Mattress Buying Guide NZ: 
How to Choose the Right Mattress

1.

Plush, medium or firm mattresses: which feel is best for me?

Your sleeping position is the best guide to choosing between a plush, medium, firm or extra firm mattress. Side sleepers generally suit a plush (soft) mattress, because it cushions the hips and shoulders, where pressure builds most. Back and front sleepers spread their weight across a wider area of the body, so they often prefer a medium or firm- mattress that supports the spine evenly.

Plush

The softest comfort level in the range conforms closely to the body to relieve pressure points.

Designed for: 
Side sleepers, and anyone who needs pressure relief concentrated in specific areas such as the hips and shoulders.

Medium

A medium mattress conforms to pressure points and provides reliable support for rest and recovery.

Designed for: 
Mixed sleepers who move between side, back and front through the night. It sits in the middle of the comfort range.

Firm

A firm mattress gives greater support across a wider area. Fun fact: many hotels opt for firmer feel mattresses.

Designed for: 
Back and front sleepers who want pressure spread evenly over a larger area of the body.

Our bed buying tips for choosing the right mattress comfort level

  1. Test plush, medium and firm mattresses for at least 3 minutes each, so the differences are clear.
  2. When you find the mattress firmness you prefer, try a range of beds in that same comfort range.
  3. Spend at least 10 minutes resting on the bed you prefer. Kick off your shoes and rest in your natural sleeping position (side, front or back).

2.

How do I know what size mattress is best for me?

Choose the largest mattress your bedroom allows, while leaving room to open drawers and wardrobes and to walk around the bed. Sleep restores and heals the body, and the right size supports better quality rest. Consider who shares the mattress, how big they are, and whether children or pets join you in bed.

Single

91cm x 188cm, everyone’s first mattress.

Designed for: The perfect ‘first real bed’ for your child, or an ideal spare bed for guests.

King Single

107cm X 203cm, perfect step up from a single.

Designed for: Great option for a first big kid’s bed to last well into the teenage years.

Double

137cm x 188cm, a generous size for an adult.

Designed for: Ideal for growing teenagers that need more space or a single adult living alone. A double bed is ideal for the guest bedroom.

Queen

153cm x 203cm, the minimum choice for couples.

Designed for: A good starting point for couples where bedroom space is limited.

King

167cm x 203cm, for when the queen won’t do.

Designed for: A good choice for couples who want more room, or may have pets in the bed.

Super King

183cm X 203cm, get a lot more sleep space between you and your partner.

Designed for: Good for couples who need extra space or who have kids visit in the night.

Californian King

203cm X 203cm, for the largest mattress available on the market.

Designed for: Larger or taller adults who want as much space as possible to get the best night’s sleep.

Our bed buying tips for choosing the right size

Size matters! We suggest you invest in the biggest bed you have space for, while still having room to open drawers and wardrobes, and walk around the bed. For children it is worth considering a King single, Long single or Double mattress so their bed can grow with them.

3.

Is a spring or foam mattress better?

The better choice depends on the support you need. Tattersfield offers a range of spring technologies and hybrid spring and foam combinations, so the answer sits with your body and your comfort needs.

Spring

Springs give a mattress a responsive, supportive core, with space between the coils for air to circulate. Tattersfield uses Classic Pocket Springs, which contour to your body and minimise partner disturbance, and PowerCoil, a dual-stage coil that adjusts independently to your weight and contour, available in zoned P3 and P5 cores or as the 100% PowerCoil P100 with mini pocket springs.

Designed for: Perfect for assisting with spinal alignment, providing pressure relief and effectively minimising partner disturbance.

Foam

Foam layers cushion and contour to your body, relieving pressure while supporting a more restful night's sleep. Tattersfield uses Dunlop Foams produced in New Zealand, SmartCell, which has a uniform cell structure that lets air and excess heat move through the mattress, and advanced memory foam, which contours to your body shape more rapidly than standard foam and may be infused with gel or graphene for added temperature management

Designed for: Sleepers who want pressure relief and close contouring, with temperature management technologies available for those who sleep warm.
Discover the technology behind Tattersfield

Tips

Do you need to test your bed in store?

At Tattersfield, we believe in trying before you buy. To help make the bed shopping experience a little easier, we’ve compiled some useful tips below to ensure you get the right bed to help you achieve a good night’s sleep. 
  1. Dress comfortably and kick off your shoes so you can recreate your normal sleeping environment. Test mattresses in your usual sleep position.
  2. Are there two of you in bed? If so, try the beds together to make sure you’re getting the best solution for both your sleep needs.
  3. Try a range of mattresses within and just outside your price range. Take your time to experience the key differences in a variety of ranges and identify what you liked and didn’t like.
  4. Next, try a range of feels available to see which one you prefer the most – spend at least 10 minutes on each one in your typical sleeping position, ideally with your partner.
  5. Ask one of our expert retail salespeople for some guidance on the various features and benefits available in each bed. Ask which spring system is used and why, if there are any temperature regulation technologies, if the mattress has allergy support treatments and so on.
  6. You’re ready to make the perfect decision!