Types of Mattresses (Comparison Guide)

Mattresses are one of the most important pieces of furniture someone can buy, and there are so many different types! Whatever you chose will affect your sleeping habits, quality and how much time you wish to spend in bed. The firmness and softness will affect how your body feels and functions in days and years to come. To start you off on the right track the following are some types that you can choose from. Visit here for more about popular types of beds.

What Type of Mattress is Best for You?

There are a variety of mattresses to choose from because just one could not possibly work for everyone’s different sleep patterns. Different positions, body shapes, and desires will affect the softness, material and overall type of mattress that should be chosen. Some options are below, find the one that best suits you and choose the mattress accordingly.

First, determine your sleep style; are you a side sleeper, a stomach sleeper, or a back sleeper? From there, think about any levels of back pain or other body strain that comes from sleeping. Do you or your partner move around when they sleep, and does that affect one or the other? What sort of support do you think you will need?

After determining the mattress you will need, read below and see if it lines up with what you think you will need. People commonly pile high with mattress toppers and the softest pillows they can find, but sometimes that is the exact opposite of what they need and what their bodies are asking for.

Best for Side Sleepers

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The best type of mattress for side sleepers is memory foam or latex mattresses. When sleeping on your side you make wake feeling sore or uncomfortable in the shoulders and hips, due to the pressure points and the lack of support the get in that particular position. Those points will compress, causing discomfort. To relieve the body’s stress, an extremely soft surface needs to cushion the pressure from the hips and shoulders.

Best for Stomach Sleepers

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The best type of mattress for stomach sleepers will be one with a high firmness, such as an adjustable air bed, this can be used to increase the firmness over time to avoid discomfort. Sleeping on your stomach is typically the least recommended way to sleep due to the extreme strain it puts on the neck and the spine. Though this does help with snoring and sleep apnea, it can cause back pain if not used properly. The objective will be to avoid the stomach and hips from sinking in, causing the spine issues mentioned previously.

Best for Back Sleepers and Those with Back Problems

A mattress that focuses on spine support is the best type of mattress for back sleepers. Those with back problems generally recommend either a foam or a latex mattress for best results. While you may want to jump directly into the softest, comfiest bed you can find, finding a bed with support will be important to avoid overextending your spine. If back support is not considered, there is a high potential for lower back pain, which will make even the comfiest bed unadvisable.

The mattress chosen should prevent sinking into the bed. The best suggestions are an innerspring, hybrid, or adjustable mattress with high firmness and support levels. When back pain is present, it is extremely important to stabilize the spine while sleeping. This can often relieve the back pain that may have been caused by sleeping. Other solutions are also available, including pillow placements and adjusting the way you sleep.

How Often Should You Get a New Mattress

This popular question can vary depending on how often you use the mattress, how often you rotate it, and its overall quality. Generally, the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing a mattress every 7 to 10 years. Of course, if your mattress is sagging or your box spring has broken slats, it is probably time to buy a new one. As for the lifespan of the types of mattresses, it is generally believed that foam and latex models hold up better than innerspring models.

Buying the right type of mattress can be one of the biggest factors, but it does not need to be the only factor involved when it comes to discomfort or soreness from sleeping. Sleeping should be quality, and getting the right mattress is the first step in the right direction.

Mattress Types Comparison

Each type of mattress has specific pros and cons that may make one better than another. Below is a comparison to help you choose the right one for your needs.

Innerspring Mattress

You probably have an innerspring mattress and are looking to duplicate or replace it. This is one of the oldest and most often purchased mattresses. Though they are the oldest, there have been some upgrades and additions made to keep these relevant and in competition with some of the newer products hitting the market.

These mattresses will use a support system called the steel coil, making then extremely stable. There are two arrangements the coils can take, those being connected or wrapped individually. The connected type will be a bouncier mattress since all the coils go to the same unit. This is where you feel every movement on the bed.

The individually wrapped will be the opposite, less bouncy and less able to feel every move another person in the bed may make. Unfortunately, innerspring mattresses do not resist dust, mold, or allergens. This means you will need to take extra precautions such as regular washing and reducing humidity. Innerspring mattresses will typically cost about $100 to $2000 depending on size, brand, and quality.

Coil Mattress

As previously mentioned, the connected coil type of innerspring mattress connects all to one part. This makes the bed bouncier and somewhat less desirable. It can also make it more difficult to sleep if there are two people sleeping in the same bed. This option is chosen because it is one of the lower-cost options. It is often used for children or in public places such as dorms or furnished apartments.

