Though you might assume that an expensive mattress is better than a more affordable mattress, you can get a queen mattress for just $500 or less. While quality is important, you can find high-quality options that cost less than you might think for your master bedroom, child’s bedroom or even guest room.
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Sleep and Your General Health
Finding a good quality mattress is important because they sleep that you get plays a role in how you feel the next day. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sleep can improve your brain function and improve your well-being. The healthier your brain is, the less likely it is that you will suffer from emotional conditions like depression too. The Institute also found that sleeping well can improve your physical health too, which helps you stay on your toes when working around your house or at the office. Getting more sleep at night can even help you stay safe while at work. Sleep gives your body time to rest and allows your brain to recuperate from the tasks that you did during the day. This can help you stay focused and pay attention, which is why it’s so important that you select a good mattress.
Mattress Support
No matter how much you can afford to spend on a mattress, you should start with a look at the amount of support provided. It’s usually best to visit a mattress store and take some time trying out different brands and styles. If you want to buy a model online and don’t have the chance to try it out in person, you should read the reviews that other shoppers posted after buying and using those models. Good Housekeeping recommends a memory foam mattress for those who want a rigid base with less base. Memory foam retains its shape and will mold to the unique curves of your body as you sit or lay down. Those made from latex have more bounce and are a little on the softer side. You may prefer one with coils or springs between the top and bottom layers or a mattress with a cover that is resistant to dust and other allergens.
When to Buy a New Mattress
If the mattress that you sleep on is at least 10 years old, you should give some serious thought to replacing it. According to WebMD, once a mattress hits 10 to 15 years old, it can collect a number of allergens that will affect your breathing and even the way that you sleep. Even if you rotate and flip the mattress on a regular basis, it will still develop marks and impressions that your body leaves behind. These dips and impressions will change the way your body fits on top of the mattress and can leave you waking with an aching back or pain in your neck or lower body. Odors and stains can also indicate that you need a new mattress.
Length
Many shoppers put comfort above everything else when choosing a mattress, but you should pay attention to the length and overall size of the mattress as well as the comfort that it offers. Mary H.J. Farrell of Consumer Reports points out that someone who is over six-feet tall will need a longer mattress than a shorter person will. Mattress length often relates to size, with a king mattress being wider and longer than a queen mattress. Choosing a size also depends on the number of people who share the bed as well as the size of each individual. If you live alone and seldom have overnight guests, a double or a queen bed might be perfect for you. Couples often prefer larger beds like a queen or king. Several companies make California king beds that can accommodate two people and their pets or their kids.
Spend What You Can Afford
Whether you want a $400 mattress, a $200 mattress, or you can afford to spend more on one, you should decide how much you want to spend and stick to that budget as you shop. Deane Halfpenny, a pain medicine consultant, recommends spending more to get a mattress that will keep you comfortable as you toss and turn at night. The more the bed shakes and wobbles, the tireder you’ll feel in the morning. Cheaper beds often offer less support than more expensive beds do, which can make you feel more tired after a night of rest than you did when you went to bed the night before. Halfpenny also recommends picking a bed that offers more support but one that is not too firm. A firm or hard mattress can make your muscles tense up and stop the flow of blood through your body. With a little research, you can find an affordable mattress that offers all the necessary support.
