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Purchasing Tips

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A conventional inner-spring mattress costs several hundred dollars, and the price only rises as you consider alternative mattresses. A memory foam or Select Comfort mattress costs between $1,500 and $1,800 while the high-end Duxiana mattresses cost over $4,000. Price, however, does not always equate with quality. In most cases, the cheapest mattresses are not quality mattresses, but there is often little difference between the most expensive models and the medium-priced versions.

There is not one perfect bed that gives everyone a perfect sleep, so mattress shopping is one area in which you should trust your senses. Therefore, it is wise to buy your mattresses at a store, where you can test them before purchasing. In addition, you cannot analyze a mattress by merely sitting on the edge of the mattress. Lie on the bed for fifteen minutes or more. Lie on the center and edges of the mattress, and spend a few minutes each on your back, stomach, and side. Take your spouse with you, so that you both are happy with your eventual purchase. It may feel silly to lie down in the store, but Consumer Reports found that, in general, if a consumer was happy with a mattress after fifteen minutes, he stayed happy with it years down the road.

It is also important to consider your sleep patterns. Stomach sleepers usually need a firm mattress, while side sleepers prefer a plusher mattress, and back sleepers need something between the two. If you are purchasing a mattress that you will only occasionally use, keep in mind that it will not receive normal wear, so you can save money and buy a less expensive model.

Remember that there is no perfect bed for everyone. A mattress with medium firmness might help lower back pain, but a firmer mattress is not always better. Also, don’t pay special attention to mattresses that advertise silk, cashmere, wool, or a high coil count. Usually, you can’t feel fabrics such as silk, cashmere, and wool, once you put on the sheets, and as long as the coil count of a mattress is above three hundred (which is the case for most mattresses), you should be fine.

Don’t be fooled by tricky salesmen; look for hidden costs and beware of high delivery charges. You also shouldn’t feel like you have to buy an entire mattress set; consider purchasing the mattress without the box spring. A matching foundation might support your new mattress better than your old foundation, but box springs generally last longer than mattresses, so if your current box spring is in good shape, go ahead and save the money.

Finally, wait for a sale. Television watchers know from countless furniture store commercials that mattresses regularly go on sale, so you can often save hundreds of dollars by waiting a few weeks or months. Make sure you are still receiving a quality mattress with a warranty, but don’t worry about purchasing a mattress that is on sale, simply because it is on sale.

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