How to Choose a Mattress

Any good mattress store will let you test their mattresses, but most people don't know how to test correctly.

First, sit down on the edge of the bed. The mattress should feel strong and supportive beneath you. You don't want it to feel as if you're sitting in a hole, or the mattress is probably not well made.

Next, look at the mattress behind you as you stand up. It should immediately spring back to its original shape. If it comes back slowly, that's a sign of poor quality.

Now it's time to lie down on the mattress. And don't just lie there on your back --- try changing positions and rolling around as you normally do when you sleep. Make sure you're comfortable in all positions.

If you share your bed with someone else, you should choose the mattress together. If one is a back sleeper and the other is a side sleeper, each should test the mattress that way.

Finally, check it for sound! Seriously, try bouncing a bit to see if the springs squeak --- not a very desirable thing.

Don't rush your test. A good mattress should last for at least ten years, so it's certainly not unreasonable to give it a test that lasts at least ten minutes.