The Complete Mattress Buying Guide

What Is The Best Mattress For You?

Buying a mattress is one of the most important home purchases you'll make, and one of the most overwhelming. With dozens of types, materials, firmness levels, and sizes to choose from, it's easy to feel lost before you even lie down. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to make a confident, informed decision.

Mattress Sizes: Finding the Right Fit

Before anything else, make sure you're shopping in the right size. A mattress that's too small disrupts sleep; one that's too large may not fit your room or bed frame.

Things to consider when choosing a size:

• Measure your bedroom before you shop. Leave at least 24” to 30” of walking space on the sides and foot of the bed.
• If you share your bed with a partner and/or pets, size up when in doubt.
• A Cal King is 4" longer but 4” more narrow than a standard King for taller sleepers, but couples may feel a bit more cramped side-by-side. May require a specail order in-store.

Mattress Types: Understanding What's Under the Surface

The construction of a mattress affects everything; feel, durability, temperature, and motion transfer. Here's a breakdown of the most common types.

Innerspring

The classic coil-based mattress. A steel coil support system provides the foundation, typically with a thin comfort layer on top.

Best for: Sleepers who prefer a traditional, bouncy feel; hot sleepers; those on a tighter budget

Considerations: Less contouring than foam; can transfer motion between partners; coils can wear and squeak over time

Memory Foam

Made entirely of foam layers, memory foam contours closely to the body and relieves pressure points.

Best for: Side sleepers; pressure point relief; couples where one partner moves frequently at night

Considerations: Can retain heat; some people find the "sinking" feel uncomfortable; may off-gas (emit a chemical smell) when new so allow a few days to air out before sleeping on it

Latex

Latex mattresses use natural or synthetic latex rubber. They offer a responsive, buoyant feel that's different from memory foam creating more bounce, less sink.

Best for: Hot sleepers (latex sleeps cooler than memory foam); those who want an eco-friendly option; sleepers who want contouring without feeling "stuck"

Considerations: Heavier and more expensive than foam options; natural latex is the premium choice but comes at a cost

Hybrid

A hybrid combines a coil support system with substantial foam or latex comfort layers (typically 2 inches or more). This is currently one of the most popular mattress categories.

Best for: A wide range of sleepers; couples with different preferences; those who want the support of coils with the contouring of foam

Considerations: Generally more expensive than all-foam or basic innerspring; heavier and harder to move

Pillow Top

A pillow top is a construction feature, not a standalone type. It's an extra layer of soft padding sewn onto the top of a mattress (innerspring or hybrid). Euro tops are a variation where the padding is flush with the mattress edge rather than sitting above it.

Best for: Sleepers who want extra cushioning; those who prefer a softer surface feel

Considerations: Can compress over time; the soft top layer makes rotation especially important

Adjustable Air

These mattresses use air chambers that can be inflated or deflated to adjust firmness, sometimes independently on each side.

Best for: Couples with very different firmness preferences; sleepers whose needs change over time

Considerations: Higher price point; mechanical components that can potentially fail

Adjustable bed?

These will require adjustable friendly mattress. These are also available split for dual sleepers. 

Firmness: Finding Your Feel

Firmness is rated on a general scale from 1 (extremely soft) to 10 (extremely firm), though manufacturers don't use a universal standard, one brand's "medium" may feel like another's "firm." Homemakers uses the standard below. 

How Sleep Position Affects Firmness

Your dominant sleep position is one of the most important factors in choosing the right firmness level.

• Side sleepers need a softer to medium surface to cushion the shoulders and hips, which bear most of the body's weight in this position helping to relieve pressure points and preventing tossing and turning.
• Back sleepers generally do best with a medium to medium-firm mattress that supports the lumbar curve without letting the hips sink too far.
• Stomach sleepers typically need a firmer surface to keep the hips from sinking, which can stress the lower back.
• Combination sleepers (those who shift positions throughout the night) often do best with a medium feel that works reasonably well across positions.

