5 Types of Mattresses Explained (And How to Choose One)

Don’t lose sleep over choosing a new mattress. Our easy mattress buying guide explains the types of mattresses and helps you find your perfect match.

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Choosing a mattress shouldn’t feel like rocket science. This guide makes mattress buying easy. We’ll unpack the most popular mattress types, their features, and how to choose your perfect sleep companion.

Ready to turn restless nights into peaceful slumbers. Let’s dive right in!

What Are the Different Types of Mattresses?

Each mattress type has a unique personality, comfort levels, and benefits, from the buoyant innerspring to the plush memory foam. But which is right for you?

Don’t fret. We’ve stripped back the fluff to provide a clear, easy-to-understand breakdown of the five main mattress types.

1. Innerspring Mattress

An innerspring mattress is a traditional type with a steel coil support system. Known for its firmness and bounce, it offers excellent support and ventilation.

If you like that classic springy feel, these mattresses could be your perfect match.

Best For: Side and back sleepers, people with lower back pain, and restless sleepers.

The Pros:

• Great Support: The coil system provides solid, evenly-distributed support. Beneficial for those with back problems.
• Ventilation: The open structure promotes airflow, keeping you cool all night.
• Bouncy Feel: If you enjoy a responsive, springy surface, innerspring mattresses deliver.

The Cons:

• Durability: They may sag or lose support over time, requiring more frequent replacement.
• Motion Transfer: You might feel your partner moving during the night, potentially disturbing your sleep quality.
• Pressure Points: Some find them less comfortable, as they can create pressure points without a sufficient top layer.

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2. Memory Foam Mattress

A memory foam mattress is crafted from high-density foam that molds to your body’s heat and weight. Known for its exceptional comfort and pressure relief, it offers a plush, contouring sleep experience.

Best For: Side sleepers, restless sleepers, and people with joint pain.

The Pros:

• Pressure Relief: The foam contours to your body, relieving pressure points and offering excellent comfort.
• Motion Isolation: The material absorbs movement, meaning you’re less likely to disturb your sleeping partner when tossing or turning.
• Durability: These mattresses are long-lasting, maintaining their shape and comfort for many years.

The Cons:

• Heat Retention: Memory foam tends to trap heat, which might cause discomfort for hot sleepers.
• Limited Bounce: Some people find the sinking sensation restrictive, making it slightly harder to move around.
• Price: Memory foam mattresses often cost more than the least expensive innerspring beds.

https://www.shopbedmart.com/mattresses/?t:type=type-memory-foamhttps://www.shopbedmart.com/mattresses/?t:type=type-innersrping”>Shop Memory Foam Mattresses

3. Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are made of natural or synthetic rubber, combining comfort with resilience. Known for responsiveness and bounce, they offer a cushioned yet supportive sleep.

A latex mattress is worth considering if you love a balance of softness and support.

Best For: Eco-conscious shoppers, hot sleepers, restless sleepers, and people with back or joint pain.

The Pros:

• Comfort and Support: Latex mattresses offer the pressure relief of memory foam without the feeling of sinking into your bed.
• Durability: They’re known for longevity, often outlasting other mattress types.
• Natural Option: If made from natural latex, they’re an eco-friendly, hypoallergenic choice resistant to dust mites.

The Cons:

• Price: High-quality latex mattresses can be expensive, especially those made from natural latex.
• Weight: These mattresses can be heavy, making them difficult to move or flip.
• Latex Allergy: Some people are allergic to natural latex, and these mattresses can cause allergic reactions.

4. Hybrid Mattress

A hybrid mattress is the best of both worlds, combining innerspring support with memory foam or latex comfort layers. Designed for balance, it offers both bounce and contouring.

A hybrid could be your answer if you want a mix of traditional support and modern comfort.

Best For: Couples, restless sleepers, heavier individuals, and hot sleepers.

The Pros:

• Balanced Feel: The blend of springs and foam/latex layers offers a balanced feel, combining support with pressure relief.
• Good Airflow: The coil layer enhances breathability, making them cooler than all-foam models.
• Less Motion Transfer: The foam or latex layer minimizes motion transfer, improving sleep for couples.

