How to Pick the Right Mattress For You and Save Money Too

Picking the Right Mattress

• 1

  Determine the size of bed you want: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king or California king. Use your current bed frame if it is the same size.

• 2

  Lie down on beds with different comfort levels. Try one or two of each: firm, plush, pillow-top, Euro-top, adjustable air, memory foam, latex and water-filled to determine which level of comfort feels best to you.

• 3

  Try out a number of beds with the comfort level that feels best to you initially. Put a pillow under your head, take off your shoes and lie in the position you normally sleep in at night. Lie down on each mattress for at least 15 minutes to get an accurate feel for how comfortable the bed is.

• 4

  Check that the bed gives you adequate support and properly aligns your spine. A good mattress will gently support all points of your body. Pay special attention to the heavier parts of your body: hips, shoulders and lower back. Inadequate support will give you back pain and support that is too rigid will create uncomfortable pressure points.

Saving Money

• 5

  Shop during the sales; most mattress stores have deep discounts around Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

• 6

  Negotiate the price with the sales person. Shopping for a mattress is like shopping for a car. Be firm and don't back down when asking for a lower price. Walk out of the store if the sales person doesn't offer you a lower price when you ask for one. If he can't, someone else will.

• 7

  Ask about the warranty and return policy. Some stores do not accept returns or charge high fees to return a mattress if you get the bed home and decide it is not the right one.

• 8

  Pay with cash or a check rather than using a credit card or store financing to avoid incurring interest.

• 9

  Pick out the most comfortable mattress at a store, then purchase it online. Write down the manufacturer name, model name and number, coil count and other descriptive information from the tag at the store.

• 10

  Take the mattress home yourself with a pickup truck rather than pay a delivery fee.

• 11

  Select a lower cost mattress with good support and add an inexpensive memory foam pillow top mattress topper from a discount retailer.