Home & Lifestyle buying guide

How to choose a mattress

The right mattress depends on your sleeping position, body weight and whether you share the bed. Labels like "medium-firm" are not standardised between makers, so a long home trial and a clear return policy matter more than showroom impressions.

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Weighted criteria

What matters when choosing mattresses

Weights add up to 100 and reflect how much each factor usually decides satisfaction. Change them to fit you in the scorecard.

  1. Support & firmness for your position

    30%

    Whether your spine stays roughly straight: side sleepers usually need more give at the shoulders and hips, back and front sleepers usually need firmer support.

    How to check: Lie in your normal sleeping position for at least ten minutes; ask someone to check that your spine looks level rather than sagging or arched.

  2. Home trial & returns

    20%

    How many nights you can test it at home, and what a return actually costs you.

    How to check: Read the trial terms for minimum keep periods, pickup or restocking fees, and whether exchanges are limited to one.

  3. Materials & durability

    15%

    Foam density, coil count and gauge, and comfort-layer thickness, which drive how fast the mattress sags.

    How to check: Ask for the full layer-by-layer specification; vague terms like "premium foam" with no density are a warning sign.

  4. Heat & motion transfer

    15%

    Whether it sleeps hot and whether a partner's movement wakes you.

    How to check: If you sleep hot, prefer breathable designs and covers; if you share, test by having one person move while the other lies still.

  5. Warranty terms

    10%

    What sag depth counts as a defect and whether cover is full or prorated.

    How to check: Find the sag threshold and the conditions (base type, stains, tag removal) in the written warranty.

  6. Price & total cost

    10%

    The real price including delivery, old-mattress removal, and any base or frame it needs.

    How to check: Compare final checkout totals; be wary of "sales" that run all year.

Avoid

Red flags

  • A permanent "70% off" sale with no real reference price.
  • No written layer specification or foam density.
  • A warranty that is void if you use your existing base or frame.
  • Trial terms that charge large return or pickup fees.
  • Health or pain-relief claims with no evidence behind them.

Before you pay

Checklist

  1. Note your main sleeping position and any partner's.
  2. Measure your bed frame and room, including doorways for delivery.
  3. Shortlist options with a home trial long enough to adjust (several weeks).
  4. Read the warranty sag threshold and base requirements.
  5. Ask whether old-mattress removal is included.
  6. Keep the receipt and photos of the law tag in case of a claim.

Ask the seller

Questions to ask

  • How many nights is the trial, and what does a return cost me?
  • What sag depth counts as a warranty defect?
  • Does my current base or slatted frame meet the warranty conditions?
  • Is removal of my old mattress included?

After you buy

Warranty & returns

Mattress warranties often run for several years and cover manufacturing defects and sagging beyond a stated depth, not normal softening or comfort preference.

  • Prorated warranties pay less each year; check when proration starts.
  • Use a washable protector, since stains commonly void the warranty.
  • Do not remove the law tag; it may be needed for a claim.

Track the return window and warranty end date

Common mistakes

Myths vs facts

Myth Firmer is always better for your back.

Fact Too firm can push the spine out of line, especially for side sleepers. The right firmness depends on position and body weight.

Myth You can judge a mattress in two minutes in a store.

Fact Your body takes time to adjust. A home trial tells you far more than a short showroom test.

Where this comes from

Official sources

Criteria and weights are AltFTool's editorial judgement, not a statement by these bodies. This guide is general consumer information, not professional advice.

FAQ

Mattresses: common questions

How often should I replace a mattress?

There is no fixed rule. Replace it when it visibly sags, you wake up stiff or sore, or you sleep better elsewhere. Better materials usually last longer.

Is a mattress in a box as good as one from a store?

The delivery method does not decide quality. Compare the materials, trial and warranty the same way for both.

What firmness should couples choose?

If you need very different firmness, look at designs with different sides or a separate topper. Otherwise choose for the person with the stricter need and test together.

Does a mattress need a special base?

Often, yes. Many warranties require solid or closely spaced slats. Check before you buy so you do not lose cover.

Free tools

Use these with this guide

Weighted scorecard

Review pattern checker

Complaint letter writer

Warranty & returns tracker

True cost calculator

Also handy: mattress size selector, sleep calculator

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