The Search for Cheap Mattresses

Buying cheap mattresses does not need to be taken lightly. This is something that you do not have to rush into doing because this mattress will be your nocturnal lair for a long time. To begin with, there are many considerations to make when you want to buy your mattress. Topping the list of course would be the most popular consideration, and this is the financial aspect.

If you are a bit tight on the budget, you might consider buying from the vast line of cheap mattresses. You can go and scout for the most affordable mattress by using the old fashioned but still reliable Yellow Pages and inquire by phone if they have any that are available. If you inquire further, you will be given a complete list of durable and reliable mattresses that are likewise affordable.

Many suppliers will be most willing to give a rundown of the different kinds of inexpensive but good quality mattresses that they have. The different types would usually include the latex foam, the futon, the spring, the air mattress, and the new natural emulsion. You will be surprised to find out once you do your shopping that there are still other types under those categories.

You might also want to log on to websites that carry various kinds of mattresses. This is the most convenient and easy way to shop for items that you need to buy. You can do your shopping and buy from the wide selection of cheap mattresses online. You will be able to get their product catalogue with the prices and descriptions of the products.

A spring type may be fun to sit on or even lie on because it bounces like a trampoline. However, you are not in the mood for fun all the time. When you want to relax, this type will just not do the job for you because of its springy movement. The hassle becomes double when someone sleeps beside you whose body movements will cause bounces.

Looking for some cheap mattresses that are durable at the same time may be hard to come by. A futon and the emulsion style can be practical choices when you want to use either one for a double purpose. Most of the time the futon is made of cotton and you can use it as your bed at night and then folded and set in a frame to serve as a couch during the day.

Some air mattresses can go for cheap mattresses since they are offered at very reasonable prices. However, they are also like the spring types that give disturbing movements. Latex foam so far is the most comfortable because it follows the contour of the human body. If you can get this type at a price that is within your limit then you can truly have a good night sleep every night.

Is The Tempurpedic Mattress The Best Memory Foam Mattress?

It may have its detractors but the Tempurpedic mattress is the best. It was the first memory foam mattress available to the public and is still the number one best seller. What follows are just some of the reasons why I consider it to be best viscoelastic mattress.

I have to confess that I bought a Tempurpedic mattress years ago when it first came out. Back then the company only sold one mattress - the equivalent of today's Tempurpedic OriginalBed. I just loved the unique feel of it; when you lay down on it you could feel it changing shape, conforming to your body. My wife and I found it to be extremely comfortable. It was comfortable yet incredibly supportive and there was zero motion transfer - something that had been a bug-bear of my wife's all through our married life, but no more.

Since then other manufacturers have produced their own versions of a memory foam mattress (viscoelastic) with mixed results. The manufacturing process used by Tempur is secret and no two viscoelastic mattresses are the same. Sad to say, there are many inferior version that are being 'dumped' on the market and, to add insult to injury, they even claim that their version is better.

So, why is the Tempurpedic mattress the best? First off, the viscoelastic foam it produces if 5.25 lb/ cubic foot. For memory foam to provide the correct support is should be between 5 and 5.8 lbs/cubic foot. Inferior mattresses quite often come with a density of 4 lbs or less. If you're thinking of buying a cheap memory foam mattress don't buy it unless it has 5 lbs density or above. Some manufacturers will tell you that there 'unique' formula provides the same support even though it's less dense but don't believe it for one minute. All it means is their mattress has more air and less foam, which makes it cheaper to produce.

However, reputable manufacturers like Sealy and Restonic do use high density viscoelastic foam in their mattresses but again, remember no two foams are the same. Typically, companies have failed to reproduce the support and comfort of the Tempur mattress and what they have tended to do is produce up market, more luxurious models usually by adding softer memory tops - akin to pillow tops - and fancy mattress covers.

Tempurpedic has responded by manufacturing its own line of luxurious memory foam mattresses - the CelebrityBed and GrandBed being examples.

I'm not a fan of these newer, softer and more luxurious mattresses. I hear numerous reports about the soft tops developing craters in a fairly short space of time; basically, the soft viscoelastic doesn't seem to last the course. And, when the top goes the whole mattress needs replacing, which is an expensive proposition. I think it's far better to by a 'standard' viscoelastic mattress and buy a separate topper like the Tempurpedic mattress topper. That way you get the softer top and if and when it sags you can simply buy a new topper.

