Mattress Types
Choosing the Best Mattress for You

Mattresses have softer comfort layers on top, along with firmer support layers below. The combination of comfort and support materials determine whether a mattress is right for your particular needs.

When GoodBed talks about mattresses, we talk about BOTH the comfort and support materials. For example, a mattress we call "memory foam over pocket springs" has memory foam as the main comfort layer or layers, and a pocketed innerspring unit as the support layer. If GoodBed calls a mattress "all foam" then both the comfort and support layers are made of foam.

In stores, mattresses are usually named for their predominate material. So what a retailer calls a "memory foam mattress" will have some memory foam, but could also have layers of latex, or pocket springs, or standard foam. And what a store calls a "latex mattress" could be made entirely of latex, but could also have layers of other materials.

Most Common Mattress Materials: Comfort and Support

Your first step in shopping for a mattress will be to determine what mattress type (or types) are best for you—meaning what combination of comfort and support layers will fit your needs. Just as importantly, you'll determine which types you can rule out.  Once you know the mattress type you are looking for, you can then find the brand and model that offer the best combination of quality and price.

Spring Mattresses

Long the standard of the mattress industry, representing over 80% of the market, spring mattresses, also called innerspring beds, are distinguished by their use of coil springs in the support layer.  On top of the coils, there might be layers of foam, memory foam, or just a mattress cover. Individual models may be better or worse, but generally, mattresses with springs have these qualities:

BEST if you:	NOT IDEAL if you:
Want a traditional feeling mattress Like a mattress that's bouncy Sleep or sit right on the edge of the bed Are a heavier individual (over 250 lbs.) Want a very long-lasting mattress	Like that melting-into-the-bed feeling Like to sink deeply into your mattress Need the best pressure relief Are extremely sensitive to a partner's movements

See our Spring Mattress Guide for more on the two main kinds of innerspring mattresses (Pocket Springs and Connected Coils), and their respective pros and cons.

Examples of spring beds reviewed by GoodBed: Beautyrest Black, Stearns & Foster, Serta Perfect Sleeper, Sealy Posturepedic Plus Hybrid, Beautyrest Harmony Lux, DreamCloud, Brooklyn Signature Mattress, Saatva Mattress, Sapira Mattress

Below: Springs enclosed in fabric pockets, known as pocket springs.

 

 

Memory Foam Mattresses

This type of bed uses memory foam in the comfort layer, and most often uses polyurethane foam or springs as the support layer. Relative to other comfort layers, memory foam excels at pressure relief, and by extension for side sleepers. Memory foam can be "slow responding" and have a lot of that melting feel, or it can be quicker responding and have less.

Individual mattress models differ depending on how much memory foam is used, and what material is used for the support layers, but generally, look to memory foam if:

BEST if you:	NOT IDEAL if you:
Like a melting-into-the-bed sensation Don't want to feel a partner's movements Need the best pressure relief Are primarily a side sleeper	Need the best edge support Are primarily a stomach sleeper (especially over 200 lbs) Have a known issue of sleeping hot

See our Memory Foam Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of memory foam and how to determine whether they are right for you.

Examples of memory foam beds reviewed by GoodBed: Tempur-Adapt, Tempur-ProAdapt, Tempur-LuxeAdapt, Tempur-Breeze, iComfortECO, Nectar Mattress, Loom & Leaf Bed, GhostBed Luxe, Cocoon Mattress by Sealy

Below: Two types of memory foam slowly recovering their shape after being pressed

 

 

Latex Mattresses

Latex can be found in mattresses as either a comfort layer or support layer, and sometimes both. Relative to memory foam, latex offers similar conforming ability, but is easier for changing sleep positions and sleeps less "hot."  In addition, some latex (though not all) is made from the sap of a rubber tree, making it a more natural alternative than other mattress materials. Other latex is synthetic or a natural/synthetic blend.

Individual mattress models vary, but generally, latex mattresses have the following qualities

BEST if you:	NOT IDEAL if you:
Need the best pressure relief Want natural materials (beds with natural latex) Are concerned about sleeping hot	Are less price sensitive Like feeling cradled/hugged Enjoy a slow melting memory feel

See our Latex Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of latex mattresses and how they may suit your needs.

