Double Bed Mattress Buying Guide - How to Choose a Mattress

Getting the right mattress is essential for a good night’s sleep! 

If you’re looking to buy a new mattress, it can perhaps be a daunting task where to start. Between navigating a wide range of materials and different types of mattresses and sorting through all sizes and designs, there are certain things to consider before picking a single mattress. Regarding mattresses, there isn’t one best option for everyone. 

In this handy guide, we explore how to choose a mattress perfect for you to suit your lifestyle. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Mattress?

As the first step, your spine must stay aligned. Choosing the perfect double bed mattress depends on your sleep needs, position, body type and personal preferences. You may also want to consider a mattress that offers quality and comfort at a delightful price, whether you're a hot sleeper, struggling with back issues or a soft sleeper. We bring you a guide on selecting the best mattress type that caters to your and your family's varying sleep needs. 

Types of Mattresses

Once you have identified your primary need, it is recommended to choose among different types of mattresses that will work for you based on your current sleeping habits. 

Memory foam

These modern mattresses offer the best pressure relief because they conform to your body and adapt to your pressure points to relieve tension, aches, and pains. They provide luxurious comfort, durability, and support and have hypoallergenic properties. They are ideal for side sleepers and people suffering from back pain, as they will maintain posture and proper spine alignment by evenly distributing body weight. 

One slight drawback is that it can trap heat more efficiently, which can be an issue for hot sleepers. But nowadays, most brands offer built-in cooling features like copper, gel, or graphite to prevent overheating. 

Latex

Unlike memory mattresses, latex foam is more resilient (i.e. bouncy) and lively. Latex is made from rubber trees- a biodegradable material, so a good fit for eco-friendly sleepers who prefer organic mattresses. It's firm, breathable, durable, and supportive, a good option for those suffering from allergies or asthma. However, it is more expensive than memory foam but responds more quickly to changes in weight and pressure.

Moreover, it can work for a wide range of sleepers who move around and change positions and can benefit from latex foam's natural bounce. 

InnerSpring

This type of mattress is made from individual cased coil springs to provide differentiated support and optimum bounce. You can choose soft, medium or firm versions, depending upon your preferences. They are more suitable for the back, stomach, and heavier sleepers. It features various foams and fibres on top to provide support and comfort at the surface. These mattresses are more breathable than memory or latex foam and are long-lasting. 

Hybrid

The newest innovation is the hybrid mattress, which combines top layers of foam with coils for pressure relief. These mattresses differ from innerspring models, providing a mix of softness and support. Hybrid mattresses are ideal for back sleepers and combo sleepers. One slight caveat is that they will be more expensive and heavier to set up than their all-foam alternatives.

Choose your Double Bed Mattress Firmness Level

Mattress firmness refers to how hard or soft it feels. The right firmness of the mattress can help in soothing chronic pains. They are most commonly described as soft, medium, medium-firm or firm. When choosing the best firmness level, it’s essential to consider your personal preferences, body type, and sleep positions.

Side sleepers

This is the most commonly preferred position recommended by doctors to avoid back pain. Soft mattresses relieve pressure points and keep the spine aligned for side sleepers. Many mattresses claim to alleviate pressure on your hips and shoulder, but it's essential to check the construction specs to figure out how well the mattress is designed to avoid chronic pains.  

Stomach sleepers

A firmer mattress is a suitable choice for stomach sleepers who need a mattress for some resistance. It keeps the spine aligned without allowing you to sink into it as you sleep. The key here is to choose a mattress designed with thin comfort layers to provide just a touch of cushion to the overall firmness. 

Back sleepers:

A mattress with medium firmness is ideal for back sleepers as it provides ample spinal support and comfort. If the mattress is too firm, it could cause unnecessary tension at the shoulders and lower back, while too soft can result in a bowed back and shooting pains up the spine. 

Combination sleepers: 

Finally, combo sleepers require a dynamic mattress, i.e. medium-firm mattress, to provide comfort across the back, side, and stomach. These mattresses are excellent for combo sleepers as they strike a perfect balance between pressure relief and support. They change their sleeping position at night, so avoid a firm mattress for a smooth rollover. 

Body Type

When choosing a new double bed mattress, body weight and type are other factors that satisfy your unique slumber needs. 

Lightweight sleepers: Lightweight sleepers are better suited with a softer mattress because they won't sink as deeply into their mattress. If the bed is too firm, it will make sleeping uncomfortable for these folks. The new mattress with a memory foam comfort layer is suitable for light sleepers. 

Average weight Sleepers: They press into the structure more than light sleepers, so average-sized sleepers require mattresses with thick top layers of foam to provide plenty of cushions. Since most mattresses are designed with medium firmness in mind, it's easy to find a bed to meet suitable needs. 

Heavier body weights: A firmer mattress is best for heavy sleepers as they are likely to press deeper into their beds. Too much pressure can cause the bed to sink in and jeopardise spine alignment, leading to back issues. 

Sleeping Concerns 

Besides choosing the right type of mattress and firmness level, you should also consider any specific needs you require for a good night's sleep. 

• Hot Sleepers

A cooling mattress embedded with gel or metal particles can help you stay at a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Many factors, including physical conditions and summer heat, contribute to night sweats. Metal and gel used in the foam can help prevent overheating and make it more breathable. Additionally,  you can choose  Innersprings or hybrids mattresses that will allow for more airflow than all-foam mattresses.

• Back Pains

A good mattress should provide comfort, support and alignment of the spine. 

The right amount of support allows the structures in the spine to rest and rejuvenate during the night. People with back pain should look for the orthopaedic features in the product description that can improve pain, stiffness, and sleep quality. In fact, studies have shown that 'medium-firm support' mattresses are best for back pain relief.

How to Pick a Mattress Size 

Consider the size of the bedroom that determines the right double bed mattress dimensions for you. Queen is the most popular mattress size amongst couples, but King (equivalent to two Twins) is ideal for families. Here are the typical dimensions for each mattress size:

• Single Size Mattress – 72 x 36
• Twin Size Mattress – 72 x 42
• Queen Size Mattress – 72 x 60
• Queen XL Size Mattress – 72 x 66
• King Size Mattress – 72 x 72
• King XL Size Mattress – 72 x 78 

Mattress Cost

After considering all the above equations, we're left with one final query: How much does a queen mattress cost? The pricing depends on the materials and layers of a mattress. A two-layer mattress would be less expensive than a seven-layer hybrid or an innerspring model. Check warranty, research specifications, and let personal preference be your guide before picking a bed mattress. It’s a huge investment that can affect your health and sleep quality, so make sure to select what is perfect for you.  

Sleep Well 

We hope these pointers will guide you in picking a new mattress for your rich sleep experience. Choose a double bed mattress that takes the shape of your body contours and provides supreme comfort and support. Moreover, use a mattress protector to prevent damage from allergens, dust, and wear and tear. It will keep your mattress clean, prolonging its life. For more information and guidance, contact the experts at the Interior Company.