Home Sleep Products Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

8 min.

7 June 2022

Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

Nothing can replicate the comfort of your own bedroom, mattress, and bathroom. Every time you are away from home, it must heighten the craving for sleeping in your own bed because it provides maximum support during my nighttime respite. For nine-to-five workers, the bed becomes a sanctuary. According to research conducted by the Emma Sleep Research Team, 39% of the UK population agree, and 16% strongly agree, with considering their bedroom a true sanctuary.   However, the bed mattress can lose its firmness due to time and usage. And there is truly nothing more dissatisfying than a lumpy mattress - maybe not “nothing” but pretty much.

Instead of compromising on your comfort, you should shop for a mattress that can help you wake up fresh every morning . Fortunately, there are various types of mattresses, and you buy the one that fits your needs. However, not everyone knows which mattress type is right for them. So, we are answering all your questions today to ensure you find the best mattress to rest your tired body.

Filippo Calderaro

How Often Should I Change My Mattress? 

Most people are oblivious to the fact that they have to change their mattress, let alone the frequency with which they have to change it.  Sleep experts suggest that you should buy a new mattress every five to ten years, making eight years mark the sweet spot. However, it all boils down to usage, firmness, and support. Even if your mattress has not hit its eighth birthday, you need to change it if it’s showing these signs:

  • Creates back or neck pain.
  • Restlessness while sleeping paired with frequently waking up during the night.
  • Feeling too hot or cold.
  • Signs of dust allergy and pimples break out on the face.

You can even increase your mattress lifetime by adding a topper. A flip mattress topper will also make your bed more comfortable, regulate temperature, and protect it from external factors. 

What Are The Different Types Of Mattresses? Which One Is Best For Me?

Going to the mattress store, you will come across a lot of mattress types. This is confusing for most people as they have very low experience in mattress shopping. Let’s talk about different mattress types and their benefits.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are in high demand because they contour according to body shape. This feature provides maximum support to the body, elevating the comfort level. It is perfect for side sleepers as it keeps the neck and spine correctly aligned.

You can buy Emma’s original mattress which has three layers of pressure-relieving memory foam. It has Airgocell,  a temperature regulating tech to keep the body cool and dry. Moreover, Airgocell instantly removes sweat and moisture to prolong the mattress's life.

Innerspring

The innerspring mattress is also known as a coil mattress because the foam is internally supported by metal springs. The coil and spring layer increase airflow and prevent overheating during sleep. The springs come in two shapes, open springs and pocket sprung springs. The mattress quality, firmness, and durability depend on the shape of the springs. Open coil springs are made from high tensile steel and wound into hundred springs that connect through a wire rod. It is available in three firmness levels, soft, medium, and firmer.

Pocket sprung mattresses have multiple pockets and each pocket has springs sewn into them. Due to this, each pocket reacts independently according to the body weight. These mattresses help align the spine and are better than an open coil spring mattress.

Water Bed

Water beds were invented to prevent bedsores in paralyzed and bedridden patients. Back in the day, they were literally filled using a garden hose. Now they are constructed from soft polyvinyl chloride and have multiple tubes that are filled with water. Vinyl, foam, and fibres limit the water movement to offer additional support. Water beds are designed to mimic the movement waves which calm the muscles and ensure peaceful sleep throughout the night.

Air Bed

Like their name, air beds are filled with air instead of springs or other materials. An air mattress or a blow-up bed is an inflatable mattress manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or textile-reinforced urethane plastic or rubber. You can deflate it to store or carry it with you while travelling. If you live in a big city and don’t have a ton of apartment space, buying this mattress is the right decision. Moreover, you can afford it on a low budget.

Adjustable Base Mattress

The adjustable base mattress is great for people who need elevation while sleeping. These bases can adjust to raise the head and feet areas to provide maximum back support. The adjustable base mattress is designed for people suffering from sleep-related problems. It is also good for reducing muscle aches, acid reflux, back pain, and sleep apnea.

Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses are a combination of coil springs and memory foam. This mattress removes the “sinking in” sensation that is normal to feel in memory foam, so it keeps the body on top of the mattress to relieve pressure from the muscles. The springs in a hybrid mattress are covered with a thick layer of memory foam to reduce noise and bounce. Besides, it has more breathability, which improves temperature regulation. 

Emma’s hybrid mattress, for example, has 5 Zone CarbonFlex Springs to promote spine alignment with the neck. The combination of high-quality springs and 6 layer mattress provides comfort and support through the night. 

How Firm Should My Mattress Be?

Mattresses have three firmness levels as people prefer different foam densities.

  • Soft: Soft mattresses have up to three inches of sinkage. They are ideal for side sleepers, but they are rated 3 out of 10 on comfort level.
  • Medium: 71% of the population prefer medium firmness mattresses and they are rated 6 out of 10. It is suitable for side, stomach, and back sleepers.
  • Firm: The final level offers minimum sinkage and is the most preferred type of foam. People rate it 8 out of 10.

What’s The Best Mattress For People With Back Pain?

Sleeping on the right mattress can alleviate pressure from muscles, align the spine with the neck, and reduce back pain. However, there is no clear-cut mattress option for people with back pain as every person is different. Therefore, you should try out different options in the shop before making a purchase.

What Is A Bed Base, And How Often Do I Need To Change It?

The bed base is responsible for supporting your mattress and distributing the body weight evenly. Sagging or lumps in the middle of the mattress are signs of a bad base. Normally, you should change the bed base every 3-5 years but in case of signs of damage, you’d be better off changing it immediately.

Happy Mattress Shopping

Now you are ready to buy a mattress that will provide ultimate comfort. Make sure to take care of your mattress by placing a topper on the mattress surface. Moreover, don't forget to replace your mattress on time to always enjoy a good night’s sleep. 

More from Sunrise by Emma

If you want to learn more about how you can better take care of your sleep products or what to buy for better sleep, you can look no further than here at Sunrise by Emma where we've got a section dedicated for talking about all things sleep items. We've also got tons of tips related to sleep wellness and if you're looking for more, you can also head on over to Emma UK for quality mattresses and pillows that can give you ca better night's sleep each night.

Filippo is a passionate neuroscientist dedicated to exploring the many interdisciplinary mysteries around sleep.

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