Body Weight and Firmness

Body weight plays a significant role in how a mattress actually feels:

• Lighter sleepers (under 130 lbs): May find firm mattresses too hard; often benefit from going one level softer than recommended
• Average weight sleepers (130–230 lbs): Standard firmness guidelines generally apply
• Heavier sleepers (over 230 lbs): Often need a firmer mattress to prevent excessive sinking; also benefit from mattresses with reinforced edge support and higher coil counts in hybrids

Materials and Construction: What to Look For

Beyond the broad mattress type, the specific materials used affect how the mattress performs and how long it lasts.

Foam Quality

Look for foam density when shopping foam or hybrid mattresses. Higher-density foam is more durable and better at retaining its shape.

• Memory foam: 3+ lbs/cubic ft is considered quality; 4+ lbs is premium
• Support foam (base layers): 1.8+ lbs/cubic ft is acceptable; 2+ lbs is better for longevity

Coil Systems (Innerspring and Hybrid)

• Pocketed/individually wrapped coils: Each coil operates independently, which dramatically reduces motion transfer and improves contouring. This is the preferred coil type for most buyers.
• Bonnell coils: The traditional interconnected coil system. Durable and affordable, but transfers motion and offers less contouring.
• Coil count: More coils generally translates to better support and durability, but this metric can be misleading because coil quality and gauge matter just as much. A queen with 800 - 1,000 quality pocketed coils is typically solid.

Natural and Organic Materials

If you're interested in eco-friendly options, look for:

• GOTS-certified organic cotton covers
• GOLS-certified organic latex
• Certifications like CertiPUR-US for foam (confirms low VOC emissions and no harmful chemicals)

Key Performance Factors

Temperature Regulation

One of the most common mattress complaints is sleeping hot. If you tend to overheat at night, prioritize:

• Hybrid construction (coils allow airflow)
• Latex (naturally temperature-neutral)
• Covers made with breathable materials like Tencel, cotton, or wool
• Gel-infused or copper-infused memory foam
• Phase-change material (PCM) covers, which actively absorb and release heat

Motion Isolation

If you share a bed, motion isolation can make a significant difference in sleep quality. Foam and individually wrapped (sometimes referred to as pocketed coil) mattresses isolate motion best. 

Edge Support

Edge support refers to how well the mattress holds up around its perimeter. Strong edge support:

• Maximizes the usable sleep surface (important for couples)
• Makes it easier to get in and out of bed
• Extends the lifespan of the mattress by preventing premature edge breakdown

Off-Gassing

New foam mattresses, particularly memory foam, can emit a chemical odor when first unpacked, a process called off-gassing. This is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the manufacturing process. It's generally harmless, but can be bothersome.

• Allow a new foam mattress to air out in a ventilated room for 24–72 hours before sleeping on it
• CertiPUR-US certification means the foam was tested for low VOC emissions

Foundation and Bed Frame Compatibility

This is one of the most overlooked parts of the buying process. The wrong foundation can even void any warranty and shorten the life of your mattress significantly.

• Box Foundation: Traditionally known as Box Spring, these are still appropriate for many innerspring mattresses. Not recommended under most foam or hybrid mattresses.
• Platform beds / solid foundation: Good for foam mattresses; ensure slats are no more than 3 inches apart to prevent sagging between them.
• Slatted foundations: Generally fine for most mattress types, but check slat spacing. Wide gaps can allow foam to compress between slats over time.
  • Consider a Bunkie Board for wider gapped slatted foundations. 
• Adjustable bases: Confirm the mattress is rated for use with an adjustable base before purchasing. Most foam and hybrid mattresses work well; some innerspring options do not flex properly.
• Floor placement: Possible with some foam mattresses, but check manufacturer guidelines as some require airflow underneath to prevent mold.

When in doubt, ask the retailer which foundation is recommended and whether purchasing a mismatched foundation will affect your warranty coverage.

Post-Purchase Care and Maintenance

Mattress Protectors: Non-Negotiable

A waterproof mattress protector is the single most important accessory you can buy. It:

• Protects against spills, sweat, allergens, and dust mites
• Keeps staining from voiding your warranty and sleep trial 
• Extends the life of your mattress

Look for protectors that are waterproof but breathable, You don't want to sacrifice temperature regulation.

Rotating Your Mattress

Rotation means spinning the mattress 180 degrees so the head becomes the foot. This distributes wear more evenly across the sleep surface.

