By estimates, an average human spends about one-third of their life on their bed, hence, choosing a mattress is quite an important task, but one that often doesn't get the careful attention it deserves.
While at first glance it may seem easy to choose a mattress, it is common to have doubts about your choice of mattress when it eventually comes down to it.
Choosing a mattress goes far beyond the physical characteristics of the product. To make a good choice, it is important to know the most common types of materials available and how they can be beneficial to your health.
We hope that at the end of this article, you can differentiate between the types of mattresses and make the best choice for your needs.
What Characteristics Make A Good Mattress?
Certain characteristics of a mattress are pointers to good quality and a smart investment that will last for years. The following table shows a list of the most desirable characteristics of a good mattress.
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Characteristics |
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Firmness |
It should offer adequate support for your sleeping position and weight. |
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Adaptability to Pressure |
It should adapt to the shape of the body and relieve pressure points. |
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Breathability |
It must allow good air circulation to avoid heat buildup. |
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Durability |
It must be resistant to wear, and maintain its shape and support over time. |
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Motion isolation |
It should minimize motion transfer so as not to disturb your partner while sleeping. |
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Hypoallergenic |
It must be made of materials that do not cause allergies or irritations |
The Main Types Of Mattress
The popular and main types of mattresses are foam, spring, visco-elastic (or memory foam), and latex mattresses.
1. Polyurethane or Foam Mattresses: Cheap, But Least Durable
Mattresses with HR foam (High Resilience) or polyurethane are made of high-density foam. They are the most popular around and this is because they are generally cheaper than Pocket Springsspring and even other types of mattresses.
Foam mattresses are generally light, deform quickly if they do not have the appropriate foam density, are sometimes hot, and are not the best option for back sleepers.
However, today, foam mattresses have varying quality and this can make them softer or firmer depending on user preference.
It is important to pay attention to the density of foam mattresses before getting one. Foam density is the amount of foam used per m³, as this is what defines how much weight the mattress can support without deforming. The most popular densities in single-foam mattresses are D28, D33, and D45.
While the D28 can support up to 90 kg, D45 mattresses can withstand up to 150 kg without deforming. Therefore, a D28 mattress will be softer since it yields lower weights in comparison with a D45.
You can check out foam mattresses of different sizes in our extensive catalog by clicking here!
Pros
- It is comfortable and it gives you a cushioning effect
- It has a wide range of firmness and so it’s very versatile.
Cons
- They are known to retain a lot of heat.
- They are made of non-biodegradable materials which can have a negative impact on the environment.
2. Spring Single Mattress: Lasts a Long Time, But Is More Expensive
Bonnell spring
They are traditional spring mattresses and are the most economical. Bonnell spring mattresses—or biconical springs—are very similar to pocket spring mattresses as far as performance is concerned. The difference is that these springs are independent, but are joined together by steel threads. Note that they have less motion isolation when compared to other spring systems.
Pocket Springs
Pocket spring mattresses are one of the most recommended options for people with high body temperature since they have high breathability and less heat retention. They are made up of hundreds of springs that are individually "bagged" in fabric. These mattresses have different firmnesses, depending on the layers that cover the springs.
They generally conform less than foam mattresses. The springs adapt better to the contours of the body and allow for greater isolation of movement. They are Ideal for couples since each person will have personalized support on their side of the bed.
Pocket Spring Mattresses are also highly recommended by experts as they tend to be great allies in aligning the spine. To see other models and sizes of pocket spring mattresses, click on the link below!
Continuous Thread Springs
They are made from a single steel wire that is wound into interconnected spirals. They offer firmer support as well as better isolation of movement than Bonnell Spring Mattress.
However, note that they do not offer enough isolation of movement precisely because it is a continuous thread and movement can easily transfer across the mattress. This can be especially annoying for lighter sleep if they sleep with someone else.
This mattress can also make a squeaky sound if the sleeper tosses and turns a lot.
There are other mattresses with other spring systems that are variations of these 3 main types. Some of them are Verticoil, Superplastic, Nanolastic, LFK, and Miracoil.
Pros
- They are known to last long (about 7-10 years) before needing a replacement.
- They support your weight better and give you a bouncy feeling.
Cons
- Some of them are more expensive than other mattresses
- After continuous use, some of them might become noisy due to the spring movement.
3. Latex mattress: Most Durable Type of Mattress
The latex mattress is made of natural or synthetic latex material. They are hypoallergenic, resistant, and breathable, offering adaptable support and a high level of comfort.
Because latex is a material that supports heavy loads, they are often recommended for people who are large and have high body weight. In addition, they are fluffy to the feel of sleep! and they work very well with adjustable beds.
Pros
- They are the most durable compared to other types of mattress.
- They are made of biodegradable materials and therefore are environment friendly.
