How mattress savvy are you? Do you know the different types of mattresses and the benefits of sleeping on each kind? Better yet, are you certain the amount you’ve budgeted for a mattress will get you everything you want and need?
So many questions, so little time, especially when you’re looking for great sleep as soon as tonight. The good news: We’ve put together a full list of best-in-class sleep solutions from five categories. The better news: We’ve also included all the questions and answers you might be asking yourself during your shopping journey. Follow along for the full details!
Discover More: How Your Mattress Affects Your Sleep
Before You Buy
The market is booming with different types of mattresses, which makes deciding on an ideal bed way more involved than it used to be. Fortunately, all mattresses and mattress brands abide by the same principles, so whether you’re a budget shopper or are on the hunt for a mattress like the one from your last vacation, the following will help you find the right choice.
Understanding Mattress Comfort vs. Support
Contrary to belief, mattress comfort and support are not the same. When a manufacturer describes a mattress’s comfort level, it’s an indication of how soft or firm a bed will feel on your body. Support specifies how far your body sinks into the surface of a mattress. The higher the support rating, the less you will sink.
What’s important to remember is that a soft mattress doesn’t necessarily have a low support rating, just like low-support mattresses can be firm to the touch. In order to make the most of this information, you’ll also need to factor in your sleep position, which we explain next.
Identifying Your Sleep Position
There are three main sleep positions, and each one requires a specific level of support and comfort. Here’s a crash course to keep in mind while searching for a new mattress.
|
Back Sleepers |
The aim is to keep the back level with the entire body. Mattresses with comfort levels medium to firm and with higher support are the best options for back sleepers.
|
|
Side Sleepers |
In order to avoid spinal misalignment, side sleepers need a soft bed, but not too much support. Plush mattresses with medium to low support promote contoured comfort and pressure relief that are ideal for sleeping in the fetal position..
|
|
Stomach Sleepers (a.k.a. prone position) |
Stomach sleepers benefit from a medium mattress with balanced support. This combination keeps the neck parallel with the body and prevents the hips and lower back from sinking. |
Mattress Size
In case you didn’t know, let’s recap mattress sizes available on the market. The measurements below refer to the width and length of each mattress category, respectively.
- Twin mattresses measure 39” x 75”
- Full mattresses measure 54” x 75”
- Queen mattresses measure 60” x 80”
- King mattresses measure 76” x 80”
- California king mattresses measure 72” x 84”
Another important number you should consider is a mattress’s thickness.
How thick should a mattress be?
For solo sleepers, a mattress up to 10 inches will provide more than enough support, but for sleep partners, a mattress needs to be at least 10 inches thick. Individual factors like weight and stature also matter, but in general, the larger a mattress’s profile, the more weight it can support, which can also add to the longevity of your bed.
What You Should be Spending on a Mattress
As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” The same principle applies to a mattress, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great affordable options. In reality, affordable mattresses probably feature less comfort layers or upgrades than higher-end models from the same brand.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you can expect for a mattress:
✓ Entry-level mattresses range anywhere between $200–$800 and are mostly innerspring or basic memory foam mattresses.
✓ Mid-end mattresses typically cost between $800–$1,500. In this category, you’ll find more features and mattress types, which is why the average mattress shopper buys from this price point.
✓ High-end mattresses can start as low as $1,200, but prices easily go $3,000 and higher on luxury mattress models. With the exception of innerspring mattresses, virtually every type of bed can be found in this category, including Euro top and pillow top mattresses.
How often should you replace your mattress?
In most situations, your body will let you know when it’s time to upgrade to a new mattress. On average, a mattress should last at least six years, but each mattress type and the materials they use will also affect durability.
When to Replace an Innerspring or Pocketed Coil Mattress
At the bottom of the list are innerspring mattresses. These are usually the most inexpensive mattress choice on the market but are different than pocketed coils mattresses.
Unlike traditional coil mattresses, which use springs that are interlocked, pocketed coils work independently for superior motion absorption and contoured comfort. Overall, aim to replace an innerspring mattress if it’s over five years old and a pocketed coil mattress within 7–10 years of use.
When to Replace a Memory Foam Mattress
It’s not surprising to learn memory foam mattresses are pretty durable. After all, the material was invented by NASA. But not all memory foam is created equal. Low-quality bed foams suffer from compacting, which affects the firmness and support, but higher-grade mattress foams are more resilient. In either case, you can expect anywhere between 7–10 years of use before needing a replacement.
