When looking for a new mattress, it’s essential to know your sleeping needs and how different materials best suit those requirements. One of the best ways to quickly identify the ideal mattress is to learn about the types of mattresses and the materials they are made of. Use this guide of the most common mattress types to get started on your mattress shopping journey.

1.Latex

Materials

Latex mattresses are either made of natural materials or human-made synthetic latex. While all-natural latex is made from rubber tree sap, synthetic latex is made from petrochemicals. Sometimes, latex mattresses are a hybrid of the two, which creates a more durable and comfortable mattress.

Advantages

• Long Lifespan– Latex mattresses have a higher life expectancy than most other types of mattresses. They also offer comfort and reliability throughout their lifespan.
• Suitable for Back and Neck Pain– Latex mattresses’ firmness can reduce and prevent pain and sores, especially in the lower back.
• Good for Sleeping with a Partner– When one partner continuously tosses and turns, the sleeper barely feels the movement on the other side of a latex mattress.

Disadvantages

• Longer Break-in Period– Latex mattresses will take longer than most to break in and reach the ideal firmness.
• Body Indentations– Body indentations can limit the natural movement of the individual sleeper at night.
• More Expensive– Natural latex mattresses are generally more expensive than other mattress types.

2. Innerspring

Materials

Innerspring mattresses have columns of coils at the core that compresses and offer your body support while you sleep. The coils give innerspring mattresses their bounciness and durability. A full-sized bed should have 300 coils, a queen 400, and a king 480.

Advantages

• You Have Options– Innerspring mattresses come in various styles, manufactures, and coil systems depending on your sleeping needs.
• They’re Bouncy– Innerspring mattresses contain coils that compress and support the sleeper’s body.
• They’re Breathable– The coil construction of an innerspring mattress allows air to circulate and prevents the buildup of moisture.
• They’re Inexpensive– Unlike their counterparts, innerspring mattresses are less expensive both online and in stores.

Disadvantages

• Unequal Pressure on Your Body– The spiraled coils within innerspring mattresses often create unequal pressure on different sections of your body. Unbalanced weight distribution can lead to pain points and slows blood circulation.
• Short Life Expectancy– Most innerspring mattresses have shorter life expectancies since coils can give out. The comfort layers can also sag and grow compressed.

3. Foam

Materials

If you want a contouring mattress, you have plenty of material options within the foam mattress family:

• Air Foam– Air foam mattresses offer pressure relief and are temperature, meaning they don’t trap heat like other foam mattresses. You can learn more about air foam mattresses by reading Nolah Mattress reviews.
• Memory Foam– Mattress producers make memory foam with polyurethane, which gives them their distinct viscosity and elasticity. In other words, memory foam mattresses contour to your body but bounce back once you get out of bed, relieving the pressure.
• Gel Foam– Gel foam mattresses have tiny gel beads that allow for proper airflow and heat transfer.
• Latex Foam– Latex foam mattresses are made of white rubber that distributes firmness and heat across the mattress.

Advantages

• Pain and Pressure Relief– Foam mattresses’ temperature-responsive and contouring feature relieves back pain and offers additional support for your body.
• Hypoallergenic– Foam is often hypoallergenic, as it’s made from inorganic fibers resistant to pet dander, dust mites, and other common allergens.
• Good for Any Sleeping Position– Foam mattresses support any sleeping position since they fill in gaps all along your body regardless of how you sleep.

Disadvantages

• Traps Heat– Memory foam mattresses, in particular, usually trap in heat and make you uncomfortably warm at night.
• Heavier Mattress– The density makes foam mattresses quite heavy and difficult to move.

4. Hybrid

Materials

Hybrid mattresses combine different materials, but they usually have a layer of foam or latex on top of innerspring coils. The type of foam used can vary from mattress to mattress.

Advantages

• Contours to Your Body– Hybrid mattresses offer better contouring to your body than the simple innerspring mattresses.
• Provides Extra Back Support– The mattress’s foam layer hugs your body, while the spring layer offers extra back support while you sleep.

Disadvantages

• Price– Since hybrid mattresses are growing in popularity, they tend to be more expensive than other mattresses.
• Weight– Because hybrid mattresses have both innerspring construction and a foam or latex layer, they weigh a lot more than most other mattress options.

Find The Mattress That Works For You

Choosing the right type of mattress for your body and sleeping style can be a daunting task. While there is no shortness of mattress choices, it can be hard to find the one that makes you feel the most comfortable. The right type of mattress will positively impact your sleep quality. As such, understanding what each mattress is made of can help you narrow down your options.

Which mattress do you prefer?

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