There’s more to choosing the perfect mattress than just its size, thickness and softness. From innerspring to memory foam, modern mattresses are available in a variety of different materials and design types.
Each type of mattress offers its own range of advantages, from unbeatable softness to a firmer, more supportive feel. Below, we’ve listed five of the most common mattress types, along with a short explanation of each type’s main advantages and disadvantages.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are made up of soft outer layers, with an internal support core containing pocketed innerspring coils. This type of mattress is highly popular and easy to find in homes and hotels around the world.
Thanks to this mix of innerspring coils and outer foam or latex, innerspring mattresses can offer a good mix of comfort and support. They’re also usually quite affordable. Despite this, they often wear out faster than other mattress types due to their unique design and structure.
Latex
As you might expect from their name, latex mattresses are filled with a latex foam that provides support for your body. Like most other mattresses, latex mattresses are available in a range of different firmness levels, with firmer mattresses typically containing more thickly packed foam.
One of the biggest advantages of latex mattresses is that they heat up less than other mattress types, such as memory foam. They’re also highly comfortable. The main disadvantage of latex mattresses is that they can be slightly heavier than mattresses made using other materials.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses use a unique material called viscoelastic, or memory foam, that can mold to your body. When your body heats or applies pressure to the memory foam, it molds to match the contours of your body, providing a personalised fit and feel.
While scientific evidence is limited, many people who sleep on memory foam mattresses claim that this type of mattress can prevent pain, particularly in injured or sensitive areas. Thanks to its molding benefits, memory foam can also be a very comfortable material on which to sleep.
Despite these advantages, memory foam isn’t perfect. Because memory foam can retain heat, mattresses made using this material can get quite warm, making it a less-than-optimal choice if you live in a warm region.
Natural Fibre
Natural fibre mattresses have a similar structure to latex mattresses. However, instead of using materials like latex or artificial polyurethane foam, mattresses of this type contain natural fibres that keep you comfortable and supported while you sleep.
Common materials for natural fibre mattresses include organic wool, cotton and hemp. As you’d expect, the biggest advantage of natural fibre mattresses is their use of environmentally friendly materials. The downside: some seasonal care requirements, as well as an often high price tag.
Waterbed
Believe it or not, you might find yourself getting the deepest, more energising sleep of your life on a waterbed. Waterbeds are made up of a water-filled mattress that sits inside a conventional foam and fabric casing, providing comfort while protecting you from any potential leaks.
While many people think of waterbeds as a unique novelty, they offer several advantages over other mattresses. Some users swear they’re more comfortable than a standard mattress, while others note that they provide extra contour support for your spine and lower back muscles.
As for disadvantages, waterbeds can be very expensive to heat, making them less-than-ideal if you live in a cool region. Since you’ll need to drain the mattress before moving it, they can also be difficult and inconvenient to transport.
Which type of mattress is best?
Everyone has different needs and sleep preferences, meaning there’s no “best” type of mattress for everyone. For a perfect night’s sleep, it’s best to compare a wide range of mattress materials and types to find the most suitable option for you.