If your current mattress has been with you for more than seven years already, it is time to check if it’s still giving you the same comfort and support your body needs. A good mattress should soothe pressure on your body and joints, not the other way around. But, as your mattress reaches its maturity, it loses its ability to do all those things.
You should never sacrifice your sleep and start investing in a new mattress. If your mattress tells you that it’s now ready to retire, it is essential to listen to it. However, replacing it might not be an easy task to tackle.
Though there are many options available on the market, shopping will be a lot easier with this guide on different mattresses. Here, you can explore your options and see which best fits your needs and budget. Read more:
Memory Foam Mattress
If you seek excellent comfort and support from a mattress, especially if you prefer sleeping on your side, memory foam is the best choice on the market. Memory foams are popular with most consumers because of their ability to conform to their bodies as they sleep.
They are also great for contouring to the body and let sleepers be surrounded partially by its structure while being supported at the same time. You can check Newsweek’s review on the best mattresses to see which brands fit you the best. For now, look at some of memory foam’s pros and cons below:
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Pros:
Excellent ventilation and breathability
Better contouring
Good cooling system and reduces sinking
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Cons:
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Much heavier
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Greater risk of motion transfer
Coil Spring/Innerspring Mattress
Also known as coil spring mattresses, innerspring uses a central support of metal springs. The quality of innerspring mattresses is usually measured by the number of coils integrated with the design.
The number of coils and their distribution determines the conforming quality of the mattress to a person’s body. The right type of innerspring mattresses can accommodate side, back, and stomach sleepers. Below are some of the innerspring’s pros and cons:
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Pros:
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Reasonable cost
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Steady comfort
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Long-established comfort
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Cons:
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Short lifespan
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Higher possibility of motion transfer
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Squeaky
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Doesn’t adapt to the contour
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Flimsy
Hybrid Mattress
The hybrid mattress combines both technologies of innerspring and memory foam mattresses for a first-rate sleeping experience. Sleeping on this type of mattress can give you equal types of comfort and support, added with cloud-like softness.
For a hybrid mattress, its material features springs that are individually wrapped for a more traditional feel, blended with a soft layer of memory foam. But beware of some hybrid mattresses; they may actually be a heat trap in disguise and will wear out on you quickly. Check some of its pros and cons below:
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Pros:
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Balanced firmness and softness
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Alleviates sinking issues
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Better contouring than innerspring mattresses
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Excellent ventilation and breathability
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Cons:
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Much heavier
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Falls on the more expensive tier
Latex Mattress
Unless you opt for synthetic latex, the standard latex mattress is usually made of natural fibers from the extracted sap of a rubber tree. There are two processes in making a natural latex mattress: Talalay and Dunlop.
The process of Talalay incorporates vacuuming when sucking out the air right after pouring the mold. The material will then be frozen before making it to the baking stage. This unique technique manufactures a more consistent structure, encouraging more breathability and higher air circulation.
Meanwhile, the Dunlop process directly pours the material into the mold and proceeds to baking it, forming a dense bottom that will soften up to the mattress’s top layer. One of the drawbacks of natural latex mattresses is that their material is springier compared to memory foam.
This type of mattress can be heavier, expensive, and susceptible to compression. With that, dents may develop on your mattress the longer you sleep on it. But its materials are excellent in accommodating side, back, and stomach sleepers.
Waterbed Mattress
This type of mattress uses water as its central support system and is ideal for people who prefer sleeping on their backs. Its materials are made of a rectangular water chamber, padded with upholstery like fibers or foam. The water in a waterbed mattress can be set in a limited-flow chamber or a free-flow one.
In a limited-flow chamber, the fibers limit the movement of the water inside. While in a free-flow chamber, there is nothing that obstructs the water’s movement. Everything will be up to your choice of flexibility and support when choosing either of the two chambers. Below are some pros and cons of waterbed mattresses to consider:
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Pros:
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Best for people with allergies
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Relaxing
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More heat
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Cons:
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Odors
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Poor quality of support
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Leaks
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Causes condensation that results in mildew
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Isn’t covered by some homeowner’s insurance
Takeaway
Shopping for a mattress doesn’t have to be complicated and confusing. With this guide to assist you when shopping, you don’t have to feel lost looking at the different types of mattresses displayed in front of you.