Walk into any retail store, or browse online, and you may be surprised at the difference in price for a mattress, which can range anywhere from $300 to $3,000 or more.

Unfortunately, this price disparity can add unnecessary stress and confusion to the shopping process.

As a result, uninformed shoppers are at a greater risk of:

Settling for a cheap, low quality mattress that offers little comfort and will not last long, or

Being tricked into buying an overly pricey mattress, where the high cost if justified by features that are not really essential to a good night’s sleep

Of course, neither scenario is ideal. But how do you strike the right balance between great value for money and lasting satisfaction?

You need to know what factors influence the price of a mattress and decide which features are most important to you. This way, you’re more likely to make an informed choice and enjoy many years of blissful sleep.

Here’s how to walk away a winner the next time you buy a mattress.

1. Know what goes into your mattress

By far, the best way to judge the quality of a mattress is to know what materials are inside, and how they benefit you – if at all.

However, due to the wide range of mattress types and the different terms used to describe their construction and materials, it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to make sense of what you’re really buying.

To help you make sense of the differences between a cheap and expensive mattress, here’s a breakdown of the materials used in each type of mattress, and how their quality can impact your sleep.

2. Innerspring and pocket spring mattress

An innerspring mattress is made up of an interconnected steel coil support system. And a pocket spring mattress is comprised of individual springs placed in little pockets of cloth. Both coil systems are covered by various layers of padding and upholstery to provide comfort and support.[1]

To keep costs down, a cheaper spring mattress may have low quality padding and foam. This can result in pain and discomfort, as the mattress is more prone to sagging, and the padding may not be durable enough to provide relief to key pressure points in the body – namely the hips, joints, and shoulders.

Furthermore, a cheaper spring mattress may have a lower coil count, which can result in greater discomfort and motion transfer.

3. Memory foam

There are many key differences between cheap and expensive memory foam.

First off, cheap memory foam has a shorter lifespan. Cheaper models might last as little as 5 years, while a pricier one could last 10 years or more. In fact, when you split the cost down to year-by-year, the pricier model could save you money in the long run – as it won’t need to be replaced as often.

Secondly, cheap memory foam is softer and prone to sagging. While the softness is subjective, the sagging definitely is not. It will only leave you feeling sore and uncomfortable. Premium memory foam, on the other hand, is far denser and will maintain its shape for longer.

Finally, premium memory foam is often more eco and allergen-friendly. This is because they are low-VOC and contain toxic-free chemicals, which helps to reduce their carbon footprint and let sensitive sleepers breathe easy

4. Natural and synthetic latex

Natural latex foam is made from a milky white liquid extracted from the Hevea-Brasillienis tree, also known as the rubber tree. The liquid latex is transformed into foam through a vulcanization process. There are a few variations to the process which enables the foam to be either: dense and firm, or soft and pillowy.

Synthetic latex is a petroleum based product crafted from man-made ingredients like Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR).

Although cheaper, synthetic latex is less resilient and elastic than the real thing. Some find synthetic latex to be less springy and more ‘dull’ feeling. It can also produce a more abrasive odour that many find unappealing.

Some companies offer ‘blended latex’ which combines both natural and synthetic latex into the one mattress. While these companies boast about combining the best of both worlds, the reality is, this type of latex mattress is still a cheaper and ultimately inferior alternative to the real thing.

5. Do your research

Regardless of which type of mattress you choose, it’s important to do your research.

This way, when the time comes to shop online or visit a retail store, you’ll have all the info you need to make an informed choice. As a result, you’ll be more satisfied with your purchase and be rewarded with a consistently good night’s sleep.