Different Types of Mattresses Available in 2022
Written by Mehran Uzair
Last Updated on Jan 17, 2023
Are you planning to buy a mattress but confused as to which one to buy? Well, in order to make the right decision, you must first know what are the different types of mattresses in the market that have a high demand. You also need to know how they differ in feel, comfort, and support and what each one is ideal for.
Here is a mattress guide to educate you on different types of mattresses, the type of mattress material used in each one of them, the advantages and disadvantages of different types of bed, and more. Read this to find what is the most comfortable mattress for you.
| Mattress Type | Firmness | Lifespan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innerspring | Medium to Firm | 5 - 8 Years | $600 - $1,100 |
| Memory Foam | Soft to Medium | 8 - 10 Years | $900 - $1,300 |
| Latex | Medium | 10 - 12 Years | $1,600 - $2,000 |
| Hybrid | Medium | 8 - 10 Years | $1,300 - $2,000 |
What Are the Different Types of Mattresses?
There are different types of mattresses available in the market and the difference lies in design and materials used for construction. This section details some of the popular types of mattresses along with their intent and purpose.
Innerspring Mattresses
An innerspring mattress is made of a layer of coils, which are surrounded by a layer of comfort materials - mostly natural fibers, foam, or latex - on the top and a layer of supportive material on the bottom. These coils compress as you apply pressure on them and spring back as you remove the pressure. For this reason, innerspring mattresses are well able to accommodate the body’s weight. They are comfortable, soft, bouncy, and offer great support.
Please note there is no comfort layer above the coil and if there is any layer it is of minimal thickness and mostly cotton or polyester that affects the overall feel of the mattress. Innerspring mattresses allow easy flow of air through the coils, which is why they don’t retain heat.
Pros of Innerspring Mattress
- Temperature regulation
- Affordable price - due to less robust design
- Offers great back and edge support
- Good bounce
- Available in different firmness levels
Cons of Innerspring Mattress
- May damage quickly than foam due to direct pressure on coils
- Provide less pressure relief on joints
- Uncomfortable for side sleepers and those with major pressure points
- Noise from older springs
- Does not offer motion isolation
Subtypes of Innerspring Mattresses
There are different types of innerspring mattresses depending on the types of coils present in them. Sleepers can achieve different effects with different types of coils.
- Continuous Coils - Only one single piece of wire is used to construct all of the individual springs and lattices. This type of spring mattress is easy to transport and can be flipped to prolong its lifespan. But, the quality is on the lower end and offers less individual pressure point support.
- Bonnell Coils- These coils are shaped like an hourglass. They are placed evenly throughout the mattress and are tightly bound together with an interior network of smaller helical coils. There is high pressure on the coils as you compress, which results in more motion transfer. Better localized support is the biggest advantage of this innerspring mattress subtype. That said, it is one of the least durable subtypes.
- Offset Coils- These are cylindrical coils placed slightly apart from each other and a small, different piece of metal is used to connect them together. When compared to Bonnell coils, offset coils have a little more contouring and motion isolation. Offset coils offer individualized coil support and are more durable than the Bonnell spring mattresses. However, they are very expensive spring mattress types.
- Marshall or Pocketed Coil - Each coil is wrapped in a fabric casing, and then all of them are sewn together. Therefore, the coils have more scope to move and compress without disturbing the surrounding coils, improving contouring to pressure points and motion isolation.
Memory Foam Mattresses
This mattress type is popular ever since NASA invented memory foam and is widely available in the market. Memory foam is one of the most popular mattress materials. Foam mattresses contain layers of foams (varying in density). Such a combination enhances softness and support.
In foam mattresses, the support core is usually a thick layer of polyfoam that is quite denser and firmer than the polyfoam in the comfort system, which is also made of one or more layers including polyfoam, latex, memory foam, or other fabrics.
Unlike the innerspring mattress, there is no coil-like construction in the memory foam mattresses. Therefore, foam mattresses are highly comfortable and some of the softest mattresses which provide adequate pressure relief and motion isolation. There are different types of foam mattresses depending on how the interior layers are arranged
Pros of a Foam Mattress
- Ideal for side sleepers
- Softer on people with joint pain
- No springs no noise
- Provide pressure relief
- Absorbs motion of sleepers who toss and turn a lot
- Long-lasting than spring mattresses
Cons of a Foam Mattress
- Some types of foam may trap heat
- Inadequate support for certain sleepers
- Softness can cause sink
- Lack of bounce
- Weak edge support
- More expensive than the spring mattress
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are made of rubber material and latex is used to construct the comfort system and the support core. It is the use of latex that makes this type of mattress conform to the body and promote spinal alignment.
Besides, latex makes the bed bouncy, and significantly responsive - a notable aspect of mattress for couples to have good sex. When compared to memory foam, latex transfers more motion, but it can be a little disruptive for people who are sensitive to movement on the bed.
The support core latex is designed to be firmer and denser to provide stability. The latex used for the comfort system is designed to have more contouring as compared to the support core latex. Different manufacturers can employ different types of latex.
