How to Choose Your Perfect Mattress?

How to Choose Your Perfect Mattress?

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, making it crucially important to choose the best mattress tailored to your individual needs.

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, making it crucially important to choose the best mattress tailored to your individual needs.

A good mattress is essential for a good nights sleep. But choosing the right mattress is no easy task.

Should you opt for a memory foam or hybrid model?
Do you prefer a firm or soft mattress?
What factors should you take into consideration when choosing your mattress?

The secret is, above all, to ask the right questions and take your time to understand and assess your needs. While there's no one-size-fits-all mattress, the perfect mattress does exist for you! We'll help you discover an affordable, comfortable and reliable mattress tailored to your body type, preferences, living situation and needs, providing you with the rest you deserve. A mattress that can change your life!

Start by Assessing Your Current Mattress

If you want to change your mattress, it probably means that your current bedding is no longer up to your expectations.


Does your mattress have lumps or bumps? Has it become too soft and creaky? It's obviously too old;


Do you have back pain, a stiff neck or lower back pain? Or do you have one allergy attack after another? Your current mattress doesn't meet your needs.


In all cases, it's important to know when to change your mattress. A worn-out mattress can have unfortunate consequences not only for your day-to-day well-being, but also for your long-term health. Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep is not without consequences!

How to choose a memory foam mattress?

How to choose a memory foam mattress?

The right mattress for the right job

If you're looking to invest in a new mattress so you can enjoy a good night's sleep every day, there's no doubt about it: it's essential to choose a quality mattress with the utmost care. One of the choices available to you is an orthopaedic mattress.

On the other hand, if you're looking for an extra mattress for occasional use, you can opt for a roll-up mattress or an entry-level foam model.

A mattress to suit your needs

Perhaps bedroom design is also a very decorative issue for you? In that case, you could opt for a round slatted base or a bed with unusual dimensions. A made-to-measure mattress may also be an option. Be careful, however, with mattresses that are off the beaten track: never lose sight of the fact that we spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, and that the mattress is the main guarantee of a good night's sleep. A water mattress is not necessarily recommended.

A mattress for every body shape

The priority is to find a good mattress adapted to your morphology, i.e. your height, weight and sleeping position.

✔ Which mattress for an overweight person? A firm or medium-firm mattress is generally recommended. You can therefore opt for a latex or spring mattress.
✔ Which mattress for children? A foam mattress is recommended, as a mattress that is too firm can be uncomfortable.
✔ Which mattress for babies? Although infants are fairly light, it is essential to prevent any risk of suffocation. Despite their slight build, a fairly firm foam or latex mattress is preferred.

Ideally, your mattress should also relieve pressure points. Because the weight of the body is not uniform: the head and pelvis are the heaviest areas, so they will exert more pressure on the mattress. They need to be able to sink in far enough to respect the natural alignment of the spine, but not too far either. That's why new generation mattresses offer 3 to 7 comfort zones.

A mattress to prevent back pain

Which mattress for back pain? This is certainly the question that comes up most frequently when choosing a mattress. And with good reason! As we've seen, the wrong mattress is likely to cause back, lumbar and neck pain. On the other hand, a good mattress that is perfectly adapted to the sleeper will ensure optimal rest for the muscles and alignment of the spine.

You may have already heard that if your back hurts, you need a firm mattress. Well, that's not quite true! In fact, it all depends on the cause of your pain. In the case of rheumatism, for example, professionals recommend a soft mattress. Pregnancy-related back pain is an entirely different situation: a mother-to-be's body is changing and her weight distribution is evolving. She needs support that is sufficiently toned so that her belly is well supported, while still benefiting from a soft welcome. A memory foam model is therefore the most comfortable mattress for pregnant women.

In a nutshell! The best thing to do is to seek advice from your physiotherapist or osteopath if you have specific health issues and pains!

