How to choose the best full size mattress

A common mistake when embarking towards the journey of picking out a new mattress is choosing one that is too small. When it comes down to mattresses, bigger is usually better (assuming you have the room) and full size mattresses are pretty standard.

Whereas king size and queen size mattresses tend to be the ideal choices for couples, families, and people who sleep with their pets, full size mattresses are usually favoured over twin beds for people who are sleeping by themselves. Just because you’re sleeping alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be comfortable. 

Think about full size mattresses as the king of the single-bed mattress world.

Considering sleep is something you do every single night (and a few naps in between), choosing the right full size mattress is an important decision that could have ripple effects down towards your day-to-day effectiveness and your overall health.

The average person should be getting at least six hours of sleep per night and if you’re tossing, turning, and not getting a good night’s sleep, you might want to consider putting a few bucks aside and invest in a good full size mattress. 

The size

The most glaring difference when it comes to full size mattresses compared to that of a twin bed for example, is its size. Full size mattresses traditionally come 75 inches wide and 80 inches long. What’s best about full size mattresses is its flexibility (not literally). While they are perfect for people who sleep alone, an extra person, a child, or pets is not overbearing and will still provide comfort for all parties. 

The room

When you’re choosing a new bed, you’re going to need to consider the room. It should go without saying but small rooms simply can’t handle big mattresses. A smaller-size bedroom, like one inside an apartment, might not be able to handle the size of a full bed. Before choosing a mattress, make sure you’ve measured your room (and then double-checked) that a full size bed will fit in there. Consider you’ll also need a few extra inches for the box spring and you might even opt for a night table as well. 

Price

When it comes to the different sizes of mattresses, full size beds are the middle of the pack. They’re not as pricey as king size mattresses but not as inexpensive as twin or single beds. Estimate that you’ll spend somewhere between the $800 to $1400 range for a full size mattress. You’ll also want to budget another hundred bucks for delivery, and then another two hundred for pillows, linens, and comforters. Because let’s be honest, if you’re going new bed, it might be time to toss on a couple of new pillows as well.

Live and Sleep - Resort 10-Inch Memory Foam Mattress and Memory Foam Pillow - Medium Firm for Better Comfort (Full)
  • BEST REVIEWED FULL MATTRESS - Top rated medium firm full-size mattress at the lowest price is ideal for side, stomach and back sleepers
  • COOLING INNOVATION – Breathable memory foam mattress with comfort that cools your body, not cheap inexpensive foam. No spring, coil or latex used
Classic Brands Mercer Pillow Top Cool Gel Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid 12-Inch Mattress, Full, White
  • 54" W x 75" L x 12" H
  • The newest technology in bedding, this mattress combines the traditional innerspring wrapped coils with the newest generation of gel memory foam for an optimal sleep experience.
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Zinus 8 Inch Gel-Infused Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress / Cooling Gel Foam / Pressure Relieving / CertiPUR-US Certified / Bed-in-a-Box, Full
  • AS COOL AS IT GETS - Settle in to a bed made with our most cooling formula yet, promising perfectly temperature-regulated sleep and a clean feeling night after night, all thanks to our enveloping memory foam packed with cooling gel and green tea
  • PRESSURE-RELIEVING FOAMS - 2 inch ultra-cooling gel and green tea infused memory foam, 1.5 inches soft comfort foam, and 4 inches durable high density base support foam; ideal for back sleepers and average-weight sleepers
Signature Sleep 13" Hybrid Coil Mattress, Full, White
  • The rayon made from bamboo fabric absorbs moisture, dries quickly, and helps the body breathe
  • Foam pillow top which includes 1" of 3-Zone foam to provide a soft upper and lower body comfort with a firmer center to support lower-back and hips
PrimaSleep Wave Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress, 10'' H, Full, Blue
  • Perfect top layer support your bodyweight, maintains your body shape to rest in the best condition
  • Soft memory foam supports body with soft power

Know your stuff

Before you splurge on a new bed and accessories, it’s important to do your research. There are thousands of bed styles and variants on the market and you need to know which mattress will be the most beneficial for you before you buy. 

Consider things like which materials the bed are made out of. Do you want a memory foam mattress, latex, coils, or a hybrid? Each style of bed is geared towards different sleepers. So, before you make a choice, do a lot of research. Check out a bunch of different internet websites and read customer reviews. Companies and retail shops will try to sell you on their mattress and tend to give biased opinions. Customer reviews are great because they’re usually honest and it’s right from the customer’s mouth. Plus, you have actually thousands of reviews to look for. Once you’ve done your at-home homework, head to a bunch of showrooms to actually test out the beds (that’s the best part). Be sure to spend a good amount of time on each mattress to ensure that the bed you’ll be sleeping on for the next few years is the one for you.

When a salesperson comes over, let them know that you know your stuff and ask them as many questions as you might have about the different products. If you’re lucky and good at negotiating, the salesperson can toss in a few freebies like delivery or a pillow or two. Make sure to touch upon important things like delivery and warranties before making the final purchase.

Sleeping habits

Different people have different sleeping habits, all which come into play when choosing the best full size mattress for yourself. If you sleep on your back, you might want to look into mattresses that are a bit firmer and that have solid support to get you the proper alignment while you’re catching some Zs. People who sleep on their stomach might favour a mattress that is a bit softer, to protect your vital organs, and people who sleep on their sides might want to look into a mattress that gives off a little bit more contouring of your body. 

Conclusion

You’re going to spend a lot of time on your new full size bed so make sure you do the proper due diligence and planning before buying. New mattresses sometimes can be ordered online, essentially cutting out the middle man of the big retail shops. If that’s the case, make sure you’re choosing a mattress that has a return policy in case it’s not the right fit for you. Mattresses can now be shipped right to your door in an easy-to-carry box, which makes it ideal for people who are living alone and don’t have the necessary strength to lug a mattress into their room by themselves. 

Always keep in mind that while price should be important, the most significant thing to consider when choosing a new mattress is comfort. You’re going to want to choose a mattress that you look forward to fall into after a long day at work or something that you don’t want to leave when you’re sleeping in on weekends.