Have you thought about buying a waterbed? While they may still carry some of the sexual connotation of the 1960's, for many people a waterbed provides unparalleled comfort. These innovative creations are quite different from the average mattress, with significant advantages and disadvantages. You'd be wise to at least contemplate a waterbed for your next bedroom purchase. Here is a basic primer on what to expect when you begin your shopping.

Modern waterbeds consist of a number of chambers, as opposed to traditional models that only held one. The advantage of separating the water into several chambers is the reduction of the “wave” effect. After the natural state of the water was disturbed, these single chamber waterbeds took at least a few seconds to return to normal. This problem has largely been solved with the introduction of multiple chambers.

The other key characteristic of a waterbed is the ability to heat the entire surface. With the temperature being controlled by a thermostat, the user can set the bed to the specific degree that he or she desires. The most common temperature is 86 degrees (the average temperature of human skin). This feature is especially useful in the dead of winter. Many people save money on their heating bills by jacking up the temperature of their waterbed while lowering the thermostat responsible for controlling the heat of the entire house. Doctors also agree that sleeping on a warmer surface lowers a person's blood pressure, while also aiding in muscle relaxation.

Though to some degree comfort is a subjective matter of taste and opinion, many users find that waterbeds are significantly more comfortable than normal mattresses. To a large degree, this is due to the fact that they take pressure off of the spine, because the entire body rests on the mattress rather than simply the spinal cord. That's why some doctors recommend the purchase of a waterbed to their patients with arthritis or other bone problems.

At the same time, there are some disadvantages directly linked to what makes waterbeds so great. For one thing, heating a waterbed doesn't come cheaply: depending on climate (among other things), a waterbed can use more than 1000 kWh per year. To be sure, this should be weighed against the prospect of heating an entire home while sleeping, which may be unnecessary when sleeping in a waterbed.

Another thing to think about is assembly and disassembly. Whereas with a normal mattress you simply lug it up the stairs and place it in the desired spot, in contrast a waterbed requires a significant amount of time to fill, especially if you're far from the nearest water source. Looked at from another angle, this could be an advantage, however. Before filling, your new bed will be very easy to transport. Make sure that you consult with the person who built your house, however, because some second stories cannot support a waterbed.

Buying a mattress is an important decision. After all, you spend almost half your time in bed! Next time you're in the market, give a waterbed a shot. It may change your life!