A recent email from Allen, of Morristown, N.J., summed it up neatly: “Are latex mattresses worth the insanely high price tag?”
We get it. A rubber mattress? For more than $3,000? Sounds insane.
But the investment may actually be worth it.
For one thing, researchers in Italy discovered that people who snoozed on latex logged more hours of shuteye than those who conked out on the traditional coil-spring type of mattress.
According to Men’s Health advisor W. Christopher Winter, M.D., of the Sleep Medicine Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, latex mattresses may offer more comfort because you can mix and match softer and firmer layers.
They’re also built to last. “Theoretically, the [latex] mattress will never wear out, whereas if you purchase a traditional mattress, it will eventually need to be replaced.”
Finally, rubber isn't a very attractive environment for bacteria and dust mites, which means you’re bound to breathe easier at night—unless, of course, you’re allergic to latex.
Latex mattresses are not the only innovations in bedding. In fact, check out Should You Buy Your Next Mattress on the Internet? for helpful advice on the new styles and new business models around getting a good night’s sleep.
