Step 4: Explore Mattress Type and Materials
In the previous steps, you figured out the type of support and comfort qualities you need from a mattress, based on your sleep position, health needs, and personal preferences. Finally, it’s time to put all this together and find the mattress that’s designed to accommodate these preferences.
Innerspring mattresses use steel coils as their support system, topped by comfort layers of foam, memory foam, latex foam, or minicoils.
Our testing shows these mattresses are ideal for:
Hot sleepers. Innerspring mattresses have excellent temperature neutrality, due to freely flowing air throughout the support core. With less conforming in their comfort layers, there’s also less potential for trapping body heat.
Those looking for even support. The innerspring coils provide uniform support across the mattress.
Those who want a minimal amount of conforming. The amount of memory foam in the comfort layers, and the thickness of the comfort layers, can increase the conforming of an innerspring mattress, but generally these mattresses have minimal conforming.
Those who want a responsive surface for sex. Innerspring mattresses are bouncy and suitable for sex.
Budget shoppers. Innerspring mattresses are widely available and one of the more affordable mattress types.
Foam mattresses use high-density polyfoam in their support layer, with comfort layers of polyfoam or memory foam.
Our testing shows these mattresses are ideal for:
Those looking for pressure relief. Foam mattresses are unparallelled in their ability to provide pressure relief, making them a favorite among those with chronic pain.
Those who want a high level of conforming. Foam beds, especially those with higher ratios of memory foam, will conform closely to the body.
Light sleepers. Foam mattresses isolate motion extremely well, so sleepers are less likely to wake up from noise or movement.
Couples. Foam mattresses sleep very quiet, although they can create a feeling of “fighting” the mattress during sex.
Budget shoppers. Foam mattresses have a low price-point, around $1,000 for a Queen, and are widely available.
Hybrid mattresses are a hybrid of innerspring and foam mattresses. They use individually pocketed coils in their support core, with at least 2 inches of memory foam or latex in their comfort layers.
Our testing shows these mattresses are ideal for:
Those looking for strong edge support. The support system is surrounded by a perimeter of polyfoam, ensuring strong edge support for those who like to sit on or sleep close to the edges of their bed.
Those who want a mix of conforming and responsiveness. Individually pocketed coils provide more contouring than an innerspring bed, while still being responsive for sex. The thickness and composition of the comfort layers ultimately determine the conforming of the mattress, with more memory foams equating to more conforming.
Back pain sufferers. The pocketed coils provide stabilizing support, while comfort layers relieve pressure. Plus, hybrid mattresses can feature zoned support systems, which are ideal for alleviating back pain.
Hot sleepers. The pocketed coil core supports airflow. Depending on the materials used in the comfort layers, some hybrid beds sleep cooler than others. Organic latex foams, or memory foams infused with gel, graphite, or copper offer better temperature neutrality.
Couples. Hybrids isolate motion fairly well, providing a quiet sleep surface, while still maintaining a good amount of responsiveness for sex.
Latex mattresses use polyfoam or latex in their support core, with comfort layers of latex and other foams. Latex foam is formed using either the Dunlop or Talalay process. Dunlop has a denser feel, so it’s often used as a support layer, or in mattresses with higher firmness ratings. Talalay latex is fluffier and more common in comfort layers and softer mattresses.
Our testing shows these mattresses are ideal for:
Those interested in durability. Latex mattresses boast some of the longest lifespans, as they’re more resistant to sagging.
Heavier sleepers. Latex mattresses, especially those made from denser Dunlop latex, can provide long-lasting support for these individuals.
Hot sleepers. Latex mattresses sleep quite cool, especially if they contain a higher amount of natural latex.
Sleepers with allergies. All-latex mattresses are made with organic latex foams, which are naturally resistant to dust, mold, and bacteria.
Eco-conscious shoppers. Latex mattresses can be made almost entirely from organic materials (95% or more). In addition to using natural latex, these beds may also feature sustainably-sourced wool and organic cotton in their cover.
Airbeds have a support system of individual air chambers, topped by at least one comfort layer of foam. Sleepers can adjust the firmness of the bed by inflating or deflating it, using a manual crank or remote control.
Our testing shows these mattresses are ideal for:
Those interested in durability. Airbeds can last for a very long time, as long as you keep them well-maintained and regularly replace their parts.
Sleepers with changing firmness preferences. Sleepers can adjust the mattress whenever they want to achieve their ideal firmness level.
Couples. Airbeds minimize motion transfer to a significant extent, so reducing disruptions from a sleep partner shifting positions during the night.
Those looking for pressure relief. With their adjustable firmness, airbeds can provide good pressure relief, especially if they have thicker comfort layers.
Back pain sufferers. Sleepers can adjust the firmness level to create their ideal mix of support and pressure point relief.
Step 5: What’s Your Mattress Budget?
By now, you know what kind of mattress you want to buy. All that’s left is finding one that fits your budget.
Generally, a quality, Queen-size mattress costs anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000. Memory foam and innerspring mattresses tend to be more affordable, while latex, hybrid, and airbed models carry a more expensive price tag. The graph below lists the average price for the different types of mattresses.
