Far from being just another piece of furniture, a mattress is an important part of daily health and well-being, and choosing the right one is instrumental to good sleep and a happy home.

Shopping for top rated mattresses can be tedious. With so many choices and a virtual sea of manufacturers and model types, finding the best mattresses possible can seem like a serious chore.

Through discovering what makes a mattress great, however, and understanding personal needs and preferences, a perfect match can be singled out for years of satisfaction and comfort.

Whether in search of the best mattress for back pain, the best memory foam mattress, or even an air bed or crib mattress model, you can achieve great results for your bed with just a bit of preparation.

When attempting to answer the age-old question of what is the best mattress for the money, seeking out the right combination of support, durability, material, style, and special health considerations can deliver a tailored answer capable of sending you off to a dreamland of your own design.

What Dreams Are Made Of? The Best Memory Foam Mattress

Ever since mattress giant Tempur-Pedic introduced its line of memory foam mattresses for consumers in 1992, this type of mattress has generated a lot of hype.

Experts who have performed extensive research on memory foam and other sleeping aids, conclude that memory foam mattresses aren't all created equal, and suggest that those incorporating US-made materials and layers of varying density are most likely to meet your expectations for comfort --as well as value for the often large amounts of money needed to purchase such a model.

A memory foam bed should be considered for its ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) rating, which indicates how many pounds of pressure is needed to compress the material a given percentage of its total height, usually 25%. The higher the ILD rating, the more firm a memory foam mattress will be.

Top Rated Memory Foam Mattresses

Choosing a memory foam bed with a resilient base that gradually lowers its rating towards the top to allow for better joint support is a recommended method for getting the most out of this popular material. Tempur-Pedic's two-layered, 8-inch thick standard is enjoyed by many, but less expensive models with shorter profiles and varied densities may be a better fit for some sleepers.

Sleep Innovations 12 Inch Sure Temp Memory Foam Mattress

The Sleep Innovations 12 Inch Sure Temp Memory Foam Mattress is a popular choice in the memory foam market. The mattress is designed to deliver comfort and support that's individually suited to the unique needs of each person's body, thanks to the exclusive Sure Temp memory foam technology from Sleep Innovations, a company that has been fabricating foam mattresses, toppers, pillows, and other sleep accessories since 1996.

The Sleep Innovations 12-Inch Sure Temp mattress is equipped with a 2.5-inch thick layer of Sure Temp memory foam. This specially designed memory foam is known for its superior responsiveness and its ability to adjust to the body, providing cushioning that envelops your body as well as support where your body needs it most.

But that's not all. This mattress is also designed to keep your sleep environment healthy and safe even if you use it for a long time, thanks to the following features:

• It contains a natural antimicrobial agent.
• It is resistant to dust mites.
• It has a built in fire retardant barrier for that extra peace of mind.

Due to all these factors, the Sleep Innovations 12-Inch Sure Temp memory foam mattress is ideal for you if you want a balanced combination of comfort and support and if you tend to be prone to allergies.

Compared to other memory foam mattresses, the Sleep Innovations Sure Temp is relatively inexpensive at under $600 for the king or California king sizes and under $500 for the queen size.

According to reviews, experts are impressed with the quality and effectiveness of the Sure Temp memory foam, while consumers are satisfied with the comfort and longevity of the product.

Sleep Shop 12 inch Therapeutic Memory Foam Mattress
with 5 inch 5LB Viscoelastic Memory Foam

The Sleep Shop 12 inch Therapeutic Memory Foam Mattress incorporates a layer of foam, 5 inches of 5LB viscoelastic memory foam, to be exact, based on foam material that was designed by NASA, no less.

They know how to squeeze the most comfort out of anything for their astronauts, so it's a fair bet that when it comes to designing an everyday mattress, they have done the best job possible.

Those who have tried the Queen 12 inch Therapeutic Memory Foam Mattress think they have. You will too.

You associate NASA with space and all the things we put up into it, but not really with mattresses. NASA didn't design this mattress, but they did develop the unique foam material it is made of.

Their 5 lb. viscoelastic memory foam is one of the most comfort-giving materials there is, and you will agree once you try it out. It will conform to the shape of your body, gently enveloping you in a soft luxury of blissful sleep...Read more...

How to Find the Best Mattress for Back Pain

Unfortunately, back pain is a reality for scores of people of all ages, and issues from chronic discomfort to spasms can detract from sleep quality. Today's mattress offerings often specialize in attending to the needs of those with back pain, however, and there's sure to be a suitable model for you no matter the problem and personal preferences involved.

While some sleepers enjoy the conforming nature of foam or water beds for their back pain, others insist that variable support and the ability to achieve a firm feel without a stiff surface is key to pain relief.

Traditional spring mattresses can lend much-needed spine support to those with back pain. VI-Spring discovered the benefits of individually-wrapped coils, often called "pocket springs," for comfort and support in the early 20th century, and such models are still widely used today for lower back pain as they provide the right firmness for consistent lumbar support.

Sleepers with acute back issues such as herniated discs or injuries may prefer adjustable beds that incorporate air and other materials along with pocket springs to provide different levels of support in different parts of the mattress.

Ultimately, a mattress for back problems should be chosen from the top rated mattresses on the market to suit personal needs.

What's the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers?

One of the most popular sleeping positions, and one often recommended by chiropractors and other back experts, is on one's side, as this position can help relieve pressure on the spine and encourage proper alignment.

