Don't get overwhelmed by choice: these are 5 things you need to decide before committing to a new mattress Buying a new mattress is such a personal choice, and with so many brands and new materials around, making a decision can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Mattress brands are also known for having regular sales on single beds to super king beds, which can complicate things further. We’re here to help you make up your mind, and we’ve outlined the top five decisions you need to make before purchasing, to make sure you end up with the best mattress for you. Choosing a new mattress is a very personal decision, but when armed with our checklist of things to look for, and a sensible budget, you can make an investment you won’t regret. We'll look at each kind of mattress, the firmness, the features, the price, and even whether to replace your bed base at the same time. When it comes to buying a new mattress, we’ll turn you into a bit of an expert, so you can find the best new mattress straight away, and sleep better at night, from the moment your head hits the pillow.
1. SPRINGS OR MEMORY FOAM? There are three main mattress types: innerspring (or pocket spring), memory foam or hybrid. A pocket spring mattress can have anything from 1,000 to 2,000 individual springs that move separately from each other (anything under 1,000 will be poor quality). These mattresses are usually stuffed with man-made and organic materials, from synthetic cotton to lamb’s wool, and are known for their bounciness. Memory foam mattresses use body heat to soften and mould to the contours of your body, before recovering their normal shape when you get out of bed. Also known as visco-elastic foam, memory foam was first designed by NASA in the 1960s. These types of mattresses offer excellent support, so they are good for people with back problems. A hybrid mattress, as the name suggests, combines the classic construction of a pocket sprung mattress with some comforting top layers of foam. It offers multiple forms of support and comfort, usually with a mixture of memory foam, or gel and innerspring coil technology. 2. HOW FIRM SHOULD MY NEW MATTRESS BE? Firmness is a lot to do with preference, but you also want to consider your own body weight and sleeping style. Soft bed: If you weigh less than 50kg you can get away with a softer bed. You might also want to consider a less firm bed if you like to sleep on your side, as a very firm mattress can be uncomfortable on your shoulder. Firm bed: If you're a 100kg rugby player, you'll want to avoid very soft mattresses, as they won't provide enough support. With certain foam designs, heavier sleepers will find they sink straight through the softer 'sleeping' layer and end up lying on the harder base layer – not ideal. You might also want a firmer mattress if you like to sleep on your back or front, to ensure your spine is properly supported. Best of both: Many brands now sell combination mattresses with different tensions on each side, so if you’re sharing the bed with someone a lot heavier or lighter than yourself, this could be a good compromise. Also, pay attention to what the top layer is made from: a firmer mid-layer with a plush topper can be a great way to find a balance of support and comfort. How can you tell which beds are firm or soft? With an innerspring mattress, the firmness comes from – you guessed it – the springs. Very cheap innerspring tend to have around 600 springs, while a good mattress will have 1000+. If you’re quite heavy, you might need something more like 2000 springs for proper support. Quality fillings do matter. Higher quality mattresses will also have lamb’s wool and soft cotton to enhance the springs, while premium ones will have horsehair filling, which is breathable and acts like extra tiny springs. Pocket sprung mattresses are known for their springiness, whereas memory foams are more solid and designed to mould to your body shape, to provide more tailored support. You'll sink into a memory foam mattress, while with a pocket sprung mattress, you may feel you are sleeping on top of it. If you’re still unsure which will suit you best - you can let science guide your choice. Bed King has a ‘Lab’ that takes a reading of your pressure points etc and recommends the best beds for your sleep requirements. How cool?! 3. WHAT FEATURES SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
4. HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND? How long is a piece of string? Whatever your budget there are always great deals to be had – you just need to be a bit savvy and wade through the sales spin to get what’s right for you. You tend to get what you pay for with a mattress, so the more you can invest the better. After all, you’ll be using it every day for at least six hours! You can pay anywhere up to several thousand pounds or dollars. At the other end of the scale, you can pick up a mattress for as very little. As a rule of thumb, a double for under R3500 is probably a false economy. Such a cheap mattress would likely need replacing often, maybe even every two years, and wouldn’t ensure a good night’s sleep. Buying from a showroom can also mean paying significantly more, and you might end up with a lower quality mattress, due to the retailer's high overheads compared to online retailers. 5. DO I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE BED? If it’s time for a new mattress, it’s probably time for a new bed, too. A poor base will make even the most expensive new mattress uncomfortable. Check for any sagging, broken or missing parts to determine if you need to invest in a new bed base. If you’re buying an innerspring mattress, it is best to choose a divan or upholstered base, because the springs in both products tend to work in harmony, to provide comfort and support. Memory foam mattresses work well on a wooden slatted base, so do bear that in mind when choosing your new mattress. Original article from: https://www.t3.com
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|