The Ultimate Mattress Buying Guide
How To Buy A Mattress - The Ultimate Mattress Buying Guide - Compare Mattress Prices
It’s no secret: a good night’s sleep is essential to your general health and well-being. When you enjoy enough sleep every night, you protect your overall health, safety, brain function, and quality of life.
Your body needs adequate sleep to maintain your muscle mass and repair cells and tissues. Proper sleep rejuvenates the mind and body, giving your organs and organ systems time to repair after the day’s use. People who don’t sleep well have an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease and high blood pressure. They also have an increased risk of suffering from obesity.
You also need proper sleep to control the hormones that make you feel hungry or full. Sleep also affects how your body reacts to insulin—inadequate sleep can cause problems with your blood sugar levels. Your immune system also relies on sleep to stay strong. If you’re sleep deficient, your immune system won’t function at its best, leaving you more susceptible to colds and other contagious illnesses.
As you sleep, your brain also prepares for the next day. It forms new pathways to help you learn and retain information. Without proper sleep, you could struggle to make decisions, solve problems, control your emotions or behavior, or cope with change.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends an average number of hours of sleep per day based on age:
- Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours
- Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours
- Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
- Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10-13 hours
- School-aged children (6-13): 9-11 hours
- Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours
- Young adults (18-25): 7-9 hours
- Adults (26-64): 7-9 hours
- Older adults (65+): 7-8 hours
Knowing the recommended guidelines for sleep is helpful, but what if you struggle to fall asleep at night?
There are plenty of possible causes of poor sleep, such as ingesting too much caffeine throughout the day, not being active enough during the day, acute or chronic pain, medications, stress, psychological issues, and an uncomfortable sleep setting. Many people can’t pinpoint why they’re suffering from insomnia—all they know is that they aren’t sleeping well and it’s negatively affecting them in some way.
The Importance of a Comfortable Sleep Environment
Your sleeping quarters play a significant role in how well you sleep each night. For instance, if your bedroom is too bright and noisy and your mattress is lumpy and uncomfortable, you may struggle to get a good night’s rest. Many people overlook their bedroom atmosphere and choice of bedding when trying to figure out why they aren’t sleeping well.
Here are a few tips that can help promote a healthy night of rest in a comfortable setting:
- Remove any potential distractions. Remove anything from your room that’s loud, bright, or distracting. If light is entering your bedroom from outside, install light-blocking drapes, curtains, or blinds. If noise is negatively affecting your sleep, consider using a white noise machine, fan, or earplugs.
- Avoid checking your phone before you go to sleep. The light from your phone can be disruptive to natural sleep patterns and make you more alert. If you wake in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep, avoid looking at your phone. It can hinder your attempt to return to sleep.
- Keep the room cool. Most people sleep best when the temperature is between 60 - 67 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too hot or cold for your liking, you won’t achieve a great night’s sleep.
- Consider repainting your bedroom space. Perhaps the color of your bedroom walls and décor aren’t optimal for a great night of rest. Calming shades work best for promoting healthy sleep, such as cool purples, greens, and blues. Besides the color of your walls, be sure the color of your bedding and décor are conducive to favorable sleep.
- Appeal to your olfactory sense. Your sense of smell plays a large role in how your body and mind react to an environment. Certain smells may promote a healthy night’s rest, such as lavender, jasmine, vanilla, and valerian. Consider using essential oils or purchasing lotions, candles, or other products that emit sleep-inducing aromas.
- Practice feng shui. Feng shui is the ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing your environment. The placement of your bedroom furniture and décor can help you eliminate clutter and make your space more relaxing and comfortable. Opt for curved shapes and a balanced arrangement of furniture.
- Sleep on the right mattress for you. There’s a right mattress for everyone. For example, there’s a best mattress for side sleepers, an excellent mattress for hip pain, an optimal mattress for hot sleepers, and more. Determine your personal preference: do you prefer a firm or plush mattress? From there, you can narrow down your choices and select a mattress that will promote a great night’s rest.
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CRāVE Mattress believes your bedroom should be your sanctuary—and the center of your bedroom oasis is a comfortable mattress that welcomes you to a sound slumber each night. If you sleep the recommended eight hours every night, you will spend one-third of your life in bed. But if you want to consistently reap the benefits that come with a good night’s sleep, your mattress should be right for your personal needs.
Determine How You Sleep
To begin the mattress buying process, it’s wise to recognize how you prefer to sleep each night. Here’s a snapshot of the best mattresses for the different types of sleepers:
- Side sleepers. If you’re a side sleeper, you likely need a mattress that supports your pressure points. It should support your body weight and conform to the shapes and angles of your body. Side sleeper mattress types typically aren’t firm mattress, because they don’t offer enough pressure relief. Consider a cushiony, cloud-like mattress with inner springs.
- Stomach sleepers. Conversely, stomach sleepers usually feel smothered on a plush mattress. The best mattress for stomach sleepers is firm, perhaps with a dense innerspring or latex.