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Pocketed Coil

The pocket coil, or, as mentioned before, the individually wrapped coil, is in complete contrast with the connected coil mattress. As the name suggests, these coils will act individually, causing less disruption to a sleeping partner. Due to added points of contact, more coils will be added for more support.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory Foam mattresses have become quite a bit more popular in recent times after they were invented to cushion space shuttle crashes. The material evenly distributes the weight and takes the shape of the user’s body. It becomes softer with body heat, making it conform more easily to the body and retaining the heat to make for a warmer bed. This can add comfort and pain relief for users. Some features will counteract that with gel infusions to avoid overheating while sleeping.

Another plus for memory foam mattresses is that they are mold and bacteria-resistant. With all of these high quality features a memory foam mattress can run anywhere from $100 to $4000, based on size, brand and quality.

Gel Memory Mattress

As briefly mentioned previously, the gel memory foam mattress allows the memory foam to have extra air flow and avoid a too-warm bed. Basically, the mattress is set up with a very dense bottom base support layer to keep the mattress from caving in. Then there is another smaller support layer, with a gel comfort layer above that. Finally, on top of that is the comfort memory foam cover layer. Due to the added layer and technology involved, these will be on the higher end of the memory foam mattresses’ cost range.

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses were most popular in the 1960s and have progressed quite a bit in recent times. When they were first invented, they were an extremely expensive product due to the high costs of the materials. Although these are still high-end mattresses with great materials, recent technology has made them a little more cost-friendly. Latex mattresses are most commonly sought out when environmentally friendly design is involved. Latex is a product made from petroleum and plant materials, making it a natural choice for a mattress.

The materials and support offered are similar to those of the above-mentioned memory foam mattresses. This will help with any back pain and keep your body in alignment. Another plus for the latex material is that it will stifle most movement. For queens and kings, this is helpful if a sleeping partner shifts a lot in their sleep. Many latex mattresses manufactured today are a latex hybrid containing latex with an innerspring design.

Hybrid Mattress

Just as the word “hybrid” suggests, a hybrid mattress is made by combining multiple elements. It combines the best features of our favorite types of mattresses. Incorporating the soft comfort that is a key feature of latex and memory foam mattresses with the much-needed support that innerspring mattresses give, there isn’t a customer who will leave unhappy with a hybrid mattress.

There is a wide array of options to choose from. Hybrid mattresses can be completely custom-made to the potential user’s liking. Most often, a hybrid mattress will be made with the innerspring portion on the bottom to support the other layers. Above that, coils typically have multiple layers of memory foam or latex, which is where the customization gets good. Some of these will offer gel layers on top, open cell structure, or even copper infusion, depending on the needs of the end user.

Adjustable Mattress

An adjustable mattress allows the user to adjust the bed’s position depending on their sleeping preferences. It is constructed with a base and mattress that can conform to different body postures with the push of a button. Most models have an adjustment feature to lower or elevate the head or foot of the bed, depending on one’s needs. This is useful for those with blood circulation or back support needs. This positioning can help with a variety of medical conditions or help elevate to a reading position when needed.

In addition, this type of mattress can help promote a restful night’s sleep by moving the head of the mattress to a more comfortable and sleep-inducing level. Some models built for couples have individual zones that enable one person to have a different setting than another to maximize individual comfort without disturbing the other person.

Adjustable Air Mattress

An adjustable air mattress is not your average air mattress that you take with you when tent camping in the woods. It offers a high-quality sleeping experience with easy mobility. These mattresses are also adjustable on each side, so partners can have a unique sleeping experience. These mattresses will not sag over time, just add more air! 

They look similar to the other mattresses mentioned. Though traditional mattresses typically offer more support the adjustable air mattress is extremely helpful for people who move frequently or travel a lot. Keep in mind, though, that the more advanced the air mattress you want, the more the cost will go up. Popular adjustable air mattress brands are Sleep Number, Serta and Sealy Posturepedic.

Organic Mattress

Like all things labeled organic, organic mattresses are as natural as can be. They are also environmentally friendly and limit exposure to chemicals and toxins, making them safer products. Some of the natural materials most often used in organic mattresses are organic cotton, organic wool, recycled support coils made of steel, and natural latex. They will be very public about the organic products they use, especially if they are GreenGuard Gold Certified, which is the best certification available. With these factors in place, the cost of the mattress does drive up, but what is more important: price or the environment and your safety?

Futon Mattress

A futon mattress is a mattress that can also be used as a couch. It is often used in dorms and small apartments where sharing space between people, sleeping space, and living space is a necessity. While futon mattresses are often quite firm, they also need to be flexible so that they can fold and become a couch when needed. These can be made of various materials, including foam, innerspring, polyester, or cotton.

