11 Types of Mattresses to Get You the Perfect Night's Sleep

Buying any types of mattresses can be a trying task. Not only do you have to contend with pervasive salesmen, you usually have to decide on the spot which mattress you want to buy, which often leads to buyers' regret.

So, when you go to buy a new mattress, you'll probably just buy whatever you already know. This might seem smart, but consider this: mattresses affect sleep quality, and sleep quality affects the quality of life.

If that matters to you, you must educate yourself. Learning about all the different kinds of mattresses you can potentially buy can help you find the perfect one for your needs. Here's our comprehensive list of the most commonly sought mattress types.

11 Types of Mattresses

Here, we'll discuss all kinds of mattresses you need to know about.

Innerspring Mattress

This is the most commonly bought type of mattress. It tends to be quite bouncy and is indeed very fun to jump around on. But do you know what its internal components look like?

Well, true to its name, such a mattress is fitted with multiple inner "springs," or steel coils, which support the structure of the mattress. These springs are attached to a single support unit, which means that the higher the number of coils, the better sleep you will probably have.

Recent advancements in mattress technology might make innerspring mattresses seem outdated. But their popularity is justified and easy to understand.

Not only are they very affordable and easy to find, but innerspring mattresses also come in many degrees of firmness, making them a versatile choice.

However, although they are quite comfortable, such mattresses might sometimes be low in quality. If you feel a lot of pressure/stiffness in your body, innerspring mattresses might not be the right choice as they don't target areas of pain. Neither are they very durable.

Noisiness is another complaint associated with innerspring mattresses, and if you can't handle a squeaky bed, you should skip this. However, if you're on a small budget, innerspring mattresses might be your only choice.

Memory Foam Mattress

You probably know memory foam (also called Visco Elastic foam) as one of the most impressive innovations in the industry of mattresses and pillows, but did you know it was actually developed by NASA back in the '70s?

Invented to provide a more comfortable ride as well as enhance crash protection, memory foam is also used in mattresses.

What makes memory foam so special is its ability to conform to the body's contours with even weight distribution. Combine these with heavy (or light!) types of bed sheets to increase your comfort even more

This makes these types of mattresses the perfect choice for those who tend to experience pain in the morning due to sleeping in one position for too long.

Not to mention, the heat activation aspect of memory foam also contributes to a comfortable sleep. Furthermore, memory foam actively resists allergens and bacteria.

On the other hand, if you tend to get hot while you sleep, you should look into memory foams that are infused with cooling gel. This gel helps to improve air circulation.

The one major drawback of memory foam mattresses is their relative unaffordability for some people. You can find memory foam mattresses for as little as $100, but if you want to enjoy its true benefits, expect to fork over some extra cash.

Hybrid Mattress

If you like the idea of both innerspring and memory foam mattresses, you should opt for a hybrid mattress. Get the best of both worlds with these mattresses: better deep support for stomach and back sleepers, better airflow and temperature regulation, and longer durations of lifespans.

Combining memory foam technology with a high quality innerspring core, such mattresses offer the best in not only comfort and support but durability as well.

Thanks to pocketed coil technology working in tandem with memory foam, you won't be plagued by motion transfer issues if you sleep on a hybrid mattress and enjoy a more sound sleep.

And because of its innerspring components, hybrid mattresses are extra bouncy and comfy. The memory foam also keeps you protected from mold, allergens, all types of bed bugs, and dust mites.

Latex Mattress

Since their inception in the 1930s, latex mattresses have made quite the name for themselves. As they require the use of high-quality materials resulting in increased production costs, they were sold at premium pricing.

But with new advances in technology, the prices have gone down to a more generally affordable level. This is a godsend for people experiencing pain in their lower backs.

Much like memory foam, the latex material helps reduce pressure in various parts of the lower back. As a result, your muscles are able to relax when you're sleeping. Also, the structure of the mattress ensures your back is aligned properly.

The material construction of latex helps reduce the bouncing motion caused when you move in your sleep. This ensures that your movements are suppressed as much as possible before making your partner's side bounce up.

Air Mattress

Airbeds are a common sight to see in households that are invested in camping. These are portable and can be inflated within minutes, making them the ideal companion for a camping trip.

These air mattresses have seen fast and innovative changes over the years. For example, modern air beds allow the user to control the firmness of the bed by filling in separate air chambers instead of one large unit.

There are also models built from heavy-duty materials to protect them from leaks. The inflation of the air beds is controlled by a remote to give you more control on the degree of firmness.

