Buying mattresses; no idea where to start! Help?

Question

Hiya,

I need to buy a double mattress, but I have no idea where to start, what's good and what's bad, and also, what kind of price I should be looking at. I don't need an amazing mattress, or one that will last for 20 years (to be honest, 5 years would be good enough. This is really a stop-gap, emergency purchase, as mattresses go), I just need one that is safe, reasonably comfortable, and won't destroy my bank balance (I'm a student!).

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Dani

Answer 1

The first thing to consider is your budget. You will hear many people say that you should go for the most expensive that you can afford. But you need to take into account that a big brand name mattress, in a big chain store, for lets say £200, wouldn't be as good as one made by a smaller independent manufacturer, and bought from an independent on line retailer, for £100.



So if you want good quality at a low price, then stay well away from any of the big brands, and big retailers. And instead buy one made by a smaller independent manufacturer, from an on line retailer. But most importantly make sure that they give a proper 100% satisfaction guarantee, that allows you to unpack and sleep on the mattress (many retailers won't allow this with mattresses).





You will see many people saying that you should go to a bed shop and try mattresses out. The problem with this is that it can give you a false sense of security. This is because laying on a bed for 10 minutes in a shop, fully clothed, is only going to give you a very rough idea. And it isn't going to tell you what it is like to sleep on. Remember most (not all) retailers won't take mattresses back if you don't like them.





If you are on a low budget, then you may be better off with a decent quality open coil sprung mattress. You can get a decent quality, 8" deep one for around £135. Or if you want to go up to a 10" deep, high quality one for around £150.



If you can afford a pocket sprung mattress (that will give far better support), then stay between 1000 and 1800 pocket springs. And you can get a good quality 10" deep one for under £270.





Someone said that you should use a box spring (known as a sprung divan base in the UK). Well this is complete rubbish, and is a tactic used by sales staff to get you to spend more.



If you have a slatted bedstead, then open coil sprung mattresses will be absolutely fine on it. With a pocket sprung mattress you would need to lay a sheet of thin hardboard over the slats to stop the springs trying to push through, and becoming damaged.



If you have a divan base, then this will be suitable for any type of mattress. JUst make sure that there are no dips or soft spots on it, and that it is still level.





Ignore the mattress brands site that someone mentioned. It is just a click through, advertising site.





Avoid non turn mattresses, as they won't last as long if they can't be turned.



Pillow Top mattresses that look like they have a quilt sewn onto the top of them, are one of the worst gimmicks on the market. So avoid.



Foam only mattresses can be very hot and sweaty. And the foam can start to break down over time, leaving a dip.



Don't use inflatable mattresses for long term use.





Contact the seller, telling them your budget, what type of base it is going on, how firm you like your mattress, your previous mattress (and if you liked it or not), and your rough size (if you are very small or large). And they should be able to give you the best advice. If it sounds like they are just trying to get you to spend more, then go elswhere. If they give a proper satisfaction guarantee, then it is in their interest to make sure that you make the right choice the first time, otherwise it will cost them money to exchange it.

Answer 2

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW



Buying a mattress can be a challenging experience. That is a nice way of saying that buying a mattress can feel akin to buying a used car. While not all mattress retailers are trying to pull a fast one, there are some insidious scams that mattress retailers have been using for years that are still being commonly used in mattress stores every day. That isn't to say you can't find the mattress that you want and get a good price. But your chances for getting both the right mattress for you at a great price will go up drastically if you come armed with a rarely information .





The Ever Changing Name Scam

This is an oldie but goody. This has been going on for decades, and is a basic way mattress retailers try to keep customers from comparison shopping. Here's the deal - while all mattresses of a particular name brand manufacturer (Serta, Sealy, Simmons, etc.), are made at the same factory, the factory will put different names on the exact same mattress that is going to different retailers. That way, if you shop for a mattress with a particular dealer, you will find that you can't comparison shop the same mattress (by name) with another dealer. So, even though the other dealer will have the exact same mattress, they will have it with another name (and perhaps a different outside cover as well, to better throw you off). This little trick protects each retailer's turf, and also allows them to try to sell you on their own "personalized" line as somehow better than the identical mattress from their competitors (but since it has a different name, the consumer has no idea )











01

Take note of comfortable mattresses you've slept on. Do you always sleep like a baby on your mother-in-law's guest bed? Did a refreshing sleep at a hotel leave you waltzing (at 7 a.m.) to the continental breakfast? take note. Find out what type and brand of mattress it was that you enjoyed so much and use that as the starting point for your search. For that dreamy hotel mattress.







