Elizabeth Mayhew of the Today Show gives a primer on mattress shopping, including the basics on types of mattresses, cost differences, what to look for, and when to replace your old one. “If you are a couple, shop together and if possible bring your pillows with you. Make sure you lie on a mattress for at least 10 minutes in your normal sleep position. Cuddle on it, and engage in light foreplay through your street clothes.” Okay, we made up that last sentence.
About innerspring vesus foam mattresses, she writes, “Neither is better, it’s just about personal preference,” but you can expect to pay considerably more for foam, “at least $1000 for a queen mattress.”
You should also be careful to not “let a salesperson convince you that a mattress is good based on the number of coils it has — it’s not important. What is important is the gauge of the wire the coils are made from.” The lower the gauge of a coil, the thicker it is, and the thicker the coil the firmer the mattress. In other words, a 12-gauge coil mattress is going to provide more support than a 14-gauge coil mattress.
“Tricks of the trade: Shopping for a mattress” [MSNBC]
(Photo: Getty)
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New Yorkers looking for high-quality, local hand-built mattresses check out: [www.chbeckley.com] Made in the BX, y’all!
sorry for the double post! thought my first one disappeared…
So you have to put cushions, however light, over the spring system. So? It’s worked for many people, it works now for a lot of people, and it’s worked for a long time. Springs make sense to me …
As I am still semi-young and not yet have to worry about a partner, I don’t have to worry so much about the crazy-expensive mattresses especially of the soft variety. Heck, before I went off to college my ‘bed’ was one of those cheap $10 foam mattress toppers on the floor in the corner of a room. Best sleep I’ve ever had – extra-extra firm for the win!
@Rode2008: While it’s no steamroller, I somewhat regularly get to crush up mattress and box springs with a skid steer. To be honest, even even the crappiest mattresses take the abuse pretty well. Just driving back a forth over them does pretty much nothing that’s apparent from the outside. To do some damage I usually have to pin it with the teeth of the bucket against the pavement and drag/ tear. On the other hand, box springs do yield a very satisfying crunch, as do sofas.
@snoop-blog: Well, most couch cushions are made out of foam, so basically a foam mattress. And just like buying a mattress, the important thing to look for is quality foam in the cushions at a firmness you like, and a good foundation to support that cushion (strong joints, good wood, tight webbing and on some sofas, number and kind of springs.
Last time I went shopping for a mattress was a few years ago, but what struck me was the fact that they all say they will match their competitors prices. That makes you laugh when you ask them to actually do it. Seems that no two companies sell the same mattress…well, that’s not exactly true…they ARE the same, but seally will give a different name to the Sleepy’s mattress so that it’s impossible to compare it to the 1-800-mattres(s) brand. Thanks for price matching!
All this debate about spring vs foam and only the sales guy mentioned latex?
I bought my first “real” (non-hand-me-down) mattress a few years ago. I was so distraught from the shopping experience that I initially chose to sleep on the floor [for 3 weeks]. Then I had a nice weekend getaway in Las Vegas, where I stayed on an amazing bed. Upon checkout, I asked what mattresses they use and took that information to the web.
Englander is the second-oldest American mattress maker in America (only to Stearns & Foster, which was out of my price range). I bought a latex mattress, like what I slept on, so I already knew how comfortable it was. Latex has other pros, too: no sag (as the core is solid), moving is easier (more flexible for stairways and tight corners), and no flipping/turning. I have been very pleased by it. In fact, a few people have told me that it is the most comfortable bed they have slept on. Yes, highly recommended!!
“A few people have told me it’s the most comfortable bed they’ve ever slept on”
Who else is sleeping in your bed??? LOL
The best and ONLY place we buy mattresses from is The Original Mattress Factory here in Pgh. The salesmen are WAY invisible unless you need something, the selection is not overwhelming and the prices are ALWAYS the same and ALWAYS the lowest.
Levin’s on the other hand LIES AND LIES. The last time we went in there my brother got so mad at the salesman that he threw the advertised circular down and yelled “No, enough of your bullshit lies, I’m NEVER shopping here!” and we stormed out. Horrible place. Lies, crawling with salespeople who hound you and really shit furniture.
My mattress was $200 at IKEA, and I swear it’s the most comfortable one I’ve ever tried. Maybe I am just strange.
Beds/mattresses are just for sleeping. What mattress is good for the midnight aerobics?
Having never been on one, I picture a foam/Tempurpedic mattress having no “bounce” like it would be the equivalent of doing it on the floor.
I saw no mention of the Sleep Number bed. Does no one buy these? Also I do not see these as any good for baby making. You sure can’t be in the middle of the bed on these. Isn’t that a “no man’s land” place dividing the two air mattress sections?
My advice: Don’t buy your mattress at a mattress store like Sleepy’s. Buy it at a place that sells more than just mattresses, like a furniture store or an appliance/electronics store with a mattress department. From my experience in buying a new set last year, the prices are much better and the staff is much less wired and pushy.
@TheSeeker: Was meant to say Beds/mattresses aren’t just for sleeping.
re: THESEEKER and a Tempurpedic having no bounce and that it “…would be the equivalent of doing it on the floor.”
Actually, the lack of motion transfer (bounce is one way of describing what it lacks) enhances the “activity” since one party remains stationary relative to the “upper placed” party, thereby eliminating the “unison bounce” (both parties bouncing rhythmically, reducing the thrust impact. It’s all sort of physics.
Another benefit is that the foam softens (temporarily) to body heat. Your partner, essentially since into the mattress in conformance with their body shape. Essentially, your partner;s top of body becomes flush (level) with the horizontal plane of the mattress (in effect, a concave is created). In short, it’s almost like “doing it” (as you put it) to a picture lying atop the mattress. No balancing act (atop the other body) is needed. After “cool down” of the other party, the person assumes a normal position on the mattress (no longer in a concave, but, rather, convex.
I strongly recommend Tempurpedic.
Sorry – meant tosay (in oaragraph 2): Your partner, essentiall SINKS into the mattress…”