Un homme couché sur un Purple Restaurer le matelas hybride en lisant un livre.
Guides d'achat

Comment choisir un matelas : Guide d'achat complet [2026]

  • Tyler Wright
Dernière mise à jour
December 2, 2025
12
min lire

Traitements clés

  • The best way to choose a mattress is by starting with your position du sommeil, body type, and any sleep concerns you have.
  • Determine your budget-programme, whether you’re shopping online or in-storeet when you’re shopping to ensure you get the best deal on the mattress that’s right for you.
  • Preferences for type de matelas, firmnesset Taille can narrow down your choices, and comparing company policies et delivery options can inform your decision.

Getting a good night's sleep is necessary for your mental and physical health. It’s important to invest in a good mattress to improve your sleep quality and ensure you wake up feeling ready to face the day.

Figuring out how to choose a mattress can feel overwhelming, but making an informed decision can help you get the best sleep possible night after night. In this mattress buying guide, we’ve identified 11 key considerations to help you find the right mattress and get more restful sleep.

Illustration of a stylized Purple Rejuvenate mattress on a cloud.

Purple mattresses appeal to a wide range of sleepers, offering a temperature-neutral sleep environment with unparalleled pressure relief and full-body support.

Take the quiz below to find the best Purple mattress for you.

Une femme couchée sur une Purple  Rejuvenate  matelas.

Trouver votre ajustement parfait

Prenez notre quiz matelas pour des recommandations personnalisées basées sur vos habitudes de sommeil et vos préférences.

1. Consider Your Sleep Position

Depending on the sleep position you prefer, different types of mattresses and firmness levels may feel more comfortable and supportive. Consider your unique preferences as well as the features of each mattress to ensure you know how to pick a mattress that will best support your spine and relieve pressure where you need the most comfort.

Sleeping Position

Recommended Firmness

Reason

Côté

Medium-soft to Medium-firm

Cradles hips and shoulders + supports spinal alignment

Précédent

Moyenne entreprise

Relieves pressure from hips, back, and shoulders + keeps spine aligned

Estomac

Medium-firm to firm

Keeps spine aligned + cushions chest, hips, and stomach

Combinaison

Medium to medium-firm

Offers cushioned pressure relief + supports the spine in all positions

Side Sleepers

Touches de couchage latérales lie on the left or right side of their body while sleeping. Side sleeper mattresses may be softer and more contouring compared to a firmer mattress that a back or stomach sleeper might prefer. A good mattress for side sleepers helps keep the head, shoulders, and back aligned while cushioning the shoulders and hips.

Back Sleepers

Dormeurs arrière sleep primarily on their backs, either with their arms straight or above their heads. This sleeping position is considered one of the best for spinal alignment and good sleep posture. The best mattresses for back sleepers are typically medium-firm, offering ample spinal support with zoned pressure relief for the hips and back.

Stomach Sleepers

A somnolence de l'estomac is someone who sleeps on their chest and stomach, which can result in poor spinal alignment and back arching without sufficient support.

If you sleep on your stomach, you need a mattress that is medium-firm to firm to keep your body from sagging into the mattress. This firmness range also supports your body and gives gentle pressure relief.

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers may switch positions as they sleep. These individuals need a responsive mattress with plenty of support to align the spine and relieve body pain.

Medium to medium-firm mattresses are a great compromise for a variety of sleep positions, firm enough to align your spine and soft enough to ease pressure on your joints, making mattresses in this firmness range great for combination sleepers.

2. Choose a Mattress Type

As you shop for a new mattress, you’ll find a variety of types de matelas to consider, from traditional memory foam to the innovative GelFlex® Grid. When weighing your options, remember that the best fit for your needs depends on several factors, such as price range, comfort needs, sleeping position, and breathability.

If you're overwhelmed by the wide range of mattress types on the market, here's a quick guide to the most common types of mattresses available.

 

Price Range

Features

Considérations

GelFlex® Grille

€€-€€€€

4x* cooler than competitors, full-body support, gentle pressure relief

Unique feel may not appeal to all sleepers

Mousse

€-€€€

Contoured pressure relief, good motion isolation

May trap heat, sinkage makes it harder to shift positions

Printemps intérieur

€-€€

Supports spinal alignment, more affordable than other bed types

Less pressure relief than other mattresses, can be noisy

Hybrid

€€€-€€€€

Combines pressure relief and coil support for more comfort

Higher price point, heavy

Latex

€€€-€€€€

Breathable, responsive, and highly durable

Unique feel, higher price point, heavy

Air Mattress

€-€€

Adjustable firmness and highly portable

Requires manual adjustments, can be loud, prone to deflating

*Disclaimer: Thermal test and heat flux study conducted by Purple on Purple hybrid mattresses in 2023.