When to Replace a Hybrid Mattress
The best of sturdy coils and plush foams make hybrid mattresses one of the more durable options available. The balanced support also means this bed type is ideal for virtually any kind of sleeper, with an average lifespan of 6–10 years, and even more for premium hybrid mattresses.
Our Best in Class Mattress Category
Now that we’ve laid out all the tools for you to find the best mattress in each class, here are a few suggestions from our experts.
Know the Difference: A Guide to Mattress Types
Best Adjustable Bed Base
Let’s start from the ground up with this Sealy Ease 3.0 adjustable bed base that turns sleep on any mattress into a luxurious experience. This best adjustable bed frame approaches sleep at a new angle — literally — with the ability to go completely flat or elevated in a combination of configurations. Lift the lower area up to 50 degrees, or adjust the headrest to 60 degrees and find relief from circulation, snoring, and sleep apnea.
Best Firm Mattress
Calling all back sleepers! The lush combination of 1340 Response Pro HD Coils and SealyCool foams found exclusively on this Sealy Posturepedic firm Euro Top mattress is an experience you have to try to believe. As you lie back, a series of coils, comfort layers, and a plush cover cradle to the body, while firm support keeps your back and body in perfect alignment all through the night. Best of all, this hybrid mattress comes with the choice of a 5-year or 10-year warranty, so you can sleep soundly knowing you’ll get quality sleep for the duration of this mattress’s lifetime.
Pro Tip: How do I know what mattress firmness I need?
The proper mattress firmness depends on your body type, sleep position, and other factors, like whether you sleep with a partner. For full details, check out what our experts have to say in our guide on knowing whether you need a soft or firm mattress.
Best Plush Mattress
If sink-into-the-mattress kind of softness has your name written all over it, you’ll want to check out this Stearns & Foster king mattress. Directly from the Luxe Estate Collection, this mattress embodies everything that is a luxury hotel suite into a sleep experience that’s truly decadent. How does 2966 patented IntelliCoil springs with top motion response and sturdy support sound? Or Indulge Memory Foam, a material made exclusively for Stearns & Foster for plush comfort that can’t be found on any other mattress brand. With a 16-inch height, this best-in-class soft mattress is a spooner’s delight we highly recommend for side sleepers.
Best Medium-firm Mattress
Settle in and let Restonic’s Scott Living Signature Support Euro top mattress be your getaway to equal parts comfort, support, and all-around bliss. The journey to dreamland starts with a quilted cover infused with AlumiLast technology for a cooling sensation from the moment you tuck in for bed. As you doze off, over 2,600 coils respond to your body and movement, reducing motion transfer and elevating a balance of contoured pressure relief. And with Q5 Twin Support technology, the five zones provide structure to keep your spine in healthy alignment.
Best Memory Foam Mattress
A firm mattress doesn’t have to feel like a punishment. The special materials and tech found on this Sealy Posturepedic firm memory foam mattress are especially rewarding with a feel only memory foam can deliver. That includes SealySupport foams and gels, plus an additional boost of plush support with a ComfortSense premium foam layer. It’s just one more reason you’ll be hitting snooze in the morning.
Why Trust Us?
Boasting the largest selection of in-stock home furnishings in the Mid-South, the Great American Home Store is your one-stop shop to find all the furniture and décor items your home needs. Our buying team is constantly searching across the globe for the next hot style in home fashion products. We go to several markets a year comparison-shopping to ensure you’ll be able to find everything from formal living to casual comfort at the lowest prices. Since our business is backed by the manufacturer, we can promise that we bring you all your furniture needs at prices that are far below our competitors’.
At the Great American Home Store, we also understand the importance of offering a vast selection for any-size budget. We offer many flexible financing options with approved credit so that you can find the perfect furnishings to reflect your unique style.
Shop the Best Mattresses at Great American Home Store
The home of your dreams is closer than you think. Shop sleep solutions from the best cheap mattress to premium bed solutions online or visit us today at one of our Mid-South furniture stores in Tennessee and Mississippi. Check out our website to shop local furniture sales and subscribe to our email list to be the first to learn about our special offers. Our experts at Great American Home Store are always happy to help you find the sleep you deserve — whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: Best Mattress Picks of 2021