When you’ve decided it’s time for a new mattress, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions to ensure you get the best one for your needs. The most crucial choice you’ll need to make is the kind of mattress you want.
This article will provide information on the most popular mattress types, outline their key characteristics, and help you choose the ideal one.
What Are the Different Types of Mattresses?
Innerspring Mattresses
The metal support coils that form the bed’s core give an innerspring mattress its name. When comparing innerspring mattresses, it’s best to consider the type of coil inside because different coil constructions affect how the mattress feels, how long it lasts, and how much it costs. Innerspring mattresses are ideal for hot sleepers due to their breathability and good airflow.
Memory Foam Mattresses
A memory foam mattress is made of viscoelastic foam, a type of high-density polyurethane foam. Memory foam softens in response to heat and pressure, creating the body-hugging sensation many sleepers prefer.
Memory foam mattresses are popular because they accommodate various sleeping positions, particularly side and back sleepers. People with joint pain or needing more spinal support will find them particularly comfortable.
Latex Mattresses
A true latex mattress is made entirely of natural latex derived from rubber tree sap. Natural latex mattresses are highly durable, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, sleep cool, and suitable for people with allergies.
Synthetic latex mattresses are less expensive than natural ones but not as durable. Latex mattresses suit various sleep styles but are especially well suited to side sleepers.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress is a mattress made of more than one material. The term is most commonly associated with innerspring mattresses that include a coil support system and another material like memory foam or latex.
A hybrid bed’s appeal stems from traditional coil support and the contouring comfort of memory foam or latex. People who prefer to sleep on their sides or backs prefer hybrid mattresses.
Adjustable Firmness Mattresses
Adjustable firmness mattresses have some of the best features of all mattress types. To achieve your desired comfort level, their individual air chambers can be inflated or deflated using an electric pump.
Firmness can be easily adjusted using a remote or an app. With adjustable mattresses, people typically don’t sleep too hot. They also absorb motion transfer and allow different firmness levels on each side of the bed.
What Is the Best Mattress Type?
No mattress type is inherently superior to another. It all comes down to personal taste. However, certain sleeping styles may be better suited to certain mattress types:
- Consider an innerspring mattress if you sleep on your stomach or back, have lower back pain, or are heavy-built.
- Memory foam mattresses are often the best option for side sleepers and those suffering from joint pain.
- A hybrid mattress may be ideal for couples with varying firmness preferences.
- Latex mattresses provide the same pressure relief as foam mattresses but without the sinking sensation.
- Adjustable firmness mattresses offer the most flexibility and comfort, with separate air chambers allowing for different firmness levels for bed partners with different preferences.
