8 Expert Mattress Buying Tips to Find the PERFECT Mattress for You

Buying a new mattress doesn’t have to be rocket science. Check our top tips to discover how to find the right mattress for you.  

Buying a new mattress is a big deal. We get it. You’re going to be sleeping on it for years, so it’s important to choose the right one. 

But how exactly do you know what mattress is best for you? With so many options out there, a quick search online can turn into hours of trawling through websites, wondering which one to spring for! Get it? Like box springs? Anyway, moving on...

Mattresses in a box. Mattresses for back pain. “Green” mattresses. What on earth is a hybrid mattress?

We can't blame you if your mind starts to boggle just a little bit. It can be hard to pick your way through all the information. 

Obviously we take sleep seriously here at SLEEP365, so we’ve put together our top tips for choosing a mattress, to cut through all the noise so you can find the best mattress for you.

 

1. One-Size-Fits-All doesn’t apply to mattresses.

The way you sleep, how hot you get at night, your body shape... All of these things and more will feed into your choice of mattress. Mattresses are about to get personal!

This means that no one mattress is best, so beware if you are looking at a company that offers a single type of mattress, claiming it suits everyone. One size does not fit all. 

Our approach is to provide a balanced selection of mattresses to help every kind of sleeper find what's best for them, without feeling overwhelmed. 

Pro Tip: Think about what you need from your mattress before you start shopping, so that you can narrow the field and focus only on the ones that fit your criteria. 

 

2. Your personal sleep position matters.

You can sleep on your side, on your back, splayed out like a starfish, curled into a tiny ball, or even upside down on your head! Just make sure that your choice of mattress can actually support your preferred sleeping position.

Seriously, though, take a moment and think about how you sleep at night. What positions are most comfortable and natural for you? This will go a long way toward helping you decide on how firm your mattress needs to be. 

• Back Sleepers — A medium-firm mattress is a good bet. You want something that will keep everything in alignment, so that your back isn’t taking the strain while you sleep. Our Presidio Organic Latex Mattress could be your perfect match, with two luscious latex layers offering both support and comfort. Another great option is our SOMA Organic Hybrid Mattress, which is a perfect solution for back sleeping with a slightly softer feel.

• Stomach Sleepers — A firm mattress is ideal as any sagging in your midsection could wreak havoc on your lower back. The Presidio would still do the trick to provide firm support without being overly hard.  
• Side Sleepers — You’ll likely need some padding to relieve the pressure on your hips and shoulders. Our Sunset Organic Hybrid Mattress is ideal for this. It provides great comfort, with a layer of soft (yet strong!) latex. Plus, it comes with a layer of flexible, individually wrapped support coils, offering an excellent amount of support that melts around those key pressure points. And you can add a cozy-soft 2” Organic Latex Topper for an ultra-plush feel. Talk about heavenly!

Some people are a little bit of everything — starting out on their sides, maybe, before rolling onto their stomach or back, in order to get into a deep sleep. If this describes you, we recommend making sure that you have a highly supportive mattress, with a layer of cushioning and padding that you can sleep on any which way you like. Our Presidio Organic Latex Mattress with a 2” Organic Latex Topper, for example, is a perfect choice for hybrid sleepers like you! This combo will provide you with firm support for stomach sleeping and a plush cushioned surface for side sleeping, and everything in between.

Pro Tip: Think about how you like to sleep and look for a mattress that has been designed to provide the right support in the right places. 

 

3. Find a mattress that fits your body type.

Beautiful bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Our unique and personal differences make this world a wonderful place. Our body types also make us better suited to some mattress types than others.

Depending on your size and shape and sleeping position, you may need something that's more soft or more firm. So, look for a mattress that allows your body to stay aligned properly while lying down.

If you have a weak mattress, you'll sag into it like you're stuck in a hammock. Great for chilling at the beach — not so great for your back! But, if your mattress has no give at all, it can shove your hips and shoulders upward and cause aches, pains and even arm numbness from poor circulation. 

Our Presidio Organic Latex Mattress is a great choice for body types that need extra support, since it has a firm latex core. Plus, it still has plenty of comfort from the softer latex comfort layer as well. Latex works especially well because it conforms and supports all at the same time for near-perfect ergonomics. The SLEEP365 2” Organic Latex Topper pairs amazingly well with the Presidio if you happen to be a side sleeper with a larger body type.  

Naturally, body shape is important as well. For individuals with broad shoulders or wider hips, you may want something that's a little more plush, in order to conform to every curve, as well as relieve pressure points. For this, we recommend our Sunset Organic Hybrid Mattress. Add a 2” Organic Latex Topper for additional cushioning if you like a really soft mattress.

Pro Tip: Look for a mattress that fits your body type and shape for the best sleep night after night.

 

4. Breathable mattresses stay cool through hot nights.

Getting steamy in the bedroom is not so fun when you're actually trying to rest. Feeling all hot and sweaty during the night can cause fitful sleep, and this certainly isn't helped by sticky synthetic foam mattresses that can restrict air flow.  

