Owning the right mattress can make the difference between a great night's sleep and everything else. Well-constructed and comfortable mattresses provide the support, cushioning and temperature control to help people wake up feeling new, while poorly crafted mattresses aren't as comfy and wear out faster. Buying a high-quality mattress is great for your health and emotional well-being. Don't you want to look forward to turning in each night? The top three mattress brands include Sealy, Serta and Sleep Number -- not only do these companies produce high-end products, but you'll be protected by great warranty coverage and customer support staff. Consider asking these questions when hunting for the right mattress for your needs.
Memory foam is soft foam that compresses under pressure and holds its shape so as to not apply undue pressure against any one part of the body. Gel foam has a gel layer within layers of foam that takes compression and often supplies a cooling effect for the bed. Memory foam is soft and has the texture associated with foam in general, while gel foam feels more like the gel packs found in first aid kits. In many designs of mattresses neither the memory foam or the gel foam is directly observable, but it is there.
Warranties on mattresses can run at least 10 years. The owner must be the original owner and have all the tags associated with their mattresses. The warranty covers issues due to defects in the workmanship; they do not handle wear-and-tear. Warranties also require proper maintenance, including mattress support and rotation.
How big of a mattress do you really need? A couple might be happy in a double-sized bed while an individual who owns three dogs may need a queen-sized mattress. Perhaps a teen has grown eight inches in one year, in which case a specialized mattress set can be ordered that has extra length added for comfort.
Each of our top three mattresses has key differences. Sealy provides traditional innerspring mattresses like the Sealy Posturepedic and foam mattresses like the Sealy Optimum. Serta offers similar types of mattresses, such as the Serta Perfect Sleeper Pro Energy Super Pillow Top Elite which combines innerspring and memory foam. Sleep Number offers the unique Sleep Number 360 which combines quality construction with a high-tech biometric design.
These innovative mattresses compress under the weight of a body so that no pressure points against hip, knee, or elsewhere can develop. This provides a comfortable sleep for those with achy bodies so they can sleep more deeply and be better rested in the morning.
Foam mattresses compress and they have more of a 'sinking in' feeling to them. A person doesn't really sink that deep, but the experience may be novel for the first time user. The sense of 'give' in a foam mattress can be a relief for aching joints. Others may find they need more firm support. There are hybrid mattresses that combine foam and spring to provide a mix of non-compression and regular support.
Mattress returns vary. It always pays to ask lots of questions about each mattress retailer's return policy. Some returns offer restocking fees, and many mattress brands won't do returns on products that have been warped, stained or otherwise damaged.
Never buy a new mattress without a waterproof mattress protector. Mattresses are a serious investment, and protecting that investment is pretty simple. Most mattress companies sell customized protectors that fit perfectly over their branded mattresses.