Mattress guide

Mattress guide

Our mattresses influence our lives more than we might think. The better you sleep, the more energy you’ll have and the more effective you’ll be. That’s why choosing the right mattress is so important.

There are several types of mattresses on the market and it can be difficult to get a clear understanding of their differences when you are not an expert. This guide will help you to distinguish between different types of mattresses and make a wise choice when shopping for your next one.

Coil Mattress

Coil mattresses are by far the most common on the market. This is a conventional construction that is still the norm today. Normally, the coil mattress will consist of a spring cage below and a padded portion on the top. Springs are partly responsible for the strength and durability of the mattress, while the padding provides comfort.

A strong spring cage ensures that you will be well supported by the mattress, won’t collapse in the middle or on the sides and will last many years. A quality padded layer ensures a comfort that will remain the same for years to come.

There are of course a wide range of spring mattresses that will vary in terms of price, quality and comfort, but in general, it is a wise choice that has a proven track record.

Pocket Spring Mattress

As the name suggests, this is a subcategory of spring mattresses. This  innovation isn’t new (the first pocket spring mattress was born in 1901, but these mattresses have more recently been marketed by the well-known Simmons “bowling ball” advertisement.

In a traditional spring mattress, the springs are connected to each other horizontally or vertically. When part of the mattress moves (as in the case of a person who turns in the night), the vibration will be transmitted through the springs of the mattress to some extent.

In the case of the mattress with pocket springs, each spring is individual and not connected to other springs. The main advantage of this type of mattress is that if a person moves in bed, the other person will feel it much less. Needless to say that this type of mattress is especially popular among couples who sleep together. Most brands offer this type of spring in their medium to high-end mattresses

Memory Foam Mattress

This type of foam has become very popular since the mid-2000s and it has several names. It is often referred to as viscoelastic foam, temper foam or “NASA foam”. The main characteristic is that this foam moulds to your body shape when you’re in bed and when you move in or out of bed, it completely recovers its original shape.

Spring mattresses can have padding that contain memory foam, but some mattresses without springs also use it. Brands such as Zedbed offer mattresses that use high-density foam as a base and memory foam on top. This type of mattress (when the quality is good) can provide a unique comfort and last for several years (some have a warranty of 10 years).

Since memory foam perfectly contours to the body, it effectively relieves pressure points that can be felt during sleep, especially in the hips, shoulders and lower back. This type of mattress is often recommended for people with special health conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

While these mattresses are popular, comfort is not unanimous. The sensation of sinking into the mattress is unique and may require some getting used to. Something to consider is that people with reduced mobility may have difficulty moving and turning in this kind of mattress.

Latex Mattress

Like memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses are considered “specialized” mattress. Latex (except for synthetic types) is a natural material that comes from the sap of a tree and it is highly durable.

Also like memory foam, latex is found in the cushion layer of some high-end mattresses. Again, brands such as Zedbed manufacture mattresses without springs that use latex foam on the top layer (instead of memory foam).

Latex foam provides a different comfort that will suit many. It effectively moulds to the shape of the body (to a lesser extent than the memory foam) and thus reduces pressure points experienced during sleep. People who do not like the sagging sensation of the memory foam often prefer the comfort of latex.

This completes our overview of the different types of mattresses available on the market. Don’t hesitate to consult our current promotions or visit one of our stores.