To avoid this, pick a luxury mattress made with premium materials and go with the bedding experts, who know that natural materials make the highest quality mattresses. The mattresses from SLEEP365 include cool ingredients like:

• Open-cell organic latex
• Moisture-wicking organic wool padding
• Dreamy organic cotton covers
• Beautifully breathable fabric for all-night comfort

Remember way back above when we mentioned a “hybrid mattress”? This is the new name for the traditional inner-spring mattress made up of a combination of support coils and layers of cushioning. Our SOMA and Sunset hybrid models are a fresh take on an old classic, and they provide all the breathability you need for great sleep each and every night.

Takeaway tip: If you sleep hot, steer clear of synthetic mattresses and mattresses containing memory foam. Instead, look for those made with natural materials.

 

5. Take your allergies and asthma into consideration.

From hay fever to asthma, keeping it hypoallergenic can go a long way to helping you sleep better with an allergy. Natural materials that reduce allergy triggers, such as dust mites or mold, are your best bet for a healthier night.

You’ll love the organic wool we use for padding in our mattresses, as it works wonders to lock away any moisture, making it extra-resistant to allergens that can upset your sleep.

Takeaway tip: You should always use a high quality mattress pad or protector to help keep skin cells and allergens from collecting on or in your mattress. Skin cell are dust mites favorite food. But they won’t party where there ain’t no munchies. However, you do need to remember to take it off and wash it to really combat those little suckers and keep your sleep environment at maximum cleanliness.

6. Your mattress can help you ignore restless bedfellows.

Ugh, there's nothing worse than feeling every toss and turn your partner makes in their sleep. Or the bounce of the bed if they get up to use the bathroom in the night. Or the shock of your kids or pets jumping in next to you while you’re trying to sleep. The list goes on...

Many companies these days claim that their mattresses will reduce motion transfer but check how they deliver on those promises. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you can go too far the other way and end up with something that deadens all movement, to the point where turning over is a huge effort! 

But, what if a mattress could truly limit all that jiggling and shaking without unnecessary stiffness?

Our solution? We use motion-absorbing organic latex in our mattresses, paired with individually wrapped coils that move independently and articulate gracefully to the curvature of your body for ultimate support and motion reduction. This ensures just the right amount of give for a comfortable night, without feeling every movement from the other side of the bed. 

Takeaway tip: While motion transfer has become a big thing, it's worth remembering that your first focus should be on finding the right support and comfort for your needs. When you do, both sides of the bed will experience better, undisturbed sleep. (Also, spoiler alert: nothing's gonna save you from the shock of your kids leaping on you at 5AM on Christmas morning...)

 

7. There’s a premium mattress for every budget.

Many people looking at new mattresses come across the same issue: sticker shock. In other words, even the more economical end of the mattress market can feel like a lot of money to spend all at once.

As with anything else, of course, the problem with opting for a “budget mattress” to save a little money today will end up costing you down the line — in a lot of ways.

Why is this the case? Well, a cheap mattress has to be made from cheap, synthetic materials that aren't made to last and aren't as good for you, in order to keep the price down. The issue here comes down the road, when you end up paying for it with less sleep, more fitful nights, increased aches and pains, and more. Adding insult to injury? You’ll likely have to replace a cheap mattress much faster than a premium one.

With all of this in mind, when you head out to buy your new mattress, think of it like you would a car: Yes, it is an investment. But the best models perform beautifully for a long time to come and end up paying for themselves in comfort, longevity, and quality of life.

Pro Tip: Given that sleep is one of the most important things we can do to improve our wellbeing (and that we spend a third of our lives in bed!), it is oh-so worth investing in a high quality mattress. 

8. Green mattresses are ALWAYS better (and no, we don’t mean the color!).

For us at SLEEP365®, this is a no-brainer. As you can see from everything we’ve discussed here today, a great mattress needs to do a lot of things incredibly well. At the same time, a truly premium mattress also needs to be eco-friendly.

Here’s why...

Traditional mattresses have a terribly destructive impact on the environment – from the materials used to make them, to the manufacturing methods, to what happens when they reach the end of their life cycle.

We’d rather steer clear of this at all costs. So, we make sure every step of our process is as sustainable as possible.

To achieve this, we ensure that all of our mattresses are made from carefully sourced, high quality organic materials. Plus, they’re compiled without any toxic raw materials. Happily, those all-natural ingredients also make for ideal sleep, giving you the perfect foundation for great nights, years to come.

Pro Tip: An organic mattress is better for you and better for the planet. But with many companies claiming to be “green,” check those credentials to be really sure what you are getting. 

Buying a mattress can feel like rocket science. There’s just so much to consider!

Thankfully, the tips on this page can help you expertly choose the best mattress in no time. We hope that you find these tips immensely useful, but if you still have any questions, please don’t be shy! Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to spend as much time as necessary to help you find the best mattress for you.