Are you looking to buy a new mattress but not sure where to start? With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the right mattress. What size is the best for you? Should you get a firm, medium, or soft mattress? What material will be the best?
In this article, we answer all of the above questions and more about how to choose a mattress to help you decide what mattress suits you the best. So continue reading to start your search for a great mattress that will give you a comfortable night’s sleep.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a New Mattress
Choosing a new Canadian bed in a box mattress is not just a question of choosing the right size for your needs and your room. You also need to think about the type of mattress (innerspring, foam, latex, or hybrid) and the firmness of the mattress (soft, medium, or firm).
In addition, you need to think about your sleeping preferences, your body type, motion isolation, and temperature regulation among a few other factors. We will look at each of these factors in turn, starting with the type of mattress.
What Type of Mattress Should You Choose?
There are different types of mattresses you can choose from. Innerspring mattresses have been around for longer than foam mattresses. However, foam mattresses have been gaining more popularity for decades now because of the qualities they offer. Both innerspring and foam mattresses come in different types.
Bonnell Innerspring Mattress
Bonnell innerspring mattresses have coils that are thinner in the middle and wider at the ends, resembling an hourglass. The coils respond easily to even slight pressure because of their shape, offering a lot of bounce and resilient support. However, because they are so bouncy, there is minimal motion isolation which can affect your sleep when sharing a bed with a partner.
Continuous Coil Mattress
Continuous coil mattresses have been around since the mid-1980s. The coils are formed from a single wire, s-shaped, and arranged in rows that interconnect, which means the mattress provides stable support. If you are a heavy sleeper, look for a continuous coil mattress that has the coils running both length and width-wise. Mattresses with a continuous-coil system are firmer than Bonnell mattresses and isolate movement better.
Pocket Coil Mattress
In a pocket coil mattress, the springs are in individual pockets, which gives the mattress much better motion isolation than the other two innerspring mattresses. Pocket coil mattresses are closer to foam mattresses when comparing the ability to isolate movement. Pocket coil mattresses are generally more expensive than the other two innerspring mattress types.
Polyurethane Foam Mattress
Polyurethane foam is a man-made material manufactured in three different densities. The foam is very compressible and reacts quickly to your body weight, contouring your body. This means the mattresses offer good comfort and pressure relief and isolate movement better than most innerspring mattresses. Polyurethane foam mattresses are generally cheaper than other types of foam mattresses.
Memory Foam Mattress
Originally invented by NASA to use in their spaceships, memory foam has been used in mattresses since the 1990s. It is another man-made material and is manufactured to be highly conforming while returning to its shape when the body weight and heat are removed. Memory foam mattresses offer maximum support and pressure relief. However, memory mattresses, unless they include cooling technologies, can be very hot.
Latex Foam Mattress
Latex is an organic option since the material is derived from rubber trees. Latex mattresses are hypoallergenic, chemical-free, and cooler than other types of foam mattresses. They are also durable, contour to your body shape, and provide pressure relief.
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress combines the qualities of innerspring and foam mattresses. It has a spring core, usually pocketed coils, and a foam top. This means it has better air circulation than either polyurethane or memory foam mattresses, combined with better motion isolation offered by foam mattresses.
What is The Right Firmness Level for You?
Choosing the right level of firmness is very important because it affects how well the mattress supports you. You can choose a soft mattress for children and smaller adults. They can also be a good option if you prefer to sleep on your stomach. Soft mattresses are not recommended for people who are heavier or average-weight because they are likely to sink too deeply into a soft mattress and their spine will be out of alignment.
Medium mattresses are the most common choice as they are a good fit for the majority of Canadians. They are soft enough to prevent pressure points from forming and supportive enough to keep your spine in the correct alignment while you sleep.
If you are taller and heavier than average, you should consider getting a firm mattress. Soft and medium mattresses will not give heavier sleepers the support they need and you could end up waking up with an achy back or joints.
What if You And Your Partner Are Very Different Weights?
Since medium-firm mattresses suit the majority of people, getting a medium mattress will work for most couples. However, if you are on the opposite ends of the weight spectrum, consider getting two separate mattresses with two different firmness levels. You can easily combine two twin or twin XL mattresses to make a bigger bed. Put a mattress topper on top to avoid creating a gap in the middle.
Choosing the Right Size
Mattresses in Canada come in standard sizes from twin to California king. While there are standard sizes for each type of mattress, they may vary slightly from one manufacturer to the next so always get the exact dimensions for the mattress so it fits your space and your existing bed frame if you have one.
