Latex mattresses have become popular recently as an alternative to memory foam mattresses especially in Europe. Latex mattresses recover faster from indentations and dont conform as well as memory foam mattresses and they are not as warm to the skin as memory foam mattresses. Latex mattresses are made from natural latex or synthetic latex or a blend of the two. Latex mattresses are typically resistant to mold, mildew, and mites and therefore are considered good options for people with allergies. The negatives for latex mattresses are the cost and also the smell which some people find offensive. A latex foam mattress feels completely different than a coil spring mattress and also has a very different feel than a memory foam mattress and you should definitely try one out before buying. Our recommendation is to test one out at a hotel if possible or to really lay down on one for a long time at a mattress store. Make sure you test it in the position that you normally sleep in. Here are the 7 factors you should consider when choosing a latex mattress.
- Cost – In todays tough economic times the most important factor is making sure you are getting the absolute best deal on your latex mattress. Pure latex mattresses are much more expensive than blended organic/synthetic latex mattresses. You can find blended latex queen mattresses for under $600 but you can expect to pay more than double that for an organic latex queen mattress. For a latex king mattress you can find a synthetic blend for under $900 but you will pay double that for a oure latex king mattress.
- Firmness - The ILD rating stands for the Indentation Load Deflection and is a good indication of the firmness of a latex mattress. Most people prefer an ILD in the 10-14 range with a 14 more on the firm side and 10 on the softer side. The only way to know what ILD you prefer is to test out mattresses in the upper and lower ILD ranges.
- Size - Buying a mattress that is too small for your needs can really impact your ability to get a good nights sleep so bigger is better for mattresses. This is particularly true if you sleep with a partner that moves around or if you move in your sleep. We review the 5 factors to consider when choosing the right mattress size as well as provide a table of dimensions for most standard mattress sizes.
- Brand – There is no a dominant brand in the latex mattress market like there is for memory foam mattresses. The large mattress brands like Sealy, Serta and Simmons all make latex mattresses and there are also smaller brands that also make good latex mattresses like Naturabeds, Nature's Finest, FloBeds, and SleepEZ. If you are looking for a luxury latex mattress consider the Stearns and Foster latex mattress. If you are in a show room, test the mattress and inspect it for signs of poor workmanship. See if the mattress shows any signs of pre-mature breakdown, like latex foam particles or a pitted surface. Clearly understand the return policy. It is not unusual to have to pay shipping or restocking to return a mattress, particularly for a mattress you have had shipped or delivered. If you have done your homework, a return will probably not be necessary, and is probably worth the money if you are not satisfied with your mattress. If you cannot afford a full latex mattress, consider buying a latex topper, which will provide a number of the benefits of a latex mattress for a fraction of price.
- Type - Latex is available as a topper or as a full mattress. If a latex mattress is not in your budget, or if you want to try latex before you invest in a mattress, a topper can be an inexpensive way to get the benefits of latex at a lower cost. However, if you have tested latex and prefer latex to both memory foam and standard coil springs, then you will enjoy a full latex mattress more than just a latex topper.
- Warranty – Latex mattress warranties are mainly used as a marketing gimmick these days because mattresses don’t have moving parts or electronics that tend to fail. Brand name latex mattresses rarely have any kind of defects. However there is always the rare chance you will get a defective latex mattress and so you should expect to see a warranty of 20 years just in case.
- Consumer and Expert Reviews – We always recommend that you read consumer reviews before you make your final buying decision once you know what brand and product you want to buy. If you can’t find a review of the exact model at least read some reviews of similar models made by the same brand.
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