How to Buy the Best Mattress

The ultimate guide to the best mattress types and brands.

Blog

Adjustable Beds Are Not Just for Hospitals Anymore

by

CC Flickr photo courtesy of soschilds. Adjustable beds aren't just for hospitals anymore!

When most people think of adjustable beds, they instantly think of hospital beds. And while a few years ago many of them resembled hospital beds, today’s adjustable beds are more aesthetically pleasing. There are more younger people using adjustable beds today than in the past for a variety of reasons, most commonly because they get a better night’s sleep.

Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Adjustable Bed

Before running out and buying one of the many mattresses on the market, you will need to consider the mattress especially made to fit on an adjustable bed, as not all mattresses will work on them so you will need to research how to choose the right mattress. Remember, when you buy an adjustable bed, you are buying the foundation and it is the mattress you are going to be sleeping on. It is important for your sleep comfort to choose your adjustable bed mattress carefully.

Knowing how these beds work will teach you how to choose a mattress for this type of bed. In most instances the traditional inner spring mattresses will not be a good choice for an adjustable bed as they don’t “give” when the bed folds and could slide out of position on the foundation. This will reduce the sleep quality of the mattress.

You should buy an adjustable bed from a reputable manufacturer with experience in the industry. Many will help you know how to choose a mattress for their style of foundation. You will also want the adjustable foundation that is easily assembled and moved and doesn’t require an engineering degree just to use it. The adjustable bed mattress should provide the same comfort regardless of the position the bed is in.

Tempurpedic now makes an adjustable bed that you might have seen on TV commercials.

Craftmatic is another adjustable bed brand that you are probably familiar with.

And the big name in mattresses, Sealy, also has an adjustable bed line.

Simmons also makes an adjustable bed.

Adjustable Beds: Things to Keep in Mind

Adjustable beds may not be for everyone. If you sleep on your side the bed will likely remain in the flat position, but if you watch television or read a lot in bed, finding the right adjustable bed mattress during your waking hours can make it a good investment provided you know how to decide on the right mattress for this type of bed.

There are many different types of adjustable bed mattresses such as the air filled mattresses, memory foam and adjustable mattresses made especially for them. The key thing to remember when you think about choosing a mattress is that it is going to be on an adjustable base. If the mattress is too rigid, it may not adjust to the same levels as the foundation. Even some of the best mattresses that do adjust properly may not be suited for your individual comfort needs.

When you go the store talk to someone who knows how to choose a mattress for the specific foundation you’re looking to buy, then spend some time lying on the mattress to make sure it’s comfortable for you. Another point when considering how to choose the right mattress should be the warranty.

Regardless of what the sales person may tell you about the bed and the adjustable bed mattress, if the promises are not in writing, it is not part of the warranty. The foundation warranty will typically be different from that of the mattress and probably provided by a separate manufacturer.

Do you own an adjustable bed? If so, tell us about the brand and what you think about it. Did we miss anything important with this post? Leave a comment!

Mattress Dimensions – All You Need to Know

by

CC Flickr photo courtesy of beigephotos.

Shopping for a new mattress? A good mattress is an investment that should last for years so it is a good idea to learn how to choose a mattress before making that shopping trip. In finding just the right mattress, several things must be considered such as your physical needs, how much you want to spend and mattress size you require. Names, descriptions and the sizes of mattresses are different for each country. The sizes below represent measurements in the United States.

Bunk Mattress Dimensions

A bunk mattress is made to fit upper and lower bunk bed frames. The mattress in small size is well suited for young children but will accommodate an average sized adult in a pinch. The dimensions of a bunk mattress are 39” x 75”. The narrow bunk mattress is used to save a few inches of space and measures 36” x 75”.

Twin Mattress Dimensions

The mattress size called twin is also referred to as “single”. It measures a trim 30” x 75”. Twin beds are a good choice for small guest rooms. Two twin beds are also common when siblings are sharing a room since they don’t take up much space. Another consideration regarding how to choose a mattress is whether linens that fit are easy to find. The twin extra long mattress, which measures 39” x 80”, is one example of a mattress size you may have trouble finding linens that fit properly because of its odd size.

