Throughout history, mattresses have been designed and manufactured using a variety of raw materials. The earliest mattresses were filled with common natural materials such as dry leaves, straw, animal hair, or bird feathers. Today, things have changed; the most common mattresses on the market contain pocket springs, latex, and polyurethane. The classic mattress found in any specialty online store consists of two parts: the outer layer—the cover, or the actual casing—and the filling, which consists of the core, the inner layer, and other components depending on the materials used.
Criteria for Determining Mattress Quality
The purpose of a mattress is to provide the best possible support for the sleeper during rest. To achieve this result—which defines the quality of the mattress—what matters most is the level of comfort the mattress provides to its user. The characteristics to consider are its durability over time, pressure distribution, hygiene, and the microclimate it creates against the skin. Therefore, when trying to determine which mattress is best, its resistance to wear and tear is a key factor. A mattress that wears out quickly will lose its original properties, thereby affecting the user’s sleep quality. Beyond the initial quality of the product, the user must also play a role in maintaining it—in most cases, periodically rotating the mattress helps prevent sagging and excessive wear.
Single or Double: Choosing the Best Mattress Is Up to You
Of course, there are different schools of thought regarding the choice between a single bed and a double bed. But for now, let’s just say that it’s all a matter of habit. Most of us grow up in a single bed in our own bedroom. However, some people, as soon as they become teenagers, switch to a larger bed. Once they reach adulthood, for many people, dating members of the opposite sex and their first experiences as a couple mark the transition to a double bed.
Every decision regarding sleep is driven by personal preference, but also by the dynamics between people. A somewhat unusual example? These are rare cases, but we can assure you that there are close-knit couples who sleep lovingly in separate single beds in the same room. Just as there are fortunate couples who have double beds—one for each of them—in separate rooms.
It all comes down to knowing how to organize yourself well, while considering all the options available. Smaller double beds (120 x 190 cm) are slightly larger than a single bed (90 x 190 cm). Therefore, they are ideal for one person of average to larger build or two smaller people.
However, those accustomed to sleeping in a single bed of the right size often appreciate the ability to quickly find a comfortable sleeping position without tossing and turning too much. In any case, habit takes precedence—provided it fits well with the room and the space allocated for the sleeping area.
Choosing a Single Mattress Based on Size
Even before choosing the material, for many people the main selection criterion has to do with the size of the single mattress. In many cases, we’re dealing with an existing bed frame, so we need to make sure the new single mattress fits. That’s why there are standard sizes that vary depending on the market.
In Europe, there are several variations, but there are also some standards. If you will, Europe offers more choices than other continents.
In the specific case of Italy, beds—which must be paired with a mattress of the correct size—are classified based on “piazze,” which simply refer to the number of sleeping spaces. Thus, we have single-piazza beds, one-and-a-half-piazza beds, French one-and-a-half-piazza beds, and double-piazza beds.
A single mattress is the type you buy for single beds.
The Dimensions of a Single Mattress
In Italy, you can buy a standard-size single mattress, which measures 80x190 cm. However, this is not the only option available to buyers. There are at least three other sizes on the market, for a total of four:
- 80×190 cm
- 80×200 cm
- 90×190 cm
- 90×200 cm
The choice depends not only on a person’s height, but also on their build. It’s possible that for one person, the best single mattress is 85 x 190 cm, but for another, the best mattress is 80 x 195 cm.
There are many possible combinations, even more so when you add a third dimension and consider the thickness of the mattress. This is determined by several factors, including the internal padding and the cover. Height—or thickness—is not the only factor that determines the mattress’s ergonomic performance. In fact, you must always take into account the density (kg/m³) of the material.
Online, you’ll find conflicting opinions about the optimal thickness of a mattress. Kipli’s 100% natural latex single mattresses are 20 cm thick and provide reliable comfort, thanks to the support offered by both sides of the mattress—the softer side and the firmer side.