The Cons:

• Price: High-quality hybrid mattresses can be pricey due to their complex construction.
• Weight: They are typically heavy and often difficult to move or flip.
• Durability: Some hybrid mattresses may not last as long as all-foam or all-latex models due to potential coil degradation.

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5. Gel Memory Foam Mattress

A gel memory foam mattress is a twist on the classic memory foam, with cooling gel infused into the foam. This design offers the contouring comfort of memory foam while mitigating heat retention.

This option is perfect for those who love memory foam but sleep hot.

Best For: Couples, hot sleepers, side sleepers, and people with pain issues.

The Pros:

• Cooler Sleep: The infused gel helps disperse heat, offering a cooler sleep than traditional memory foam.
• Pressure Relief: Like regular memory foam, it contours to the body and relieves pressure points.
• Motion Isolation: It absorbs movement, minimizing disruptions from your partner’s tossing and turning.

The Cons:

• Synthetic Materials: Gel mattresses contain synthetic materials, which may be a drawback for people who value organic mattresses.
• Weight: These mattresses can be heavy, making them hard to move or flip.
• Durability: While generally long-lasting, they may eventually develop impressions or sag over time.

Types of Spring Mattress

Not all coils are made equal. From Bonnell to pocket spring mattresses, each type boasts a distinct design and feel.

Understanding these differences can make your mattress hunt much easier. Ready to spring into action?

• Continuous Coil: The coils are made from a single piece of wire looped into springs, providing robust support and durability. It’s an economical choice known for its firm feel.
• Bonnell Coil: These are the most common coil and least expensive. Bonnell coils are hourglass-shaped, offering bouncy and durable support.
• Offset Coil: Similar to Bonnell coils but with a squared-off top. Offset coils contour better to the body, providing a balance of support, strength, and comfort.
• Pocketed Coil: Each coil is individually wrapped in fabric, offering superior motion isolation and contouring support. Ideal for partners with different sleep habits.

Types of Foam Mattress

Foam mattresses come in various types, including memory foam, gel-infused foam, and latex foam.

Each type delivers unique comfort levels, heat retention properties, and support features.

• Memory Foam: This high-density foam conforms to your body, providing unrivaled pressure relief and comfort. Excellent for those seeking a plush, hugging feel.
• Gel Foam: Memory foam infused with cooling gel offers the contouring benefits of memory foam while reducing heat retention. Ideal for hot sleepers.
• Latex Foam: Natural or synthetic rubber foam offers a balance of support and comfort, with more bounce than memory foam. Great for eco-conscious shoppers or those who prefer a bit of springiness.
• Polyfoam: Lighter and less dense than memory foam. Polyfoam offers a soft feel but tends to degrade faster. Suitable for those on a tight budget.

Types of Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses offer a blend of comfort, bounce, and eco-friendliness. Each of the following types comes with distinct characteristics and benefits.

• Organic: Made from rubber tree sap and processed without harmful chemicals. They’re eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and excellent for those prioritizing green living.
• Natural: Natural latex is also made from rubber trees but may contain additional non-synthetic fillers. They may not be as durable or responsive as organic.
• Synthetic: Made from artificial petroleum materials mimicking natural latex. These mattresses are more affordable but may lack the longevity and feel of their natural counterparts. However, they’re a better option for people with latex allergies.

Types of Mattress Firmness

Choosing the right mattress firmness is crucial for your comfort and spinal alignment. Each level serves different sleep styles, body weights, and comfort preferences.

Knowing these nuances, you’ll be one step closer to finding the right mattress.

• Soft: Soft mattresses provide a cloud-like feel, contouring closely to your body. Ideal for lightweight individuals, side sleepers, and those with back pain.
• Medium Soft: Medium-soft mattresses offer a balance of support and conforming. They’re great for side sleepers and those who change positions frequently.
• Medium: Medium mattresses strike a balance between firm support and plush comfort. Suitable for most sleeping styles and body weights.
• Firm: A firm mattress provides a solid surface for support. They’re ideal for back or stomach sleepers and heavier individuals who require extra support.
• Extra Firm: Extra firm mattresses offer the highest level of support. Best for stomach sleepers, heavier individuals, or those with certain back conditions.

