The Essential Handbook
Mattress Buying Guide
Investing in your new mattress can be a significant expense. You’re potentially spending a large amount of money on something you expect to provide comfort for the next few years, at the very least. That’s why we’ve put together this mattress buying guide, designed to help you understand your options and ultimately, make the right purchase decision.
Choosing the Right Mattress
Choosing the right mattress is one of the most important decisions to make, as this will determine how comfortable and supportive your sleeping experience is. The ideal mattress depends on several factors, including your preferred sleeping position, the level of support you need and the type of materials used within the mattress.
At Castle Beds & Mattresses, we offer a wide range of mattresses designed to suit different sleep styles and comfort preferences. Many of the mattresses we sell combine multiple technologies, often referred to as hybrid mattresses, which blend supportive springs with comfort layers such as foam, latex or natural fillings. Understanding the differences between mattress types can help you choose the best option for a restful night’s sleep.
Our Mattress Types
Pocket Sprung Mattresses
Pocket sprung mattresses are one of the most popular choices. They contain thousands of individual springs, each enclosed within its own fabric pocket.
Because each spring moves independently, the mattress can adapt to your body’s movement and weight, meaning you get targeted support where it’s needed most.
These mattresses help to:
- Improve pressure relief across the whole body
- Reduce movement between partners
- Provide individualised support for different sleeping positions
Many modern mattresses today combine pocket springs with additional comfort layers such as memory foam, gel or natural fibres. These are known as hybrid mattresses, offering the benefits of multiple sleep technologies in just one mattress.
Memory Foam and Foam Mattresses
Foam and memory foam mattresses are designed to offer consistent support across the entire surface of the mattress.
Memory foam responds to body heat and weight, allowing the material to gently mould to your body’s natural shape. This can help reduce pressure on key areas such as the hips, shoulders and lower back while creating a cushioned, supportive feel. Standard foam mattresses provide a firmer, more stable surface with minimal sink, making them a popular option for people who prefer consistent support.
Foam-based mattresses are particularly good for those in search of effective pressure relief across the body, as the body moulding technology really helps with this. Many mattresses today combine foam comfort layers with pocket springs to create a hybrid design that offers both contouring comfort and also, individualised support.
Our most popular mattress is the Deep Sleep Silk 1000 which features memory foam as well as 1000 individual pocket springs.
Deep Sleep Silk 1000
Our most popular mattress featuring memory foam and 1000 individual pocket springs.
From £229.00
View MattressOrthopaedic Mattresses
Orthopaedic mattresses are designed with enhanced support systems and a firmer feel that help maintain a healthy sleeping posture.
These mattresses are typically ideal for:
- Back sleepers
- People who prefer a firmer sleeping surface
- Those looking for extra support
A supportive mattress can help keep the spine aligned during the night, reducing pressure on joints and muscles. Great examples of orthopaedic mattresses we sell are the Giltedge Ortho Pocket 1000 Mattress or the Giltedge Backcare 2000 Mattress.
Giltedge Ortho Pocket 1000
Supportive orthopaedic mattress with 1000 pocket springs and a firm feel.
From £239.00
View Mattress
Giltedge Backcare 2000
Advanced orthopaedic support with 2000 pocket springs and luxury fibre layers.
From £329.00
View MattressNatural Mattresses
Natural mattresses use premium natural fillings such as wool, silk, cotton or cashmere layered over supportive spring systems.
These materials are breathable and help regulate body temperature a lot more than other fibres, making natural mattresses a great option for people who want a more luxurious and comfortable sleeping environment.
Natural fillings can offer benefits such as:
- Superior breathability and airflow
- Natural temperature regulation
- Softer yet supportive comfort layers
These fibres are often found in high-quality pocket sprung or hybrid mattresses, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern support systems. We stock several different natural mattresses, from those more budget friendly such as the Deep Sleep Wool Luxury 1500 Mattress or a premium quality natural mattress as those from the Espoir collection, such as the Espoir Allure 5000 Mattress.
We stock several different natural mattresses, from those more budget friendly such as the Deep Sleep Wool Luxury 1500 through to premium quality mattresses from the Espoir collection.
Gel Layer Mattresses
Gel mattresses include cooling gel-infused comfort layers engineered to help regulate body temperature during sleep.
The gel works by dispersing heat away from the body, helping to keep the mattress surface cooler throughout the night. Gel layers are often combined with memory foam or pocket springs to create hybrid mattresses that provide both pressure relief and improved air flow.
