Furniture

Different Mattress Types & How to Choose the Right One

It seems like we hear more and more about how important a good night’s sleep is for our mental and physical health. So, choosing the right mattress type is crucial for your overall health. But, with so many choices, how do you know which is the best type of mattress for you?

Of course, the answer depends on your preferences and needs. So we’ve put together the following guide to help you get a better idea of which mattress type might be best for you.

6 Different Mattress Types

The problem of choosing the right mattress starts with understanding the different types of mattresses.

1. Inner Spring Mattresses

The ‘traditional’ mattress, innerspring mattresses are just about the oldest mattress technology. Still, they remain a popular choice due to the wide range of choices available, their durability and because most people are familiar with them. An innerspring mattress support system uses a network of metal springs or coils. Different mattresses can have more or less coils, of different thicknesses, for different levels of support.

Good to Know About Inner Spring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses offer firm support for side sleepers and those who suffer from back pain. They also allow airflow through the mattress, which is good if you are a ‘hot’ sleeper. However, some people find them too stiff and their support level isn’t adjustable.

2. Memory Foam Mattresses

Famous for their ability to conform to your body, memory foam mattresses offer comfortable support, motion isolation and pressure relief. Made from viscoelastic foam, they shape themselves based on heat and pressure. They are also available in a variety of densities, which makes it easy to choose a firmer or softer feel.

Good to Know About Memory Foam Mattresses

Their motion isolation properties make them an ideal choice for couples. Even if you sleep alone, but tend to toss and turn a lot while you sleep, the motion isolation can be a more restful option. But, if you are a hot sleeper, memory foam tends to retain heat, so you may prefer cool foam options.

3. Hybrid Mattresses

If both inner coil spring and memory foam mattresses sound good to you, hybrid mattresses might be your best choice. They generally feature a pocketed coil support system and multiple layers of foam or latex. The result is a level of support, pressure relief and comfort that many people find ideal. This is also true for those who are used to the feel of a spring mattress, but want all the advantages of foam technology.

Good to Know About Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses are great for all sleeping positions. They also have similar motion isolation as memory foam, combined with balanced support and overall comfort. However, considering they combine the two different mattress types, they can be more expensive than innerspring mattresses and memory foam mattresses.

4. Gel-Grid Mattresses

Gel mattresses are a type of hybrid mattress that combines inner springs with a gel-grid as a top layer, instead of memory foam. The result is a unique level of support that many describe as both soft and firm. The gel grid doesn’t have a ‘memory’, but still conforms to your body, especially as you move.

Good to Know About Gel-Grid Mattresses

The gel grid features open pockets that help the mattress feel cooler than memory foam mattresses. The soft/firm support and comfort characteristics are a good option for those with back and hip alignment issues. But, the high-tech materials used in the gel grid construction tend to make the mattresses a more expensive option.

5. Air Beds

While traditional air mattresses are unsuitable for regular sleeping, newer air bed technologies are gaining in popularity. This is due to their ability to tailor the firmness of the mattress to your preferences. Featuring up to six air chambers, a remote control unit (smartphone apps in some cases) lets you adjust the firmness of each chamber to your liking. That means you can have a different level of support for your back than for your legs.

Good to Know About Air Beds

With the ability to set support levels for different parts of your body, air beds are considered the most customizable mattress option. But the technology to control the support in different air chambers also makes it one of the most expensive options.

6. Water Beds

There may not be a mattress type with more diehard users than water beds. It’s the first technology that conformed to your body, offering equal support from head to foot. This makes it ideal for those who have chronic pain, recovering from an injury or are going through medical therapy. Users also appreciate the ability to control water temperatures to their preferences and/or to enhance the therapeutic benefits.

Good to Know About Water Beds

Many people find the gentle wave motion of water beds to be very relaxing, almost massage-like. But others can find it difficult to adjust to the motion.

As with anything you buy, choosing the right mattress type depends on many factors. In addition to your personal preferences, your budget and the size of your room can affect your decision. To help make the right choice, test as many different mattresses as you can, ask friends and relatives about their experience, and check online reviews.

If you found this post helpful, check out our recent article 3 Reasons Why You Need a Mattress Protector.