Tag Archive for: types of mattresses

A back sleeper sleeping in their bed with the covers over their head.

The Best Mattress Type for a Back Sleeper

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Whether you’re a back sleeper, side sleeper, or tummy sleeper, there are mattress types made just for you.

Today, we’re looking at mattress features for a back sleeper. If this is you, you are most likely looking for a mattress that has the perfect combination of support and comfort. You want your mattress to conform to your contours yet one that’s sturdy enough to help keep your spine in alignment.

Let’s look at the best mattress type for you, a back sleeper. When looking for mattresses for back sleepers, there are certain mattress features to look for.

1. Look at Firmness Levels

When considering mattress features for back sleepers, you want to first look at how firm the bed is. The firmness level of your mattress is vital to your overall comfort and even pain level.

Generally speaking, the best mattress is medium firm. It’s not too soft, and it’s not too firm. Because it’s not too soft, you don’t sink into the bed, and you have enough support. And because it’s not too firm, it still contours to your body. In addition, a mattress that is too firm can really put extra pressure on your shoulders and your hips. You then end up sore in the morning.

2. Look for a Mattress that Contours

Another mattress feature a back sleeper wants to look for is the perfect balance of support combined with comfort.

For example, a memory foam mattress is often a great choice for a back sleeper because the foam contours to the shape of your body when you lay on it. Most back sleepers find this incredibly comfortable. Not only does the mattress contour to the curves of your spine, but it cradles you in comfort.

If you’re looking for a more traditional innerspring mattress, you want to find one with a memory foam layer. Alternatively, you can add a foam mattress topper.

3. Look for a Strong Mattress

When shopping by mattress features, you want to look for a durable, strong mattress. Spend a little bit more money for durability, and your mattress will offer you support for your spine.

Consider the quality of the mattress and the materials involved in making it. The best mattresses will last you around eight years.

4. Look Out for Comfort

As you start shopping for a new mattress, we encourage you to lay down on several. Check for comfort. You want to know from the outset that the mattress feels good to lay on.

Comfort is important for back sleepers. Consider when you lay down on your mattress, how you have a space in the lumbar area of your back. This is an important place to pay attention to when lying down.

You want to make sure there is enough lumbar support to close that gap between the mattress and your lumbar region. This is vital, especially if you have back pain.

Final Thoughts on the Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers

The back sleeping position is the second most popular type of sleeping position after side sleeping.  People who sleep on their back may sleep straight like a “soldier.” Or they might sleep like a “starfish” with their arms above their heads and their legs stretched out to the side.

Whichever back position you find yourself in, it’s important that you choose a mattress with the mattress features that work for you.

First, you want proper spine alignment. Without this, you’ll find yourself waking up with aches and pains. You want mattress features that support your hips and shoulders. Yet you don’t want to put pressure on them. You want an even sleep surface, a mattress that conforms to your contours, and one that doesn’t sag.

Second, you want to look for a medium-firm mattress. This is especially true for average-weight back sleepers. If you are heavier, you want to look for a firmer mattress.

Third, don’t forget your pillow. Like your mattress, you want to find a pillow that is comfortable and supportive.

Back sleepers don’t need a pillow with a lot of loft. For those who sleep on their back, a thin to medium pillow is best. Choosing the right pillow means you can keep your head, neck, and spine in proper alignment.

The best mattress features are the ones that not only meet your sleep position needs, but your personal preferences, and your budget.

At Mattress Outlet, we can help you find the perfect mattress with just the right mattress features for night after night of solid, comfortable sleep.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

A cozy room setup with a tailored mattress.

Firm Vs. Soft: How to Know What Mattress is Right for You

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Shopping for a mattress can be frustrating and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right information upfront. As you get started on your mattress shopping journey, one of the first questions you need to answer is how firm of a mattress you want.

For example, are you looking for a cushy bed that you sink into? Or do you prefer a bed that is firm and supportive without the cushy feeling? We’ll look at firm vs. soft mattresses and look at how to know what mattress type is right for you.

What is the Difference Between Firmness and Support?

You don’t want to confuse firmness and support when shopping for a mattress. First, a supportive mattress keeps your spine neutral. Second, firmness is how your mattress feels when you lay on it.

Both firm and soft mattresses can be supportive and relieve pain. And they can both be comfortable. The most important thing for you to know is which mattress feels best for you. You also want to make sure it was built for your sleep style.

What is the Difference Between a Firm and Soft Mattress?

When you start looking at mattresses, you may hear people talk about the scale of firmness. Many mattress companies use this scale to rate mattress firmness. This is a 1-10 scale. This scale may vary between manufacturers, but on average, anything under 6.5 is a softer mattress, and anything over 6.5 is firmer. Around this middle point, you’ll find a medium-firm mattress.

Generally, memory foam mattresses are softer, while innerspring mattresses are firmer. Many people these days prefer memory foam mattresses because they contour to the sleeper’s body, are comfortable, and offer pressure relief.

However, you can find a memory foam mattress that is medium-firm to firm. It all depends on the comfort layer on the top.

It is very important to test out mattresses before purchasing because one person’s firm mattress isn’t always another person’s. It may depend on personal preference or the size of the sleeper. For example, a heavier person might feel like a memory foam mattress is firmer, while a lighter person would find the opposite.

Who Benefits from a Firm Mattress Type?

A firm mattress isn’t one that you can sink into. This type of mattress is great for people who sleep on their backs or their stomach. This is because a firm mattress helps keep your back and hips aligned, so you don’t have pain when you sleep or wake up in the morning.

