Options for Replacing a Waterbed Mattress

Waterbed mattresses are made of durable vinyl materials that can withstand a lot of punishment; but nothing lasts forever. Eventually, they need to be replaced. A good waterbed mattress will last 10 to 15 years before it wears out or poses a leakage risk. When the time comes that yours needs replacement, or you just decide you can't use the waterbed anymore, there are several good options.

A Brand New Waterbed Mattress

You may love your waterbed and have no intention of ever sleeping any other way - that's great! So for you, shopping for a new waterbed mattress means looking over the new technologies that have sprung up in the years since you bought your bed. You'll need to think about free flow, semi-waveless, waveless, or ultra-waveless mattresses, as well as the type of waveless technology should you decide to go that route.

One thing that works in your financial favor is the fact that waterbed manufacturers are facing stiff competition from other sleep systems. That has kept prices pretty reasonable. It has also drawn manufacturers and retailers into including a lot of free incentives to purchasers. Today, you can get your brand new mattress along with a host of freebies like a fill and drain kit, a conditioner, the liner, and even free shipping.

Adjustable Air Mattresses

If you're looking for a replacement mattress because you no longer want to sleep on a waterbed, one of the strongest competitors to the waterbed mattress is the adjustable air mattress. With one of these there's no need to replace your foundation either. Peel away your waterbed mattress and all its accessories, and you're left with a platform; just what you need for an adjustable air mattress.

Modern adjustable air mattresses almost always come with a casing that looks and feels like a traditional coil spring model. The casing adds to the support, keeping the sides of the mattress from bulging and stretching. Just like waterbed mattresses, adjustable air mattresses come in single and dual models and are adjusted for firmness with the flip of a switch. One feature you will lose, unless you purchase an electric blanket, is the ability to adjust the temperature.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam is a relatively new player in the bedding industry, though the foam itself is not new. It was invented by NASA scientists for use in spacecraft decades ago. When they released the foam to the public domain in the 1980s, bedding manufacturers began the race to see who could make it work first. Memory foam mattresses hit the market in the 1990s and have enjoyed modest growth since.

Memory foam works on the principle of full body support regardless of the person using the bed. When one person leaves, the foam returns to its naturally expanded state until the next person lies down. All one needs for a memory foam mattress is a flat surface, so your waterbed foundation is perfect. Like adjustable air mattresses, you can purchase a memory foam mattress with a casing that looks and feels traditional.

Your choice of a waterbed replacement mattress, and being able to choose the best mattress for your money, will probably come down to a combination of comfort and price. Just remember one helpful tip if you find your current mattress uncomfortable: the value of a good night's sleep cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. Look for comfort first, price second. Your body will thank you every morning.