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What Are the Different Types of Mattresses?
With so many different types of mattresses on the market, how do you pick the best one? Follow along as we explain popular types of mattresses and how they suit different sleep styles — whether you are a back sleeper, a side sleeper, a stomach sleeper, or a combination sleeper.
The most popular types of mattresses are made of innerspring, foam, hybrid, and latex, with each offering advantages and disadvantages.
Innerspring Mattress
Innerspring mattresses are the most traditional and widely available type of mattress. They consist of a layer of metal coils that provide support and bounce, and a layer of padding or foam for comfort and cushioning.
Innerspring mattresses are suitable for back sleepers, as they offer firmness and support for the lower back. Innerspring mattresses are also known for keeping you cool throughout the night thanks to good airflow between the coils.
However, innerspring mattresses are not recommended for light sleepers since they can be noisy and are prone to motion transfer — meaning you may be jostled awake when your partner gets in and out of bed.
Innerspring mattresses are suitable for back sleepers, as they offer firmness and support for the lower back. Innerspring mattresses are also known for keeping you cool throughout the night thanks to good airflow between the coils.
However, innerspring mattresses are not recommended for light sleepers since they can be noisy and are prone to motion transfer — meaning you may be jostled awake when your partner gets in and out of bed.
Different Types of Innerspring Mattresses
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Bonnell coils
An hourglass-shaped coil that is considered standard. While durable and supportive, it’s also known to aggravate pressure points.
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Offset coils
An hourglass-shaped coil that’s stiff, durable, yet still conforms to the body.
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Pocket coils
Individually fabric-wrapped coils that are more durable and expensive than other types of coils.
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Continuous coils
S-shape coil that offers the most support and least motion transfer.
Pros & Cons
Innerspring Mattress Pros:
- Firm support and bounce
- Least expensive mattress type
- Cooling properties
- Least expensive mattress type
- Cooling properties
Foam Mattress Cons:
- Poor motion isolation and noisy
- Less durable than foam or hybrid
- Needs box spring mattress
- Less durable than foam or hybrid
- Needs box spring mattress
Foam Mattress
Foam mattresses are made of a high-density foam composition that conforms to your body shape and weight, creating a custom fit for every sleeper.
Soft and energy absorbent, foam mattresses are great at reducing motion — a great feature for dual sleepers. Also, they’re ideal for side sleepers, as they help align spine and provide pressure relief for the hips and shoulders.
However, foam mattresses are known to trap heat. If you’re looking for better temperature regulation, look for foam mattresses with cooling features, such as gel-infused foam or breathable covers.
Soft and energy absorbent, foam mattresses are great at reducing motion — a great feature for dual sleepers. Also, they’re ideal for side sleepers, as they help align spine and provide pressure relief for the hips and shoulders.
However, foam mattresses are known to trap heat. If you’re looking for better temperature regulation, look for foam mattresses with cooling features, such as gel-infused foam or breathable covers.
Different Types of Foam Mattresses
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Memory foam
Soft and ideal for motion isolation, memory foam has a polyurethane base synthesized with other materials.
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Polyurethane foam
A synthesized foam that is considered a standard base for many foam mattresses.
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Latex foam
Latex foam mattresses are manufactured from synthetic or natural latex and are hypoallergenic and easy to clean.
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Gel foam
Gel beads are infused into a memory foam material to help moderate the mattress temperature.
Pros & Cons
Foam Mattress Pros:
- Comfortably conforms to your body
- Reduces pressure points
- Motion isolation
- Hypoallergenic
- Reduces pressure points
- Motion isolation
- Hypoallergenic
Foam Mattress Cons:
- More expensive than innerspring
- Can retain heat
- Heavy and difficult to move
- Can retain heat
- Heavy and difficult to move
Hybrid Mattress
Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds: memory foam and innerspring. They have a layer of coils that provide support and bounce, plus a layer of foam that provides pressure relief and snug support that contours to your body.
Hybrid mattresses are versatile and can accommodate any sleep style, depending on the firmness and thickness of the foam layer. Hybrid mattresses can also offer a balance of temperature regulation, as the coils allow air circulation and the foam provides insulation.
However, hybrid mattresses can also be expensive, heavy, and hard to move.
Hybrid mattresses are versatile and can accommodate any sleep style, depending on the firmness and thickness of the foam layer. Hybrid mattresses can also offer a balance of temperature regulation, as the coils allow air circulation and the foam provides insulation.
