Different Types of Mattresses, Explained Explained
Buying a mattress can be extremely stressful, since it’s a major investment and is one of the objects in the home that has the most influence on the quality of your daily and nightly life. Especially since there are so many different types of mattress, trying to narrow down your options by comfort, quality, and cost can feel overwhelming.
How to Choose between Spring, Foam, or Hybrid
Available in a wide range of firmnesses
Offer less pressure relief on joints
Softer on side sleepers and those with joint pain
Higher-quality hybrid mattresses can be expensive
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be — our guide is designed to simplify the process and make buying a mattress as comfortable as the sleep you’ll be having as soon as you bring it home.
How to Choose between Spring, Foam, or Hybrid
The first thing you need to determine is whether you want a spring mattress or a foam mattress (or both, also known as a hybrid mattress).
Here’s everything you need to know to decide between spring, foam, and hybrid:
Innerspring Mattresses
The most traditional type of mattress, the spring mattress is made up of a layer of coils surrounded by layers of comfort material that can consist of materials like latex, natural fibers, or foam. Different types of spring mattresses use different coil types and layouts to achieve different effects.
Advantages
Offer solid back support
Available in a wide range of firmnesses
Budget-friendly options available
Disadvantages
Can wear out more quickly than foam
Older springs can become noisy
Offer less pressure relief on joints
Spring mattresses are often the best choice for stomach and back sleepers, those with lower back pain, and heavier individuals who find foam mattresses don’t offer sufficient support.
Foam Mattresses
First popularized after NASA invented memory foam in the 1970s, foam mattresses rely on different combinations of different-density foams to provide softness and support. Though memory foam is the most well-known type of foam mattress, there are several different types that provide different benefits.
Advantages
Softer on side sleepers and those with joint pain
Absorbs motion of restless sleepers
Lack of springs eliminates noise
More durable than spring mattresses long-term
Disadvantages
Certain foams trap body heat
Softness can cause “sinking” feeling
Insufficient support for certain types of sleeper
More expensive than spring mattresses
Foam mattresses are often the best choice for side sleepers and those who experience joint pain and discomfort.
Hybrid Mattresses
Some mattresses offer a hybrid composition that includes layers of both springs and foam. Hybrid mattresses can be a great option for those whose preferences fall in the middle of what spring and foam mattresses can offer.
Advantages
Softer than springs without the “sinking” feeling of foam
Offers pressure point relief without compromising on back support
Typically quieter than spring mattress alternatives
Regulates temperature better than pure foam mattresses
Can work for couples with different firmness preferences
Disadvantages
Higher-quality hybrid mattresses can be expensive
Doesn’t absorb motion as well as foam
Hybrid mattresses are often the best choice for couples and those who prefer the support of a spring mattress combined with the comfort of a softer option.
Casper offers a variety of hybrid mattresses: the Casper Original, the Nova Hybrid, and the Wave Hybrid.
The Nova Hybrid
For those who want a plush top layer without sacrificing support and cooling.
The Wave Hybrid
Our most advanced mattress. The Wave Hybrid has hyper-targeted support combined with active springs, allow for better airflow.
The Pillowtop Option
Pillow top mattresses are available in spring, foam, and hybrid constructions, and simply offer an additional layer of cushion material at the top of the mattress.
There are a few drawbacks to the pillow top mattress option. One is cost—the luxurious feel offered by the soft pillow top comes at an additional price. Another is that some pillow top mattresses are too tall to fit into standard fitted sheets, so they require special linens.
Spring Mattress Types
Different spring mattress constructions offer different comfort characteristics, and finding the correct type can really enhance sleep quality.
In addition to differences in construction, spring mattresses can vary by the thickness or gauge of the coil. The thickest available coil is the 12-gauge, which will feel the most firm.
Continuous Coil
Made up of rows of flat, connected, single-wire coils, the spring layer of a continuous coil mattress looks less like a series of coils and more like a latticework of metal supports.
Advantages
Can be flipped to extend mattress lifespan
Easy to transport
Disadvantages
Less individual pressure point support
Lower-quality feel
Bonnell
Also called open coils, Bonnell coils are the oldest version of the innerspring mattress. They’re built with hourglass-shaped coils which are placed evenly throughout the mattress and connected by smaller helical coils.
Advantages
Better localized support
Disadvantages
One of the least durable spring mattress types
Offset
Offset mattresses came about as an improved version of the Bonnell mattress and feature cylindrical coils which hold up more sustainably than their hourglass-shaped predecessors. The drawback to this option is that, in most cases, it is the most expensive spring mattress available.
Advantages
Offer individualized coil support
More durable than Bonnell spring mattresses
Disadvantages
Generally the most expensive type of spring mattress
Marshall/Pocketed Coil
These coils are unique because each individual spring is wrapped in a fabric “pocket,” which helps the the coil absorb pressure without needing to distribute it to the surrounding springs. As a result, the pocket coil mattress absorbs motion better than other types of spring construction.
Advantages
Absorbs motion of restless sleepers
Best spring mattress for contouring to pressure points
Disadvantages
Generally the most expensive type of spring mattress
Foam Mattress Types
Most foam mattresses combine two or more different types of foam, but generally each mattress is characterized by one dominant foam style. Different foam mattresses offer different pro’s and con’s.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is the type of mattress that most people are talking about when they talk about foam mattresses. Invented by NASA in the 1970s to make aircraft cushions safer and then adopted for use in hospital beds, memory foam has an advanced capacity for absorbing pressure and motion. This makes it a popular option for those with certain types of body pain.