A hygienic mattress to prevent allergies

Dust mites are one of the main causes of allergies - and these little creatures take great pleasure in invading pillows and mattresses. It's a factor you need to take into account when choosing the right mattress. Having a dust mite-free mattress is even more important for children and babies, who are particularly sensitive to dust mites.

Dust mites are particularly fond of dust, heat and humidity. To keep them at bay, it's advisable to choose a mattress with good ventilation, to ensure optimum moisture evacuation. Some materials are naturally hypoallergenic - latex and memory foam, for example. For a healthier environment, you can opt for an organic mattress.

Choosing a mattress for a couple

Sleeping independence is the essential criterion for choosing a mattress for a couple. After all, even a person who sleeps peacefully moves around an average of... 40 times a night! So it's vital that you don't wake the person sleeping next to you when you change position (and that they don't wake you when they move either). Although memory foam or latex provide a good level of sleeping independence, the spring mattress is generally considered to be the reference model for couples.

Choosing a mattress for senior citizens

From the age of 55 onwards, the quality of sleep changes: while seniors still sleep just as much, their nights are less restorative. They also suffer more from back and joint pain. A memory foam mattress is the most appropriate choice, as it promotes good blood circulation and encourages muscle recovery. Choosing a mattress for an elderly person sometimes means taking health-related criteria into account - particularly in the case of illnesses that require you to spend most of your time in bed: in these cases, an anti-bedsore mattress is recommended.

Choosing a durable mattress

Perhaps you don't want to change your mattress very often? If so, it's important to consider the lifespan of the mattress when choosing a new model. As well as encouraging the proliferation of dust mites, moisture is a mattress's worst enemy: here's another good reason to choose a model with good ventilation!

The durability of a mattress depends mainly on the materials it's made of. Good to know: an eco-friendly mattress often lasts much longer than a conventional mattress.

Average lifespan by mattress type:
- Foam mattresses: 2 to 10 years
- Spring mattresses: 10 to 15 years
- Latex mattresses: 15 years

Technical Criteria for Choosing Your Mattress

To choose the right mattress, you need to understand its technical characteristics.

Generally a mattress is made up of 3 components:
The core: the heart of the mattress, which supports your body when you're lying down.
The filling: the top layer, which provides a soft or enveloping welcome for extra comfort.
Ticking: the fabric that covers the mattress.

Restful sleep

Soulage les points de pression et prévient les douleurs dorsales

15-year warranty

Our mattresses are designed to stay comfortable and last long.

Independent sleeping

Absorbs each other's movements and preserves the peace and quiet of your nights.

Foam mattresses

Foam mattresses are the cheapest on the market. Entry-level polyethylene models are generally reserved for a cot or children's bed. For everyday use, it's better to opt for a polyurethane model, which is more solid and provides better ventilation.

The firmness of a foam mattress depends on its density. We recommend choosing high-resilience foam with a density of over 30 kg/m². The higher the density, the better the support. To make the right choice, take your weight into account.

Recommended density according to your weight:

<50 kg: 30 to 35 kg/m3
50 to 70 kg: 65 to 75 kg/m3
From 70 to 100 kg: 75 and 85 kg/m3
Over 100 kg: 85 kg/m3 and more

Latex mattresses

The latex mattress has several advantages:
✔ Its resilience - in other words, its elasticity, which allows it to mould perfectly to your shape and accompany your movements throughout the night ;
✔ Its excellent ventilation, which makes it much more durable than foam;
✔ It is naturally anti-mite and anti-bacterial.
Its main shortcoming is its weight, which comes from its high density.

It's important to distinguish between a natural latex mattress, made from the sap of the rubber tree, and a synthetic latex mattress, made using a petrochemical process. Pay particular attention to its name.
Composition of the latex mattress according to the designation :
100% natural latex: At least 85% latex derived from the sap of the rubber tree.
100% latex (or "natural latex"): Mainly synthetic latex, the proportion does not exceed 20%.