In addition, heavier people might prefer a firm mattress because they won’t sink into it. Thus, they won’t feel like they are stuck in the mattress. Firm mattresses aren’t the right mattress for all sleepers, though. Sometimes a firm mattress isn’t comfortable. This is especially true if you’ve been sleeping on a soft mattress. It might take a month or two for you to get used to it.

Also, if you have arthritis or joint pain, a firm mattress may cause you even more problems. A softer mattress is probably right for you.

Who Benefits from a Soft Mattress Type?

A soft mattress is one that conforms to your body and is very responsive. They are often made from memory foam, and the better the mattress, the more layers it has. A soft mattress is a good choice for side sleepers because it provides soft cushioning for your hips and shoulders. This in turn supports a healthy spine.

Soft mattresses are cozy and cushioning. They can help reduce pressure points, so you don’t wake up with back, neck, shoulder, and hip pain. For people with lots of back pain, a soft mattress might even help relieve your pain because it cradles your back.

On the con side, a soft mattress can offer too much cushioning, and back and stomach sleepers may not find it comfortable. Generally, they need a sturdier surface.

Final Thoughts

So, how do you choose, and how do you know what mattress is right for you in the firm vs. soft battleground? You will know which mattress type is right for you based on your sleeping position (back, stomach, side, or combo) and your size.

Choose a firm mattress if you are a back or stomach sleeper or a larger person. If you are petite or you sleep on your side, head to a softer mattress. For most people, somewhere in the middle is the best place to be.

Lay down on mattresses and try them out. It really is up to you and based on your personal preference. You want to choose the best mattress for you and your sleep partner if you have one.

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5 Mattress Types to Consider Before Replacing Yours

5 Mattress Types to Consider Before Replacing Yours

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How old is your mattress? If it’s more than eight years old, that usually means it’s time to replace it.

A lot has changed with mattresses over the last decade, so when considering replacing yours, it pays to do your research.

To help you, let’s look at four mattress types to consider before replacing yours.

#1: Innerspring Mattresses

Do you like your bed to have a little “bounce?” If so, you want to look at the traditional innerspring mattress types.

You’ll notice these are firmer and have a bouncier feel to them. The interconnected coils are durable. In addition, this mattress may have individual pocketed coils that are covered in fabric.

The support on traditional innerspring mattresses comes from the steel coils that have two measurements. These are gauge and count.

When thinking about the thickness of the coil, mattress companies mention coil gauge. For example, high coil gauges have thin coils. Low coil gauges have thick coils.

If you want a very firm mattress, you want a lower coil gauge.

The count refers to how many of these coils are present in your mattress. What should you look for? Seven hundred to 800 is the average coil count in innerspring mattresses, but the range is between 400-900 coils. The more coils, the more costly the mattress.

Because of the coils, when your partner moves on this mattress type, you may not notice the ripple effect as much. It is worth noting that when you really want to limit motion transfer, you want to look at pocket coils. If you choose continuous coils, the mattress will be bouncy, but if you aren’t sleeping alone, the other person will feel the motion transfer.

#2: Memory Foam Mattresses

This mattress type is less springy. But you will notice the memory foam mattress provides your pressure points with great relief.

With so many memory foam mattresses on the market, you want to judge the quality of it. You can do this by paying attention to the thickness and density of the foam. You’ll find mattresses with several layers of foam – the heavier foam on the bottom to support you, and the lighter foam to provide coolness and comfort on the top.

Many people like memory foam mattresses because they mold to your shape. In addition, when you move around, your sleeping partner won’t notice it. The foam also helps support your whole body while relieving your aches and pains.

Side sleepers like memory foam because as it molds to your body, it can take the weight off your joints while keeping you cool as you sleep.

Do try this mattress type before you buy if you can because while many love the comfort, some people find it too soft.

#3: Hybrid Mattresses

With this mattress type, you get the best of both worlds.

You enjoy the support system of the traditional innerspring mattress as well as the comfortable benefits of the memory foam mattress. So, you experience support with enhanced comfort.

The hybrid mattress is great for side, back, and stomach sleepers. Many couples enjoy the hybrid mattress as it can help meet each person’s needs.

#4: Bed in a Box Mattresses

This relatively new mattress type has hit the market and provided a completely new way for people to buy a mattress.

With this format, companies take the innerspring, hybrid, or memory foam mattress and compress it, roll it, and put it in a box. Why? This makes delivery and setup extra easy. All you have to do is open the box and expose the mattress to air once it arrives at your home. As you put it in your bedroom, you can watch it spring alive to its regular form.

These mattresses are usually created in foam. They are different from the traditional memory foam because they are compressed before they ship to you.

The biggest pro of the bed in a box mattress is the ease of delivery and setup. If you have a hard-to-reach bedroom, this mattress is perfect because your mattress simply arrives in a manageable box. These mattresses are generally affordably priced.

Final Thoughts on Mattress Types

Choosing the right mattress for your comfort, support, and sleep is so important to your overall health.

Now that you understand the different mattress types, you can choose from, it will be easier to pick the perfect one.

When it comes to choosing between innerspring coils and memory foam, it boils down to personal preference. Bottom line – do your research before replacing your mattress, and you’ll soon find you have the best night’s sleep every night! 

Are you ready to start sleeping better with one of these mattress types? Check out our online inventory of new mattresses, and you’re well on your way to a better night’s sleep.

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