Advantages
Offers gentler mattress support for painful joints
One of the best options for absorbing motion
Disadvantages
Least bounce back quality of the foam mattress types
Can trap body heat, causing discomfort
Generally more expensive than other mattress types
Though memory foam mattresses are usually more expensive, Casper has a memory foam option for every budget. The Element, our most affordable option, is made up of three different foam densities, offering necessary support without sacrificing soft comfort. The Casper Original, our most popular foam mattress, is made up of four layers of premium foam, offering zoned support and extra breathability.
Gel or Gel-Infused Foam
For those who like memory foam mattresses but find them too warm to be comfortable, gel foam regulates the temperature in the bed more capably and may be the perfect option.
Advantages
Gentle on hips and joints
Better temperature regulation than memory foam
Disadvantages
Usually more expensive than memory foam
Gel foam can also be incorporated into a hybrid mattress to achieve some of the same advantages.
Latex
Latex is turned into foam when it is aerated in order to trap bubbles within the material that provide soft and bouncy support evenly throughout the mattress. Latex foam is soft and offers the same pressure relief of other foam options, but unlike memory foam, latex mattresses rebound more quickly and lessen the sensation of sinking into the mattress.
Latex is also a popular material for use in hybrid mattresses, like the Wave. Incorporating a latex layer rather than opting for a fully latex foam mattress can be a great option to capture the advantages of latex without its drawbacks.
Advantages
Higher bounce back capacity than other foam options, lessening “sinking” feeling
Can be produced using natural materials
Disadvantages
Can feel “spongy”
More expensive than many other foam types
Not an option for those with latex allergies
Polyfoam
Polyfoam, short for polyurethane foam, is very similar in material to memory foam and is in fact often used as one of the layers that encases the coils of a spring mattress. There are three types of polyfoam, two of which are only used in polyfoam layers of spring mattresses. The third type, called high resiliency foam, is firmer and more supportive and therefore can be used alone.
The Wave mattress also includes a layer of high resilience polyfoam, which works in combination with the resilient innerspring base, supportive latex layer, and soft memory foam layer to achieve the maximum benefits of a hybrid mattress.
Advantages
Similar to memory foam in feel
Higher bounce back capacity than memory foam, lessening “sinking” feeling
Disadvantages
High resiliency foam is expensive to manufacture, which increases cost
Alternative Mattress Types
Adjustable Bed Mattresses
Adjustable beds allow the sleeper to prop up the head or foot of the mattress to enhance circulation, increase comfort, and customize their sleep experience. However, it’s essential to note that not all mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds.
If you have or are considering buying an adjustable bed, your best option is to purchase your mattress and adjustable bed from the same company. (For instance, Casper makes an adjustable bed frame that is compatible with all three of its mattress models.)
Usually Compatible:
Memory foam
Latex foam
Sometimes Compatible:
Hybrid mattresses
Rarely Compatible:
Innerspring mattresses unless specifically manufactured for use with adjustable bed
Futon
Futon mattress technology has come a long way in recent years, and you may be surprised at the quality of futon mattress available.
The benefits of a futon are obvious: the dual-purpose couch-bed combo makes the maximum use out of minimal space, making it perfect for small rooms or apartments. When picking out a futon, it’s smart to stick to a thickness of six inches or greater to ensure sufficient comfort and support. Futons are available with or without innersprings; if your futon is going to be used frequently for sleep, an innerspring mattress is the way to go.
Waterbed
Many people think of waterbeds as being a thing of the ‘80s, but in fact people have been using water-filled mattresses since as early as 3600 BCE. While they are less popular now than they were in the 20th century, many still prefer the unique advantages that the aquatic alternative offers.
Advantages
Relieve pressure on painful body parts
Water can be heated to therapeutic effect
Disadvantages
Difficult to set up and transport
Can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds when full
Potential for leaks
Absorb very little motion
Air Mattress
Air mattresses are often thought of as being short-term options for camping, travel, and brief overnight stays. While that is largely the case, there are still certain features available that can make air mattresses more pleasant to sleep on.
Standard air mattresses are rarely taller than a few inches, while double-high air mattresses keep sleepers further from the ground. Air mattresses with built-in inflation devices also allow the sleeper to adjust the firmness of the mattress with the touch of a button.
For camping, it’s important to choose an air mattress that’s compatible with a battery-powered pump; don’t get stuck in the wilderness with an air mattress that can only be inflated with a wall outlet!
What about Mattress Toppers?
With every mattress, you also have the option of adding a mattress topper. Think of a mattress topper as a pillow top that isn’t sewn into the mattress. Whereas mattress materials should be chosen for their combination of comfort and support, mattress toppers are designed to enhance comfort only.
You can find foam mattress toppers in the same varieties you can find foam mattresses (polyfoam, memory foam, latex, gel, etc.) as well as cotton, down, or fiberfill. In cases where budget is a primary factor in choosing a mattress, combining a more affordable mattress with a high-end mattress topper can help achieve the comfort effect you seek at a fraction of the cost of a high-end mattress.
While having a comprehensive knowledge of mattress basics is essential to make an informed decision while buying a mattress, there’s no substitute for expert knowledge. A mattress professional can listen to your individual comfort and cost needs and make individualized recommendations based on what matters to you most.
It’s also a great idea to test out a mattress before committing to it long-term. Trying out mattresses in-store can be helpful for determining basics like whether you prefer spring or foam, but the only way to know for sure whether a mattress is for you is to sleep on it. Look for mattresses with liberal return policies or a risk-free trial period that will give you the freedom to let your body make the final call on your perfect mattress.