What to Look for When Purchasing a Mattress

Size

• Size is the most basic consideration when buying a new mattress. One person may be comfortable in anything from a twin to the largest mattress model, while a couple has more to consider. A standard full bed is 54 inches across. While it can accommodate two adults, each gets significantly less space than sleeping solo in a 39-inch wide twin bed. Standard queens provide more room at 60 inches across, and standard kings are at 76 inches. There are numerous specialty types of each bed that increase width for more sleeping room or length for taller people. Some specialty beds, such as the California king, increase length but decrease width. Keep in mind that bed linens for specialty sizes tend to be harder to find and may be more expensive. Also remember to measure your door frames and stairways -- bigger beds may not fit through stairwells and hallways for delivery to your bedroom.

Coil Considerations

• Beds are constructed with a variety of inner materials, and the coil spring, or inner spring, is the most common of these. Tempered steel coils are covered by upholstery to provide support to sleepers. Generally, the more coils, the more support the bed provides. People who need extra support because of a chronic injury, weight or another reason may benefit from a higher number of coils. The thickness of the coils may affect your overall sleep comfort. The thicker the coils, the more support the bed provides. Beware of models with a low coil count but thick coils -- the bed quickly could become lumpy. Coils come in interlocking or independent models. Independent coils may help stabilize your side of the bed if your partner moves a lot or gets up in the middle of the night, while interlocking coils may provide a more stable bed by wiring the coils together; this also requires fewer coils to provide a stable mattress. Test several different configurations to decide what works best for you and your partner.

Quality Foam

• All-foam mattresses are another common type of material. Memory foam is a more advanced type of foam mattress. The foam should be thick enough to support your body weight or the combined body weight of the couple, without permanently sinking. The best way to gauge personal comfort is to visit showrooms in person and test the mattress.

Mattress Foundation

• Almost as important as the mattress is the foundation -- usually a box spring or platform. Mattresses are designed to work with specific foundations. Look for deals that include the proper foundation with your purchase. Resist the urge to save money by forgoing the foundation, as mattresses are likely to wear out quicker without the correct foundation.

Warranty

• Look for merchants that provide a good warranty for your purchase. The warranty should have a "sleep comfort" clause that allows you to return the mattress within a certain time frame if you find it uncomfortable. The warranty also should cover problems within a generous time frame, usually about 10 years. Carefully read through the warranty, as certain actions -- such as staining the mattress, removing the tag or failing to use the designated box spring or platform -- may void the guarantees.

Shopping Considerations

• With the myriad of choices available, a mattress is one purchase that calls for in-person research. What sounds comfortable online may lead to many sleepless nights. Even if you purchase the mattress online, test out models in person to get an idea of what you find most comfortable. The Better Sleep Council recommends the SLEEP acronym when purchasing a mattress: select a mattress, lie down in the sleeping position, evaluate the level of comfort and support, educate yourself about each selection, and partners should shop together.