For peaceful, restful nights, it's important to choose the right mattress...
Choosing a mattress can be complicated, given the wide variety of models on the market. It’s easy to get lost among the many features and price ranges. To choose the right mattress for your needs, you first need to identify the qualities that are most important to you and the budget you’re willing to allocate to this purchase. Here are a few tips to guide you and help you list the factors that seem most relevant to you when deciding how to choose a mattress.
The desired level of comfort
Of course, when you’re wondering how to choose a mattress, your first hope is that it will be comfortable and allow you to enjoy a good night’s sleep. When it comes to comfort, two main factors stand out: softness and firmness. Since these criteria are highly subjective, it’s best to start by considering the mattress or mattresses that have worked well for you in the past. Depending on the type of mattress, this can give you a good starting point. To choose the best mattress for you, it’s important to look at the different densities and firmness levels, which can significantly affect how a mattress feels even within the same type of material. For example, innerspring or futon mattresses range from firm to very firm. Memory foam and other synthetic foam mattresses tend to be softer. Natural latex, on the other hand, is medium-firm.
Body type is also a factor. If you’re on the lighter side, a mattress with at least some softness is recommended. For heavier individuals, a firmer mattress provides good support throughout the night. When considering how to choose a mattress, it’s important to remember that its primary purpose is to keep the spine properly aligned. And to achieve this, you need to consider your primary sleeping position. Whether you sleep on your stomach or your back, a mattress with good support is best. For people who sleep mostly on their side, the mattress needs to be flexible enough to conform to the body’s contours. Don’t worry—some models are both flexible and supportive (phew!).
If you’re one of the lucky ones who can sleep on almost any type of surface, the level of firmness or softness won’t matter that much. Be sure, however, to maintain proper posture to avoid back pain in the medium to long term. If you have back problems, choose your level of comfort carefully. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare professional, ask questions of sales associates, or visit a store to test out the mattresses.
For a more precise indication of comfort level, firmness is rated on a scale from 1 to 10. Alternatively, you can also consider the mattress’s density. The higher the density, the firmer the mattress (for the same type of material). It’s often overlooked, but the box spring plays a major role in perceived comfort. Depending on its design, it can enhance either firmness or softness. For example, flexible slats (which are curved) provide more softness. Conversely, sleeping on a flat surface—such as one with rigid slats—offers a firmer level of comfort. To get a clearer idea of how to choose the right mattress and box spring, here’s an article that can help: How to Choose a Box Spring?
Choosing a Mattress: Synthetic or Natural?
Environmental concerns have extended beyond the realm of food in recent years. Today, people are mindful of what they consume in various areas, and bedding is no exception to this trend. Furthermore, interest in healthy products is growing every year. Since we spend one-third of our lives on a mattress, its impact on our health should not be overlooked.Most mattresses on the market are made of synthetic materials. They are generally more affordable, and when it comes to comfort, there’s a wide range of options. There are mattresses made simply of polyurethane foam and memory foam (synthetic, petroleum-based) and spring mattresses (often encased in blocks of synthetic foam).
Polyurethane foam mattresses, which are widely available, are the most basic type. They have no specific ergonomic features, are in the most affordable price range, and wear out relatively quickly. Memory foam mattresses are primarily made of heat-sensitive polyurethane. They are designed to mold to the shape of the body. They can be suitable for people with back pain. However, once the body has left an imprint, it’s difficult to move around during the night, and breathability is limited. Innerspring mattresses are the ones our ancestors used. They’re firm—sometimes very firm. They last longer than synthetic foam mattresses (about 10 years versus 7 years). The level of motion isolation is far from optimal, and they can creak. Motion isolation is better with pocket springs, which operate independently of one another.
In the category of natural mattresses, there are wool mattresses, which are fairly rare. They are durable if made from high-quality wool, and they come in varying levels of firmness depending on the model chosen. Contrary to what one might think, wool is breathable and airy. However, they are not naturally dust-mite-resistant or antibacterial, as they tend to trap dust and can therefore trigger allergies. Allergy sufferers should therefore exercise caution. Horsehair mattresses are also available; they are expensive and even rarer. They offer the same qualities as wool mattresses: durability and temperature regulation.
Natural latex is another popular eco-friendly alternative. Derived from the rubber tree, which grows in Southeast Asia, it is a healthy, durable material that is naturally antibacterial and dust-mite resistant. This type of mattress offers a medium-firm level of comfort. It is recommended for people with back pain. The price range is higher and varies by brand. Be careful not to confuse it with synthetic latex, which does not have the same properties at all (100% natural latex = natural; 100% latex = synthetic).
Choosing between a natural or synthetic mattress is a broad topic, and the selection criteria vary from person to person. Be sure to pay attention to the different features, details, and prices. Check out our comparison guide here:“Foam, Latex, or Spring Mattresses: Which Type Should You Choose?”
How to Choose a Mattress Based on Sleep Independence
You might not realize it, but if you wake up feeling like you haven't gotten enough rest despite having slept for a reasonable number of hours, micro-awakenings may be the cause.
As we mentioned earlier, sleep independence is a feature that’s often highlighted. It refers to not feeling your partner’s movements (or vice versa) during the night. We change positions dozens of times during a night’s sleep. Motion isolation is therefore an important factor for optimal rest, especially for light sleepers. Of course, this isn’t an issue if you’re using a single mattress.