Spring mattresses

Spring mattresses are among the best on the market. However, its quality depends on two factors: the number of springs and their type. This is a firm or semi-firm mattress.

The pocket-spring mattress was developed in the 2000s. It is made up of springs wrapped in individual fabric bags that react precisely to the pressure exerted: in other words, it gives you made-to-measure support. It gives you perfect sleeping independence, making it the ideal mattress for couples. The most frequently asked question is: how many pocket springs does a good mattress have? This depends on the size of the mattress. Count 600 springs for a 140 x 190 cm mattress.

A twin-tapered spring mattress combines narrow springs in the middle with a foam, cotton or wool filling. It is particularly recommended for people who are tall and/or corpulent.

What about memory foam?

Developed by NASA to cushion astronauts from the shock of take-off, memory foam represented a real revolution when it was used in mattresses. But beware of confusion!

Although the term "memory foam mattress" is commonly used, this technology is reserved exclusively for the top layer of the mattress (the filling). So it's always associated with foam, latex or springs!

Memory foam has the particularity of preventing pain and radically limiting micro-awakenings. Capable of adapting precisely to your body shape , it offers remarkable comfort. By relieving pressure points, it also encourages better circulation.

Good to know: memory foam reacts to heat. It can therefore be affected by very high temperatures, for example during a heatwave. It also needs a few moments to adapt when you change position (to find out more: memory foam mattresses - advantages and disadvantages)

What firmness should I choose for my mattress?

In the case of foam or latex mattresses, the level of firmness depends on the density of the mattress. In the case of spring mattresses, as we have seen, it depends on the type and number of springs.

The ideal firmness level for a mattress depends primarily on your morphology. Bear in mind that the weight of the body is not distributed evenly: the heaviest parts of the body, such as the head and pelvis, should sink slightly into the mattress without sagging. The aim is to preserve the natural alignment of the spine when you lie down.

We therefore recommend a soft mattress for children or underweight people, and a firm to medium-firm mattress for large and/or overweight people.

To narrow down your choice, you should also consider the position in which you sleep. For example, if you like to sleep on your stomach, you should opt for a firm to medium-firm mattress, while a softer mattress is preferable for sleeping on your side.

Mattress Thickness
Less than 14 cm
14 - 18cm
19 to 25cm
More than 25cm
Type of Mattress
Foam
Foam or latex
Foam, springs or latex
Foam, springs or latex
Recommended Use
Single bed, spare bed.
Single bed for everyday use by children or smaller people.
Single or double bed for everyday use, normal build.
Double bed for heavier sleepers and couples with a significant weight difference.
Mattress Thickness
Type of Mattress
Recommended Use
Less than 14 cm
Foam
Single bed, spare bed.
Mattress Thickness
Type of Mattress
Recommended Use
14 - 18cm
Foam or latex
Single bed for everyday use by children or smaller people.
Mattress Thickness
Type of Mattress
Recommended Use
19 to 25cm
Foam, springs or latex
Single or double bed for everyday use, normal build.
Mattress Thickness
Type of Mattress
Recommended Use
More than 25cm
Foam, springs or latex
Double bed for heavier sleepers and couples with a significant weight difference.
Mattress size
UK Single
UK Small Double
UK Double
EU Double
UK King
EU King
UK Super King
Dimensions
90 x 190cm
120 x 190cm
135 x 190cm
140 x 200cm
150 x 200cm
160 x 200cm
180 x 200cm
Sleeps
1 person
1 - 2 people
1 - 2 people
1 - 2 people
1 - 2 people
1 - 2 people
1 - 2 people

What type of ticking/cover should I choose?

The ticking - the entire mattress material covering - is a criteria not to be neglected. It contributes to the comfort, ventilation and protection of the mattress.

Mattress ticking can be treated in a variety of ways: anti-mite, anti-bacterial, Coolsoft technology for extra freshness, etc.

