There are many factors contributing to making a good mattress. Depending on your needs and budget, you can pick out a suitable mattress for your dwelling.
Are you sick of replacing your mattress every once in a while because you just can’t get the one that really suits you? Or are you choosing a mattress for the first time, and you have no clue what factors to consider? No worries!
In today’s article, we will discuss further different types of mattresses, as well as help you make the best decisions for your needs.
10 Popular Types of Mattresses
There are 12 different types of mattresses, but the most common ones are memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, latex, and adjustable air.
Below are details about each kind of mattress, their pros and cons, as well as things to consider when buying specific types.
1. Memory Foam
Memory foam was first invented in the 70s by NASA to improve the quality and safety of aircraft cushions. Now, memory foam can be found in pillows, mattresses, blankets, etc.
This material was expensive and hard to make back in the day. After a few decades, people found out more practical and budget-friendly ways to manufacture a mass amount of the material, making it widely used around the world.
Memory foam is made of layers of foams with different density. Thanks to this, it responds to the weight and temperature of your body, creating a perfect form to fit your body shape when you sleep on it. Of course, the cushion will bounce back to its original shape once you get up.
The ‘sinking in’ feature is ideal for those with back problems or side sleepers since it helps minimize the pressure points as well as relieve pains.
What is more, if you sleep with a partner and he or she tends to turn or move a lot, your sleep won’t be disturbed because memory foam toppers will ‘absorb’ these movements.
The downside to owning a memory foam bed is that it makes you feel super hot when sleeping. This is because the material is temperature-sensitive, resulting in it softening with your body temperature and causing heat.
This type of mattress is perfect for people with chronic fatigue or muscle pains and side sleepers.
2. Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are by far the most commonly used over the world, even though the trend is moving toward memory foam or air mattresses.
Innerspring, also known as coil, has been used since the early 1900s. Innerspring mattresses are made of steel coils that pack together when having weight on them.
The number of coils can vary, but generally, more coils mean more support and usually higher quality as well. The materials on top of the coils are different; they can be latex, memory foam, or pillow.
Continuous Coils
These mattresses are often budget-friendly as manufacturers use a single S-shaped coil to secure the whole system of the bed. And because of that, your bed has more durability.
Bonnell
Bonnell coils were invented in the 1800s, originally from buggy seat cushions. If you want a decent mattress at a reasonable price, bonnell coils are your best option.
The coils appear in helix structure when being formed together, creating an hourglass shape.
Offset
Are you tired of hearing squeaky noises every time you move your body, even just slightly, when sleeping? Consider buying offset mattresses.
Their construction is quite similar to Bonnell, but with flattened top and bottom edges to help support your body shape even more. Offset are many homeowners’ favorites because they’re durable, supportive, and quiet.
Marshall (Pocketed) Coil
Marshall coils have a higher focus on reducing movements. The coils are not wired together like other types mentioned above, but wrapped independently, which is why they can support motions better.
Pocketed coils are basically marshall coils, but with even more coils to ensure better quality and comfort.
Innerspring mattresses are known for the bounciness, but there are many different kinds of firmness for you to choose from, based on your preference and budget.
The most expensive type of innerspring is the pocketed coil. However, you might want to invest in a good pocketed coil mattress if you sleep with a partner. They provide you with additional rest you need when your partner moves and turns a lot at night.
These mattresses are quite bouncy, thus not given you enough support, resulting in you having light back pain the next morning.
Pay close attention to the coil gauge. The thicker the gauge is, the firmer your mattress can get. A lot of people prefer soft mattresses while some are more fond of firm ones. It’s just a matter of preference.
What is more, you’re much likely to replace a new innerspring mattress sooner than you think, at least compared with other types. Innerspring tends to wear out faster, which is why it’s so affordable.
Also, you may find the squeaky noise obnoxious if you move around on the bed often.
3. Gel
You want a memory foam mattress, but it’s too hot to sleep on at night? Try gel! A memory foam mattress with a layer of gel on top is your best solution.
Gel helps release the heat caused by the denseness of memory foam, making you feel cooler during your sleep. It takes some time for the gel to take on the temperature, but you can see the result when waking up the next morning without feeling too warm.
4. Latex
The latex material is made from natural or synthetic rubber. The material is quite similar to memory foam, known for providing firm, bouncy support; yet, not as good.
Dunlop
Dunlop latex is made when you pour the latex in the mold one single time, resulting in the mattress being firmer at the bottom and gradually softer on the top.
Talalay
After the mold is filled with latex, a vacuum is used to suck out the air of the material. Then, it will be frozen to secure the final construction. This is how Talalay latex is made.
