How to Pick a New Mattress

Set a budget for your mattress. A good mattress can cost from several hundred to thousands of dollars. By setting a budget in advance, you won't get “mattress happy” when you are in the mattress store and buy a mattress that is going to set you back financially.

Use a measuring tape to take the measurements of your current box spring (base) your mattress is sitting on. If you are sure your old mattress and box spring are the same size, you can just take the measurements for the mattress instead. This will prevent you from having to move the mattress. Write down your measurements and take them with you to the mattress store.

Take your sleeping partner with you to the mattress store. Both of you need to be satisfied with the new mattress.

Check the size of any mattress you are interested in. Make sure the measurement complements the measurement of your box spring. Check the price on the mattress to make sure it is within your established budget.

Ask the salesman whether or not the mattress comes with a warranty. Most of them will come with a 10-year warranty. If the one you are interested in does not have a warranty, move on to one that does.

Read the label on the mattress to ensure it meets the fire safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The label should clearly state the mattress meets the federal flammability requirement. If you don't see this on the label, move on to another mattress.

Lay on the mattress with your partner to see how it feels your back and the rest of your body. The mattress should not be too firm or too soft. A mattress that is too firm does not allow enough flexibility for your spine. If it is too soft, it will provide too much flexibility. Stay on the mattress for a few minutes to get a good feel for it.

Stretch out on the mattress in the same positions you normally sleep in. If you find your feet are hanging off the mattress, you need to find a larger size. If you or your partner is taking up more than half of the mattress, choose a larger mattress. The mattress should also be at least 4 to 6 inches longer than the tallest person sleeping in the bed.

Research to find the lowest price for the mattress you want to purchase. This may require walking away from the store to do online research or visiting other stores to check their prices on the same mattress. By doing your research, you are equipped to negotiate a lower price with the mattress salesman. If the salesman is not willing to negotiate, go to another store that will.