Mattress Guide

Find the Best New Mattress

Ready to buy a new mattress but not sure how to choose wisely? This guide has tips on how to find the right mattress for a great night's sleep.

For starters, check out our mattress buying guide video for some basic things to remember when choosing a new mattress.

Ready to shop? Then check out our gigantic selection of top rated name brand mattresses, priced to move with our low price guarantee.

Not sure yet? Then read more about best mattresses for different sleeping habits, health concerns and body types

Get free personalized sales help from home with Virtual Shopping Appointments

When Should You Change Your Mattress?

Before we sink into the nitty-gritties of finding your perfect mattress, let’s find out why and when you should change your current one.

  • Have you been using your mattress for over 8 years?

  • Are parts of your mattress sagging?

  • Do you wake up with back aches and sore muscles?

  • Do you wake up multiple times during the night and have difficulty going back to sleep?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, do yourself a favor and change that mattress!

How To Choose A New Mattress

Don’t lose any more sleep over choosing the right mattress! When it comes to choosing a new mattress, there are four important things you must consider:

How you sleep is a crucial factor behind understanding what kind of mattress is right for you.

Side sleepers

Side sleepers need mattresses that let the shoulders and hips sink in. Choose a mattress that lies between plush to firm as they provide support to stress points around shoulders and hips.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers need support for their lower backs. Choose a firmer mattress that will ensure proper spine alignment.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need support for their torsos. Choose a firm to extra-firm mattress that will keep the torso from sinking in.

Tossers and Turners

If you toss and turn while sleeping, it is best to avoid a very firm mattress. Consider a spring mattress that will contain motion so that you can sleep undisturbed.

Well-built people may sink more on soft mattresses and therefore might prefer a firmer one.The sleep surfaces of firmer mattresses align the spine and alleviate pressure points without excessive sagging. A thicker mattress profile will also make it easier to get in and out of bed.Mattresses that offer more support like innerspring and hybrid choices are also popular.

Petite people may prefer to have a softer mattress.

If you prefer a different mattress than what is suggested here, make sure your mattress provides adequate support. For instance, a well-built person who is a side-sleeper may want to choose a latex or foam mattress to avoid problems with pressure points. This is fine as long as the mattress provides support.

Chronic back pains

If you suffer from chronic back pains, choose a mattress that is medically approved or has specialized orthopaedic qualities to provide the relief and support that you require. You could also choose an adjustable base that reduces the strain on your back by making it easier for you to get in and out of bed.

Mild back pains

Choose a foam or pocket spring mattress with basic 3-zoned support features.

Hot sleeper

If you are a hot sleeper and you sweat while sleeping, choose a mattress with an in-built cooling technology.

Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, your ideal mattress would be made of foam as the core structure of foam mattresses helps keep dust mites and mold away. Choose between memory foam or Gel foam mattresses to reduce the risk of allergens and dust mites.

Mattress Size

Keep in mind the number of people that will be sleeping on this mattress, and the size of the room it will be in. Also: Don’t forget to measure your doorways to make sure you can get the new mattress into your home!

At Nebraska Furniture Mart, you can choose between these mattress sizes:

Sizes Dimensions (inches)
Crib 28” X 52”
Twin 39” X 75”
Full 54” X 75”
Queen 60” X 80”
King 76” X 80”
California King 72” X 84”

Mattress type:

The materials that are used to construct your mattress determine the support it offers you while you sleep. Each mattress is made up of different layers of insulation and upholstery. It is up to you to choose whether you want a smooth, soft, or textured feel.

Here are the different types of mattresses you can choose from at Nebraska Furniture Mart:

Spring Mattresses

Innerspring or open coil mattresses use a steel-coil support system that gives your mattress that extra bounce and give you the ease of changing positions while sleeping.

In a pocket spring mattress, each individual spring works independently, offering support that responds differently to varying pressure and movement.

A pocket spring mattress ensures that a movement on one side of the mattress does not go over to the other side.

Choose a spring mattress if:

  • You want a bouncy mattress with strong support.
  • You suffer from backaches.
  • You are looking for a durable mattress that offers you optimum comfort.

Foam Mattresses

True to their name, foam mattresses are widely known for body contouring or taking the shape of the body, high support, and pressure relief. These are the most adaptable mattresses offering a wider range of comfort levels.

Foam mattresses are made of either memory foam or gel foam—both of which offer many of the same benefits.Typically, memory foam mattresses have the reputation of being “hot” mattresses. However, the newer, advanced memory foam mattresses are designed with great cooling properties.

