Which Type of Mattress Are Best?

At the core of it all lies your personal preference, yet the top mattress brands provide generous risk-free trials (ranging from 90 nights up to an entire year) so you can find your ideal mattress.

Back sleepers require the elusive "Goldilocks mattress", with firm enough support but soft enough comfort so they do not experience unnecessary tension in their shoulders and backs while they rest. Innerspring or hybrid mattresses tend to work best.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are perfect for all sleeping positions as their shape contours to your body, creating more natural spine alignment that may relieve chronic back pain sufferers. In addition, memory foam supports lower back muscles for reduced soreness or stiffness upon awakening in the morning.

Memory foam differs from other mattresses in its ability to resist sinkage by its viscoelastic properties and quickly return to its original form after sinking, thanks to this feature. Furthermore, memory foam also helps resist heat retention which is why you will often see cooling layers such as gel infusions, phase changing materials or egg crate foam that allows airflow freely incorporated into it.

Memory foam's primary drawback is that its huggable feel may make some people uncomfortable, which may prevent them from moving freely while sleeping. For those preferring more neutral mattresses, check out our best firm mattresses list.

If you need additional pressure relief, try selecting a soft memory foam mattress or one with a higher Indentation Load Deflection rating (ILD). ILD measures firmness; when choosing your bed consider both its feel and your sleeping position when making this decision - side sleepers may require something soft-medium ILD ratings while back sleepers might prefer something firmer such as mid or firm ILD ratings.

Latex

Latex mattresses can provide back sleepers with plenty of support in the lower spine area, as well as buoyancy that helps relieve pressure off of their bodies. While they may cost more initially, latex mattresses tend to last for years meaning you could save money over time.

Latex mattresses also boast the ability to isolate motion from other parts of the bed, which can aid in providing couples with a peaceful night's rest. In fact, more than 10% of latex owners consider this feature one of their favorites, as it helps eliminate disturbances caused by tossing and turning from one person in particular.

Talalay latex mattresses differ significantly from Dunlop latex in terms of texture and density, as the latter is produced by pouring liquid latex into molds before freezing, creating softer and less dense material than its Dunlop counterpart. As a result, Talalay mattresses often feel more responsive and bouncy - ideal for side sleepers.

Latex mattresses can be great choice for eco-conscious shoppers as they're made from natural materials with zero off-gassing potential. Just make sure they meet certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or GOLS; these ensure raw materials were harvested in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Innerspring

If you prefer traditional mattresses or don't enjoy the sinking sensation that memory foam and hybrid models bring, an innerspring mattress could be just what's needed to give you a great night's rest at a lower cost and more durability than their modern equivalents. Furthermore, innerspring models typically cost less and last longer, providing you with great nights' rest at a much more reasonable cost.

These mattresses feature layers of foam atop an innerspring core for additional support, including latex, memory foam and natural fibers. These layers help cradle and support your body, relieving pressure while adapting to your sleeping position.

Innerspring mattresses feature layers of coils arranged in various ways for style and feel preferences. Standard wire coils are the oldest and most prevalent choice, providing a firm base. Wrapped coils offer more contouring capabilities while pocketed coils create a responsive experience.

When purchasing an innerspring mattress, coil gauge should also be considered. This measures the thickness of each coil; higher gauges tend to provide more durability while lower gauges offer more pliability.

Hybrid

While it is a popular mattress myth that firmer beds will help relieve back pain, that assumption is misleading and harmful overstatement. A hard mattress flattens the spine while increasing pressure on hips and shoulders causing misalignments that don't resolve upon awakening. A hybrid mattress offers optimal support while still offering comfortable contouring features to maintain healthy spine curves.

Hybrid mattresses combine foams, such as gel or memory foam, with pocketed coils to support body weight. Pocketed coils prevent sinking feeling that some sleepers experience with all-foam models, providing extra support for heavier sleepers and helping prevent sinkage altogether. Pocketed coils also offer greater movement isolation compared to innerspring coils.

Hybrid mattresses' combination of materials makes them extremely long-wearing, outliving innerspring and all-foam mattresses by years. If cared for regularly to promote even wear, an average hybrid should last seven to 10 years with proper maintenance and rotation.

The best hybrid mattresses provide sturdy foam layers to cushion coils and reduce wear-and-tear, as well as cooling material like gel or Leesa's innovative hole-punch technology to redistribute heat more efficiently and make staying cool easier. The Bear Star Hybrid Mattress uses copper-gel memory foam in its comfort layers as well as Celliant fabric proven to promote circulation and healing; making it a good option for anyone seeking supportive yet cushiony support that promotes muscle recovery.