Waterbed

Waterbeds were all the rage in the 1970s and 1980s but are now a thing of the past. These beds are still available for purchase but are a lot less common. Waterbeds are made using, you guessed it, water. There are chambers of water that are either soft-sided or hard-sided. If you choose a hard-sided chamber, it will be surrounded by a rectangular wooden frame and then covered by padding and upholstery. Soft-sided chambers will be surrounded by a rectangular rigid foam frame instead of wood and also covered with padding and upholstery.

Another option, and the one most people think of when thinking of a waterbed, is the free-flowing chamber system. This system creates an ocean motion that allows the water to flow through the chambers. For a step down with a little less flow, there is a waveless option that reduces the flow compared to the free-flowing version. While a unique choice, waterbeds are pretty inexpensive, so if interested, trying one out would not hurt!

Smart Mattress

With new advances, technology is taking over everything, including sleeping. Smart mattress technologies include features such as tracking the user’s body temperatures, movements, breathing, and heart rate. The technologies will use the data they collect from the user’s body to make adjustments while the user is sleeping to optimize the user’s sleep quality. However, with added functionality comes an added price tag. Hopefully, as times progress and these become more popular, the price will go down to make them a bit more affordable to the average buyer.

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Another interesting development for mattresses is climate control units. These devices, through a ventilation system, can heat or cool the bed depending on your specifications. Some even have a built-in aromatherapy diffuser to utilize your favorite essential oils.

How to Choose a Type of Mattress

Narrowing down to two mattresses is a big feat. Now, just to debate between them, one option is to use a little bit of both and create a hybrid mattress. This is especially helpful if two partners cannot decide what sort of mattress they will need. They can join forces and compromise for optimal comfort and support. If hybrids are not for you and you are debating between an innerspring and foam mattress, here are some comparisons between the three most commonly used mattresses, the ones you are most likely debating between, to help you weigh the pros and cons of each.

Innerspring vs. Memory Foam

Innerspring mattresses and memory foam mattresses are basically opposites. They offer extremely different features and will most likely appeal to completely different people. While both are quite good options, it always depends on the user’s body and preferences. Testing out beds in the store can also be a good way to see which type feels best to you.

Innerspring mattresses focus on support. They are good for people with back problems or potential back problems. When the spine is properly supported, stress is taken off, which can relieve the back pain that some people feel if they do not have enough mattress support. These people are most commonly people who sleep on their backs. Unfortunately, innerspring mattresses are not resistant to mold, mildew, bud bugs, etc. This can cause an issue, especially in places that are susceptible to these.

In contrast, memory foam mattresses focus on comfort and conforming to the body. This is often the mattress everyone thinks they want. In theory, the more comfortable, the better, right? Well, that is not always the case. Memory foam mattresses are great for side sleepers, but as mentioned previously, back sleepers may prefer something with more support.

Fortunately, these memory foam mattresses will be resistant to things that innerspring mattresses are not, which makes them a better option in situations that will need mold and mildew resistance. Memory Foam mattresses will also be able to manage body heat quite a bit better than their innerspring competitors, which can be added with different features mentioned above.

Latex vs Memory Foam

Latex and memory foam mattresses have some similarities when it comes to features, but they are two extremely different choices. Here are some side-by-side comparisons of the two. A latex mattress is one of the more environmentally friendly options available, using natural resources and petroleum to create it. Unfortunately, this will raise the cost of the mattress due to the higher costs of the materials.

In contrast, memory foam mattresses are loaded with harsh chemicals and do not use very environmentally friendly materials in their construction. Memory foam mattresses will outperform latex mattresses, which is why the materials are chosen despite the lack of care for the environment. Memory foam mattresses will also be more cost-effective than latex mattresses.

Other than the above mentioned differences the latex mattress and the memory foam mattresses will have similar comfort and support qualities with, as mentioned, the memory foam slightly outperforming the latex. The two types of mattresses are similarly composed and are able to stifle movement pretty well.

Mattress Sizes

There are various mattress sizes available, and these are universally used by different brands and locations. The size of the mattress needed will be determined by the bed size desired, the space in your room, the number of people using the mattress, and the type of sleeper each user is.

Measure any doors or archways that the mattress may need to be brought through to get to the desired space to ensure that it will fit. Each mattress is best used in a different situation; the sizes are as follows.

Twin

A twin size mattress will typically be 75 inches long by 38 inches wide. These are meant for one person, usually a child or young adult. A twin sized mattress is one of the smallest mattresses available. These mattresses are the ones that will most commonly be used in bunk beds and day beds. A variation of the twin mattress is the twin XL mattress, which adds an extra 5 inches to the length of the bed. This feature allows for tall teens or college kids to still be able to use twin sized mattresses without their legs hanging off the end of the bed.

