On the surface, a mattress appears to be a straightforward product, and some individuals may believe that all mattresses are about the same.
The truth, on the other hand, is far more difficult. A mattress may be created with a variety of various designs and materials under the cover. This internal architecture is the most obvious feature influencing how a mattress feels and how long it lasts.
These inner components distinguish the various mattress kinds. While not all mattresses of the same type will perform the same way, there are certain common features that stem from how a bed is constructed. As a result, understanding about the different types may be a helpful step in your quest for the finest mattress to match your specific needs.
Every sleeper has different tastes and demands, thus there is no one perfect mattress for everyone. When shopping for a new mattress, knowledge is power. This article discusses the various mattress kinds, as well as their pros and drawbacks, so you can purchase with confidence.
1. Mattress type guide
Finding the perfect mattress means figuring out what is the best mattress type for your sleep needs and comfort preferences. The right mattress construction can make all the difference.
Memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, latex, and adjustable air mattresses are the five most prevalent types of mattresses. Here, we’ll go through each one in depth so you can consider the advantages and drawbacks and decide which is the best suit for your bedroom.
1.1 Foam mattress
Hot, sweaty, non-breathable, sticky foam mattresses are a thing of the past. There are numerous excellent mattress firms that provide excellent foam mattresses at very reasonable prices. All of the “mattress in a box” businesses sell foam mattresses.
Memory foam is widely used in pillows and mattresses nowadays, yet it was created by NASA in the 1970s. Its primary function was to offer superior seat cushioning and crash protection for aviation passengers and pilots, and it is still used in that capacity today.
For a variety of reasons, the material might be the ideal bed cushioning for you. It adapts to your body’s contours while distributes your weight equally throughout the surface and is also known as Visco Elastic foam.
This function gives pain alleviation for sleepers who have achy joints or morning soreness from sleeping in one position for too long. Memory foam is a heat activated substance that softens and contours in direct reaction to body warmth.
If you experience cold when sleeping, memory foam may be able to keep you warm. The same technology that makes it moldable when it comes into contact with your body may also make the bed appear warmer.
If you sleep hot, you might pick a foam with some of the modern technology advances aimed to keep you cool, such as gel-infusion. These advancements increase air cumulation via the support layers, allowing you to sleep coolly.
Memory foam, unlike typical building materials, is naturally resistant to microorganisms and allergies. With this sort of bed, you won’t have to worry about mold, bed bugs, or dust mites.
A memory foam model might cost anywhere from $100 to $4000, depending on the brand and quality you choose. The typical price for one of them is roughly $1400.
1.2 Innerspring mattress
The innerspring is the most traditional and widely used design. They’ve come a long way since their invention in 1857, and recent improvements have made them more comfortable and stable than ever before.
Innerspring variants give support to the sleeper with the use of a steel coil support system. The coils can be joined or independently wrapped in one of two ways.
The coils with a linked design all feed into a single unit, giving the bed a bouncy effect. Because the coils respond as one unit, you may sense the movement of your spouse when sleeping on this type.
The coils in an individually wrapped and pocketed form operate independently of one another. If your companion moves over in the middle of the night when you’re in this bed, you might not feel any bounce.
Padding or upholstery is placed over the coils to give comfort, softness, and added support.
The more coils an innerspring model has, the more points of contact the bed has with the sleeper, and the more support and counter it can give.
Innerspring choices, unlike memory foam, aren’t necessarily hypoallergenic and can accumulate dust, mildew, allergies, and even bed bugs over time. There are solutions to these issues, such as washing bedding in hot water on a regular basis and using an electric blanket to minimize dampness.
Innerspring versions are among the most cost-effective on the market. This option will cost you between $100 and $2000, with the typical purchase being less than $1000.
1.3 Latex mattress
Latex alternatives were created in the 1930s and became popular with customers in the 1960s. Latex choices were more expensive than their rivals because to extraordinarily high material and production costs, and were well out of reach for the common individual.
Over the last 20 years, technological advancements have reduced the cost of creating latex beds, making them a more accessible, if still high-end, sleep alternative.
Latex, which is made from plant or petroleum-based components, is popular among the ecologically concerned since there are environmentally friendly solutions.
The resilient substance provides support akin to memory foam, offering a soft surface that relieves strain on places such as the hips and shoulders while also assisting the sleeper in maintaining good alignment.
Latex mattresses are a popular option for folks seeking relief from lower back discomfort.
