The Secrets To Buying The Right Mattress

Korky Vann Savvy Shopper

April 15, 2012

Need a new mattress? Get ready to lose some sleep. The endless array of types, styles, brands and prices can make the process of choosing one feel more like a nightmare than sweet dreams.

"For a lot of people, it's a daunting purchase," says Bob Naboicheck, president of Gold Bond Mattress in Hartford. "There's a confusing selection of options. Visco foam feels different from gel, which feels different from latex, which feels different from innerspring. Then there's organic materials. And pillow tops. Two-sided pillow tops. Euro-tops. No question, it can be overwhelming."

Even Consumer Reports has stopped rating mattresses because everyone's idea of the perfect choice is different. (As Goldilocks said, some are too hard, some are too soft and some are just right.)

Add to that, there are no industry standards for such terms as "firm," "extra firm or "plush. All vary from on maker to another. And manufacturers often modify the models they make for different retailers by changing fabric color, padding, quilting and model names, which makes it impossible for consumers to comparison shop. That's no small thing, because the price of a new queen-size mattress and boxspring (the most common size sold) can run anywhere from less than $1000 to more than price of a new Hyundai Sonata. (Bloomingdale's made news a few years ago when it introduced its Palais Royal Plush Mattress, which carries a $27,000 price tag.)

But if you're sleeping on a mattress that's more than a decade old, you're probably not getting a great night's rest. According to Shop Smart, a Consumer Report's publication, mattresses generally last about eight to 10 years and worn-out mattresses can cause aches, pains and a lot of tossing and turning.

Dr. Patrick Troy, a pulmonologist at the Hartford Hospital's Sleep Center, says people may not be aware that their mattresses are affecting their sleep.

"Your whole environment has to be conducive to falling and staying asleep and that includes your bed," says Troy. "If you are sleeping on an old mattress that doesn't keep your body aligned in a neutral position, it can cause you to be restless during the night."

Your sleeping style figures into the selection process as well. Back sleepers, for example, need a mattress that provides firm support. Side sleepers need medium support. Stomach sleepers should opt for a softer surface.
While close to 80 percent of mattresses sold in this country are innerspring models, Naboicheck says the American consumer is currently in love with memory foam. (Memory foam uses your body's heat to conform to your body.)

"Some people love it, while others say it makes them feel hot," says Naboicheck, who himself sleeps on a firm innerspring mattress.

And it's not just your sleep needs you'll have to take into account.

"Your partner's movements can disrupt your sleep," says Troy. "The mattress that works for them might not be right for you, so you'll have to compromise."

"Number" beds that allow each person to adjust the firmness level for his or her own side are the answer for some couples, but ShopSmart magazine reported that some of their panelists found the mechanism noisy.
To help consumers make the right choice, some stores have developed mattress quizzes. The Ikea website, for example, takes consumers through a firmness, sleeping-style and body temperature check list and provides suggestions.

Bedding producer Kingsdown Inc. developed bedMATCH technology. Shoppers answer basic questions on sleep habits and bedding preferences at an in-store kiosk, then lie down on a diagnostic mattress to have their measurements taken. Based on the findings, the bedMATCH system recommends mattresses to be rest-tested. (A number of Connecticut Sleepy's stores have the kiosks.)

Naboicheck says diagnostic gimmicks may help point you in the right direction, but are no substitute for taking the time to actually lie down on a bed and try it out. And not for a minute or two. Consumers need to give it at least 10 minutes. A half hour is even better. Wear shoes you can slip off and comfortable clothing and settle in. Spend time on your back, your side and your stomach.

"Keep an open mind and try everything," he says.

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