We all dream about a perfect night of sleep. While there are many factors that affect your sleep, there’s no denying that a high-quality mattress gives an edge up.
When shopping for mattresses, most people are aware that the firmness is one of the most important things to look for and ask questions about. We all become Goldilocks when it’s time to choose a mattress, flopping down on choices in the store, trying to pick out which one is too hard, too soft, and just right.
Another important criteria to most people is pricing. Many people look for mattresses that fit within their budgets as well, making firmness and value always two of the most important factors. Here are some of the other factors in mattresses, that may be underrated, but are certainly not to be overlooked when it comes to choosing your next mattress.
1. Extra Bells and Whistles
Lots of mattresses these days have extra bells and whistles, and this may seem like fluff and not an important thing to you, but these features can be important to your health and well-being.
For example, if you and your spouse are constantly fighting over the temperature and firmness of the mattress, it may save you a lot of time and aggravation to choose a mattress with dual controls. If you have a lot of back pain, that massaging mattress may be a lifesaver. Or, if you have other injuries, it may be ideal to have a bed that can elevate certain parts of your body. They even have mattresses and duvets nowadays that make the bed for you!
2. Specific Support for Physical Ailments
If you have lower back pain, upper back pain, or neck pain, the types of mattress you need is going to vary with all three of those conditions. It’s going to be different still if you have some other kind of ailment, like diabetes, or restless leg syndrome.
Research which mattresses are correct for your particular physical ailments and make sure you get one that fits the bill. Don’t hesitate to consult with your physician, as he or she can be super helpful in determining the list of ailments you need to worry about and what criteria may be appropriate for those particular needs.
3. Appearance
It might not be important to you that your mattress is “pretty” – but if it’s going to be in your bedroom you’ll want it to match the rest of your decor. At the very least, you don’t want it to be anything garish that will make you unhappy, or distract you as you are trying to fall asleep. Pick a mattress that fits in with your home and your personality for maximum style and comfort.
4. Ease of Installation
If you have back problems as it is, it’s not going to benefit you to pick up and install your own mattress, especially if it has to go a long way, or up a flight of stairs. Find out if the company you’re ordering from delivers, and what their policy and fees are regarding installation. Sometimes, if you’re in-between two mattresses, the one providing easier installation is a better choice.
5. Size
We all know about the standard mattress sizes— Twin, Full, Queen, and King. But have you heard of Extra-Long Twin or California King? There’s a myriad of unusual and non-standard sizes available for people who need something different for whatever the reason, whether it be a big and tall person or an unusually shaped room. Be sure to check out all of the different size options to find the best fit possible.
6. Allergens
When I was a child, I was allergic to down feathers. We had no idea, and every single morning I woke up with a runny nose. It took about ten years to realize that my mattress and pillows were filled with feathers. and that’s what was making me snore at night.
If you are aware of your allergens, you’ll want to read ratings and reviews of each mattress so you can determine which ones are the best for you. If you aren’t aware of what your allergens are, it may be safer to go with a hypo-allergenic mattress just in case.
7. Materials
Some people love spring mattresses, and some people can’t stand the way they feel. Some people love memory foam, but there are now gel memory foam and hybrid options available. Others still have water beds. It’s up to you which materials you prefer, but most everyone has a preference. The Sleep Advisor reviews the best mattresses on the market and makes it easy to find the right one for you.
Before shopping for a mattress, make a list of all of the things that are important for you and try to stick to them. There are going to be things that are deal-breakers to you, as well as things that don’t really matter in the larger picture.
Whatever you decide, just make sure to keep this list of often underrated things about mattresses close by so you’ll be able to make an even better decision. After all, with something you spend one-third of your life on, you want to make sure that the mattress you choose is the perfect one for you.
Special thanks to The Sleep Advisor for being a sponsor of Today’s The Best Day! Don’t you love it!? Although we were compensated for this article, all opinions are my own.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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