Full

A full size mattress is also known as a double mattress. This mattress size measures 54” x 75” and can accommodate one large adult or else two small adults or children comfortably. The full mattress leaves 27” x 75” of room for each person. It is commonly used in guest rooms as a medium sized bed that allows comfort without taking up too much room.

Queen Mattress Dimensions

Standard queen size mattresses measure 60” x 80”. Two average sized adults can easily have 30” x 80” of room a piece. When obtaining information on this type of mattress you may hear the salesman refer to “California queen” and “Expanded queen” mattresses. A California queen mattress is 60” x 84”; which is 4 inches longer than a standard queen mattress. The expanded queen mattress measures 66” x 80”, making it 6” wider mattress than the standard queen.

King Mattress Dimensions

If a bigger bed suits your taste it is easy to find out how to choose a mattress in a larger size. The standard king size mattress is 76” x 80”. The width of the mattress allows enough room for each sleeper to have 38” of space. This mattress size is not the largest available, however.

California King Mattress Dimensions and Grand King Mattress Dimensions

The California king is more narrow (72”) than the standard king but is longer (84”). The grand king is a whopping 80” x 98”, enough room for very tall or larger people. Linens for all sizes of king mattresses are readily available online and at bed and bath stores across the country.

Custom Size Mattress Dimensions

If you have an oddly shaped room, a very large or tiny room or simply want a unique bed, custom mattresses in all sizes can be tailor made to suit your needs. Many companies offer circular beds, geometric shapes and unique sizes. Take your ideas to the company and they will work with you and help you choose a mattress that will fit in with what you envision for your bed.

Did you find what you were looking for here? Was anything missing or wrong? If so, please leave a comment and tell us so that we can fix this page and make sure it has all of the information you need.

Pillowtop vs. Eurotop Mattress – What is the difference?

by

CC Flickr photo courtesy of amber-rae.

What’s the difference between a pillowtop mattress and a Eurotop mattress?

There was a time when buying a mattress for your bed was a simple process. This is not the case anymore. There are so many different types of mattresses on the market today that it is hard to even know how to buy a mattress. The two more sought after mattress types are the pillowtop mattress and the eurotop mattress. Both mattresses seem to have some sort of pillow on top but what is the real difference between these mattresses you might wonder? Find it out here.

Pillowtop mattresses are different from your standard style mattress in that they have an extra layer of padding added to the top of the mattress. When looking at the mattress you can see where the pillowtop has been added to what was once a standard mattress. The pillow has been sewn on to give the mattress that added comfort and it allows mattress companies to increase the price.

Almost every mattress company in the world today offers a mattress with some sort of pillowtop added. This makes buying this type of mattress very hard as there are so many to choose from. Knowing how to buy a mattress with a pillowtop will ensure that you choose the right one. It is important to keep in mind that the pillowtop is not the same as adding a mattress pad. The mattress pad is not sewn to the mattress as is the case with a pillowtop mattress and it does not offer the same amount of comfort.

There is another type of mattresses on the market today called the eurotop mattress. In the eurotop mattress there is an extra layer of padding added to the mattress to create the illusion of sleeping on a cloud but instead of being sewn onto the mattress so that a gap is present between the mattress and the pillow, the padding is attached directly to the top of the mattress, so there is no gap. The euro top mattress is a great choice because you are getting a larger surface to sleep on and there is less risk of rolling off as you sink into the bed when you are sleeping.

When people are thinking about buying a mattress that has this added layer of padding, they often wonder what the difference is between a pillowtop and a eurotop mattress. They believe that knowing the difference will help them to know how to buy a mattress that is perfect. Essentially there is no major difference in both types of mattresses in regards to their function and benefits. Both mattresses offer sleepers added comfort with the extra padding.

The eurotop has been found to be slightly larger than the pillowtop and people have reported that it does offer more comfort in the long run as the pillowtop mattress tends to flatten out over a period of time, whereas the Eurotop seems to be more durable. Other than those two basic differences, when choosing between the two it will just have to come down to personal preferences.

Mattress Cover Options

by

Stained Mattress bedwetting
CC Flickr photo courtesy of duchamp.

A mattress for your bed is something that you can expect to replace after several years as it is not something that lasts forever. However, there are things that you can do to increase the life span of your mattress such as getting a mattress cover. Besides for prolonging the life of your mattress, a mattress cover can also improve the quality of sleep that you are getting each night. There are other benefits to using a mattress cover on your bed.

