So many of us are comfortable purchasing our groceries online, buying clothing, comparison shopping electronics, and ordering books, movies, and gifts at the click of a mouse. Why not buy your mattress online too? In many ways, it’s easier than shopping in a brick-and-mortar store. You have time to research your options, compare prices and features, and find the perfect fit for your sleep style. Let’s walk through the step-by-step guide to how to buy a mattress online.
- Determine your budget. Mattresses are available at many different price points. Having a budget in mind will help you narrow your choices.
- Choose a mattress size. Choose the mattress size that best suits your needs based on the space available in your bedroom and if you sleep with a partner or a pet.
- Select a mattress type. The mattress materials will determine comfort, performance, and price—whether memory foam, latex, coils, or a multilayer hybrid.
- Choose firmness. The right firmness level will depend on your sleep position, body weight, and preferences.
- Find a reputable brand. Choosing a reliable online mattress brand will ensure quality construction and customer service.
- Customer service policy. You will feel more confident in your purchase by understanding a company’s return policy, warranties, and sleep trials. At Dawn House, our mattresses come with a 10-year warranty and an option for an extended warranty, a 100-day return, and free shipping.
- Sleep soundly. Enjoy a good night’s sleep on your new mattress!
How to Buy a Mattress Based on Sleep Position
When buying a new mattress, you want to find a type of mattress that perfectly fits your sleeping position. Different support and firmness will help side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers get a better night of quality sleep. The goal is to keep your spine in a neutral position. It’s important to find the right mattress to support proper spinal alignment to avoid neck or backaches. Determine your sleep position and choose a mattress with the appropriate support.
Back Sleepers. If you sleep on your back, often extra pressure is placed on your lower back and hips. Since the torso to the lower back is the heaviest part of the body, find a mattress that will hold your hips in alignment with your shoulders. You want to avoid your lower back and hips sinking into the mattress. A medium-firm to firm mattress provides contouring support in the lower back. Also, a hybrid or innerspring mattress coil layer or layers keep the lower back and hips aligned with pressure relief in the comfort layer.
Stomach Sleepers. Like the back sleeper, the stomach sleeper puts pressure on the lower back. A supportive mattress also should align the hips with the shoulders. The hips sinking into a too-soft mattress can cause back pain. A hybrid, medium-firm foam, or innerspring will work well for a stomach sleeper to keep the spine level.
Side Sleepers. Studies show that most adults sleep on their side half of the night. A mattress needs to relieve the pressure points of the shoulders and hips for side sleepers. Carefully consider the mattress firmness in your decision-making. A mattress that is too firm can be painful, so look for one with a softer comfort layer.
Combination Sleepers. Combination sleepers are people who sleep in two or more positions throughout the night and are sometimes referred to as “restless” sleepers. Not committed to a single position, combination sleepers should look for a mattress with responsiveness for easy shifting, adequate spinal support, and motion isolation. A medium mattress is best to be comfortable in all positions.
How to Buy a Mattress Based on Body Weight
There is no “one size fits all” solution when buying mattresses. At a glance, many mattresses look the same from the outside. But the various components that make up a mattress will determine its durability and comfort. To find the best fit, consider your shape, height, and even your weight. Think about your weight and how your weight is distributed over a mattress when shopping online.
The Lightweight Category
For below-average weight and thinner body types, a softer mattress is often the best choice. A firm mattress can cause shoulder pain or an uncomfortable prickly pins-and-needles sensation. A softer mattress will keep the spine in good alignment, and less dense foam will be more durable over time. Back and stomach sleepers will require a thinner comfort layer than side sleepers. Avoid firm innerspring, memory foam, or latex mattresses with a dense top layer that doesn’t allow the body to sink well for the lightweight sleeper.
The Average Body Weight Category
As an average body weight, finding the right mattress will be easier for you. But don’t just settle for the best mattress reviews. When choosing the perfect mattress, you still need to consider the price, construction, materials, and your sleep position. Avoid mattresses that are too firm or too soft. Either extreme may not be comfortable for you.
