Finding the best, most comfortable mattress for your personal needs is one of the most important purchases you’ll make. Of all the furniture in your home, you spend more time in bed than with any other object. It also plays a major role in how you feel when you wake up and your performance throughout the day. However, there is no shortage to the number of mattresses and mattress types, which makes it confusing. Due to this, you may need the different types of mattresses explained. It’s always best to understand and compare different types of mattresses before going into the mattress store. So, here is what you need to know regarding mattresses.
Different Types of Mattresses Explained:
Adjustable Base
The adjustable base is great for shifting the angle for which you sleep. This helps if you need to sit up to work on a computer, or if you need to prop your legs up. The major drawbacks to this kind of a mattress is they can be loud, and if you ever need to move these are extremely heavy.
Memory Foam
Your first experience with memory foam likely came with a movie theater seat. Movie theaters replaced the traditional foam seats as the memory foam provided a more durable seat and many find memory foam to be far more comfortable.
Memory foam adjusts to the pressure applied to the foam. Due to this it will contour to your body when you sleep. You may enjoy the feeling of memory foam while sleeping, or you may detest it. There are some who do not like the cradled feeling (or the slight sinking feeling that accompanies with it). If you need firm support for your back, memory foam may not be the right fit for you. However, if you suffer back pain, pain in your neck, or in your knees, memory foam can help as it does take pressure off these areas of your body.
Another benefit of memory foam is it reduces dust mites, so if you have allergies to dust this may be the best option to consider. Also, when you compare different types of mattresses with a spouse or someone you share the bed with, memory foam has low motion transfer, so your sleeping partner may not feel movement.
Gel
If you want a soft material to sleep on but don’t like the sinking feeling of memory foam, gel is the way to go. Gel will snap back to its original position quickly, which is a plus if you shift to different sides while you sleep. So, while this form of mattress does shift to your body (similar to foam) it doesn’t completely compress down. Basically, it is the memory foam without the sinking feeling (and without the prolonged impression in the mattress).
If you are someone who sweats at night, this is usually due to not having any airflow around your body. The point of contact with the mattress traps heat, causing you to sweat. Gel is one of the best mattresses when it comes to this. It allows you to easily disperse heat, keeping you cool.
Pillow Top
The pillow top mattress often gives you a traditional mattress (such as a latex, spring, or memory foam) and then provides a pillow-like feature on top of the mattress. This offers additional softness to your sleep. It helps with keeping you cool while you sleep and often the pillow top can be washed. However, the pillow top is also one of the more expensive options out there.
Innerspring
The innerspring mattress is probably the mattress you grew up with. It’s a standard mattress that is also typically the least expensive option. Essentially, it a frame made up of springs inside of fabric.
The springs can be adjusted to offer different levels of support. However, These springs will eventually wear down and no longer hold the same coil density. In terms of affordability you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything less expensive. You will likely need to replace these particular mattresses sooner though, so keep this in mind when making the purchase.
There are a number of coil types that play a role in the level of comfort and structure of the mattress. These kinds of coils include continuous, Bonnell, offset, and Marshall (also known as Pockete Coil). If you’re considering such a purchase you will want the different types of mattresses explained regarding the coils. Ultimately, it all is about the level of pressure and firmness you experience with your mattress.
Latex
Latex is growing in popularity because it is made from a natural material. It is also especially durable and affordable, which is great when you want something with a similar price point to spring, but want a material that is a bit more forgiving. The one downside when comparing latex to spring (outside of the slight increase in price) is a latex mattress is substantially heavier. So, if you plan on moving any time soon you might want to avoid latex.
Water Bed
The classic water bed hasn’t completely disappeared. Chances are if you were around in the 1980s you knew at least one person with a water bed. It’s a great way to stay warm as you can adjust the temperature of the water, but if a leak forms it is a major headache.
Chances are, you’ll either love or hate a water bed. First, while it does take weight off of your body, there is zero in the way of support. However, some modern water beds have varying settings for wave generating, which can help if you have trouble sleeping, and there are also split-zone options, so if you’re sleeping with a partner, they can have a different set temperature. There are all kinds of mattresses out there. Some mattresses even combine the varying forms explained here. For example, you often will find a pillow top mattress that also uses memory foam. The right mattress for you is not always going to be the right mattress for someone else. So, make sure to compare different types of mattresses and, if you are still confused, have the different types of mattresses explained by the staff before making any purchase.
