Mattress buying guide

Support, firmness, springs, foam, hybrids and how to choose without buyer's regret.

Three things that matter

Support — does it hold your spine in alignment?
Comfort — how does the top layer feel under your shoulders and hips?
Temperature — does it sleep hot or cool?

Construction types

Type	Support	Feel	Sleeps
Open-coil sprung	Moderate, less zoned	Bouncy, traditional	Neutral
Pocket-sprung	Zoned, motion-isolating	Supportive, classic	Cool
Memory foam	Body-contouring	Plush, slow-sink	Can run warm
Latex	Bouncy, durable	Responsive, alive	Cool
Hybrid (pocket + foam)	Best of both	Adaptive	Mostly cool

Firmness, decoded

Rating	Suits
Soft (1–3)	Side sleepers under 70 kg
Medium (4–6)	Most adults, mixed sleeping positions
Firm (7–8)	Back / front sleepers, over 90 kg, or with back problems
Orthopaedic (9+)	Specific medical recommendation

Spring count

For double mattresses, anything below 800 individual pocket springs is entry-level. 1,000–2,000 is mid-market. 3,000+ counts often combine smaller "micro" springs in a second layer — useful, but not the only marker of quality.

Caring for your mattress

Use a mattress protector from day one — without it, most warranties are void.
Rotate end-to-end every three months.
If the mattress is two-sided, also turn it.
Air the bed for a few minutes each morning rather than making it immediately.

Hygiene seal

Mattresses are sold with a hygiene seal. Once broken, the mattress cannot be returned for a change of mind. Don't open the packaging until you are sure.

Replacing your mattress

Most mattresses lose meaningful support after 8–10 years. Signs it's time: visible dips, waking with back pain, sleeping better in hotel beds.

Try in person

Mattresses cannot be returned once unsealed. Trying one in our showroom for ten minutes is the single most useful step. We will show you the construction cut-away alongside the bed.

Last updated 2026-05-26 · J & M McEwen, Kirkwall