The Children's Mattress
Particularly attentive parents wonder what the best mattress is for their children. The unique challenge faced by this group of single-bed mattress users—parents—stems from the fact that children are constantly growing. As a result, their weight and height change rapidly, making it difficult to predict how much space they’ll need just a few months from now.
When choosing the best single bed for your child, we can’t assume that children sleep anywhere and anyhow—that they’ll just adapt to sleeping wherever they happen to be, in any environment. The truth is that they spend most of their time in their own bed anyway, and it must be able to support their spine in the best possible way—precisely because it’s still developing.
When it comes to the dimensions of a children’s single mattress, we must be precise. While it’s acceptable for an adult mattress to protrude slightly beyond the bed frame, this must never happen when purchasing the best mattress for children. If the mattress doesn’t fit perfectly within the bed frame, it could lead to very dangerous and unpleasant situations that put children’s safety at risk.
The standard sizes for this type of product range from 60x120 cm to 80x160 cm, including 70x140 cm. Otherwise, they fall under adult sizes, which are generally purchased for children seven years of age and older. Finally, a word about the thickness of the best children’s mattress, which should be around 10–15 cm.
The Best Mattress for Pregnant Women
When trying to figure out what makes a good mattress for pregnant women, one obvious issue to avoid is stiffness. Due to their condition, expectant mothers’ spines are constantly under stress from the weight of their bellies. In addition, their range of movement at night is more limited than usual.
In most cases, a pregnant woman does not sleep alone but with her partner, which can lead to additional issues related to sleep independence. Therefore, when choosing a double bed, consider one of the more spacious models, such as 180x190 cm or 170x200 cm. In other cases, a 90x200 cm single mattress may be a better choice. It provides comfortable support and allows for easier movement.
How to Determine the Dimensions of a Single Mattress
Industry experts recommend purchasing a mattress that is at least 15 cm longer than the height of the person who will be sleeping on it. However, there is a 5 cm margin of error—which means that, for a person who is 180 cm tall, the ideal mattress should be at least 190–195 cm long. It should be noted that there are cases that may be considered special, but when it comes to buying a standard mattress, the length of the best single mattresses on the market tops out at 200 cm, which still allows plenty of room to move for those taller than 185 cm.
Adapting to a mattress that’s too small means having to try to position yourself diagonally so your feet don’t end up hanging off the edge of the bed. It means living with a certain amount of anxiety and a great deal of discomfort because of what is likely one of the most fundamental aspects of our daily lives. A bed should allow you to rest and recharge—its purpose must never be compromised.
What's different when it comes to mattresses for older adults?
Another factor to consider is the overall height of the bed, which is especially important when shopping for the best mattress for seniors.
In this case, a lot also depends on the bed frame. The combined height of the frame and mattress must allow the elderly person to get up and lie down easily, without having to exert too much physical effort. When seated, the feet should rest flat on the floor, and the knee should be at the same height as the thigh, forming a 90° angle.
For older adults who spend a great deal of time in bed—especially if they are recovering from an illness or have debilitating conditions—there are products designed to prevent pressure sores. To prevent the well-known sores caused by immobility, the mattress must ensure proper weight distribution to help prevent joint pain.
In conclusion
It seems clear that, when choosing the best single mattress, size matters. The more room you have to move around, the better.
The reason smaller mattresses are available has to do with the bed’s structure and how much space you have in the room. If you’re dealing with a small bedroom, a mattress that’s too bulky could take up too much space, so a compromise is almost always necessary.
When it comes to body weight, rather than focusing on the mattress size, it’s more important to consider the type of material it’s made of.
The mattress must provide proper support, which means evaluating its characteristics. For those who weigh less, a single mattress that fits perfectly—and thus offers a more enveloping feel—is a good choice, but as weight increases, so too must the mattress’s firmness. This means that for a particularly tall person—and, consequently, one who is statistically heavier—the best single mattress will be a 90x200 cm model made of natural latex, which offers optimal support. Meanwhile, a short, slim person should opt for a smaller single mattress, such as an 80x190 cm Kipli model, used on its softer side, with medium firmness.