Types of Mattresses
Is It Time to Break Up with Your Old Mattress?
If your mattress has been your nightly companion for over seven years, it might be time to ask yourself a simple question: Is it still giving you the restful sleep you deserve? Over time, even the best mattresses lose their ability to support your body and relieve pressure on your joints. The result? A gradual decline in sleep quality that you may not notice, until the aches and restless nights begin.
Waking up with sore hips, a stiff back, or lingering fatigue despite a full night’s sleep can all point to one culprit: your aging mattress. When your bed stops supporting you, it’s time to return the favor, by supporting yourself with something new.
Finding the Right Mattress for You: A Complete Guide
Choosing a new mattress is a deeply personal experience, what works for one person might be uncomfortable for another. With so many types, materials, and technologies available, understanding your options is the first step toward finding your ideal match.
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular mattress types to help you make an informed choice:
Pillow-Top Mattresses
Plush Comfort with Extra Cushioning
Love the feeling of sinking into your bed? Pillow-top mattresses add an extra layer of soft padding stitched on top for enhanced comfort. These top layers are often made from foam, fiber, or latex, giving you a luxurious, cloud-like surface that feels as cozy as it looks.
Innerspring Mattresses
Reliable Support from a Classic Design
Innerspring mattresses have stood the test of time. Featuring a steel coil support system, these beds offer a firm and responsive feel. Coil designs vary—some are interconnected for a more traditional bounce, while others are individually wrapped (pocket coils) for better motion isolation and body contouring. Generally, the more coils a mattress has, the more support and precision it can offer.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Contouring Support That Hugs You Back
Memory foam mattresses are all about personalized support. Made from high-density foam that responds to heat and pressure, these mattresses mold to your body’s shape, easing tension on your shoulders, hips, and joints. They’re also great for couples, as they minimize motion transfer, so your partner’s tossing won’t disturb your rest.
Memory Foam vs. Gel Memory Foam
What’s the Difference?
Memory foam mattresses have gained immense popularity for their ability to contour to the body, relieve pressure points, and minimize motion transfer. Originally developed by NASA, memory foam is made from viscoelastic polyurethane, which molds to your shape and supports spinal alignment during sleep. Its dense structure also makes it resistant to allergens like dust mites and pet dander. A traditional memory foam bed is ideal for those seeking a quiet, supportive, and long-lasting mattress that promotes deeper, more restorative sleep. However, some sleepers may find memory foam retains heat, which can be uncomfortable, especially in warmer climates or for hot sleepers.
Considering a Cooler Option?
That’s where gel memory foam comes in. Infused with cooling gel beads or layers, gel memory foam mattresses aim to dissipate body heat and provide a slightly springier feel. While they share most of the benefits of standard memory foam, such as pressure relief, motion isolation, and body-contouring support, gel-infused models may sleep cooler and feel more responsive. That said, they often come at a higher price point. Ultimately, choosing between memory foam and gel memory foam depends on your sleep temperature preferences, budget, and desired mattress feel. Both are excellent options, just be sure to consider durability, breathability, and support when selecting what’s right for you.
Latex Mattresses
Naturally Resilient, Comfortably Supportive
Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic rubber and offer a buoyant, responsive feel. Unlike memory foam, latex doesn’t contour as deeply, which makes it perfect for those who prefer a bit more bounce and a “lifted” feeling. Plus, latex is known for being durable, breathable, and eco-friendly.
Air Mattresses
Customizable Firmness with a Modern Twist
Not to be confused with inflatable camping mats, residential airbeds are designed for everyday use. These beds feature internal air chambers that allow you to fine-tune firmness levels. Many models include dual controls, so you and your partner can personalize each side of the bed. Ideal for couples with different comfort needs.
Water mats. (waterbeds)
A Flowing Alternative to Traditional Sleep
Waterbeds use water-filled chambers to provide support, offering a distinctive floating sensation. Available in hard-sided (with wooden frames) or soft-sided (encased in foam), these mattresses can be tailored for motion, choose free-flow or waveless chambers depending on your preference. While not for everyone, waterbeds can offer a soothing, pressure-free sleep experience.
