How to choose a mattress: the four key features to look out for

The quality of your sleep can make or break your day, so choosing the best mattress that supports your size, shape and sleeping position is vital. With a third of our lives spent on top of one, it’s probably the most important piece of furniture you’ll ever invest in. “They get more use than any other product in your home,” says Simon Williams of the National Bed Federation, who urges against scrimping on budget: “If you spend £1,000 on a mattress, it’s less than 20p per person per night for a couple over an average seven-year lifespan.”

And yet, with so many options overwhelming the mattress market, how do you know which one is right for you? To make sure it’s a decision you don’t lose any sleep over, we’ve whittled down the key information to help you choose.

How to choose the best mattress

Size

The first (and easiest) consideration when choosing a new mattress is the size. If you’re buying a replacement, it will need to fit into your existing bedframe, be that single or king-sized. If you’re considering a new bed, it’s best to go for the biggest size you can fit into your bedroom, particularly if you share the bed and/or you move a lot in your sleep.

Tension

With that out of the way, you’ll need to decide on the firmness, sometimes referred to as mattress tension. Do you like to sink into a soft, pillowy mattress, or do you like a firmer feel with less cushioning? All mattresses fall somewhere on the scale between these two poles.

While personal preference factors in, the best firmness for you will depend on your size, weight and sleeping position. The priority should always be achieving a natural spine alignment when you lie down. A side sleeper, for example, will need more cushioning to support their shoulders and hips, whereas back sleepers can choose a less forgiving mattress tension. Likewise, heavier individuals will need a firmer mattress to support their spine, while lighter people will need something comparatively softer. And of course, if you share your bed, you’ll need to find a middle ground suitable for both your needs.

Material

You can now start thinking about the material components of your new mattress. While these will largely depend on the type of mattress you choose (outlined below), Mark Tremlett, the co-founder of Naturalmat, warns that synthetic materials can cause us to overheat. “Instead, look for natural-fibre or pocket-spring mattresses made with healthier, more breathable alternatives such as organic wool and natural latex,” he says. They’ll also score you some eco credentials, too.

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you should always look out for consumer guarantees such as warranty, as well as sleep trial periods (often branded as “comfort guarantees”). These typically range from 40 days (for example, at Bensons for Beds) up to a full year (at Nectar and Ikea). Always make sure you understand the conditions of the return policy before committing to your mattress.

Types of mattress: the pros and cons

There are advantages to both foam and sprung mattresses, depending on your weight, sleep position and preferred cushioning. Once you’ve narrowed down the criteria you want your mattress to meet, only then can you start browsing mattress types. The most common are pocket sprung, memory foam, and hybrid variations (which combine components of the first two).

Pocket sprung

A modern advancement on traditional open-coil mattresses, pocket-sprung mattresses are composed of individual springs encased in fabric pockets. This allows each spring to move independently, minimising motion transfer. 

“This type of support is very effective, especially if two people are sleeping on a bed, where it helps to reduce ‘roll-together’,” says Williams, referring to the phenomenon where two people sharing a bed roll into the centre of the mattress. Because only the springs directly beneath your body compress, mattresses with pocket springs are generally best suited to those who prefer a firmer feel.

Pros: generally cheaper; responsive support offers a bouncy feel

Cons: heavier; less pressure relief than memory foam; requires regular rotation to prevent sagging

Memory foam

A synthetic material that contours to your body shape for improved support and comfort, memory foam has become an increasingly popular choice for mattresses in recent decades. “This makes it a fantastic pressure-relieving product, particularly if you have aches and pains in joints like the shoulder and hips,” says Williams. Since they don’t rely on springs that compress and release, memory foam mattresses also have better motion isolation than pocket-sprung varieties, helping to absorb movement and reduce disturbances from a restless partner. “While they used to have associations with ‘sleeping warm’, material innovations have meant that modern memory foam mattresses are now better at regulating temperature,” adds Williams.

Pros: very durable; excellent pressure relief and motion isolation; personalised comfort

Cons: more expensive; potential for heat retention

Hybrid

As the name suggests, hybrid mattresses combine elements of both types above, blending the stability of pocket springs with a cushioning memory foam layer. “They’re now the most popular type of mattress in the UK, combining pocket springs with layers of memory foam, latex foam, or natural-fibre fillings such as cotton or wool,” explains Williams. 

The idea is that they combine the best of both worlds. If you’re worried about the heat retention of foam mattresses, for example, the pocket coils in hybrids allow for better airflow. When shopping for options, Williams says the deeper the memory foam layer, the better: “At least 5cm is where you’re going to feel the benefits,” he says.

Pros: excellent breathability; enhanced pressure relief; reduced motion transfer

Cons: typically heavier; more expensive; lifespan often shorter since they can’t be flipped over

FAQs

What is the best way to clean a mattress?

To clean a mattress, start by vacuuming the surface. Next, apply a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water to freshen the material and eliminate odours, leaving it to sit before repeating vacuuming. Follow up with a mild laundry detergent to treat any stubborn stains.

Which mattress is best for kids?

Children need a mattress firm enough to support them as they grow, but they’re also prone to more restless sleep, so a good balance of both support and pressure relief is crucial. Generally, this means a medium-firm mattress is best suited: something firm enough to support the growing spine, yet soft enough to avoid pressure points. For this reason, memory foam mattresses aren’t advised for young children as they can hug the body too closely. Instead, a pocket-sprung mattress is a safe bet, or a hybrid mattress with a layer of naturally hypo-allergenic latex foam.

Does a firm mattress always help you sleep better?

It’s a common belief that firmer mattresses are more supportive, with the combination of better spinal alignment and reduced pressure points offering a better night’s sleep. 

However, Clare Schifano of premium mattress brand Vispring dismisses this as a myth. “Consumers should instead be guided by their weight,” she says. Generally, that means lighter individuals will benefit best from a softer mattress, while heavier individuals will need a firmer one. “A mattress that supports correctly allows you to comfortably stay in one position for longer,” she says.