It can be made from a variety of materials:

Cotton: soft and an excellent insulator, it's also supple and breathable;

Viscose: robust, with a softness comparable to silk, it is a good thermoregulator and absorbs moisture well;

Polyester: a very common material, appreciated for its value for money, as it is inexpensive, robust and easy to clean;

Bamboo fibre: this natural fibre is prized for its absorbency, softness and natural antibacterial properties.

A mattress can have two sides: a winter side and a summer side. In this case, the ticking is different on each side.

Where to buy your mattress?

As we've seen, the mattress is the heart of your bed and sleeping habits, an essential for a good night's sleep and for keeping your mental and physical well being every day.
Technology, quality of materials, density: the perfect mattress for you meets specific criteria.

So where should you buy your mattress? First and foremost from a bedding specialist like Hypnia.

Choosing the right mattress for your budget

Choosing a cheap mattress is possible but you need to find the balance with quality and not underspend and punish yourself in the long run. With the advent of the internet, it's even pretty easy... when you know what criteria to look at to make the best choice. These days, you can find a high-quality mattress for under €400, with memory foam mattresses available at unbeatable prices on our website www.hypnia.co.uk.

A renowned online price comparison platform stated:
"Mattresses costing less than €500 can be better in terms of comfort, support and resistance to ageing than models sold for more than €2,000. (...) Relying on price to make your choice would be a mistake". -

Relying on reviews to choose your mattress

When it comes to choosing a mattress, there's nothing better than asking the opinions of friends and family. Do they like their current mattress and products? When you're interested in a brand, what opinions can you read about it? Which mattress do consumers like you think is the best? Consult, for example, a mattress comparison or the Hypnia reviews, which are certified and posted by consumers. This will give you the opportunity to benefit from the experience of buyers who have already tested the product!

What to do with your old mattress?

Is your mattress nearing the end of its life? For a long time, old mattresses were dumped in landfill sites, but now there are specialised channels for recycling them.

You can take your mattress to your nearest recycling centre or collection point. If you can't afford to transport your mattress, ask when you buy your new mattress: Hypnia, for example, offers to take back your old mattress when you get your new one. If your mattress is still in good condition, it can of course be given a second life. Don't hesitate to contact associations, particularly those offering emergency accommodation. Some can even come and collect your mattress from your home!

How to look after my mattress?

Choosing the right mattress is all very well - but knowing how to clean and disinfect your mattress is crucial too! If you choose a mattress with two sides - a winter side and a summer side - you need to turn it over every season. This ensures greater comfort and balanced use of the mattress. Here again, it's an opportunity to improve your comfort! As we've seen, dampness can be a mattress's worst enemy, as it encourages the development of dust mites and bacteria. And it's mainly caused by perspiration.

To protect your mattress, start with a fitted sheet and a mattress protector. For children prone to bed-wetting, a waterproof mattress protector is recommended, and if you find a stain, try to do something about it quickly. Spilt coffee or bed-wetting: always start by removing the liquid as quickly as possible. Finally, to maintain a healthy sleeping environment, remember to dust your mattress regularly. It couldn't be easier: use your hoover. If you'd like to find out more about mattress care, you might also be interested in the following subjects: Removing blood stains from mattresses, cleaning mattress pee, how to remove old stains from a mattress, how to clean stains from a mattress, how to clean a yellowed mattress.

In a nutshell: how do you choose your mattress?

You need to take into account your body shape, your sleeping habits and, of course, your budget. The technology of the mattress (its core) and its filling determine its level of firmness and comfort.

It's important to take into account your profile: age, preferred sleeping position, sensitivity to allergies. The practical aspect - durability and maintenance in particular - should not be overlooked either.

To note: even if you go from a very old mattress or one that is completely unsuited to your needs to one that is made for you, you may still need a few nights to adapt. So always make sure you have a trial period so you can get used to your new mattress and find out if it's right for you!