Tempurpedic mattresses were first used (and still are) in hospitals. The pressure relieving properties of viscoelastic made it ideal for long-term, bed-ridden patients. In trials involving 23,000 patients the Institution for Clinical & Physiological Research at the Lillhagen Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden concluded that patients suffered from less pain and experienced greatly enhanced and deeper sleep. No other memory foam mattress has such a pedigree or has been tested so thoroughly.

Finally, the Tempurpedic mattress is the best because of the company's belief in its product. No other supplier of memory foam mattresses has as long an in-home trial period with a no questions asked return policy.

Buying Good Quality, Cheap Futons

These are some of the cheapest but good quality futons under $200 available on the market.

Mali Flex Multi-Position Lounger: From Kelp, Stone and Tang, this futon features an array of positions including sofa, lounger and sleeper – thanks to the six positional wings of the futon frame. The cushions and pillows are custom made and available in a variety of coordinating fabric hues exclusively for the frame. The set costs around $190 only.

3-in-1 Wood Futon, Unfinished: This futon is constructed with Brazilian wood. It comes unfinished, so it can be stained according to preference, and it converts into a chaise lounge, couch or full size bed. Users also have a choice of two futon mattresses. The 3-in-1 futon costs around $80.

Round Arm Full Metal Futon: From Elite Products, this is a Sofa to Bed futon with sturdy steel frame. It features scratch resistant powder coat finish, and two position fron operational hinge mechanism. The product costs around $125. Elite also has futon frames crafted of woods such as Pine and solid oak.

Simmons Savannah Futon: This futon features a 4 position Beautyflex frame steel frame with hardwood medium oak finish mission arms. This futon costs around $180, and the futon mattress and cover have to be bought separately.

Mali Flex Futon Combo – Plank: This futon has six positional wings that can form the Mali into a sofa, lounger or sleeper. The frame is made of metal designed in Euro style. The futon is available for about $190 and includes custom cushions and pillows.

Euro Futon, Brownstone and Driftwood: The Euro futon adjusts to three positions – bed, lounger and sofa. The metal frame is constructed with 2" angled legs. It includes cushions made of flame retardant material, and costs around $150.

Fargo Futon: From Hillsdale House Furniture, the Fargo features mission style solid oak arms with metal rails and suspension futon, with medium oak finish on the arms and a matte black finish on the deck. It also includes heavy duty mechanism for easy opening and closing, and costs around $165.

Futon Set from Montgomery Ward: This futon has a steel alloy frame with black powdercoat finish, with a mattress that has a foam core wrapped in a black cotton duck cover, and a cotton/polyester futon cover. The set is available for about $190.

Target Plush Premium Chair Futon Mattress- Twin: This is a chair size futon that comes with a machine tufted mattress made with Polyester natural fiber wrap and antique white duck cover. It costs around $200.

Trifecta Futon: The futon can be positioned into Loveseat, Lounger and Bed, and the frame comes in Southern Yellow Pine, Unfinished. The set includes a twin size premium futon mattress, and costs around $180.

Upholstered Futon: Includes a full-size futon mattress, upholstered frame and two 17in square accent pillows. The futon features solid pine frame, metal seat and back, and costs around $190.

Astro Futon: The frame is assembled out of heavy gauge steel, with an electrostatically coated finish, and comes fitted with Multiple European Beechwood Flex Slats. The frame costs around $200, and the mattress and cover are optional.

Selecting Only the Best Crib Mattress

So, you are expecting a baby in a few months? Becoming a father or a mother gives a sense of fulfillment and joy. The coming of an additional member of the family is a very much anticipated event that involves a great deal of preparation. Aside from taking good care of the mother and the fetus in pre-natal care, decisions on feeding, clothing, hospital arrangements, selecting the baby’s crib takes a primary importance. The minute a newborn baby is discharged from the hospital, he will be spending much of his infant life in the crib. The crib will be the baby's world inside the room where he would be sleeping and playing for hours. So in addition to finding the right crib, finding the right crib mattress to go along with it is important.

During a baby's first months, touch is his most important sense, and he will most be sleeping most of the time. As a parent, by a crib mattress that will give your baby the sleep of an angel; the crib mattress must be soft and comfortable. It must be of good quality because the right crib mattress does contribute to the growth and well being of the baby. The crib mattress should fit the crib snugly; there should be no loose ends dangling or folding along the sides. The crib mattress should not be too soft to carry the baby’s weight at the middle; it must be firm, but not too firm that baby will fall to the sides. The fabric material used for the crib mattress must be good; it must not harm the baby’s delicate skin and must be easy to clean.

