Waterbed Buying Guide

Waterbeds become popular in the 1970s, and to many people they are a symbol of the times of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Though their popularity dramatically declined to the point today where waterbeds and accessories are sold almost exclusively online. However, new wave of waterbed technologies that increase the health benefits and ease of use have hastened resurgence recently,

Benefits

Waterbeds have perhaps the most loyal customers of any mattress style. The reason for this is that the waterbed experience is a very unique one, but also because they offer tremendous support and pressure relief.

What are the 2 Types of Waterbeds?

Waterbeds are available in two types: Hard-Sided and Soft-Sided Waterbeds. A hardsided waterbed is essentially a bladder of water within a wooden box that acts as the foundation and bed frame in one. A soft-sided waterbed has the appearance of a traditional mattress, and carries a smaller water bladder within a fabric covering.

The main difference is one of feel and motion. A hard-sided waterbed has more motion within it, and has a very unique feeling due to lying directly on the water bladder.

The soft-sided water bed normally has a layer of quilting (memory foam, latex foam, or fiber filling) sitting between the water bladder and your body, which creates a feeling much closer to a standard bed; there is also much less motion within the bed.

Both beds are available with water bladders that allow various levels of water transfer / wavelessness. The most simple water bladder is essentially a bag of water. This is what most people think of when they hear someone refer to “waterbed”. Today there are many waterbed bladder designs that are waveless and semi-waveless; these reduce the “wavy” feeling of a waterbed.

Where to Buy?

Waterbed stores used to be located in every major city, and were nearly as common as traditional mattress stores. In the early 1990s these started to dissipate, to the point today where there are only a few of them in the entire United States. Fortunately, there are many online stores in which you can purchase waterbeds today.

We like SelectWaterBeds.com due to the company’s attention to detail used in specialty foams, comfort materials, and cover selection. Many of the company’s out there are using cheap materials in the construction of their soft-side waterbeds, so do your homework before purchasing one.