Find Your Comfort Level

What to Look for When Buying a Mattress

The quest for a perfect mattress involves more than choosing a type or firmness. Crucial factors like lifespan, temperature regulation, and motion isolation also come into play.

Understanding what to look for when buying a mattress can be the difference between sweet dreams and restless nights.

Consider the following factors to ensure you’re well-equipped to find the best mattress for your sleep needs.

Type of Mattress

Start your mattress hunt by identifying your preferred type. Different mattresses include innerspring, memory foam, latex, hybrid, and gel. Each has varying materials, firmness, support, durability, and other factors.

Armed with the knowledge in this guide, you should know which suits your preferences and needs best.

Mattress Size

Consider a mattress size that fits your bed frame, room dimensions, sleeping position, and needs. For example, ensure ample space if you share a bed with a partner.

Mattress Firmness

Mattress firmness is a critical factor. Consider your sleeping position, weight, and personal comfort to decide the firmness level.

If your mattress is too firm, you may wake up feeling sore in the joints and pressure points due to the lack of cushioning. Too soft, however, and you may experience pain from a lack of support.

For example, a side sleeper may prefer softer mattresses. In comparison, stomach or heavier sleepers might opt for firmer ones.

Mattress Material

The material of a mattress is a significant factor to consider because it directly influences your sleep experience, including:

• Comfort and Feel: Different materials provide distinct softness, firmness, and responsiveness.
• Support and Alignment: The material also affects how well the mattress supports your body and keeps your spine aligned.
• Durability and Lifespan: High-quality materials tend to last longer and maintain their shape and support, which means better value for your investment.
• Temperature Regulation: Certain materials, like memory foam, can retain heat. In contrast, latex or gel-infused memory foam has better cooling properties.
• Motion Isolation: Materials like memory foam and latex absorb movement, making them excellent options for couples.
  Health and Allergies: Some materials are hypoallergenic and resist dust mites, mold, and mildew, which can benefit those with allergies.

Sleeping Position and Body Weight

Side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers all need different levels of support to stay comfortable.

For example, side sleepers might prefer the body-conforming properties of memory foam. Conversely, back or stomach sleepers may opt for the firmer support of an innerspring or hybrid mattress.

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Mattress Durability and Lifespan

How a mattress is built impacts its comfort, support, and durability.

For example, innerspring beds may not last as long as latex or memory foam because the coils wear.

Note: BedMart offers a 120-night sleep trial and warranty. This can give you peace of mind and allow you to test the mattress in your home.

Your Budget

Finally, your budget is crucial. Determine what you’re willing to spend and find the best mattress within your price range.

However, high-quality mattresses like hybrid beds might cost more upfront but will last longer, providing better value over time.

Shop Mattresses for Every Lifestyle at BedMart

Now that you’re armed with all the knowledge to choose your perfect mattress, it’s time to make that choice. A great night’s sleep is no longer a dream; it’s a mattress away.

At BedMart, we have a selection of mattresses for every lifestyle. We believe in your comfort and unique sleeping needs. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping you find the mattress that fits your life, not just your bed frame.

So, why wait? Try our 120-day sleep trial period to ensure you find a mattress that provides long-lasting comfort and pain relief.

Wake up on the right side of the bed every morning!

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Today’s innerspring options are worlds beyond the austere, creaky, or overly springy kind you likely slept on growing up. The key is to know what you’re getting. That’s why we’ve tested some two dozen innerspring mattresses in our office and at home. Here’s what we recommend.

If foam mattresses leave you feeling hot and bothered or simply stuck, a traditional innerspring mattress—inherently more breathable and resilient—may be your dream bed.

This lofty, upscale-looking bed updates the strong support you might expect from a classic innerspring with a memory-foam cushioning. Its prominent quilting style isn’t for everyone, though.