Ask friends and family for mattress store suggestions. No luck? Consult review sites like Yelp to help determine the quality and trustworthiness of whatever mattress stores you're considering.











Set a budget. Investigate mattress prices online so you have realistic expectations when you step into the store, and review your personal budget to determine how much you can afford to spend on a mattress. Remember that cheaper isn't always better.











Look for Sales. Many mattress stores and manufacturers will have substantial sales on patriotic holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day.











Bring Your Partner. If you'll be sharing this mattress, bring your partner along to test the mattresses. The sleep health of both of you is at stake. Plus, the pressure of your partner on the mattress next to you affects the way the mattress feels for you.







www.mattressmens.com

Answer 3

£ 130 for a bonnel spring unit double mattress its a good mattress i have purchased from a shop here in st annes near blackpool. got a 2 yrs gurantee on it . its been over 6 years now. the price is still the same

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

Basically, the innerspring mattress consists of two things, a spring system that provides the support, and layers of foam/padding to add comfort. The more foam/padding, the softer it is, the less foam padding, the more firm it is. It is important to know that firm does not equal more support. When you start shopping, you will learn that not all springs are equal, and not all foam is equal, there is variation in both.



There are also memory foam or air filled mattresses, but these are likely out of your price point.



My suggestion would be to go and do some research at a retailer. Lay on the beds in the manner you would sleep at home (side, stomach, back), and take your time. You can be straightforward with the sales associate and tell them your needs (5 years, affordable). They will most likely direct you towards their lower to middle end beds. They might try to up-sell you (it's their job), so be ready for it, and simply state it is out of your budget. I also would avoid the absolute lowest priced bed, those are generally made to fit a price point they can put in an advertisement, and the quality matches that price point.



The mattresses in the show room have been broken in by the many customers that have layed on them, so when you get your new mattress, it will take some time for it to feel the same. It also will take that much time for your body to adjust to a different mattress. At first you might seem discontent with it, but I recommend giving it at least 2-3 weeks.



As a side note to another comment, it is not acceptable to use a mattress without a boxspring. A mattress is designed to be layed on a box spring or other support system that supports the entire length of the bed. A frame alone only provides support at a few points. Without that full length support, the mattress will sag, and likely break, the end result ultimately being discomfort and back pain. Using another form of support like a captain's bed, daybed, bunky board is acceptable, and may be cheaper.

Answer 6

I found this site by typing "mattress brands, UK" in the internet search box. I glanced over it briefly and it appears to be a site that reviews mattress brands common to the UK. Hopefully, this will give you the information that you need.



Now, as to selecting the best mattress for your needs, I can offer some suggestions - Things I've learned the hard way through my own experiences.



1) Take note of how you sleep (on your back, on your side, stomach of a combination of them) because most companies build mattresses that cater to how people sleep.



2) When you go mattress shopping, it is wise to always test them out. Lay down on it to see what it feels like and give it a good ten minutes or so. If you sleep mainly on your side, you'll want to test it out by laying on your side. You want to give it at least that much time in order to determine if the support you'll need is there or whether you'll end up with sore spots (usually hips & shoulders). This one I know from (painful) experience. The last new mattress that we bought, I did lay down on it, but not on my side and I did not give it near enough time to determine whether it would work for me because I was self-conscious about lying on the bed in the store. We bought it because it was within our price range, then ended up having to go out and get a separate mattress topper because it ended up being too firm and did not have enough padding: The morning after my first night sleeping on it, my shoulders and hips ached like someone had beaten me. Seriously, it was about as comfortable as sleeping on concrete!



3) Take the time to learn the lingo of the industry. What's the difference between "plush" and "pillowtop?" What are the different inner support systems and which is preferred/recommended for the different types of sleepers in the world (side, back, stomach)?



