Shopping for the best mattress can seem like a daunting prospect. After all, what defines the ‘best mattresses’ available varies hugely from one person to the next. Hence, rather than simply considering every mattress available at random, it’s better to ask one key question:
What type of mattresses is best for me?
Immediately, factoring in your own requirements and preferences will help you narrow down the market for mattresses massively. This means taking into account whether you’re a stomach sleeper, side sleeper, back sleeper, toss & turn sleeper and so on. Not to mention, whether or not you suffer from back pain, stiffness, disturbed sleep or any other issues.
Where most people go wrong is by focusing too much on things that don’t really matter. Examples of which include prioritizing price over quality, reading too much into misleading marketing or simply assuming one type of mattresses is ‘better’ than another.
Spoiler alert – ‘better’ is all in the eye of the beholder.
Roughly translated, what represents the best mattress on the market for you could be entirely inappropriate for someone else. And it goes without saying that ending up with a mattress you hate is a scenario best avoided.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what matters most when buying a mattress. We’ll also be shortlisting a handful of top-shelf options to check out along the way. All tried, tested and approved by thousands of satisfied customers.
Best Mattress Brands 2020
Before getting started, a word or two on brands. On one hand, buying a mattress exclusively on the basis of brand pedigree is inadvisable. That said, it’s always better to stick with a top-rated brand you know you can count on.
The best mattress to buy from any given brand will be determined by your requirements and preferences. As for the best time to buy a mattress…well, it depends on what you mean. If your mattress is causing your problems, the best time to buy is right now. If you’ve the luxury of time, wait until sales season to save a packet.
Whenever you decide is the right time to buy, take a look at what’s on offer from these top-shelf manufacturers:
Idle Sleep
Having recently undergone a major makeover, Idle Sleep has reappeared with a series of new offerings. All of which tower over the competition in terms of quality, comfort and value for money.
Nectar Sleep
These guys have been around for some time and know a thing or two. Particularly where pressure-relief mattresses are concerned, which are up for grabs at bargain prices.
DreamCloud
Another veteran on the scene that utilizes the latest gel memory foam technology. A cool, comfortable and enjoyable night’s sleep guaranteed, or your money back.
Helix
A definite contender for the best mattress on the market for side sleepers. Helix uses a hybrid design to pack the best of all worlds into its mattresses.
WinkBeds
Famed for the kind of meticulous attention to detail that makes a real difference. WInkBeds takes some beating where cutting-edge firm mattress design is concerned.
The Best Mattresses of 2020
As you’d expect, each of these brands produces a wide variety of mattresses. In which case, we’ll now be taking closer look at some of their most popular products.
Here are our personal recommendations, in accordance with specific buyer preferences and priorities:
1) Idle Sleep - Best Mattress for Backpain
Idle Sleep
Having recently undergone a major makeover, Idle Sleep has reappeared with a series of new offerings. All of which tower over the competition in terms of quality, comfort and value for money.
What is the best mattress for back pain right now? By a fair margin, it’s the Idle Sleep Hybrid. Sleepers with backpain are advised to stick with medium or firm mattresses. The beauty of this Idle Sleep mattress being that it is flippable. One side is medium, the other is firm – the best of both worlds in one mattress.
In both instances, it’s an extremely supportive and comfortable mattress of the highest quality. Experiment with both sides, or switch from time to time as your requirements necessitates. Whether it’s hip pain, upper back pain or lower back pain that’s troubling you, it won’t be after a few nights on this.
For added reassurance, every unit also ships with a full 18-month sleep trial guarantee. If you’re not totally convinced, they’ll give you your money back. There’s also a wide variety of optional extras available, along with affordable finance options to spread the costs.
2) Nectar Sleep - Best Cheap Mattress
Nectar Sleep
These guys have been around for some time and know a thing or two. Particularly where pressure-relief mattresses are concerned, which are up for grabs at bargain prices.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers at an affordable price? You’d have to hand that one to Nectar Sleep. Their plush memory foam mattress works wonders for side sleepers, yet sells for way less than you’d expect.
