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Buying Guide: Time to Replace Your Old Mattress?

Sometimes it is difficult to tell when you should purchase a new mattress.  Mattresses don’t typically “break” and some may not even show much wear.  They can often feel comfortable long after they’ve lost their effectiveness.  Some tell-tale signs that it is time to buy a new one include: waking up stiff or numb, visible signs of wear such as lumps or dips, or you find that you get a better night’s sleep places other than your home.

When you realize it is time to replace your mattress, you’ll find there are many choices available on the market today.  How do you choose the one that is best for you?  Your budget, of course, will play a big role in your choice.  But even then, most of the styles available today come with a varying price range.

Ultimately, the best way to make this choice is by becoming informed.  Understand the needs of your body, especially if you suffer from back pain or other ailments that can impact a good night’s sleep.  Also, visit stores and test the different available styles to see what feels most comfortable to you.  Below are some of the options you’ll want to look into when choosing a new mattress.

Top 10 Best Mattresses For The Money (Editor Rated)

BedroomReboot.com ratings based on comfort, value, and quality

MODEL	TYPE	EDITOR RATING
Home Life Euro Top Harmony Sleep 8-Inch Pocket Spring Luxury Mattress	coils with foam layer	(4.9 / 5)
Zinus Memory Foam Green Tea Mattress	foam	(4.7 / 5)
Signature Sleep Contour 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Mattress with CertiPUR-US Certified Foam	coils with foam layer	(4.6 / 5)
Sleep Master Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 6-Inch Mattress	foam	(4.6 / 5)
Tuft & Needle Mattress	foam	(4.6 / 5)
Dreamfoam Bedding Arctic Dreams 10-Inch Cooling Gel Mattress	gel-infused foam	(4.7 / 5)
Zinus Memory Foam 8 Inch Green Tea Mattress	foam	(4.7 / 5)
Signature Sleep Memoir 8-Inch Memory Foam Mattress with CertiPUR-US Certified Foam	foam	(4.5 / 5)
Resort Sleep Queen size 10 Inch Cool Memory Foam Mattress with Bonus Memory Foam Pillow	foam	(4.7 / 5)
Signature Sleep Signature 13-Inch Independently Encased Coil Mattress with CertiPUR-US Certified Foam	coils with foam layer	(4.7 / 5)

Types Of Mattresses For Your Beds

Mattresses have benefited greatly from advances in technology in recent years.  There are plenty of options to fit a variety of tastes and budgets.  Advanced innerspring mattresses and the new memory foam are both very popular choices amongst consumers.  All natural latex mattresses address the concerns of those looking for an eco-friendly solution.  Air mattresses are adjustable for partners who prefer different levels of firmness. There are also mattresses designed for very specific needs such as adjustable beds to aid with medical issues, and sofa beds to accommodate overnight guests

1. Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses have been around for many years and are still the most commonly sold mattresses.  These mattresses are available with four different types of coil designs.  However, the pocket coil and the continuous coil styles are the most popular ones on the market today.  Pocket coils are individually wrapped in fabric and provide consistent distribution of support.  A continuous coil system is made of rows of continuous coil wire that run head to toe.  Many mattresses are also available with a top layer, “pillow top” that is made of a variety of materials such as memory foam or latex.

Advantages:  Innerspring mattresses come is a wide range of styles and prices.  Manufacturers have developed new technology in order to compete with other types of mattresses so it is not difficult to find one that is comfortable and fits your budget.

Disadvantages: While still a very popular choice in mattresses, the biggest complaint is that the mattress sags over time.  Mattresses with a very low coil count can be uncomfortable and cause back pain.

2. Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are increasing in popularity because they conform to the body by evenly distributing a person’s weight.  Their customer satisfaction rating is very high.  They are made of a polyurethane material and were originally developed for the space industry.   Layers of foam at varying levels of thickness and density make up this mattress.  They range from 1.5 to 6 inches of memory foam over a support base.  Memory foam material responds to both weight and temperature.

Advantages:  These mattresses rate overall very high with customer satisfaction.  Memory foam mattresses absorb movement so if your partner is tossing and turning, it doesn’t impact you.  They are also very quiet mattresses.  The conforming ability relieves pain and pressure points.  And they can easily be found both online and at retail stores.