To minimize disturbances during the night, it is recommended that you choose a mattress that is wide enough (at least 160 cm), if the size of the bedroom allows. Some mattress models offer better sleep independence than others. Pocket-coil mattresses (as opposed to traditional spring mattresses), thanks to their isolated spring system, limit the transfer of movement.
Natural latex mattresses also offer good sleep independence thanks to their elasticity. In fact, it’s a flexible material that doesn’t create “ripples.” Here again, the box spring can also help limit the movements you feel and, consequently, the micro-awakenings that impair sleep quality. For those who are particularly sensitive, it’s best to choose a flat surface, such as rigid slats, and ideally two sets of independent slats (with a central bar to separate them) or two box springs placed side by side.
How do you choose a mattress based on durability?
When you buy a mattress, you hope to keep it for quite a while, especially if it’s expensive. The French replace their mattresses every 14 years on average. Whether it’s misshapen, sagging, or worn out, the decision to replace a mattress is mainly driven by comfort and hygiene.
In fact, regardless of the material it’s made of, a mattress will inevitably break down over time due to body weight, movement, and even sweat. That’s because we lose nearly thirty centiliters of water every night. However, the rate of wear and tear varies from one mattress to another. Some withstand external factors much better over time. Here again, mattresses made of natural fibers or foam are the most durable. Natural latex mattresses lose, on average, less than 1 cm of thickness after 10 years of use. Their lifespan is estimated at 15 years. Pocket-coil mattresses are also sturdy. They can last for 10 years without any issues. On the other hand, the least durable mattresses are those made of synthetic foam (memory foam, polyurethane, synthetic latex). They generally sag and lose their shape quickly, and their comfort is no longer optimal.
Density plays a role in a mattress’s durability. This does not apply to spring mattresses, which do not have density. The densest mattresses available on the market are those made of natural latex. They have densities exceeding 60 kg/m³ and, consequently, high resilience.
The question of choosing a mattress based on its durability can lead to the issue of its end-of-life, and thus whether it can be recycled. A synthetic mattress will not have the same end-of-life as a natural mattress. To learn more, check out our article on mattress recycling.
The bed frame or support used also plays a role in the mattress’s durability. There’s the issue of breathability and the quality of the materials (wood or metal). If the mattress is heavy, it must be perfectly supported and kept level, and it must be able to be ventilated on all sides. Therefore, opt for slatted bed frames and avoid placing the mattress directly on a solid surface, such as a tatami mat.
What size mattress should you choose?
Once you know how to choose a mattress based on comfort, density, and materials, the final question is what size mattress to get. First, you need to choose the right width for your mattress.
As we mentioned earlier, for a couple, it’s best to choose a mattress that’s at least 160 cm wide for optimal comfort and greater sleeping independence. For a single adult, a 140 cm mattress is often preferred. Finally, if you’re wondering what size mattress to choose for your child, the 90x190 cm size is the most common choice.
When it comes to length, you should first consider your height. You should choose a bed that’s at least 10 cm longer than your height. For someone under 1.80 m, a 190-cm bed will be suitable; otherwise, you’ll need to go with a 200-cm bed. The same applies to a couple—you should base your choice on the taller person. All this to avoid ending up with your feet hanging off the end of the bed and catching a chill in the winter ;)
Unfortunately, sometimes the size of the bedroom requires you to reconsider these mattress sizes. It’s recommended to have at least 40 cm on each side and at the foot of the bed. In smaller spaces, a couple may therefore need to choose a 140x190 mattress rather than a 160x200, for example.
What about the budget?
There’s the question of how to choose a mattress and how much to spend on one. Mattresses are available in every price range. There are those found in big-box stores, which are generally very inexpensive but of low quality. Then there are all the specialty brands that offer one or a wide variety of models. Prices are higher with these brands, but you’re opting for mid-range to high-end products that generally come with a comprehensive quality package: trial periods, extended warranties, attentive customer service, flexible payment options, and more. It’s clear that if you want a mattress that combines all the qualities mentioned above, the price will rarely be less than 800 EUROS. If you choose a cheaper option, you’ll be sacrificing certain criteria such as the materials used (likely synthetic), manufacturing quality, and durability… But be careful—price doesn’t automatically mean quality! It’s important to compare the mattresses’ features and their prices. You also shouldn’t rely on sales or crossed-out prices, which are often artificially inflated to make the discounts seem even bigger.Keep in mind that the further your retailer is from the manufacturer, the higher the price will be, as the number of middlemen increases the markup. This is why many brands, such as Kipli, have chosen to sell their products directly online, without middlemen, or to operate their own retail stores. More generally, buying a mattress should be viewed as a real investment. We spend a third of our time on our mattresses, and we often keep them for more than 10 years. It therefore sometimes makes sense to allocate a slightly larger budget to ensure ideal and long-lasting sleeping comfort, which is so important for our well-being. Furthermore, high-end mattresses often offer the best value for money in terms of durability. You can also check out various online comparison tools that contrast the features of products from the major players in the market in comprehensive tables. These will give you a fairly clear overview of the models currently available and their prices. We hope this article has helped you and shed some light on how to choose a mattress and make the best possible purchase or investment :)Now it’s up to you! Naturally, the Kipli Team