Mattresses Explained: Memory Foam Sprung Latex And Hybrid
Pocket-sprung mattresses have been the most popular for many years now. However, there are plenty of challengers in the shape of memory foam and latex. The modern-day mattress can arrive in a box, and some even overnight! There is no obvious best mattress type, what works for you will depend on your needs. Read on to find out the differences between Memory Foam, Sprung, Latex and Hybrid mattresses.
The Best Affordable Mattresses
The tester: Karen
What to know: First of all, Zinus is crazy affordable a six-inch-thick, two-layer foam queen is under $200. The version I tried, a 12-inch model with an extra layer of high-density foam, features a top layer of memory foam infused with gel, which theoretically disperses body heat better than normal memory foam. The cover, made from breathable fabric, is designed to keep you cool with its loose, woven knit that allows air to flow through. The cooling gel foam mattress is ranked right in the middle of the firmness scale by Tuck at a 5 out of 10, but the reviews are mixed on whether it actually makes you feel cooler. Zinus mattresses have a pretty simple build. Theyre made of foam of varying density levels, with none of the proprietary technology you see from companies with higher price tags.
The fine print: Zinus offers a 10-year limited warranty with all of its mattresses, including the Cooling Gel style. If ordered from the company itself, you also get free shipping and a 100-night trial during which you can return a mattress and receive a refund should you not like it.
The tl dr: This is one of the best values for a mattress, full stop.
The tester: Kelsey Darragh, Strategist contributor
How I sleep: With a partner, who is six-foot-four.
The fine print: Each Green Tea mattress comes with Zinuss 10-year limited warranty.
How Much Should I Pay For A Good Mattress
If youve done any mattress shopping recently, you already know theres a huge range in prices, from a few hundred dollars for memory foam-only models to a few thousand for more luxury picks. As a general rule, you can get a good queen size mattress for around $1,000 to $1,500, but it depends on what youre looking for.
Many more expensive mattresses are made with higher-quality materials, like latex and high-density foams, and last for years . But just because a mattress is expensive, it doesn’t mean that youll like it best or that its the highest quality. Mattresses are really a personal preference and a budget mattress might feel better to you than one thats $5,000.
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Helix Dusk Luxe: Best Luxury Mattress For Couples
Sometimes sharing a bed sucks. You cant get the temperature right. When they move, you move. And they like their mattresses firm while you like them soft. Here to save your relationship and your sleep, its the Helix Dusk Luxe.
The Helix Dynamic Foam delivers thatperfect medium-firm feel to keep everyone happy while the polyfoam transition layer provides further ergonomic support. Then theres zoned lumbar support from spring coils to cradle your body and align your spine.
The Helix Dusk Luxe is the best mattress to buy for couples with different sleep schedulesor if one of you suffers from insomniathanks to its motion absorbing qualities. As the mattress reviews confirm, the DuraDense base layer helps dampen movement so you can sleep soundly even while your partner tosses and turns.
Best for: A two-person slumber party where you actually get to sleep.
Sleeping position: Stomach or back sleepersType: Hybrid Firmness: Medium FirmSizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, King, and CA KingTrial period: 100 nights
How To Choose A Mattress
Experts agree that getting good sleep is one of the single best ways to maintain and improve our health. A mattress is a huge factor in our ability to sleep well, yet many people overlook its importance and keep using a mattress that fails to provide enough support and comfort.
A new mattress can be a sizable investment, but taking this step can unlock your ability to sleep better. As with any major purchase, you want to make sure that you choose wisely.
To help you get a handle on how to choose a mattress, we break down the key information piece-by-piece. With this guide, youll have the knowledge to find a top-performing mattress with the right firmness and features to suit your needs and deliver great sleep night after night.
