TIPS FOR SHOPPING FOR A NEW MATTRESS

Tomorrow is the start of National Bed Month, an annual campaign to promote the benefits of sleep and how a good bed can help you achieve that. If your mattress is old (over seven years), worn or affecting your sleep, it’s probably time to get a new one. Here are some tips on shopping for a new mattress.

Set aside enough time

Shopping for a new mattress isn’t a quick process! Ideally, you’ll need to spend five to 10 minutes testing each one. We spend a third of our lives asleep so you don’t want to rush to make such an important purchasing decision.

Shop together

If you share your bed, shop with your partner, as you may have different mattress requirements. If you can’t agree, “half and half” mattresses with split tensions are an option.

Wear comfortable clothing

You’ll be getting on and off beds, so wear appropriate clothing.

Test out the mattress

Remove your coat and shoes and lie on the mattress in your normal sleeping position. Test how easy it is to turn over and get in and out of bed.

Try a selection of mattresses for comparison

Test different levels of mattress firmness and types to determine which is best for you. Mattress types include:

• Innerspring: These mattresses use coil springs for support. They offer bounce and good airflow.
• Memory foam: Contour to your body, relieving pressure points. They can trap heat, but newer designs often address this.
• Latex: Provide similar contouring as memory foam but with more bounce and natural cooling properties.
• Hybrid: Combine materials like memory foam, latex and coils to offer a mix of support and comfort.

A good mattress should gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the correct position whichever way you’re lying.

Make sure you have enough room

Ensure the mattress is big enough to stretch out on. Partner disturbance is a common cause of poor sleep, so getting bigger is better. You should be able to lie side by side, with your arms behind your head and your elbows out, without touching. We recommend a king size (150cm) or super king (180cm) mattress for couples.

Shop for the best value - not the lowest price!

You'll spend many hours sleeping on your new mattress, so don’t base your choice on the lowest cost.

Follow these steps and you can find a mattress that meets your needs for comfort, support