Mattress Technologies

Types of Mattresses

Chances are you haven’t been shopping for a new mattress in a while. While you’ve been home sleeping the mattress industry has been doing anything but! You’ll likely recognize some of the materials and technologies below, and some of them may be new to you. It’s important to know that each material and technology is designed to deliver support that meet the broad array of consumers’ needs, tastes, and budgets.

We know this can get confusing so the following provides basic information on the different types of mattresses available today so that you are better equipped to choose a mattress that meets your needs.

Innerspring Mattress

An innerspring mattress uses a steel coil support system, and is the most well known type of mattress. Manufacturers offer several types of coil systems, including units with springs connected into a single unit and individually wrapped pocketed coils. There are different shapes, designs, coil gauge, and number of coils in a mattress can vary, and all of these can alter the support a mattress provides. Luckily these types of mattresses are covered by padding or upholstery materials, which can include various foams, fiber, and additional layers of smaller steel springs for comfort.

Contrary to popular belief, if a mattress has a high coil count it doesn’t mean it’s better than a mattress with less coils. Instead, look for coils that have been tempered for a longer life or have a stronger gauge coil for extra support!

Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses are a relatively new sleep system that combines a steel coil support system with specialty foam, like memory foam (visco elastic), gel memory foam, or latex. This type of mattress is the best of both worlds, support from a coil unit and the comfort from a specialty foam.

Memory Foam (Visco) Mattress

Memory foam (or visco elastic foam) mattresses are made of a high density polyurethane foam as the support system, in the upholstery layer, or both.  Memory foam is famous for contouring closely to the shape of the sleeper providing superior spinal alignment.

Gel Mattress

Gel memory foam mattresses use a type of foam that has been infused with gel. The gel is added to the foam with diferent types of application, depending on the desired benefit the manufacturer is seeking. Gel infused memory foam can offer consumers different comfort, feel and heat dissipation features.

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses have been around for years, they’re an oldie but a goodie providing excellent support. One of the greatest benefits of Latex is that its a natural product derived from the sap of a rubber tree. There are two different kinds of latex, Talalay and Dunlop. The difference is the way they are processed, we prefer Talalay latex as it provides a consistent feel and a more supportive mattress.