What to Look for When Choosing a Waterbed
If you're in the market for a new bed, and especially if you have back or joint problems, you might consider a waterbed. Waterbeds offer more reliable support than a spring mattress, as those coils and springs eventually wear out and become lumpy and uncomfortable. Waterbeds can also be more hygienic, as a standard coil mattress may hold lots of dust, dirt, shed hair, dead skin cells and the like, which can't always be removed with a standard household vacuum cleaner and hose attachment.
It's good to note that waterbeds are not just large rubber mattresses or sacs full of water, but will have various controls and other such features, for a better night's sleep. To ensure you find the right waterbed for yourself, note a few of those features here.
Waveless rating
Waterbeds are not typically just one large sac, as said, but will often be made with various channels or pockets inside that outer mattress. The size of these pockets, and their overall construction, will help control the motion of the water when you move around in your sleep. The more that those pockets keep the water from moving around, the higher the waveless rating of the mattress. Also, the higher the waveless rating, the firmer the mattress will feel under you. If you tend to prefer a firmer mattress, and know that you toss and turn often in your sleep, choose a high waveless rating, so that the water in the mattress stays in one spot throughout the night.
Firmness
Today's waterbeds will have thick layers of fibrous covers over the actual bed itself. The thicker each layer, and the more layers added, the firmer it will be. Choose a firmness according to your own comfort levels and even your overall size, as a larger and heavier person may need a firmer mattress for added support and comfort.
Heater
Don't underestimate the need for a heater in your waterbed, and especially if you live in a colder climate, as the water in a waterbed can get quite chilly in wintertime. A heater in your waterbed can also mean added heat on your back or sides while you sleep, and this can make you more comfortable, even increasing blood flow to your muscles and joints. An added heater may be more expensive, but it can be worth that extra cost, as it often means a better night's sleep in your new waterbed.