If you sleep with someone who moves a lot during night, this material is also a wonderful choice. Latex reduces motion, reducing the likelihood that you will feel it if they toss and turn, allowing you both to have a more comfortable night’s sleep.
1.4 Hybrid mattress
Hybrid mattresses are an example of how the sleep business has blended the best of both worlds into a single pleasant product. The majority of alternatives combine sophisticated memory foam technology with a modern innerspring core to provide a surface that provides exceptional support, durability, and comfort.
A hybrid design has various advantages. First, by adopting pocketed coil technology on its own, the sleeper feels less motion transfer at night, resulting in a more peaceful sleep.
Finally, the mattress keeps the appearance and feel of a regular sleep surface by merging the two technologies. This is a benefit if you prefer your bed to be a little bouncy.
This type also has a conventional form as opposed to the straight lines and low profile seen in solely memory foam variants.
You’ll enjoy all of the hypoallergenic benefits of that sort because they’re topped with foam. Mold, bed bugs, allergies, and dust mites will not be able to live on your bed.
Hybrids are one of the most expensive options in terms of price. They can cost anything from $550 to $4000 or more, with an average cost of roughly $2,200.
1.5 Adjustable air mattress
Outdoor enthusiasts have traditionally utilized air mattresses to enhance their camping experience. Recent advancements in air technology have introduced air technology into the bedroom, allowing you to fill the individual air chambers to your chosen firmness, creating a customizable sleep experience.
To provide a pleasant sleep surface, the air chamber is subsequently covered by cushioning and upholstery materials such as memory foam or latex.
While they are meant to seem like standard mattresses, most air beds have a remote control that allows you to modify the hardness. Because they are built with several air chambers, you can generally adjust each side of the bed individually, giving a tailored sleep experience for couples who like various sleep settings.
You’d assume that because they’re comprised of air, they’d be a cheap option. Unfortunately, you have to pay for the technology with adjustable air beds.
This is one of the more costly alternatives, with entry-level versions starting in the mid $500s and up to as much as $10-$15k. The average price for a bed in this category is roughly $2200.
1.6 Green eco-friendly mattresses
Organic mattresses provide mattresses that are organic, eco-friendly, and even vegan-friendly.
The cotton and wool used are organically certified. PETA has certified the vegan mattress.
The price range is wide, ranging from slightly more than $1,000 to $3,400. Avocado mattresses are ideal if you value organic products.
1.7 Waterbeds
Waterbeds have existed for much longer than innerspring mattresses! Dr. Neill Arnott, a Scottish physician, designed these to aid patients with bedsores.
Waterbeds seemed to be ubiquitous when I was a youngster growing up in the 1980s. They make you feel as though you’re floating on water (which you are), and it’s really relaxing.
A waterbed may be adjusted to adapt how the water reacts to your body weight. Depending on how the chambers are configured, you can have either free-flowing or limited water flow. Some waterbeds also enable you to customize the settings on either side, so if you and your companion have different tastes, you’ll both be satisfied.
While there are various advantages to having a waterbed, the disadvantages include its weight, which makes it difficult to transport, and the time it takes to set up.
1.8 Polyfoam
There are several forms of foam on the market, one of which is known as “polyfoam.” Several online bedding providers create their own patented foam blends, allowing you to discover a personalized option that works for you at an affordable price.
Polyfoam is a petroleum-based synthetic foam. It also contains compounds with ominous names. However, most of the time they are handled in such a way that their effects are neutralized and rendered harmless. If you want to buy a foam bed, seek for mattresses that have a CertiPUR-US certification.
This assures that ozone depleters, chemical flame retardants, mercury, lead, heavy metals, and formaldehyde are not present in your bed.
Also, before you buy, examine the density level. The higher the density, the longer the mattress will last.
1.9 Gel mattress
One of the most common criticisms leveled about memory foam is that it traps heat. This is due to the fact that the foam must be dense enough to support your body. However, the density of the air restricts air movement, causing body temperature to rise.
The heat will be held in the mattress throughout the night, causing you to get hotter.
Gel counteracts the heating effects of memory foam. It is often integrated into the mattress’s foam and is inherently cooler. Throughout the night, the gel will absorb the warmth of the stuff around it, but this takes a long time. As a result, you are more likely to keep cool while sleeping.
2. Considerations when buying a mattress
Now that we’ve gone over all of the options, we’d like to highlight a few particular points that may help you determine which manufacturer, brand, or shop to use to make your purchase.