The Heavyweight Category
Any individual that weighs over 230 lbs. should try to balance firmness and softness carefully. A thicker size mattress features extra cushioning between the coils and the sleeper. A too-soft mattress may exert too much pressure on the hips and shoulders, causing an uncomfortable curve to the spine and leading to achy joints and muscles. A high-density foam, 12–13-inch mattress is recommended. Choose a mattress with a good supportive layer to keep your spine in alignment. An extra soft mattress or a mattress with a thin layer of support is unlikely to provide the comfort that a heavier-weight body needs for a good night’s sleep.
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Pros and Cons of Buying a Mattress Online
When choosing whether to buy your mattress online or in a brick-and-mortar store, you need to weigh each option's pros and cons. If you are comfortable with online shopping, you will find a wide selection of mattresses available, including the popular bed-in-a-box option. Most online retailers come with free shipping and sleep trials to test the bed. To encourage online shopping, companies have made the return process easier, and often will return it for a full refund. The downside is when you purchase a mattress online, you won’t be able to feel the comfort before you buy. Online shopping will give you detailed information, customer reviews, and features to compare. Some companies may have a contact phone number or an FAQ section on their website if you have a question. But in a store, you would have immediate answers from the sales staff.
Pros
- Wide selection and choices to fit your budget.
- Able to research and compare options easily.
- Most offer in-home trial periods to evaluate your purchase.
- Online mattresses typically can be found at a better price point.
- Easier to check online sales.
- Convenient to shop any time that you want.
- Most companies offer free delivery.
Cons
- Not able to feel the mattress before committing.
- Not able to feel a variety of mattresses to compare.
- No salesperson to answer questions in person.
Types of Mattresses Available
On the market today, mattress options include innerspring, foam, hybrid, and adjustable air. None of these types of mattresses are inherently better than the others, but they are designed with different construction and come in various price points to fit your budget. Each has its pros and cons.
Innerspring. Modern innerspring mattresses are made up of one or more layers of individually wrapped coils that move independently of each other. These are nothing like the connected coil spring bed of the past that creaked loudly when you moved. Most come with a quilted pillow top comfort layer or upper layer of foam to help relieve pressure. If you sleep hot, the innerspring mattress is a good fit. The construction allows for more airflow.
Foam. Foam mattresses, including the memory foam options, provide great cushioned support. Side sleepers often find foam mattresses relieve the hip and shoulder pressure points. Many couples prefer a foam mattress because it absorbs motion well and will not disturb their partner if they move at night or get up frequently. Many foam mattresses are designed with a gel-infused foam that helps to dissipate heat. But if looking for a cool mattress is your number one priority, you will want to skip the foam and look at the more breathable designs of an innerspring or hybrid mattress.
Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses combine foam or latex for pressure relief with coils for enhanced support. Sleepers often find this combination very comfortable and not too firm. The mattress also tends to isolate motion, so it works well for most couples. And side sleepers appreciate the pressure-point relief. Hybrid mattresses offer good airflow to keep warm sleepers feeling cool.
Adjustable Air. The adjustable air mattress is typically one of the more expensive options on the market. If you are on a tight budget, this mattress may not be a fit. These mattresses are designed with air chambers that can be adjusted and programmed to suit your sleep preference. Some even sync to a remote or phone app to set your inflation level.
If you have an adjustable bed base, many mattress types will work. In general, memory foam, latex, and non-innerspring mattresses are most compatible. At Dawn House, our mattresses are constructed and designed specifically for our bed system. We have strategically positioned articulated movement grooves in our mattresses to enhance flexibility and ensure seamless contouring when paired with the Dawn House adjustable base. And our hybrid mattress offers the best of both worlds by combining the comfort of gel-infused memory foam with the traditional support of foam-encased individually pocketed coils to contour to your body's curves. Both of our mattresses come with our patented edge support that maximizes the sleeping area and supports you while sitting on the side of the bed or when getting in and out. It provides stable support when leaning or walking around the bed.
Whether you select one of our mattresses or choose another option, we hope these tips will help you successfully shop for a mattress online and find a peaceful night’s sleep.
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