What To Know Before Buying Your Mattress

Comfort

Modern foams and fibers used in today’s premium mattresses offer a variety of comfort options for every type of sleeper. Because comfort is personal, the best way to find out if a mattress is comfortable for you is the old-fashioned way; try it out in the store.

Support

The best mattress for your back is one that supports your spine at all points while allowing it to maintain its natural curve.

Durability

Today’s sleep sets are very durable and built to last. But it’s important to remember that mattresses today are designed as a set – the mattress plus the foundation (box spring). Together, a new mattress and foundation will provide the best sleep set performance. Don’t try to replace just a mattress or foundation!

Size

Considering that most people sleep better when a partner isn’t crowding them, you should buy the largest size mattress that fits your bedroom and your budget.

Mattresses

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Mattress Size Details

Mattresses come in six standard sizes:

Twin (38" x 75")

Twin size mattresses are the smallest, and therefore least expensive, of the standard mattress sizes. Twin mattresses are designed for single sleepers who are not active during the night and want to save space in their bedroom, apartment, or dorm room. Twin size mattresses are not viable for sharing, but work well for kids and adults who don’t need a spacious sleeping surface.

  • Designed for single sleepers
  • Smallest standard mattress size
  • Most affordable standard mattress size

Twin XL (38" x 80")

Twin XL size mattresses are the same width as the Twin, but 5-inches longer. Twin XL mattresses are intended for tall individuals who are not active sleepers and want a mattress that won’t take up a lot of space in their bedroom. Twin XL size mattresses are not wide enough for sharing, but are recommended for growing teens or tall adults looking to save space and money.

  • Designed for single sleepers
  • Extra long
  • Most affordable size for tall individuals

Full (53" x 75")

Also known as a Double, modern Full size mattresses are designed for single sleepers who want something more spacious than a Twin. Not long ago, the Full size mattress was the standard for couples; but with the introduction of the Queen, the Full has become obsolete for sharing. Some couples may still find certain Full size models viable, but the small price difference between a Full and a Queen is never worth the inferior comfort unless you have a space constraint so strict that the Queen simply won’t fit. Full mattresses work well for active sleepers and children/teens during their transition years.

  • Designed for single sleepers
  • Wider than the Twin

Full XL (53" x 80")

Full XL size mattresses are the same width as the Full, but 5-inches longer. Full XL mattresses are great for tall individuals who don’t need the spaciousness of a Queen, but enjoy something roomier than a Twin. Full XL mattresses still don’t have the width to effectively accommodate couples, and the Full XL size of many models costs the same as the couple-oriented Queen. Full XL mattresses work well for tall, active sleepers who want the largest size intended for single person use.

  • Designed for single sleepers
  • Extra long
  • Most spacious standard mattress size for single sleepers

Queen (60" x 80")

Queen size mattresses are the gold standard in the industry today. They have a width suitable for sharing, and a length that works for all but the tallest people. The Queen is most commonly used for advertised prices, and in most cases the most cost-effective size (area vs. price). The Queen size is ideal for couples who are looking for a cost-effective, floor space-friendly mattress, making it the most common bed size for master bedrooms.

  • Designed for couples
  • Most affordable size for couples

King (76" x 80")

King size mattresses are designed for couples who want spacious luxury. King size mattresses are great for couples with an active and/or very light sleeper, providing plenty of space for one person to move without disturbing the other. As the largest of the standard mattress sizes, you can expect King mattresses to be the most expensive for any given model, but the extra cost is well worth the spacious comfort in the long run. Be sure to measure out how much floor space a King will take up before buying one, you may be surprised how much your walkways will shrink!

  • Designed for couples
  • Most spacious standard mattress size

California King (72" x 84")

The California King size mattress is designed for tall people whose feet hang off the end of most beds. Trading 4-inches of width for an extra 4-inches of length compared to the standard King, the Cal King is the longest of the standard mattress sizes. Still plenty wide enough for sharing, California King mattresses are a great solution for tall people whether or not they share the bed.

  • Works for individuals or couples
  • Longest standard mattress size

Mattress Types

Innerspring Mattress

An innerspring mattress uses a steel coil support system. Manufacturers offer several different types of spring systems, including units with springs connected into a single unit and individually wrapped pocketed coils. Spring shapes, designs, coil gauge, and number of coils in a mattress can vary. The innerspring is covered by padding or upholstery materials, which can include various foams, fiber, and additional layers of smaller steel springs. Coil count can be more arbitrary, but the idea is that the greater the number of coils, the more points of support and greater distribution, thus the better the bed can contour and support the sleeper.

Hybrid Mattress

A hybrid mattress combines a steel coil support system with one or more types of foam, such as polyurethane foam, memory (or visco elastic) foam, or latex foam, as well as foams that contain gel or other materials.

Memory Foam (Visco) Mattress

Memory foam (or visco elastic foam) mattresses use a high density polyurethane foam as the support system, in the upholstery layer, or both.  This foam has properties that allow it to contour closely to the shape of the sleeper.

Adjustable Foundations

Unlike a stationary foundation or box-spring, an adjustable foundation allows you to bend, elevate or lower various parts of the sleep surface. Some adjustable foundations have dual controls that each partner can use to adjust the sleep surface elevation to meet their individual needs.  Most adjustable foundations are powered by an electric motor, but some are manually adjusted.  They are designed to look like a conventional foundation when placed in the fully horizontal position.  For best results, adjustable foundations should be used with a mattress designed for that purpose.

TIP: You’ll spend a third of your life in bed, so your mattress plays a vital role in the quality of your health and well-being.

Buying a mattress is a decision that you should think about carefully. Since most people replace their mattress every seven to ten years, you’ll have to live with your decision for a long time. For most people, comfort is the most important factor with support and durability close behind. When it comes to comfort, there is no right and wrong. Only what’s right for you. It’s worth the time and effort to find out which mattress will best suit your needs.