However, hybrid mattresses can also be expensive, heavy, and hard to move.
Different Types of Hybrid Mattress
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Memory foam and innerspring coils
The most common pairing in hybrid mattresses, the memory foam works hugs your body and provides supreme comfort.
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Polyfoam and innerspring coils
Polyfoam conforms to your body and is great at offering pressure relief.
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Latex and innerspring coils
Latex hybrids are hypoallergenic and offer more bouncy support and airflow.
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Gel foam
Gel beads are infused into a memory foam material to help moderate the mattress temperature.
Pros & Cons
Hybrid Mattress Pros:
- Comfortably conforms to your body
- Reduces pressure points
- Motion isolation
- Cooling properties
- Reduces pressure points
- Motion isolation
- Cooling properties
Hybrid Mattress Cons:
- More expensive
- Memory foam may retain heat
- Heavy and difficult to move
- Memory foam may retain heat
- Heavy and difficult to move
Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic rubber that provides a bouncy and supportive surface for sleeping.
They are popular among people who suffer from allergies, back pain, or joint problems, as they are hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites and mold, and can conform to the body's shape and weight.
However, latex mattresses are typically more costly and heavier, making them difficult to move, flip, or rotate. Also, a new latex mattress may emit a strong and unpleasant odor that bothers people who are sensitive to smells.
They are popular among people who suffer from allergies, back pain, or joint problems, as they are hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites and mold, and can conform to the body's shape and weight.
However, latex mattresses are typically more costly and heavier, making them difficult to move, flip, or rotate. Also, a new latex mattress may emit a strong and unpleasant odor that bothers people who are sensitive to smells.
Different Types of Mattress
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Dunlop latex
Considered the most traditional type of natural latex used in mattresses, Dunlop latex is firm, dense, and durable.
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Talay latex
A newer form of natural latex production, Talay latex has a more pillowy, soft, and breathable feel that’s ideal for air circulation.
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Synthetic latex
A less durable and cheaper option to natural latex, synthetic latex is also available in a blend of natural and synthetic latex.
Pros & Cons
Latex Mattress Pros:
- Comfortably conforms to your body
- Hypoallergenic
- Cooling properties
- Durable
- Hypoallergenic
- Cooling properties
- Durable
Latex Mattress Cons:
- More expensive
- Heavy and difficult to move
- Allergies to latex
- Heavy and difficult to move
- Allergies to latex
Mattresses aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for your next mattress.
1.
Sleep position
Side sleepers: Foam or latex mattress are recommended. ft and ideal for motion isolation, memory foam has a polyurethane base synthesized with other materials.
Stomach sleepers: Hybrid or foam mattress are recommended.
Back sleepers: Innerspring mattress is recommended.
Combination sleepers: Hybrid or latex mattress are recommended.
Stomach sleepers: Hybrid or foam mattress are recommended.
Back sleepers: Innerspring mattress is recommended.
Combination sleepers: Hybrid or latex mattress are recommended.
2.
Budget
High: Hybrid mattress, with an average price of $1,000–$3,000
Medium: Foam mattress, with an average price of $800–$2,500
Low: Innerspring mattress, with an average price of $500–$1,200
Medium: Foam mattress, with an average price of $800–$2,500
Low: Innerspring mattress, with an average price of $500–$1,200
3.
Firmness
Firm: Innerspring mattress for firm support
Medium: Hybrid mattress for a blend of soft support
Soft: Foam or latex mattress for moldable support
Medium: Hybrid mattress for a blend of soft support
Soft: Foam or latex mattress for moldable support
4.
Other key factors
Temperature: Innerspring mattresses encourage airflow, while foam may trap heat.
Motion isolation: Foam is the best in motion isolation, but hybrid beds can be a good option as well.
Durability: Innerspring mattresses tend to be the least durable, with an average lifespan of 5–8 years. Foam and hybrid beds tend to last longer.
Motion isolation: Foam is the best in motion isolation, but hybrid beds can be a good option as well.
Durability: Innerspring mattresses tend to be the least durable, with an average lifespan of 5–8 years. Foam and hybrid beds tend to last longer.
Choosing the right mattress for your sleep style can make a big difference in your sleep quality, health, and mood. With so many mattresses to choose from, let furniture.com help filter down the options and provide you with the perfect choice. Remember, a good mattress is an investment in your well-being, so don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
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