Another thing to remember in your choice of baby crib mattress is its total finish. Will it affect the posture of your baby as he grows? This is why it is necessary to get a firm crib mattress. A crib mattress that is firm can help support the baby’s body as he lays supine and help him to develop good posture. A firm crib mattress can greatly help correct undetected or congenital posture problems. In some instances, babies sleep on their stomach. A firm mattress can also help avoid asphyxia, which often happens when the baby's face is burrowed in furrows of the soft mattress.

You can also ask referrals from your pediatrician as to what brand of crib mattress he could recommend. Being an expert on child rearing, he must have ideas and preferences. Mostly, when you buy a baby crib, it is already furnished with a baby crib mattress that fits snugly; if it isn't, choose wisely from the line of mattresses stores.

The Importance of Dealing with Quality Mattress Stores

You might have heard of the fairy tale where a queen wanted to see if a possible bride was good enough for her son by placing a pea under twenty layers of mattresses. This tale emphasizes the importance that a mattress plays when we go to bed. It can mean the difference between having a restful sleep and a painful sleepless night. The type of mattress you use is critical if you have medical conditions. Having back injuries usually means acquiring a special mattress that can only be found at good mattress stores.

Mattresses maybe available in a variety of places but quality ones can only be guaranteed at mattress stores nearest to you. A company that is dedicated solely to a product like a mattress is apt to have the best selections and the best deals available. Although a good mattress can be found by a devoted shopper in a department store, you will only find variety in mattress stores.

Doctors often advise patients with ailing backs to use certain kinds of mattresses. Good mattress stores will allow you to test their products by letting you lie on as many mattress as you want until you find one that really suits you.

Major mattress stores offers the best brands in the market and you can decide which one you prefer. They may also offer huge sales on certain brands of mattress, and you may use this benefit to find a reasonable deal on a comfortable and quality set. Mattress delivery can also be costly so you should jump on deals that offer free delivery to save money even if the mattress is set at its regular price.

Although bargain mattress stores offer great deals on mattresses it is important to see if the standards of those you wish to purchase are acceptable. Some mattress may feel great during your inspection but may break down after a few years of use. Deals like this will not really save you money because more often than not you will need another mattress to replace the cheap one you bought. Spending money one a quality set that you will enjoy for a good ten years or so is a lot better than buying cheap ones that need to be replaced often.

Cheap Air Beds

If you are planning to buy an air bed, remember to follow some guidelines so you will not fall prey to cheap air beds that give frustrating results.

The first thing to look for in an air bed is its durability and construction. When plastics are used, beds might appear thinner but can actually be a lot stronger. You should also consider the type of welds that are responsible for holding the mattress together.

More often than not, cheap models break apart at the seams. Some air bed makers use a thicker plastic with a coating of soft fabric for added comfort. Remember to ask for repair kits since small seams or punctures can be easily patched.

A good air beds should be inflated easily. A few high-end models even allow users to select their desired level of firmness. Most models of air beds follow the same sizes available for ordinary beds.

Air beds can range from the most simple chamber mattress to those with multiple foam layers and options for pillow tops. Avoid falling for models that give other features such as digital controls, slow and quiet pumps and layers of foam that are not necessary and add a huge chunk to the price tag. Some air beds even have multiple chambers that adjust separately. They are quite expensive, and their comfort level and reliability is still questionable.

Characteristics to consider when purchasing an air bed its the quality, the position of the foam used, the bladders, the durability and ease of use of the pump and the side rail system. The best air beds are those with a simple design and made of quality materials that generally last longer.

So check out the various types of air beds available on the market before deciding on the type you want to purchase.

Kids Beds - Finding the Perfect Bed for Your Child

Your child's room should be a haven of imagination. If should be bright, beautiful, and comfortable so that all of the castles, cars, fairies, and farm friends that are featured in books and captured in your child's heart can come to life with ease. Parents, help your child's dream come true by purchasing the ideal bed.

There are many choices to consider when choosing the right bed for a child: children's metal bunk beds, kid's solid wood bunk beds, kids' bunk beds that fuse a twin bed with a futon, and many, many more. Nightstands and toy chests are offered to match many of these kid's beds. Most styles are offered in twin size and full size. Many of the bunk beds actually separate, creating two distinct pieces of furniture.