Side sleepers tend to exert more pressure on certain points of the body, however, such as the shoulders, hips, and knees, which makes them ideal candidates for softer mattresses that allow for even weight distribution.

The best mattresses for side sleepers are those that offer gentle support. As a result, many side sleepers choose memory and latex foam mattresses. A quality foam mattress produced by a reliable brand can offer consistent comfort and improve sleep for those who often toss and turn during the night.

Saying "Goodnight" Right with the Best Latex Mattress

Originally developed for British royalty, latex mattresses have been in use since 1926 and are increasingly adopted by consumers who appreciate the comfort of even weight distribution and gentle contouring.

A latex foam mattress is typically softer and more pliant than a traditional spring-based model, and varying degrees of firmness allow for different depths of weight support.

You may be inclined to sleep on natural or organic latex foam, which is more expensive but which is environmentally friendly. Synthetic latex beds can help save on costs but are produced from petrochemicals.

An important consideration in latex mattresses is the production method. Traditional Dunlop manufacturing produces a firm mattress, while the newer Talalay method results in softer models.

Both methods use natural rubber for the production of a true latex foam, but many consider Talalay mattresses to be more luxurious. Insisting upon the disclosure of material and production information on a given latex mattress can help you pick the mattress best suited to individual needs.

Pumping Up: Who Makes the Best Air Mattress?

Air mattresses aren't just for camping or accommodating overnight guests. Many sleepers are choosing to make air beds an everyday part of their homes, and there are many models and types from which to choose. Some of the most promising are those that allow for variable pressure through easy-to-use controls, making it easy to suit multiple sleepers or to change firmness levels whenever desired.

Companies with long-term investments and research interests in the inflatable mattress sector are likely to be the most rewarding choices. While a specialized boutique air bed isn't necessarily the only way to achieve great comfort, some sleepers insist upon air bed-only manufacturers.

Wenzel Insta-Bed Raised Sure Grip Bottom Air Mattress

The Wenzel Insta-Bed Raised Sure Grip Bottom with Built-in Pump is a luxurious air bed that feels just like a real bed. With a lot of positive reviews to its name, this air mattress is often hailed as one of the best in the market, mainly because it combines the best features that an airbed should have:

• A raised height of 22 inches, the same as a regular mattress, provides plenty of cushioning and less chance of waking up on the ground
• Sure Grip bottom keeps the airbed from sliding around
• Built-in pump that inflates the airbed quickly and ensures you won't misplace your pump

Aside from those three excellent features, the Wenzel Insta-Bed stays true to its name by inflating to its full size in just 90 seconds, as long as you use the Insta-III pump with an AC 120-volt power supply.

Although airbeds are often used as temporary bedding, this airbed comes with a flocked top that feels great on the skin and a flexed coil construction that keeps the bed steady and firm even if you sleep in various positions. It's so high, stable, and comfortable that it can be used as a regular bed. Imagine spending only $120 for a mattress you can actually sleep soundly on throughout the night.

The Wenzel Insta-Bed is manufactured by American Recreation Products, a well known brand that also produces sleeping pads, sleeping bags and camping furniture. Although Wenzel has a wide array of products, it is most recognized in the air mattress industry for providing great value. And sure enough, packed with a nylon carry bag with shoulder straps for portability and easy storage, the Wenzel Insta-Bed is definitely a great deal, whether you intend to use it just occasionally or often.

Sleeping Healthy When You're Heavy

Heavy weight places special demand on a mattress. While there are scores of specialty toppers and pads that can offer the basic feel of foam and air mattresses, opting for a firm spring model is often the best route for sleepers with a lot of weight to go around.

The best mattress to buy when weight is a major factor is one that offers long-term, serious support, allowing the body to be uplifted throughout the night while improving the longevity of the unit and promoting better sleep. The best mattress for heavy people doesn't have to be stiff and uncomfortable, but should incorporate pocket springs and sturdy lining.

What's in a Name? Discovering the Best Mattress Brand

The best rated mattress is bound to be one that's bought and used quite frequently, while other models may offer superior quality with a less concentrated user base. Finding the best mattress reviews can help you determine the right brand for your needs, though a combination of reliable reviews and personal experience should be used to arrive at the perfect choice.

The top names in today's mattresses, from Swedish Tempur-Pedic to the US' Simmons Beautyrest and Sealy, offer mattresses that frequently win raves among sleepers of nearly every persuasion. These brands can be great for offering basic buying guidelines, but the ultimate test is in trying out the mattress firmness and feel in person.

Creating a Great Baby Crib

One type of mattress that doesn't take up too much space but which is just as important as its full-size cousins is the crib mattress, which serves as a retreat for sleepy infants. Crib mattresses can be found in a variety of types, from spring-models to memory foam, and choosing a unit that supports a baby while also offering soft comfort is ideal.

A baby mattress should deliver enough firmness to safely support growing bones and joints and to prevent sinking into the material, yet a soft top layer is a good idea for facilitating easy sleep.

Best Innerspring Mattress

• The more coils there are, the firmer the mattress.
• The gauge of the steel coils affects the responsiveness of the mattress.
• Some innerspring mattresses feature special "zones" for the different pressure points of a body wherein there are more coils for better support.

Sealy Posturepedic

Kingsdown Crown Imperial

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