Are you on a quest for the perfect night’s sleep? The key to quality sleep might be beneath your cosy flannelette or cooling cotton sheets — a mattress plays a pivotal role in the quality of your rest and overall well-being.
According to Health NZ, poor sleep can be linked to several conditions, such as anxiety, depression, restless legs syndrome and circadian rhythm disorders. Over time, sleepless nights can increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke.
A supportive mattress suited for your sleeping style can make all the difference. There’s also nothing worse than coming home after a long day to be greeted by a mattress so old and needing an upgrade that your back hurts just by looking at it. Dramatic, we know.
When choosing a new mattress, not all are created equal. From finding the perfect level of firmness to deciding between memory foam or pocket springs, there’s much to consider. And if you’re sharing a bed with a partner, we recommend purchasing a mattress that caters to both your sleep preferences.
To help you improve your quality of sleep, we break down what to look for, as well as our top picks of the best mattresses to shop in New Zealand — all with affordability, durability, and comfort at the top of mind.
TrueFirm Mattress
From $652.50 (usually $870) at Ecosa
Best for: Sleepers requiring extra-firm support to alleviate back pain
Are you after a solid foundation that relieves pressure and alleviates back pain? This extra-firm mattress from Ecosa is just the respite for you.
The hybrid mattress is made from high-density foam and pocket springs for robust support, ensuring you won’t experience that dreaded sinking feeling.
Its durable design also features firmer springs at the mattress edge, meaning the edge doesn’t sag, so you won’t roll off and can easily leap out of bed.
If you’re after an eco-friendly mattress, you’ll be pleased to know that the Align Firm model is certifiably free from harmful substances. Even better, it’s made from biodegradable latex, regenerated Tencel fibres and recycled polyester (from recycled plastic bottles).
Key features:
- Free metro delivery
- Sizes: Single, king single, double, queen, king, super king
- Extra-firm mattress
- Hybrid mattress, made from a combination of high-gauge pocket springs and high-density latex foam
- Breathable and moisture-wicking cover
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, ensuring the mattress is free from harmful substances
- Made from eco-friendly materials
- 100-night trial period
- 15-Year Limited Warranty
Size: Single, king single, double, queen, king, super king
Cirrus Firm Mattress
$699 (usually $999) at Freedom
Key features:
- Covered in a breathable stretch-knit fabric for soft-to-the-touch comfort
- Foam top features wool-blended fibres for comfort in all seasons
- Three-zone spring system helps body alignment and gives targeted support
- Extra layers reduce pressure and increases comfort
- Premium high-density foam contours to your body
- Antibacterial properties helps to prevent mould and mildew
- Available in firm, medium and plush to suit all comfort levels
- Edge of mattress is reinforced for stability increasing sleep surface
- Australian made with a 10-year warranty
- Available in a low-profile option for trundle and kid’s beds
Size: Queen
CoolComfort Mattress
From $1,372 (usually $1960) at Ecosa
Best for: Hot sleepers after a cooling, deep slumber
The warmer months can be a nightmare for those of us who count ourselves hot sleepers. Ward off night sweats with this new extra-cooling mattress from Ecosa, which uses special high polymer cooling yarn to wick away heat and sweat, leaving for a more peaceful slumber. The machine-washable cooling cover promises to be up to 80% cooler to the touch and the unique mattress structure promises unparalleled breathability – so you can snooze sweat-free,
Key features:
- Size options: Double, queen, king, super king.
- 100-night trial
- Medium firmness cooling hybrid mattress.
- Machine-washable cooling cover – up to 80% cooler to the touch.
- Ultra-breathable design: FlexMatrix™ Grid & Ice Mesh side panels optimise airflow.
- Graphene- and copper-infused foams to rapidly pull heat away from the body.
- 4x the springs of a standard hybrid mattress for advanced support.
- 5 zones of precision pocket springs for zero-disturbance contouring.
- 15-year warranty
Size: Double, queen, king, super king
Ecosa Mattress
From $690 (usually $920) at Ecosa
Best for: Those desiring back and spine support and adjustable firmness
With thousands of rave reviews, this memory foam mattress boasts three levels of adjustable firmness; medium, medium-firm and firm. This means that as your comfort preferences change, your mattress can change with you, saving you on yet another upgrade.
