Need a new, firmer mattress, but how do we choose one?

[LadyoftheBathtub]

I just have no clue about mattresses. We have an oldish memory foam one that has been OK, but now gone very squashy and is really uncomfortable now I'm pg. I slept on a much firmer sofabed-style one on holiday which wasn't a quality one at all, but felt much better.

Can you recommend me one or a place to get good advice/try them out? Also I don't want to spend loads - some people seem to think it's mad not to spend thousands on the best possible, but that can't be right?

Well we spent over £1500 on a new mattress from John Lewis. We tested out all the ones in the shop - twice - in all spent a few hours choosing. When it was finally delivered it looked beautiful and well worth the money, but my god is it the most uncomfortable thing we have ever slept on

What a waste of money and no-one will ever buy a second hand mattress.

We're going to go to ikea next week and buy a new one. They exchange them there even if you don't like it, so maybe start there?

I spent about £700 on a John Lewis mattress and it is FAB

no more backache for me.

We went for a medium firm one. It has just the right amount of "give".

however, if you want budget - go to ikea and try them out there. We stayed in a b&b this summer and the bed was great. I am absolutely sure though that it came from ikea and not JL.

Sorry got called away but thanks so much - you've both said what I want to hear!

Problem with ikea is their beds are a different size from our bed, but might be worth getting a whole new bed if they've got one we love... but thanks for that other link too herbietea, will show DP that.

ooh just missed yours mumof2 - thanks as well.

I went for a mattress with individual pockets springs and a memory foam top so you get the best f both worlds.

It's a millbrook and the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on.

I tried them all in the shops then ordered off the internet as they were much cheaper.

herbietea - did you try that mattress out in a shop before buying online? We need a new mattress urgently and was considering a John Lewis one but it's more expensive than the one you suggest - which looks like a bargain.

Herbietea - is the mattress suitable for bedsteads as well as divans?

Hypnos mattresses are fab!

To Lucky13 - that's the most awful situation I could think of, spending that much on a mattress and hating it. But surely, you can't possibly chuck it out for an Ikea one? Why don't you get a mattress topper to go on top of it, eg a memory foam one or a soft one filled with feathers or synthetic fibre? Plus it would be much cheaper than getting a whole new mattress!

I was about to give some input but all your mattresses are much nicer than mine from the looks of it!

Working on a budget (and my Dad) I had to look for cheap but decent and bought this one. I have a bad back and was in agony every day and whacking painkillers regularly.

Since buying that a few months ago I feel like I am in Heaven!

But nowhere near as good as the ones already mentioned probably

Oh yeah - and my one is currently half price!

When I needed a firmer bed when pg, dh put some planks on the wooden base of our bed and it felt much more comfy!

However, a few years on and I was finding the bed not so comfy, was getting sciatica in the mornings. Dh took the planks off and it was comfy again...

Sis who is a physio said if you're buying a new bed, get a sprung base, and as many springs in the base and the mattress as you can afford. I never looked into it after dh took the planks off and was afraid of what sprung base and mattress would cost...

I have a mattress that looks like herbietea's link (will check brand in a sec) & I have it on a wooden bedstead - it is divinely comfortable & my previously achey back is fine now

Mine is a Rest Assured "Clover Ortho" - it came from MFI though, may have been their own label.

Anyway it looks just like that Silentnight one - it's sprung & has the foam layer on top (& has a solid base so you don't have to turn it)