Mattresses come in a range of sizes from twin to California king. Factors to consider when choosing what's best for you include your height and weight, sleep position and the size of the space where the mattress will be. In addition, if you’re moving into your first apartment, getting married or have another upcoming life change it might be time to think about getting a bigger mattress.

• Twin: This size is best for your child's room and small guest rooms. It'll give your child enough room to stretch out while not taking up too much space.
• Twin XL: A twin XL mattress is what you typically find in dorm rooms. They're great for tall sleepers while still maximizing your room area.
• Full: A full-size mattress is a great step up for kids in middle school or high school. They also are perfect for filling out medium-sized guest rooms.
• Full XL size mattresses measure 54 inches wide by 80 inches long, providing more legroom than a full size mattress without the added width of a queen size mattress.
• Queen: This is the most popular mattress size and is great for couples living in apartments or those who have small master bedrooms. It provides enough room for you and your partner to be comfortable, while not completely taking over a smaller space.
• King: With a king bed, each person will have ample room to stretch out and relax. King beds typically come with a split box spring to make moving easier.
• California King: If you or your partner needs extra length, the California king is a great choice. It is slightly more narrow than a standard king but 4 inches longer so you'll have full body support for your tall frame. 

Different types of mattress construction mean you can find one that provides the right support for you and help ease pressure points.

• Innerspring: This is the traditional construction that uses a system of metal coils. There are a variety of innerspring styles available and they provide different levels of resistance to deliver the support you need, where you need it.
• Hybrid: Mixing coils, memory foam and even advances in temperature control, you'll get the perfect balance between innerspring and memory foam mattresses. The hybrid's support comes from a center comfort core and the foam layer allows the mattress to conform to your body’s curves.
• Memory foam: State-of-the-art advances give modern memory foam mattresses a leg up on their predecessors. This mattress easily contours to your body, helping to alleviate pressure points and evenly distributing support. New technology offers exceptional temperature regulation so you won't feel too hot or too cold.

Comfort levels range from firm to plush and refer to the amount of padding on your mattress. Your preference dictates how plush or firm your mattress should be.

• Firm: When you prefer to rest atop your mattress instead of sinking into it, you may like the feel of a firm mattress.
• Plush: If you're looking for extra pressure relief, a plush mattress will contour just enough to your body for added comfort.
• Pillow tops: Pillow top mattresses have additional upholstery on top of the mattress to provide more cushioning. The pillow top itself is available in different degrees of firmness so you can further customize your sleep experience.

Comfort vs. Support

Comfort and support are terms that are often used interchangeably but they have two very different meanings.

• Comfort: The right comfort level is completely based on your personal preference and refers to how plush or firm a mattress feels at the surface.
• Support: This term refers to the amount of resistance a mattress provides against your body weight.

It’s important to keep in mind no matter how firm or plush you like your mattress, a good mattress will provide support at any comfort level. 

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Foundations provide added support to your mattress and help reduce wear, but they also increase the height of your mattress to make it easier for you to climb in and out of bed.

• Adjustable bases: Should you like to read, watch TV or work in bed, an adjustable base makes it easy to support your body in seated positions. It will keep you from having to stack and readjust pillows to stay comfortable.
• 9-inch box spring: This foundation works for most mattresses. Make sure to consider the height of the mattress combined with the box spring so you can get into bed more easily.
• Low profile box spring: If you have trouble getting in and out of bed with a traditional box spring, a low profile box spring provides some added height and support without making it inaccessible.
• Split box spring: This foundation is made up of two box springs and is used for larger beds or in cases where easy maneuvering is needed. Split box springs are always used for king or California king beds and are an option for queen beds.
• Platform foundation: This option can be used in place of a box spring to support your mattress and provide the extra height you need. Typically, a platform foundation will be lower to the ground than a non-platform bed.

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Don’t Skip the Store

Understanding types, comfort levels and other mattress basics are important for narrowing down the best mattress for you, but nothing takes the place of trying out mattresses in the store.

• Bring your partner: If you sleep with a partner, be sure to bring that person to the store to ensure the mattress feels comfortable for both of you. Do you or your partner move around a lot while you sleep? See how well the mattress absorbs the movement without disturbing your partner. 
• Try out multiple mattresses: Compare mattresses with different construction and comfort levels to feel the difference in how they conform to your body as well as how they support your weight.
• Take your time: It might feel strange to lie on a mattress in the store, but there’s truly no better way to determine the right fit for you. You’ll be sleeping on your mattress for many years to come so don’t rush this part. Settle into your preferred sleep position, move around and sprawl out to see how the mattress reacts.
• Ask questions: Tap into the knowledge of our sleep experts. If you have a question, just ask!