Cons
- They can be heavier than your memory foam mattress and therefore hard to move around.
- Most of them have a rubbery smell on purchase.
4. Viscoelastic Mattress (Memory Foams)
Viscoelastic mattresses are also very popular and they are often the best-selling. They are made with memory foam, also popularly known as NASA foam. These mattresses stand out mainly because they are able to reduce pressure on your spine whilst providing relief to your pressure points especially when you sleep on your side. It is Ideal for people who spend many hours in bed and with muscle or joint problems.
The firmness of the mattress can be low, medium or high depending on the amount of Viscoelastic used in the mattress.
Memory Foam absorbs movements very well which is why they are highly recommended option for double beds. The breathability of this mattress type is less than that of spring mattresses, so they accumulate more body heat.
Pros
- They are very popular for motion isolation and comfortability.
- They don’t produce noise or squeaks even after using it for a long time.
Cons
- Just like polyurethane mattresses, they are also known to retain heat.
- Memory foam mattresses can retain moisture if not aired properly which can lead to odors.
Other Types of Mattress
Hybrid Mattress
Hybrid mattresses are designed to combine springs and foams in a single product and they are the go-to solution for many couples. Hybrid Mattresses are often preferred by customers as they tend to be the ones that offer the best balance between support and comfort.
You can learn more about the components, pros and cons of hybrid mattresses here.
Verticoil
Verticoil is also an example of a spring mattress. They are very similar to the Bonnell spring mattresses. The only difference between these two is the amount of springs present in each mattress. Verticoil has more spring which makes the mattress much more resistant to pressure..
Miracoil
Miracoil mattress is similar to continuous thread springs, but they offer more stability than the latter. A Miracoil mattress can support a weight of up to 110 kg.
Styrofoam mattress
Styrofoam mattresses are great for isolating body heat and reducing the transfer of movement. It is a 100% recyclable product and also has high durability and stability. They are generally affordable and are used as a base for other materials.
Air Mattresses
Air Mattress is also known as inflatable mattress. They are great options for those who have little space but love to receive visitors. Air mattresses can be easily transported and are extremely affordable.
Their texture is normally very soft but they can take relatively heavy weights if they are still in good condition.
Water Mattress
Just like the air mattress, the water mattress has a PVC layer that is filled with water. The water mattress has good support but should be used occasionally. They require specific maintenance and can be difficult to move due to their weight.
What Type Of Mattress Do I Need?
If you are in the process of choosing a mattress that will be perfect for you, you should take into account the following factors.
Build
People with large builds need firmer mattresses than those with smaller builds. This is because they need a bed that can support their weight comfortably. There are different recommended levels of mattress firmness for different body weights and we have explained this with a simple table.
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Degree of firmness |
Type |
Recommended Body Weight |
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H1 |
Soft |
Up to 60 kg |
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H2 |
Soft to Medium-firm |
60 kg - 80 kg |
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H3 |
Medium-firm |
80 kg - 100 kg |
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H4 |
Firm |
100 kg and above |
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H5 |
Extra Firm |
130 kg and above |
Sleeping posture
Firm mattresses are recommended for people who sleep on their backs. If you sleep on your side, you will benefit from a medium firm mattress than any other type. Soft mattresses are the most recommended options for Stomach sleepers.
Movement while sleeping
People who move a lot while sleeping should opt for harder mattresses—as they facilitate movement and prevent you from sleeping in a bad posture. Also, hybrid mattress is also an option as movement is limited to the pocket springs on that side of the bed.
Body Temperature
If you have a low body temperature, the most recommended option is HR foam, viscoelastic mattress, and latex, since these materials retain heat better. People who have higher body temperatures will benefit more from pocket springs or traditional spring mattresses.
Age
The older one gets, the less firm their bed should be. This is because softer beds help to relieve pressure on the spine, tailbone, pelvis, muscles, and joints. Therefore, you can sleep more comfortably and wake up more refreshed.
Budget
While other factors above are very important, your budget for a mattress can also be a deciding factor in picking a bed. Memory foam and polyurethane mattresses are known to be cheaper than latex and innerspring mattresses.
Conclusion
Choosing the best type of mattress for your exact need may not be as easy as many think, but now equipped with the right knowledge we trust you will make just the right choice.
You can browse through our finely made high-quality mattresses to choose a mattress for your comfort.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Type Of Mattress To Sleep On?
Pocket Spring mattresses are generally considered the best type of mattress. You can add an extra soft pillow top to have the best night's rest. Note that the Pocket Spring bed is not suitable for everyone and you should read our guide to make the best pick.
Which is the Best mattress; D33 or D28?
Each mattress density is designed to better accommodate a certain weight and height range.
– A D33 density mattress supports people who are more than 170m tall and weigh up to 100kg.
– A D45 density mattress supports people weighing up to 150kg, with no height indication.
