KingMattresses

In the US, king sized mattresses are 76in by 80in (international sizes vary slightly). Modern technology has had a huge effect on the mattress industry in the last twenty years. High tensile steel for springs, traditional felt and fillings of foam, latex, or polyester padding can be combined to give mattresses many different feels. Which is great news for mattress buyers,because different people need different thing from mattresses. And your own need will change at different points in your life.

A moment's thought about how much time you'll spend in bed over your life (a lot!) should lead you to your first conclusion about your next king mattress. Buy the best one you can reasonably afford. Think of it this way: every $100 you spend on a mattress is just 2.7 cents a night over 10 years. Is your sleep worth that sort of investment? Of course it is!

Mattresses use two main systems you should consider: spring and foam, with a third option being mattresses which combine the two. Which one is the right one for you will depend on a number of factors. Contrary to popular myth, hard mattresses are not necessarily good for you. The important factor is that your mattress has a good supporting structure. Your usual sleeping position should be a big factor in your choice. Firm mattresses are often best for stomach and some back sleepers, soft mattresses for side sleepers, and medium mattresses for most back sleepers. If you are sharing a bed with someone who sleeps in a different position, some brands offer king mattresses with one softer side and one firmer side, or with adjustable firmness levels.

Open coil springs: The most common spring system in the world. A border rod or wire gives these mattresses a firm edge to retain their shape. .

Spring unit mattresses: This kind of mattress is made of connected springs with thicker wire round the edge, to make a frame. Layers of padding go over the top and bottom so you can't feel the springs. Your body weight is held by the spring unit and the fillings provide comfort. The spring unit is made of either 12 gauge or 13.5 gauge wire (gauge means thickness). 13.5 gauge is a thinner wire and gives you a softer feel than 12 gauge which is used in firmer or so called orthopaedic mattresses. Most mattresses contain 13.5 gauge wire. However, the filling top and bottom used by the manufacturer can also make the mattress feel firmer or softer. So each mattress feels different.

Pocket Sprung mattresses: Here, individual small springs are housed in separate fabric pockets. Each spring responds to your body weight individually. This is the best kind of spring mattress if there's a considerable weight or size variation between two people sharing a bed.

Memory foam mattresses: Memory foam is a recent invention and a by product of the space industry. When you lie on the foam, it softens as your body heat warms it. This causes the foam to distort round your shape – moulding itself to you for an extremely comfortable experience. When you get off the bed, the foam retains a "memory" of its proper shape and returns to it. Memory foam mattresses last longer, provide excellent support and enable natural movement during sleep.