types of mattress. How to choose a mattress
A new mattress is a significant investment, so it's important to do your research. Today's market offers a huge range of models designed to appeal to every type of sleeper. If you're not familiar with how to choose a mattress for your sleep style, the number of choices can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, familiarizing yourself with a few basics of the mattress market can help you determine the type of mattress that is most likely to meet your needs. We'll discuss what to consider when choosing a mattress, including sleeping position, body type, and other key factors.
What should you consider when choosing a mattress?
The right mattress can make the difference between a restful sleep and waking up throughout the night with aches and pains. Understanding how sleeping position, body type, and personal needs and preferences affect mattress comfort can guide your search.
types of mattress
Your sleeping position
Side sleepers generally require a softer mattress, such as a memory foam model, to reduce pressure points on the hips and shoulders. In contrast, the best mattress for stomach sleepers usually has a firmer surface, such as latex or hybrid, to prevent sinking in the midsection.
In general, bedrooms benefit most from a medium firm surface that maintains spinal alignment and offers lumbar support. For mixed sleepers, it's important to have a responsive mattress that allows for easy repositioning.
Your body type
Because people weighing more than 230 pounds put more pressure on the mattress, they generally feel more comfortable on a firmer surface. Additionally, heavier individuals may prefer a latex or hybrid model, as these designs offer more support for spinal alignment.
Those weighing less than 130 pounds usually need a softer model, as the mattresses subjectively feel firmer for them. For these bedrooms, a mattress with foam or plush latex mattresses in the comfort department usually provides the most comfort.
Your budget
Online mattress companies offer models at a variety of price points, so most shoppers should be able to find a mattress that fits their needs. Competitively priced mattresses may be made with lower quality materials that have a shorter lifespan, while those sold at higher prices may last longer and offer more special features.
Many manufacturers offer free shipping and returns in the lower 48 states, but it's always a good idea to check these policies before purchasing. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska or Canada, or if you want a delivery team to set up the mattress for you, you may need to factor in additional delivery fees when calculating the cost of a mattress.
Your special needs
Many additional factors can influence mattress selection, such as temperature neutrality, motion isolation, and limb support. These factors may be more or less important to you depending on your needs.
Warm sleepers may look for more breathable models, while co-sleepers may be more concerned with the mattress' ability to isolate noise and movement. People living with joint pain may need a mattress with strong edges to get in and out of bed, and those with back or shoulder pain may prefer a belted model that offers targeted support. mattress types
Which mattress size is best for you?
There are six standard mattress sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king. In addition, manufacturers occasionally offer split king mattresses or special sizes made to fit RVs or accommodate entire families.
Which mattress type is best for you?
The five most common mattress types are foam, innerspring, latex, hybrid, and air mattress. Although the details may vary from model to model, each type of mattress tends to share general characteristics.
Foam mattresses
Foam mattresses contain memory foam mattresses, polyfoam, latex or fabrics over a high density polyfoam support core. Couples often prefer these models because the mattresses perform well in motion isolation and make little or no noise when bearing weight. Most foam beds also offer strong pressure relief for side sleepers and people under 130 pounds.
Buyers should note that memory foam traps more heat than other mattress materials. Additionally, foam mattresses may not provide adequate support for sleepers over 230 pounds.
Innerspring mattresses
Constructed almost entirely of metal springs, the innerspring models offer remarkable bounce and unrivaled edge support. These features work well for combination sleepers and people who like to sit or sleep near the edge of the bed. mattress types
Because of their minimal comfort systems, innerspring mattresses also retain little to no heat, making them suitable for hot climates. Innerspring mattresses tend to lack pressure relief, which side sleepers in particular can find uncomfortable.
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine a comfort system of latex, polyfoam, memory foam, microcoils or fabrics with a coil support core. Most hybrids use pocket coils. As these move independently of each other, they help reduce motion isolation while still providing bounce, limb support and breathability.
Because they combine pressure-relieving materials with supportive steel coils, hybrids lend themselves well to many sleeping styles, so they can make a good compromise if you and your partner can't agree on a mattress type. The exact feel of the mattress may vary depending on the construction of the comfort system.
Latex mattresses
Latex is a durable material that can be made naturally from rubber sap or synthetically using petrochemicals. Latex can be placed in the comfort system, the support core, or both. Latex mattresses are often perforated with multiple holes designed for better airflow.
Being quite versatile, latex can be made in different hardness levels to accommodate most types of mattresses. The material provides enough support for people weighing over 230kg and its responsive feel helps ease movement over the bed. Buyers interested in natural materials and those with a higher budget can enjoy an organic latex mattress.
Aeroclinic
For people who want the freedom to adjust the firmness of their mattress, air mattresses offer a unique solution. Airbeds contain layers of pressure-relieving materials placed over an air chamber. Air entering the chamber makes the mattress firmer, while air exiting makes it softer. High-end airbeds can be adjusted using a remote control or a smartphone app.types of mattress
Air mattresses tend to sleep cool and their adjustable firmness adapts well to mattresses across the board. However, they tend to cost more than other mattress types. Air mattresses are sometimes confused with inflatable air mattresses, which are inexpensive products designed for temporary use.
Which mattress firmness is best for you?
Better mattress firmness provides adequate levels of both pressure relief and support, which vary from person to person. While personal preference plays a role, knowing the details of mattress firmness can help you narrow down your choice.
Our Severity Scale
To make it easier to compare and contrast the layers, we describe stability on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most stable. The majority of mattresses sold today fall into the middle category between medium soft (4) and medium firm (6). Mattresses in this range can accommodate most types of bedrooms.
For the average back sleeper between 130 and 230 pounds, the most appropriate firmness is often medium firm, or 6 out of 10. This level of firmness helps relieve pressure points without letting the bed sink too far into the mattress. Side sleepers and people under 130 pounds may prefer a mattress on the softer side, while stomach sleepers and people over 230 pounds usually require a firmer bed.
Solid mattresses
Firm mattresses rated 7 or higher keep sleepers mostly on top of the bed, rather than allowing them to sink. This can be beneficial for stomach sleepers, who need to prevent sinking in at the waist to keep the spine aligned. Firm mattresses can also feel more supportive for people over 230 pounds.types of mattress
Middle layers
Medium soft (4) to medium firm (6) layers provide moderate contouring that helps reduce pressure points while maintaining healthy spinal alignment. Since these mattresses offer a balanced feel, they are often suitable for people between 130 and 230 kg and couples with different firmness preferences.
Soft mattresses
Sleepers who like the feeling of sinking into their mattress may prefer a plush bed with a firmness rating of 3 or less. These models hug the sleeper more closely and are often preferred by side sleepers and people under 130 pounds for contour pressure relief. Soft mattresses are generally not suitable for stomach sleepers or people over 230kg, who may find they lack sufficient support.
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