Conventional wisdom has it that the thicker the mattress is, the more comfortable it will be. While a thicker mattress will almost certainly cost you more money, you might be surprised at the comfort and support you will find in an 8-inch thick mattress.
When shopping for a new mattress there are many things to consider, including the mattress height. The average mattress thickness for a residential mattress is 8 to 14 inches thick. A mattress that is 9 inches thick falls at the lower end of this range, making it a great height to choose if you are looking for a slightly lower-profile bed. 8-inch mattresses can also have all the features you would expect from a thicker mattress, while costing considerably less than something like a 12-inch mattress.
If you are in the market for a 8-inch mattress, feel free to contact us! We make high-quality, affordable mattresses in just about every shape and size, including 8-inch heights! We are confident we can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
The Best 8 Inch Thick Mattress Options
MattressInsider sells a wide range of 8-inch thick mattresses to meet a variety of specialized needs. Some of our most popular 8-inch mattresses include:
8" Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress II
8” Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress II
The 8” Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress II is constructed for those in search of heavy-duty support, and as such it is a great option for those suffering from back pain. It is 100% made in the USA, and can be custom built to fit most truck bed areas.
8" Luxury Gel Foam Mattress w/ Organic Cotton
8” Luxury Gel Foam Mattress w/Organic Cotton
The 8” Luxury Gel Foam Mattress w/Organic Cotton offers both contouring for pressure point relief, and support for proper spine alignment when you sleep. This mattress is available in both 8-inch and 11.5-inch thicknesses, and can be custom built to any size or shape you wish.
How An 8-Inch Thick Mattress Compares To Other Mattress Heights
Mattresses are available in a variety of thicknesses, and are often grouped in categories such as low profile (2-5 inches thick), slim (6-7 inches thick), and standard (8-14 inches thick). The 8-inch mattresses that we are looking at here are at the low end of the average mattress thickness. As such, 8-inch mattresses will be lighter, thinner, and less expensive than thicker standard mattresses, even ones just an inch or two thicker. They will also typically be more comfortable than thinner low profile and slim mattresses.
Types of 8-Inch Thick Mattresses
Much like thicker standard mattresses, 8-inch mattresses sell in a variety of different types. Whether memory foam or hybrid, latex or innerspring, these different types of 8-inch mattresses are made from a variety of materials that can provide various levels of support and comfort. As such, you should give careful consideration to a mattress’s type before purchasing one.
Some of the more common 8-inch mattress types include:
- Memory foam. Memory foam mattresses are popular and common, particularly if you are shopping for an 8-inch mattress. These mattresses are a great option for those in search of pressure relief for areas like the hips and joints. Memory foam mattresses are also durable and hypoallergenic. Some memory foam mattresses can sleep hotter than other types of mattresses, so be sure to go with one with a cooling gel layer or other cooling features if this is a primary consideration.
- Latex. Latex can be made from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a combination of the two. One area where this type of mattress excels is in cool sleeping. In the 8-inch thickness size, latex mattresses typically run medium-firm, meaning you will have both support and comfort in your mattress.
- Innerspring. The most common mattress type, an 8-inch innerspring mattress typically provides good support. Thanks to its coil system, it also breathes well, leading to a cooler sleep surface.
- Hybrid. A hybrid mattress combines coils with other layers (typically foam), providing you with the best of multiple mattress types. This combo provides you with both good support due to the coils, and pressure point relief due to the comfort layers. Because it incorporates so many different layers/elements, a hybrid mattress may be harder to find in an 8-inch thickness than other mattress types.
Benefits Of Sleeping On An 8-Inch Thick Mattress
The benefits of going with an 8-inch thick mattress are many, but a few that sleepers most often cite include:
- 8 inches leaves enough room for support foam and comfort layers. While one of these mattresses is often comfortable enough for most sleepers, it can easily be made more so through the addition of comfortable toppers (more on this in a bit).
- Easier to get in and out of bed. Whether you have mobility issues or are shorter in stature, an 8-inch mattress can be much easier to use than a thicker mattress. This is particularly true if you couple it with something like a platform bed.
- A thin but medium-firm mattress can provide pressure point relief and pain reduction. This is especially true if it is made from something like layers of memory foam.
- An 8-inch mattress offers superior spine support compared to thicker mattresses. A thinner mattress with more support will help to prevent misalignment of the spine, which can lead to less back pain upon waking.
- These mattresses can provide excellent temperature regulation. You can realize an even cooler sleeping experience if you go with a mattress that incorporates a cooling layer, or something like springs.
Can An 8-Inch Thick Mattress Accomodate A Heavy Sleeper?
Thinner mattresses such as 8-inch thick ones are generally not the best option for heavier sleepers, as they do not provide enough support for the sleeper. Sleepers over 225 lbs. will usually be more comfortable on a thicker – 10 to 12-inches or more – mattress. That said, an 8-inch mattress that is made from a firmer material such as innersprings or even a firmer hybrid may provide enough support for a heavier sleeper. Going with something like a platform bed can also improve the amount of support capable with a thinner mattress.
