Wondering how to choose a mattress? Start with how you sleep, pick a firmness range, choose a construction type, and test your finalists in person in your usual sleeping position. This guide explains each step in plain language, plus what to ask before you buy.
Start With How You Sleep
Your sleep position is one of the easiest ways to narrow your options. Side sleepers, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and people who switch positions all put pressure on different parts of the body, so they often prefer different feels.
| Sleep position | Common starting point | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Side | Soft to medium | A softer surface can cushion the shoulders and hips |
| Back | Medium | Body weight changes what feels supportive |
| Stomach | Medium to firm | Sources differ, so test carefully |
| Combination | Test several feels | Often the hardest position to match |
Treat these as starting points, not rules. Expert sources do not always agree. For example, Choice suggests a firm mattress for stomach sleepers, while TechRadar suggests medium to medium-firm. Your body weight and personal preference matter too, which is why testing in person is so important.
Understand Mattress Firmness
Firmness describes how much a mattress resists your body. Two people can lie on the same mattress and describe it differently, because how firm it feels depends on your body and your sleeping position, as RTINGS explains. Brands also label firmness in their own way, so compare how a mattress feels, not just the label on the tag.
A helpful way to learn your preference is to try the same line in different firmness levels. At our Bolivar showroom you can compare the TEMPUR-ProAdapt Soft, the TEMPUR-ProAdapt Medium Hybrid, and the TEMPUR-ProAdapt Firm side by side.
Mattress Types: Innerspring, Foam, and Hybrid
Most mattresses fall into three groups:
- Innerspring: built on a core of metal coils, with padding on top.
- Foam: built from layers of foam, such as memory foam.
- Hybrid: combines a coil support core with foam comfort layers.
Each has a different feel, and none is best for everyone. Ask a team member to explain how each mattress you try is built. You can see an innerspring example in the Sealy Response Innerspring mattress and a hybrid example in the TEMPUR-ProAdapt Medium Hybrid above.
Know the Collection Names
Collection names can be confusing, so here is what you will see on our site. Tempur-Pedic offers the Adapt and Breeze collections. Sealy offers the Posturepedic Plus Hybrid collection. Stearns & Foster offers the Estate, LuxEstate, LuxHybrid, Reserve, and Studio collections. We also carry Ultra Comfort mattresses.
Explore each brand on its own page: Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, and Stearns & Foster. You can also browse all mattresses in one place. Our team can explain how the collections differ, and the manufacturer’s own information is the best source for materials and features.
Cooling, Support, and Comfort Layers
You will hear several terms while you shop. Comfort layers are the top layers that shape how a mattress feels when you first lie down. The support core underneath helps hold your body in place. Cooling describes how well a mattress avoids holding heat, which matters most if you tend to sleep hot, according to RTINGS.
Use these terms as questions to ask, not as promises. Ask how each mattress is built and what the manufacturer says about it.
Do Not Forget the Base and Pillows
The base under your mattress affects how it feels and performs, so plan the two together. If you like to adjust your sleeping position, look at an adjustable base such as the Ease Adjustable Base or the TEMPUR-Ergo power base. Check the manufacturer’s information to confirm your mattress works with the base you choose.
Pillows matter too, because they work together with your mattress and your sleep position. See styles such as the TEMPUR-breeze ProLo pillow and the TEMPUR-breeze ProHi pillow, and try them with your mattress finalists.
How to Test a Mattress in the Store
A short sit on the edge tells you very little. Try this routine instead:
- Wear comfortable clothes and bring your partner if you share the bed.
- Lie in your usual sleeping positions, not just on your back.
- Spend about 10 to 15 minutes on each finalist, a tip shared by The Brick.
- Compare two or three mattresses, not ten.
- Notice pressure on your shoulders and hips, and how much you feel your partner move.
- Take your pillow if you can, so the test feels like home.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Before you decide, ask:
- What trial period and return terms apply to this mattress?
- What does the warranty cover, and what could void it?
- Does this mattress need a specific base or foundation?
- How is it delivered, and what happens to my old mattress?
Terms vary by brand and by product, so ask our team and read the manufacturer’s information.
If You and Your Partner Disagree
Sleeping partners often like different feels. Some brands offer split or dual firmness options, which The Brick and Choice both describe. Ask our team what options are available, and test the mattress together before you decide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by the firmness label alone
- Testing for only a minute or two
- Lying only on your back when you sleep on your side
- Forgetting to check what base or foundation you need
- Skipping questions about the trial period and warranty
Find Your Mattress at Quarles Furniture in Bolivar
The best way to choose is to lie down and compare. Visit our showroom at 3251 S Springfield Ave in Bolivar, Missouri, and try a few in your usual positions. Browse our mattresses online first, then contact us, call 417-777-2391, or request a quote to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your sleep position, your body weight, and your preference. Side sleepers often prefer softer feels, back sleepers often like medium, and stomach sleepers often prefer medium to firm. Test your finalists to be sure.
Plan on about 10 to 15 minutes per mattress, lying in your usual positions. If you share a bed, test it together.
Neither is better for everyone. A hybrid combines coils with foam, and a foam mattress uses foam layers throughout. They feel different, so try both and compare.
Not always, but the base affects how a mattress feels, and some mattresses have base requirements. Check the manufacturer’s information or ask our team.
Yes, you can lie on mattresses in our Bolivar showroom. Trial and return terms vary by brand and product, so ask our team about the one you like.
Each brand names its collections differently. Ask our team, and check the manufacturer’s information for the materials and features of each one.
