Mattresses are expensive, full stop. While an initial search online may leave you wondering how you’ll ever be able to afford a high-quality bed, I’m here to tell you one thing: it can be done. There are a lot of mattress companies out there, and many of them make good value a top priority.

Follow the links below to see how you can make a fantastic mattress investment without breaking the bank.

Sleeping Preferences

So maybe you’re not one of those people who’s set on one particular position. That’s totally okay! But in all likelihood, you probably do have a preference for certain types of feels. Maybe you like the cushiony hug you get from a body contouring memory foam or relish in the bounce of a springy hybrid.

Regardless, there’s a lot of narrowing down that can be done by simply following what feels good to you.

Speaking of comfort, we want to make sure a bed feels pleasant from the moment you lie on it, so we need to know: Does it relieve pressure? Does it reduce pain? Will a sleeper feel stuck in the layers?

We use a number of different tools to answer these questions, my favorite of which measures the pressure exerted by a sleeper while lying on a mattress.

Wanting a bed to be comfortable doesn’t mean we don’t also want it to have fantastic support. It’s important to not confuse support with firmness as a mattress can be incredibly soft and still be super supportive. After all, support really just means that a bed is keeping a sleeper’s spine in alignment while in a normal sleeping position as demonstrated in the photo below.

We also want to know how cool the bed sleeps. Though many companies tout their mattresses as “sleeping cool,” what they really mean is that they don’t get hotter than room temperature. That’s why we inspect for gel infusions in heat-absorbing memory foam (pictured below), phase change fibers in covers, and the inclusion of naturally cooling materials such as latex foam or innerspring.

These nitty gritty design details aside, we’re also committed to learning as much as we can about each company we include on our site. What kinds of trial periods do they offer? Are their warranties legit or merely smoke and mirrors? Do they give back to charitable causes? How easy is it to return a mattress you no longer want? Getting to the truth behind the claims enables us to put the power back in your hands.

After all, your mattress shopping experience should (and must) be all about you.