They say that you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince; well, the same could be said for mattresses: you’ve got to try a few before you find the right one. There is no one ideal mattress because no one person sleeps like another. It all boils down to personal preference.
First you must determine how you sleep. Do you sleep on your back? Your side? Your stomach? Do you toss and turn? Does your partner move around a lot? Determining how the bed’s “users” sleep will help you choose the right mattress.
Side Sleepers
Compared to a stomach or back sleeper, a slide sleeper has less of her body area supported by the mattress, which creates more pressure points. That’s why side sleepers generally prefer more cushioning when it comes to comfort, and a springy mattress (medium firm) when it comes to support. Softer mattresses such as memory foam also accommodate the natural curves of side sleepers while maintaining proper spine alignment.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers tend to prefer a hard, supportive mattress. Latex mattresses are an excellent choice for optimal support and stiffness while inner spring mattresses provide firmness with a bit of bounce.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers fall somewhere in-between side and stomach sleepers for comfort and support requirements. Most prefer medium cushioning and tend toward a stiffer mattress, such as an inner spring rather than memory foam.
Body Type
But whatever your sleeping habits, your body type is an important consideration. The heavier you are, the firmer the support you need to keep your spine in proper alignment while you sleep.
Your Partner
Chances are that you and your partner do not share the same sleep habits. Some couples prefer the effective motion separation afforded by pocket coils. Others favour the individualized support of memory foam, which prevents the movements of one sleeper from disturbing the other.
If you and your partner have differing opinions on firmness, remember that it is always easier to “soften” a hard mattress: simply add a bed topper in the softness of your choice to one side of the bed. Or, purchase a mattress that offers different comfort preferences on each side.
The Bottom Line
Each type of mattresses offers specific advantages. By determining your sleep habits and trying out all sorts of different mattresses, you will find the one best suited to your particular needs and preferences.