Types of Mattresses – Pros and Cons

Types of Mattress, as with any other home furnishings, exist in many types, forms, and sizes. What type of mattress you like is a purely personal choice. While there is no universally comfortable mattress design, certain styles are more adaptable to specific needs.

A mattress is just one of many factors that determine how you sleep at night. In my opinion, I think a mattress is one of the major factors.

To decide then on what type of mattress to go for, one surely needs knowledge and understanding of some of the major mattress types on offer around. Given the multitude of manufacturers, it’s reasonable to assume that there will be some quality differences across different mattress brands.

1. Air Mattress

From its name, an air mattress is an inflatable mattress. Some air mattresses have their own built-in pumping equipment, but this one can be inflated with either a manual or electric pump. After being deflated, the air mattress can be wrapped up into a compact bundle and carried with ease, making it a popular choice for campers.

Due to its buoyancy, the air mattress can occasionally be used as a float in a pool. Air mattresses are very flexible, both literally and figuratively. Some air mattresses are custom-built to fit certain people and pickup trucks’ beds.

Pros

• Suitable for people with back pains
• Have adjustable firmness by controlling the amount of air

Cons

• Not suitable for infants

2. Memory Foam Mattress

This Memory foam mattress is made of foam (if the name does not give that away). They are very dense. The foam used to manufacture these mattresses is open, which helps the mattress feel flexible.

As the heat from the body is dissipated, the memory foam mattress returns to its normal shape.

As a side note, memory foam cushions are used for wheelchair seats as well as hospital bed pillows. Memory foam mattresses retain a lot of body heat, which works well during the winter.

Pros

• Mold into the shape of a warm body
• Retain heat
• Better than other foam mattresses

Cons

• Very expensive
• Memory foam is very combustible and is a fire risk

3. Latex Mattress

A latex mattress uses latex foam as its main component, which is then combined with either springs or another form of foam, e.g., reflex foam.

Latex is essentially rubber, so it is very elastic as well as natural. The elastic nature of a latex mattress makes it suitable for pressure relief for your body.

Latex occurs naturally from a rubber tree, so a latex mattress is very eco-friendly. It also lasts a long time without losing its properties and is easy to maintain. Basically, a latex mattress will last forever with little or no problem at all.

Pros

• Pressure relieving because it can adapt to your body shape
• Resistant to dust mites
• Long-lasting
• Eco friendly

Cons

• Very pricey

4. Innerspring Mattress

Due of their affordability and sufficient comfort, innerspring mattresses are incredibly popular.. They use a steel coil support system where the springs are within foam, fiber, or even smaller springs.

An innerspring mattress gets its name from the use of springs within its construction but it is worth noting that different materials can be used alongside the springs.

These materials include memory foam and pillow tops, which may be used on a completely different type of mattress. This can be a little confusing, but innerspring mattresses are naturally bouncy.

Pros

• Support a range of sleeping styles
• Support any kind of body weight

Cons

• Not suitable for people with back pains

RELATED: 9 Tips for Buying a New Mattress

5. Natural Fiber Mattress

As the name suggests, natural fiber mattresses use a variety of natural materials in their construction. Natural fibers are derived from animals and plants. When buying a natural fiber mattress, look out for hybrids that combine natural and synthetic fibers if you want a purely natural fiber mattress.

Natural fibers are moderately priced, with some materials, especially animal-based fibers, being very expensive due to overhead processing costs.

It is almost impossible to manufacture natural fiber mattresses, and most combine the use of synthetic foam. The incorporation of synthetic foam is not as bad as the incorporation of synthetic fibers. Again, always look out for that when purchasing your mattress.

Pros

• Natural fibers like wool and mohair are eco friendly

Cons

• Some people may be allergic to natural fibers especially those extracted from animals

6. Pillow Top Mattress

Pillow-top mattresses have an additional layer of upholstery on top of the mattress to increase softness. It’s common to refer to these fluffy layers as “pillow toppers” because of how soft they are.

The pillow tops vary in softness and as a mattress buyer, you have the liberty to decide what level of softness works for you.

Pillow tops allow you to sink further into the mattress for a more comfortable sleep. Pillow top mattresses may be made with any foundation, since the pillow tops can be attached to any mattress.

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Adaptable to most types of mattresses as a base

Cons

• Favor those who sleep on their side

7. Specialty Foam Mattress

Foams of various densities and densities are utilized in the production of specialized foam mattresses. Certain foam kinds are more lasting than others, thus the mix of foam is done at the request of the customer to obtain the desired degree of comfort, heat dissipation, and longevity.

Specialty foam mattresses are best suited for people with back or joint pain, but they do not want a pure memory foam mattress. They can also be used to correct heat levels in beds to get them just right.

Pros

• Very user based
• Possibilities for managing property

Cons

• Can get expensive

8. Gel Foam Mattress

The manufacturing process for certain gel foam mattresses includes injecting gel into a foam base. The gel may be a part of the structural support or the padding of an upholstery. Gel foam offers different comfort and feels depending on preference.

Gel foam also helps with heat dissipation. It can also increase comfort levels. Gel foam mattresses benefit from the fact that they are based on foam mattresses but take that experience over and above to create a better overall mattress.

Pros

• Greater levels of heat dissipation.
• Greater comfort levels.

Cons

• Some may not see the necessity of upgrading from a foam mattress.

9. Water Bed Mattress

Aqua bed mattresses are classic pieces of mattresses or beds filled with water. The beds exist in two types: hard-sided and soft-sided.

Hard-sided waterbeds consist of a water-containing mattress inside a wooden frame, while soft-sided waterbeds consist of a water-containing mattress inside a frame made out of sturdy foam.

Heated water beds are the norm. Adjusting the thermostat to one’s preferred level of comfort is common practice. There is no mattress on the market that can compare to the comfort of a water bed. No other style of mattress can compare to the comfort levels offered by water beds. However, water beds have a following of extremes who either like them or hate them.

Pros

• Comfortable

Cons

• Not safe for children under the age of eight

10. Hybrid Mattress

These Hybrid mattresses are mattresses that combine a steel coil support system with other types of foam in their construction. A hybrid mattress may incorporate one or more types of foam into its construction.

They can also incorporate foam that contains gel. Hybrid mattresses offer a little of everything with their combinations of materials. They do so while maintaining the comfort levels of a classic innerspring mattress.

Pros

• Based on an innerspring mattress
• Utilization of various materials for best results

Cons

• Can get quite pricey

Also on 10BestRated:

• Best Ironing Board Reviewed in 2022
• Best Electric Heated Mattress Pad
• 10 Best Floor Chairs – Top Picks for 2022

BEST MATTRESSESBUNK BEDSINNERSPRING MATTRESSESMATTRESSMATTRESS REVIEWSTYPES OF MATTRESSES