- Back sleepers. The most popular back sleeper mattress type is something in the middle. It should provide adequate support, but offer enough flexibility and cushion to that it caters to your body’s pressure points as you sleep. A good mattress for a bad back usually includes a medium level of firmness.
If you suffer from a particular ailment, it’s important to choose a mattress that won’t aggravate your symptoms. Here are a few tips for common ailments that keep people from sleeping soundly:
- Hip pain. Many people who suffer from hip pain find relief in a plush mattress. A fluffy, innerspring mattress will help relieve some of the pressure that can contribute to joint pain. A good mattress for hip pain will undoubtedly offer some pressure relief, so an option that’s too firm could lead to worsened pain.
- Neck pain. The studies are somewhat inconclusive when it comes to selecting the best mattress for neck pain. Typically, neck pain is aggravated during sleep when the spine isn’t properly aligned, causing tension. In this case, a firmer mattress will likely be preferred. If your neck pain is a secondary result of another issue, you might prefer a plush mattress that allows the rest of your body to enjoy pressure relief, which can alleviate neck pain. Also, consider that your neck pain could be caused by your pillow choice—not necessarily your mattress.
- Sciatic pain. The best mattress for sciatica contours to your body. Plush, pressure-relieving options are optimal because they form to the body’s natural curves and angles.
- Back pain. There’s a lot to consider if you suffer from back pain. The best mattress for back pain is usually one with a medium firmness, but it’s also true that back pain could stem from sleeping on a poor-quality mattress. If you believe your back pain is caused or aggravated by your mattress, consider purchasing a mattress with a medium-level firmness. The most reputable companies offer a free in-home trial period for new mattresses.
Compare Mattress Types
The three main types of mattresses:
- Innerspring. An innerspring mattress is a traditional mattress composed of steel coils. They come in a variety of options. They are known for their plush feel, while still providing joint support. If you’re looking for optimal comfort in an innerspring mattress, consider varieties that offer special layers of cushioning.
- Foam. When you lie on a foam mattress, it molds to your body. When you rise, it returns to its original shape. Mattresses with foam come in many varieties, with the most popular being memory foam. Many people complain that a foam mattress create a hot environment for sleep, so if you’re seeking firmness and a cool night’s sleep, choose a dense option with latex to increase airflow.
- Foam and Coil Hybrid. A hybrid mattress is the best of both worlds. It includes the plush feel with joint support that only an innerspring can offer, as well as the back and neck alinement foam gives. The best hybrid mattresses also include a layer of latex foam to provide for a cool night’s sleep. This option is helpful for a variety of sleepers because it offers a soft surface as well as the contouring nature of the memory foam.
Find the Right Mattress for You
Deciding which mattress is right for you isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Your only worry should be deciding what kind of mattress you need to enjoy a healthy night of rest at the end of each day. You shouldn’t have to worry about locating the best price or haggling with a pushy salesman. Choose instead to buy from a trusted, reputable mattress company instead of a sales company.
The first two factors to consider when shopping for a mattress online are:
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Comfort.
Your mattress should relieve pressure from your body when you lay on it. Your comfort is dependent upon your ability to lay in one spot on a mattress and remain comfortable. If you can’t do so without shifting positions to get comfortable, it’s probably not the right mattress for you. Remember that if you’re shifting positions frequently throughout the night, you’re not enjoying a full night’s sleep.
Even if you’re in bed for eight hours, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sleeping for eight hours. When you find a mattress that’s comfortable for you, you’re more likely to achieve a full night’s rest and experience the benefits that come with choosing the right mattress.
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Support.
Your mattress should hold your body in alignment as you rest. If it doesn’t, it will cause pressure in spots, leaving you with aches and pains. Whether you sleep on your side, back, stomach, or all three, your mattress should support the curves and arches that compose your body. Your spine should be in a straight line when you sleep, and your mattress should support proper spinal lineation.
If your mattress is too soft for your body, you’ll sink into it, leaving your spine misaligned and causing pressure to build up overnight. If your mattress is too hard, your hips and shoulders won’t sink into it for a straight spine. Again, an unaligned spine will cause aches, pains, and frequent shifting through the night. If you’re constantly waking up to change positions, your body doesn’t have time to drift into REM sleep.
As the world continues to shift toward e-commerce and shoppers become more savvy, buying mattresses online is becoming a more popular option. Shopping for a mattress at a showroom can be an intimidating experience. It often includes a pushy salesperson and an overwhelming number of overpriced options. When you choose to purchase affordable beds online, you remove the middleman: the showroom. This saves you time, money, and the headache of being bombarded with too many choices.
Shopping for comfort and support in a mattress has never been easier than choosing to shop at CRāVE. We aim to make the process simple—not confusing or unnecessarily complex. Comfort and support are truly what matter in a mattress, which is why CRāVE offers multiple choices. There’s something for every type of sleeper, and all of our mattresses are made of superior-quality materials.
