We spend almost a third of our lives in bed. That’s a lot of time to spend in or on one place. So, you want to make sure that time is well-spent, getting the best, most restorative, deep sleep you can. That’s why you not only need the best, most comfortable mattress – but one that suits your specific way of sleeping.
Yep, that’s right, whether we know it or not, we all are creatures of habit when it comes to getting some shut eye. From those who automatically roll onto their sides, to others who can’t stand the thought of a quilt because they’re just too damn hot, we’ve all got our preferences.
The problem, however, is that mattresses and mattress shopping are confusing—it doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for the best mattresses online or looking for something in-store. Shopping for the best mattress can sometimes feel as complicated as shopping for a new car. There’s a long list of sleep science techno-jargon and buzzwords to make sense of, and honestly, who has the time to figure it all out?
Here’s the thing, while you absolutely should consider things like firmness, build quality, design, comfort, price, and even warranties and delivery costs, we’re here to help you with the most important thing: the type of mattress you should look for, depending on the issues bugging you between the sheets.
So grab your magnesium supplement and your go-to sleep eye mask because we got you.
1. The best mattress for hot sleepers
Mattress type: cooling or coil mattress
Whether you’re a naturally sweaty sleeper or you live somewhere with hot summer (or year-round) temps, there’s a solution: cooling mattresses.
Here’s how they work: certain layers built into the mattress (often made of copper or gel-infused) are designed to cycle heat away from the sleeper and, in turn, lower your body temperature. There’s also mattress technology with electrical systems that pump water through the mattress so that it’s actively cooled down.
How downside? They can be expensive. So if you’re looking for something more simple, spring mattresses are generally more breathable than foam ones, so if you’re a sweaty snoozer, a simple coil bed may prevent your hot bod from keeping you awake.
Our pick: Silent Night Onyx:
The top layer of the Silent Night Onyx mattress boasts Silent Night’s exclusive ‘ICE-TEK Cooling Knit’ – an advanced cooling material that’s noticeably cool to touch. This cooling knit sits over an ‘open cell layer’ and a dual layered spring system, further enhancing ventilation. The Silent Night Onyx also comes with plenty of after sale security. It offers a free firmness exchange (and return/refund option) if you are not satisfied.
2. The best mattress for back pain
Mattress type: Foam/ Hybrid Mattress
If you suffer from chronic back pain, you know that it can affect every aspect of your life. So it’s no surprise you want to do everything possible to keep your back as strong, healthy, and pain-free as possible. And don’t worry, you’re not alone: research has revealed that one in six Aussies report having back problems, while four out of five are expected to experience it during their lifetime.
One of the best ways to do that is to make sure you’re sleeping on the best mattress for back pain—for your back pain—that you can realistically afford. In fact, studies published in the Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology and the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine found effects of an unsuitable mattress go beyond a restless night and can negatively impact mood and health.
That’s why finding the right bedding shouldn’t be something you should sleep on – just ask chiropractor and Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) Board Member, Dr Damian Kristof.
“I think a mattress is absolutely crucial to helping maintain a healthy sleep posture,” he told news.com.au. “If your posture is supported and your muscles are relaxed, you can get a better night’s sleep because your spine is actually relaxed and supported.
“Then, you’ll decrease any high increased pressure, torsions or interruptions to your spinal health … and that’s the important thing.”
Foam mattresses mould to your body, so you’re more likely to stay in one position. This stabilisation can be very good for people with problems like low-back pain and disk issues, since movement can make aches and injuries worse.
Our pick: Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress
A firm winner for many shoppers, this Emma mattress has an ergonomically designed foam layer that moulds to the contour of your body to distribute body pressure evenly, so you can sleep comfortably no matter whether that’s on your back, side, stomach (or a mixture of all). It additionally contains pocket springs, which similarly helps relieve pressure points and conforms to your body shape for customised support. The pocket springs are also great when you’re sharing a bed since it absorbs movement, ensuring the mattress stays stable whenever your partner tosses.
3. The best mattress for a side sleeper
Mattress type: Memory foam
When it comes to picking out the perfect mattress as a side sleeper, you’ll have to identify one that provides spinal, cervical and lumbar support, says Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “We want to make sure that the mattress is going to be firm enough, but also flexible enough to prevent pain the next day,” she adds.
