what to look for when buying a mattress

Buying a new mattress can be a big investment, and when you consider that we spend on average one-third of our lives in bed, it makes sense to put the work into finding the right one. The good news is you don’t have to do all of that work yourself. Our certified Dream Experts can help you shop with confidence and in a lot less time, by matching you with your ultimate sleep system. We call it the Dream Experience.
 
The Dream Experience starts with a survey of your sleep habits and any underlying concerns you may have. Backed by experience and extensive training, your Dream Expert uses that information determine the perfect combination of comfort and support for your sleep style and budget.

How does my sleep position make a difference?
One of the first questions you’ll be asked is about your sleep position. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, your sleep position is a big factor in deciding the level of firmness you need for comfortable, supported sleep.
 
A mattress that’s too firm for a side sleeper, for example, can leave them feeling sore in the hips and shoulders, or cause them to reposition themselves frequently during the night. That same mattress would be ideal for a stomach sleeper, however, and could alleviate the back pain that they might be experiencing from sleeping on a mattress that’s too soft.
 
Your Dream Expert will be able to make a more thorough assessment of your needs, but here are some general guidelines for side, back, and stomach sleepers:
 
Side sleepers put most of their weight into their shoulders and hips. Therefore, they need a soft, thick comfort layer to contour to the curves of the body and provide pressure relief in those areas. A plush memory foam mattress or a medium hybrid mattress with a deep pillow top are two good options for a side sleeper. Two to try: Serta Reflection IV and Tempur-Pedic Tempur Sense Soft.

Back sleepers don’t require quite as thick a comfort layer as side sleepers because they spread their weight more evenly on the mattress. However, it’s still important to have some cushioning to fill in the gap between the mattress and the lower back to provide adequate support for the lumbar area. Balancing responsive support with just the right amount of cushioning at the sleep surface, a medium or firm comfort top innerspring mattress is a great choice for a back sleeper. Two to try: Beautyrest Maui Tight Top and Sealy Yorke Euro Top.

Because stomach sleepers hold the straightest body position and are in full contact with the mattress, they require even less surface cushioning than back sleepers. In fact, sinking into a mattress that is too soft can create an unnatural curve of the spine, leaving the lower back stiff and sore in the morning. In this case, your grandfather was right—always sleep on a firm mattress. Two to try: Beautyrest Harmony Lux Endurance and Serta iComfort 2 Snowflake.

Which type of mattress is right for me?
Memory foam, innerspring, hybrid—at this point, you’re probably asking yourself what all of these different mattress terms mean. Your Dream Expert will be able to show you examples of each, but here’s a quick primer on the on the main mattress types you’ll see when shopping for your perfect sleep system.

Memory foam mattresses, which are often referred to as “Bed-in-a-Box” because they are compressed before shipping for easy transport and set-up, have been growing in popularity in recent years. This is due to their convenience as well as the material’s body contouring, cushioning support and its motion isolating properties. Two to try: Tempur-Pedic ProSense and Lexi Bed-in-a-Box.

Innerspring mattresses are constructed with layers of comfort and support foam over an inner system of sprigs, which are designed to respond to your body’s every movement. If you share a bed with a partner, kids, or a pet, look for an innerspring mattress with individually pocketed coils, or springs that run head-to-toe, to reduce motion transfer. Two to try: Serta Twirl and Serta Nestle.

Hybrid mattresses hit the sweet spot between memory foam and innerspring, combining the two technologies in perfect harmony. If you are looking for the pressure relief of a memory foam mattress, but you also appreciate the classic feel and responsiveness of an innerspring, hybrids are a terrific option. Two to try: Serta Exhale IV and Stearns & Foster Darling Hybrid.

What about adjustable beds?
In addition to asking about your sleep position and what type of mattress you prefer, your Dream Expert will ask you about your lifestyle and any health concerns you might have. Based on your answers, they might suggest an adjustable, or lifestyle, bed base.
 
You might think of adjustable beds as “hospital beds,” but they’re so much more than that. Yes, they’re fantastic for promoting healing and circulation, and can help with conditions such as acid reflux and snoring, but combined with a great mattress they can also make everyday tasks like reading and watching TV in bed so much more comfortable. Plus, some models even come with a built-in massage feature for the ultimate in after-work relaxation.

Is there help for a hot sleeper?
Kicking off the covers or sleeping with the window open used to be the only relief for overheating at night. Thanks to new technology, however, you can finally have your sleep and keep your cool even if you are a naturally hot sleeper or if hormonal changes have your temperature fluctuating.
 
The Peak Cooling Pillow by Bedgear is available in three levels of support for side, back, and stomach sleepers. This comfortable memory foam pillow contains several advanced features, including enhanced airflow and cooling Dri-Tec technology, to drive heat away from the head and evaporate moisture to help you sleep undisturbed throughout the night.
 
For full-body cooling, your Dream Expert may also recommend a mattress pad such as the Bedgear 6.0 Ver-Tex. This durable mattress protector works by deflecting excess warmth away from the body to optimize your core temperature and has a soothing cool-to-the-touch surface that is cushioned for additional pressure-point relief.

Is there a guarantee I’ll love my new mattress?
The Dream Experience was designed to help you discover your ultimate sleep. To help you shop with confidence, your mattress is backed with a 100 Night Comfort Guarantee when you add-on any same-size mattress protector. We just ask that you keep your new mattress for a minimum of 30 nights—the normal adjustment period to get comfortable with a new mattress—before any exchange is made.
 
If you are tired of waking up groggy, or with sore, aching joints, or just want to upgrade your sleep, it’s time to experience the Dream Experience. We’re confident that you can sleep better and wake refreshed on your new mattress, perfectly matched to your sleep style.

Book your appointment today for an in-store Dream Experience, or chat now to shop for a sleep system online. Sweet dreams!