Learn About CRāVE’s Mattresses
We make it easy to decide on a mattress because we remove any decision related to quality out of the question. Every mattress from CRāVE is:
- Made from superior-quality materials. Our mattresses offer cooling memory foam, zoned latex, and pocketed coils. Every CRāVE mattress is made in the United States, and its foam is certified under CertiPur-US, meaning it’s made without the use of TCEP, PBDEs, or TDCPP flame retardants. These are chemicals that deplete the ozone and contain heavy metals, including lead and mercury, phthalates, and formaldehyde.
- Designed using the years of research and the latest technology. CRāVE mattresses offer a 10-year lifespan, and they’ve been rigorously tested for the perfect sleep.
- Eco-friendly. CRāVE mattresses are made from soy-based foams, and they contain no harmful chemicals.
As you can see, buying a mattress doesn’t have to be confusing if you purchase from a reputable company that designs its mattresses in good conscience. Let’s take a closer look at CRāVE’s mattress options so you can decide which is right for you. Be sure to visit the beds’ pages to compare mattress prices!
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CRāVE Medium Firm Foam
If you’re able to sleep comfortably on a firm bed, CRāVE’s Medium Firm mattress might be right for you. It offers two comfortable layers of specially designed foam: a top layer for superior comfort and second layer for true support. It’s a great mattress for stomach sleepers at a high value price.
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CRāVE Luxury Firm Foam
If you’re looking for something in the middle on the firmness scale, consider CRāVE’s Luxury Firm mattress. This option is also made from all foam, but it offers memory foam and a layer of latex on top for extra cushion and support. The Luxury Firm mattress is perfect if you’re looking for something not too firm, but also not too plush. It’s usually the preferred option for a back sleeper mattress type due to its balanced flexibility. CRāVE uses both memory foam and latex in this mattress option, which promotes a cool night’s sleep on a medium-firm mattress.
- CRāVE Luxury Firm Hybrid Innerspring
Do you like the feel of a luxury hotel bed? Then this is the one for you. On a firmness scale with 1 being the firmest and 10 the plushest, this bed is a 7. Individually wrapped springs for great support, topped with layers of superior upholstery foam, and memory foam for supreme comfort. Sleep like you’re on vacation every night.
4. CRāVE Ultra Plush Hybrid Innerspring
If you’re seeking the ultimate in plushness, sleep on a cloud when you choose CRāVE’s Ultra Plush mattress. It’s the ultimate mattress for side sleepers or anyone who appreciates plush layers of memory foam and latex on top of resilient, individually wrapped coils.
Choose the Right Size Mattress for Your Needs
After you decide which type of mattress you want, consider the size of it. If you’ve been married for a year and you’ve been sleeping on a full-sized mattress, you may not be aware that your quality of sleep could increase exponentially with a larger-sized mattress. Here’s a quick explanation of mattress sizes:
- Twin. A twin mattress is the smallest mattress option besides a crib or toddler bed. It’s typically used for children and in college dormitories. The typical dimensions are 38 inches wide by 75 inches long, making it too small for many individuals, particularly men. Sometimes, twin long options are available.
- Full. Sometimes referred to as a “double,” a full mattress is typically 53 inches wide and 75 inches long. For couples, a full mattress only offers each partner 27 inches of personal space—about the size of a crib. A full mattress may also be too short for some individuals. It’s perfect for a single person who is shorter than 5’5”.
- Queen. Queen mattresses are the most popular mattresses on the market today. They are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, making them a perfect choice for couples who like to sleep in close quarters. Many people opt for queen-sized mattresses in their guest rooms, or if they have a smaller master bedroom.
- King. A king-sized mattress gives you about 16 more inches in width than a queen. The standard size is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. King mattresses offer couples about 38 inches of personal space. Although they offer ample sleeping space, king mattresses might pose spatial problems. They don’t always fit through doors or hallways or into bedroom spaces. There’s also a California King option that offers four extra inches in length, but four fewer inches in width.
Purchase the Right Mattress for You
When choosing the best affordable mattress online, it’s important to buy the right mattress for you and how you tend to sleep. Consider all the essential elements, such as your level of desired comfort, how much support you need, and the size of mattress. Buying a luxurious, comfortable mattress doesn’t have to be expensive or confusing if you work with the right company.
CRāVE offers 23 years of mattress-manufacturing experience and 90 years of overall experience with mattresses. When you purchase from CRāVE, you enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re working with a respected company within the mattress manufacturing industry.
You’ll also enjoy 100 nights to decide if your new mattress is meeting your needs. If you purchase a CRāVE mattress and you aren’t experiencing your best sleep after 100 days, we’ll pick it up and offer a full refund.
CRāVE understands the importance of adequate slumber. If you aren’t sleeping well, you aren’t living your life to the fullest. A healthy body begins with a healthy mind—and a healthy mind is dependent upon consistently enjoying enough sleep at night.
If you also believe that your bedroom is your sanctuary, and that your sanctuary begins with the perfect mattress for you, consider CRāVE—where you can find the mattress to suit your dreams.
Compare prices, options, and mattresses now!