Memory foam can provides the perfect level of firmness: the material is flexible enough to contour to your body, but firm enough to provide support to the heavier parts of your body. If those heavier parts of your body sink in too much, that can put pressure on your spine that can lead to pesky back and neck pain in the morning from a bad night’s sleep.
Our pick: Beautyrest Harmony Lux Mattress
BeautyRest’s Harmony Lux Mattress is memory foam mattress with medium firmness. It’s awesome for couples that have different body weights and different sleep positions to maintain good firmness for both people. But the real highlight of this mattress is the pressure-relieving technology that provides extra spinal support and keeps you from waking up should your partner get up to go get a midnight snack.
4. The best mattress for pregnancy
Mattress type: Foam
For those who are pregnant, memory foam mattresses are a good option. The memory foam will mould to your body shape and provide comfort throughout the night and when repositioning. Along with a comfortable mattress, we recommend investing in a good body pillow. For side sleepers (which is recommended during pregnancy), put the pillow between your legs for more support.
Our pick: Sleeping Duck MACH II
This mattress is setup to ensure the ultimate body support – perfect for an expecting mum. A layer of adjustable variable firmness foams together with a steel multizone pocket spring system ensures that the support is rock solid, and directed to the right parts of your body in just the right amount. It also means that you can sleep right on the edge without collapsing it and rolling off. This provides up to 20 percent extra functional space on the top of the mattress, and makes ‘the Queen size mattress feel like a King’.
5. The best mattress for tossers and tuners
Mattress type: Memory foam
Sleep disturbance is a real fizzer in the bedroom and 50% of us are woken up by our partners rolling in their sleep. 1 in 5 of us get tactical, so moving rooms or making barriers with pillows, and alarmingly 12% mentioned their relationship had been on the rocks from being woken up.
If you or your partner are big movers overnight, you’re going to want to find a mattress that functions as movement cancellation. Essentially, if the person sleeping next to you moves, you want a mattress that won’t let you feel it.
Our pick: Emma Zero Gravity Mattress
Get a seamless, undisturbed night’s sleep with the Zero Gravity. Toss and turn effortlessly while sleeping as the mattress quickly reacts to and cushions all of your body movements. It also features Emma’s AirGrid Technology, which allows for proper airflow via the multiple air channels found in the AirGrid layer.
6. The best mattress for the very sexually active
Mattress type: Coil
It’s been said that you can have better sex on a coil bed, since you don’t get as much bounce or freedom of movement with foam. And since research shows that a healthy sex life can ward off stress and even heart disease, a springier mattress is worth considering.
Our pick: Noa Mattress
Noa is ideal for sleepers that can’t choose between foam or spring design, and don’t want the sinking feeling from foam – thanks to its the hybrid design. The brand has been gaining a lot of popularity in Australia and is a clear winner for the best value mattress with the current deal of $300 off. It also helps that the reviews are outstanding.
7. The best mattress for people with allergies
Mattress type: Latex
The bedroom may be a place to unwind and relax, but it’s also a common source for allergens. You may not expect your mattress to be the culprit, but some mattresses can be the ideal place for dust mites, pet dander, mould, and mildew. These allergens often cause nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, a runny nose, and coughing.
Allergies can also make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, which may lead to snoring or even insomnia, meaning a super disordered sleep. The best mattress for allergies will reduce the presence of allergens in the bedroom, helping to provide relief from allergy symptoms and better quality sleep.
People who suffer from allergies should refrain from sleeping on mattresses made of animal products such as hair, wool, or feathers. Animal-based materials can cause flare-ups for allergy sufferers. Most hypoallergenic beds are made with natural materials such as cotton or filled with artificial materials such as polymers which resist allergy-causing organisms.
Our pick: Helix Midnight
Helix Sleep offers a wide selection of hybrid mattresses, each one specifically designed for certain body types and sleep positions. The Helix Midnight is one of the company’s top-selling models. This can be attributed to thick foam layers over individually pocketed coils, creating a true medium firm feel that provides a balance of close body contouring and sturdy sleeper support. Breathable comfort layers and steady internal airflow should also stave off allergens and help you sleep soundly when your symptoms act up.
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