Buying a new bed is very subjective depending on your body type, unique needs, budget, sleeping position and more. Let’s explore how your preferences might influence the mattress you choose.
Sleeping position
Your sleeping position will determine how hard or soft a mattress you need to get the best night’s sleep. As a general rule:
- Side sleepers They need soft to medium mattresses with plenty of pressure relief to conform to their curves. This prevents uncomfortable or painful pressure points from developing on your shoulders, hips and knees.
- Back and stomach sleepers You need a medium to firm mattress that helps keep your spine and neck neutrally aligned so you don’t wake up with back pain.
- Combined sleepers have the most flexibility. The level of firmness you choose should be based on the position in which you spend the most time.
Body type
Your body type determines how much pressure you put on the mattress, thus influencing its firmness. Heavier people generally find the mattresses softer, while shorter people find it firmer. Your weight also affects the type of mattress you should buy.
- People weighing more than 230 pounds need a mattress with plenty of support and added durability, like steel innerspring hybrid mattresses.
- Lighter people can choose between hybrid and all-foam mattresses.
Health conditions
It is important to consider medical conditions when purchasing your next mattress. If you’re a sexy sleeper, look for beds with cooling technology or made with breathable materials like latex foam. If you suffer from joint pain or arthritis, you should look for a soft, pressure-relieving mattress that contours to your body. People with back pain need a firmer mattress to support the spine and neck.
Materials
When looking for a queen mattress, consider the materials of your bed. Its construction will influence your experience and its duration. The three main categories of mattress materials are foam, coils or springs, and latex foam. A bed made from a combination of several materials is called a hybrid mattress.
- Mousse: There are several types of foam you’ll find in mattresses: traditional memory foam, open-cell foam, gel-infused foam, or polyfoam. The type of foam will determine the feel and firmness of your mattress.
- Springs/coils: A coil or coil system adds responsiveness and support to the bed. This also tends to make a mattress more durable over time.
- Latex foam: There are two types of latex foam: organic and synthetic. Organic latex is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and eco-friendly. It also gives mattresses a bouncy and responsive feel, although it is slightly firmer than other foams.
Budget
Purchasing a new mattress is a significant investment, so it is crucial to identify your budget before purchasing a queen mattress. The average online mattress costs between $850 and $1,200, but there are mattresses for every budget, from $300 to luxury mattresses that cost $2,000 and up.
Popular mattress sizes
Dimensions (in inches) | Dimensions |
---|---|
Double | 38×75 |
Twin XL | 38×80 |
Complete | 54×74 |
Queen | 60×80 |
King | 76×80 |
King of California | 72×84 |