GoodBed has reviewed several of the most well known latex beds, including the Avocado Green mattress, the Happsy, the Nest Hybrid Latex bed, the Awara, the Spindle, and the Zenhaven mattress.

Below: Latex layers are pierced with pin-core holes, which can vary softness and improve air flow.

 

Foam Mattresses

Polyurethane foam (also known as foam or poly foam) can be used in either the comfort layer or the support layer, or both. Most modern mattresses incorporate polyurethane foam in combination with other materials. Mattresses made entirely of foam are often sold directly online, partly due to their ability to be compressed into a box that can be shipped via common carrier.

There's wide variation between individual mattresses, but broadly speaking, you can expect these qualities from a mattress made primarily of foam:

BEST if you:	NOT IDEAL if you:
Are mainly a back and side sleeper Need excellent motion isolation Are looking for good value	Need the best edge support Enjoy a slow melting memory feel Want a mattress with a lot of bounce

See our Foam Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of foam mattresses.

Some common all-foam mattresses reviewed by GoodBed include the Casper Original, the Leesa Original, the Tuft & Needle Original, the Puffy Original, and the Layla.

Below: Several polyurethane foams stacked and glued together

Less Common Mattress Types

Gel Mattresses

Gel can be used in two main ways in mattresses: Most commonly, it's incorporated into foam or memory foam as flecks or beads. But a couple of brands -- notably Purple -- use solid gel as the comfort layer of a mattress. In addition to the widely touted cooling properties of gel, certain types of gel can also provide unique pressure relief and spinal alignment benefits.  

See our assessments of the Purple Restore (Premium) and Purple Rejuvenate (Luxe) collections, which use solid gel in a honeycomb design (shown below).

See our Gel Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of gel mattresses, and to determine whether they are right for you.

 

 

Air Mattresses

Air mattresses look similar to innerspring mattresses but use air chambers as the support layer instead of coils. On top of the air support layer, many different types of comfort layers can be used, including memory foam, latex, or polyurethane foam.  Air mattresses are known for the ability to adjust the softness level of the mattress very precisely, and often have separate controls for each side. These high-end air mattresses are not to be confused with portable air mattresses that are used for camping or as quick guest bed.

To better understand the pros and cons of some specific air bed models, see our reviews of the King Koil SmartLife and Saatva Solaire mattresses.

See our Air Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of air mattresses, and what personal preferences would make them a good fit for you.

 

Natural and Organic Mattresses

Most mattresses are made from petroleum-based foams and synthetic fabrics. While a few 100% natural latex mattresses are available, we more commonly see natural materials like cotton and wool incorporated here and there in the comfort layers of a mattress.

Many of these materials are naturally breathable, giving them unique comfort and cooling properties in addition to the peace of mind that comes from their lack of chemicals. Steel coils can also be considered environmentally friendly since they are a natural material and can be recycled.

GoodBed has reviewed the Avocado, Happsy, Birch, and Nest Hybrid Latex mattresses, all made of natural latex, organic cotton and steel coils. We have also reviewed the Spindle and Zenhaven 100% natural latex mattress.

See our Natural and Organic Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of natural materials used in mattresses, the various certifications that are available to mattress manufacturers, and help in deciding the best option for you.

Waterbeds

Though waterbeds have declined in popularity since their peak in the 1970's, they continue to improve and retain a core following. Waterbeds are distinguished by their use of liquid chambers for their support layer. There may or may not be an additional comfort layer of another material. Waterbeds are most often praised for their excellent pressure relief and temperature control.  

See our Waterbed Guide for more information on the different types of waterbeds and whether they are a good fit for you.

Luxury Mattresses

Luxury mattresses are more about price and premium quality than on the use of a specific type of material. Luxury mattresses typically run up to $5,000, and are available in high-end versions of nearly every type of comfort and support layer.  By contrast, ultra-luxury mattresses, which start at $5,000 and run upwards of $10-20,000, tend to be much more focused on the use of an innerspring support layer, and are much more likely to emphasize natural materials in their comfort layers, as well as hand-crafted construction.

GoodBed has reviewed the Hastens 2000T ultra-luxury mattress, as well as the the Vispring Signatory Superb, both of which feature hand-craftsmanship, customization, and $30,000+ price tags.

See our Luxury Mattress Guide for more information on the different types of luxury and ultra-luxury mattresses, and how to determine whether they are a worthwhile investment for you.