Before you buy a mattress

Most good quality mattresses should last for 7 years, so this is a useful benchmark. But here are other signs you're due a replacement:

1. You wake up feeling achy and tired

2. It's visibly lumpy

3. It looks used or worn

Different mattress types suit different sleep styles, sleep preferences and sleeping situations.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you choose a mattress:

1. Do you prefer a firm or soft feel?

2. What position do you sleep in?

3. Do you regularly share the bed with someone else?

4. Are you happy with the current size of your bed, or do you need a bit more space?

If you're buying a mattress for an existing bed but you're not sure what size it is, measure the internal frame size.

Note: most mattresses are between 22cm and 25cm deep, but some start at 20cm. And our bedding's designed to fit these standard mattress sizes.

Mattress tension and support

If you know what type of mattress you've got already, or you're testing a mattress out in our Showroom before you buy it, you can check if it's the right level of support for your body type with this trick:

1. Lie on your back on the mattress

2. Take one hand and slide it between the small of your back and the mattress

3. If it slides easily in the gap, the mattress is too firm for you

4. If it doesn't fit in the gap, the mattress is too soft for you

5. If it just fits, with minimal resistance, the mattress is the right level of support for you

Best mattress for front sleepers: soft support. As the name suggests, they're the softest type of mattress – they're more comfortable against the contours of the front of your body and face.

Best mattress for back sleepers: medium support. If you like to 'starfish', you need a mattress that can evenly distribute your body weight while still feeling comfortable. A medium-support mattress will help keep your spine in the correct alignment – a soft mattress would allow you to sink too much and result in an unnatural curved position during sleep.

Best mattress for side sleepers: firm to extra-firm support. This is the UK's most common sleeping position – and it's great for pregnant women and aiding digestion. As your spine is less supported in this position, you'll need a mattress that picks up the slack.
 

FAQs

What's the best mattress for kids?

Sleep's even more important for kids – it's when they grow, and when brain development occurs. So choosing a good children's mattress is important. Mattresses with pocket springs will support their growth best, and adapt to their changing body shapes. And medium to firm tension's best, for the same reason.

Which mattress is best for allergies?

If you suffer with allergies, stick to mattresses with natural fillings and fibres, including natural latex and cotton. Memory foam mattresses are another good choice as their dense core means dust mites can't survive, but avoid open spring mattresses.

Which mattress is best for back pain?

Any mattress with medium to firm support is a good bet if you suffer with back pain – it'll support your spine and ease pressure throughout the night. This includes most pocket spring and memory foam-based mattresses. But we recommend speaking to someone at one of our Showrooms to ensure you make the best choice.