With the ability to inflate separate regions of the bed, you are able to customize the bed to suit your exact needs. From the outside, these types of mattresses will look like any other average-sized bed.

This is only because of the paddings that go to the top layer. These paddings are necessary as they ensure your back remains straight when sleeping.

You wouldn't use one of these on a standard bed frame. These bed alternatives are more for traveling and sleepovers.

Polyfoam Mattress

Foam mattresses have been the go-to choice for most people. But if you're looking to elevate your sleeping experience, a polyfoam mattress might just do the trick. This is a bit more complex because there are several different layers of foam within.

Polyfoam is made from a combination of polyol that is developed into a soft yet sturdy layer of foam. These layers can be tweaked in terms of density to enhance their durability.

Density is something you must look at when purchasing a poly foam mattress. The higher the density, the more durable and comfortable your mattress will be.

With a good polyfoam mattress, you can kiss those stress aches and muscle pains goodbye. A dense mattress will help maintain your posture and keep your spine alignment in check.

Although the foam is made from inorganic chemicals, it has no chance of giving you allergies (which is a relief!). Most polyfoam mattresses are hybrid with springs in them.

Waterbed

Fun fact: Waterbeds have been around for longer than innerspring mattresses. While it may seem like innerspring mattresses are basic and have little to no innovation, they were actually inspired by waterbeds back in the 1800s.

Initially, this water mattress type was responsible for curing back pain for many people. Quite recently, however, there have been reports of waterbeds leading to back pains instead of curing them. This back pain issue varies from person to person.

This water mattress is entirely filled with water inside with controlling mechanisms that let you control the waves and water temperature. Using the remote gives you full-on customization capabilities to tailor the bed according to your needs.

You're going to want to think about the right box spring alternatives to use, because you're going to need an entirely different type of support for a water mattress, which is really one of the mattress alternatives.

To be frank, people don't really buy or sleep on these any more. They're almost a relic of the past and will be completely soon.

Pillowtop Mattress

Pillowtop mattresses are sometimes referred to as Euro-top mattresses. They can be constructed like other types of mattresses above, but what sets them apart is they have a layer on the top that can be anywhere from one inch to several inches thick.

This layer is a padding that is similar to certain types of pillows. This pillowtop layer might be made of latex, foam, wool, cotton, or other materials depending on the goal.

The goals for having a pillowtop layer include increasing the cooling, durability, wash-ability, bounce, or just an increased amount of comfort without sacrificing on firmness.

Organic Mattress

An organic mattress can be just like any of the different kinds of mattresses above, with the only difference being that they're made from organic materials. This appeals to people that want to reduce their impact on the environment.

It also appeals to those who don't want to be around the chemicals used in creating other types of mattresses, which can include off-gassing of toxins. This is useful for your bedroom feng shui, if you want to get every little aspect of it right.

Whether we're talking about using natural latex instead of synthetic, opting for organic cotton or wool, and making sure any coils and springs are made from recycled steel, these eco-friendly options exist if you want to go that route.

Adjustable Bed Mattress

These mattress types often come in twin sizes that can be pushed together to form a larger bed. The benefit of this is that partners can adjust their mattress to various heights, amounts of tilts, and elevate their legs independent of each other.

These are still very pricey but if you need them they can be of great benefit. One thing to think about is the weight and maintenance that goes into having heavy types of bed frames with motors and moving parts.

Gel-Infused Foam Mattress

The problem with the more standard foam mattresses, even with the various layers they're building them with, is that people have issues becoming too hot because of the restricted air flow.

The gel foam mattresses are able to regulate temperature much better than regular foam. They're just as comfortable and possibly more so, subjectively. The only issue is that they tend to be more expensive than memory foam mattresses.

Types of Mattresses for Every Bed

We hope that our rundown of the different types of mattresses has helped you to determine the right one for you. Remember, don't just buy the most expensive mattress in the place. Consider its type first, and whether it's suitable for you. Good luck, and we wish you a happy slumber!

You'll Also Enjoy:

• 7 Bed Skirt Alternatives to Escape the Annoyance & Look Nicer
• 17 Types of Blankets to Keep Comfy, Warm, & Relaxed
• 5 Dresser Alternatives for When Space is Tight in the Bedroom
• 15 Types of Floor Lamps to Suit or Define Your Decor
• 8 Closet Alternatives That Save Space & Look Great!