10 TIPS FOR EASY MATTRESS SHOPPING

FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO FIND A MATTRESS YOU’LL BE HAPPY TO SLEEP ON FOR YEARS!

01 – MAKE A PLAN

Make a checklist before you shop.

What’s your budget for a new mattress?
How long do you need the mattress to last?
How much off-gassing are you willing to put up with — a tiny bit? a lot?
Are there any allergies or chemical sensitivities you need to take into account?

It’s important to make a list of what you think is important when it comes to choosing your next new mattress. This will help you be better prepared to set out shopping. You’ll be ready and able to communicate with a mattress specialist just what it is you’re looking for in a mattress.

02 – DECIDE WHERE TO SHOP

A retail stores reputation matters. Do some research before you go shopping.

Google Reviews, Yelp and other third parties can be a good place to start when it comes to researching your stores of interest.  Look for positive reviews that discuss a no-pressure shopping experience.

You want sales people who will listen to your specific needs and make knowledgeable suggestions. Someone who can sufficiently answer any questions and clearly communicate their stores return and/or exchange policy.

Lastly, you’ll want to be confident the store you choose will act with integrity in quickly addressing any issues that may arise after your purchase.

03 – COMMIT TO BUYING A 2-SIDED MATTRESS

Nowadays, most mattresses made for the consumer market — as in, the private individual like you who’s not purchasing for a hotel — are one-sided.

This means only one side has comfort layers that can be slept on. What many people under the age of 40 don’t realize is that up until 20 years ago, all mattresses were made 2-sided. This allowed consumers to regularly flip and rotate their mattresses a few times a year to even out everyday wear.

When the mainstream mattress industry was taken over by private equity, they started selling half-mattresses as ‘no need to flip,’ thus saving up to 25% in manufacturing costs. This did not save consumers money(!), in fact it cost them money by forcing them back into the market every 3-5 years to purchase a whole new mattress.

While 2-sided mattresses can be harder to find nowadays, they are still being manufactured and sold to consumers. The reality is, a 2-sided mattress will last up to 3 times longer than a ‘can’t flip’ one sided mattress. Committing to buy a 2-sided mattress will save you hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars, while maximizing your comfort over time.

04 – LEARN ABOUT COMMON MATTRESS MATERIALS

Repeat after us: there are NO magic mattress materials!

Any “new mattress technology” you hear about is a chemical compound made in a lab, no matter how dreamy- companies may have named it. 

Traditional mattress materials are still the best for sleeping because of their durability, breathability, sustainability, and overall health benefits.  These natural fibers include organic cotton, flax, hemp, horsetail, wool, and botanical latex.

Non-earth-friendly and non-people-friendly but commonly used materials include; polyester (poly-foam or poly-fill), gel foam memory foam, and synthetic and latex (both contain chemicals). Most likely, you’ll want to avoid these types of synthetic materials whenever possible.

05 – HYBRID VS. FIBER ONLY VS. INNERSPRING

Until the industrial revolution, mattresses were made with fibers only.

Usually these fibers were based on whatever was available in a person’s region (straw, feathers, etc.). The rise of industry introduced tempered coil springs to manufacturing, and someone had the idea to use them in a mattress. The idea that mattresses, which traditionally were rather thin and hard, should bounce a bit became more common. Figure out what feels best to you by test resting the options you’ve narrowed down.

06 – GRADUALLY CHANGE YOUR SURFACE FEEL

Most people have a preference for a certain type of surface feel, meaning, how the mattress feels to them when they lie on it.  Surface feel is extremely subjective. What feels firm to you might feel extra firm to your partner, or even plush! This is why you need to try before you buy.

The biggest mistake people make when buying a new mattress is going radically firmer or plusher than their previous mattress was. Small tweaks are best. If you’ve been sleeping on something rather plush and think you want to firm up, try a “Cushion Firm” (between a Plush and a Firm) or a Firm mattress, not an Extra Firm. The body adapts to what it sleeps on, and a drastic change in surface feel can do you more harm than good. Make gradual changes so as not to ‘shock’ your body.

07 – TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Your goal while shopping is to narrow down the selection to two models, three at most. You’ll want to give each model in your top lineup a 10 to 15-minute test rest. Be sure to lie down in the position(s) in which you normally sleep. Don’t be shy; feel free to ask the salesperson for a pillow. If you sleep with a partner, bring that person with you so they can try out the mattresses too.

You’re looking for pressure points. Does one mattress make your lower back twinge? Are you unable to get comfortable in the side-sleeping position on another? While it’s important to generally agree on the comfort level of a mattress, don’t worry that you have to have a model you both feel is 100% perfect.

There are a few things that can be done to adjust for individual comfort preferences through mattress pads, and toppers placed strategically on one side of the bed but not the other. An experienced sales person should be able to help you with customizing your mattresses surface feel to best suit two partners’ preferences.

08 – BOX OR NO BOX?

Depending on the type of bed frame you’ll be using, you may or may not need a box underneath your mattress. A good, well-built box is essentially a wooden frame with wooden slats across the top, covered by fabric material. Back in the day, boxes were referred to as ‘box springs,’ but not all boxes contain springs. A box gives you more height under your mattress, as well as flat, sturdy foundation.

If you’re using a simple metal bed frame or bed with inadequate support, you’ll want to use a box for support and maybe additional height. However, if you have a platform bed frame with adequate support already built-in, a mattress may be all you need. Make sure you you clarify with the sales person exactly what you need, because any mattress without the correct support it needs can lead to a sagging mattress, and nobody wants that!

09 – WARRANTIES & EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

Mattress warranties are not necessarily an indicator of how long your bed should last. However, it’s important you have a clear understanding of the store’s exchange program and or return policy. This may save you a not so fun headache down the road.

Most mattress stores should offer you a comfort exchange program. This type of program can assure you don’t get stuck with an uncomfortable mattress.

10- ALLOW 28 DAYS OF SLEEP

If you aren’t totally delighted with the surface feel of your mattress on the first few sleeps, consider giving it a minimum of 28 days.

Why? Because Ii typically takes the body up to 4 weeks of regular sleep to adjust to the feel of a new mattress. Waiting at least 28 days can save you the hassle from having to make an exchange or return.

Head back to the basics, or learn even more with our Expert Guide!

Basics Guide

The quick guide, with 10 tips on How to Shop for a Mattress

The Basics

Expert Guide

Complete How to Shop for a Mattress Guide, includes 14 lessons with videos

The Expert