What are the criteria for choosing a mattress?
Choosing a good mattress is a difficult task, but if you make the right choice, it can bring long-term satisfaction. Even today, people tend to buy low-cost mattresses without realizing that purchasing a high-quality mattress is a long-term investment. It will cost more, but it also offers greater benefits: better sleep quality and long-lasting durability. So what should you do? We at Kipli are here to help.
Nothing should be left to chance
So how do you choose? It seems more complicated than you might think when you look at all the different types of mattresses on the market: 100% natural latex, secondhand, synthetic, or spring mattresses. Here is a list of criteria, in order of importance.
A mattress tailored to your body type and needs
First, let’s talk about height and weight. It may seem obvious, but it’s very important that the mattress is suited to your weight and height. It should also provide the lumbar support you need.
What kind of mattress should I choose?
If you're looking for a fairly firm mattress, we recommend a futon or a spring mattress. If you're looking for a balance between firmness and softness, natural latex is the right choice for you. Synthetic latex is also a comfortable option that meets your needs, even if it's less natural. If, on the other hand, softness is what you’re looking for, then a synthetic mattress made of polyurethane or memory foam will be right for you.
Model and location
To sleep well, it’s important for your back to receive proper support without feeling strained. With this in mind, we recommend a firmer mattress for heavier individuals, while those who weigh less may opt for a softer mattress. We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of our sleeping position; for example, those who sleep on their side should buy a softer mattress to better cradle the shoulders and allow the spine to remain as straight as possible. Those who sleep on their back or stomach will need a firmer mattress instead.
Choosing a bed
Let’s not forget that the bed we sleep on accounts for 30–40% of our mattress’s firmness, so it’s important to choose it carefully. But what if the person we sleep with doesn’t agree with us? There are two options: get two mattresses with different levels of firmness, or get two different beds with slats that are more or less flexible.
A few other useful criteria
More pronounced or less pronounced?
How do you choose the right firmness level for your mattress? Lumbar support is crucial for your sleep and the health of your back. For example, a futon is very firm, which makes it suitable for most people. For those who prefer a softer feel, there’s the memory foam mattress, which, however, tends to sag quickly. Innerspring mattresses offer a good level of firmness and a very long lifespan (7 to 10 years). And then there’s latex. It can be synthetic (10% to 15% natural, 85% to 90% synthetic) with a lifespan of 7 to 10 years and a firmness similar to that of natural latex. Be careful, though, because it’s easy to get confused by all the labels: many say “100% latex,” which can easily be mistaken for “100% natural latex.” A single word of difference that changes a lot, though: 100% natural latex lasts 12 to 15 years and sags much less (less than 1 cm in 10 years). It also ensures greater firmness.
Other features of the mattress
Other factors to consider when choosing your mattress include whether it is dust-mite resistant or hypoallergenic, as well as whether or not it is prone to mold growth. As for dust mites, you can either use an anti-mite treatment or choose a natural mattress, on which dust mites do not thrive. If, on the other hand, you sweat at night, it is best to choose a spring mattress or one made of 100% natural latex, which minimize this risk. Avoid synthetic materials, which could make the problem worse.