The thought of snuggling up on a brand new, cosy mattress can make it tempting to rush the mattress shopping process. Though it may be a challenge, try to resist that urge as much as possible. A mattress is an important investment in your home, health, and even your relationship. Shopping for a new one, then, requires careful consideration.

Thankfully, we’ve developed this guide to make online mattress shopping easier. Begin your journey to comfier sleep here, as we address the various factors you should consider when shopping for the best mattress!

Mattresses aren’t cheap, which is why most people wait to replace their mattress until they truly need to. But how do you know when that time has come? Here are some tell-tale signs:

• You’ve had it for nearly a decade – In general, the lifespan of a mattress is between 7 and 10 years, depending on your sleeping and maintenance habits. Sleep position, body weight, whether you sleep alone or with a partner, and how often you clean your mattress all factor into your mattress lifespan.
• You’re beginning to feel “potholes” – After you’ve had your mattress for a while, you’ll begin to notice sagging in the areas that support the most weight. This is a sign your mattress is no longer providing the support you need.
• You wake up feeling sore – Your mattress should relieve discomfort, not cause it! Aches and pains, especially around the neck and lumbar region, may mean your mattress is failing to keep your spine aligned.
• You’re suffering from allergies – Over time, mattresses collect dust mites, germs, microbes, and bacteria, which is why you should clean them as often as possible. When steaming, vacuuming, and flipping no longer succeed at removing allergens, it is time to get a new mattress.

The most important part of mattress shopping is identifying the features you need. This makes it easier to weed out the models that won’t serve you so you can spend more time focused on the best mattress matches for you.

Sleeping Positions

• Side Sleepers – Side sleepers exert the greatest amount of pressure on mattresses, especially in the shoulder and hip zones. As a result, they need a mattress that responds to high pressure. Hybrid mattresses with pocket coils are the best mattresses for these sleepers. The individual coils respond to different pressure levels across the body so that sleepers get the support they need all over.
• Stomach Sleepers – The primary concerns for stomach sleepers are spinal arching and neck straining. These sleepers should look for firm mattresses that will help maintain healthy spinal alignment, thus preventing soreness in the neck and lumbar regions, according to certain opinions.
• Back sleepers – Sleeping on your back is the best way to keep your spine in a neutral alignment. To stay comfy while in this position, choose a mattress with a moderate amount of give. Memory foam mattresses with soft to medium firmness are an excellent choice.

Health Concerns

• Chronic Pain – Those who suffer from pain may want a mattress that is supportive of their body.
• Allergies & Sensitive Skin – Sleepers with allergies or sensitive skin should look for organic and natural mattresses that free of synthetic materials that may irritate. Most latex mattresses will to the trick.
• Heavy Weight – The top-rated mattresses for larger-bodied sleepers feature a high-level of support and an above-average depth. A firm hybrid mattress would be a good choice.

Couples

Partners shopping for a mattress together have even more factors to consider. For example, do you prefer to sleep cuddled up close or with plenty of space on both sides of the bed? This will determine the size of mattress you need. Other features couples should look for include motion and noise cancellation to make sure they don’t wake each other while tossing and turning in the night.

Finally, two bodies mean twice as much body heat, so couples should choose a heat-regulating mattress like Simba. Simba’s patented cooling foam and microspring technology effectively wick heat away.

Mattresses come in an enormous variety of constructions featuring different kinds of foams, springs, or a combination of both. Many of the best mattresses in 2020 feature cutting-edge technology and proprietary materials with funny names, but don’t let the jargon confuse you. Most mattresses can still be separated into four essential categories: memory foam, hybrid, latex, and innerspring.

Memory Foam

Memory foam, or viscoelastic foam, is a high-density foam that responds to your body’s heat weight, and shape. It offers body-contouring comfort and good support and pressure-relief. Choose memory foam if you like to feel cradled as you sleep. A memory foam mattress, like the Nectar mattress, is also a good option for couples, as it successfully reduces noise and motion transfer.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses feature a combination of memory foam or latex and springs. The top layers mould to the body for cosy comfort, while the spring base layer provides enhanced support, pressure relief, and airflow. Modern hybrid mattresses, such as the Dreamcloud mattress, have replaced traditional innersprings with individually-wrapped pocket coils, which offer better-targeted support. Hybrid mattresses tend to be much sturdier and reliable, so choose one if you want a mattress that will last longer.

Latex

Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses in the type of comfort and support they offer. The main difference is that latex is 100% natural, and therefore, more expensive. It is also naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and cooling. Latex mattresses are the best mattresses for those with sensitive skin, allergies, and those who prefer eco-friendly constructions.

Innerspring

Innersprings are interconnected coils strung together with wires to maintain their form. Many traditional mattresses featured innersprings as their primary material. These days, however, innerspring mattresses have been almost entirely replaced by foam and hybrid mattresses, both of which offer better support, softer comfort, and less noise and motion transfer. Still, some brands do sell innerspring mattresses as a low-cost alternative.

Most UK sleep brands offer mattresses in the five standard UK mattresses sizes. Some also offer select EU sizes. If you already have a bed frame, be sure to verify its dimensions before you begin shopping for a new mattress.

Here are the dimensions for all the mattresses sizes you may come across.

• Single – 90 cm x 190 cm
• Small Double – 120 cm x 190 cm
• Double – 135 cm x 190 cm
• King – 150 cm x 200 cm
• Super King – 180 cm x 200 cm
• EU Single – 90 cm x 200 cm
• EU Double – 140 cm x 200 cm
• EU King – 160 cm x 200 cm

In addition to your sleep needs and preferences, there are certain logistical factors you must also consider when shopping for a mattress. To make sure you leave no stone unturned, ask yourself these questions before coming to a decision.

• Is there free shipping? A mid-range mattress could end up costing the same as a luxury mattress if shipping is not free.
• Is there a home trial period? Make sure you have enough time to test out your mattress before making a commitment.
• Can I try before I buy in a mattress store near me? Some brands, like Eve Sleep, have showrooms around the UK where customers can test out mattresses before purchasing online.
• What is the return policy? Is there a moneyback guarantee? Are you responsible for shipping returns?
• Is there a warranty? Verify that you are covered in case of normal wear and tear.
• Is it easy to care for? Some mattresses, like the Emma, feature a removable mattress cover that is easy to clean so your mattress stays fresh.

Many people prefer to buy their mattresses online, and it’s no wonder why. Shopping online eliminates all the hassle of shopping in mattress stores. It is also easier to browse different mattresses and to better research the benefits of each model. Plus, sites like ours make it easy to compare all of the top-rated mattresses in one place.

Shopping online also saves customers a pretty penny. By buying directly from the brands, you cut out the cost of the middle man. It is also easier to monitor and take advantage of mattress sales.