Mattress Features
Which Performance Aspects Matter Most to You?

These are the most commonly available features and options to consider in a new mattress. Deciding which of these options are most important to you will help you narrow down your mattress search.

Editor's Note: This article is about "Features" — one of the 3 key categories to consider when choosing a mattress. Be sure to learn about the other two – "Fit" and "Feel" – in our must-read guide to the 3 F's of mattress shopping.

Motion Isolation

Minimizing disturbance from movement on other areas of the bed can be especially important if you are a light sleeper or if you have pets, children, or a restless partner.  Mattresses that boast motion isolation help keep motion localized on a mattress, so that you aren't jostled awake in the night when your partner gets in and out of bed.

Cooling

When it comes to keeping you cool and comfortable in your bed, not all mattresses are created equally. Some mattresses can prevent heat from efficiently moving away from your body during the night, which can ultimately lead to sleeping hot. Other mattresses may trap moisture close to your body, which can exacerbate any problems with over-heating, but can also be an issue unto itself. Making matters more confusing for consumers, many of the mattresses that are truly best at all-night heat and moisture diffusion do not advertise any cooling features. Conversely, many mattresses that do advertise cooling features are not actually the best at keeping you cool all night long, though they may have features that help with keeping you cool during the 10-20 minutes while you are falling asleep. While cooling will not be an important factor for all sleepers, it can be critical for people who have a tendency to sleep hot or whose bedroom climates can be warmer or more humid at certain times of year.

Edge Support

Good edge support means that the mattress stays firm and stable when you sit or lie close to the edge, rather than compressing so that you feel like you're going to roll off. This comes in handy if you have trouble getting out of a bed with a softer mattress. And some people just prefer a firmer edge for when they sit down on their bed to tie their shoes.

Ease of Repositioning

Being able to easily reposition yourself during the night can be important to achieving restorative, uninterrupted sleep.There are two factors that affect how easy it is to change positions in bed. One is whether your mattress responds quickly or slowly to your movement. Memory foam (think of that visual of the hand print that stays in the foam) is slow response. Many people love how it feels like you are gently melting into the bed. But when you want to move, that impression your body created doesn’t go away instantly, and some people may find it difficult or uncomfortable to roll out of it.

The second factor is “cushioning depth,” which refers to how far you sink in to the mattress (independent of whether the mattress is slow or fast response). Some people refer to this phenomenon as “sleeping on” the bed vs. “sleeping in” the bed. Mattresses with a lot of cushioning depth  that you sleep “in” may feel comfy, but some people may find it harder to shift positions on a mattress like this. 

Natural Materials

If you are sensitive to chemical odors or are otherwise concerned about the chemicals used in the manufacturing of your mattress, you may want to consider a mattress made with chemical-free or organic materials.

Adjustable and Dual Comfort

The ability to electronically adjust the levels of comfort in a mattress can come in handy if your body has changing needs—just ask a pregnant lady.  Adjustable comfort is almost exclusively a benefit of the air bed category because an air bed offers the easiest and fastest way to change the comfort (hardness or softness) of the bed. For people who may want the option to change comfort levels less frequently, there are beds you can unzip and swap in and out foam layers that change the feel of the mattress.

Like motion isolation, a dual comfort feature may be perfect for folks who share a bed but don’t necessarily share mattress preferences. One side of a dual comfort mattress can be configured to be firmer or softer than the other side. Many air beds offer this feature. Other mattresses are made so you can unzip the outer fabric covering and customize each side with different layers of foam. And still other mattresses have been designed so that one side is firmer or softer than the other.

Adjustable Base Compatibility

You might be considering an adjustable base for your mattress if you want to be able to change the position of your bed, whether to ease discomfort or to watch a movie from a more desirable angle. If you are interested in an adjustable bed, you’ll need a mattress that is designed to bend with the base. Not all mattresses are compatible with an adjustable base and using one that isn’t could damage the mattress and void your warranty.