Choosing a mattress is a difficult decision, especially if you are on a budget and want to make a good investment. After all, you will spend a third of your life sleeping on the mattress, which is a long time to mull over whether or not you made the right purchase. But do you really need to invest in a sustainable mattress?
It depends.
If money is a serious issue for you, you may not want a luxury mattress. Mattresses can cost anywhere from $250 to $3500, or even more if you choose a luxury mattress.
A number of factors contribute to the cost of a mattress.
Factors may include the size of the mattress, the materials used, and even where it was manufactured.
Affordable beds, costing $250 to $1000, are typically all-foam or innerspring construction, and use basic materials.
Mid-range mattresses cost $500 to $1500, and include the all-foam or innerspring construction or a hybrid of the two, but use higher quality materials.
Luxury mattresses typically start at $1300; their construction features mostly hybrid and latex construction and uses high-end materials.
Luxury mattresses should cost more, at least in theory, because of the higher quality materials and craftsmanship that goes into making the mattress.
Hybrid beds that feature both innerspring coils and foam typically cost more than all-foam models because the materials allow for greater airflow, which allows you to feel cooler while you sleep.
The latex foam in many luxury mattresses provides gentle cushioning and buoyant support, which is particularly helpful for sleepers with back problems or joint pain.
Even all-foam mattresses can vary in price and quality, depending on the type of foam used in its manufacture.
The least expensive type of foam mattress, polyfoam, provides the same cool feel as a high-end luxury mattress but does not support the body or spine properly.
Specialty materials, such as memory foam copper-infused memory foam can add to the overall cost of a mattress, but they can also make the mattress more luxurious.
About Mattress Materials
Traditional innerspring mattresses feature an interconnected grid of coils, covered by a layer of wool or padding.
These mattresses are relatively inexpensive to make and require very little in the line of expertise or machinery to make, which keep costs down. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for, in that innerspring mattresses tend to be on the firmer side and are not necessarily comfortable.
Another problem is that every little movement a sleeper makes, such as turning over, affects the entire surface of the mattress – you may not get much sleep if you have a partner that tosses and turns all night.
The layers of wool, foam, and other fibers of an innerspring mattress create the perfect environment for dust mites.
Yuck! Innerspring mattresses are also heavy, which may be a factor for those who move their beds now and then.
Hybrid mattresses feature a base of individually pocketed springs covered with one or more layers of foam. This combination provides all the benefits of springs with the advantages of foam, such as contouring and quilting.
The foam in hybrid mattresses is also responsive, which means the mattresses respond quickly to movement.
Because they feature individually pocketed springs, hybrid mattresses minimize motion transfer to prevent every little movement from shaking the whole bed.
Hybrid mattresses deliver deep compression support. Luxury hybrid mattresses may even include surface infusions to provide greater cooling.
Hybrid mattresses are the most common type of innerspring mattresses on the market today, but memory foam, adjustable and air mattresses are becoming more popular.
What Constitutes a Luxury Mattress?
Luxury mattresses are worth the money if they have certain features that make them more comfortable. When searching for a high-end mattress, here are a few features you should look for.
Height
Extra height means extra comfort because it provides better weight distribution; bigger springs are bouncier and offer greater support than smaller springs.
Your high-quality memory foam or latex mattress should measure 10 to 12 inches, while high-quality innerspring mattresses should measure 12 to 14 inches.
Heaviness
Made from synthetic or low-density materials, lightweight mattresses are often unsupportive or uneven. Test for mattress density by trying to pick it up – high-density mattresses are heavy.
Look for “high-density memory foam” or “natural latex” on the label.
Springiness
Your luxury mattress should be super springy, but still soft and quiet. Memory foam should not be springy at all; it should sink and change shape slowly when you push your hand into it.
Cover
Luxury mattresses include a cover with a breathable quilted pattern that keeps you from getting sweaty at night. Look for a soft mattress cover that is cool to the touch.
Luxury mattresses can make you more comfortable, so you sleep better and awaken refreshed. This may be especially true for luxury mattresses that provide extra support for your bad back or achy joints.