How to Test a Mattress Before Purchase

You spend a third of your life sleeping on your mattress so it’s safe to say that it’s an important purchase. When looking at mattresses, you ought to do your research and move forward with prudence. But how do you know which mattress is right for you? What steps can you take to ensure you won’t be unhappy with your purchase? Here we’ll review how to test a mattress before buying it so you can avoid that painful situation.

First things first, when you visit the mattress store, you’ll want to lie on the beds for a good 10-15 minutes each. While you’re lying there you can assess things like pressure points and motion transfer, and of course, the comfort level of the bed. Try to lay in different positions that mimic how you’d sleep. When testing the mattress, you should consider things like:

Comfort: How soft or firm the mattress feels is a big factor in comfort. You can't rely on firmness labels, which can vary between brands, so be sure you lie down on the mattress to test it. Talk to the salesperson about feel and what your needs are. Do you have pain anywhere? Do you need lumbar support? Do you like firm or plush?

Support: The mattress should keep your body in a good position for sleep, especially your back. Checking for support and spinal alignment by lying on the mattress in different positions is vital. Proper support is essential for a comfortable sleep, while inadequate support can lead to various issues like muscle aches, back pain, and disrupted sleep.

Size: The mattress should be big enough for you and your partner to sleep on comfortably. Keep in mind your base and/or bed frame when reviewing the mattress size.

Materials: Mattresses are made from a variety of materials these days, including latex, memory foam, gel-infused foam, coil, innersprings and cotton or wool. You can also find hybrid options, which means the mattress has multiple layers of differing materials and generally combines the features of foam and innersprings. Ask the salesperson to explain the features and benefits of each mattress’s materials. Mattress materials have a lot to do with the temperature of the bed. Memory foam, for example, tends to trap heat so if you want to sleep cool you should avoid it. Be sure to ask your salesperson about temperature regulation.

Motion Transfer: The right level of comfort and padding in a motion-isolating mattress can significantly reduce pressure points, minimizing tossing and turning and ensuring fewer aches and pains upon waking up. See how the mattress feels when your partner moves and if it’s still comfortable. This will assist you in evaluating how effectively the mattress reduces motion transfer.

Edge Support: Sit on the edge of the mattress to assess the feel of edge-to-edge support. It shouldn’t feel like you are going to slide or slip off of it.

Warranty: A good mattress should come with a warranty that covers full replacement or non-prorated repairs for at least 10 years. All manufacturers differ in terms of warranty offerings so be sure to ask.

It’s crucial to choose a mattress for your specific body type that suits your personal needs and accommodates you in all the right places. The way you sleep significantly impacts how the mattress affects your comfort, so choose wisely based on your preferred sleeping positions.

Remember to try several mattresses with different firmness levels and made from different materials to find the one that suits you best. Don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson about features, materials, and warranties on the mattresses. Before buying, always ask about the store’s return and exchange policy and if there’s a sleep trial period.

Stop by Sleep Architecture Mattress Store anytime; our sleep architects are eager to help you find your ideal sleep solution and answer any questions you may have. Call us at 330-954-8007 or visit us in Barrington Town Square anytime! See our mattresses and bases before you come in at www.sleeparchitecturemattress.com.