---
title: "Buy your first mattress — Learning Path | BedGuide"
description: "Type, support, feel, size, base and warranty — in a clear order."
url: "https://bedguide.co.uk/learn/first-mattress/"
---

Learning path · 12 steps · about 70 min

#  Buy your first mattress
 Type, support, feel, size, base and warranty — in a clear order.

 For: First-time buyers and replacers

-  [01    Before you buy — checklist  Size, base, access, trial and disposal first
About 6 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/before-you-buy-a-mattress/)
-  [02    See the main mattress types  Pocket sprung, foam, latex, hybrid, open coil
About 5 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/mattress-types-overview/)
-  [03    What’s inside a mattress  Cover, comfort layers and support core
About 5 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/whats-inside-a-mattress/)
-  [04    Spring tension vs soft/medium/firm  Stop mixing up support and top feel
About 7 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/spring-tension-vs-comfort-feel/)
-  [05    Follow the five-step choose guide  Type → support → feel → size → base
About 10 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/how-to-choose-a-mattress/)
-  [06    Check UK sizes in centimetres  Single to Super King
About 4 min · Open guide →](/sizing/uk-standard-bed-sizes/)
-  [07    Match the base to the mattress  Slats, divans and warranty gaps
About 4 min · Open guide →](/care/mattress-base-compatibility/)
-  [08    Understand the warranty  Trials vs cover, exclusions and proof
About 7 min · Open guide →](/care/mattress-warranty-explained/)
-  [09    Refunds and return rights  Faults, cooling-off and shop change of mind
About 8 min · Open guide →](/care/uk-bed-refund-and-return-rights/)
-  [10    Questions for the shop (or product page)  Construction facts and small print
About 4 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/questions-to-ask-in-a-bed-shop/)
-  [11    How to try a mattress in a shop  Ten-minute lie-down, not a night
About 5 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/how-to-try-a-mattress-in-a-shop/)
-  [12    Split tension vs zip-and-link  One unit or two, for different needs
About 5 min · Open guide →](/mattresses/split-tension-and-dual-firmness/)

##
You’re ready when…

- You can name the mattress type you want and why
- You know UK size in centimetres, not only a shop name
- You know what base and slat gap your warranty needs
- You know what a warranty will not cover (comfort dislike)
- You can split a fault claim from a change-of-mind return
- You have a plan for delivery access and the old mattress

##
Common mistakes

- Choosing only by soft/medium/firm without checking support
- Ignoring slat gaps that can void cover
- Treating a sleep trial as if it were a long warranty
- Trusting a matching quiz without checking construction facts

  [Start step 1 →](/mattresses/before-you-buy-a-mattress/)

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Source: https://bedguide.co.uk/learn/first-mattress/ · BedGuide — educational encyclopedia, no affiliate commission. See https://bedguide.co.uk/editorial-policy · Report an error: https://bedguide.co.uk/corrections.