Purchasing a mattress can be extremely stressful. It’s an essential investment and is one of the items in the house that affects the quality of your daily and nightly life. Since there are many varieties of mattresses, it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down your choices and find the right mattress in the market.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be. This guide will help you streamline the process and make buying mattresses as relaxing as the sleep you’ll be getting as soon as you buy one for your home.
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Innerspring Mattresses
This type is one of the best beds in the market. An innerspring mattress comprises metal coils that are both the support structure for your weight and the ‘spring’ that makes up the bounce, which is why they’re also called coil spring mattresses. The more coils there are, the firmer the overall feel. And, the thicker the wire is, the better they are at distributing weight evenly and providing support.
Most innerspring mattresses also have a ‘topper’ on top of that coil layer for an extra layer of cushioning and padding. This topper is usually made up of foam or any natural padding, like down feathers.
Pros
It is available in various comfort options and prices. It offers pressure point relief by providing a firm, supportive feel.
Cons
For those who desire softness, a firmer feeling may not be the best choice. Some innerspring mattresses may not be compatible with adjustable bases. Also, they don’t provide motion isolation, which is another disadvantage to innerspring mattresses.
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses deliver excellent pressure relief and support with the bonus of being available in a range of comfort options. Depending on your preference, they can be very soft or relatively firm, and some may even offer extra contouring for optimal back and neck pain relief.
Pros
Flexible comfort options and availability in different firmness levels make it easy to find a mattress that works for you. The foam also offers strong edge support, perfect for couples sleepers who need more room to spread out. Most foam mattresses are adjustable-base compatible.
Cons
Some materials may not offer much bounce (resiliency), affecting a couple’s night if you like ‘action’ while sleeping. You can expect to pay more money to other mattress types for a foam mattress with high-quality materials.
Latex Mattresses
Like memory foam, latex mattresses hold their shape and don’t require as much transition from the foundation or box spring below to support you. Latex can be very supportive and adapts well to body weight, relieving pressure points while still delivering contouring comfort for those who seek it.
Pros
It offers strong edge support, perfect for couples sleepers who need more room to spread out.
Cons
Like memory foam, they may be too soft or firm for some sleeping styles or preferences. Some latex mattresses consist of only one layer of latex rather than multiple layers, which can cause a lack of responsiveness compared to higher-quality options that have more latex layers.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is a specific type of foam engineered to conform well to body shape and weight, maximizing comfort and pressure point relief while still providing responsiveness for active sleepers. Generally speaking, memory foam will have a higher price tag than other mattress materials because it offers the most benefits in terms of pain relief and contouring comfort.
Pros
Ideal for back pain sufferers or those looking for a softer sleeping experience in general. It has excellent motion isolation. If one person in the bed changes positions, it won’t significantly disturb your partner.
Cons
Memory foam can get hot, which is something to keep in mind if you’re looking for temperature neutrality. Also, the density of memory foam mattress material has a significant impact on motion isolation and overall responsiveness. If you’re sensitive to motion transfer (movements by your partner), you may want to consider latex or innerspring mattresses instead.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are typically manufactured with an innerspring core topped with layers of memory foam or latex materials. The main goal is creating supreme comfort. Most hybrid mattress manufacturers offer several comfort options so that you can customize your purchase, but they don’t skimp out on support. They often come packaged as traditional box springs, making them compatible with standard foundation systems.
Pros
Hybrid mattresses offer the best of both worlds regarding firmness, motion isolation, and support. You can easily find them in stores, too.
Cons
It’s a bit pricey, so if you’re on a budget, these probably aren’t the best choice for your needs. Also, they can sometimes present heat retention problems as memory foam does.
Conclusion
Although it is essential to have an excellent knowledge of the basics of mattress buying, expert knowledge is invaluable. You should also consider your sleeping style and pain points while weighing your options against spending budget. There’s a mattress available to everyone, so don’t settle for anything less than the best sleep you can achieve—you owe it to yourself!
