With a third of most people's lives being spent asleep, a new mattress is a very important purchase. However, making that purchase is not an easy task given the wide array of choices available at the average furniture store, let alone the choices available online. Not everyone will have the budget for the latest and best in mattress technology, how then are they to make a choice? There are lots of myths out there about mattresses, many of which are from salespeople; in order to find the right mattress within one's budget, it is necessary to know what these myths are and the truth about what makes for a good night's sleep.

Mattress Myths

Mattress Myths and Facts

1. Firmer is Automatically Better

There is no medical evidence that a firmer mattress is better for the sleeper's spine or provides better sleep. It is true that firm mattresses were once promoted by orthopaedists for back health, but studies that are more recent indicate that firmness is not necessarily helpful. An overly firm mattress may provide unequal support and result in discomfort at the body's heaviest points. The ideal firmness of a mattress also varies based on the sleeper’s body weight. For example, the requirements are different for an individual weighing 20 stone than for someone who weighs considerably less.

2. More Expensive Equals Better Sleep

As with most manufactured products, price with mattresses is not necessarily an indicator of quality. Some mattress companies spend a lot of money on advertising to create an impression of extraordinary comfort and luxury without spending as much on the materials used to make the mattresses. When choosing a mattress, it is more important to look at the quality of the materials and of the finished product than at advertising.

3. Coil Count is Important

It is, but within reason; in most cases, more coils do not make much of a difference. A mattress with a coil count above 390 will probably be enough for most people. The coil count is just one part of the support provided by a mattress; also important are the size of the coils and the material used to make them. A mattress may have more coils but less steel support than one with larger coils.

4. A Good Mattress Will Prevent Tossing and Turning

Moving while asleep is normal unless it interrupts sleep. Unless the sleeper awakes with sore muscles or has trouble sleeping, the fact that they toss and turn does not necessarily indicate a problem with the mattress.

5. Mattress Covers Improve the Comfort of the Mattress

The materials used to make the exterior of the mattress (silk etc.) are not especially important since they are usually underneath the covers anyway. In most cases, the more expensive materials are simply not worth the additional cost.

6. A Mattress is Fine, Unless it Sags

The truth is that a mattress may need to be replaced well before it gets to the point of sagging. Over time, the foam can become compressed and changes in the sleeper's weight will gradually alter the ability of the mattress to provide support. As the mattress wears out, it will become less comfortable and should be replaced.

7. It is Important to Buy New Base at the Same Time

A salesperson may try to get a shopper to buy a base to go along with the mattress, but it is not always necessary to replace both base and mattress at the same time. However, it should be noted that when switching from an innerspring mattress to a memory foam one, it is best to have a solid Base and not a standard divan bed. Restful sleep depends on a range of factors like the temperature of the room and the sleeper's stress level, but the quality of the surface on which they sleep is arguably the most important. Becoming knowledgeable about the different options available is one of the most important steps in purchasing the right mattress.

Mattress News

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Simon Johnson is dedicated to the Perfect Nights Sleep at My Next Mattress