Futon Mattress Buying Guide

Decide how the futon is going to be used. A futon that will be placed in a guest room and used only occasionally will not require an expensive or high-end mattress. A futon that will be used regularly as a sofa, bed or both, should be given a higher quality mattress for comfort and durability.

Look at the thickness of the futon mattress. The minimum thickness for a futon mattress should be 6 inches. A thicker mattress will last longer, as solidly packed stuffing will take longer to break down. Thicker mattresses also tend to hold up better to body weight, making for a more comfortable sleep. Look for a thicker mattress for a futon that will be primarily used as a bed. Thick mattresses are also heavier and more bulky to move, something that should be considered when purchasing a mattress for a futon that will be converted from bed to sofa regularly.

Find out how the mattress was put together. A bench built mattress was assembled by hand and signifies the mattress is likely of better quality that one assembled by a machine. A single worker making a mattress will pay more attention to detail and notice errors that may not be caught in an alternative setting.

Find out what's inside the mattress. Mattresses constructed of 100 percent cotton are cheaper, but tend to be less comfortable and don't hold up to regular use for an extended period of time, as the cotton tends to separate and ball up. A cotton mattress with a foam core will still be relatively cheap, but the foam core adds softness, while allowing the mattress to hold its shape for a longer period of time. Mattresses made of a cotton and polyester blend are even softer and more durable. The higher the percentage of polyester versus cotton in the mattress, the softer the mattress will be, and the longer it will last. The most comfortable futon mattress is the innerspring mattress, although it is also more expensive. The innerspring mattress resembles a tradition mattress, and can be less flexible than other futon mattresses, creating a difficult conversion from bed to sofa.

Search for a mattress that was pre-compressed when stuffed. This ensures the stuffing will not shift after prolonged use, a common reason mattresses become thinner in time. Also, look for the mattress with the highest number of tuftings, the dimples in the mattresses, sometimes covered by buttons. Tufftings are made when a thread is inserted into one side of the mattress and extends through the other side, keeping the filling from moving around. The more tuftings, the better.

Look for a thick mattress cover. Mattresses covered in heavy muslin are more resistant to tears and holes.

Inspect the mattress' flexibility. If a mattress will be kept primarily as a bed, flexibility doesn't need to be a key factor in your decision. If the futon will often serve as a sofa, the mattress needs to easily fold into the sofa position. Foam and innerspring cores, designed for comfort and support, can sometimes make a mattress more difficult to fold.