Choose a foam mattress if:

Shop Nebraska Furniture Mart’s foam mattresses.

  • You want a soft or plush mattress that also offers adequate support.
  • You want a soft mattress that molds your body and returns to its original state when you get up.
  • You are looking for a mattress that is sensitive to temperature.

Hybrid Mattresses:

Hybrid mattresses are basically a combination of the innerspring and memory foam technologies, which delivers the benefits of both. Hybrid mattresses allow you to enjoy the perfect mix of support and comfort.

Choose a hybrid mattress if:

  • You want support, comfort, cooling and bounce from your mattress

Shop Nebraska Furniture Mart’s hybrid mattresses.

Pillow Top Mattresses

Pillow top mattresses are not very different from regular mattresses. They tend to be firm and are usually innerspring or coil mattresses.

These mattresses have an extra layer of upholstery or soft material like a pillow that is sewn onto the top of the mattress. This pillow can be made from a variety of fiber and foam materials giving you that extra bit of coziness and comfort.

Choose a pillow top mattress if:

  • You are looking for a softer and more cushiony comfort.

Try Out Mattresses Before You Buy

A mattress is an item many people like to test in person before they are ready to buy. If want to see and feel the differences in comfort levels and types, visit our stores and view the top-rated mattresses in the category you prefer. We have over 90 floor models available for you to try out live. Nebraska Furniture Mart’s factory trained mattress specialists will be happy to provide tips of how to make your mattress testing experience the most effective.

Get directions to the nearest store and store hours.

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Choosing A Mattress Foundation or Base

One key part of getting a new mattress will be deciding what type of foundation or base may work best. Some mattresses pair better with specific types of bases or foundations. Here are details on the most common base types that may help you determine if you already have the right type, or if you may need to consider a new one to pair with your new mattress.

Adjustable Bases

These bases offer the ability to adjust the mattress’ position by elevating the feet and inclining the back. The types of mattresses commonly used with adjustable beds are memory foam, innerspring, and airbeds. They are usually paired best with memory foam mattresses.

Choose an adjustable base if:

  • You want to read or watch television comfortably while lying in bed.

  • You have specific requirements or medical conditions. For example: older sleepers, snorers, people suffering from chronic lower back pain, etc.

Box Springs

A box spring or a foundation is a bed base with a sturdy wooden frame containing springs or metal rods to raise the height of the mattress. This makes it easier to get in and out of bed, absorb shock and reduce wear to the mattress.

Choose a box spring or foundation if:

  • You don’t have a frame for your bed.

  • You want to raise the height of your bed.

How to Get Your New Mattress Home

You’ve just bought yourself your ideal mattress. How do you get it safely home?

  • Moving a Mattress in Your Car or Truck

    If you have your own vehicle—a car or a truck, you could do it yourself. Here’s what you need to consider before transporting your mattress in your own vehicle.

    • Your transport vehicle: Your first consideration would be the size of the vehicle and the size of your mattress. Will your new mattress fit inside your vehicle? Or, will it sit on top of it securely?

    • Happy helpers: Your new mattress could be heavy. You will need someone to help you carry, lift and move it.

    • A mattress bag: You might want to buy a specially-sized mattress bag beforehand to protect it from dust and mites. Just slide the bag on the mattress before you get it in or on your vehicle. You can also use the mattress bag to store your mattress, if needed.

  • Our Delivery Option

    However, your easiest and safest bet would be to find a way to have your mattress delivered to you. It would be even better to have it sitting comfortably on your bed without you having to do any of the hard work.

    So, why go through all the sweat and trouble? Choose our delivery option and we’d be more than happy to help you move your mattress from store to bed.

    Delivery Information

    Our network of delivery systems is designed to get your new merchandise to you as soon as possible, and in great shape. Our familiar white and green trucks visit thousands of cities and towns in a six-state region. So, chances are, if you drove to our store, we can deliver your purchases back to your home. If not, common carrier trucks or our friends at UPS will handle your needs. We'll pick the one that's quickest and most convenient for you. So if you need it, you got it. There is a charge for delivery, which you pay at time of purchase. On occasion, we offer Free Delivery during select promotions. Make sure to watch for them!

    Mattress Set Up

    Beds and bed frames will be put together for you, including center support. Mattresses and box springs will also be placed on the frame. 

    Delivery Areas

    NFM delivers to 47 states (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and California). An NFM Card may be required for purchases in some areas.

    To know more about our delivery options, visit shipping and delivery