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When Is The Best Month To Buy A Mattress
There are mattress sales all year long, but as a general rule: The best times to buy a mattress are early spring , late winter and any holiday weekends. Mattresses are one of the most heavily discounted items during sales events like Memorial Day and Labor Day, so while you can find great deals all year, you may be able to save some additional cash and/or score freebies during these times.
The Best Mattresses On The Market Right Now
If youre looking for a new mattress online, you may be struggling to decide which is the best one for you or perhaps youre looking to see what even are the best mattresses on the market? Yup! There are a ton of different options to choose from, and its not always easy to know which mattresses are truly the best of the best. Thats where we come in!
Weve done the research to make this process easier for you! Our list of the best mattresses on the market will help you find a mattress that will offer you a good nights sleep, night after night. Well delve into the performance, durability, and value of these mattresses to help you select the best one for you. Without further ado, lets take a look at the best mattresses on the market!
Tempur-Pedic also offers a lower price Tempur-Pedic Cloud mattress, a great selection for a someone who loves comfort for a great price. The Tempur-Pedic Cloud mattress has a 360 degree stretch cover with multiple layers, starting with the comfort layer followed by the support layer and lastly the base layer. The Tempur-Pedic Cloud mattress is for anyone who likes it soft for comfortable sleep and firm for support when you need it! You can even find Tempur-Pedic mattresses at a fraction of the cost at Tempur-Pedic Sale. Now what could be better than a high quality mattress for a great value!
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Does Weight Affect How Firm A Mattress Feels
Your weight is the number one thing that will determine how firm, or how soft, a mattress feels to you. Mattresses are constructed of multiple layers, most of which become denser as you get closer to the base of the mattress.
On some mattresses, if you are a heavier person , you will sink into the mattress more, meaning you will feel more of the firmer materials deeper in the mattress. If you are a heavier person who likes a firmer mattress, you want to make sure you are feeling a comfortable firm.
Look for beds that have a firm, or more dense, top/comfort layer. This means you will be feeling the firmness intended for the sleeper to feel, not the inner layers.
Parachute: Best Minimalist Luxury Mattress
We already love Parachute robes. Now were adding this Parachute mattress into our lounging arsenal, here to banish aches and pains from your morning routine with an innerspring design thats deceptively simple.
This reinvention of the traditional innerspring is constructed to be firm in the middle for maximum back support and softer at the head and feet, ensuring pressure point relief and spinal alignment.
Its engineered using eco-friendly materials with pure New Zealand wool and 100% organic cotton. The durable pocketed steel coils are hand-tufted for the most premium sleep experience and there are no adhesives, petrochemicals, non-natural flame retardants, or other nasties, so you can sleep easy.
While this Parachute mattress is a bit too firm for some side sleepers, for back and stomach sleepers, the medium-firmness is ideal.
Best for: A simple, straightforward, and unfussy solution for a serene sleep.
Sleeping position: Back and stomach sleepersType: InnerspringFirmness: Medium FirmSizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal KingTrial period: 100 nights
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Sleep Position And Firmnesses
Let’s first address the three sleep positionsside, back, and stomach. What position you’re in affects how pressure builds up in your body, determining what firmness level you need to feel comfortable.
Side sleepers require a softer mattress than the other two. If a side sleeper is not adequately cushioned, they may wake up with stiffness and soreness in their shoulders, neck, back, or hips. The best mattresses for side sleepers offer side to medium feels that complement the style.
Back and stomach sleepers are usually more comfortable with a firmer mattress, stomach sleepers especially. A firm mattress limits the sinkage that can cause spinal misalignment and lower back pain.
Stomach sleepers have a particularly high risk of misaligning their spines thanks to the way gravity pushes down on their bellies. When the stomach sinks too far, the spine is dragged out of its neutral position. The best firm mattresses buoy their bodies for a healthy alignment.
Back sleepers usually don’t need quite as firm a mattress as stomach sleepers and are often quite happy with a medium-firm mattress. Some enjoy the soft feel of a medium mattress, particularly if it has added lumbar support, too. Too-soft mattresses can cause spinal misalignment, so back sleepers may want to look at the best mattresses for back pain.
