Mattress types and technologies
It’s difficult to understand all the different mattress types available, but you need to know only a few things.
Mattresses are divided into two main categories—springs and pure foam. Only the spring varieties have notable variations with open coil, pocket spring, or hybrid configurations.
Pure foam mattresses can use any foam type (memory, latex, reflex), but don’t use springs for support. Instead, they have a foam core.
With those facts in mind, let’s dive into the leading mattress technologies:
Innerspring mattress types
Innersprings come in two variants:
Open coil mattress types
Open coils are interconnected springs that form a single component. The spring ‘bed’ moves, shifts, and responds as a unit, providing excellent all-around support at the expense of motion isolation and independent support.
Open coil mattresses (bonnel springs) are the cheapest ones you can buy (alongside pure reflex foam ones) because they are easy to manufacture. There’s nothing wrong with them, and they are fantastic for guest spaces.
Pocket spring mattress types
Pocket springs come in hundreds or thousands, sewn into individual pockets to operate as standalone components in your mattress.
The result is more nuanced support than open coil technology and a more durable mattress overall. Pocket springs respond individually to your movement, making them the best choice for maximum support across the sleep surface.
Hybrid Mattress technology
Hybrid mattresses combine pocket springs with foam to perfectly balance the feel of cushiony foam and the support of springs.
They usually contain thicker foam layers than innerspring mattresses and use micro-pocket springs to stay relatively slim.
Some mattresses overlap product categories (it’s difficult to know whether they are hybrids or pocket springs); most of the time, it comes down to what the mattress brand decides. There isn’t a global standard.
Pure foam mattresses
Pure foam mattresses ditch innerspring for support and use a dense core support foam instead. The foam core offers no bounce and doesn’t move, making these mattresses the best for motion isolation and edge support.
The downside to pure foam mattresses is they lack responsiveness, making moving around in bed difficult, and they can wear out faster.
Foam mattress types
Pure foam mattresses use 100% foam, but sprung and hybrid mattresses can also use foam in their comfort layers. These are the main types:
Memory foam and memory gel mattress types
These are polyurethane foams with either a closed or open cell structure.
Closed-cell memory foam is dense, while open-cell foam is softer—both have their place as support and comfort materials, respectively.
The downside to memory foam is heat retention (which is bad during summer), where memory gel comes in. Memory gel dissipates heat with thousands of gel beads, yet it feels the same as memory foam.
Latex foam and latex gel mattress
Latex foam is either a synthetic (polyurethane) product or natural from the rubber tree. The natural form is superior in every way.
Latex foam bounces back instantly when you move, making it much better for mobility and overall support than memory foam.
Latex gel—or Laygel—makes the material sleep cooler, although latex is cooler to sleep on than memory foam by default.
Which mattress type is best?
Both foam and spring mattresses can offer firm support, but they differ in how they provide it:
- Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses contour to the body's shape, providing support and pressure relief. They're designed to return to their original shape and come in various firmness levels. Memory foam can be a good choice for people with joint or back problems. - Spring
Spring mattresses can offer support, but they are often unevener than foam. Innerspring mattresses offer better airflow than foam, which can help keep the bed cool. For the most support from a spring mattress, look for one with offset or pocket coils.
Here are some other factors to consider when choosing between a foam or spring mattress:
- Weight: Heavier sleepers or stomach sleepers may need a firmer mattress, such as an innerspring or hybrid.
- Sleep temperature: People who sleep hot may prefer a spring mattress for better airflow.
- Durability: Springs can wear down over time, while memory foam is designed to bounce back.
Most people should choose a pocket spring or hybrid mattress, but an open coil mattress is okay for guests and children's bedrooms if you are on a tight budget.