What Are The Three Types Of Mattresses?

About 5 years ago, it was quite easy to purchase a mattress, as the options were limited! You could literally pick one by simply laying over it, or by feeling the firmness with your bare hands. Almost all of them had spring coils, cushions and a quilted cover- and that’s pretty much it!

Fast forward to 2022, and the scenario has changed drastically. With so many options in front of you, now you have to really break a sweat to choose the right one. First, you need to have a clear idea about your preferences. Then, you need to consider your health issues, if you have any. 

Nowadays, acknowledging the problem is the first step to a good night’s sleep. Well, you need to feel lost, as you’re already at the right place. Allow me to help you understand the differences between the 3 different kinds of mattresses.

By the end of this piece, I’m sure you’ll be able to make the most informed choice. So, let’s dig in…

The 3 Types of Mattresses

Innerspring mattress

If you own a hand-me-down mattress from your older siblings or parents, then you are already familiar with this type. 

These mattresses have got a layer of spring coils, with a foam quilted into the top layer. Innerspring mattresses are also known as bouncing mattresses as the spring coils in their push back against you. 

Moreover, the spring gives you the best edge support and you won’t sink in if you get too close to the edge of it.

Pros

 Cons

Foam Mattress

Foam mattresses are quite popular these days. As the name says, they are built out of multiple foam layers. The density of foam increases from top to bottom. 

They consist of at least three layers – top, core and base foam. These mattresses also provide motion isolation. 

So if you want a relaxing “me” time after a long day at work, consider a foam mattress as your best bet. Foam is known for distributing your body weight evenly and easing your pressure points ( like the shoulder, hip and upper back.) 

Also, it can cure the pain in your body. Long-term use of foam mattresses has resulted in reducing chronic back pain and neck pain too.

 Pros

Cons

Hybrid Mattress

In this type, there are pocketed coils sandwiched between a dense base and a comfy top foam. 

Traditional spring coils and the multiple layers of foam are embedded in such a manner that it compliments a wide range of body types and almost all sleeping positions.

Unlike innerspring mattresses, the coils in these are individually packed in fabric and not connected to one another.

A hybrid mattress will also provide you with excellent pain and pressure relief points. Moreover, you can easily move in your bed without disturbing your partner. This is possible because it absorbs motion transfer.

Pros

Cons

INNERSPRING vs FOAM vs HYBRID: Ultimate Comparison

Innerspring vs Foam …. Which one is better?

The answer solely depends on the mattress user and their preferences. Though an innerspring mattress is traditional, it doesn’t mean that it is less comfortable than others. 

Innerspring still gives tough competition to other mattresses. 

Foam on the other hand is more budget-friendly and widely preferred. However, innerspring is available in both budget-friendly and expensive variants.

Furthermore, foam is more durable due to the lack of springs. On the flip side, innerspring may start getting saggy in no time. But the fact that innerspring gives better support than foam and offers a cooler sleeping experience, still makes it a popular choice in 2022.

Foam or Hybrid?

While hybrid mattresses provide the perks of both innerspring and foam, it’s your responsibility to decide whether it is the one for you. 

The durability of hybrid mattresses is more than that of foam. Also, hybrid ones are more bouncy in feel. Due to the absence of coils in foam mattresses, it becomes difficult to bounce on them. 

But foam helps you change positions while sleeping with ease.

Furthermore, hybrid ones are more breathable than foam. This is due to air moving throughout the mattress. 

On the other hand, foam mattresses trap no body heat, giving you a cooler experience.

Hybrid vs innerspring…..still confused?

Both hybrid and innerspring mattresses have coils at their base for the support structure. 

Hybrid mattresses have the benefits of coils, at the same time subtracting the drawbacks of innerspring mattresses. Also, hybrid mattresses combine the goodness of coil support with the softness of foam. 

Innerspring, on the other hand, gives you a more plush feeling. It is because of their comfort layer of cotton, polyurethane, and memory foam layers.

Hybrid mattresses are more body-conforming and pressure-relieving. It is suitable for all sleeping positions. While the comfort layer of the innerspring may cause discomfort in some of your pressure points. 

Furthermore, innerspring is more lightweight and easy to move around than hybrids. The main reason is the inclusion of both foam and coils in one . So it’s not a good idea to change the position of the mattress often. 

While the nature of both of them is bouncy, there is a slight difference in their bounciness. Hybrids give a body-conforming, responsive bounce. But the ingredients of innerspring give you that firm, springy bounce feeling.

Final Words

By now, you know that the mattress plays a significant role in sleep quality. A wrong decision in choosing a mattress can affect your health surely. 

Moreover, you may end up tossing left and right on your bed the whole night. If that happens, good luck in keeping away your dark circles and grumpy mood during the daytime. But I’m sure it won’t come to that. 

Now, all you need to do is pick one that fits your requirement the best…