Today children's beds come in a variety of styles that include bunk, loft, canopy, sleigh, captains and daybeds. Besides the "cool factor" of kid's bunk beds, there are several practical benefits to choosing one for your child's bedroom. Whether it's one kid or two, bunk beds are a great space saver in any kid's room. They generally have storage (making them an economically wise choice), work well for sleepovers, and can stimulate the imagination as your child's bed becomes a pirate ship or dollhouse. Loft bunk beds are perfect for students. They feature a comfy bed up above and a desk, shelves and bookcase down below. They are great space savers too and work best for sleepovers and families with two or more children sharing a room.

Futon bunk beds feature a twin size bed on top and a full size futon on the bottom. The futon on the bottom can be converted from a full size bed to a couch, giving you great flexibility while maintaining ease of use. They also come in different styles and finishes (just change their covers to get new looks for your room). A daybed with an optional trundle drawer makes a handy extra sleeping space. Just pull the drawer out and put a mattress inside whenever you need an additional bed for sleepovers or overnight guests. Captain's kid's beds offer additional storage for clothes, toys and extra bedding with several spacious drawers. Your child's room will have a rich, elegant feel with a sleigh bed. A canopy bed, on the other hand, will lead your child into a world of fantasy to live his/her dreams. Expand these with a decorating theme - a race car, golden coach, sailor's private boat - and you have a winner on your hands.

When decorating a child's room, it can be difficult to make everything come together. Children's bedding sets can really help to set the tone for your child's bedroom. They are great for infants and for teenagers alike. They make it convenient to choose the style that you and your child like best. Children's bedding sets are versatile. With reversible comforters, neutral sheet sets and a couple different accessories, a room can easily be changed as the interests of the child changes. A bedding set for your child will also be easy to clean and offers the child a chance to express his/her individuality with ease. Additionally, shopping for bedding is significantly easier, as the sets contain everything one needs and eliminates the need to match colors or styles. Today there are choices galore: character beddings, bed linen, accessories, quilt covers, curtains, wallpapers, borders, blankets, beach towels, rugs, wall clocks, alarm clocks, mirrors (Disney, Postman Pat, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Bratz, Walt Disney, etc.) and more, depending on your budget and imagination.

Whatever you decide on, make sure you put time and effort into choosing the perfect beds for your children, so that your whole family can sleep tight.

Tempurpedic Mattress Topper

If you find yourself in a position where you need to buy a new mattress for your bed and would like to buy one of the Tempurpedic ones instead, but just do not have the money in your budget for one, then why not consider purchasing a tempurpedic mattress topper instead. You can use a tempurpedic mattress topper until you have the money to buy the proper type of Tempurpedic mattress.

Although not as thick as the actual Tempurpedic mattress, a tempurpedic mattress topper will still enable you to get a good night's sleep as it will help to ensure that your bed is much more comfortable when you lay down on it.

Certainly a good quality topper will provide you with around 1 or 2 years extra time out of the mattress you already have. Plus it will tide you over until you actually have the money in place to buy the right sort of Tempurpedic mattress in the future.

However if you are purchasing a new Tempurpedic mattress then also invest in a topper at the same time as this will provide you with an even better night's sleep than you thought imaginable. It will also help to extend the life of your new mattress. Tempurpedic mattress toppers come in all sizes from king size through to doubles and singles. So you will be able to get one which will fit your bed perfectly.

One of the best places to find your Tempurpedic mattress topper is online. There are lots of websites that have been set up and are dedicated to providing you with everything in the Tempurpedic range to ensure that you have a good nights sleep each night. They will provide you with detailed information with regard to every product that they sell and this includes information with regard to guarantees and warranties.

Plus you do not need to rush yourself and certainly you won't be harangued by any sales staff who are trying to sell you something more expensive and totally useless for your needs instead. All you need to do is turn on your computer go to Google or Yahoo and key in "Tempurpedic mattress topper" and visit the websites listed. However it is important to note that any topper you purchase can not be returned to the retailer so keep this piece of information in mind when you decide to purchase one.

Heated Mattress Pads

Heated mattress pads are a great advantage in winter months. These serve the function of heating the beds and providing warmth to individuals in a cold environment. The pads are found comfortable if placed at painful areas, especially the lower back.

