Buyer’s guide: Rest assured Find your best mattress
WE SPEND A THIRD OF OUR LIVES IN BED, SO IT’S WORTH INVESTING IN A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP. HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO YOUR DREAM MATTRESS
If you’ve ever shopped around for a new mattress, you’ve likely discovered the ‘too hard’ or ‘too soft’ assessment of a familiar childhood fairytale doesn’t quite cover it. From memory foam to spring, temperature control and hypo-allergenic, there’s a plethora of options on the market, all promising a superior night’s sleep. “Emma’s research reveals that one in every six Australians were unable to sleep due to an issue with their mattress, and almost a quarter of Australians wait until their mattress is causing them pain before thinking of changing it,” says Dr Verena Senn, neurobiologist and Head of Sleep at Emma. Think you might need a new mattress? Our expert guide will help simplify the process from base to bounce.
Do not disturb
Unless you’re sleeping solo, choosing a new mattress should be a joint decision with your partner. Consider their size, height and sleeping habits before you commit to a particular style. “One of the first things to decide on is what size mattress will be best for your sleeping situation,” says Jon Tan, chiropractor and CEO of online mattress seller Bedbuyer. For an optimum night’s sleep for two, don’t select anything smaller than a queen-size mattress, advises Dr Senn. “This avoids you being disturbed by your partner’s movements during the night,” she notes. “If one of you is particularly tall or broad, a larger mattress such as a king or super king may be a better option.” If either of you is overly active in your sleep, a zero partner-disturbance feature, such as having ‘hyper foam’ in the top layer of your mattress, offers limited motion transfer, minimising the disruption to your sleep.
Fine print
Buying a mattress is a long-term investment, so before you get swept up by a persuasive sales pitch in the showroom, it’s a good idea to make sure you brush up on the latest technology and what it actually delivers by doing some research of your own. “Don’t get too bogged down in all of the fancy wording … some of the cheapest and worst mattresses still sound good when you read their product descriptions,” explains Jon. “One of the things worth looking out for is a ‘non-toxic’ certification, which indicates if a mattress has been independently tested for non-toxicity and eco-friendliness.”
Breathing room
While a little extra body warmth goes a long way in winter, it’s important to dial down the heat and consider temperature control to avoid uncomfortable night sweats. “If you are going to have someone else sleeping in your bed regularly such as a partner, child or even pet, you should factor that in when selecting a mattress,” says Dr Senn. “More bodies in the bed can mean an added temperature factor, so choosing a mattress that is made from moisture wicking and breathable materials is extremely important.” Having a breathable hyper foam in the top layer can help take away moisture and stop overheating. >
“TO GET THE BEST SLEEP, A QUEEN MATTRESS IS TYPICALLY THE SMALLEST YOU SHOULD CHOOSE IF YOU HAVE A PARTNER” ~ DR VERENA SENN, SLEEP EXPERT
Back to base
A good mattress should assist in your general health and mobility, and could also help prevent back aches. To get the right support for your body, factoring the firmness of your mattress is crucial, as it can determine whether you lie in an ergonomically correct position. “Pressure relief helps ensure the body can regenerate overnight,” says Dr Senn. “To ensure this process occurs, the spine should be straight and in its natural position when lying down. The mattress must yield more in some places. For example, the shoulder can sink deeper than the pelvis. This is why you should look for a mattress with multiple zones.” While the best way is to test a mattress – either with a free-trial period to test in your home or, if you are in-store, spending at least 10 minutes in each of your sleeping positions – studies show people generally find the right degree of firmness to be ‘medium hard’.
Inside out
Gone are the days when your only option was a hefty, coil-spring mattress. Now there’s an abundance of lightweight, versatile ‘boxed mattress’ options that can be delivered to your door. Despite being a more affordable alternative to traditional showroom mattresses, memory foam cores, found at online retailers, such as Emma,
Koala and Sleeping Duck, don’t skimp on support. “Foam-alone mattresses are a great choice for people because they offer comfort and superior ergonomics in a reasonable price range,” says Dr Senn. “Memory foam uses your body heat to soften and mould to your shape, providing good support and excellent pressure relief while you sleep. Spring mattresses offer superior breathability and ventilation, but come with a slightly higher price.”
Sustainable snoozing
According to the Central Coast Council in NSW, 25,000 mattresses are discarded each year, so try choosing a mattress that’s as kind on the planet as it is on your back. “Sustainable fabrics such as bamboo sheets and eco-friendly materials are excellent ways of regulating temperature and should be considered when not only choosing a mattress but also bedding,” says Dr Senn. Some of the major non-toxic certifications to look out for include OEKO-TEX®, CertiPUR-US®, and GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia). When it’s time to dispose of your mattress, opt for a sustainable waste-removal service, such as Recycle My Mattress, which has a range of partners including Harvey Norman.