Buying a mattress is an important decision for a variety of reasons. For most people, it can be a sizable outlay of cash and they want a mattress that will hold its comfort and durability for several years or more. Choosing the wrong mattress can impact the quality of your sleep and set you up for a number of health and productivity issues.

With a many different mattress brands offering a variety of features and materials, taking time to compare both mattress types and mattress brands can make a huge difference in your satisfaction. Here are some things to think about when comparing mattress brands to help you choose the right mattress for the good night’s sleep that you deserve.

The first thing you should do is to decide on the size of the mattress. You may have an existing headboard or bed frame that will dictate your decision. If you plan to buy a new frame or bed then you have several choices. If you plan to take this opportunity to “upsize” to king for the first time, be sure to measure your bedroom to make sure you actually have ample space. It is important to note that there are two sizes of king beds: the regular king – sometimes referred to as the eastern king – and California King. California King Mattresses are less wide and higher than the standard King. While nearly all mattress brands carry the standard King, not all of them offer California King. So if California is on your mind, start with the brands that make this size before wasting your time researching other brands.

The most complicated decision when trying to choose between mattress brands is to consider the exact type of mattress that you want to buy. Most brands offer mattresses made of various materials, ranging from the traditional innerspring with pillow-top mattress featured on the Serta Delphina model, to new memory foam mattresses such as the Spring Air Grand Euro-top. Different mattress materials will give you a significantly different sleep experience, and it is important to take the time to see which option will be best for you to help you sleep restfully.

Today’s mattress choices include the air bed, innerspring coil, latex foam, memory foam and water bed. One great innovation is a combination of two of the above – where manufacturers have adapted the innerspring concept, removing the metal coils and replacing them with “air” coils – dense pockets of air that provide both support and comfort and will never rip through the mattress lining. Be careful when shopping for memory foam – some mattresses with foam in the name are actually innerspring coil with a thin layer of foam on top. You just want to know what you are buying.

Some mattresses use springs within the mattress itself to provide support for your body while you sleep, while other mattresses use foam filling in order to give the needed support. A few mattresses such as the Select Comfort beds even use air-filled chambers in order to support the body, allowing users of the mattress to adjust the firmness of their sleeping conditions on the fly. As everyone has their own tastes, some people will prefer one type of mattress over the others while other people will be comfortable on any mattress that they try.

A helpful step in choosing the mattress that is perfect for you is to take the time to visit a store and try out the different mattress brands and models. But one brief sitting (or lying) is not enough to make a decision. Consider your weight and whether the bed is for one or two. Some brands allow you to adjust each side of the bed to the individual’s comfort. Others, such as memory foam, have little or no movement therefore providing less disruption to the other person’s sleep. Do not be afraid to visit several different stores in order to try out several different brands of mattresses, since this will give you a much larger perspective over which ones you like best and which you don’t really care for.

Once you have decided on a type of mattress, price can be the deciding factor in selecting the final brand. It is important to know your budget before you enter a store or shop online. Every price range will have several choices. Price can be misleading however. If you have the time, search the internet for customer reviews on your short list of mattress brands.

While all brands look the same, some are better than others. Read what other people have to say about their experiences with comfort and durability. Look up the manufacturer’s warranty as well as the store’s return policy. With a major home purchase such as with a mattress, you don’t want to be stuck with a lemon. Some brands stand behind the product more than others. Do your homework and you should have no problem finding a mattress that is right for you.