Main sur Purple Grille

GelFlex® Grille 

Purple mattresses feature the innovative GelFlex® Grille, our proprietary sleep technology that instantly adapts to your body as you move, providing tailored pressure relief and support without trapping heat.

Purple is the only company in the world that uses the GelFlex® Grid, enhancing your sleep quality with unparalleled responsiveness, temperature balancing, durability, and comfort.

Photo of someone pressing their hand into a memory foam mattress and leaving an impression.

Mousse

Memory foam mattresses feature a soft, dense layer that conforms to your body shape for a cradling sensation. Memory foam is made out of polyurethane and comes primarily in three different types: traditional, gel-infused, and open cell.

  • Mousse de mémoire traditionnelle: While it helps preserve your spine's natural curvature, hot sleepers dislike it because of its heat retention.
  • Gel memory foam: Gel-infused memory foam blends memory foam with gel microbeads, providing a cooler mattress that helps regulate body temperature better than traditional memory foam.
  • Open cell memory foam: Open cell foam is a more breathable version of memory foam, with pockets for more airflow to keep you cool.
  • Other foams: Purple mattresses feature different types of high-quality polyurethane foam with the GelFlex® Grid for added pressure relief and comfort.
Photo of the inner coils of an innerspring mattress.

Printemps intérieur

A traditional innerspring mattress has a coil construction for its base layer topped with a layer of memory foam or latex for extra comfort. 

The coil systems make this mattress type more responsive at a lower price, but innerspring mattresses may not provide as much pressure relief or motion isolation as other mattress types.

Corner of a Purple Restore Hybrid mattress.

Hybride

A hybrid mattress is a multi-layer mattress made with a combination of innerspring steel coils and comfort layers featuring memory foam, latex, or the GelFlex® Grid for a supportive, responsive sleeping surface that provides deep pressure relief.

Hybrid mattresses like Purple’s RestorePlus™ Hybrid offer support for high-pressure areas like the neck and lower back, easing body pain and promoting restful sleep. Combined with extra comfort layers, hybrid mattresses are popular for a variety of sleepers.

Photo of latex mattress layers.

Latex

A latex mattress can be made with natural or synthetic latex, and this type is known for having better airflow than traditional memory foam. This soft, denser foam hugs the body's natural curves and provides gentle pressure relief.

Natural latex can be more expensive than synthetic latex or memory foam, but it is a good choice for shoppers looking for a cooling, supportive mattress.

Photo of an inflated air mattress in an empty room.

Air

You can inflate or deflate an air mattress to your preferred firmness to customize your sleep experience. Air mattresses are not typically used as primary beds, as they are relatively inexpensive, may deflate easily, and are less durable than standard mattresses.

Airbeds like those from Nombre de sommeil offer further customization with more structure and comfort layers than a typical air mattress, which often appeals to couples with different sleep preferences. These options require manual adjustment and tend to come with a higher price tag.

Purple Ensemble de chambres

Experience Your Best Sleep Ever

The GelFlex Grid® inside every Purple mattress cradles your pressure points, supports your back, and keeps you cool night after night.

3. Pick Your Firmness

Mattress manufacturers typically rank la fermeté de la matrice on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 as the softest and 10 as the firmest.

Soft and firm mattresses offer different levels of comfort and support; softer mattresses can cradle pressure points to relieve pain, but firmer mattresses provide more support for spinal alignment to reduce discomfort.

Here's a quick breakdown of different mattress firmness levels and which levels may be best suited for your preferred sleeping position. Of course, the firmness you choose depends on what feels best for you, so consider your unique needs before making a decision.

Firmness Rating

Recommandation pour

Extra soft (1-2)

Lightweight side sleepers

Soft (3)

Touches de couchage latérales

Medium-soft (4)

Pendant le corps et le dos

Medium (5)

Combiner les dormants

Medium-firm (6-7)

Combiner les dormants

Firm (8)

Tombées et dormants arrière

Extra firm (9-10)

Heavy stomach sleepers

The most popular firmness levels are medium and medium-firm, offering a balance of comfort and support that accommodates most sleep positions. A medium-firm mattress helps keep the spine in proper alignment and allows just enough sinkage to ease pressure from the hips, shoulders, and back.

On the extreme ends of the firmness scale, soft and firm mattresses may not be suitable for all sleepers. Soft and extra soft mattresses may allow too much sinkage, especially for heavier individuals, which can put added pressure on your joints and cause pain.