Full

A full-sized mattress is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. It is also commonly referred to as a double mattress. These are often used for single people who are looking for more room to spread out. These are most often placed in college dorms, apartments, and guest bedrooms. Full-sized mattresses are as short as twin-sized mattresses, so they, too, have an XL option that gives an extra 5 inches in length for extra foot room.

Queen

A queen-sized mattress measures 60 inches in width and 80 inches in length. This size is one of the most commonly used due to its longer length and space for one or two people to sleep atop it. It is most often used by couples or in guest rooms and hotels.

King

A king-sized mattress measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. This is one of the largest average types of mattresses, and due to the need for space, it is commonly used in the master bedroom. The king-sized mattress is double the size of a twin, which gives plenty of space for two individuals to share. These are also commonly used in hotels so that if the individuals sharing are not a couple, they still have some personal space.

California King

The California King mattress is a spin-off of the regular kind, adding an additional 4 inches in length and taking 4 inches or width. This helps with space issues a regular king-sized mattress may encounter and is beneficial to taller individuals. This is often used in oversized bedrooms and rooms where the couple sleeping in the bed plan to have a small child or animal joining them, making space for everyone to comfortably sleep.

While the king and California king mattresses are the biggest of the typical mattresses, a few oversized mattresses can be specially ordered. The Wyoming king will be 84 inches in both length and width, adding the extra 4 inches that the California king took away making extra room to share the mattress with pets or small children. The Alaska King, though, is something of a sight to see. The Alaska king is a whooping 108 inches in both length and width, offering space for up to 4 people. You’ll want to be sure you can get one of these through the front door before you buy it!

Box Spring

Another item you may need to consider is a box spring to go with your new mattress. This is a must if you are getting an innerspring mattress. It will save the bed and make it last longer. Other mattresses, as mentioned, will have built-in support and will not require a box spring, but some with warranties will require you to get the box spring as well.

Based on that, you can decide if you personally will need one or can make do without, though it is typically recommended to get a corresponding box spring. Other options can be: having a platform bed or getting adjustable bases for the bed. A box spring can be 5 to 5 ½ inches tall or 9 inches tall. It is made of wood and shaped like the mattress that will be placed on top of it. There are also springs inside the wooden mattress-shaped box.

Buying a Mattress (Considerations Before You Buy)

Now that you have a better understanding of the mattresses and their features, as well as any extras that may be needed, there are a few other considerations that should be thought through before jumping into bed! Some of those considerations are as follows:

Budget

Budgets can make or break any purchase, especially when salespeople are involved. It is always important to remember your budget and stick to it! Sometimes, when trying to avoid the pesky sales of additions and extras, it is helpful to shop online. Make sure you know your budget before starting to look, and consider all the extra features you will need.

Occasionally, with larger priced items like these, there will be room for negotiation, which can save your budget. Knowing competitions prices as well as similar models can help you have a bargaining chip to get a better deal. Often sales people want to make the sale and can pull some strings to lower the price if it gets you to make a purchase.

Delivery

The delivery fee will be an extra cost to the mattress itself and are commonly pretty expensive. The delivery people will install the mattress right where it needs to go and take care of the entire thing, which is extremely helpful, but if there is any way to do it yourself it would save a pretty penny.

When it is delivered, be sure to check it out to make sure there isn’t staining or any damage that could have happened in production or transportation. This will save you in case there needs to be any claims in the future.

Warranty

When purchasing something of value or at a  high price, such as a mattress, it is always good to consider an extra warranty. Most retailers will have a warranty built into the product when purchased. This can be anywhere from 1 year to 25 years, meaning taking a look is definitely worth your time.

Often, retailer warranties will only cover minimal things, such as broken or loose coils, which would have been an error in manufacturing rather than something that wore out over time. Typically, the more advanced a mattress is, the fewer things will be covered by warranty, or the more expensive it will be to get the warranty on the mattress.

Return Policy

You should also inquire about the return policy on mattresses before making a purchase. They often offer a “comfort guarantee” that is pretty vague about the actual length of the coverage.

Sometimes the return policy will charge certain percentage of the purchase as a restocking fee as well as delivery fees back to the store. Some though will have they perk of not doing that which is what you will want to look for when asking about the guarantees and return policies.

While we have covered the most common types of mattresses and buying considerations, there are still a vast array of options and customization available to you. We hope this guide helped narrow down your choices to find the perfect mattress for your needs.