Helix Dawn Luxe Mattress
The Helix Dawn Luxe has a firm feel, great for stomach sleepers or heavier sleepers who require supportive coils. The Luxe includes a premium pillow top for pressure-point relief and softness, despite it being a firmer mattress underneath. Its Gel Visco comfort layer provides body contouring and keeps the sleeper cool.
Helix has designed several versions of their mattress, one to suit every type of sleeper. Some of the factors they considered include weight, body type and sleeping position, as one mattress does not fit all. Their firmer mattress options include the Helix Twilight and the Helix Dawn. Both offer a layered composition of memory foam and dynamic foam to create the right combination of pressure relief and contouring for the body. Bottom line: They are comfortable, yet solid.
The Helix Dawn Luxe mattresss combination of foam and pocketed coils give it a firm, supportive feel thats perfect for larger sleepers. The Dawn is best suited for back and stomach sleepers and conforms well to the body, while the Twilight Luxe is the best mattress for side sleepers and provides excellent pressure-point relief. All Helix mattresses come with free shipping to the United States, a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty. Helix is also one of our top picks for the best bed-in-a-box.
Read our full Helix Dawn Mattress Review for more details.
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Who Are Firm Mattresses Best For
Its no secret that firm beds are not for everyone. However, there are many categories of people who are likely to prefer and/or benefit from a firm mattress:
Sleepers with Back Pain
We often find firm mattresses to be some of the best mattresses for back pain, as they can keep your spine better aligned by supporting the hips and shoulders . The improved spinal alignment that firm mattresses provide can reduce the likelihood of added soreness because of the mattress.
Big & Tall Sleepers
Firm mattresses can also help provide support for those who carry more bodyweight and sink too deeply into soft mattresses. If youre heavier than average theres a good chance that a firm mattress will feel perfectly soft to you, while still holding up sensitive areas.
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Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers of average or heavy weight tend to do well on a firm mattress. The reason being that if the mattress is too soft, then the front of their hips will sink deep into the mattress, throwing their spine out of alignment and possibly leading to soreness. Lightweight stomach sleepers, however, can likely get by with a medium-firm mattress.
Time For A New Mattress
If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, the problem might not be your mattress type, but its age. “It’s really important for people to realize that mattresses have a certain lifespan,” Decker says.
Keep your mattress too long, and the foam and other materials inside it will start to break down, compromising its ability to support your body.
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What Mattress Types Are Most Comfortable
Comfort is really a subjective thing. What feels like a dream to you may not be the most comfortable mattress for someone else, but there are some general guidelines you can follow when trying to narrow it down. Memory foam conforms to your body and keeps your spine and neck aligned. A memory foam bed is a great option if you have back pain or like to feel like you’re “sinking” into your mattress. Memory foam tends to trap heat though, so it’s not always the best for hot sleepers.
Traditional spring mattresses don’t alleviate pressure as well as memory foam mattresses, but they’re supportive and breathable. Spring mattresses also tend to be more budget-friendly, so they’re great for hot sleepers that are looking to save some cash.
Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds — memory foam and springs. The foam provides pressure relief and a contouring effect, while the springs add some extra bounce and increase air flow. The springs in hybrid mattresses are usually smaller than the springs in the traditional spring mattresses, so they don’t transfer as much motion. Hybrid mattresses are a great option for any type of sleeper.
Most Comfortable Soft Mattress: Amerisleep As5 Hybrid
Details
- Plush, breathable cushion hugs the body for a cloud-like surface
- Transition foam increases buoyancy and responsiveness
- Pocketed coils react to movements yet isolate motion
Recommended For
- Side sleepers of all body types
- Various body types
- Hot sleepers
For many sleepers, particularly side sleepers, a soft mattress is the peak of comfort. That’s not to say a mattress can’t be both firm and luxurious, just that many associate luxury and comfort with a plush feel. We find it difficult to match the AS5 Hybrid‘s balance of plush cushion and supportive coils when it comes to soft mattresses.