Heated mattress pads are operated by electricity and make use of wires to provide warmth to the mattress surfaces. These pads fit over the mattress and under your fitted sheet. These can be switched on to heat or preheat the beds and switched off when not necessary. The pads take a minimum of 15 minutes to warm up, in most cases. Once the pads are warmed up, the heat gradually spreads on the bed top. Therefore, it is necessary to turn on the pad at least 30 minutes before one decides to sleep or take rest on the bed. One can even change the desired level of heat with the help of remote controls.

Heated mattress pads are available in different sizes for twin, full, king, and queen sized beds. These are available in cotton and polyester blends or polyester alone. The brands, models, and colors vary too. Pillow top heated mattress pads are popular in the market. This model is usually obtained in 100 percent polyester with cotton inside and it has a thickness of about half inch. This model comes with digital controls which help the system to sense the body and room temperatures and adjust the pads accordingly.

One can buy heated pads from all stores that sell electric blankets. However, special care should be taken when using these for children. This is because of the fact that the pads may sometimes overheat and harm the user with electric shocks and burns.

The Sleep Number Bed - Advantages and Disadvantages of the Top-Selling Air Mattress

You've probably seen the TV commercials.

And it seems to be the buzz among mattress shoppers. I'm talking, of course, about the Sleep Number bed.

If you don't already know, the Sleep Number bed is an airbed. It uses air as the main supporting feature -- as opposed to innersprings, water or memory foam.

I'm going to tell you about its main advantages of disadvantages.

I first, however, want to tell you that I'm uniquely qualified to give this information. That's because I recently spent at least 250 hours scouring through nearly 50 online forums, message boards, consumer websites, etc. gathering information from at least 1,600 people on what they think of their mattresses.

Advantages

Comfort -- Most people are pleased with the comfort of their Sleep Number bed. In fact, those who like the bed often do so passionately.

Adjustable firmness -- The Sleep Number bed provides adjustable firmness at the push of a button, as do most air beds. More air in the mattress means more firmness, and vice versa. The Sleep Number bed offers duel air chambers which allow two people sleeping on the bed to have their own firmness setting. And the bed is called "Sleep Number" because the firmness level is indicated by a number. The firmer the setting is, the higher the number.

Disadvantages

Air loss -- All air mattresses by their nature will lose air over time (permeation), and air will need to be added to compensate. However, according to my research, about 11% of Sleep Number bed owners reported frequent and significant air loss. This apparently was mostly due to faulty air pumps and connections and not merely permeation.

Trench / intrusion in middle of bed -- According to my research, about 14% of Sleep Number bed owners said that there was a trench or intrusion in the middle of the bed between the two air chambers. This was especially noticeable when the two chambers had very different firmness levels. This trench / intrusion could undermine the bed's comfort and discourage intimate encounters among couples.

Intex Airbed Received Dubious Reviews

Many people love to entertain out of town guests for a couple days, giving them a chance to catch up and relax without having to worry so much about time constraints. But, not everyone has a spare bed to accommodate their visitors. This is the perfect scenario, depicting why having an Intex Airbed can be particularly handy.

The are a number of different Intex models on the market and the newest ones have some advanced features that the earlier models did not have. As with many other inflatable air mattress styles that are available, Intex has also recently introduced a model that has a built in air pump.

According to some owners of the Intex Airbed, the inclusion of an air pump as part of the inflatable bed is a much needed improvement. One reviewer who owned an Intex inflatable mattress wrote that she found that it is very stable and comfortable and she gave it high marks for not losing air as so many other similar products are known to do.

Her biggest complaint in the review that she posted, was that the inflatable one was extremely difficult to inflate. The reviewer goes on to explain that the "Intex Double Quick Air Pump" which came with the queen size air bed was anything but quick.

The manual pump failed to inflate the mattress to any significant degree after fifteen minutes of pumping. She followed the instructions as provided, which stated the manual pump was designed to pump air into the mattress during both the up and down stokes.

After more than an hour of experimenting they discovered the only way to get the pump working was to do half strokes which succeeded in getting the air into the mattress, but was a very tiring ordeal.

She concluded that the only way she would make a purchase of another Intex Airbed would be if she could get one of the newer self-inflating models. It should be noted that this particular reviewer was describing her experience with the Intex Queen Downy Airbed model.

Other reviewers have posted similar complaints about the Intex Airbed, but at the same time there are many positive comments about the quality of the inflatable mattress material that was used. It also seems that the dual wave beam construction of the bed made it more stable and comfortable, especially when used by two people.