These are a very good option for those that like the feel of memory foam but are looking for better cooling properties. The Giltedge Astrid 3000 Mattress is a great option for those looking for a gel layer option.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses use natural or synthetic latex to create a responsive and supportive sleeping surface.
Latex has a slightly springier feel compared to memory foam, and quickly returns to its original shape when pressure is removed. This makes it a popular option for sleepers who want both comfort and responsiveness.
Benefits of latex mattresses can include:
- Excellent durability
- Natural breathability
- Responsive support without excessive sinking
Latex is often used in combination with pocket springs to create high-quality hybrid mattresses. The Espoir Natural Elements 5800 mattress is a superior example of a mattress featuring latex fillings.
Hand tufted vs quilted mattresses
Another important feature to consider when choosing a mattress is how the comfort layers are secured inside the mattress during the manufacturing process:
What are hand tufted mattresses?
Hand tufting involves passing strong tapes through the mattress and securing them with woollen tufts. This traditional method holds the fillings firmly in place and helps maintain the mattress structure over time.
Hand tufted mattresses are often found in higher-end mattresses and tend to provide a firmer, more supportive feel.
One such mattress is the Wool Luxury 1500.
What are quilted mattresses?
Quilted mattresses are stitched through the top comfort layers using a machine quilting process. This creates a smoother and softer surface feel while still holding the fillings in place.
Quilted mattresses are often chosen for their plush comfort and more cushioned feel.
One of our favourite quilted mattresses is the Rise 1500.
Choosing the right mattress firmness
Choosing the right mattress firmness is important for both comfort and proper spinal support. The correct level of firmness helps keep your spine aligned while relieving pressure on areas such as the hips, shoulders and lower back.
However, firmness is not one-size-fits-all. These recommendations are general guidelines, as the way a mattress feels can vary depending on factors such as your height, weight and body shape.
Heavier sleepers may find a mattress feels softer, while lighter sleepers may find the same mattress feels firmer. This is why trying to match the mattress firmness to both your sleeping position and body type is important.
Matching sleeping positions with suitable mattresses
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Side Sleepers
Side sleepers usually benefit from soft to medium mattresses, which help cushion the shoulders and hips. A slightly softer surface allows these areas to sink just enough to keep the spine properly aligned.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers typically prefer a medium to firm mattress, as this helps support the natural curve of the spine while preventing the hips from sinking too deeply into the mattress.
Front (Stomach) Sleepers
Front sleepers often benefit from a firmer mattress, which helps maintain spinal alignment by keeping the hips level with the rest of the body.
Combination Sleepers
If you move between different sleeping positions during the night, a medium firmness mattress is often the most balanced option, providing a comfortable mix of support and cushioning.
Ultimately, the best mattress firmness is the one that keeps your spine in a neutral position while still feeling comfortable for your body weight and sleeping style.
Maintenance and replacement of mattresses
How often should you replace a mattress?
According to guidance from the National Bed Federation (NBF), most mattresses should be replaced every 7 to 8 years. Over time, mattresses naturally experience wear and tear as the internal materials and support systems gradually lose their ability to provide the same level of comfort and support.
Even if a mattress still looks in good condition, its internal structure may no longer be offering the support needed for healthy sleep.
Signs it may be time to replace your mattress
You may want to consider replacing your mattress if you notice:
- Visible sagging or dips in the mattress surface
- Waking up with aches or stiffness
- Poor sleep quality or frequent waking during the night
- Increased allergies due to dust mites or allergens
Your mattress is approaching or older than the recommended 7–8 year lifespan
Why replacing your mattress matters
A supportive mattress plays an important role in maintaining proper spinal alignment and sleep quality. As mattresses age, the comfort layers and support systems gradually compress, which can lead to reduced support and discomfort over time.
Replacing your mattress when needed helps ensure you continue to enjoy proper support, comfort and a healthier sleeping environment.
How to make the most out of your new mattress
You need to make sure to consider a few things when you buy your new mattress in order to get the most out of it.
First, it’s important to ‘air out’ your mattress. Remove all packaging and let it breathe for several hours minimum before adding bedding. In many cases, it’s also recommended to use a mattress protector, as this protects against wear and tear from moisture, skin cells and allergens.
Next, you need to make sure your bed frame is in good condition. An old base which is sagging in the middle can damage even the highest quality mattresses.
Finally, remember that it can take over 30 days for your body to fully adjust to a new mattress. So be patient as to allow materials to soften and your body to get used to a new support system.
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