If you’re looking for a new mattress, you’ve probably found that a lot goes into buying a new bed. The variety in price and quality make it a more involved decision than other purchases.
Let’s start with the basics: choosing the size of your bed. Queen mattresses are by far the most popular mattress size. They offer enough room for the average person to sleep comfortably with a partner or pets, and they fit in most bedrooms.
Below, I’ll explain everything you need to know about queen mattresses and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Queen mattresses are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. Queen- and king-size mattresses are the same length, but king beds are 16 inches wider, which may rule them out for many people with smaller bedrooms.
Queen mattresses hit that sweet spot: They offer enough space to sleep comfortably, and they’re likely to fit in your bedroom.
Before you buy a new mattress, take a few minutes to measure your bedroom to ensure you’ll be happy with the fit. However, many mattresses are returnable if you end up in a pinch.
What to consider when choosing a queen-size mattress
There are a few things to think about when you’re shopping for a queen-size bed. Not every mattress is going to be the right choice — which means you have a little legwork to do before you buy.
Sleeping position and body type
Personal factors like sleeping position and body type should help influence your choice, narrowing down what firmness level you should choose.
Heavier body types put more pressure on the mattress, which means it will feel softer than it does for someone who weighs significantly less. Conversely, the mattress will feel firmer for lighter bodies.
Side sleepers need a softer mattress with ample pressure relief to combat pressure points at the shoulders, hips and knees. Back and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to ensure their spines stay aligned.
Remember that firmness is a scale, allowing you some wiggle room. For example, I sleep on my stomach, but I still don’t want a truly firm mattress, so I stick with a medium or medium-firm mattress.
What feel you want
In addition to your desired firmness, you must decide on feel for your new queen-size bed. How a mattress feels depends entirely on what it’s made of. There is no “best” feel — it’s a personal preference.
Many people like memory foam mattresses, which can either have a traditional, slow-moving feel like Tempur-Pedic or more of a neutral-foam feel like Casper. Alternatively, you may favor the classic feel of a fluffy pillow-top mattress like WinkBed.
If you want something completely different, the Purple mattress has a unique feel due to its hyper-elastic polymer. The Purple grid is squishy and stretchy; it almost feels like you’re suspended or buoyant when you lie down.
Who you sleep with
The average person will be fine with a queen-size mattress, which is spacious enough to fit two adults comfortably. However, people with larger body types or those who simply prefer more space may want to upgrade to a king mattress. Remember to consider your partner’s body type, sleeping position and preferences to find a mattress that fits both of your needs.