Buying a mattress is a major decision. After all, it affects how well you sleep, how you feel during the day, and how supported your body is night after night. Whether you are shopping in Wichita, Goddard, Maize, Andover, Augusta, Haysville, Derby, or another nearby community or small Kansas town, the right mattress should fit your comfort needs, lifestyle, space, and budget. That’s why we created this mattress buying guide to help you during the mattress-shopping process. And we know it is a process!
At Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop, shoppers can explore a diverse mattress and furniture selection in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. Our knowledgeable, non-commissioned team is here to help you compare options and make a confident decision, not push you toward the most expensive choice.
1. Set a Realistic Mattress Budget
Start by deciding what investing in your sleep is worth to you. A realistic mattress budget starts with more than the mattress price alone. Think about the complete sleep setup, your preferred payment approach, and how long you expect the purchase to serve your household.
Start With Your Total Sleep-Setup Budget
First, decide on a total amount you are comfortable spending. Then divide it among the items you need.
Total Sleep Budget = Mattress + Foundation/Base + Frame + Protection + Delivery and/or Setup
For example, if your total budget is $1,500, you might plan for:
| Item | Sample budget |
|---|---|
| Mattress | $1,050 |
| Foundation or adjustable base | $250 |
| Mattress protector and pillows | $125 |
| Delivery and setup | $75 |
| Total | $1,500 |
Your numbers most likely will look different, and that is okay! If you already have a compatible bed frame or foundation, you may be able to devote more of your budget to the mattress itself. If you are furnishing a new bedroom, plan for all of the pieces you will need rather than focusing only on the mattress price.
Consider How Long You Expect to Use It
A mattress is not an everyday purchase, so it can help to think in terms of long-term value instead of only the upfront cost. Consider how many years you hope to use your mattress, how often it will be used, and whether you are buying for a primary bedroom, guest room, child’s room, or rental property.
For example, a mattress that costs $1,200 and is used for eight years works out to about $150 per year. That perspective can help you compare options while still staying within a budget that feels responsible for your household.
Factor In Comfort Needs Before Cutting Costs
It can be tempting to choose only by price, but support and comfort matter. A lower-priced mattress that does not fit your sleep position, firmness preference, or pressure-relief needs may not be a good value if it leaves you uncomfortable, or worse yet, in pain. Cutting costs just to save a few bucks now could have lasting effects on your overall health. Important Note: Keep reading – we’ve got some helpful financing options that may help you adjust your budget, knowing you don’t have to pay for the whole mattress purchase up front.
As you shop, decide which features are priorities for you, such as:
- Pressure relief for side sleeping
- Extra support for back or stomach sleeping
- Cooling materials for hot sleepers
- Reduced motion transfer for couples
- Compatibility with an adjustable base
- A specific size, such as queen, king, or California king
Choose the features that matter most, then compare mattresses within the amount you have set aside.
Decide What Payment Fits Your Household
After you know your total sleep-setup budget, decide whether you prefer to pay in full or spread approved purchases over time. Credit-based financing may allow qualified shoppers to make payments over longer terms instead of paying the full cost upfront.
When considering mattress financing, focus on the payment amount that comfortably fits your monthly household budget. Review the available terms, payment schedule, interest or promotional details, required down payment, and total cost before making a decision.
Crazy Jay’s Tip: The lowest-priced mattress is not always the best value if it does not give you the comfort and support you need. However, choosing the right sleep setup does not have to mean paying everything at once. Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop offers lease-to-own opitons and credit-based financing with longer payment terms for qualified shoppers. Visit our financing options page or ask one of our employees for more information.
2. Match Your Mattress to Your Sleep Position
Now that we’ve covered costs, let’s dig into the important details…
Your usual sleep position has a major impact on the type of mattress likely to feel most comfortable. Ideally, your mattress should help keep your spine aligned while reducing pressure in sensitive areas.
| Sleep position | What to look for | Typical firmness range |
|---|---|---|
| Side sleeper | Cushioning for shoulders and hips with pressure relief and contouring | Soft to medium |
| Back sleeper | Balanced support that keeps the lower back from sinking too far | Medium to medium-firm |
| Stomach sleeper | A supportive surface that helps keep hips from dropping | Medium-firm to firm |
| Combination sleeper | Responsive materials that make movement easier while providing balanced support | Medium to medium-firm |
If you sleep with a partner, shop together when possible. You may have different comfort preferences, and comparing mattresses in person can help you find a solution that works for both sleepers.
Crazy Jay’s Bonus: Lucky for you, we’ve got easy-to-access locations in East and West packed with mattress you can see, feel, and lay on in-person. No guessing about comfort here! And if you find one you love, you can take it home with you that day!
