Mattress Type Guide: Choose The Right Mattress For You
Selecting the right mattress can be an overwhelming decision. We spend a third of our lives in bed, and everyone knows that your sleep quality can impact your quality of life overall. Choosing the right mattress for your needs and sleep style is crucial! So let's compare.
There are three main types of mattresses: innerspring, memory foam, and a hybrid of the two.
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring is the most traditional type of mattress. It is made of a layer of coils surrounded by various types of foam for comfort.
Ideal for:
Stomach and back sleepers, people who have back pain, heavier people.
Advantages:
Good back support, different firmness levels, affordable options
Disadvantages:
Can become noisy, wears out quicker than foam, less pressure relief for joints
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses have risen significantly in popularity since their inception in the 1970's. They consist entirely of different types of foam, and different foam densities to provide a supportive and comfortable mattress.
Ideal for:
Side sleepers, people with joint pain
Advantages:
Absorbs motion better than spring mattresses, there is no noise from springs, lasts longer than spring mattresses, is more comfortable for side sleepers.
Disadvantages:
Can cause a sinking feeling, absorbs more heat than a spring mattress, more expensive than a spring mattress.
Types:
Memory foam is most common and great at absorbing motion and relieving joint pain. Gel foam is better at regulating body temperature and provides a cooler sleep than memory foam. Latex foam is the least 'sinky' foam.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrids are a mix of both innerspring and foam, comprising a layer of coils with a few layers of foam on top.
Ideal for:
Someone who's preferences are between a innerspring mattress and a memory foam, couples who have different sleeping styles.
Advantages:
Softer than a spring mattress, no sinking feeling and typically silent, doesn't trap as much heat as a pure memory foam mattress.
Disadvantages:
Quality hybrids can be more expensive
What is a Pillow Top?
A pillow top mattress simply means that there is an extra layer of plush comfort foam on top of the mattress, giving it a softer feel. This usually makes the mattress more expensive than a non pillow top option.
What is a Mattress Topper?
A mattress topper is basically a pillow top that isn't sewn into the bed. It is a layer of comfort foam that you purchase separately and put on top of your bed. A mattress topper is only meant to improve comfort, and does not enhance support. If budget is a concern, buyers have the option to save some money on a less luxurious mattress, and then buy a mattress topper to achieve a similar plush feel for less money.
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