Mattress Shopping 101: Finding the Ideal Queen Mattress for Your Needs

Buying a new mattress is a big moment in your life. It may not seem that important, but the quality of your mattress will dictate your sleep quality. And since you'll be investing in a high-quality option, you know you plan on using it for at least 7 to 10 years. The utmost care should be taken, and that starts with a little pre-planning in your decision making.

As studies have shown, though it's quite obvious, there’s a direct correlation between sleep and health. In short, you should take your time when choosing your new mattress to maximize your rest. After all, we'll spend on average 8 hours per day on our mattress. Make sure you consider the following details:

Why a Queen Size Mattress?

Believe it or not, queen size mattresses are generally considered to be the most popular size. They give a little more room than a double, ensuring comfort for two people or one person and pets. They also leave you with enough floor space for other bedroom furniture and for general comfort and decorative aesthetics.

Queen mattresses are also smaller than a king size mattress which can be too large for the room and sometimes difficult to find sheets for.  You can find sheets, but your options may be much more limited in terms of color choices and thread counts.

Thankfully, we don't have to run around to a dozen shops in town any more. We can scope out the situation online.

Select The Right Supplier

 It’s no longer necessary to go into your local store and try the mattresses out, even if that is fun. Instead, the most important thing to do is check out the potential suppliers.

You should find and then use one that you trust. That’s one which has spent time developing their reputation. You can verify this on social media and online forums.

The best suppliers will have negative comments, and that's fine. You can't please everyone and some people just like to be negative. It’s all about how the company responds to these comments that counts and tells you how they take care of their customers.. 

Know Your Type

Gone are the days when a sprung mattress was seen as the ultimate in comfort and support. Spring mattresses are still around, and you can find springs in hybrid options, too. Today, there are a host of different options, including: 

Memory Foam

These are perfect for pressure release, helping you feel comfortable and supported in any position. They can sometimes maintain more heat due to less air flowing through them, so ask yourself if you're a hot or cold sleeper.

Latex 

Latex mattresses are similar to foam but less effective at relieving pressure. They do have more bounce and retain less heat. Some are very bouncy (they even make latex pillows like this) and are susceptible to movements, which can disrupt your partner's sleep if they are light sleepers.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress uses layers of foam on top and traditional metal coils beneath. In many ways, it combines the best of both worlds: for a price. Some shoppers feel this is the leading edge, combining comfort and support.

Organic

These are made without chemicals and as sympathetically toward the environment as possible. You can find these in any of the styles mentioned above. We just want you to be aware the option exists.

Budget

Your next step is to look at your budget. You need to be realistic since mattresses can be surprisingly expensive. It’s important to set a price and stick to it. Don't be overly cheap since you'll use the mattress nightly, but don't fall for marketing tricks either and spend too much.

Check Firmness

The firmness of a mattress is important. The key to getting a good night’s sleep is to have the right mattress. Everyone has different preferences. One thing to consider is that an extremely soft mattress may feel comfy when you first lay on it, you may wake up stiff. This should help you choose:

Soft Mattresses

These are a great choice for side sleepers. They offer a reasonable amount of support and allow you to sink into them. You’ll feel cocooned and ready to drift off. Make sure you find a store with a decent trial period where you can return the mattress if you find you're waking up sore and stiff from too much softness.

Medium

Medium mattresses will offer a little less comfort and more support. They are useful for back sleepers and anyone with back issues. They're a good middle ground. A hybrid mattress can be thought of like this, where you sink into the foam but beneath are springs that provide the support.

Firm Mattresses

Firm mattresses are also a good option if you have a back issue. They won’t sink around you and engulf you, but they will support your body, keeping you from bending into awkward positions. That will help you get a good night’s sleep.  

Consider your Temperature

Don’t forget to consider how hot you get at night. Foam mattresses are known to reflect your heat back to you due to their density, potentially making you overheat while you sleep. Latex mattresses will have this issue as well.

Queen Mattress Shopping Made Easy

Remember, the right mattress for you is different from the right one for someone else. It’s a personal decision and you should consider that fact when choosing a mattress. Simply use the tips above to select the one that works for you.

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