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Platform beds do not have box springs, meaning some mattresses are more suitable for them than others. The best platform mattresses feature cooling technology, motion control, and adequate support.
People often look to refresh their homes in spring, and sleep environments, including mattresses and how they are set up, can help improve sleep. Box springs can degrade over time, and a platform bed may be more durable for those looking to refresh their bedroom or guest rooms.
With National Cleaning Week at the end of March, use this article to learn what mattresses are best suitable for platform beds. We also explore what features to consider before purchasing for this year’s spring clean.
Below, we have chosen a mix of latex, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses suitable for platform beds with generous warranties, sleep trials, and competitive pricing. All the information is correct for queen size mattresses suitable for platform beds.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
Medical News Today chooses products that fit the following criteria:
Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
Size: MNT chooses products available in various sizes.
Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
Firmness: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers and whether shipping is free.
Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products with warranties and clear returns policies.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
Platform beds combine a bed frame and base. This means a person does not need to buy an additional mattress foundation or box spring. Manufacturers typically make platform foundation bed frames from wood, metal, or plastic, and the base can be solid, slatted, or a metal grid.
People may also choose platform beds because their sturdy frame, low height, and flat platform provide a stable sleeping surface. For instance, this might appeal to those who move a lot in their sleep or those who find getting in and out of bed difficult.
Additionally, the platform can provide a firmer sleep surface, which may boost sleeping comfort for some people or better support certain mattresses.
Platform beds can also come with fewer parts, making them quicker and simpler to put together than other types of beds. Extra storage space beneath a platform bed can also benefit individuals living in smaller spaces.
Because people with a platform bed do not require a box spring, innerspring mattresses are not the best for a platform bed.
Popular mattresses include:
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam is one of the denser materials that manufacturers use in mattresses. It is slow to change shape and will cradle the body as it rests.
However, these mattresses can contribute to someone sleeping hot as the material is so dense. Some companies include perforated memory foam or gel foam to help reduce overheating during sleep.
Latex mattresses
Latex mattresses contain latex from natural, synthetic, or blended sources. The manufacturing process can result in differing levels of firmness.
Manufacturers claim that latex mattresses are more durable. Additionally, a small, older study found that latex mattresses were more effective at pressure point relief than memory foam mattresses.
However, it is important to note that people who are allergic to latex should not use these products.
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses contain one or more layers of memory foam or latex with a layer of coils. These coils respond dynamically to a person’s body as they move around on the bed, potentially offering more support in the lumbar region.
These coils can also reduce motion transfer, making this type of mattress a good choice for couples.
However, hybrid mattresses can be more expensive than other types due to the combination of materials.
Mattresses have a direct effect on an individual’s sleep, and a person’s bed should feel comfortable to sleep in. However, it is important to note that claims from some bed manufacturers about their products alleviating back pain, sciatica, or circulation issues may be more promotional than factual. People should always work with a doctor to treat pain or other health conditions.
People can purchase mattresses online or in-store. Online shopping may save time from having to travel to a store and try out beds. This can be useful for people looking to refresh their guest rooms when visitors arrive at short notice.
However, it is important to consider several factors when purchasing a mattress online, including:
Mattress type: Memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses all have different advantages and disadvantages. While memory foam contours closely to the body, it can retain heat. Latex mattresses are responsive and durable but are expensive and unsuitable for those with a latex allergy. Hybrid mattresses balance support, comfort, and responsiveness, but they can be expensive and feel firmer than other options.
Mattress firmness: People can consider the firmness of the mattress they are considering purchasing. Generally, a medium-firm mattress suits most sleeping styles. The increased contact pressure from sleeping on a hard mattress may be uncomfortable and cause health problems. However, firmness is subjective, and a person needs to buy one that balances support with a suitable comfort level.
Customer reviews: People may wish to look at online reviews on websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot. If a company does not have a profile page on an external website, a person can carefully read the reviews available on the company website.
Company reputation: The BBB and Trustpilot offer free assessments of a company that can help someone determine whether they provide a reputable service. Similar to reviews, individuals can check several websites to make an informed decision.
Warranties and returns: A person can look for mattresses with long warranties and a competitive trial and return period.
Sale items: If an individual purchases a mattress on sale, they need to read the small print carefully. Some companies may also offer a reduced warranty or trial period during sales.
People may experience issues keeping their mattresses in place on a platform bed. However, a range of solutions can help a mattress to stay on a platform bed.
For instance, a rug pad or shelf liner is a type of nonslip mat that a person can place between the platform and the mattress for better grip.
Other options for improving grip include velcro strips or rubber grippers that someone places between the mattress and platform.
Some people may choose to add a headboard to their platform bed to help prevent the mattress from slipping.
The platform material may also affect whether the mattress stays on the bed. Textured or upholstered platforms can increase grip and limit mattress movement.
Setting up a mattress on a platform bed can vary according to several factors. Therefore, a person always needs to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Below are some general steps a person can take to set up their mattress.
Unbox the mattress and lift it onto the platform bed.
Once in place, carefully cut and remove the packaging around the mattress.
Unroll the mattress on top of the platform surface.
Allow the mattress to return to its normal size.
Mattresses can take several hours to expand to size. Some manufacturers may recommend leaving them to reshape for up to 24 hours before sleeping on them.
Generally, memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses are the best for platform beds.
Platform beds usually feature a rigid, hard surface. A memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattress should offer enough comfort and support to ensure a person does not feel this hard surface underneath.
Choosing the right mattress for a person’s individual needs is a key factor in the comfort level of a platform bed, but mattress comfort is subjective.
Additionally, the platform’s solid surface helps the bed maintain its support levels and prevents sagging.
Platform beds also allow for more air flow beneath the bed than box springs. This can help keep the bed at a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Mattresses can slide off platform beds. Unlike traditional bed frames with rails or a box spring, platform beds have a flat, often frictionless, surface. This can make it easy for the mattress to slide off.
A metal or smooth wood platform can increase the likelihood of the mattress sliding off the bed. People can use grippers or choose a platform bed frame with rails or an edge to keep their mattress in place.
Choosing the best mattress for a slatted bed depends on the sturdiness of the bed and the amount of spacing between the slats.
Sprung mattresses tend to maintain rigidity and can, therefore, cope with larger gaps between the slats. Conversely, memory foam mattresses can be less rigid, so they may require smaller spaces between slats and a sturdy bed frame to stay supportive.
Latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses lie somewhere in the middle.
With National Cleaning Week around the corner, many people are considering refreshing their bedrooms and guest rooms with new mattresses or bed frames. Platform beds offer those who sleep in small bedrooms a space-saving alternative due to their built-in storage capabilities.
Platform beds are suitable for latex, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses. Ultimately, the best mattress for platform bed sleeping will be the mattress that meets someone’s physical needs. They also need to be suitable for an individual’s budget.
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