This particular product also has a flocked air bed top, comfort feature. The material has a similar feel to velour and it covers the top side of the mattress bed. This layer helps to reduce sweating which is a common problem with many plastic and vinyl mattress beds. Another benefit of this flocked top is that the rayon becomes a non-slip surface which helps to keep the sheets in place.

Another reviewer who purchased the Intex Recreation Double Airbed did not have the same issue with inflating his Intex Airbed, as the above reviewer did. However, the problem he encountered was that the inflatable one seeped air throughout the night, leaving him with body parts resting mainly on the floor by morning and with an aching back.

His final comment was that product would be the perfect air bed to offer those out of town guests who you don't want staying for any extended period of time.

Is An Adjustable Air Bed Comfortable?

An adjustable air bed is no longer just a temporary sleeping arrangement for guests staying over. These types of beds are simply a mattress that contains air bladders instead of coil springs. Each side of the bed has the ability to adjust to the support needs of the person sleeping on it. Therefore, each sleeping partner can adjust to his or her specific needs. This is especially important for the person with a back problem that needs to adjust the air support chambers to provide just the right amount of back support and firmness in the bed without disturbing their partner.

An adjustable air bed has the ability to mold and shape to the contour of a person sleeping. Originally designed for hospitals where the need for added support and not as many pressure points was very important to the patients comfort and healing. It was only a matter of time before these beds were made available to the public.

The mattresses are very comfortable due to the ability to spread the weight of the body and the actual contacts points on the mattress in a much more even fashion. People who suffer from allergies find that an adjustable air bed is a good alternative because it is not a breeding ground for dust mites. A coil spring mattress can hold as many as five million dust mites and is the largest area of concentration of these critters in a household.

An adjustable air bed offers more flexibility to the individual because of the ability to fine tune the settings on a nightly basis. The problem with a coil spring mattress is that you cannot make any changes to the settings because there is none. Many people find that they have uncomfortable pressure points when sleeping. As we get older, the more aches and pains we experience. This is likely why the older generation has embraced the change from regular beds over the last several years.

Pressure points also cause problems with the natural alignment of your spine during sleep. If you have a mattress that is too hard it does not allow for the natural curves of the spine. If you sleep on a mattress that is too soft it will also not provide the proper support your spine needs as well. An adjustable air bed will alleviate this problem of sleeping on a mattress that is either too hard or too soft.

There are a number of different adjustable air bed mattresses available on the market today. Do your research and if possible test them out before making your purchase. Your back will thank you for making the change from a traditional coil spring mattress.

Before Buying A Mattress Review Consumer Reports on Mattresses

When you look over consumer reports on mattresses you may find a lot of diversity but if you think about it, it only makes sense. If you consider how a couple may review it versus how an individual might rate one. There are a lot of different pieces to consider but broken up into segments consumer reports look a little bit like this.

Keep in mind that this is an unbiased source that took the consumer reports and what they found was most couples prefer the Simmons Beauty rest line is the best innerspring mattress. To be more specific, the Beauty rest World Class line has a no-flip design and the Simmons Triton Foundation make for a bed set that never starts to sag. This set has edge to edge support and has the inner pocket coils, which are individual coils rather than coils that are all attached. This is a great concept in keeping the motion in control. Depending on where you make your purchase and exactly which type you decide on you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-$2,500.

Heavier people do need to make special considerations when purchasing a mattress as they need extra support from sagging. If you sleep alone then it is not mandatory to buy it with inner pocket coils, according to consumer reports. The continuous coils on the Sealy Posturepedic work great if only one person is sleeping on the mattress. It has heavy gauge coils and offers extra support so this is the model of choice according to consumer reports. Consumers report that you should expect to pay somewhere around $450-$1,300 for that type of mattress.

Consumers rate the viscoelastic Tempur-Pedic as the choice for anyone who suffers from spine or back injuries and this claim is supported by chiropractors and doctors alike. Consumers do report that there is an adjustment period with this one before you will achieve maximum comfort and satisfaction. There also were some minor discrepancies regarding temperature. Some consumers claim that in cold weather, the mattress became much more firm and others reported that it trapped body heat. This one is around $1,800 including the foundation in a queen size.