Unlike memory foam, which sucks in the shape of your body, latex gives more bounce and support. As someone who prefers firmness over softness when it comes to mattresses, I highly recommend you invest in a good latex topper.
Also, if you want a natural bedding option, latex is a good choice.
Latex mattresses are quite pricey, compared to other types mentioned above. But if you’re willing to pay, it’s smart to invest in a latex mattress.
There’s no specific downside to owning a latex mattress unless you don’t enjoy the feel of a firm mattress as much as I do.
People with back pain or chronic fatigue that needs extra support for the muscles should use this type of mattress.
5. Hybrid
As the name clearly implies, hybrid is a combination of 2 or more different materials.
If you want more support of innerspring at the bottom, yet comfort and softness of latex or memory foam on top, go for hybrid mattresses.
There will be a layer of coils at the bottom, and 2 to 3 layers of memory foam or latex on top. You’re not sure whether you should buy an innerspring or memory foam? In this case, why not enjoy the best of both worlds by buying a hybrid mattress?
The choice varies based on your preference, as a matter of custom experience. When it comes to choosing a hybrid mattress, make sure you know what you need.
6. Waterbed
Believe it or not, waterbeds were invented and widely used way before innerspring to help patients with bedsores.
It makes you feel like you’re floating on water, which is basically true. The best thing about having a waterbed is you can adjust the amount of water suitable to your body weight.
There are several waterbed brands that let you custom the settings on each side. It depends on each person’s preference that you set up your waterbed.
The only drawback is the weight, making the bed hard to move around. The setting progress, which is dissembling, resembling, and filling in the water, is also time-consuming. What is more, chances of water leaking are relatively high.
7. Pillowtop
This material is commonly used with innerspring or air mattresses, being a layer of padding on top of the bed. This layer is usually a few inches thick and can be made of cotton, foam, or latex.
This layer provides you with extra support and comfort, but it’s quite pricey. Different materials give you a number of benefits: cooling, bounce, or firmness.
So what’s the downside of pillowtop? If you have a limited budget, you might not find the extra layer helpful, as the feel is relatively slight.
8. Airbed
You might confuse an airbed with the air mattress you had in college. They’re not the same.
Similar to waterbeds, you can adjust the settings on each side. So if you and your partner have different preferences, you both can still be happy sleeping together! Again, thanks to this feature, you get extra support on your muscles, thus releasing pain effectively.
Airbeds are good alternatives to bulky traditional mattresses. And they don’t sag!
What I don’t like about the airbed is it takes quite some time to assemble, about an hour. However, considering the benefits it gives, the airbed is actually a good bedding option.
9. Adjustable Bed
You may have come across those weird ads where the elderly use a remote to control their beds (that looks like they belong to the hospital).
Well, as the name implies, these are just like regular beds, accept you can adjust it however you want.
Let’s say you have a work assignment that is due at midnight, and you’re too lazy to leave the bed? No problem. Within a few touches of a button, your problem is solved.
Isn’t it just amazing?
What is more, they can even give you back massages! Yeah, you heard it right. Having a spa-like experience at your own home is no longer a dream. You can read, eat some snacks and watch a movie without having to leave your bed. After finding out the most comfiest position, I’m sure you’ll never want to leave your bed!
Of course, the price for these extra features has to be higher than your regular bedding option. You should also consider the additional fees for maintenance and special tools for hygiene as there are electrical parts coming along with the bed too.
The overall cost can be up to $2500 or more, depending on the brand you choose.
What is more, they’re quite heavy, so it’s going to be a pain in the neck if you have to move the bed often.
10. Polyfoam
Polyfoam is by far the most common amongst foam mattress consumers.
Polyfoam is derived from synthetic and petroleum, which combines a lot of chemicals with long scary names. As frightening as they sound, these chemicals are non-toxic thanks to special procedures.
When buying any kind of foam mattress, make sure to pay close attention to the density. A higher density level means the bed being more durable.
Companies tend to avoid talking about the density levels of their products, making it a significant sign that the product you’re buying might not be as good as you think it is.
In contrast, if you bring up this problem when talking to a customer service representative, and they give you clear explanations with no hesitation, you’re very much likely to invest in a quality foam mattress.
Owning a polyfoam mattress can help support your posture as well as spinal alignment. And the fact that the polyfoam mattress is one of the most reasonably priced mattresses makes it many consumers’ favorites.
Final Verdict
As I mentioned above, there are many factors contributing to making a good mattress. In fact, it’s just a matter of preference.
The fact that there are so many different types of mattresses on the market might have confused you a little bit. Therefore, I hope my sharing can assist you in making a worthwhile bedding investment.
Thank you for reading.
