Our Mattress Buying Guide

The Sleep Council recommends that you change your mattress at least every 10 years. To work out if it is time for a new mattress, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you wake up with back or neck pain?

2. Can you feel springs or ridges? Does the mattress creak or crunch?

3. Do you roll towards your partner unintentionally?

4. Is the bed base uneven or sagging? Are the castors or legs worn?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions it is time to start looking for a new mattress. If you have a divan base, it's advisable to replace both mattress and divan base at the same time otherwise you won't get the full benefit of your new mattress. A divan acts as a base to a mattress with either a solid top for firm support or springs to allow the mattress to adapt to your body's contours.

The only way to test a mattress is to lie on it, both on your back and side, and with your partner. It's also important to try the mattress with the divan or bedstead that you have chosen to ensure you achieve your desired level of comfort.

To test how well the mattress supports the spine, lie face up on the mattress and place your hand under the small of your back. A tight fit and the mattress is too soft; too loose and it is too firm. A snug fit means the support is just right. Your aim is to achieve good 'posture' in bed.

When selecting a mattress the way you sleep is significant. If you sleep on your back or front a firmer mattress may be the best option; if you sleep on your side a softer mattress may relieve the pressure of all your body weight being focused on a relatively small surface area.

Take your time testing out the mattresses, do not rush. Lie on each bed for a good amount of time, at least 10 minutes. Take off your shoes and coat and relax. Comfort is subjective, so you will need to make your own assessment. Some people love the feeling of sinking into a bed whereas other people prefer to lie on the surface.

If you have any questions we have trained mattress consultants at all the Heal's stores who can help you make the correct choice.

Think about the size of the mattress you are buying. If you are 6ft tall or over, the smallest mattress you should go for is a Kingsize. Most people sleep better if they are not overcrowded. If you have a partner you should invest in the largest mattress you can afford, bearing in mind it will need to fit into your bedroom and of course onto the bed frame.

Single: 90 x 190cm

Double: 135 x 190cm

Kingsize: 150 x 200cm

Continental Kingsize: 160 x 200cm

Superking: 180 x 200cm

Bespoke mattress options are available in store. Please speak to one of our trained mattress consultants in any Heal's store for further information

Do you have a question? Why not email our Product Advisor at productadvisor@heals.co.uk

Our pocketed spring mattresses are available in a choice of 3 tensions: soft, medium and firm. The tension of a mattress can be altered by changing the gauge (thickness) of the wire the springs are made of – the thicker the gauge, the firmer the tension. The effect is not drastic but it enhances the feel, making it softer or firmer.

A Heal's mattress is developed to provide the optimum support at medium tension. However, for a smaller/lighter person a softer tension may provide all the support needed, whereas a slightly larger/heavier person may require more support, so a firmer tension would be more suitable. It is a common misconception that bad back sufferers should always choose a firm mattress. This is not the case. It’s far more important to choose a quality mattress that offers the correct amount of support according to your size and sleeping style.

Please Note:The feel of a mattress is different to its tension. For example, our Heritage mattress is soft in its feel, but it can be made firmer by changing the tension to firm. Our Natural Sleep Mohair, meanwhile, has a firmer feel than the Heritage, but it can be made firmer or softer by altering the tension. Even with a soft tension the Mohair may still feel firmer than the Heritage.

Mattresses will also feel different on different bed bases. For example, a mattress placed on our Sprung Edge Divan will feel softer than the same mattress placed on our Low Padded Top Divan, Ottoman Padded Top Divan, or Bed Frame with Sprung Slats. We will always recommend that you try a mattress with your chosen bed base.

Visit a Heal’s store and see how well each mattress supports your spine, using the testing method recommended above. But remember, when it comes to mattress tension there isn’t really a wrong or right answer, it’s more about your personal preference and what feels best for you.