2.1 Warranty
Almost every store offers some kind of guarantee on your purchase, but they might vary greatly and may exclude key variables. Take the time to read the tiny print, and if you’re purchasing in a store, inquire about the warranty.
It can range between 10 and 25 years and may be prorated over time. Typically, it will only cover manufacturing flaws like as loose or broken coils.
Some options, such as adjustable bed platforms, may not be covered by a guarantee at all. Consider the possible expenditures if a lot of technology fails and isn’t covered by the guarantee if you choose an option with a lot of technology.
2.2 Delivery
As part of your purchasing experience, inquire about shipping rates and policies. Some shops may demand exorbitant delivery and installation fees for your new mattress.
When your item comes, thoroughly check the entire goods to ensure it is in good condition and free of damage or stains. Before signing for the delivery, look for the label that says it’s made of “all new material.”
Keep all of your documents and documentation in case you need them for a warranty claim in the future.
2.3 Return policy
With all of your pre-purchase research, it’s highly probable that you’ll be fully delighted with your purchase. However, it is critical to ensure that the business you chose gives a complete refund or store credit towards another item if you are dissatisfied.
Inquire about the return term, which is frequently referred to as something corny like a “comfort guarantee,” so you know how long you have to make a decision. Most of the time, you will have a few weeks to up to 120 days before it expires.
Be aware that many bigger companies, such as Sears and Macy’s, may impose a restocking fee of up to 15% of your purchase price. You may also be charged if you utilize their services to return the bed to the retailer. To sweeten the transaction, some vendors may provide benefits or incentives, such as free pickup for refunds or exchanges.
2.4 Budget
While there are many low-cost alternatives available, extras can rapidly mount up, forcing you to overspend on your purchase. This is less likely to happen if you purchase online, but in-store salesmen might offer you tempting enhancements that may cause you to go over budget.
To avoid this, plan ahead of time and consider potential expenses for shipping, extended warranties, fabric protecting, and other services.
If you’re purchasing in-store, you could have some wiggle room. Warehouse clubs, such as Costco or Sam’s, will have no wiggle space, but specialist chains and furniture stores may have huge markups on their items, allowing them to give you a better bargain.
Inquire about any possible reductions, and don’t be embarrassed to browse online for a comparable model and request that price. To achieve the deal, some sales staff would deduct up to 30% of the retail amount.
3. What kind of sleeper do you consider yourself to be?
How you sleep is a crucial question to ask since it will help you identify which mattress type is ideal for you. Your sleeping posture may need that your bed give certain forms of support to different sections of your body, and one bed may be better suited for the task than another.
If you share a bed with a spouse, it may be difficult to find a solution that accommodates both of your sleeping preferences. Some models, on the other hand, are well-suited to more than one role.
The three most frequent sleeping positions, as well as guidelines for each, are shown below.
3.1 Side sleeper
If you sleep on your side, you’ve probably experienced soreness or discomfort in your shoulders and hips when you get up in the morning. This is due to the fact that these are the principal pressure points in that position, and if you are not appropriately supported, the regions might become squeezed overnight.
Because these are the biggest sections of your body, it’s critical to select a bed that gives additional softness and padding to the areas to reduce pressure and manage discomfort.
Memory foam and latex designs are particularly effective at this task, while hybrid models may also provide additional cushioning around the shoulders and hips. You might also add a cushioned topper to offer an extra layer of comfort and relaxation to your joints.
3.2 Back sleeper
If you sleep on your back, your first priority should be to choose a mattress that supports your spine. Sinking into the bed at your heaviest point, which for most of us is our posterior, can result in over-extension of your spine, which can contribute to lower back discomfort over time.
Back sleepers will want an alternative that is firm enough to avoid sinking. To attain the degree of support you require for your spine, look for innerspring or hybrid options with a high firmness rating, or try an adjustable air bed.
3.3 Stomach sleeper
If you sleep on your stomach, it’s probable that you’ll have back and neck pain. While it has been demonstrated to help reduce snoring and sleep apnea, back physicians do not advocate it due to the pressure it places on your spine.
That being said, we’re not here to persuade you to modify your sleeping habits. If lying on your stomach makes you happy, buy a really firm mattress to avoid your stomach and hips from sinking in too much, which can worsen spinal issues.
To limit the harm, choose a choice that is as hard as you can take while being comfortable. In this instance, adjustable airbed choices are advantageous since you may gradually raise the firmness as you acquire accustomed to harder settings without jeopardizing your short-term comfort.