There’s a full 5 inches of memory foam to the top, for just the right amount of sinkage. It’s a hugely supportive mattress that’s designed to relieve pressure at the hips and shoulders. Motion absorption across the whole thing also makes it great for couples.
On the whole, Nectar Sleep demonstrates how you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great mattress. It also ships with an extensive warranty for peace of mind, but you won’t be needing it. For this type of money, there really isn’t anything better you can pick up right now. The best cheap mattress on the market by far.
3) DreamCloud - Best Mattress for Heavy People
DreamCloud
Another veteran on the scene that utilizes the latest gel memory foam technology. A cool, comfortable and enjoyable night’s sleep guaranteed, or your money back.
What is the best mattress for a heavy person? For obvious reasons, firmness and durability need to be factored in. After all, a person weighing 300lbs and someone weighing 100lbs wouldn’t have the same experience on the same mattress.
For this reason, some of the latest lines from DreamCloud come highly recommended. Ultra-premium and packed with high-end hardware, they’re great for heavy people and heavy couples alike. They’re not cheap to buy, but represent exceptional long-term value for money.
There’s a 365-night guarantee included with every purchase, along with a limit of lifetime warranty. Though it’s best for heavy people to check the small print before buying to note any exclusions. In any case, this is about as good as a mattress for heavier people gets.
Particularly if looking for something that’s going to last for years and remain totally comfortable.
4) Helix - Best Hybrid Mattress
Helix
A definite contender for the best mattress on the market for side sleepers. Helix uses a hybrid design to pack the best of all worlds into its mattresses.
A hybrid mattress is almost always the best option for side sleepers. What’s the best hybrid mattress for side sleepers? Take a look at the latest lines from Helix and it’s practically impossible to go wrong.
There’s a total of 13 different hybrid options to choose from, with various levels of firmness. Choosing the best hybrid mattress means factoring things like weight, sleeping position and personal preferences into the equation. Though if you’re a side sleeper of a relatively average weight, you’ll be sleeping like a baby with one of these in your life.
Extensive warranties and sleep trials are again included with every purchase, so no worries there. Kiss goodbye to joint pains, backache and disturbed sleep at a surprisingly affordable price.
5) WinkBed - Best Firm Mattress
WinkBeds
Famed for the kind of meticulous attention to detail that makes a real difference. WInkBeds takes some beating where cutting-edge firm mattress design is concerned.
If you’re simply on the lookout for an extra-firm mattress, there’s no short of options available. But what is the best firm mattress money can buy right now?
WinkBed offers an outstanding firm mattress for a bad back. Striking the perfect balance between support and pressure relief, there are three levels of firmness to choose one. The hardest option being the firm mattress to buy, if looking for something firmer than most manufacturers offer.
Every WinkBed mattress comprises premium-quality materials and is manufactured with meticulous attention to detail. All with a breathable cover for a cool night’s sleeps and a variety of size options to choose from.
When these guys make a firm mattress, they don’t kid around – firm means firm with this thing!
Mattress Buying Guide
By now, we’ve covered just a few of the best mattresses available for common preferences and priorities. But what if you’re not sure what kind of mattress you need? What should be taken into account when choosing a mattress?
Truth is, there are various factors that should be considered before placing your order. Some are preference-oriented, but others are directly connected with your health and wellbeing. Precisely why buying a mattress at random is never the way to go.
Here’s a brief rundown of just a few of the main points to consider when shopping for a mattress:
Your Lifestyle and Age
For the most part, age alone doesn’t have a huge bearing on the type of mattress you need. Of course, younger children benefit from firmer mattresses to support their development. But after this, you’ll develop your own unique requirements and preferences along the way.
Ensuring you have an appropriately supportive mattress at every age is essential. Consider your needs, your sleeping style and your preferences, rather than just your age.
