Buying a mattress is one of those important decisions you have to live with for a long time, so you want to make sure you choose right when you do.

Consumers have a variety of features to choose from: soft or firm, memory foam or springs. There isn’t one right choice for what’s best.

Felix Menendez with Famous Tate Appliance and Bedding Center in South Tampa walked us through some of the most popular features. He says spring mattresses are most popular. Look for heavier coil for better support and individually wrapped springs for motion stability.

The other big seller is memory foam. It’s more durable and helps to relieve pressure points.

“When I release, it’s gonna come back to the same position every time,” Menendez said, while pressing down on the memory foam, then letting go.

“It’s gonna be a solid core foam that’s supporting your back and increasing your spinal alignment,” he said.

People used to say memory foam slept hot, but Menendez says manufacturer changes have made it more breathable now.

You might think ‘firm’ means better support, but too often, once they have it at home, customers find it uncomfortable.

“Unfortunately, a lot of very firm mattresses are the first beds to get returned to us,” Menendez said.

It’s recommended you replace your mattress every 8 to 10 years, to avoid the build up of perspiration, skin cells and bed mites, which can double the weight of your mattress over a decade.

For a good queen-size mattress at a good price, expect to pay about a $1,000. Also be sure to ask for a comfort guarantee. A good reputable store will give you 30 even 60 days to, literally, sleep on it, to make sure you made the right choice.

To help your mattress last longer, it’s a good idea to turn it - from top to bottom - every few months.

Innerspring vs. Memory Foam

Click here for a point-by-point review of different mattress features for Innerspring vs. Memory Foam, by Consumer Mattress Reports.