What to Look For in a Bed

A good night’s sleep is a vital component to your physical and mental health. If you aren’t getting the restful slumber you deserve, your mattress could be to blame. But before you run out and buy a new bed, do your homework to learn what you should look for in a mattress. Understanding the basics will help you save money and get the best night’s sleep possible.

Mattresses come in all shapes and sizes, but most fall into one of a few categories: memory foam (contours to your body), latex foam (eco-friendly), hybrid foam (durable), innerspring (supportive), and pillow-top (soft). Each type has its pros and cons.

Memory Foam

This is a close-conforming polyfoam that contours to your body shape and can relieve pressure on specific areas, like the hips or shoulders, to redistribute weight and promote spinal alignment. It’s most often used in comfort layers, but can also be found in the core of the mattress to add stability and durability.

Latex Foam

This is an eco-friendly material that’s denser than memory foam to provide heft and durability, as well as a springy feel. It’s most often used in the support layer of a mattress to add structure and firmness, but can also be found in the comfort layer to add a soft feeling.

Polyurethane Foam (Polyfoam)

This versatile material is a common choice for both comfort and support layers, as it can be molded to create various feels and offers varying levels of responsiveness. It can range from firm to soft, depending on the formulation and is usually infused with cooling chemicals to prevent heat retention.

Innerspring Mattress

This type of mattress uses metal coils to provide a sturdy base and is a great choice for heavier people or stomach sleepers, who need a supportive surface that won’t sink in under pressure. It can also be found in hybrid and pillow-top styles, which combine the coils with other materials for added support.

A memory foam mattress can contour to your body shape and reduce pressure on your hips and shoulders, which can alleviate pain and discomfort from chronic back problems. It can also minimize snoring by supporting the head and neck, which may be caused by an unsupportive mattress that sags in the middle.

A mattress with good edge support can keep you from rolling off the side of the bed, as well as offer stronger stability for couples. It’s important to test out mattresses for motion transfer, ease of movement and edge support before making a purchase. It’s also worth considering a mattress with a low risk of off-gassing, which is the release of chemical odors associated with new mattresses. This typically occurs during the first few days after delivery. However, it will usually dissipate as the mattress acclimates to its environment.