Our well-being, mood, health, and performance sometimes depend on the most subtle things. Everyone knows how important healthy sleep is, but at the same time, many almost do not pay attention to the choice of a mattress. The result is back pain, circulatory disorders, and constant lack of sleep, irritability, and fatigue. Saying “I don’t sleep well,” a person does not even suspect that a quality mattress could change this situation overnight. Here’s how to choose the perfect mattress and what to consider when buying.
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Mattress selection: important characteristics
Mattresses come in many varieties – any specialty store will offer you dozens, if not hundreds, of models. They look almost the same, and the difference is not always obvious to the touch. However, the sensation of sleeping on them will differ significantly. To correctly navigate the assortment, you need to know what is hidden under the mattress cover.
Also read: https://thesleepshopinc.com/idle-mattress-review/
Types of mattresses
By design, all mattresses are divided into spring and springless.
In spring, as the name implies, spring blocks provide elasticity. They are of two types – dependent and independent. Dependents (also known as Bonnel) are the most inexpensive and widespread option, but far from the most comfortable. The springs in such a block are held together by wire. If you press on one such spring, the neighboring ones will also compress. In mattresses with a Bonnel block for 1 sq. m account for 120-160 springs. The pluses of such mattresses can be attributed to the low cost, and to the minuses – fragility: after a while the mattress can be pressed through and start to creak.
In mattresses with an independent spring block, the springs are not interconnected. Each is housed in a separate, durable fabric pouch. This is very convenient: even if you jump on one edge of the mattress, the other will remain completely motionless. In addition, mattresses with an independent block are less prone to deformation and do not creak. The number of springs can be different, as well as their diameter. When choosing such a mattress, keep in mind that the greater the number of springs per 1 sq. m and the smaller their diameter, the more comfortable sleep will be. The most inexpensive mattresses of this type have 250 springs per sq. m, and in premium models their number can go up to 500.
Most buyers prefer spring mattresses: they are more familiar, and the choice is huge – from the softest to the very hard. But over time, the springs can deform and start squeaking, especially if the mattress is very cheap.
Springless ones are a kind of “sandwich” of several layers of different elastic materials, both synthetic and natural. Springless mattresses do not creak, they are easy to transport, rolled into a roll, they keep their shape perfectly. But it is worth considering the fact that springless mattresses are on average stiffer than spring mattresses.
In addition, the stores can offer you orthopedic and anatomical mattresses. What does it mean? In fact, the difference between them is not so fundamental. The anatomical mattress adjusts to the shape of the body, providing each part with a different degree of support. An orthopedic does the same, but it also prevents the curvature of the spine. Orthopedic mattresses are usually slightly tougher than anatomical ones. But by and large both terms mean mattresses on which the load is distributed in accordance with the natural curves of the human body – in contrast to conventional mattresses with uniform elasticity throughout the area. This should be considered in order to know how to choose a mattress for a comfortable sleep.
Filling mattresses
The choice of a mattress should start with a filler – the comfort and quality of the mattress depends on it. Fillers are present in both innerspring and springless mattresses.
Natural latex – e is a soft and flexible material, which will last a long time. However, natural latex is quite expensive.
Coira is coconut fiber. To make a mattress layer, the fiber is impregnated with latex. Koira belongs to breathable fillers, it is very elastic. Coir-filled mattresses are hard and durable.
Horsehair is a very expensive material, almost identical in its properties to coir, but even more durable. Horsehair is used to make premium hard mattresses.
Polyurethane foam is a synthetic foam that is inexpensive and therefore very popular. It is used in all types of mattresses – hard, medium-hard, and soft. The main characteristic of polyurethane foam is density: the higher it is, the longer the mattress will last. The density of high-quality polyurethane foam starts from 40 kg per cubic meter.
Structofiber is a filler that resembles felt in structure. Structofiber is made from both synthetic fibers and natural fibers – cotton or wool. This filler is used to make medium-hard mattresses.
The choice of firmness and size of the mattress
Soft or hard mattress? The choice of a mattress does not only depend on personal preference. There are certain guidelines.
Soft mattresses usually contain several layers of filler – most often latex or soft polyurethane foam. Soft mattresses are suitable for thin people, as well as the elderly – as they contribute to the maintenance of normal blood circulation. But children are not recommended to buy such mattresses – the developing musculoskeletal system needs support.
Medium-hard mattresses contain coconut filling combined with soft padding – latex, polyurethane foam, struttofiber. These mattresses are universal and suitable for people of all ages and sizes.
Firm mattresses with coir or horsehair filling are suitable for people with a tight build and those who have problems with posture.
Mattress price
The cost of a mattress depends on many factors – size, filler, manufacturer.
The cheapest Bonnel single spring mattresses can be purchased for only 300 dollars. The price of single springless mattresses on a polyurethane foam base starts from 250-300 dollars.
A more comfortable mattress on an independent spring block costs from 10,000 for a single model, and the most expensive single mattresses with a block of 1000 springs per square meter will cost you 200-500 dollars.
A quality mattress is not cheap, but it is an investment in your own health, wellness, and sound sleep. In addition, there is always an opportunity to save money – many stores often arrange sales and promotions, for example, “we change the old mattress for a new one.” If you follow these specials, you can buy a great mattress for half the price.
What else to look for when choosing a mattress?
When choosing a mattress, pay attention not only to the filling, but also to the cover. Most practical are mattresses with removable covers that can be washed. But even if you like a mattress with a non-removable cover, you can always buy an additional mattress cover for it, which will protect the mattress from dirt, dust and moisture. By the way, you can also find orthopedic mattress covers on sale, which will make your sleep even more comfortable.
Consider the design of the mattress. It is advisable to find a model with side handles – this way the mattress will be much more convenient to remove and turn over. This is especially important for double-sided mattresses. These mattresses have different fillers on each side: for example, a wool layer for winter and a hygroscopic coir for summer.
Many modern mattresses are equipped with special ventilation valves on the sides. This is a very useful addition as it allows air to circulate freely inside the mattress.