In addition to being uncomfortable and full of dust, old mattresses can be serious hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Office of Compliance division reports rules and standards for mattress manufacturing. The rules have changed over the years. Modern mattresses must pass flammability tests to ensure their safety. For those who are shopping for a new bed this year, these are some of the top-selling beds that comply with safety rules.
Memory Foam: Amerisleep Liberty Bed
This bed measures 12 inches in thickness. Its design includes multiple layers of foam with enough firmness and resistance to support proper posture but enough softness to allow for a comfortable sleeping experience in any position. It ranks highly in compliance criteria and customer satisfaction, which puts it in the category of excellent quality. Since it is priced the same as a bed with mid-range quality, the Amerisleep Liberty Bed is a good overall value.
For this bed, the cons are that the price is still somewhat higher than other types of beds due to its special technology and thickness. Also, it may not last as long as an innerspring mattress.
Innerspring: Saatva Luxury Firm Bed
This sturdy and affordable bed comes with dual coils for added stability and support. There is a firm option or a plush option for buyers who lean more in one direction or the other for firmness preferences. The luxury firm bed is a good mix of firmness and softness with foam layers for a versatile sleeping experience. This mattress measures 14.5 inches in thickness. With normal use, its expected useful life is up to 15 years, and the company offers an extensive warranty for that time period.
The main con with this bed is that it is not as soft as memory foam. Also, it does not lend as much warmth as a memory foam mattress when temperatures are colder.
Water: American National Sorrento
This deep-fill mattress provides an even sleeping surface with its adaptable design. It comes with a plush quilted mattress protector that can be flipped for even wear, and it is washable. The Sorrento is designed to be a long-lasting bed. Water beds are hypoallergenic, sturdy and affordable.
Although this bed has plenty of pros, it does require some work to change the water and maintain the mattress. Also, its design does not provide as much support as the innerspring or memory foam mattresses mentioned in this guide.
Latex: PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Mattress
For this bed, the thickness is 12 inches. It is made from organic ARPICO latex, which is considered the top choice for quality across the globe. The bed also includes organic cotton and wool. The wool acts as an insulator and as fire protection. Latex’s resiliency lends to good support and a comfortable sleeping experience. This mattress comes in firm and medium-firm options.
People who are allergic to latex should not use this bed. For those who prefer a plush soft feeling, this mattress is not as soft as memory foam, a plush innerspring bed or an air bed.
Air: Sleep Number
Sleep Number air beds come in a variety of sizes, prices and specifications. They are tailored to the buyer’s needs and wants. Buyers can find air beds that reduce or prevent lower back pain, provide a more even softness or provide more firmness in a specific area. Sleep Number air beds have the advantages of being portable and being very easy to set up.
These air beds are not as durable as the other mattresses listed in this guide. They must be cared for properly to avoid leaks, rips and seal malfunctions. Also, these specific air beds have weight suggestions that must be heeded.
When buying any mattress, the Federal Trade Commission suggests checking the tag to see if the bed is new. It is legal to sell used mattresses in many parts of the country if the tag is marked. However, they could come with health risks and even pests such as bed bugs. Also, ask the merchant to specify that the mattress is new on the receipt.