3. Understand Mattress Firmness
Firmness is not one-size-fits-all. What feels “firm” to one sleeper can feel “medium” or even soft to someone else, depending on body type, sleep position, and personal preference.
Use these categories as a starting point:
- Soft: More cushioning and contouring; often preferred by sleepers who want a plush feel.
- Medium-soft: Comfortable cushioning with somewhat more underlying support.
- Medium: A balanced feel that can work well for many couples and combination sleepers.
- Medium-firm: More supportive with less sink; often preferred by back and stomach sleepers.
- Firm: A flatter, more stable surface with minimal give.
Crazy Jay’s Tip: The best way to judge firmness is to lie on the mattress in your usual sleep position for several minutes. Do not rely only on the label or how the mattress feels when you sit on the edge.
4. Compare Mattress Materials
Mattress materials affect how the bed feels, responds to movement, manages heat, and relieves pressure. The right option depends on your preferences, not simply which material is most popular.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses use coils as their primary support system. They tend to feel responsive and are often a good choice for shoppers who prefer a traditional mattress feel and easier movement.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine coils with layers of foam, memory foam, latex-like materials, or other comfort materials. They can provide a useful balance of support, responsiveness, cushioning, and airflow.
Memory Foam
Memory foam contours around the body and can help minimize motion transfer. It is often a strong option for shoppers who prefer a more cradling feel or who share a bed with a partner.
All-Foam
All-foam mattresses may offer pressure relief and motion isolation in a range of comfort levels. Depending on the construction, they can feel plush, balanced, or supportive.
Pillow-Top and Plush Comfort Layers
Pillow-top and plush mattresses add extra cushioning near the surface. They may be a good fit if you like a softer initial feel while still wanting stable support underneath.
5. Select the Best Mattress Size
Choose a mattress size based on who will use it, how much room you want, the size of the bedroom, and whether you need space for children or pets.
| Mattress size | Best for |
|---|---|
| Twin | Children, teens, compact bedrooms, guest rooms |
| Twin XL | Taller teens, young adults, narrow spaces |
| Full | Single adults who want more width than a twin |
| Queen | Couples and single adults who want extra room |
| King | Couples who want maximum individual sleep space |
| California King | Taller sleepers who need more length |
Crazy Jay’s Tip: Before shopping, measure the room and account for nightstands, dressers, doors, and walking space. Also confirm that the mattress will fit your existing bed frame, foundation, or adjustable base.
6. Know How to Shop In-Store
Shopping in person lets you compare comfort levels in a way photos and product descriptions cannot. Give yourself enough time to try multiple options.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Lie down in the sleep position you use most often.
- Test each serious option for several minutes.
- Pay attention to support around your shoulders, hips, lower back, and neck.
- Change positions to see whether movement feels easy.
- If you share a bed, have your partner test it with you.
- Ask about matching foundations, adjustable bases, pillows, and protectors.
Crazy Jay’s Bonus: Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop offers a stress-free shopping environment with knowledgeable, non-commissioned staff. Our team is focused on helping you understand your options and find a mattress that fits your needs, not applying pressure to make a sale. You could spend all day in one of our stores walking around and it wouldn’t bother us a bit!
7. Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Use these questions to make your in-store visit more productive:
- Which mattress materials and firmness levels best fit my sleep position?
- Does this mattress provide enough support and pressure relief for me?
- How well does it reduce movement from a sleeping partner?
- Is this mattress a good choice for people who sleep warm?
- What kind of coil system, foam, or comfort layers does it include?
- Is it compatible with my current frame, foundation, or adjustable base?
- What mattress protector and pillow would pair well with it?
- What lease-to-own or credit-based financing options and longer payment terms are available?
- Do you offer delivery and setup, and if so, how much is it?
- What are the warranty and exchange details?
- Is this model available in the size and comfort level I need?
Shop Local at Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop
Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop proudly serves mattress shoppers throughout Wichita and surrounding communities, including Goddard, Maize, Andover, Augusta, Haysville, Derby, and nearby areas. Whether you are replacing a worn-out mattress, furnishing a new home, upgrading a primary bedroom, or creating a more comfortable guest room, our diverse selection gives you options to compare.
We stock products from trusted suppliers including Delta, Affordable Furniture, New Classic, Donco, Malouf, Jamison, MD Mattress, and Capital Bedding.
Looking for something that is not on the showroom floor? Ask about custom ordering from our catalog and wide selection of mattress vendors. We can often special order direct pieces of furniture from our manufacturers’ catalogs, helping you find a better fit for your home, style, and needs.
Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop is committed to the Wichita community. By partnering with local organizations, we provide furniture at low or no cost to many charities and foster homes. When you shop with us, you are supporting a local business that cares about helping area families and strengthening the community.
Visit Crazy Jay’s Sleep Shop for a more comfortable, informed, and pressure-free mattress-shopping experience.