We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. And we all know how awful it can be to try to get that good night’s sleep on a bad mattress. Beyond a bad night, sleeping on the wrong mattress can give you a bad day too – an achy, grumpy, out-of-alignment day. To avoid the bad-sleep blues, you have to make sure you’re on the right mattress… but most people get overwhelmed trying to figure out how to choose a mattress.

Today’s mattresses are made to last for years, but you shouldn’t depend on them to last forever. Reevaluate your mattress (and your level of restedness) every 10 to 15 years or less.

So many options, so little time… how can you be sure you’re getting the right mattress?

For starters, you can consult this comprehensive mattress buying guide!

Mattress type

A too-hard mattress will push on your pressure points; a too-soft mattress won’t support your body properly. A medium-to-firm mattress has been proven to be most effective at reducing back pain, according to a study by researchers in Spain.

There are different types of mattresses to suit every body type and preference while providing the proper support.

The main mattress types are:

Innerspring

The most common type of mattress, an innerspring mattress has coiled springs inside of it for support. These mattresses have evolved over time (each spring is now individually enclosed, so no cartoonish “spring popping out the bed” on most models) and are topped with a variety of materials – foam, latex, pillow-top, or even air – to meet every person’s preferences.

Innerspring mattresses are the most widely available and, therefore, easiest to find at different price points. (Don’t go too cheap, though – aim for a higher coil count for more support, but keep in mind that beyond a count of 390, the difference is minuscule.)

Foam 

AKA memory foam and the brand name Tempur-Pedic, foam mattresses are made of layers of foam that conform to the curves of your body. These mattresses support your body as you move during sleep and absorb movement, so you’re less likely to be disturbed by a restless partner.

On the downside: many users report feeling uncomfortably hot because the mattress is temperature-sensitive; some mattresses emit an unpleasant smell; and they’re often pricey (if the cost is an issue, try for a foam mattress topper on an innerspring mattress for a similar effect).

Latex

Latex mattresses offer very firm yet very comfortable support. These mattresses are recommended for people with back pain and those who prefer a firm mattress. They’re similar to memory foam but with more support and more springiness. (Avoid latex if you prefer softer mattresses or, obviously, if you are allergic to latex.)

Air

Not inflatable mattresses; these are more commonly known by the trademarked “Sleep Number” moniker. These mattresses are similar to innerspring mattresses but have replaced the springs with air-filled chambers that can be adjusted according to your firmness preferences. Many can even be adjusted to different levels of firmness on each side, perfect for partners who can’t agree on a mattress.

Water

Like air mattresses, water beds support sleepers with water-filled chambers. It’s not the most popular option due to potential leakage, sloshing, impracticality, and the hippie association, but it can be a great choice for allergy and/or back pain sufferers.

Hybrid

If you can’t decide on a mattress, many manufacturers offer “hybrid” options consisting of an innerspring system combined with foam.

Size

Depending on the size of your room and your height, weight, and number of people sleeping in the bed, you’ll need to decide on a size. Standard mattress sizes in the US are:

• Twin: 39″ x 75″
• Extra-long Twin: 39″ x 80″
• Full: 54″ x 75″
• Queen: 60:” x 80″
• King: 76″ x 80″
• California King: 72″ x 84″

Considerations

Do your research carefully into the pros and cons of each type and brand of mattress before going to the store to minimize confusion. A mattress should never be an impulse purchase! Consider these factors while researching:

• Sleep position (stomach-sleepers may find memory foam smothering, for example)
• Firmness preference
• Allergies (try an antimicrobial foam or latex for best results, or a hyperallergenic topper)
• Temperature (if you’re constantly throwing off your blankets, heat-absorbant materials like foam will make you hotter)

Always test out the mattress before buying – don’t buy from a catalog without lying down on it first.

Try the SLEEP test, as recommended by the Better Sleep Council:

• Select a mattress
• Lie down in your typical sleep position
• Evaluate the level of comfort and support
• Educate yourself about each selection
• Partners should test beds together

Ideally, you should spend 10-15 minutes (yes, really!) on a mattress – get a pillow, too – before deciding to purchase it.

Budget

Financial experts advise to spend your money where you spend your time. Considering that the average person spends about a third of the day in bed, a good mattress is a good thing to spend on!

That said, you don’t need to get a top-of-the-line mattress, especially if you can’t afford it, but it’s a good idea to carve out a decent chunk of the budget and try to buy higher-end than lower-end. You can also buy a less expensive mattress and splurge on a better topper or mattress pad for similar results to what you’d get with a higher-end mattress.

Decide on your budget before you go to a store and stick to it – it’s tempting to go with the one that the salesperson is pushing on you for “just” a few hundred dollars more.

Read through your warranty carefully to ensure that you’re using the mattress in a way that won’t invalidate the warranty; fine print can be deceiving.

Now go out there; you know how to choose a mattress with confidence! Your body – and your mind – will thank you.