Choose Your Mattress Type
Despite there being thousands of different mattresses to choose from, they all slot into one of just three categories. These three primary mattress types being as follows:
- 1Specialty foam. These usually comprise several different types of foam in a layered structure.
- 2Innerspring. These are the traditional mattresses that support the body with springs.
- 3Hybrid. As the name suggests, hybrid mattresses combine springs with foam.
There’s technically no ‘better’ type of mattress outright, as it depends on your needs and preferences. However, you could (quite rightly) argue that a hybrid delivers the best of both worlds.
Most ultra-premium mattresses these days utilize a hybrid design and are available in various levels of firmness.
Size & Sleeping Position
The size of the bed you choose is entirely up to you. For some, there’s no such thing as a bed or mattress that’s too big. By contrast, others prefer something more compact and cozy. Size matters most when there’s two of you sharing the bed – as does motion absorption.
Sleeping position, however, is one of the most important considerations of all. If you are a back sleeper or a combination sleeper, a medium-firm mattress is the way to go. If you sleep on your side, you need something that’s going to take the strain off your ‘pressure points.
As most people sleep in multiple positions, versatility is key when shopping for a quality mattress.
Pressure Points
Just to clarify, ‘pressure points’ are the areas around the shoulders, hips and elsewhere that come under heightened pressure when you sleep on your side. Side-sleepers are typically advised against overly firm mattresses, to avoid discomfort.
Comfort Level
The comfort (or otherwise) of a mattress is purely in the eye of the beholder. Nobody would knowingly buy a mattress they find to be uncomfortable, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, what’s a comfortable for you could be completely uncomfortable for someone else. It’s your preferences and sleeping habits you therefore need to prioritize.
Return Policy & Sleep Trial
Most premium-quality mattresses these days are sold on the basis of a ‘sleep trial’. This means that for a period of time, you can test the mattress at home for yourself. If you’re not completely happy, you can request a refund. The trial can be anything from a few weeks to 18 months, depending on the manufacturer and the specific mattress.
Of course, you still need to pay for it as normal, but you’ll get your money back if it’s not for you. Some sellers cover all return postage costs – others ask the buyer to pay for return shipping.
Warranty
This is different to a sleep trial, as it covers the materials, components and craftsmanship of the mattress. During the warranty period, faults or issues not caused by the owner will be fixed for free. For example, if one or more springs fails during the first 5 years, it’ll be repaired or replaced.
A long warranty is always better, though usually comes as standard with most quality mattresses. Warranties vary from a couple of years to seven years or more. The latter being pretty much the average lifespan of a decent mattress.
The Best Place to Buy a Mattress
For various reasons, some people simpler prefer shopping on the High Street. Likewise, just as many (if not more) people are all about shopping online. Personal preference is one thing, but facts are facts. And when you look at the facts, there’s a pretty clear winner in this instance.
Shopping for a mattress all about picking up the best possible product you can find at an unbeatable price. Not to mention, making things as easy and stress free as possible for yourself. There are pros and cons on all sides of the argument – a few of which we’ll be taking a look at now.
Shopping for a Mattress Online
First up, shopping online has become the preferred option to most. Irrespective of your requirements and budget, you’ll find an endless range of options to choose from. The primary pros and cons of buying online being as follows:
Pros
Cons
Buying a mattress you’ve never tested may seem risky, but that’s where sleep trials come in. There’s technically no risk at all, as you can always return it if you decide it’s not for you.
Shopping for a Mattress with Big-Box Retailers
Sam’s Club and Costco are the kinds of stores we’re talking about here. You know, the ones where you end up randomly buying 350 boxes of tissues just because they’re on offer. Pros and cons to consider when shopping with these guys include the following:
Pros
Cons
Of course, big-box retailer special deals and discounts can sometimes be unbeatable. So they’re worth keeping your eye on, if there’s one in your area.