The AS5 Hybrid is excellent for side sleepers of all body types. Some combination sleepers may also enjoy the AS5 Hybrid’s feel.
As we previously mentioned, Amerisleep relies on Bio-Pur foam to create unbeatable comfort inside their memory foam and hybrid mattresses. In the AS5 Hybrid, the thick top layer of Bio-Pur foam creates a plush, personal cloud for sleepers to luxuriate in, promoting relaxation.
The second layer of the AS5 is Active Flex foam, a material that balances out the top cushioning layer. Active Flex minimizes sinkage without affecting the bed’s overall plush feel. Many lower-quality soft mattresses don’t have a layer like Active Flex and feel like sink traps because of it.
The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty, as with any Amerisleep mattress.
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Most Comfortable Mattress For The Money: Vaya Mattress
Details
- Vaya Comfort Foam engineered for a lightweight, airy cushion
- Durable base extends the bed’s lifespan for a greater expected value
- Supports all sleep positions and body types
Recommended For
- Budget shoppers and bargain hunters
- Side, back, and stomach sleepers
- Couples seeking an inexpensive larger mattress
Sleeping on a comfortable mattress shouldn’t be out of your reach just because you don’t have a lot of money to spend. That’s why when it comes to the best mattresses for the money that provide bang for your buck, we have to recommend the Vaya Mattress.
Vaya makes their mattresses with their motto “pure comfort” in mind, maximizing the potential of high-quality materials with a simple mattress structure. The original Vaya Mattress has a simple two-layer design that provides what most sleeping styles need to feel comfortable.
The top layer is conforming, lightweight Vaya Comfort Foam. This layer is designed to provide “cool comfort with bounce,” as Vaya puts it on their webpage. The bottom layer is specialty base foam, designed to distribute weight and pressure evenly for greater comfort.
Vaya also offers a hybrid model for sleepers who prefer a springier mattress. The original Vaya Mattress was our top suggestion due to its lower price tag, but some budget shoppers may find the Vaya Hybrid provides for their sleep needs far better.
Why Trust The Spruce
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a lifestyle writer and expert on all things homes. Since first writing for us in 2017, she’s contributed dozens of articles on everything from sleeper sofas and day beds to laundry stain removers and blanket storage options. It was reviewed by our commerce editor Lily Sperry. For this list, Camryn considered each topper’s thickness, temperature regulation, and material. In addition, product testers reviewed several picks on this list and shared insight.
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Otty Pure Hybrid Bamboo And Charcoal Mattress
Best mattress for if you find yourself overheating when you sleep
Image credit: OTTY
Limited edge support Cover needs to be dry cleaned
If you struggle to regulate body temperature while sleeping and suffer overheating even in the winter, youll probably love the OTTY Pure Bamboo and Charcoal mattress. This mattress stays cool even on sweaty summer nights, so its a top pick for hot sleepers. Its also great if you want a mattress thats a little on the firmer side, but with a supportive top layer.
At 25cm, the OTTY Pure mattress is about average for this type of mattress. It has a removable cover for an added layer of protection, but note that it is dry clean only. With up to 2,000 encapsulated pocket springs, as well as two memory foam layers, its also pretty comfortable. Our reviewer had been experiencing a lot of lower back pain prior to testing enough to make getting out of bed or sitting at her difficult but she noticed that the pain lessened when she started sleeping on the OTTY Pure.
As for the keep-cool factor: the OTTY Pure is a very breathable mattress. It had no trouble keeping our reviewer warm through April this year, but it also helped her sleep quite comfortably through the June heatwave. Thats all thanks to the charcoal, which claims to regulate temperature, and the airflow system, which keeps the mattress fresh.
