Mattress Mattresses

There are many things to consider when purchasing a new mattress or mattress set but the following seven hints can make the process a little easier. On average, Americans spend over three thousand hours per year in bed. That is more time than we spend in our cars or at work. The benefits of sleep can never be over stated and the purchase of a new mattress can have long lasting effects on your overall health and well being. With consumers having more choices than ever before, it pays to know what type of mattress or sleep system is best suited to your lifestyle, health and budget.

Decide On a Budget

More product choices means more in the way of pricing options and the price of even a basic mattress can vary a great deal. The amount of money you have available to spend can certainly be a primary motivation. Like most other consumer goods, the general rule is that you get what you pay for. Your mattress budget should reflect a number of factors that will be discussed later. The important thing is to avoid making an impulse decision and having a budget or at least a range can help you to get the most mattress for the money.

Size Does Matter

Avoid buying more mattress than you really need. In other words, do not buy a king size mattress when a queen or full size will do. The amount of room available in your sleeping space can determine the size mattress you purchase. Know in advance of visiting your mattress retailer the size you need. Do you sleep alone or share the bed? Is the bed for an adult, teenager or small child? All these factors will drive your decision.

Test Drive the Mattress

Plan to visit several mattress retailers and plan to stay. Brand names, prices and merchandising does not a comfortable mattress make. The only sure fire way to know if a mattress is right for you is to try it out. The idea is to find a mattress that is right for you and test driving a mattress involves more than just pushing and poking the mattress.

Get on the mattress and lie down in your normal sleeping position. Simply sitting on the mattress will not tell you what you need to know. Experienced salespeople will give all of the time and all of the space you need to make your decision.

Firm, Soft or In Between

There has long been diverging opinions about what firmness is right in a mattress. One school of opinion says that people with back problems will do better with a firm mattress. Another school of thought is that true test is how the mattress feels to you and has less to do with labels and brand names. Remember that an industry standard for firmness does not exist. Find a mattress that works for you.

Mattress Warranty

Warranties in the bedding industry vary widely and all warranties are not created equal. A warranty is only as good as the company offering it and the warranty terms and conditions can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Whether a warranty if for one year or thirty, each warranty will contain certain conditions and limitations.

All mattress warranties are prorated. In other words, the older the mattress, the less money the consumer is likely to receive. A warranty failure during year fifteen of a twenty year warranty may result in the consumer receiving a fraction of the purchase price. Conversely, a warranty failure in year one may result in the consumer receiving a much higher level of compensation. The practice of prorating warranties is simply a reflection of the fact that mattress do wear out over time.

Learn the Terminology & Ask Questions

Spend time to familiarize yourself with the language of mattresses and be prepared to ask questions of the salesperson. A good salesperson will carefully listen and will readily provide you the answers.

Buying Online

Buying a mattress online is a great way to save money. Be careful to understand the total cost of the purchase, including freight charges. As with any major household purchase, the internet can provide consumers with a vast number of research tools that were not available just a generation ago. While the some of the information available online could be regarded as suspect, reliable sources of information can still be found online. An educated consumer has a much better chance of making an educated purchase decision, saving money, time and aggravation.