You spend one-third of your life in bed, therefore investing in a good quality, long lasting mattress is extremely important to your quality of life. Lack of sleep or frequently interrupted sleep can affect your overall health. Picking the right mattress for you is essential, especially on a limited budget. Luckily, it is possible.
Why do prices vary so drastically?
When you buy any product there are many factors that go into making it, such as cost of the material it is made, how it is made, and the labor hours. All these factors contribute to the price of a mattress and can vary tremendously.
Mattress Size
When it comes to choosing a mattress, the size of your mattress is important to consider when determining your budget. You need a mattress that is supportive and comfortable but also the right size for your needs. If you’re a single person you might be interested in a twin or twin XL mattress. If you need more space for a couple to sleep comfortably, you may want a queen or king size mattress. You have a few options. As you can imagine though, the size you choose affects the cost.
Material & Construction
The biggest factors in determining the cost of a mattress are the quality of materials and craftsmanship that go into making it. The type of material you choose can drastically change how much you pay for the mattress and determine how long it may last. Each mattress material has its own advantages but not every mattress style is ideal for every type of sleeper, regardless of the price. It is vital to purchase a mattress that fits your body and sleep style needs.
Innerspring Mattresses
An innerspring mattress is the most traditional and affordable mattress available. There are still many factors that can affect the price and longevity of the mattress too.
The quality of an innerspring mattress depends on several components used in the construction of the mattress. The spring core of all innerspring mattresses offers excellent air flow, breathability and a responsive bounce. The type of coil system, gauge of the coil, and materials used in the comfort layer or top of the mattress all factor into the overall comfort, durability and price of the end product.
The Bonnell coil has an hourglass open shape with a knot at each end. It is the most prevalent in the mattress industry because it is inexpensive to produce.
Continuous coils are made from a single wire formed into S-shaped ringlets. Each spring is attached to each other creating a firm and stable mattress core, but can cause a squeaking sound due to the coils rubbing against each other after extended use. Continuous coils are generally found in lower-end, inexpensive mattresses.
The offset coil also has an hourglass shape but the circles at the top and bottom are flattened to create a hinged action within the mattress core. This coil system allows your mattress to conform to the curves of your body and is quieter than the Bonnell system. They are generally found in more expensive innerspring mattresses.
Pocketed coils are individually wrapped in fabric pockets to isolate motion transfer which makes them superior to all other coil mattresses but also cost more. These fabric pockets allow each spring to move alone without causing the typical “domino” effect of other coil systems. Pocketed coils are found in most hybrid mattresses and higher-end mattresses.
The comfort layer of an innerspring mattress contributes to the overall feel of the mattress. These layers slightly conform to your body, providing a cushion between you and the firmer support layer beneath. The simplest, least expensive innerspring mattresses as well as firmer style mattresses consist mainly of the coil support core with a thin foam cushion or two for the comfort layer. Higher-end mattresses can have a multitude of materials like poly foam, memory foam and latex in the comfort layer of the mattress to provide a luxurious feel. Hybrid mattresses tend to have a comfort layer equal or larger than its support core and provide a larger comfort surface than the original innerspring style. To find the innerspring mattress that works for you, visit your local Mattress Express or browse your options in our online shop.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam was invented in 1966 by NASA to improve aircraft cushions but the first memory foam mattress wasn’t made until 1991. Memory foam mattresses are commonly known for their cradling, body hugging feeling and are now one of the most popular mattresses sold today. They are also easily compressed and rolled up into a shipping box making storage and delivery of this mattress style quite cost effective.
Like any material, the quality of memory foam can differ. Another feature to pay attention to is the density of the memory foam used to make your mattress. The density of memory foam used for mattresses can vary from 1-pound density to 5-pound density. A mattress made with 3- to 4-pound density or higher should last you over a decade. 1-pound density mattresses could develop body impressions and need to be replaced as early as a year or two after purchasing. The lower density foam mattresses may sell for a low price but that quality varies as well when comparing the cost. You may want to spend a little more now to save you money in the future.