• Most modern mattresses should be rotated every 3 to 6 months
• Set a calendar reminder; it's easy to forget

Flipping (turning the mattress upside down) used to be standard advice, but most modern mattresses are one-sided by design and should never be flipped. The exception is mattresses explicitly sold as "double-sided" or "flippable." Check the manufacturer's guidelines.

Signs you may have skipped rotation too long:

• Visible body impressions in your regular sleeping spot
• Waking up with stiffness or soreness that wasn't there before
• Feeling like you're rolling toward the center of the bed

Cleaning Your Mattress

• Spot clean spills immediately with a mild upholstery cleaner or a mix of cold water and a small amount of dish soap. Blot, don't rub.
• Vacuum your mattress every few months using an upholstery attachment to remove dust, dead skin cells, and allergens.
• Baking soda is a safe, effective deodorizer. Sprinkle lightly, let sit for several hours, then vacuum thoroughly.
• Avoid soaking the mattress with liquid, especially foam which can take a very long time to dry and may develop mold if moisture is trapped inside.
• Air it out occasionally by pulling back all bedding and letting the mattress breathe for a few hours.

Bed Bugs and Allergens

If you're prone to allergies, consider mattress encasements (which fully enclose the mattress, unlike protectors that only cover the top) to block dust mites. Wash all bedding, including the protector, regularly.

Knowing When to Replace Your Mattress

A mattress doesn't last forever. Sleeping on a worn-out mattress affects the quality of your sleep and can contribute to back pain, joint stiffness, and daytime fatigue.

General Lifespan by Type

The spoken standard for lifespand is eight-years years, but this depends much on the type of mattress you have and the use of that mattress. For instance, a guest bed gets little use and would not necessary need replaced in eight-years. 

Mattresses may also need to be replaced should the primary sleepers needs change with age, injury or just a change in preferred sleep postion.

Signs It's Time for a New Mattress

• Visible sagging or body impressions deeper than 1 to 1.5 inches
• Coils you can feel through the comfort layers
• Waking up stiff or sore regularly, especially when you sleep better elsewhere (a hotel, a guest bed, etc.)
• Noisy springs that squeak or creak with movement
• Allergies or asthma worsening - older mattresses can harbor significant amounts of dust mites and allergens
• It's simply old - even a mattress that "looks fine" degrades in ways that aren't always visible

A mattress that's past its prime is worth replacing sooner rather than later. Poor sleep has a measurable impact on health, mood, and productivity.

Trial Periods, Warranties, and Returns 

This is a section many buyers skip during the excitement of shopping. Don't.

Sleep Trials

Stop into Homemakers Furniture to see and feel for yourself before purchase, and delivery is available whether you shop online or in-store.  Homemakers also offers Iowa customers our 120-Night Comfort Guarantee.

This is important because it can take your body several weeks to adjust to a new mattress.

• Understand the terms: some companies require you to sleep on the mattress for a minimum period (often 30 days) before a return is accepted.

Warranties

Understand the length of time and the details of the warranty before you buy. Warranties can very based on brand or store of purchase.

• What's typically covered: Most warranties cover manufacturing defects and sagging beyond a defined threshold (commonly 1 to 1.5 inches)
• What's not typically covered: Normal wear, comfort preference changes, damage from an improper foundation, or staining which is why a mattress protector is non-negotiable. More on this below.
• Prorated vs. non-prorated: A non-prorated warranty covers replacement cost in full for the entire warranty period. A prorated warranty gradually shifts more of the replacement cost to you over time.

Final Thoughts Before You Buy 

A few last things to keep in mind as you make your decision:

• Take advantage of in-store testing. Lie down in your actual sleep position for at least 10–15 minutes. Don't be shy about it.
• A pillow for your head affects 30% of your comfort. An old pillow may diminish mattress comfort. 
• Factor in the full cost. A foundation, mattress protector, and any pillows you need are part of the real purchase price.
• Read the fine print on trials and warranties before you buy, not after.
• Don't over-index on price. A higher price doesn't always mean a better mattress for your body. Focus on construction, materials, and how it feels to you.
• If you share a bed, shop together. Two people sleeping on the same mattress rarely have identical needs, and a compromise you test together is better than a surprise.

Sleep is not a luxury, it's a foundation for everything else. Take the time to get this purchase right.