Choosing a mattress cover for your bed is a way to protect your mattress against dust, fluids such as sweat and even coffee if you have breakfast in bed, and other allergens that might find their way into your mattress. It is hard to know what is the best mattress cover for your bed as there are many different styles and types on the market today.

Choosing a mattress cover can be as difficult and time consuming as choosing the mattress itself. There are a number of things to consider.

When choosing a mattress cover you have to consider if it is waterproof or not. If you have small children or are trying to potty train a toddler then a waterproof mattress cover is something that you need to consider when choosing a cover. This will prevent the mattress from becoming stained and smelly if your child has an accident during nap time or throughout the night. Keeping the mattress free of urine will definitely allow you to keep it longer.

See our post with specific waterproof and allergen proof mattress cover recommendations.

Waterproof mattress covers come in a variety of sizes. In some cases you may only find a cover that is basically a one size fits all type of cover. This may work for some beds, but if you are trying to put this on a twin bed, you may find that you have more mattress cover than you do bed. Waterproof covers traditionally have not been designed for comfort but in recent years this has changed. It’s possible to find mattress covers now that have some padding which can give you a comfortable night’s sleep and protect your mattress.

There are different styles of mattress covers on the market and some are designed to fully cover the bed while others have been made to just cover the top portion of the mattress. Of course, there is a difference in price between the two types. A cover that fits down over the entire mattress offers more protection and therefore costs most. However, the price of a mattress cover is not high and spending a bit of extra money on a good mattress cover now to protect your mattress will save you a great deal of money in the long run.

People often worry if a mattress cover will protect them against everything that can damage or wear out the bed. It is safe to say that there is not product on the market that can do everything but buying a high quality mattress cover is sure to protect you as much as possible.

This is a product that has been created for the sole purpose of protecting your mattress so you can feel assured that it will protect against just about anything. The question “what is the best mattress cover?” will always be asked and the answer depends on your needs – going for a comfortable and waterproof mattress cover is probably the best option.

How to Safely Move Your Mattress

by

CC Flickr photo courtesy of edkohler.

When it comes to moving, nothing is more exciting than getting the keys to that new house or apartment, or maybe the thought of making a fresh start in a new city. What is usually not as exciting is the long and backbreaking task of moving all of your belongings and furniture with you. One of the bigger and harder pieces of furniture to move is your bed and mattress.

Mattresses and beds generally pose a special kind of problem when moving to which many of us can relate. Some mattresses can exceed eighty pounds and are very big and bulky. When you try to move them, then start flapping around and are hard to control.

Even worse is when you are moving your nice, expensive mattress and somehow damage it. For some mattresses, this is surprisingly easy to do. A foam mattress can easily pull apart, and waterbeds or air mattresses can get a small hole in them in the blink of an eye. That’s why it is very important to properly protect your mattress before moving it.

Mattress Cover for Moving

The best and most prevalent way to move a mattress safely is by purchasing a mattress cover for moving specifically. These covers are usually just big heavy-duty plastic or vinyl sheets that you can put over your mattress before moving it in or out of a house. This will ensure that a mattress will not catch on anything sharp and potentially rip, tear, or poke a hole. Nobody wants to buy a brand new mattress for his or her new home because a small nail sticking out from the wall decided it wanted to tear your mattress in half.

Not only does a mattress cover protect you mattress from rips and tears, it also protects it from dirt, stains and dust during its moving or storage. It is a very good option that can prevent any unwanted damage done to your mattress and it comes at a very affordable price.

Some Other Tips and Tricks for Moving Your Mattress Safely

Other things you can do to safely move your mattress is to stop it from rubbing against anything while it is moving. This can include using moving pads. A moving pad is just a piece of plastic or other material that you put under your furniture, or in this case your mattress. You can safely pull it across the floor without having to worry about getting it caught on something or wearing it down. If you are moving the mattress by hand, always try to keep it elevated off the ground. This will also stop the mattress from coming into contact with anything that can tear it apart.

Moving to another location can be both fun and stressful. Even with the greatest caution any piece of your furniture may become damaged. Doing everything possible to prevent this from happening should be a priority. When it comes to your mattress whether you are using a mattress bag or cover for moving or following one of the other methods mentioned, it is important to do something to protect your investment.