Disadvantages:  It can take a while to break these mattresses in.  And many people have complained about the initial smell caused by chemicals in the mattress.  Because memory foam mattresses respond to temperature, they can cause you to feel hot while you are sleeping.

3. Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses but have a few differences.  The main difference is that latex responds much quicker to movement than memory foam does.  These mattresses have a high overall customer satisfaction rating.  There are two main types of latex mattresses, all latex and latex-hybrid.  The latex-hybrid has a top layer of latex and either polyurethane foam or springs as a bottom layer.  These mattresses also come either all-natural or synthetic latex.  You can also choose a topper to either soften or firm the mattress.

Advantages:  For those wanting a natural material in a mattress, organic cotton latex mattresses are available.  Latex mattresses come in varying levels of firmness.  These mattresses have good motion isolation and are also considered a good choice for people who suffer from back pain.

Disadvantages:  Latex mattresses tend to be on the firmer side, so if you prefer a soft mattress, this is not the one for you.  Since these mattresses are fairly new on the market, there is not a lot of data on long-term customer satisfaction.  These mattresses are some of the heaviest ones on the market and are primarily sold online.  It is difficult to find them in stores.

4. Air Mattresses

Air mattresses are built in similar fashion to innerspring mattresses, however, instead of coils for the inner layer, they use air.  This air can be adjusted to the desired level of firmness by using an electric pump.  The outer layer of the mattress is typically made of a comfort material such as memory foam.

Advantages:  The air-filled chambers can be adjusted to different levels of firmness on each side of the bed.  This is good for couples who have different preferences or needs in a mattress.  These mattresses tend to last 30% longer than other types of mattresses and are good for those suffering from back pain.

Disadvantages:  There is a learning curve when it comes to the assembly of the mattress and adjusting it to the right level of firmness.  If it is too soft it can cause back pains.  Some of the less expensive models come with only one chamber which can cause the mattress to rise on the opposite side when you sit on it.   These mattresses can also have a number of mechanical difficulties such as air leaks and issues with the pump.

5. Adjustable Beds

These beds are designed with the ability to raise your legs or body.  Aside from a twin size, they are split in the middle allowing the person on each side to adjust the bed to their liking.  There are multiple options for the type of mattress you can use on these beds including memory foam, latex, and air.  Spring mattresses do not bend well and are not recommended for use with an adjustable bed.

Advantages:  These beds are low maintenance and comfortable.  They are a good choice for people who suffer from hip or back pain and need assistance getting out of bed.  Adjustable beds also provide a good solution for those who need to sleep elevated such as people suffering from sleep apnea or acid reflux.

Disadvantages:  Sometimes these beds can stop working or even break.  While the warranty may state that it is good for 20 years, coverage on the electrical components often ends around three years.  Since these are the parts that tend to break, you might want to look into an extended warranty if purchasing an adjustable bed.  Other issues reported include the base moving even when wheels are locked and noisy electric motors.

6. Sofa Beds

While these beds are typically not chosen as a primary sleeping option, many people use sofa beds for overnight guests.  There is a wide variety available ranging from futon-style sofas to stylish, full-size sofas that do not appear to be sofa beds at first glance.  Most sofa bed mattresses have a thickness of around four to five inches and can be found in a variety of styles including memory foam, latex, air over coil, and coil.

Advantages:  These beds are a convenient way to host overnight guests, especially if you do not have enough bedrooms to accommodate them.  They come in a wide range of styles and colors to fit most tastes and budgets.

Disadvantages:  Sofa beds are not very comfortable.  The mattresses are generally thin because they have to be able to fold up and fit in the sofa. While they are a good solution for temporary overnight guests, they are not recommended for long-term use.

Before deciding on a mattress, it is a good idea not only to research the ones you are interested in but also visit some stores and test them out by lying down on them. Or, just order online from a store that has a good return or exchange policy so that you can try one out.  Depending on what you are looking for, being armed with a good amount of product knowledge means that you should be able to find the one that is the best fit for your home.