer (inner spring or foam). If you have been a loyal spring mattress user in the past, it may be worth your while to try out a foam mattress. New technology has lead to the development of viscoelastic memory foam that some feel is much more comfortable than traditional spring mattresses. You can read more about AngelBeds's unique formulation for memory foam here.
How to Purchase a New Bed
Another point to consider when purchasing a new bed is what you like or don't like about your current mattress. Do you feel it is too hard or too soft? Do you find you are too warm or too cold while sleeping? Do you find yourself tossing and turning in a vain attempt to get comfortable? Is there enough room for you and your partner? Couples often report to us that they have slept better simply by purchasing a larger version of our AngelBeds mattresses.
Now that you've decided that you need a new mattress and you've thought about what you're looking for, how do you choose the right mattress for you? There are two basic types of mattresses available in the market place today: inner spring and foam.
Inner Spring Mattresses: Sealy, Simmons, Chattam & Wells, Serta and Others
Inner spring mattresses feature three different types of spring structure: open coil, continuous spring and pocketed coil. In open coil mattresses, the springs are arranged in rows and connected together to add stability. Open coil mattresses are the most common and are typically priced the lowest. In continuous spring mattresses, the coil springs are not individual, but composed of one long piece of wire connecting the springs vertically rather than horizontally. Continuous spring mattresses tend to be priced slightly higher than their open coil counterparts as they provide a bit more responsiveness. In pocketed coil mattresses, each spring is encased in a separate pocket of fabric that allows each spring to move independently. This system was designed to prevent movement on one side of the bed from affecting the other side (called transitional movement). Pocket coil mattresses are typically the most expensive inner spring mattresses.
All inner spring mattresses are also filled with some sort of material to cushion you from actually feeling the springs. This material can range from natural fibers of cotton felt, wool, horsehair or mohair in various combinations. Some mattress manufacturers will also fill their beds with synthetic material that us usually urethane foam. The important part to remember about the mattress filling is that the number of layers and the combinations of materials used contribute to the softness or firmness. This filling should also be flame resistant and moisture resistant. We lose about a cup of body moisture through our skin each night. A quality mattress should be able to absorb and disperse this moisture efficiently without causing mildew.
If you decide to test inner spring mattresses for comfort, there are a few points to remember. Many salesmen will claim that the larger number of springs, the better the mattress. This fact can be misleading. The number of coils is not as important as the gauge or thickness of the coils as this affects the firmness of the mattress. The lower the gauge number; the thicker the coil and the stiffer the mattress. Test several different ranges of coil gauge and spring counts to find the one that feels right to you.
Foam Mattresses: AngelBeds, TempurPedic, Sleep Aid and Others
The other type of mattress is growing in popularity because of extreme comfort and low cost. This type is the foam mattress. Foam mattresses do not need to use springs as the foam itself provides the necessary support and comfort needed for a good night’s sleep. Foam mattresses are either made of the natural latex rubber found in the rubber tree or synthetic memory foam that uses different qualities and densities of urethane. Typically, the higher the density, the more firm the mattress. With a memory foam mattresses, several layers of foam are built to work with each other to provide just the right support for your body.
Memory foam works by using heat and weight to mold itself to exactly your body shape. This action provides more support to areas like your back and neck while not constricting your hips and shoulders for maximum comfort. Many memory foam mattresses use new technology to provide added air movement through the individual viscoelastic cells. AngelBeds ANGEL-HD™ Foam is more efficient at regulating temperature than other types of memory foam mattresses.
Many original brands of memory foam use an older method of constructing their mattresses where the liquid foam is poured into a mold and allowed to cool and harden. Thanks to gravity, this method can lead to inconsistencies in the density of the foam within each mattress. Hard or soft spots can often be detected in these mattresses. New manufacturers, like AngelBeds, use a vacuum injection method where gravity is taken out of the equation and the density of the foam is very consistent throughout the mattress.
Thanks to advances in technology, there are a number of companies that produce memory foam mattress for much less money. AngelBeds provides memory foam mattresses in a variety of densities and thicknesses to suit your needs for about half the price of the named brand, TempurPedic. In fact, Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks says, "You don't have to buy a TempurPedic to get memory foam in your bed today." The other good news is that memory foam mattresses tend to last longer than traditional inner spring mattresses and most manufactures, like AngelBeds offer extensive warranties.
Mattress Ticking (The Outside Covering)
The outside covering of the mattress is known as the ticking, and is also an important consideration when choosing a mattress. Both inner spring and foam mattresses use ticking to protect the mattress. The ticking in the mattress you choose should contain most of these features:
- allergy resistant
- anti-dust mite
- anti-bacterial
- anti-microbial
- anti-static
- breathable
- water resistant
- stain resistant
- highly absorbent
- fire resistant
The ticking in all AngelBeds mattresses is of the highest quality and are made from a variety of materials for added comfort. While most manufacturers have different levels of luxury and quality in mattress ticking depending on the cost, be sure you are not charged extra for basic features.
Mattress Firmness
Most consumer advocate groups recommend testing several different mattresses of several different types to determine you comfort level. They recommend that you lie down for at least a few minutes — take as much time as you need — and move around into your normal sleeping positions. There is no industry-wide standard for mattress firmness, so be sure to test as many as possible.
Keep these points in mind when considering the firmness or comfort level that is best for you:
- If the bed is too soft, your spine will not be properly aligned and this will lead to back pains.
- If the bed is too hard, tension will be built up in the pressure points, reducing the body's ability to relax.
- Choose a bed that is the right firmness to support your back (while laying on your side) and does not create tension in the hips, shoulders, knees, or elbows.
Buying a Mattress Over the Internet
With the advent of the Internet, consumers have found a new outlet for finding great bargains. But is it wise to make a major purchase like a mattress over the Internet? Many satisfied AngelBeds customers say: "Absolutely!" Most customers report that they first tried out different types and styles of mattresses at their local department stores or furniture galleries only to turn to the Internet to purchase the same mattress at fantastic savings.
When conducting your research, be sure to note the specific size, width and density of the mattress you are interested. Helpful AngelBeds sleep consultants can find you a mattress with the same specifications at a fraction of the price. Use our quick comparison chart to find the mattress thats right for you.
AngelBeds also provides a 90 day sleep trial on all of our mattresses. If you're not happy with your mattress purchase, simply return it within 90 days for a full refund of the purchase price. Read more about our Sleep Trial and Extended Warranty.
Don't Forget the Box Spring
What ever mattress you decide to purchase, it is important to buy a new box spring or foundation to go with it. The box spring provides the support mechanism for not just the mattress, but also for you. Many people believe the myth that just because the box spring looks to be in good condition, that it actually is in good condition. This can be deceiving because mattress foundations wear just like mattresses, but often don't show the signs. We recommend you test different types of mattresses on the same foundation as different box springs will affect the comfort and feel of the mattress.
AngelBeds foundations are constructed of solid wood to provide maximum, even support for your new mattress. The solid design protects the mattress from developing soft spots traditionally associated with wood slat or traditional box springs.
The Most Important Mattress Consideration
Remember that about 1/3 of your day will be spent in bed. Sacrificing quality for price will only lead to restless sleep. The most important point to remember is to find a great value for your mattress dollar, not the cheapest price. If you settle for a mattress "that will work", you may regret it.
If price is a concern for your budget, offers many different financing options to suit your needs. Check out our financing options to see which method works best for you. Sleep consultants are available to answer any questions you may have.
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