15 Different Types of Mattresses and How to Choose One

Continuous Coil Innerspring Mattress

Best for: Affordable, durable mattress.

Innerspring mattresses of various types are now the most popular type of mattresses sold in the United States and are usually more affordable than high-end foam mattresses. There are a variety of manufacturing methods, including the continuous coil.

This mattress type is manufactured using an interlinked single wire to form the S-shaped coils. The system is affordable and durable, but it has a tendency to transfer motion (sometimes annoying for partners), and it can be squeaky if a sleeper likes to toss and turn.

Marshall (Pocketed) Coil

Best for: Good support with minimal motion.

Unlinked and fully individually encased, Marshall coils (also known as pocketed coils) move independently of each other, offering more support and motion isolation. The more coils in the mattress, the higher the level of comfort and quality.

Made with a barrel-shaped design, the coils can be made of thinner or thicker metal. The higher numbers in the coil gauge represent thinner coils and a softer mattress. Lower numbers or thicker coils mean a firmer mattress that is also more durable.

Bonnell Coil Innersprings

Best for: Durable affordabilty.

Shaped like an hourglass, these coils have been around since the 1800s and connect to form a helix-like structure. You will find Bonnell coils in many mid-range mattresses. These are affordable mattresses that "sleep cool," but individuals with joint discomfort may find that they create pressure point discomfort.

Offset Coil Innersprings

Best for: Affordable, quiet mattress

Offset coils are very similar to Bonnell coils, but are less squeaky thanks to flattened edges at the top and bottom of the coil. This created a hinge effect that is quiet, durable, and conforms to the shape of the body.

Polyurethane (Polyfoam)

Best for: Durability, firm support.

As a class, foam mattresses made without internal metal springs will be quieter to sleep on, and less likely to transfer motion when one sleeper tosses and turns. Many people find them more comfortable to sleep on, since foam mattresses offer more even support to all pressure points. The central drawback is that foam tends to trap body heat, and therefore can be uncomfortable for those who like to "sleep cool."

The degree of these advantages and drawbacks depends on the type of foam used and how it is layered within the mattress.

Polyurethane is the original petroleum-based foam product, sometimes called simply polyfoam. It can be produced at different levels of density. The higher the density, the more durable the mattress and the firmer the sleeping experience. Polyurethane foam is sometimes used as the inner support layer, with a comfort layer made of a different type of foam or a pillow top.

Since petroleum contains chemicals that can be toxic, always look for the CertiPUR US certification on a polyfoam mattress. This certification brings peace of mind that the mattress is free of formaldehyde, heavy metals, and ozone depleters.

Memory Foam

Best for: Even support for sleepers with joint or muscle problems.

Memory foam is a polyurethane variation, which contains additives that make the foam more malleable to heat. While memory foam was invented by the scientists at NASA in the mid-1960s, it took some time before the first memory foam mattress came on the market—not until 1991.

A mattress labeled as "memory foam" may contain mostly this kind of augmented polyurethane, but often the memory foam is used only for the comfort layer placed around a support layer of traditional polyurethane foam

Memory foam allows the mattress to take the shape of your body as you lie on it and then bounce back when the weight is removed. It provides low motion transfer, soft support, and proper spinal alignment for side sleepers and those who have a painful bone or muscular condition.

However, many users find that the density of memory foam traps body heat and increases the temperature of the sleeper throughout the night. It is a good choice for anyone with allergies because the mattress is allergen- and dust-mite-resistant.

Latex Foam

Best for: Sleepers who prefer natural materials.

If the idea of synthetic foam does not appeal to you, choose a latex foam mattress. Latex is made from rubber tree sap.

Latex is similar to memory foam but has more bounce and retains less heat. You'll find two options in latex: Talalay and Dunlop. Talalay latex is manufactured by filling the mattress mold and then sucking out any air pockets. The latex is then stabilized by freezing it for a consistent level of firmness so the mattress can be flipped. Dunlop latex is poured into the mold and allowed to harden, resulting in a mattress that is softer on top and denser on the bottom.

