Quality beds provide proper spinal alignment and relieve major pressure points. They also offer superior comfort and alleviation of chronic pain, arthritis-related symptoms, and other common orthopedic problems. All the more reason to carefully choose your mattress.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important factors to take into account when shopping for orthopedic beds.
Make Sure the Mattress Is Orthopedic
What exactly is an orthopedic mattress?
There are no specific materials that are certified as orthopedic. Put simply, any mattress designed to align the spine, support the joints, and improve posture is considered orthopedic, even though it’s not always labeled as such.
Bear in mind, however, that some manufacturers describe their products as the best orthopedic beds even if the mattresses don’t meet the required criteria. That’s why it’s essential to check genuine user and expert reviews and see if they support the company’s claims.
The Right Level of Firmness
Firmness is one of the most important factors when deciding on this purchase. Effective orthopedic mattresses should be medium firm or firm in order to reach that perfect balance between support and sinkage.
The exact level of firmness, though, depends on your weight and body size. For instance, lightweight sleepers would need a medium-firm mattress, whereas heavier users would benefit from a firmer one.
Your sleeping position is significant, too. Side sleepers should go for a medium firm mattress that would stop the spine from curving and causing additional back pain. Back sleepers looking for a good orthopedic mattress would also benefit from a medium firm bed. On the other hand, stomach sleepers should consider a firm or very firm mattress to prevent sinkage and provide spinal alignment.
Consider Different Types of Mattresses
Carefully consider the material most suitable for your needs and preferences before completing your purchase. Let’s take a look at the most common types of materials available.
- Memory foam is the most common and least expensive type of bed. It’s soft and plush, cradling the body—especially the hips and shoulders—thereby relieving pressure. An orthopedic memory foam mattress is a good choice for side sleepers, while back and stomach sleepers may need to look for firmer options.
- Latex is bouncier, firmer, and more supportive than memory foam but still conforming enough to provide adequate pressure-relief. These characteristics make latex a great material for an orthopedic firm mattress, as reviews and orthopedic surgeons confirm. Keep in mind, though, that latex mattresses are more expensive and might not be the right choice if you have a smaller budget.
- Hybrids, which combine coils with foam or latex layers, are generally recommended for people suffering from orthopedic disorders. However, you should be careful when choosing a hybrid as the best orthopedic mattress for your needs. Make sure that the bed has several comfort layers of memory foam and not just a topper. Otherwise, you won’t get any body contouring and might wake up with more pains and aches than before.
Price and Buying Perks
Mattresses, especially high-quality ones, don’t come cheap. Ranging from $700 for a twin to almost $4,000 for the best orthopedic mattress in king size, it’s crucial to take advantage of as many buying perks as possible. Look for brands that provide free shipping, extended warranties, and generous sleep trials.
Note that many orthopedic mattress brands also offer substantial discounts around major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, as well as seasonal sales and coupons. So, shop smart and use as many of these codes, deals, and offers as you can.
Look for the Best Orthopedic Mattress Brands
Try to find companies that have been in the mattress industry for years and have built a reputation as trusted manufactures and responsible brands. Also, don’t forget to read honest customer reviews to get an idea of how fast the company reacts to complaints, how they deal with refunds and returns, as well as the most common problems users have faced with the product. This will also tell you if you’re dealing with a reliable brand or not.
Keep Comfort in Mind
Finally and most importantly, the bed you choose must be comfortable. But how can you possibly know if it is without buying it first? There is a simple solution to this.
Reliable mattress manufacturers offer a sleep trial, typically lasting at least 100 nights. This gives you plenty of time to decide if a specific mattress is the right fit for you.