While memory foam is one of the most incredible innovations in the mattress industry, that does not mean that every memory foam mattress is right for everyone. Sleep needs and preferences vary from person-to-person. Stop by the Mattress Express location nearest you and our sleep specialist on duty will help you uncover the best memory foam mattress for you.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses, which often consist of both innerspring coils and memory foam are typically more expensive than standard memory foam styles. Hybrid mattresses represent a blend of two or three materials in one mattress while utilizing the best features of each. By combining multiple materials, the mattress created is a balance between cushioned comfort and adaptive support. A hybrid mattress is designed to provide moderate firmness, superior support, and plush padding but not every model contains the same materials from top to bottom. The most common hybrid mattresses use pocketed coils that are individually encased in fabric in the support core of the mattress. Pocketed coils compress individually, therefore they perform much better at motion isolation than traditional interconnected coils. They also affect the durability and the supportiveness of the mattress. Natural latex can also be used as the support core in a luxury hybrid mattress but is not quite as common.
Choosing a hybrid mattress facilitates the decision between a few different mattress styles so you can reap all of the benefits of each. Stop by the Mattress Express location nearest you and our sleep specialist on duty will help you uncover if one of our luxury hybrid mattresses is the best for you.
Natural Latex
Latex is a natural material made from the sap of a rubber tree. It will contour your body yet be responsive and it will help isolate motion but with a bouncier feel than memory foam. Latex is considered the most natural mattress you can get. It generally lasts over 15 years or more and costs more than mattresses made from synthetic materials. Latex mattresses are recommended for all types of sleepers. When it comes to latex, there are also a few different ways that they manufacture the mattress that changes the way the mattress feels. Options are Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop types are made by pouring the latex in one single pour, making the mattress dense on the bottom and soft on the top. However, Talalay is the result when the latex is poured into the mold but then is vacuumed to get all the air out. It is then frozen, making the overall consistency equal throughout the mattress. Talalay mattresses tend to be sold at a higher price due to the longer processing time. Experience the luxurious feel of natural Talalay latex at any of our Mattress Express locations with our Posh and Lavish latex collection.
Technology Comes At Different Prices
A mattress is made from high-end, natural materials. It is precision-crafted and may have hand-crafted touches that cost more than the synthetic, mass-produced mattress. New technology does play a big role in the price difference in the mattress industry today though.
Memory Foam is a great example of how technology has changed what is available in the mattress industry today.
Exclusive to the Purple® Mattress, the Purple Grid™ is a hyper-elastic polymer known for its stretch, durability and ultra-breathability. It eliminates pressure points and allows airflow so you sleep cool and comfortable. In other words, your hips and shoulders will be perfectly cradled while fully supporting your back. Originally an internet only mattress, its price isn’t as low as the internet world once led us all to believe. Its patented technology is worth a little higher price point.
What’s your budget?
Traditional mattresses like coil mattresses may be your preferred mattress, but if you have a little extra money to spare, specialty mattresses may be worth a try.
Under $500?
In this price range, you will find basic innerspring mattresses or all poly foam mattresses in a variety of sizes with a short lifespan and limited comfort. You can expect a mattress in this price range to last 1 to 5 years.
Check out Body Fit Bedford and Concord collections at Mattress Express.
$500 to $1500?
At this price point, you can generally get a good quality mattress that is either innerspring, a low density memory foam, or a basic hybrid innerspring. You can expect a mattress in this price range to last 5 to 10 years.
Check out our Body Fit Summerset
$1500 – $3000?
In this price range, you will start to get into higher quality mattresses, like mid to high density memory foam, a quality hybrid or a few of our luxury mattresses in a twin or full size. You can expect a mattress in this price range to last 10 to 15 years.
Take a look at our Purple Original and Purple Plus line at Mattress Express.
$2500 – $5000 and up?
At this level, you will find premium, luxury mattresses made with quality materials and superior craftsmanship in a variety of options from latex, hybrids to air beds. These mattresses will last 10 to 25 years.
Explore our Posh and Lavish Collection of Latex and Hybrid mattresses, our Smart Beds by Instant Comfort and the Purple Premier line at Mattress Express.
Things to consider when making your next mattress purchase
Remember that a quality mattress can have a huge impact on your health and happiness, therefore you don’t want to cut corners. It’s worthwhile to spend a bit more to get a quality bed that will be comfortable and last a long time.
As a general rule, innerspring mattresses are the least expensive of the bunch, followed by memory foam mattresses, then hybrid pocketed coils, as well as natural latex foam mattresses. Polyfoam Is relatively inexpensive, while memory foam, specialty materials such as gel, carbon or copper-infused memory foam, air beds and latex can add to the cost of a mattress. The density of the foam of the mattress, as well as the type of materials used in the top comfort layer, will also play a role in how high the price of the mattress will be.
Check out our website at mattressexpressny.com or come visit us at any of our Mattress Express locations today to find the right mattress for you!