If possible, it’s best to try mattresses with different firmness levels to determine what is most comfortable and supportive for your needs. You can visit a mattress store in your area to test what feels best.

4. Select a Mattress Size and Thickness

Les mattress size you choose largely depends on the amount of space you have available as well as how much room you need when you sleep. 

Not sure  quelle taille de lit vous devriez obtenir ? Consider the dimensions of each standard bed size to inform your choice.

Taille

Dimensions

Jumeau

38-by-75 inches

Twin XL

38 pouces par 80 pouces

Complet

54 pouces par 75 pouces

Queen

60-80 pouces

Californie roi

72 pouces par 84 pouces

King

76-80 pouces

You should also consider the number of sleepers, your height, and room dimensions when choosing a mattress size. The best bed size for couples, for example, is typically a queen or larger, but your needs and preferences may vary.

Jumeau

Twin beds are the smallest standard size on the market, best suited for sleepers under 6’ who don’t need a lot of space.

Jumeau XL

Commonly found in college dorms, twin XL beds offer more legroom for young adults or single sleepers under 6’5”.

Complet

Full beds can accommodate two sleepers, but they may be better suited for individuals who like to spread out.

Reine

Queen beds are the most popular mattress size, offering more space than a full without crowding the bedroom.

Californie Roi

The longest standard mattress size but with a smaller surface area than kings, California kings are great for couples who need extra legroom.

Roi

Also known as an Eastern king, king beds are the largest standard mattress size, offering plenty of space for couples to sprawl.

In addition to the size of your mattress, consider épaisseur de la matrice before making a purchase. 

 Illustrated chart of average mattress thickness, ranging from under 6 inches to over 14 inches thick.

Thicker mattresses are not inherently superior, but thinner or lower-profile mattresses may not offer enough pressure relief or support, especially for sleepers with a heavier bodyweight.

Rather than make a judgment based solely on the depth of a mattress, consider the quality and features of the mattress’s layers, assessing how the mattress comes together to keep you comfortable while you rest. Make sure you choose a bed frame that is compatible with your mattress and room size, as well.

5. Assess Your Body Type

Your height and weight should also play a part in your mattress selection.

Recommendations for body type (based on height and weight) for choosing a mattress.

Individuals over 6 feet should opt for a queen size bed or larger to ensure they have enough legroom. If you have a wider frame, make sure you choose a mattress that is wide enough for you to sleep comfortably without feeling cramped.

Lightweight individuals may benefit from a softer mattress since they won’t sink in as much, but you may prefer a firmer mattress if you need better support for spinal alignment or you sleep on your stomach.

Heavier individuals often choose firmer, thicker mattresses to provide the spinal alignment and comfort they need, as they may sink too much on a softer mattress, increasing pressure on sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders. 

Make sure you consider the mattress weight limit so you can rest without worrying about premature sagging and insufficient support.

Regardless of your height and weight, look for a mattress that supports proper spinal alignment and provides sufficient pressure relief for your needs. 

6. Address Your Sleep Concerns

Your level of comfort directly affects how well you sleep, and localized pain and your sleeping temperature can affect your sleep quality. If you  ne peut pas se mettre à l'aise dans le lit, you may have trouble falling or staying asleep, which can negatively impact your mental and physical health.1

Consider any existing sleep concerns you have when choosing a new mattress to give yourself the best possible sleep quality.

Température

If you’ve ever woken up sweating or shivering, you understand how important finding the best temperature for sleep is. Maintaining a comfortable temperature while you’re asleep can help you stay asleep longer and get higher-quality rest each night.

 

Cold Sleepers

Hot Sleepers

Concerns

Can’t stay warm

Can’t get cool

Night sweats

 

Needs

Heat retention

Cradled feeling

Moisture-wicking

Good airflow

Cooling materials

Some people are prone to sweating at night while others may feel chilly even on a warm evening. 

Des dormants chauds often need a mattress with good airflow to draw heat away from their skin and avoid overheating.

If you tend to sleep hot, you can also use cooling bed sheets, like the Purple SoftStretch® Sheets, for better temperature regulation with moisture-wicking material to keep you cool and comfortable.

Cold sleepers struggle to stay warm while asleep, resulting in disruptions and poor sleep quality. People who have this sleep concern are most comfortable on mattresses that absorb and retain body heat, such as traditional memory foam.

If you sleep cold, you can also try wearing socks to bed, using warmer sheets, or adding a cozy top layer to stay warm, especially if you don’t like the feel of memory foam.