The Sleep Number mattress uses inflatable air chambers to adjust firmness with a remote control. Consumer's reports on it were not as good as expected. Many consumers claim that this bed is overpriced and not as comfortable as they thought it would be, especially after all of the fancy commercials claiming that both sleep partners sill have maximum comfort as each side of the bed can be adjusted according to their own comfort. It is always best to read consumer reports before making any purchase so you can see what other people who have purchased the same product have to say about it.

Consumer Reports: Crib Mattresses

There are two general types of crib mattresses: foam and innerspring. Both tend to keep their shape well. There are differences, of course. For one, foam is lighter. The densest foam mattress is usually no more than 10 pounds, compared with 20 to 25 pounds for some innerspring mattresses. So changing your baby's sheets may be easier with a foam unit. Foam is also less springy and therefore less apt to encourage your baby to use the mattress as a trampoline. Still, innerspring crib mattresses remain the most popular.

If you're considering a foam mattress, keep in mind that low-priced models tend to be mushy and flimsy, with a thin vinyl covering and vinyl edging. They may also be unsafe. Putting a baby to sleep on a soft mattress increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Higher-priced models tend to be firmer (and therefore safer), with thicker, reinforced vinyl or cotton coverings.

To assess foam density (which has a direct relation to firmness), compare the weight of different foam models. That's not always easy to do in a store, but if you're able to lift several different mattresses, do it. In general, the heavier the foam mattress, the denser the foam. You can also give the mattress a squeeze test in the center by pressing your palms into both sides of it at once. A dense mattress won't allow you to press very far. A denser foam mattress is also likely to have firmer edges, which is another important performance factor.

To judge the quality of an innerspring mattress, don't go by the sales gimmick of "coil count." While the cheapest innerspring baby mattresses have about 80 coils and the most expensive can have 600 coils, a high coil count doesn't always mean a firmer mattress. In fact, a model with 150 coils can be firmer than one with 600. You can judge by picking up mattresses to compare their weight and by squeezing them to test for firmness. Innerspring models generally have firmer edges than foam mattresses, but squeeze the edges to do a comparison. You may also feel border rods at the top and bottom perimeter, which provide extra edge support for safety and durability.

The number of layers of padding, what that padding is made of, and the quality of the covering add to the price and increase comfort. The cheapest innersprings, like low-end foam mattresses, have thin vinyl coverings and edgings, which can tear, crack, and dry out over time. As prices go up, coverings become thick, puncture-resistant reinforced double or triple laminates, and edgings have fabric binding, which is a sign of quality. Beyond that, reversibility, the presence of ventilators, and thickness are factors that differentiate one model from another.

The mattress you select should also be in compliance with a new flammability law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2004. Though this is a state law applying only to California, crib mattresses sold in other states are expected to comply with it.

SHOPPING SECRETS

Compare mattresses in the store. Do this by squeezing them.

Confirm store return policies. And keep your receipt. A store's return policy is more important than a mattress maker's warranty. The store should be willing to exchange a mattress that doesn't fit properly, which is a major safety concern.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The major brands of foam and innerspring mattresses are, in alphabetical order: Child Craft, Colgate, Evenflo, Kolcraft, Sealy, and Simmons. Prices range from $30 to about $230.

RECOMMENDATIONS

You don't have to spend the most to get a good quality mattress, but don't skimp, either. A budget somewhere between $90 and $150 will generally serve your baby well. A good, firm mattress may also promote proper posture and is more likely to be durable, which is important if your baby will be using the same mattress as a toddler bed or you'll be passing it down to future siblings.

In the case of innerspring models, look for a firm mattress with good support from border rods. Border rods provide extra firmness, durability, and edge support. A mattress with reinforced or embossed vinyl is leakproof; it is also less likely to tear on the metal edge of a mattress foundation and should hold up better over time. Also look for air vents along the sides of the mattress, which not only help keep the mattress ventilated but may prevent seams from splitting when your tot inevitably starts jumping.

When selecting a foam mattress, go for one with high-density foam. Do the squeeze test for firmness in the center and at the edge. Pinch the mattress covering or ticking; it should feel thick, not flimsy.

Make sure any mattress you buy passes the two-finger test for fit in the crib. That is, if you can place more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib, the fit isn't snug enough. Check that fitted sheets fit snugly and securely, overlapping the corners so that you can't easily pull them up at the corners. Ill-fitting crib mattress sheets are a strangulation and suffocation hazard. And never use an adult sheet as a crib sheet, not even in a pinch.