Choosing the right mattress is one of the most important decisions we make. Our health depends upon getting a restful sleep, as much as it depends upon the food we eat and the exercise we get. We spend over 30% of our lives sleeping, so finding the right balance of support and comfort in a mattress is a key to good health.
The good news is that the days of flipping your mattress over are history! If you’re tired of flipping mattresses, now is the time to replace your old set. Most mattresses made today do not require flipping top to bottom at all. A periodic turn of head to foot is all you need to do.
Always try before you buy a mattress. If it doesn’t feel good to you in the store, it won’t be comfortable to sleep on at home. You should take your time and lay on the mattress at least fifteen minutes, before you make a deal.
Does warranty matter? Yes, but not as much as you might think. Most mattresses today have at least a ten year warranty. The only mattresses that might not have at least this ten year warranty are the entry-level, most basic mattresses, costing about $300. The entry-level sets are fine for the short term, but don’t expect them to be comfortable for very long. You can easily pay as much as $6000 for a top mattress set, with warranties of twenty or more years. A good mid-range mattress set has at least a ten year warranty term, and can be purchased for under $2000.
Stearns amp; Foster is the nation’s oldest mattress manufacturer. This company has earned its reputation for making fine, hand crafted products. They use quality materials and pay attention to details. The Stearns amp; Foster Oxford Street Euro Pillowtop mattress set costs about $1600, and has a comfort life of at least sixteen years – meaning that it should feel as comfortable to sleep on as it did when it was brand new.
Spring Air has been around for over eighty years, and has a good reputation for a quality product. The Spring Air Wavecrest Super Pillowtop mattress set costs about $1000, and features memory foam within its eleven layers over its 500+ coil spring core. Memory foam products have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Sealy began from an invention by a cotton gin builder in Sealy, Texas, in the early 1880’s and is now the largest bedding manufacturer in North America. The Sealy Spring-free Posturepedic Mattress costs approximately $1800 and carries a twenty year warranty.
Note that you are not married to the sticker price of any mattress set. The sales clerk welcomes your bargaining, much like a car dealer does.If they can’t come down on the mattress price, they will probably compromise by giving you free delivery ($50-$200 value) and a free bed frame ($30-$150 value). Additionally, be sure to ask about their company’s financing options. They’ll ask you to complete a financial application, and often offer 0% interest for a 12 to 18 month payment plan. Bedding stores also carry sheets sets and pillows, so while you’re bargaining, be sure to ask if they can give you a discount on any of those items along with your mattress purchase.
Bedding amp; furniture stores often have a recycling program. They might take your old mattress set away for free, and then donate it to a charity that provides bedding for those in need. This service can save you a lot of hassle and can help the community and environment. The delivery service may even provide you with a charitable donation receipt, as they leave you with your new mattress and take away the old one. It’s a win-win situation for all when an old item gets a new life, instead of just going to the dump.
Stearns amp; Foster, Spring Air, and Sealy are just a few of the good mattress manufacturers to choose from. The bottom line is to choose what best fits your budget comfort and your physical comfort. Most furniture or bedding stores carry these popular models for these three brands, so it is easy to compare them side-by-side. The manufacturers noted here are all old American companies that continue to provide quality products worth trying out when you shop for your next mattress set.