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After leaving university (and student apartments,) it was time to buy my own mattress.

Like the majority of young people, I didnt really have any idea where to start.

The Tom�s Guide Sleep Features Editor sitting on the Saatva Classic mattresses feeling its edges

Alongside this, Ive examined materials, chatted to mattress manufacturers and discovered what makes a great bed.

Its fair to say that Id now do things a little differently if I was choosing a mattress again.

8 things I wish I knew before I bought my first mattress

1.

Tom’s Guide Sleep Features Editor lies on her side on the Saatva Classic mattress during a testing panel review session at our sleep studio

Instead, I should have chosen the materials, structure and feel that cushion side sleepers the best.

Plenty can change in 10 years and you want a mattress that will support you no matter what.

Youll want to ensure your mattress has a decent warranty.

The image shows a woman sitting at the foot of the Helix Twilight mattress, which is placed on a wooden bed frame in a neutrally decorated bedroom

The industry standard is 10-15 years, but some brands will offerlifetime warranties.

They should be at least 10 thick

Mattress thicknessimpacts the bed’s support, durability and comfort.

So, if a mattress seems too good to be true, double check how tall it is.

A couple sleeping on their sides facing the opposite way with two separate duvets

I couldnt figure out why this was bothering me so much, until I learnt aboutmotion isolation.

Every night, when he was coming to bed, I woke up, practically bouncing awake.

That was because our cheap spring mattress transferred motion across the bed.

Tempur-Adapt mattress review, featuring our lead tester feeling the cooling sensation of the woven top cover

The lower the price the better.

I didnt realize how much a mattress can impact sleep, which sounds silly now.

you could get a very goodqueen mattress for under $1,000, so set your budget within your means.

A person lies in the middle of an Alaskan King Mattress in a bedroom, with ample room on either side of the bed to stretch out

However, dont prioritize cheapness over quality.

Ensure the material is high quality and the structure has enough comfort and support layers.

We actually got lucky with the mattress we chose.

A man and a woman wearing grey clothes looking at a white mattress in a store

Being a spring bed, there was plenty of airflow.

They also often incorporate specific cooling tech, likecopperandGlacioTex.

Now Ive tested aqueen size mattressin our room, I wish we bought one to start with.

Two women sit on a Leesa Legend Hybrid Mattress in a bedroom, testing the feel of the mattress.

Some brands, like Saatva and DreamCloud offer a full 365-night trial.

If a mattress doesnt come with a sleep trial, wed generally suggest avoiding it.

It might indicate that the brand isnt as trustworthy as other reputable companies might be.

A woman sleeps on her side on the Nolah Natural 11

Its also just a big risk, especially if you arebuying onlineand havent felt the mattress yourself.

Two testers for Tom�s Guide sat on the Nectar Luxe mattress and smiling at each other

A hand pressing into white surface of Nectar Classic memory foam mattress

Brooklyn Bedding 3" Latex Mattress Topper

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The image shows a woman sitting up in bed and clutching her shoulder in pain

The Avocado Green Mattress on a simple wooden bed frame in a bedroom, a Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

A couple using the Scandinavian Sleep Method

Bed bugs

Ring Wall Light Solar turned on at night.

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