Buying Guide

What to Look For in a New Mattress

Where to start when looking for a new sleep set? Here is a brief overview of the construction basics when it comes to finding the right mattress for you.

Know Your Sleep Set

Let's start with a common myth: that your foundation (or box spring) is not important in the purchase of a new bed. Actually, although it is true that a new mattress will feel much the same initially on an old or new box spring, the new box spring will significantly extend the life of your new mattress.

Most brand name mattresses last about 10 years on a new box spring, while a mattress on an old box spring will last only 3 to 4 years. Mattresses with steel reinforced box springs add to longevity.

Your best move: Buy the entire mattress and box spring set. It does not make financial sense to purchase just the box spring. All of our buying guide information is based on the premise that you will purchase an entire new bedding set.

Core and Coil Basics

The mattress core is the most important part of the mattress because it supports the body. While the box spring is supporting the mattress, the mattress is supporting you. The core of the mattress is made up of metal coils, also known as coils.

There are three things you need to know about coils in mattresses.

1. The number of coils in a mattress should correspond to how much support a mattress provides. For instance, a mattress with 300 coils will give you less support than a mattress with 700 coils. This is not to say that a mattress with 300 coils is a bad mattress; you may like the amount of support a particular 300-coil mattress provides. If you are looking for a very firm mattress, you should look for one that has a high coil count. Note: This is only a general guideline as there may be some exceptions.
2. The gauge of the coils is important when buying a mattress. The gauge of a coil refers to the number of coil-wire thicknesses it would take to equal one inch. Heavy-gauge (thick) coils offer a great deal of support, while lighter gauge coils provide less support. There is nothing wrong with having heavy- or light-gauge coils in your mattress; the problem arises if someone tries to sell you a mattress with a low coil count and heavy gauge wire as a firm mattress. This mattress will become lumpy quickly because it does not have enough coils. Most brand name mattress companies stay within a reasonable range when making their mattresses.
3. The connections between the coils is equally important. Most often, the number and quality of these interconnecting wires is not published. If there are too few of these interconnecting wires, a mattress can lose its shape more quickly than one that has an adequate amount. Mattresses that sag quickly usually have few interconnecting wires.

Upholstery

The upholstery on top of a mattress is most important for basic comfort. However, the upholstery choice is up to you. Do you want to feel like you are sleeping on a feather bed, but need real support? Consider a pillow top mattress. Do you want to feel like you are sleeping on a board? Then choose a cover with the thinnest upholstery available.

The most expensive aspect of mattress construction is fabric. The addition of wool, silk and layer upon layer of foam or cotton adds significantly to the cost. Before you pay for these perks, consider that the thick layers of padding are more likely than the springs to compress to the point of feeling like the mattress is sagging. You may pay a premium to get something that eventually becomes concave because thick plush or pillow top components eventually break down, even if the springs do not. And unlike an egg crate or other forms of padding, you cannot simply remove and replace it when it does. In any case, for maximum longevity, regularly rotate and flip your mattress (or regularly rotate no-flip models).