Though they may seem like a relic from the ’70s and ’80s, waterbeds are still in use today, especially among those seeking relief from chronic pain or seeking a unique sleep sensation. Modern waterbeds have evolved with better temperature controls and improved motion isolation, making them a niche but lasting choice for unconventional sleepers.
Organic Mattresses
Organic mattresses are made using certified organic materials like natural wool, latex, and cotton, offering a healthier alternative to traditional options. By avoiding harmful chemicals commonly found in conventional mattresses, they help reduce risks linked to skin and respiratory irritation, hormone disruption, nervous system effects, and weakened immune function. Beyond health benefits, organic mattresses are also environmentally friendly, produced using sustainable practices that minimize ecological impact. While many brands loosely use terms like “natural” or “organic” for marketing, truly certified organic mattresses, verified by strict standards such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), make up less than 2% of the market, making them a rare but trustworthy choice for conscious consumers.
Hybrid Mattresses
The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid mattresses combine the sturdy support of innerspring coils with the plush comfort of foam layers, such as memory foam, latex, or gel-infused foam. This fusion creates a balanced sleep experience that offers both pressure relief and responsiveness, making hybrids a popular choice for a wide range of sleep styles. If you sleep with a partner, hybrids are a smart pick, they reduce motion transfer while still offering enough bounce for ease of movement. Plus, many hybrids come with breathable designs that help regulate temperature, making them a solid choice for hot sleepers as well.
Specialty Foam Mattresses
Engineered Comfort, Tailored to You
When considering an all-foam mattress, it’s important to understand the unique construction and benefits that specialty foams provide. High-quality all-foam mattresses are known for their exceptional ability to conform to the sleeper’s body, offering targeted pressure relief—especially at the hips and shoulders—and reducing motion transfer between sleep partners. These mattresses often create a sensation of “sleeping in” rather than “on” the mattress, as they cradle and support the body through layers of advanced polyurethane and plant-based foams. From viscoelastic memory foam to responsive latex and high-density polyfoam, each material adds a distinct feel, allowing consumers to choose the level of support and comfort that suits their sleeping style. Additionally, many of these foams are CertiPUR-US® certified, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for emissions, durability, and content.
Breaking down the materials further, polyurethane foam is commonly used in both the core and comfort layers due to its versatility and range of densities. Memory foam, a specialized type of polyurethane, is engineered to respond slowly to pressure and body heat, offering deep contouring but sometimes retaining warmth—though newer open-cell versions help with cooling. Latex foam, on the other hand, is springy, breathable, and instantly responsive, making it ideal for those who shift positions frequently during the night. Beyond the base materials, modern mattresses often include infused foams with cooling gel, copper, or graphite, each delivering added benefits like heat dissipation or antimicrobial properties. Whether as part of an all-foam build or combined with springs in hybrid models, these specialty foams form the foundation for a comfortable, supportive, and tailored sleep experience.
Elevate Your Sleep with Adjustable Beds
Adjustable beds are more than just a luxury, they’re a game-changer for comfort and health. With the ability to raise or lower the head and foot of the bed, you can find the perfect position for sleeping, reading, or even watching TV. They’re especially helpful for easing back pain, improving circulation, or relieving snoring and acid reflux.
Tailored Comfort for Two
Many adjustable bases come with dual controls, allowing couples to individually adjust their side without compromise.
Blending Comfort and Style
Today’s adjustable beds are designed to look like regular beds when flat, so you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality. It’s comfort, convenience, and elegance all in one.
Your Sleep, Your Choice
The right mattress can transform the way you sleep, and the way you feel throughout the day. Whether you’re looking for classic innerspring support, plush foam comfort, or advanced adjustability, there’s a perfect match out there waiting for you.
Explore our full range of expert-reviewed mattresses to discover the one that suits your sleep style, body type, and budget. Because a better night’s sleep starts with the right foundation.