finally a good night's sleep

shop pillows

With so many options for mattresses it can be difficult to determine which bed is the best one for you. The two main type of beds available are memory foam and spring or inner coil mattresses. There is also a hybrid option which combines both memory foam and inner coil.

Every mattress type has pros and cons and weighing those based on your needs can help you select the best mattress for a great night’s sleep.

Before you Purchase

Getting a restful and peaceful deep sleep is one of the most important things you can do to feel well. In order to get the sleep you need, selecting an appropriate mattress is a necessity. Mattresses are meant to last many years so be sure to choose one that provides both comfort and longevity. Taking time and consideration in selecting the right fit for you will ensure you aren’t having to make repeat purchases.

Things to Consider

Do you need an adjustable foundation. Certain mattresses are not meant to be used with an adjustable frame and using one can result in the voiding of your warranty.

Other mattress must be used on the same brand box spring or even a platform. The length of your warranty is something to consider, as most mattresses are meant to last at least 10 years.

Taking into account your sleep position is another important factor when selecting the right bed. Back and stomach sleepers may want to look at firmer options. Side sleepers may want to pick something between firm and soft.

It is important to keep in mind each manufacturer uses their own definition for comfort.

There is no standardization in soft or firmness scales among various mattress brands.

Memory Foam

A relatively new material, memory foam was created by researchers at NASA. Because this specialized foam was initially intended to provide additional safety during plane crashes it is extremely durable.

Memory foam initially served dual purposes. In addition to crash safety, it was designed to make flights more comfortable when sitting for long periods of time.

Memory foam would later be incorporated into mattress materials because of it’s comfort and body conforming nature.

Spring Mattresses

Around since the 1800’s, spring mattresses (also known as inner coil mattresses) come in a variety of different styles. Like the name implies, spring mattresses are made from coils (springs).

Choosing a spring mattress with plenty of well made coils is important when make an inner coil mattress selection.

Spring type mattresses are more prone to settling. Settling is when certain coils get overused and lose some of their bounce. With options ranging from 250 to 1000 springs inside an inner coil mattress, there are varying levels of support. Springs can be wound tighter to provide firmness or looser to provide a softer sleeping surface.

Memory Foam Mattress Brands

One of the most well known memory foam brands is Tempur-Pedic. Tempur-Pedic offers a 90 night trial so if you are unsure about memory foam, ordering direct from their site can be beneficial if you would like to utilize this service.

With memory foam sales surging many other brands now offer memory foam mattress options. Some other well received and reviewed brands are Tuft and Needle and Casper.

Spring Mattress Options

Saatva mattresses are an eco-conscious brand and offers customers a 15 year warranty. This brand offers natural fibers that are made in the USA.

Another well known spring mattress brand is Helix. The Helix brand offers a completely personalized customization and a 10 year warranty.

One of the most experienced in mattress sales is Sealy. This company has been around for over 130 years. They offer a multitude of inner coil options and are one of the longest running mattress makers in the business.

Hybrids Brands

Hybrid mattresses are a newer mattress type. The use the support of coils on the inside and are topped with memory or other types of foam. Serta offers inner coil, an IComfort memory foam mattress, and a hybrid mattress called the Applause II. Sealy also offers both standard inner coil mattresses, memory foam, and hybrids.

Pros of Memory Foam

One of the biggest benefits to owning a foam mattress is the absorption of movement. This means you won’t feel your partner moving around and you can sleep peacefully without being interrupted.

Memory Foam is great for back problems and has a long lifespan. Most memory foam mattresses offer different firmness levels.

Memory foam comfort is more universal than inner coil beds. For the most part there is no need to try to select a comfort or support level because this material adjusts to body heat and pressure.

Memory foam creates a personalized support level for your body using weight and heat.

Lastly, memory foam is considered to be a hypoallergenic material so this may be a better option if you are sensitive to allergens.

Pros of Spring Mattresses

Inner coil mattresses have a lower price point overall. With a wider variety of materials to chose from, you have many more options; such as foam or pillow tops.

Inner coil mattresses can offer more support and wider variety of comfort levels. Typical spring mattresses can go on any type of box spring, including adjustable ones. This is a good feature if you need to sleep with your head or feet elevated.

Most spring mattresses can be cleaned like any other upholstery, but be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions. Here is some tips for basic inner coil mattress cleaning.

Cons of Memory Foam

Most memory foam mattresses have a higher price point than inner coil mattresses.

A common complaint about memory foam is the smell. It has a very distinct smell some describe as chemical. The smell does fade over time and some memory foam users are not bothered by it at all.

Memory foam can be warm and hold in a lot of body heat. The lack of temperature control can be a deterrent for some people, but with options for gel cooling memory foam this can be avoided.

Some people have reported getting out of a memory foam bed can be difficult, while others with back problems report it has helped them get a much better night sleep.

Another downfall of memory foam is that it needs a special foundation and is not recommended to be used on standard box springs.

Lastly, memory foam is slightly more difficult to clean as extreme heat can break down the foam. Because memory foam is a spongy material it can take longer to dry. Here is a handy how-to for cleaning memory foam.

Cons of Spring Mattresses

Spring or coil mattresses need to be flipped and most are prone to sagging. With constant use, some coils that receive more pressure can compress and lose their bounce.

With so many different brands, material choices, and topper options; selecting an inner coil mattress can be overwhelming.

Additional features like pillow tops and selecting the correct level of firmness for your sleeping needs can also be daunting. Firmness is not standard across all brands so what feels right from one company may not feel the same when you try a different brand.

Some inner coil mattress materials are not hypoallergenic so that also needs to be taken into consideration.

Final Thoughts

Because sleep is so important to overall health and well being; be sure to take your time when selecting the type of mattress you want to purchase.

Choosing between a memory foam and an inner coil mattress is a simply a matter of preference. Taking things into account like firmness, restless bed partners, and your primary sleeping position can be very helpful when making an informed decision.

You may also want to look for companies or stores that offer free trials. Sometimes a short sit or nap on a store’s mattress isn’t enough to get a true feel for a bed.

Finally, a mattress is a big purchase for most people, so weigh the pros and cons carefully and you can get the best night’s sleep possible.