Shopping for a new bed is highly subjective based on your body type, unique needs, budget, sleeping position and more. Let’s explore how your preferences might influence the mattress you choose.
Sleeping position
Your sleeping position will determine how hard or soft of a mattress you need for the best night’s sleep possible. As a general rule:
- Side sleepers need soft to medium mattresses with plenty of pressure relief to cradle their curves. This prevents uncomfortable or painful pressure points from developing on your shoulders, hips and knees.
- Back and stomach sleepers need a medium to firm mattress that helps keep your spine and neck neutrally aligned so you don’t wake up with back pain.
- Combination sleepers have the most flexibility. The firmness level you choose should be based on the position you spend the most time in.
Body type
Your body type determines how much pressure you put on the mattress, ultimately influencing how firm it feels. Heavier people typically experience mattresses as being softer, while petite body types will feel it to be firmer. Your weight also affects what kind of mattress you should get.
- People over 230 pounds need a mattress with plenty of support and enhanced durability, like hybrid mattresses with steel coils.
- Lighter individuals can choose between hybrid and all-foam mattresses.
Health conditions
It’s important to consider medical conditions when shopping for your next mattress. If you’re a hot sleeper, look for beds with cooling technology or that are made with breathable materials like latex foam. If you live with joint pain or arthritis, you should seek out a soft, pressure-relieving mattress that cradles your body. People with back pain require a firmer mattress to support the spine and neck.
Materials
When looking for a queen mattress, consider the materials in your bed. Its construction will influence your experience and how long it lasts. The three main categories of mattress materials are foam, innerspring or coils and latex foam. A bed with a combination of several materials is called a hybrid mattress.
- Foam: There are several types of foam that you’ll find in mattresses: traditional memory foam, open cell foam, gel-infused foam or polyfoam. The type of foam will dictate the feel and firmness of your mattress.
- Innerspring/coils: An innerspring or coil system adds responsiveness and support to the bed. It also tends to make a mattress more durable over time.
- Latex foam: There are two types of latex foam: organic and synthetic. Organic latex is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and eco-friendly. It also gives mattresses a bouncy and responsive feel, although it’s slightly firmer than other foams.
Budget
Buying a new mattress is a significant investment, so it’s crucial to identify your budget before shopping for a queen mattress. The average online mattress costs between $850 and $1,200, but there are mattresses for every budget, from $300 to luxury mattresses that cost $2,000 and beyond.
Popular mattress dimensions
| Dimensions (in inches) | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Twin | 38 x 75 |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 |
| Full | 54 x 74 |
| Queen | 60 x 80 |
| King | 76 x 80 |
| California King | 72 x 84 |