4) Once you have decided upon a bed set, do think about getting a set of bed-bug protector covers. While they can be a bit pricey, think of them as an insurance policy against infestation. Do know that you will need one for the mattress and one for each piece of the foundation/box spring (King size beds have two box spring pieces). Having lost more than my fair share of beds and furnishings to bed-bug infestations (all of the buildings at the last apartment complex we lived were infested & management flipped it around so that it was the tenants' fault so as to avoid responsibility for the problem), I would not even consider NOT purchasing the protectors for a new bed set.



5) If money is really tight and you need a bed, you can make do with a self inflating air mattress for a time. The high-rise options are better than the standard ones you'd use for camping. The only draw-backs to this option are that sometimes your fitted sheets will pop off no matter what you do, if you share the bed with someone else you'll each have to be careful when getting into or out of the bed so that you don't bounce the other person off and sometimes *ahem* too vigorous "nocturnal activities" can cause it to pop.



Good luck with your search and I hope that you find exactly what you need in order to get a good night's sleep.

Answer 7

I just got a new firm foam mattress without the box springs for about $250 USA. You can buy just the top mattress without the bottom mattress part, the box springs. If the top part is firm enough that should be ok. Also, it's important in life to know God as a Christian and then you can pray about your life and get God's help.

It's important to know God in your life as a Christian as the Holy Bible says that we can go to heaven when we die to be with God forever if we are a faithful Christian, and we end up in hell, a very bad place of suffering, if we don't follow God. God is our spiritual Father, and God is love. Praying the prayer below will make you a Christian. Then, live it out with faith and love for God and Jesus Christ, love others, Bible study, prayer, and church. It's about having a relationship with God. God is our spiritual Father, Creator, life, love, all-powerful, all-knowing, holy, eternal.

This is how to know God -- the basic Christian message and prayer --- you need to accept God's Son, Jesus Christ, into your life to be a Christian and follow God's ways so you can receive God's guidance in your life and get to heaven after you die. Knowing God can transform your life. As God is love, life is primarily about love and relationships in order to have a rich and full life. Also, you need to know God's Son, Jesus Christ, in your life as your Lord and Savior as Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sins. Having Him with you will give you God's blessing and forgiveness, as you live God's way. Not following God leads to hell, eternal suffering. Instead, there is an important prayer to pray to become a Christian. This prayer should be said with faith in God and a sincere heart:

"Dear God, I know that I am a sinful person and I don't want to be like this anymore. I know that Jesus Christ died on the cross as payment for our sins, and I want to accept Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior so I can receive God's forgiveness, guidance, and go to heaven someday. Thank you, dear God, for your mercy and guidance; in Jesus' name. Amen."

This prayer can take you to a new place in your relationship with God and transform your life. After saying this prayer, you should check out a Christian church, like Baptist or Lutheran (not ELCA Lutheran). The church can get you baptized and prayed for, and you can pray for yourself daily.

The church can get you into their Bible study group so you can learn more about God, Jesus, and God's will for your life. The Bible is God's instruction book about how to live a God-honoring life so you can go to heaven after you die. Ways to stay connected to God's path include loving God and Jesus Christ, obeying God's ways, daily Bible reading, daily prayer for yourself and others, getting to church, having your church prayer group and/or pastor pray for you, fasting with prayer for a higher level of prayer, getting with other Christians and doing a Bible study, singing hymns to God, taking communion with the church, helping and loving others, expressing your gratitude to God for His help in your life by telling others of your progress and helping them draw closer to God too, tithing, volunteering at church. Continue to turn from sins and seek God's forgiveness in your life as you live your daily life.

Check out this website for more information in your area --

http://uk.alpha.org

God guide your life.

Answer 8

Are you in the US? Sealy, Simmons, and Serta (the S's) all make good ones. Even if you buy one at a discounter like Sam's Club, they claim in their TV ads that they deliver. Big Lots sells them, but not sure if they deliver. You can get some fair ' no-name' ones if you look in your phone book for local stores under 'Discount Furniture' --for under $200; that's what I did for my dad's retirement apartment. Just DON'T settle for a used one; bedbugs and all that. Good luck!

Answer 9

See if your local LIDL/ ALDI still have any of their memory foam mattresses from a few weeks back.

I bought a kingsize for 90 quid.