Body Pain

Some people suffer from back pain because of medical conditions, poor posture, and injuries. Trying to sleep with body pain often means struggling to find a comfortable position, waking up throughout the night, and starting your day feeling tired and sore. Depending on the type, cause, and severity of your symptoms, finding the best mattress for body pain can offer relief and help improve your sleep quality.

Mattresses that contour around the body's natural shape can help with non-specific back pain issues and cradle your pressure points.

One study suggests that medium-firm mattresses may offer more relief for individuals with non-specific lower back pain, promoting higher-quality sleep and fewer sleep disruptions.2

You can also try changing your sleep position or cushioning areas of your body with pillows to alleviate pressure.

For example, back sleepers with back pain can put a pillow under their knees to take pressure off their lower spine, and side sleepers can try sleeping with a pillow between their knees to reduce pain in the hips and back.

You may also experience back pain from a new mattress as you break it in, though this discomfort should go away after a few weeks. If pain continues disrupting your sleep or you have any questions about potential causes and alternative solutions, talk to your doctor.

How your mattress should support your body for optimal spinal alignment and pain relief.

7. Set Your Budget

Before choosing a mattress, set a maximum budget that will accommodate your desired mattress type, size, and features.

Some mattresses are more expensive because they use premium materials, have high-quality construction, or are simply a larger size.

Higher prices don’t always mean higher quality, so it’s important to evaluate the mattress based on additional factors like unique features and customer reviews.

How much can you expect to spend on a mattress? For the most part, mattresses can cost anywhere between €600 and €9,000, but what you spend on a mattress depends on the features, size, type, brand, and quality you choose.

If you are looking for the best affordable mattress, The PurpleFlex™Mattress is a great option, featuring the instantly adaptive GelFlex Grid® at a price you'll love.

Remember that your mattress is an investment, so you should look for one that will be comfortable and supportive for as long as possible.

Scale of average mattress prices for six types of mattress.

8. Decide If You’re Shopping Online vs. In-Store

When deciding what mattress you want, it’s important to consider where you plan to do your shopping: online or in-store.

When you buy a mattress online, you can take advantage of benefits like free shipping, competitive sleep trials, generous return policies, and unbeatable sales and discounts.

The biggest consideration for shopping online is that you don’t have the option to try before you buy. There are a few ways to sidestep this obstacle, such as trying out the mattress you want in a physical retailer before placing an online order. 

You can also look through customer reviews online to get a sense of the best features and any common concerns.

Purple also offers a miniature GelFlex® Grid sample at a low cost so you can actually feel the proprietary sleep technology in your hands before trying one of our mattresses.

9. Choose Delivery or Pickup

Depending on where you shop for a mattress, you may have limited options for how to get it home.

When choosing the mattress you want, consider your delivery or pickup options first. Online sellers often offer free delivery, and some provide setup services to ensure you can rest easily. Some online mattress companies will even get rid of your old mattress, freeing up your space to make it easier to set up your new bedroom.

Brick-and-mortar stores may not have the same options, so you may have to arrange transportation to pick up and move your new mattress or pay an additional fee for delivery.

Consider costs and convenience when deciding where to buy your mattress and how to get it where you need it.

10. Compare Policies: Returns, Warranties, and Trials

While you should primarily choose a mattress based on how well it will meet your sleep needs, it’s often a good idea to compare return, sleep trial, and warranty policies before making a purchase. When comparing policies, look for:

 

Illustrated icon of a purple crescent moon and a dark purple cloud.
Illustrated icon of a box with a return label.
Illustrated icon of a shield with a check mark in the middle.

Sleep Trials

Retourne

Garanties

How many nights can you sleep on your mattress and still be able to return it? Sleep trials often range from 100 to 365 nights, giving you plenty of time to test your mattress.

What is the minimum length of time before you’re eligible to return the mattress? Does the company cover return shipping costs, or will you have to pay out of pocket?

What kind of damage does the warranty cover? When does the warranty expire? Are there any restrictions or requirements that affect whether the warranty applies?

These policies are especially important if you’re buying online. Since you likely won’t know how a new mattress will feel if you aren’t able to test it beforehand, a generous sleep trial and  politique de retour can give you peace of mind.

11. Shop at the Best Time To Buy

Online mattress companies often offer sales and discounts, so you’ll rarely pay full market price for a mattress online. If you aren’t in a rush to buy a new mattress, you can wait for the mattress you want to go on sale.

