Guide: Best Tips & Mattress for the Money

Last Updated on March 12, 2024

by Marc Werner, Founder - GhostBed

Are you shopping for a mattress on a budget? Read our comprehensive guide on getting the best mattress for your money.

I. Benefits of Searching for the Best Affordable Mattress

II. Mattress Firmness Choosing

III. Mattress Buying Tips

IV. Mattress Shopping FAQ’s

V. GhostBed Mattress Reviews

Buying a mattress no longer means just walking into a store and choosing from a couple of inner springs. It has now become a task much like buying a car. Not only do you want a wonderful drive and beautiful look, but you also want to get what you desire for the best price.

With most humans spending 33 percent of their lives sleeping, it is also important to get the best mileage that one can have when looking to purchase a new mattress. Seeking out the best mattress for the money means doing research. One should read reviews and consider the benefits of shopping online as opposed to going to a brick and mortar retailer.

I. Benefits of Searching for the Best Affordable Mattress

Understanding Types of Mattresses

Seeking the best mattress for the money means learning about the different types of beds available to purchase. Standard coil spring are still on the market but now comfortable memory foam mattress choices have taken over. Learn about gel infused mattresses that reduce overheating during the night. Once you understand the type of mattress that will be the best for your needs then you will want to shop to find the best affordable choice.

Learning About Mattress Pricing

Mattress pricing is very much like car pricing. Yes, you can spend thousands of dollars for a luxury model but it may not drive any better than the more affordable mattress. Although you are looking for the best price you do not want to cheap out either. The most expensive is not necessarily the best, but obviously, the cheapest probably is not the best either. Today’s mattress pricing involves bed type along with the overhead of the company selling the mattress.

Shopping Options Available

With brick and mortar stores commonly having more overhead than online retailers, it stands to reason that one will find great options for finding an affordable mattress when shopping online from the comfort of home. Also, take into consideration add-ons to buying a bed, such as cost for delivery. Many online retailers do not charge for delivery. There are also bed-in-the-box choices for buying mattresses online. Some of these types of memory foam mattresses are of significant quality for the low cost that they sell for.

II. Mattress Firmness Choosing

Universal Comfort or Medium

Universal comfort are mattresses that will generally make all sleeping on them comfortable. These types of mattresses are perfect for those sharing beds who have differing needs. As Goldilocks would say, they are neither too firm, nor too soft, but just right. It has been determined that, although most sleepers may say that they want a firmer or softer mattress, 80 percent of sleepers will agree that the mattress featuring a more medium universal comfort is perfect. Mattresses that are of universal comfort are most normally a memory foam type that provides contouring to adjust to cradling different body types. These are the types of mattresses most often found in bed-in-the-box types of beds sold online. On firmness levels this type of mattress is given a 5 – 7 out of 10 grade.

Soft

If you like to sink into a bed, as if it is one pig pillow sucking you in, then a soft mattress may be for you. Most likely you will see this in the pillow top type of mattress. These mattresses have a grade of 1.5 – 3 out of 10.

Firm

Many who have back problems will state that they need a firm mattress. Firm mattresses have very little sinkage, as they are harder as implied with the firm moniker. These types of beds have a grade of 7.5 – 9 out of 10.

III. Mattress Buying Tips

  • If out shopping the stores seeking a mattress make sure to test drive it for a proper amount of time. Experts recommend that one needs to lay down on each side, stomach and back for about 10 minutes each so get comfortable and disregard looks from sales people and other shoppers as you test the mattress out for a half hour to 40 minutes. This is where the online shopping method can be a great choice. Many online only mattress companies offer quick delivery with a free trial period of around a hundred days. If you are not satisfied within the free trial timeline, then these companies will arrange to pick up the mattress at their cost and refund you the cost of the mattress.
  • Be sure to understand return policies, as these can vary. The bed-in-a-box companies generally have comfort guarantees with wonderful free return and pick up for a full refund. Mattress stores may have varying policies from a set trial period, to no return at all, or return with restocking fees.
  • Just like being in a car showroom a specialty mattress showroom allows for price haggling. Don’t be afraid to walk away if the price is not what you want, most likely the salesperson and manager will whisk you back to work out a deal.
  • Look for sales and coupons before shopping. Both stores and online retailers often have special sales and coupon codes are usually available to be found to apply at check out, when buying a mattress online.

IV. Mattress Shopping FAQ’s

When seeking the best mattress for my money what qualities should I look for?

Most important to look for in a mattress is that it is built with quality. Make sure to confirm that the mattress is built with a layered construction out of durable materials. Mattresses should be built to be a minimum of 10 inches thick. It is worth paying just a little more for a better-quality construction that will last for the bed’s lifetime. A cheaper, thinner, mattress may feel okay at first but will be prone to present problems, such as sagging and poor support, very quickly with wear and tear.

Is there a way to extend the longevity of a mattress?

Be prepared to clean your mattress frequently to rid it of dust, sweat and dirt. If there is a zip off mattress protector, then machine was it regularly. For mattresses with no zip off protector then buy a mattress protector that you can remove and wash with the bedding. Use baking soda to sprinkle on a bare mattress to get rid of odors and stains. Vacuum up the baking soda and be prepared to vacuum the entire mattress at regular intervals.

V. GhostBed Mattress Reviews

Looking for a great mattress for the best deal then you cannot go wrong with a bed-in-the-box type. This will also tend to be the best memory foam mattress for the money that you can get. The mattress in a box offers universal comfort that all will love, as well as an amazing trial period.

GhostBed is an ideal mattress for savvy shoppers, with real customers reviewing their experience.


Marc Werner - Founder, GhostBed

Marc Werner

Founder - GhostBed

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Marc has spent the last two decades designing & manufacturing mattresses and other sleep products, drawing on a lifetime of experience working with the material sciences. With several patents to his name, he works closely with the GhostBed team to create products with the perfect balance of comfort & support. Learn More

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