Mattress : It's What's On the Inside That Counts

It's What's On the Inside That Counts
Mar 16 '01

The Bottom Line Understand coil count and coil strength. Don't blindly trust brand names!

Buying a mattress has to be one of the hardest things you can do as a consumer. You watch slick t.v. adds with counting sheep and associate a brand name with a quality mattress. As a furniture retailer, however, I have found that much of the time what you're really paying for is for that name, rather than a true quality mattress.

One of the most important factors in buying a mattresses is learning the coil count and relative strength of those coils (how thick a gauge steel those coils are). If you go into a mattress store (most exclusive bedding stores are owned by the manufacturers themselves these days--which is why they can guarantee the lowest price on their particular brand of mattresses), a non-brand mattress of equal quality is going to run you probably HALF as much (at least on what I sell).

A "basic" mattress is going to be considered a "312 coil" unit. This works perfect for children, guest bedrooms, and anyone on a fixed income or tight budget. The bigger units run between 500-700 coils. The more coils, the better support your back is going to get, and the less strain each individual coil is going to receive--meaning longer life. Spring Air makes a mattress with 1000 coils, right now the highest coil count mattress you can buy.

Pay attention to whether you're getting a "foundation" or a "box spring." A foundation is nothing more than a wooden frame the mattress sits on--its sole function to set the mattress up to a decent height. A box spring is a wooden frame with actual coils in it--that gives a little when you put weight on it. You can quickly tell the difference between a foundation and a box spring by slipping your foot in between the mattress and the box and stepping down a bit. If it gives, you've got a box spring, if it doesn't you've got a foundation. The jury really is still out on what is better. The higher priced mattresses are going to be built with their box springs in mind--and you probably won't have a choice. In all reality, it's not going to make that much of a difference in the long haul and will probably save you a few bucks if you're budget minded.

I laughed when I saw epinions trying to rate mattresses. The manufacturers have SO MANY models within the particular names (like Spring Air's Back Supporters and Four Seasons) that someone with a 312 coil "Back Supporter" may be giving that mattress horrible reviews, while someone with a higher end unit giving it rave reviews. When shopping, disreguard tags and names. The big names make great higher end mattresses, and that will give you a starting point. The key is to lay on the mattresses-being blind to the names or the tags and make a decision based upon how it feels to you.

A word on "Pillowtop" mattresses. They are great. They are comfortable. On mid-priced models, they amount to nothing more than eggcrate foam sown into the cover (which you can buy at Wal-mart). The higher end models do offer more comfort and support than you could imitate, however. So pay attention. Look for a cutaway, showing you what your mattress looks on the inside.

Though slightly off topic I thought I'd throw this in. On warranties, make sure your salesperson knows about the warranty for your mattress and goes over it with you BEFORE you buy it. Ask about the return policy if you get it home and it doesn't work out.

With all this in mind, go out and HAVE FUN trying out mattresses. Like anything, a mattress is an investment in your quality of life. Buy a cheap mattress and you may save a few dollars now, but it is going to wear out sooner than later, and you're going to pay for it every night when your back starts hurting. If you buy a nice enough mattress you won't have to think about replacing it for quite some time, and you will enjoy every night on it.