Best Mattresses of 2021
How to Pick the Right Mattress
Mattresses are not “one size fits all.” Since you spend a third of your life on your mattress, it should be designed for your needs. When making your purchase decision, here are some factors to consider:
Your Preferred Sleep Position
You may like to sleep on your side, back, stomach, or a combination of the three. Whatever your desired position, there are plenty of options available.
- Back sleepers: If you sleep on your back, you should look for a medium – medium firm mattress with a comfort layer that will contour your body, like the Leesa mattress.
- Stomach sleepers: A medium firm mattress will help you avoid pain at pressure points without sacrificing on spinal alignment. Layla is a perfect example of one such mattress.
- Side sleepers: Focus on spinal alignment and pressure relief. A mattress that is too plush will put you at risk for poor spinal alignment, and a mattress that is too firm will put a lot of pressure on your hips and shoulders, causing pain throughout the night. Side sleepers will be best off finding a mattress right in the middle, like Nectar.
Your Pain Points
If you have something that’s keeping you awake at night– like back pain or night sweats– make sure to get a mattress that addresses your needs. Sleeping on the right mattress can make a world of difference.
- Back pain: If back pain is keeping you awake at night, you’ll first want to identify what type of back pain you’re experiencing. For most people with back pain, a firm mattress works best. Additionally, people with chronic back pain usually prefer a memory foam mattress. This makes the Layla mattress a great option for people with back pain, since it is flippable for different levels of support.
- Sleeping hot: Being hot at night can disturb your quality of sleep. If you frequently find yourself overheating or waking up with night sweats, consider investing in a mattress with special cooling properties, like GhostBed.
- A partner who moves around at night: If your sleep partner’s movements keep you from staying asleep, consider a mattress with high motion isolation. This prevents movements on one side of the mattress from being felt on the other side of the mattress. Layla is a great example of a mattress with high motion isolation.
Personal Factors
- Best mattresses for seniors: Older people may have additional sleep needs, including increased pressure relief. The Saatva mattress tends to be an excellent option for seniors.
- Best mattresses for people over 200 pounds: People who are over 200 pounds require highly durable mattresses to prevent sagging. Additionally, heavier people may require a temperature-regulating mattress if they find themselves overheating at night. If you or your partner are over 200 pounds, it will pay off to purchase a mattress specifically designed to meet the needs of heavy people.
- Best mattresses for couples: Couples have many things to consider, including the sleep position of each person, the need for motion isolation, and whether the mattress is good for sex.
As Featured On
We take a lot of naps. It’s tough work, but someone has to do it! In all seriousness, we put these mattresses through the wringer. We evaluate on a myriad of different factors including pressure relief, spine alignment, motion transfer, and cooling/airflow.
Not only is the mattress itself important, but so is the purchasing process. We take into account the ease of ordering, how shipping is handled, the ease of setup, and overall customer service.
We set try to make the mattress buying experience simple, stress-free, and maybe even a little fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of mattress?
Mattresses are not one size fits all. There are a lot of factors to think about. What position do you sleep in? Do you sleep alone or with a partner? Are you generally hot or cold when you sleep? Do you like to sink or prefer a firmer surface? The reality is, it’s going to come down to personal preference. Luckily for you, there are tons of options to choose from.
How often should you replace your mattress?
That is a highly subjective question. It really depends on the type and brand of mattress that you have. Like most goods, mattresses range in quality. A high quality mattress should last upwards of 10 years before it starts breaking down and losing it’s structural integrity. Unfortunately, there are many mattresess that only last a few years. Generally speaking, it may be a good time to start thinking about a new bed every 5 or so years.
Do I need a boxspring?
Well, you need to put the mattress on something. But you have options. Anything that is sturdy and offers support may work, even if that is the floor! A platform bed is another popular option, especially if you like a lower height of the mattress surface. If you don’t mind spending some extra cash and want some flexibility, check out an adjustable base. These will allow you raise one or both sides of the mattress to help find a comfortable position, or to making watching TV easier (although watching TV before bed is not recommended!).