Choosing a mattress can feel overwhelming because there are hundreds of brands, thousands of models, and endless claims about comfort, support, and cooling features. The good news is that you don’t need to compare every mattress to find the right one. According to Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, “The perfect mattress for one person may not work for another.” The key is focusing on a few important factors to narrow your choices and shop confidently. Your sleep position and body type are the first considerations. Side sleepers generally do best with medium to medium-firm mattresses that cushion shoulders and hips. Back sleepers need medium-firm to firm support depending on body weight, while stomach sleepers often prefer firmer mattresses to prevent sagging in the midsection. Couples should prioritize motion isolation so one person’s movement doesn’t disturb the other, and larger individuals need mattresses with strong support, often provided by denser foams or reinforced coils.
Mattresses are built in different types, such as foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex. Foam mattresses contour deeply, providing pressure relief and motion isolation but can feel warm and harder to move on. Innerspring mattresses offer coil support, bounce, and strong edge support but may feel firm at pressure points without sufficient padding. Hybrid mattresses combine foam and coils, balancing contouring and responsiveness with better airflow. Latex mattresses are buoyant, lightly contour the body, and remain supportive while being durable and easy to move on. While construction matters, no single type is inherently better, as comfort is personal.
Firmness ratings, usually on a scale of 1 to 10, describe how soft or firm a mattress feels when you first lie down, but the scale is not standardized. One brand’s medium-firm may feel different from another’s due to materials, construction, and thickness. Your body weight, sleep position, and mattress type all affect how firm a mattress actually feels. Medium-firm mattresses are suitable for most sleepers, while very soft or very firm beds may be more polarizing.
Size also matters when choosing a mattress. A bed can feel cramped if you share it with a partner, child, or pet. Sleep experts recommend going bigger if in doubt, especially for partners with different sleep schedules. Queen, king, and California king beds are popular choices for couples who want extra space. Budget is another important factor. On average, queen-size foam or innerspring mattresses cost around $1,000, while hybrid and latex mattresses average closer to $2,000. High-end mattresses may cost $2,500 to $3,500 or more, but shopping online often saves hundreds of dollars. Price alone does not determine quality; comfort, support, durability, and fit are far more important.
Trial periods and return policies are essential since it can take days or weeks to adjust to a new mattress. Look for generous trial periods, clear return rules, and warranties that cover defects. Pay attention to trial length, break-in periods, return fees, and whether refunds or store credit apply. Skip unnecessary marketing features like “NASA-inspired foam” or “cloud-like sleep.” These claims rarely indicate comfort or long-term satisfaction. The focus should always be on support, comfort, durability, and fit for the sleeper.
Ultimately, the right mattress is the one that suits your body, bedroom, sleep style, and budget. Avoid snap judgments based on first impressions. Comfort over several weeks is what matters most. Side sleepers generally need cushioning at shoulders and hips, back and stomach sleepers prefer firmer surfaces, and couples or co-sleepers benefit from motion isolation. Buying online or in-store both work if you pay attention to trial periods and return policies. Choosing a mattress is less about perfection and more about finding the one that keeps you comfortable night after night.