The ergonomic mattress is also designed to aid your spine’s alignment and ensure your back is supported throughout the night, while ensuring no partner disturbance. You’ll wake up each morning feeling refreshed!
Plus, if you love the occasional breakfast in bed, the mattress comes with a dust-mite-free, waterproof and zip-off washable cover so you can indulge without a worry. Bundle this one with one of Ecosa’s sturdy bedframes for a fully sorted bedroom setup.
Key features:
- Size options: Single, king single, double, queen, king, super king
- Medium-firm mattress
- Innovative foam and spring hybrid mattress
- Advanced cooling technology
- 7 zone dynamic support to relieve back pain
- Machine washable cover
- 120-night trial period
- Free delivery
Oakleigh Home Medium Sleepzone Hybrid Euro Top Mattress
$197.95 – $384.95) at Temple & Webster
Key features:
- Top cover: premium grade knit fabric for extra comfort yet sufficient support, providing a good night’s sleep
- Comfort layer: thick egg crate foam to relieve pressure points & increase ventilation
- Response layer: quickly provides support that the body needs & helps distribute body weight evenly across the mattress
- Dynamic support layer: made of innovative, densely-placed precision coils; it works in harmony with the response layer to actively react to the body’s movement
- Base layer: designed to help disperse heat from the mattres
Size: Single, king single, double, queen, king, super king
Peace Lily Latex Mattress
From $1,099 at Peace Lily
Key features:
- Two firmness levels (medium and firm)
- Non-toxic
- Cooling
- Antimicrobial
Size: single, long single, king single, double, queen, king, super king
Comfort Classic Mattress
From $1,200 at Eva
Key features:
- Medium-firm
- Anti-microbial and cooling gel memory foam
- 5-zone pockte springs
- Low motion transfer
Available in New Zealand soon, sign up on the Eva website to be notified once the Comfort Classic Mattress is available.
What are the different types of mattresses?
Innerspring or pocket spring mattress
Innerspring mattresses are generally made up of three layers, the middle layer is where the spring coils live. The coils are then surrounded by ‘support layers’: a plush topper and a foam base.
Memory foam or foam mattress
There are three main types of memory foam – traditional, open cell and gel memory foam. All three work in a similar way where they mould to the contours of your body for a more personalised support. However, if you tend to run hot when you sleep, we’d recommend opting for an open cell or a gel-infused memory foam mattress as traditional memory foam tends to trap more heat in.
Hybrid mattress
The best of both worlds. A hybrid mattress has a cloud-like foam layer at the top with pocket springs in the middle for ultimate support.
Mattress in a box
If you’re in the midst of moving, opting for a mattress-in-a-box option may be worthwhile. Generally, boxed mattresses are memory foam mattresses, but some hybrid mattresses are also able to be packaged neatly for your convenience.
Which type of mattresses are best?
Choosing the best mattress depends on numerous factors, including your preferred level of support (from soft to firm), and whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper.
Side sleepers
If you sleep on your side, it’s recommended to opt for memory foam or foam mattresses in general. This is because traditional, gel-infused, and open cell memory foam mattresses reacts to your body heat and pressure and moulds to the contours of your body ensuring a more comfortable and ergonomic sleep.
Back sleepers
If you sleep on your back, you may find innerspring mattresses offer a bit more support. Although, there are foam mattresses that also work well for back sleepers, it is high-quality innerspring mattresses that offer better back support.
Stomach sleepers
Similar to side sleepers, stomach sleepers need pressure relief at various parts of your body. Stomach sleepers may prefer foam mattresses or hybrid mattresses for a good night’s sleep.
Which mattress brand is best?
Again, choosing the best mattresses depends on your preference, budget and sleep needs. Brands like Emma Sleep and Ecosa offer trials so you can test the best mattress type and varying firmness levels for you.
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- The ultimate guide to warm winter duvets, sheets & blankets
- For a comforting sleep, here’s why you should try a weighted blanket
