Things to Consider Before Choosing a Mattress

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right mattress for your bedroom. These factors include firmness, thickness, body weight, sleep position, and bed height. It’s also important to think about whether you and your partner will be sharing the bed. You can also check product reviews online to get an idea of what people are saying about a particular mattress.

Choosing The Right Mattresses Thickness

Mattress thickness can affect how supportive and comfortable your mattress feels. There are many different thickness options on the market, and this guide can help you choose. A thicker mattress often has more comfort layers, but it also raises the height of your bed.

Heavier people often do better with a thicker, more supportive mattress, since a thin one may sag or let them sink through to the base. Many adult mattresses are about 8 to 12 inches thick, and some heavier sleepers prefer 12 to 14 inches. These are common rules of thumb, not medical guidelines. A thick mattress can also be difficult to move by yourself.

Body Weight

Body weight is an important factor when choosing a mattress, because it affects how far you sink in. Heavier people generally need a firmer, more supportive mattress.

Also consider your sleeping position. Side sleepers usually do best with a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress that cushions the shoulders and hips. Back and stomach sleepers usually need a medium-firm to firm surface.

If you have a larger body, you may want a firmer mattress with good edge support, because a very soft mattress can sag faster. If you and a partner need different firmness levels, a mattress with adjustable air support is one option. A mattress payment plan can help spread the cost of a higher-priced model.

Lighter people often find a medium or medium-soft mattress more comfortable, since a very firm one may not contour to their body. For people with low back pain, a review of studies found medium-firm mattresses offered the most advantages, though personal comfort still varies.

Sharing a Bed with Your Partner?

If you share a bed, choose a mattress that works for both of you. A queen or king size gives each person more room to move.

Look for good motion isolation so one person’s tossing and turning doesn’t wake the other.

All-foam mattresses tend to absorb motion well, which makes them a good fit for many couples. If you and your partner prefer different firmness levels, a mattress with dual firmness or adjustable sides can help.

Edge support matters too, especially if one of you tends to sleep near the edge of the bed.

Your Bed Height

People with joint pain often prefer a mattress with thicker comfort layers that relieve pressure at the hips and shoulders. If you have arthritis or chronic pain, ask your doctor or physical therapist what kind of support suits you.

In addition to your weight, consider the height of your bed when choosing a matress thickness. A thicker mattress on a tall frame can make the bed harder to get into.

One of the most important aspects of your bed is its height. A good rule of thumb is that when you sit on the edge, your feet rest flat on the floor with your knees bent at about a right angle, roughly level with your hips. A bed that is too low may be uncomfortable for taller people, so sit on the edge and test it.

A bed that is too low or too high can make it difficult to get in and out, and it can strain your joints. Many adults find a total height (frame plus mattress) of roughly 16 to 25 inches comfortable, depending on their height.

You should also consider your age. As mobility decreases, getting up from a bed that is too low or too high gets harder, so test the combined height of frame and mattress before you buy.

Sources

• How to Choose a Mattress, Sleep Foundation
• What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature, Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (PMC)