If you’re on the hunt for a new mattress, this may be one of the most important purchases you make this year. Mattresses are used on a daily basis and assist with everything from sleep quality to basic comfort, and choosing the right one for your needs is very important for both now and the long-term.
When purchasing any mattress, from memory foam and innerspring mattresses to hybrids and numerous other types, what are some of the top qualities that the average shopper should be looking for? Here’s a rundown of some of the most common qualities of a great mattress.
Cooling Capabilities
Humans tend to sleep best at slightly cooler temperatures than where they operate during waking hours, but this runs into a basic roadblock: Everything we touch absorbs heat. With this in mind, a given mattress’s cooling capabilities are a very important quality to consider, as a mattress that absorbs and retains heat will keep you from getting the best sleep possible.
In order to find a mattress that offers superior cooling capabilities, it’s important to first understand the types of materials used to create mattresses. In general, memory foam mattresses can absorb and retain more body heat than other varieties, whereas latex and certain other types of mattresses are known to be highly breathable, so this is something you’ll need to take into consideration before making a purchase.
Edge Support
Another important aspect of mattress shopping to keep in mind is edge support. A mattress’s ability to hold up under pressure has everything to do with its overall construction, but it’s also important to purchase a mattress from a reputable company, as some companies have been known to cut corners by skimping on certain materials or components. This isn’t always the case, however, and there are plenty of high-quality brands that offer excellent edge support.
When considering a mattress’s ability to hold up under pressure, think about how the mattress might perform when you roll or sit at the edge of it. Mattresses with less adequate support may bottom out, whereas those that offer superior support will hold up well even under rigorous pressure.
Materials Used
In addition, the materials used in the construction of the mattress are an important consideration to make, as certain types can be more supportive or durable than others. In general, memory foam mattresses tend to be the most common due to their superior durability and ability to hold up under prolonged use, but they can also absorb body heat and transfer it throughout the night.
In this sense, it’s important to consider a given product’s materials, as well as how those materials will affect your sleep. Memory foam is often used in mattresses because of its ability to conform to the shape of your body, but latex can also be effective for this purpose and may have a more stable construction.
Warranty
Many mattress manufacturers offer extended or “full” warranties, but it’s worth noting that the industry standard warranty is 10 years. This means that for most brands, their guarantee covers you well past the majority of your sleep time with them.
However, there are some companies out there that offer lifetime guarantees on their mattresses, though these are often designed to accommodate customers who have purchased a mattress from them in the past and found it to be defective. In this case, a company will often replace the same product with a new one for no charge whatsoever.
In most cases though, when you purchase a mattress from an upcoming brand, they offer full warranties that cover all issues related to wear and tear for at least 10 years.
If you’re considering a new mattress, follow these tips to look into their most important qualities.