Pros of Latex Mattress
- Higher bounce back capacity
- No feeling of sinking
- Can be manufactured using natural materials
- Latex is one of the most durable options
Cons of Latex Mattress
- Some latex mattresses may feel “spongy”
- Higher price than many other foam types
- Not suitable for people with latex allergies
- The heavyweight of the mattress makes it difficult to transport
Subtypes of Latex Mattress
There are different types of latex mattresses depending on the type of latex used. Most manufacturers refer to latex as synthetic or natural.
Synthetic latex is manufactured using petroleum-based chemicals. You won’t often find this in mattresses because of poor performance and short life span. This is the reason they are available at a cheaper price.
Natural latex is manufactured using a sap (milky white material) extracted from rubber trees. Some curing agents are added to the sap and then it is allowed to take a specific shape before it turns into a final product.
Two processes of creating a natural latex are - Dunlop and Talay
- Dunlop Latex - It is slightly denser and firmer on one side. During the making of this latex, a thick sap is extracted from trees and whipped into a froth, and poured in a mold. It is then baked at a high temperature so that it turns into its final configuration.
- Talalay Latex - It is lighter and airier with consistent texture. In this latex-making process, once the sap is whipped and poured in a mold, it is vacuum-sealed. Then it is frozen and baked so that there is limited sediment flow.
Both Dunlop and Talalay latex, have excellent bounce and durability. However, Talalay latex is more preferred for comfort layers because it offers a lighter, softer feel. It may be more expensive than the Dunlop latex.
Hybrid Mattresses
The construction of a hybrid mattress includes innerspring coil support and a comfort system, both working in tandem to provide you with enhanced support. Users get a balanced feel and can reap the benefits of both innerspring and memory foam.
Besides memory foam, a comfort system can be made from latex, polyfoam, and textile fabrics. The design of the comfort system has a great impact on the performance of the hybrid mattress. It has got a great demand and is trending in the mattress industry.
Pros of Hybrid Mattresses
- Ideal for side, back, and stomach sleepers
- Best for couples looking for combined sleep needs
- Designed to have balanced features
- Offers good bounce
- Provide solid temperature regulation
Cons Of Hybrid Mattresses
- Expensive if the mattress construction is a combination of innerspring or foam
- Memory foam layers are too soft for some sleepers
- A heavier and bulkier mattress is difficult to transport
- Lacks motion isolation due to pocketed coils
Other Mattress Types
Adjustable Bed Mattresses
This type of mattress allows the sleepers to adjust the foot or the head of the mattress as per the need, just like hospital beds. Adjustable beds offer a customized sleep experience as well as more comfort. Memory foam or latex foam mattresses are usually compatible with adjustable beds.
Pillowtop Mattress
A pillowtop technology includes innerspring or even air mattresses, mainly designed to enhance comfort. Some extra inches of padding on the top layer of the mattress explains the name pillowtop mattress. Known for a quick bounce back and comfortable fiberfill, besides cooling properties. The drawbacks are - high cost and a slight odor.
Gel or Gel-Infused Foam
If memory foam is too warm to sleep comfortably, try a gel-infused foam mattress. It regulates the temperature better than memory foam and is gentle on joints and hips. However, it is costlier than memory foam.
Polyfoam
Polyfoam mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses in feel. In spring mattresses, a polyfoam layer is used to encase the coils. Polyfoam mattresses are known for their good bounce-back capacity. A high resiliency foam, usually found in the wave mattress is more supportive and firmer. But, it is expensive!
Futon Bed
It’s a dual-purpose couch bed that accommodates a minimal space in your living area. But, you can make the most use of it. Futon beds are best for small rooms or apartments. Buy one of six inches or more for enough comfort and support. If you are going to use it regularly, then opt for an innerspring mattress.
Waterbed
In simple terms, it’s a water-filled mattress popular since ‘80s. The best thing about water beds is that they relieve pressure on painful areas of your body. You can also heat water, which has a therapeutic effect. However, waterbeds are difficult to set up and weigh around 2000 pounds when full, which makes them difficult to transport. There is also potential for leaks and the scope of absorbing very little motion.
Airbed
Airbeds or air mattresses are hardly taller than a few inches and are best for temporary usage like - brief night overs, travel, camping, etc. They are pleasant to sleep in because some air beds have built-in inflation devices that help you to adjust the mattress firmness with the touch of a button. Air mattresses with a battery-powered pump are far more advantageous than one that can be inflated only with a wall outlet.
Organic Mattress
The production process is natural, hence the name organic mattress. The materials used have organic certifications like Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). So, these mattresses made of organic cotton or wool cover are eco-friendly.
Conclusion
Every sleeper has unique needs and a mattress significantly impacts your sleep and comfort. Deciding what is the best type of mattress for you depends on what best suits you, give you comfort, and allows you to have a restful sleep at night. This article covered different types of mattresses along with their pros and cons to help you make a wise buying decision. Make most of the free trials before buying your perfect mattress.
For more on mattresses and other sleep-related products contact Dreamcloud.