This flippable two-piece mattress is made with high-quality, durable materials—such as latex and extra-sturdy coils—that are rare at this price. But it’s heavy, and if you want help setting it up you’ll likely have to pay extra.

Offering a classic innerspring bounce paired with a cushy top, this bed is for those who want to nestle in without being engulfed. But it doesn’t have the best motion isolation.

A quilted cover, pocketed coils, and foamy top give this bed a pleasingly hefty hybrid feel. But there are no handles, so you’ll need help moving it up any stairs.

You should be able to sleep on your foam mattress before committing, and companies should offer at least a 10-year warranty.

Compared to all-foam models, innerspring mattresses typically have superior edge support, which keeps you from feeling like you’ll roll off the side.

We did the reporting to track down dense foams, high-quality covers and pillow tops, and adequate coil counts. Pocketed coils are best.

We looked for mattresses with a good combination of bounce and padding, offering springy support with enough softness to relieve pressure points.

The 13½-inch-thick WinkBed has been a consistent crowd-pleaser since we started testing it, in 2019. It’s a sturdy-feeling mattress for those who like a solid construction and muted springiness.

The Luxury Firm model has a squarely medium-firm feel; the Softer model is notably plusher, with less springiness and more of a cushy cuddle.

Coils around the perimeter provide decent edge support, and they should keep the edges from slumping over time, so you’ll be less likely to deal with sagging years from now. And because those coils are individually wrapped, you’ll have good motion isolation.

The WinkBed is heavy, and it doesn’t have handles—so make sure you have someone on hand to help you move it. You have 120 nights to try it out.

Our pick

Saatva Classic

Plush, with bounce

Offering a classic innerspring bounce paired with a cushy top, this bed is for those who want to nestle in without being engulfed. But it doesn’t have the best motion isolation.

Buying Options

$1,995

from

Saatva

(queen)

$200 off $1,000+

The Saatva Classic is the most affordable innerspring mattress we’ve found that still looks and feels luxurious. The Luxury Firm version’s 3-inch Euro top (a layer of padding sewn under the fabric cover) feels more plush than pillowy, so you feel nestled in.

Smaller pocketed coils make for a supportive, resilient top. But thanks to this bed’s memory-foam and cotton-blend padding, it relieves pressure just as well. For even more pressure relief, particularly if you’re a side-sleeper, consider the more-pillowy Plush Soft.

The Saatva Classic has fewer support coils and transfers a bit more motion compared with the WinkBed. The Saatva comes in thicknesses of 11½ and 14½ inches, and you have 365 nights to try it.

The 13-inch-thick Charles P. Rogers Estate SE combines high-quality materials, such as extra-strong coils and durable, breathable latex, in an unusual two-piece design. This mattress should last a long time, even for those who weigh more than 200 pounds.

The top comfort piece, made from supple, breathable Talalay latex and other fibers, cushions and conforms to your body with a slight springiness that doesn’t feel sinky or poufy. The bottom piece has a coil count similar to that of more expensive mattresses, as well as firmer latex, which makes the mattress particularly supportive. It’s flippable, so you can choose between medium-firm or slightly firmer support.

The mattress ships in two boxes, but it’s heavy, and setup is likely to be a two-person job (the company offers white-glove delivery for an extra $200). The company offers a 100-night trial, within which time you can return the mattress for a refund (but you’ll pay a $200 “recycling fee” and in-home delivery fee, if you chose that in lieu of free FedEx shipping).

The lofty Stearns & Foster Estate is the most supportive-feeling mattress we’ve tested. The extra thickness and quilted, pressure-relieving surface evoke that of a five-star hotel bed (thanks to memory foam created by Tempur-Pedic).

The 14.5-inch Pillow Top Firm version’s overall medium-firm feel will serve back- and stomach-sleepers best. For side-sleepers, we recommend the 15-inch Pillow Top Soft, which feels just as supportive (some might describe it as firm) but offers slightly more cradling and give.

Some of our testers didn’t care for the “bumpy” texture created by the deep quilting on the surface, however. Return policies depend on where you purchase it.

For more information, please visit Mattress Bed.