Mattress Types
Choosing the right mattress type
A poor mattress is one of the leading causes of bad sleep. And even a high-quality mattress should be replaced about every five to seven years. Technology has changed, so if you haven’t shopped for a new one in a while, it’s worth comparing mattress types so that you can choose the best one for you.
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Most widely used of all mattress types
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Uses steel coils plus layers of upholstery for insulation and cushioning
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Comes in a full range of comfort choices from fluffy-as-a-cloud to extra firm. Firmer versions are better for back pain.
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Prices range to suit nearly every wallet. Quality counts: If there isn’t proper support, you could wake up with a sore back.
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Toppers are available
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Now designed with a familiar mattress/foundation look
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Water-filled core for support
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Layers of upholstery for insulation and comfort
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Quality construction is critical with waterbed mattresses. Vinyl and seaming should be designed for maximum durability.
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Also known as green mattress
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Made from organically grown components. Warning: do your research! Terms like green and natural are not regulated. Ask a reputable salesperson what qualifies the mattress as organic.
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Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more information on green products
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Designed to support joints, back and overall muscular skeletal body
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Traditionally constructed of coil springs, but memory foam is becoming more common
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Talk to your physician when choosing an ortho mattress that suits your specific needs or ailments
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Has an extra layer of soft cushioning attached to the mattress surface
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Made from a wide selection of luxury materials from natural cotton and wool to advanced-technology foams and gels that mold to the body
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One of the newest technologies
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Not a liquid, but a molded and highly flexible material used in conjunction with other mattress materials
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Can be infused with foams to create a gel foam mattress with a different overall “feel”
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Not the same as an inflatable air mattress, air beds are designed to look like an innerspring mattress/box spring combination
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Uses air-filled chambers to provide support instead of innersprings or foam. Often covered by a foam layer on top.
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Comes in a variety of comfort levels
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Many models allow adjustments on each side of the bed to suit your individual needs. May be a good choice for couples with very different sleep preferences. If back pain is a problem, adjust firmness to increase support.
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Made from natural or synthetic rubber
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Offers firm, bouncy support uniformly throughout the bed. More supportive than memory foam, but not as soft. Great for relieving back pain.
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Hypoallergenic
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Breathes to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer
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Naturally resistant to bacteria, mildew, mold and dust mites
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Toppers are available
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Made of layers of different densities of foam that contour to the shape of your body
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Can reduce pressure points and relieve pain
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Absorbs movement. Good choice if you have a partner that tosses and turns.
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May get hotter than traditional inner spring. Some options offer cooling layers.
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Higher-density memory foam is heat-sensitive:
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Softens when it senses body heat
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Allows the mattress to mold to a warm body within a few minutes
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A lower-density memory foam is pressure-sensitive:
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Molds quickly to the shape of a body pressing against it
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Returns to its original shape once the pressure is removed
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Toppers are available
