Mattress Buyer's Guide

Planning

• Use your old mattress as a yardstick. If you found it comfortable, look for a similar mattress. If you didn't like it, avoid making the same mistake. Look for a different firmness, size or type of mattress.

  Measure your bed frame before you shop to ensure you will be getting the right size. If purchasing a new bed, consider how much personal sleeping space you will want and how large your bedroom is. Standard mattresses sizes are twin (39 inches wide by 75 or 80 inches long), full (54 inches wide by 75 inches long), queen (60 inches wide by 80 inches long), king (76 inches wide by 80 inches long) and California king (72 inches wide by 84 inches long).

Considerations

• Try the different types of mattresses on the market today. You might be pleasantly surprised with the comfort level of memory foam, modern air mattresses or pillow top design.

  If you're buying a coil mattress, don't be overly concerned with coil count or configuration, warns The Better Sleep Council in its Mattress Buying Guide. More coils or unusual configurations don't guarantee better quality. Instead, look for superior materials, such as tempered steel coils, with quality upholstery that will provide a good cushion and insulation.

  Buy the best mattress that you can afford. This is not a time to compromise comfort for a bargain. Saving a few dollars may seem tempting, but you won't think it was worth it after waking up grumpy and achy for the next few years. If you're not in love with it when you try it at the store, don't buy it just because it has an attractive price tag.

Shopping

• Seek reputable dealers with helpful, knowledgeable salespeople. If your salesperson can't answer your questions satisfactorily, or is too busy to wait on you properly, consider shopping elsewhere.
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  Prepare to test mattresses when shopping. Dress in comfortable clothing, preferably slacks, with shoes that are easy to remove. If you are sharing the mattress with a partner, you should shop together.

  Lay on the mattresses in the positions you are accustomed to sleeping. Pay attention to how your body feels when you test each mattress. When you lay on a mattress, your posture should be aligned, with your ear, shoulder, hip and ankle in line, according to Dr. Steve Goninan of Integrity Chiropractic. Your lower back, shoulders and hips should feel comfortably supported and relaxed on the mattress as well.

Purchasing

• Inquire about the manufacturer's warranty, and ask the store if it provides any additional warranty. Some stores offer a "comfort guarantee" that will allow you to exchange the mattress if you find you are not satisfied with it. Get all warranties and guarantees in writing.

  Ask about delivery and assembly if you are purchasing a new bed. Some stores will haul away your old mattress for you as well. Some will offer these services for free, others will charge a fee. However, without a truck, transporting and disposing of a mattress can be difficult and you may find it worth the investment.