How to Locate the Best Mattress

Assess you own orthopedic needs. Consider your personal history with relation to back or neck pain, and consider asking your health care provider for recommendations regarding which type of mattress would best alleviate any pain you experience. Many back pain experts advise sufferers to choose a medium to firm mattress, while those who are pain-free may find that a softer mattress is sufficient.

Consider your personal preferences. While a firm mattress may be needed for proper support in some cases, the top layer of the mattress can greatly influence its feel. Even most inner-spring mattress now come with a top layer of padding. This top layer may be constructed of quilting and foam, or with newer memory foam materials. If you're not sure which would feel best to you, a trip to your local mattress retailer will allow you to lie on various types and decide.

Do some research before shopping. Search online for various mattress brands and styles, taking note of pricing among retailers. Take note of sales which may be occurring with stores in your area to potentially get a great deal. The retail markup on mattresses is high, so your patience and homework can result in deep discounts. Also find out about delivery fees which may be added to the price.

Take a trip to several retailers. Lie down on a variety of different mattresses to determine which feels most comfortable to you. Take your time with this process, and don't let a hovering salesperson make you feel rushed or self-conscious. If you're a side sleeper, make sure you test the mattress in that position. If you sleep with a partner, it's a good idea to go together and lie down at the same time. This can help you determine how the mattress will respond under the weight of two adults, and also how much movement is transferred when one partner rolls over or gets in and out of bed. Take notes as you go so that you can remember what your impressions of each model were.

Go back home to analyze the information you've collected without sales pressure. Make a list of the models you liked best and that meet your comfort needs. Then compare prices among retailers on those models, and select the mattress which represents the best value.