Shopping for a Mattress at a Local Store
This is your ‘classic’ approach to shopping for a mattress, which involves popping down to your local retailer. Positives and negatives to consider in this instance being as follows:
Pros
Cons
Buying local is admirable if it’s something you can afford to do. However, you’ll almost always save money (and a lot of it) by shopping online.
Hence, just as long as there’s a decent refund policy, shopping online is the way to go. Even if there’s a risk you won’t be happy with your mattress, you’ve the option of sending it back anytime.
FAQ's
Still unsure how to get started shopping for your ideal mattress? If you’ve any questions or concerns remaining at this stage, you’ll find all the info and insights you need in the FAQ below:
As outlined above, choosing a mattress is as simple as establishing your requirements and personal preferences. This means thinking about your preferred sleeping position, the level of support you need, whether other factors should be taken into consideration (your weight, sleeping as a couple, staying cool at night etc.) and so on. After which, you simply choose a mattress that meets all of your requirements at a price you can afford.
In most instances, shopping online is the best way find an exceptional mattress at an affordable price. Along with providing access to the widest range of mattresses dozens of leading manufacturers, buying online also means benefiting from deals and the lowest possible prices. Just as long as there’s a decent warranty or ‘sleep trial’ to cover the sale, there’s really no risk involved.
Contrary to popular belief, the answer is no. You cannot and therefore should not base your decision entirely on the price of the mattress. Just as some of the most expensive mattresses available can be disappointing when put to the test, there are plenty of low-cost mattresses that are surprisingly comfortable. Hence, value for money should be prioritized over initial purchase price.
Most public health bodies (and experts in general) recommend replacing your mattress every 7 to 9 years. Though this depends entirely on the quality of the mattress you buy and how it is used/looked after. Some mattresses can easily exceed this average lifespan. By contrast, some low-end mattresses need to be replaced within 2 to 3 years at the very most.
The best time to buy a mattress is the moment you realize you need one. If your current mattress is causing you pain or discomfort, it needs to go. Remember – you spend approximately one third of your entire life sleeping. A good mattress therefore being one of the most important assets you will ever own.
In terms of the best deals and promos of the year, the best times to shop for a bargain mattress include:
Black Friday
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
New Years
Most retailers throw their own special deals and discounts into the mix quite regularly. Feel free to wait for a sale if you’re not in a rush, but don’t put things off too long. A mattress that’s not suitable for you could be doing a number on your health and wellbeing.
There are plenty of mattresses available that can help with back pain. Rather than instinctively choosing one brand over another, it’s better to focus on the properties of the mattress. Its firmness, the quality of the materials, who it’s recommended for and so on. Your sleeping position should also be factored in, which could be contributing to your discomfort. Idle Sleep offer some fantastic mattresses for back pain, so be sure to check them out.
A Helix hybrid mattress is considered one of the best options available for side sleepers. Though realistically, you’d be just fine with of the brands we’ve covered. Comfort for side sleepers is all about easing the strain on the body’s ‘pressure points’. A hybrid mattress that combines springs with luxury memory foam is usually the best option. You could also choose a flippable option – one side firm, one side medium – the best of both!
All five of the brands we’ve covered rank within the best mattress manufactures on the market. Each having its own points of appeal and areas of expertise. In terms of quality, value for money, warranties and so on, they’re all equally great. It’s therefore a case of all choice and no compromise – you won’t go wrong with these five.
As already touched upon, the best mattress is the mattress that works for you. We all sleep differently and have different needs, which the right mattress can support. A mattress is an invaluable long-term investment, so it’s worth getting right. Pair your requirements with a quality mattress from a brand you can trust, like those listed here.
Some brands are so confident in their products that they guarantee you’ll love them. If you don’t, you can send them back for a full refund. With mattresses, this so-called ‘sleep trial’ can go on for as long as 18 months. Some sellers give you a few weeks to decide, others up to a year and a half. You test it out at home, you see how it suits you and you send it back if you’re unhappy. Total peace of mind and a risk-free approach to buying a new mattress online.