What to Look For in a Bed

The bed is the foundation for restful sleep. It should support your back, promote proper spinal alignment and provide cushioning that minimizes pressure on key areas like your shoulders and hips. A mattress’s firmness, edge support and responsiveness can also affect your ability to snooze comfortably. Whether you prefer a soft or firm feel, there’s a mattress out there to match your preferences and needs.

If you’re shopping for a mattress online, check the company’s return policy and free shipping terms before making a purchase. Look for a warranty, too, but keep in mind that it may not cover common issues such as sagging or indents caused by regular use.

Firmness

The amount of cushioning in a mattress, measured on a scale of 1 to 10. Light sleepers can typically get away with any type of all-foam mattress while heavy sleepers are best served by a firmer-feel option.

Memory foam and polyurethane mattresses are popular for their ability to conform to your body’s shape and support the key areas that need the most support, such as your hips and shoulders. These materials also help regulate temperature and offer motion isolation—meaning your sleeping partner’s movement won’t disturb you.

Other types of mattresses use a mix of materials to provide support and comfort. For example, innerspring mattresses have metal coils in the support layer that provide a springy feel. The number of coils and the coil gauge (the thickness of the individual wires) can influence the mattress’s feel, but these factors should be considered in tandem with other components such as the mattress’s construction, comfort layers and overall design.

Hybrid beds combine a traditional innerspring core with other materials, such as foam and latex. Some feature a layer of microcoils, which adds a bouncier feel and increases responsiveness and airflow. Other hybrids employ a layer of phase-changing material that helps the mattress absorb and release heat.

The amount of cushioning in a mattress, calculated as the thickness of its top comfort layer. This material can be made from a variety of materials, including viscose, cotton and synthetic blends. It also can be quilted or stitched to the cover of the mattress to enhance its durability and breathability. Lastly, it can be treated with flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which may pose health risks and are being phased out of production in the United States.