Les meilleur moment pour acheter un matelas is during key shopping holidays when mattress companies are more likely to run competitive sales. You’ll usually find the best deals around:

  • Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Black Friday
  • Cyber Monday
Illustration of a calendar with the second Monday of the month indicated for a mattress sale.

Enhance Your Sleep With a Purple Mattress

Knowing how to choose the right mattress means considering your unique needs and preferences to ensure you can sleep comfortably and soundly every night.

Every Purple mattress features our proprietary GelFlex® Grid, offering support for a wide range of sleep needs with soothing pressure relief and unparalleled breathability.

The instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid responds to your body as you lie down or shift positions without trapping body heat, giving you the support you need while cradling your pressure points for maximum relaxation.

Rejuvenate Mattress

Sink Into Superior Comfort With Purple

Purple mattresses feature specially designed sleep technology for dynamic pressure point relief, temperature balancing, and alignment.

Choosing a Mattress FAQ

You can tell that your mattress is a good fit for you if:

  • You can sleep in your preferred sleep position without pain or discomfort
  • You like the feel, pressure relief, and support of the mattress type
  • You don’t sink too much or feel like you’re waking up sore
  • Your mattress fits comfortably on your bed frame and doesn’t take up too much space in your bedroom
  • Your mattress is long, thick, and durable enough to suit your height and support your weight
  • The price of your mattress falls within your budget
  • You feel comfortable, supported, and well-rested night after night

As you shop for a new mattress, asking yourself the following questions can help you choose the best mattress for your sleeping position, unique needs, and budget:

  • What materials is this mattress made of?
  • Is this mattress breathable, or does it trap body heat?
  • What is the firmness level of this mattress?
  • What sizes does this mattress come in?
  • What is the length of the sleep trial for this mattress?
  • What is the mattress return policy?
  • Does this mattress come with a warranty?
  • How much does this mattress cost?

You can also answer these questions to identify the best mattress size and features for your needs:

  • How tall are you? Do you need extra legroom?
  • What are the dimensions of your bedroom?
  • Are you sleeping alone, or are you sharing the bed with a partner, child, and/or pet?
  • What is your preferred sleep position?
  • How firm do you want your bed to be?
  • Are you planning to use your existing bed foundation, or do you plan to buy a new one?

The right mattress for your body type depends largely on your individual preferences and needs, but you should try to find a mattress that:

  • Provides enough legroom for your height
  • Is thick and firm enough to support your weight
  • Offers pressure relief and support in the right areas for your sleep position
  • Keeps you comfortable by relieving pain and balancing your temperature

Your build can affect which mattresses feel best. Heavier individuals may prefer a firmer hybrid mattress while lighter sleepers may sleep better on a softer foam bed. Ultimately, you know what feels best for your body and how much space and support you need to be comfortable.

Your sleep position, comfort preferences, and body size affect the firmness level you choose. Consider the following firmness levels to inform what may be best for you:

  • Extra soft to medium-soft: Suitable for lightweight sleepers, some side sleepers, and individuals who want to sink into their mattress
  • Medium to medium-firm: Comfortable for most sleepers regardless of size and sleep position but best for back and side sleepers
  • Firm to extra firm: Most supportive for heavier individuals, especially stomach and back sleepers

What feels comfortable and supportive to one person may not be right for another. It’s best to listen to your body and find the right firmness level based on your preferences.

It may be time to remplacez votre matelas if:

  • Your sleep is inconsistent or low quality
  • You wake up feeling stiff, sore, or in pain
  • Your mattress has started to sag
  • Your mattress has developed mold or mildew
  • It’s been over seven years since you bought it

There are other signs of a bad mattress to watch out for, including chronic fatigue and allergy symptoms. If you’ve ruled out other causes of your poor sleep, it may be time to find a new mattress.

À propos des auteurs

Sydney Fuhrman

Sydney apporte plus de cinq ans d'expérience en écrivant sur une gamme de sujets, y compris la santé, le mode de vie et la technologie. Ils ont un baccalauréat en écriture créative et littérature du Liban Valley College. Ils sont un grand fan de partager des rêves et de discuter symbolisme pour le plaisir. Sydney cherche toujours des conseils pour améliorer leur qualité de sommeil et espère aider les autres à dormir le mieux possible avec leur écriture.

Tyler Wright
Tyler Wright
Sr. Gestionnaire de produits

Tyler Wright est un responsable principal des produits de matelas. Avec plus de 10 ans d'expérience dans le développement de produits, il s'engage à développer des produits innovants qui améliorent et améliorent la vie. À Purple cela signifie construire des produits qui aident les gens à obtenir le meilleur sommeil jamais.