Wondering what to look for in a mattress? It can be confusing, given they aren’t purchased often. Use our guide to find the right mattress at Surplus Furniture.

Canadians spend roughly 7.9 hours sleeping each day — about a third of their lives. Given how much time we spend in bed, a quality mattress is essential for restful sleep and body support.

What to Look for When Buying a New Mattress

With many options to consider, buying a mattress is no easy feat. Consider the factors below to narrow down your choices.

Firmness

Firmness directly impacts the support your body gets while you sleep. Softer mattresses can cause your body to sink and contort uncomfortably, while a firmer mattress helps keep your spine properly aligned.

The spine’s natural curve, from the neck to the tailbone, should be maintained to prevent back pain and chronic injury. Each sleeper has unique needs — back, side, stomach, or a combination — so testing different firmness levels is the only way to find your match.

Fabric

While the mattress fabric will be covered by sheets anyway, it still matters for those with allergies or skin sensitivities. Cotton, wool, and bamboo are common breathable options that allow airflow while you sleep.

Sheets and comforter crumpled on a bed

Sleep Position

Knowing your sleep position helps you choose for healthy spinal support. For proper alignment:

  • Stomach sleepers: firm mattress for hip and shoulder support.
  • Side sleepers: medium-firm mattress for shoulder, neck, and hip support with proper pressure relief.
  • Back sleepers: medium-firm for pressure relief and comfort.

Body Type

A mattress feels different depending on your body type. The firmness and feel will vary — the goal is comfort plus support that promotes a good night’s sleep.

Budget

Mattress prices vary depending on size, fabric, and the support offered. The most expensive mattress isn’t always the best, and cheaper mattresses aren’t necessarily bad — trying it out is what matters.

You can spend less on a guest mattress, since it won’t see daily use. A mattress used every night should have the support and comfort necessary for the best sleep quality.

At Surplus Furniture, we offer quality, brand-name mattresses at warehouse prices. We even offer a Layaway Program so you can save products and pay for them gradually.

A woman asleep in her comfortable bed

Couples

Shopping for a mattress for two means accommodating two preferences. Plenty of split-mattress options exist; consider motion transfer and edge support, and find a mattress that’s comfortable for both partners.

Size

Mattresses come in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. Some mattress size guidelines:

  • Twin mattresses are great for young children in small rooms.
  • Twin XL mattresses are better when a child gets taller but still doesn’t need much room.
  • Full mattresses are a good size for older children and teens.
  • Queen mattresses work for teens, adults, or smaller couples.
  • King mattresses are excellent for couples with a larger bedroom.
  • California King mattresses are four inches longer and four inches narrower than a king — ideal for tall sleepers.

Mattress Interior

Decide whether your mattress should have a foam or spring interior. Foam mattresses are made of memory foam, polyurethane foam, and other materials — great for conforming to the body, reducing motion transfer, and providing soft pressure relief.

A spring/coil mattress uses metal coils for support with a thin layer of foam on top. Spring mattresses have a bit of bounce and firmer support for heavier sleepers, plus better airflow for a cooler sleep.

Close-up of a mattress top

How to Shop for a Mattress Online

If you’d prefer to shop online, we suggest first trying mattresses in person to learn your preferences.

Research

Look at multiple mattress companies for a range of options. Surplus Furniture showcases many brands so customers can shop for a new mattress set in one place.

Browse

Don’t settle for the first mattress you see — you can always come back. Looking at multiple options often surfaces a similar mattress at a better price.

Read Reviews

Forums and product reviews provide great user insight. See how long a mattress lasts and how it fares for your sleeping type.

Quality Mattresses at Warehouse Prices

Sleep is a pillar of health. Give yourself the best sleep possible with the right mattress from Surplus Furniture. Beyond high-quality mattresses, we offer accessories that make sleeping more comfortable, plus mattress sets for convenient shopping.

Get the right mattress through flexible payment options. Shop now and see the best brands at warehouse pricing.