Best Mattress

HOW TO CHOOSE = When looking for your best mattress, you'll have to choose between a traditional innerspring mattress and one of the newer types on the market, including memory foam (such as the Tempur-Pedic), air (such as the Sleep Number bed) or latex foam (such as the Ikea Sultan Erfjord).

Experts agree that any of these can provide proper support, and that choosing between them comes down to how much you can spend and whether you're willing to pay a premium for a foam or latex mattress that doesn't need flipping and reportedly lasts for 20 years.

Other options, including adjustable beds and waterbeds, exist as well. Experts say adjustable beds, which can bring you to a sitting position, should be used primarily by people who are immobile or who have medical problems.

However, adjustable beds prevent free movement during sleep, which is important for spinal health. Rather than purchasing an adjustable bed, experts suggest using additional pillows, which can help simulate an adjustable bed.

When it comes to choosing the best mattress, proper sleeping posture is the most important consideration, experts say. Lying on your side, your shoulders and hips should sink into the mattress, while your waist is supported.

A too-firm mattress (whether made of foam, springs or air chambers) may not allow enough give for that to happen. A hard mattress may tax back and neck muscles, which will have to work harder to keep your spine straight.

At the same time, a too-soft mattress will also cause spinal alignment problems, as your muscles work to compensate for the lack of support. Keep in mind that heavier people, however, may need a firmer mattress in order to provide similar spinal support. But the best mattress for most people is probably something in the middle, neither the hardest nor the softest mattress.

Experts give the following advice about finding your best mattress:

Spend at least 15 minutes on a mattress in the store. By spending five minutes each on your back and both sides you can determine if the mattress you are trying out is right for you.

The mattress should support your body at every point.

Test for firmness. If you have difficulty rolling over, the bed is probably too soft. If the bed is too firm your hips and shoulders will feel uncomfortable. Lie on your back and try to slide your hand under the small of your back. If your hand slides too easily, the mattress may be too firm.

As for top padding, soft foam is preferable to polyester batting, which tends to lose its loft over time. Convoluted foam in the middle padding (which looks like an egg carton) is softer and more comfortable than straight foam.

If you're buying an innerspring mattress, buy a box spring as well. Many manufacturers will void their warranty if you do not purchase a matching set. Box springs that have coils in addition to wood or steel bars are better.

If you have allergies, look for hypoallergenic or antimicrobial materials (such as Microban) in the padding.

Reputable retailers allow for a trial period. Read the return policy and make sure the dealer won't deliver a substitute brand or style. Ask about refunds and re-stocking fees.

Most important, get it in writing. If your bed is returnable for a refund, have the salesperson write this on your invoice.

New mattresses are thicker than they used to be, so your old sheets may no longer fit. Widths have gone from about 7 inches to more than 9 inches, so you may need sheets with a deep-pocket corner.

Ask about disposal of your old mattress. Some stores offer free disposal, while some only carry it to the curb.

Ventilate your new best mattress for a few hours. Open the windows in the room and leave the bed unmade. This helps eliminate unpleasant odors.

Experts say used mattresses should never be passed on to children since their bodies are still developing and need a firm mattress.

Avoid beds that are too high or too low. The rule of thumb is that your feet should reach the ground comfortably when you sit on the edge of the mattress. And you should be able to stand without much effort.

THE REVIEW = Best mattress for most = Innerspring Mattresses are by far the most popular type of bed, with dozens of styles, features and options available. Although prices start at about $300 for no-frills models, most experts agree that you should expect to pay a minimum of $800 for a quality queen-size set.

Reviewers say a mattress with a pillow top is usually more comfortable, but some owners report that pillow tops go flat long before the mattress is worn out.

Compared to other types of bedding, innerspring mattresses tend to retain less body heat and come in a wider range of firmnesses, but they also transfer more motion, which may be a concern if you sleep lightly and share your bed with a partner.

They're also less durable and more prone to sagging than foam mattresses and airbeds. Experts say innerspring mattresses should be replaced every eight to 10 years -- more often if premature sagging occurs.

Other best mattress possiblities include:

Memory foam mattresses consist of a layer of 1 to 6 inches of visco-elastic foam glued to a thick polyurethane base. Tempur-Pedic is the best-known manufacturer of memory foam mattresses, but several other companies offer less expensive versions that receive similarly favorable reviews from owners.

Owners of memory foam mattresses are more likely to report satisfaction with their bedding than owners of innerspring mattresses, but a significant number (about 20 percent) of owners say they dislike memory foam because it is too firm, too hot, or too hard to move on. These go for $800 and up.

Latex foam mattresses could be your best mattress as well. They have long been popular in Europe, but they're relatively new to the American market. Reviewers say that latex foam is springier than memory foam and doesn't retain as much body heat, so it can be… more comfortable in the summer.

Like memory foam, it repels dust mites and is more durable than an innerspring mattress. It's also the most eco-friendly mattress type: natural latex is a renewable resource and most latex foam is biodegradable. These start at around $900 for a queen size set.

Rather than springs or foam, Air Mattresses use adjustable air cushions to provide tailored support. Some air mattresses, like the Select Comfort Sleep Number bed, allow each side to be adjusted independently to provide… different levels of firmness.

While the reviews we read for this kind of mattress were very positive overall, some owners say it is uncomfortable and others complain that it's not really possible to sit on the edge of the mattress.these will start at $800 for a queen size set.

Best price = They vary by season, location, retail chain. I would shop extensively among the retail chains. Then look at Amazon.com and other internet sources once you know which mattress you prefer.

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