Gel

Best for: Cool, even support.

The term gel mattress is a bit of a misnomer: Gel mattresses are made of memory foam that is infused with gel. The gel decreases the density of the memory foam and prevents the foam from trapping as much body heat, helping the mattress stay cooler throughout the night.

Often, these mattresses use gel-infused foam as the top comfort layer, with traditional polyurethane as the support layer.

Hybrid

Best for: Firm support combined with comfort.

Hybrid mattresses combine the support of an innerspring mattress with the softness of foam. Most hybrids have a layer of some type of coils topped with one to three layers of memory, latex, or gel foam. Many companies offer custom-made hybrids to suit the customer's sleeping needs.

Pillowtop

Best for: Durability combined with comfort.

Pillowtop mattresses (also known as Euro-top) are constructed with a layer of padding on the top of a standard mattress, usually stitched in place as a self-contained additional layer. The padding can be made of foam, wool, or cotton. The pillowtop layer adds comfort and durability to the mattress. Usually more expensive than a standard mattress, a pillowtop mattress cannot be flipped.

A pillowtop can be affixed to any mattress type, though it is most often used to give innerspring mattresses a plusher feel. In the Euro-top version of this design, the added layer has a thinner, more compact look and feel.

Organic

Best for: Sleepers with chemical sensitivities or environmental concerns.

If you are trying to limit your exposure to toxins and do as much as you can to protect the environment, choose an organic mattress, which meets defined standards for natural production. These are made using organic wool or cotton fibers, recycled steel for the coils, and/or natural latex. Choose those certified as GREENGUARD GOLD for the safest options. Other certification standards include the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) or Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Usually, it is the separate components, not the mattress itself, that receive certification.

Waterbed

Best for: Adjusting temperature and support level.

Waterbed mattresses have an outer bladder with individual chambers that can be filled with water to the level of support and motion that suits you. Most have thermostat controls to help regulate temperature. While they offer nearly pressure-free comfort to sleepers, they are extremely heavy and time-consuming to set up or move.

Water beds aren't for everyone. Some sleepers love them, others find the experience disconcerting and unpleasant.

Air Mattress

Best for: Accommodating side-by-side sleepers with differing firmness needs.

An air mattress for daily use is much more than the inflatable floor variety pulled out for overnight guests. Quality air mattresses are covered with foam layers for more comfort and have adjustable air chambers to make co-sleeping more pleasant. The mattresses themselves tend to be lightweight and easy to move, but they are often used with premium bed frames that make these among the more sophisticated and expensive sleeping arrangements. Many smart mattresses (see below) are based on air mattress designs.

Adjustable Bed Mattress

Best for: Users of adjustable-frame beds.

The mattress on an adjustable bed—one that allows the head and foot to be adjusted up and down—is usually made from foam, so it is flexible. Air mattresses can also be used, and a few manufacturers are making innerspring mattresses that flex.

Make sure to specify that you have an adjustable bed when shopping for a mattress. Adjustable mattresses are typically thinner than standard mattresses and are designed especially for this purpose. Also, keep in mind the reason you are sleeping on an adjustable bed. The recommendation for a sleeper with back pain may be different than for a couple who simply wants to sleep in different positions.

Smart Mattress

Best for: Side-by-side sleepers with different preferences.

This category includes mattresses that combine the adjustable firmness features of air mattresses and the flexibility of adjustable bed mattresses, along with other features, to create a mattress with almost infinite adjustability.

You can, for example, choose a mattress with independent remote controls that allow side-by-side sleepers to set their own preferences for mattress firmness, mattress position, and temperature. Such mattresses may even adjust firmness automatically as they sense sleepers tossing and turning in the night.

Smart mattresses are hybrids that combine features found in the other types of mattresses. They usually have air chambers to provide the adjustability factor, some version of foam in the support layers, and often memory foam or gel used in the surface comfort layer. Many smart mattresses also add a pillow-top.

Smart mattresses that offer full adjustability are often proprietary and must be matched with bed frames offered by the manufacturer—you can't just buy any smart mattress and put it on an existing frame.