Mattresses 101: Types, Shopping Tips, Myths and More
You sleep on it every night, but do you ever really think about your mattress? With the rise of boxed mattresses like Caspr, Endy, Bloom and Juno, “the best mattress to have” is a super popular question to ask. And if you bring up mattress types with your friends, every one of them will have their own opinion.
But what are the different types of mattresses? And is one really better than the other?
MYTH: Memory foam is intrinsically better than spring mattresses.
FACT: Individual bodies and people with individual sleep preferences enjoy different types of mattresses – just like everything else.
So, get to know all the different types, their benefits and negatives, and what we believe every person should know when shopping for a new mattress.
Different classes of mattresses
Depending on where you look, mattresses are classified in different ways. You can look at them as:
Foam
Spring
Hybrid
Some classify latex foam beds as their separate category – probably for those who have latex allergies and need to be 100% sure their mattress does not have latex in it. (Many hybrid mattresses use latex foam so be sure to ask about all materials when shopping!)
Overall, though, it is best to look at mattresses that are based in foam, those that have springs, and those that use a mix of the two. Using this method, hybrids and pillow tops would be under the same category. (If you want to know more about the differences, read on!)
The Best Mattress Is the Best Mattress FOR YOU
There is no single best mattress in the world. Even the most highly ranked memory foam mattress would be a one-star for someone who loves a bouncy mattress.
Many mattresses can be used for 30, 60 or 90 days to be refunded if it doesn’t work for you. Take advantage of mattress return policies if you’re swapping to a different type of mattress. It may not sound like a big deal, but the difference is real between a foam and spring bed. And if you don’t think you’ll notice a difference, your body certainly will after a few nights sleep.
Health, Wellness and Mattresses
Mattresses can impact your overall wellness beyond just the support they give you when you sleep. When looking for mattresses, you need to think about the material for other reasons too, like:
Resistance to mold
If they trap allergens
How appealing they are to dust mites and other irritants
How warm or cool they keep you
How long they last
Return policy
What size they sell them in
What budget they are in
The mattress is the foundation of our sleep - literally. And sleep impacts everything from how we feel during the day and our ability to focus to our literal gut health and mental wellbeing. If you buy a new mattress and it is not working for you, don’t tough it out.
How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?
Mattresses should be replaced every 6 - 8 years depending on material, quality and use.
Do You Flip Mattresses?
Flipping a mattress used to be part of the spring and fall cleaning rituals. But it is a MYTH that you need to flip mattresses every 6 months.
Today's mattress, however, doesn’t necessarily need to be flipped or rotated. Pillow tops, for example, can’t be flipped and many other modern designs are designed to be one-side up anyways.
If your mattress should be flipped, the manufacturer will specifically say it on the tag.
Top Tips for Buying a Mattress
Keep receipts on mattresses and return them if your body doesn’t work with it (and don’t feel bad about returning it)
Consult your doctor, massage therapist or other physiotherapist for any recommendations they have for you
Ask your friends and family. . . But make the decision for you and you alone
Don’t let media and ads make the decision for you – do your research!
Different Types of Mattresses
Memory Foam
Memory foam – or orthopedic mattresses – was invented in 1966 by NASA. The Ames Research Center was researching how to increase shock absorbency of airplane seats when they created the concept of a foam mattress or cushion.
Memory foam is made of polyurethane and other chemicals. The foam is little bubbles or holes that “open” up and allow for air flow. High-density memory foam becomes soft when it’s warmed by body heat. The foam begins to give and shifts to mold around a persons’ body. The bubbles are compressed, the air is forced out, and the bubbles compact. It’s that give that allows the foam to take different shapes.When you move off the mattress, the bubbles expand and refill with air.
The lack of air flow can make hot sleepers feel hotter. Some people report feeling like they’re “in” the mattress instead of sleeping “on” the mattress so it may not be enjoyable for everyone.
Memory foam doesn’t transfer movement so it can be popular with two people who share a bed and don’t want to be distrubed by the tossing the turning of their partner.
Because it contours to the body’s natural shape, it provides unmatched support for those who suffer from back pain and neck pain.They are known to be incredibly comfortable and reduce a lot of joint pressure. These simple pain-reducing points are what made the memory foam mattress so popular so quickly.
Best for:
People who don’t mind feeling warm at night
Neck pain
Back pain
Those with stiff joints
Morning stiffness
Other Foam Mattresses
Although memory foam is the most… well, memorable, there are actually other types of foam mattresses.
Gel foam or foam that is infused with gel helps to balance the comfort of foam with the coolness of springs. The gel helps to regulate body temperature and can be the solution for those who like firmer mattresses but get hot when they sleep.
Latex foam is soft and contours to the body much like memory foam. Over time, however, memory foam can lose its ability to “bounce back”. Latex foam doesn’t seem to have this problem. Latex is often used in hybrid mattresses to help balance comfort with the support of springs. Latex can feel more spongy than other foams and can’t be used by those with a latex allergy.
Polyfoam - short for polyurethane foam - is like memory foam but can be firmer and more supportive than the molding and shaping memory foam. Because it doesn’t have other chemicals added to it, these mattresses are a bit more expensive to manufacture (and therefore buy). They also bounce back quicker than memory foam and don’t create the same level of “sinking” that memory foam does.
Spring Mattresses
Spring mattresses may be more traditional but they are still popular for a reason. Although foam mattresses have taken the spotlight for support, spring mattresses can actually disperse weight and offer support in different ways than foam. While foam hugs and contours to your body, holding your joints and spine in the natural position, spring mattresses help to relieve pressure off joints by keeping the body from folding in on itself. They are still firm and comfortable in a different way than memory foam.
Because of the nature of springs, larger or heavier people can find more comfort and support with them compared to other mattresses. Stomach sleepers can also benefit from springs because they support the hips more to prevent hyper-tilting of the spine. Side sleepers could find springs to be uncomfortable.
Best for:
People who are heavier
Stomach sleepers
Back support
Hot sleepers
Quality and support on a budget
People who like a bounce
Pillow Top
Pillow tops provide the benefits of an innerspring system with the added comfort of a thick top layer. It’s literally a pillowy top to soften the springs. The pillow top can be made of foam or of cotton or even down.
Best for:
Those who like spring mattresses but need the added comfort
Are looking for a more affordable bed
Weight distribution for those who sleep with partners or who tend to roll to one side
Side sleepers who need extra support in the hip and shoulder but don’t like memory foam
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine both foam and springs layered together to blend comfort and support. Unlike a pillow top (which is an innerspring system topped with a layer of padding) a hybrid mattress uses pocketed spring coils that are individually wrapped to help restrict motion transfer during the night. For hybrids, the layer of foam – often latex foam – support is usually larger than two inches, providing both the comfort of a foam mattress with the support of springs. Because they have springs, they also transfer heat better like pillow tops and spring mattresses.
Best for:
The unsure shopper who likes springs but also likes foam and isn’t sure what to get
Those who need more comfort than a pillow top
Those that like foam but need a bit more bounce
Couples who need some motion-transfer control
Tighter budgets
Mattress Shopping 101
Long story short - there are different mattresses for a reason. Although memory foam has risen in popularity, there’s still plenty of benefits to hybrid, pillow top of a good ol’ spring mattress. Whatever type of mattress you love,