- Twin (single) bed is 96 cm x 189 cm (38 in x 74 in)
- Full-Size (double) is 134 cm x 189 cm (53 in x 74 in)
- Queen Size is 152 cm x 202 cm (60 in x 79 in)
- King Size is 193 cm x 202 cm (76 in x 79 in)
- California King is 183 cm x 213 cm (72 in x 84 in)
You can also get twin and full-size beds in longer versions to accommodate taller sleepers. The dimensions for these mattress types are:
- Twin XL (single XL) is 96 cm x 202 cm (38 in x 79 in)
- Full-Size XL (double XL) is 137 cm x 203 cm (54 in x 80 in)
What Are Your Sleeping Preferences and Your Body Weight?
Many people do not consider their sleeping preference when they are choosing a new mattress, yet this is an important factor as different mattresses will support different sleeping positions better.
If you prefer to sleep on your back, a firmer mattress will be better than a soft mattress as it will keep your body in a better alignment as your head rests on your pillow. People who often change their position during the night might also prefer a firmer mattress as it makes turning around easier.
On the other hand, stomach sleepers are likely to get a better night’s sleep on a softer mattress. As the mattress allows you to sink it more, it supports stomach sleepers’ position better and offers more pressure relief.
However, you need to consider your preferred sleeping position together with your body weight. For example, for heavier sleeper who prefers to sleep on their stomach, a medium mattress is likely to be the best option since a soft mattress might allow the body to sink too deep into the mattress. For a very light back sleeper, a medium mattress will provide enough firmness.
How Much Motion Isolation Do You Need?
The next thing to consider is whether you sleep alone or with someone. If you sleep alone, then motion isolation is not as important as you will not be disturbed by other people’s movements. If you share your bed, then considering motion isolation is a must.
In general, foam mattresses offer better motion isolation than innerspring mattresses. The exception to the rule is individual pocket mattresses where the individually pocketed coils move separately, helping to isolate movements from other sleepers.
Do You Need Temperature Regulation?
Mattresses come with different air circulation abilities and levels of heat retention and this might affect how comfortably you sleep. Some mattresses, such as polyurethane and memory foam mattresses are fairly dense and do not have very good air circulation. This means that more heat is trapped in the mattress, which can make you feel hot during the night.
Innerspring mattresses have better air circulation as the air can move more freely inside the core of the mattress. Because latex mattresses are organic mattresses, they are naturally cooler than man-made foam mattresses.
If you want temperature regulation but would still like to get a memory foam mattress, invest in a gel memory foam mattress. These have better air circulation than regular memory foam mattresses. However, they are often more expensive, too.
How Much Pressure Relief Does the Mattress Provide?
When we sleep our bodies press into the mattress and if the mattress is not the right type for us, pressure points will form. These can make us uncomfortable and lead to restless sleep as we try to find a position that feels good.
Look for mattresses that can distribute your weight evenly across the mattress. This will help reduce pressure points. Often you will find that foam and hybrid mattresses provide more pressure relief compared to innerspring mattresses. However, pocket spring mattresses are once again an exception and can be as good as foam.
What Else Should You Consider?
While the above are the main things to consider when shopping for a mattress, you may also want to consider the following factors.
- Edge support: if you need a mattress that is more supportive when you are getting in and out of bed, look for mattresses that have reinforced edges.
- Sensitivities and allergies: if you suffer from sensitivities or allergies, there are hypoallergenic materials available. For example, latex mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic. They are also resistant to dust mites. Check for the mattress certification to make sure it has no harmful chemicals or allergens.
- Trial period: many mattress retailers and manufacturers offer trial periods, meaning you can try the mattress out for an agreed length of time and if you are not happy with it, return it for a full refund. The terms and conditions of the trial periods vary so check them out for each retailer you are considering. At the same time, check the warranty period.
- Your budget: mattresses come in a huge range of styles and prices so balance how much you can spend with the features you want the mattress to have.
- Brand reputation: it is always advisable to check reviews for the brand and its products as it can give you a better understanding of real people’s experiences with the company and the mattress.
Conclusion
When you are choosing the right mattress for you there are several factors you need to consider. When deciding what firmness level and material are best for you, take into consideration your weight, your preferred sleeping position, if you often get hot at night, and how much motion isolation you need.
It is also a good idea to check if the mattress company offers a trial period as this will allow you to try the mattress at home risk-free. You can also read mattress recommendations and reviews in Canada of mattress brands and types to see what real consumers think about them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important factors to consider are the type of mattress you want and the firmness level. How firm the mattress should be depends on your preferred sleeping position and your weight. You also need to consider factors such as motion isolation, temperature regulation, and pressure relief as well as your budget.
Most mattresses last for seven to eight years, although foam mattresses can last longer, around ten years. It also depends on how well you look after the mattress and whether it is used regularly or occasionally.
If you are a stomach sleeper, consider getting a softer mattress that will help keep your spine in the right alignment. However, if you are tall and heavy, a medium mattress could be better for you so you will not sink in too deep.
