Is it possible to choose a mattress?

I bought a mattress from 'John Ryan by design' a few years ago and it's still going strong. They are expensive but seems to have been worth it. I did hours of research.

Even if you don't by from them, the articles on their website are really useful to understand different types of mattresses, springs, and what to look for - for example, mine is two sided so I regularly both flip and spin the mattress to ensure even wear to the padding and springs. Being able to use both sides makes it last longer.

I think a mattress topper increases the longevity of the mattress so I wish I'd got one. I also like it to be quite firm and I think this would have helped.

Edited to add: just looked at the site again and they are much more expensive than they were when I bought! The info is helpful though.

When we moved about 10 years ago, we needed a new bed at short notice. No time for shopping and not had to be in stock. I ordered a basic divan and a bottom of mid range mattress in the sale. Both were about £650. We expected it to be an interim purchase, moved swiftly to the guest room once we had sorted the new "good" bed. It is the comfiest bed we have ever had - very firm - and I have significant back issues. It needs replacing now and I shall replace it with the same or similar.

We bought a mattress with a fixed topper from local company with a few shops. The mattress was made for their store and was a bit cheaper than the really expensive ones there, but still quite expensive. We took the option to buy a special mattress protector so we could have returned the mattress after 90 days if we didn't get on with it, this was reassuring as we went for a medium mattress as I had lost some weight and this was appropriate for our weight. Unfortunately I have put the weight back on plus a bit more and now wish we'd bought the firm but up until now we have been very pleased with the mattress

I would say, from our experience, that I wouldn't buy a mattress with a fixed topper. We cannot turn the mattress over as this would mess up the topper, so can only rotate it.

When we next change mattress we will buy one without a fixed topper and buy a separate topper if we think this is necessary

Oops

….my brain every time I tried.

No. It’s impossible.

it took me two years because the choice melted

In the same boat as you OP. The old mattress cost £1,000 about 8 years ago which seemed a fortune. We started getting backache shortly afterwards and then ended up spending £200 on a mattress topper!

Need a new one now and scared on spending a fortune and getting back pain again. It’s a minefield to know what to get. I like the idea of a machine in Dreams though so will look at that.

Usually on mattress threads John Ryan By Design of Didsbury, Manchester, gets mentioned as offering great mattresses and service.

We need a new mattress but I can't face the shopping part of it. I'm worried about making a wrong decision
Currently have an Emma and I hate it. My back & hips ache every morning when I wake up. It's utter shite (DH is happy with it though)

Buy it once but properly.

We’d gone through a few mattresses, as we both prefer firm memory foam, absolutely hate bouncing mattresses… For a long time, we had our eye on a Tempur mattress, but the price felt impossible to justify. Eventually, we decided to go for it—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

Two years later, it’s still like sleeping on a brand-new mattress. No sagging, no dips, even with my husband being significantly heavier than me. It’s incredibly comfortable. Honestly I cannot recommend it enough.

Ideally go and try out mattresses with your partner, because they feel a bit different when you're lying there on your own. Good luck. It's an important purchase!

I bought an Emma online 8 yrs ago. So comfortable right from the first night. Not had any problems with it and still like new.
Even so, it's a risk buying online because everyone's different.

If husband won't come then go by yourself. His problem if he isn't comfortable!

I went to Bensons for beds. They were happy for me to try as many as I wanted for as long as I liked. I took my headphones to listen to stuff and stop me getting bored as it's a good idea to lie on a mattress for a good 10 to 15 minutes to let it warm up to your body temperature before you get an idea of what it will be like all night. The assistant at the shop was perfectly happy to listen to my requirements and help me narrow it down a little then leave me alone to try them. I'm sure Bensons won't be the only mattress shop with this approach so I would suggest trying some near you and seeing how you get on. Your mattress is a significant investment so it's worth doing the research.

I've got a mattress that can be flipped and I only got it a year or so back. I got mine from Dreams and I used the machine to help decide the mattress type that suits the way I sleep. Ie I like sleeping on my tummy. The mattress I ended up choosing is very comfy and I have been happy with it.

We knew absolutely nothing about beds so we went to Bensons for Beds (not sure if this is a national chain) and just tried loads, lying down on each one.
People swear by memory foam but we didn't like them at all. Felt weird to us. We went for a mattress with over two thousand springs (which is apparently a lot). It's sooo comfortable. Firm and supportive but not hard. We didn't get a mattress topper. There was no need as it was so comfortable anyway. We just have a mattress protector sheet to keep it clean.

You can, loads are available. I've just bought one and there was plenty of choice

@Charmander6 you say you work in a mattress shop - Can you still buy mattresses that can be flipped over rather than just rotated ?

We went to Bensons. First time we went we didn't use the machine & my husband preferred the firm mattress. My hips didn't so we returned it & used the machine & swapped it for a medium one instead. It did end up costing us a bit but very happy with the second mattress.

You spend a third of your life in bed. Go to a shop and spend at least 800 quid on a decent one. This will last 15 years

I work in a mattress shop. Go there and pick your top few. Go back to the shop at different times of the day as the mattress feel will change depending on how your body feels. Speak to the staff as well, they will be able to guide you.

I would avoid Bensons we had multiple problems and customer service were zero help.

We went to a shop and tried them out. Only problem is it's very comfortable but really heavy to change the bedding.

We last went to Dreams where they do some kind of assessment on you both to work out what's your type (was surprised to come out medium, not firm!), then you go lie on a bunch to choose. Bought ours 4 years ago, it's divine.