By answering a few short questions about your mattress preferences, sleeping position, and budget, we’ll pair you with expert approved mattress recommendations that we believe will help you achieve better sleep.
We’ll also take into consideration your body type and health conditions to provide you with personalized options.
If you’re in the market for a new mattress, you might be overwhelmed by how many options are out there. Between the new bed-in-a-box companies, legacy brands, and luxury options, there’s a lot to consider.
These basics can help get you started as you narrow down your options.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is probably the first thing you’ll notice when you lie down on your mattress.
It usually ranges on a scale from 1 to 10, with a 10 being the firmest mattress available. This isn’t always the case, though, and some mattress companies don’t use numbers at all.
Instead, mattress companies might describe their mattresses as one of the following:
- ultra plush, ultra soft
- plush, soft
- medium
- medium firm, luxury firm
- firm
- extra firm, ultra firm
Which mattress firmness you should choose depends on your preferences, sleeping position, and body type.
For example, if you know you sleep comfortably and pain-free on a soft mattress, you should sleep on a soft mattress. But if you’re not sure what firmness you like best, you can use your sleeping position and body type to point you in the right direction.
Sleeping position
Different sleeping positions have different needs for getting comfortable and sleeping soundly.
Back sleepers
When mattress shopping, back sleepers should look for a firmness that helps align their spine. Medium-firm and firm mattresses are usually best for the job.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for back sleepers here.
Side sleepers
Side sleepers put a lot of pressure on their shoulders and hips while they sleep, so they typically feel most comfortable sleeping on softer mattresses.
Softer mattresses with foam layers can provide more pressure relief than firmer mattresses, so they can help prevent aches and pains in those higher pressure areas.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers here.
Stomach sleepers
Stomach sleeping isn’t necessarily considered the best sleeping position for your body. But if sleeping on your stomach is the only way you can fall asleep, then you’ll want to look for a mattress that properly supports your spine.
Stomach sleepers should look for firmer mattresses that don’t allow for any sinking.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers here.
Combination sleepers
If you switch between various sleeping positions through the night, you’ll feel best on a mattress that can comfortably support you in whatever position you end up. In this case, consider a medium or medium-firm mattress.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for combination sleepers here.
Body type
Body type can also play a factor into what firmness will feel most comfortable to you. A medium mattress will feel firmer to someone with lower body weight than someone with higher body weight, for example.
Your body type can also help determine what type of mattress you should consider.
If you weigh more than 230 pounds, you’ll feel most supported by a hybrid mattress. Hybrid mattresses have a spring coil foundation and layers of foam for comfort. Innerspring mattresses can also work well. They also have a spring coil foundation but fewer layers of foam.
If you weigh less than 230 pounds, you’ll probably feel plenty supported by an all-foam mattress. But you can still choose a hybrid mattress if the bounce, durability, and improved airflow of hybrids appeals to you.
Health considerations
Back pain
If you have back pain, it’s important to find a mattress that properly supports your spine. Without the right support, your mattress can worsen your pain or give you pain you wouldn’t have had otherwise.
If you have back pain and want to try a medium-firm mattress, make sure you’re taking your body type into consideration. If you have a lower body weight, a medium-firm mattress might feel too firm. If you have a higher body weight, it might not feel firm enough.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for sleepers with back pain here.
Joint pain
If you regularly experience joint pain, you’ll likely find the most relief from a mattress designed to provide pressure relief. Mattresses made with foam layers tend to do this best.
While all types of foam are known for providing some amount of pressure relief, a 2017 study found that latex foam reduced pressure best. If you have a latex allergy, though, a memory foam mattress can still be a really good option.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for pressure relief here.
Night sweats and sleeping hot
Feeling hot and sweating at night interferes with getting good quality sleep, so you might want to consider a mattress with cooling features if you tend to overheat at night.
In general, all-foam mattresses are hotter than hybrid and innerspring mattresses because spring coil foundations allow for better airflow. Memory foam in particular is known for trapping heat, so it’s not a great option if you sleep hot.
But still, a lot of companies use specific cooling fabrics and special foams to help prevent sleepers from overheating.
Look for companies that describe their foam as:
- open-cell
- perforated
- infused with gel
You can also keep an eye out for mattress covers made from phase-changing or moisture-wicking fabrics.
If you want the real story of whether a mattress will help keep you cool, read through customer reviews to see whether the company’s cooling features actually live up to their description.
Check out our picks for the best mattresses for people who run hot here.
Price
Prices for a new mattress can vary a lot depending on the company, mattress type, materials, and any special features of the mattress.
Here are some points to consider:
- Well-known or luxury companies might charge a lot more than a newer bed-in-a-box brand.
- Hybrid mattresses tend to be the most expensive option because they contain foam and spring coils. Innerspring mattresses are usually the cheapest, but like we mentioned before, they’re also not a super common option. All-foam mattresses can be really affordable, too.
- Mattresses made with higher quality materials like high density foam, organic materials, or certified eco-friendly components will likely cost more than mattresses made with lower quality materials.
- Adjustable mattresses and “smart beds” can get really pricey because they have various moving parts.
Options under $500 exist, but you’ll probably have fewer options. You’ll also need to do a little extra research (always read reviews!) to make sure it’s durable enough to last you more than just a few years.
A good mattress should last around 8 years, which is the length of most mattress warranties.
Mattresses that more than $1,500 (for a queen size) are typically considered luxury mattresses. These mattresses usually come with a few more bells and whistles, like organic or certified materials, adjustability, or cooling features.
How do you find out what mattress is right for you?
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing a mattress. Your preferred sleeping position, body type, budget, and whether you experience certain health considerations (like back pain, joint pain, and night sweats) play a role in choosing the right mattress for you.
You’ll also want to be aware of companies‘ reputations and policies, including shipping, returns, trial periods, and warranties.
How often should mattresses be replaced?
Mattresses have an average lifespan of about 8 years. However, depending on the type and quality of your mattress, you may get more or fewer years out of it.
Noisy springs, wear and tear, and increased muscle stiffness are all signs that it may be time to replace your mattress.
It can be an overwhelming process, but finding the right mattress for you can be key to getting pain-free, quality sleep.
Looking for more in-depth shopping tips? Check out our full guide to choosing the right mattress for you.