What To Look For In An 8 Inch Mattress
Required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a mattress warranty is one of the best tools you have available to you when you are in the market for any type of mattress, including one that is 8 inches thick. Warranties typically cover a mattress in the event that it fails either structurally or due to defects, and will generally cover a range of anywhere from 10 years up to 20 years or more. Since manufacturers aren’t in the business of losing money, however long they give you for a warranty, this is at least how long they expect their mattress to last for. Bottom line: the longer the warranty, the longer your mattress will last. As such, a longer warranty should always be a primary consideration when shopping for a mattress.
Some particular warranty types and related issues you should be aware of here include:
- Extended Warranties. Extended warranties are pretty simple on the surface: you pay an extra cost, and you receive a longer warranty. But when it comes to something like an 8-inch mattress, are they worth it? While it mostly adds to the length of the existing warranty, an extended warranty can also offer advanced levels of protection that you might be interested in. If the existing warranty is for a shorter number of years – say, under 10 – extending the warranty may be a viable option. Carefully read what the extended warranty includes (and doesn’t) before you decide whether it will meet your needs and is worth the added expense.
- Return Policies. One area of a warranty that buyers often neglect to look into is the return policy. Your mattress may be covered under your warranty, but do you know how to go about taking advantage of it? When buying a mattress, you should not only carefully read over the text of the warranty, but also pay special attention to who you have to contact to begin the return process, how shipping works (and who pays for it), and any other return policies that you are unclear on.
- Sleep Trials. Separate from a warranty is a sleep trial, sort of a “try before you buy” period where you can sleep on the mattress to determine if it works for you. The length of sleep trials can be measured in weeks, months, or even years, and like a warranty, the longer it is, the better for you it is. As with a warranty, you should also take note of what the sleep trial return policy is, including who pays for shipping.
Price Options For 8-Inch Thick Mattresses
As they are thinner and use less material, 8-inch thick mattresses in general tend to be less expensive than thicker mattresses, making them a viable option for those on a budget. Even so, they can range considerably in price, and what you can expect in a mattress at various price points can also vary. With that said,
What Manufacturers Should Tell You About Your Mattress
When shopping for an 8-inch thick mattress, one factor that you will want to take into consideration is the manufacturer that you are buying the mattress from. There are now a wide range of manufacturers that sell mattresses both online and offline, and the sheer number of options available to you can often seem overwhelming.
While you may save a few dollars with a lesser-known brand of mattress, a more established manufacturer may provide better service and be more forthcoming about elements of their business that you may wish to take into account. Some things you should focus on when considering a manufacturer include:
Factory Location
Does a company manufacture their own mattresses, or do they outsource them? While many mattresses are now manufactured in the USA, others will be made in countries like China. If knowing where your mattress comes from is a primary consideration, be sure to ask.
Material Sourcing
A mattress may be made in the USA, but are all the elements that go into it also produced in the USA? Foam, springs, fabrics, and other mattress parts all have to come from somewhere. Again, if this is a primary consideration for you, do your research and know where the manufacturer is getting the materials that go into their mattresses.
Flammability Standards
In effect since July 1, 2007, Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1633 (or simply 16 CFR 1633) is the official federal flammability standard that all mattresses and mattress pads sold in the United States must meet. Every mattress type that a company produces must be put through a 30-minute flammability test. If it passes, it is certified and earns a label stating so. Be sure to check any mattress you buy to make sure it has this label.
Can You Customize An 8-Inch Mattress?
8-inch thick mattresses are a great option for a wide range of less-traditional bed types which often come in odd sizes, and even odd shapes! MattressInsider can not only custom build an 8-inch thick mattress to your specifications, but also supply you with toppers, sheets, and other accessories to match it. Visit our Custom Mattress section for more information on how this process works.
Adding Accessories To Your 8-Inch Mattress
Accessories are a way to take a good mattress and make it great. Accessories can be used to add comfort, help support areas like your head and neck, and protect your mattress from, well, you. Some of the more common mattress accessories include:
- Mattress Covers. While they can add a thin layer of comfort, most mattress covers are used to protect the mattress from spills and bacteria buildup.
- Mattress Toppers. Toppers are a great way to add a layer of comfort – and sometimes support – to a mattress. If you find yourself laying on your mattress and thinking, “I wish it was just a little more…”, then a topper may be the right accessory for you. Be careful when adding a topper to something like an RV, though, as it can add several inches to the thickness of the mattress.
- Sheets And Bed Linens. We shed skin, dirt, and bacteria throughout the night when we sleep, and accessories such as sheets and other linens can help to protect not only a mattress from all this, but also help to keep blankets cleaner for longer. A clean pair of sheets can also add to your comfort level and help you achieve a good night’s sleep.
- Pillows. Pillows obviously add an element of comfort to your bed, but they will also provide essential support for your head and neck. This can help to minimize stress, and help to keep your spine aligned.
Get The Right 8-Inch Thick Mattress For Your Needs
An 8-inch thick mattress can be a great option for a wide range of sleepers and bed types. They can be a godsend for those who have trouble getting on and off a thicker mattress, and can be accessorized with something like a topper for those looking for just a little more comfort or support. 8-inch thick mattresses can save you money, and are really the mattress of choice for a wide range of specialized beds.
Shopping for a new mattress can be difficult. With so many options available, it is easy to become overwhelmed. We’re here to help! If you would like advice or have any questions, feel free to contact us!
