When it comes to home furnishings, comfort is key—especially a cozy bed. That’s why knowing all the best types of mattresses—hybrid, memory foam, latex—is crucial for a serene sleep setup. We, at AD Shopping, are admittedly obsessed with all things rest—hence our annual Sleep Week spotlight on how to design a dream bedroom. But navigating the mattress market as a first timer can be as intimidating as learning a new language. “Many clients are using the description words for mattresses incorrectly,” says interior designer Tina Ramchandani. “They ask for something firm, but they really want something supportive. So being able to test out mattresses and understand the differences is very important.”
Identifying individual comforts comes with a few logistical considerations, she notes. Are you a back, stomach, or side sleeper? The answer will help determine the best support level for creating healthy spinal alignment—firm for stomach sleepers, soft for side sleepers, and a medium firmness for back sleepers.
The true marker of successful mattress selection is considering all the sleep preferences (including the person who is sharing said mattress). “If partners have different sleeping positions, we have to find a happy medium in the mattress type to support the spine positions,” says Ramchandani. She advises knowing whether you’re a hot sleeper, and flagging whether the mattress you like is also breathable or has cooling properties should be top of mind.
“Designing a beautiful bedroom is simply not enough.” As AD100 interior designer Monique Gibson says in her review of mattress brands, “I encourage my clients to honor the importance of sleep. We put so much thought and consideration into our designs that it seems almost sacrilegious to not honor the very place where we restore ourselves as well.”
Instead of stopping by a showroom, scroll down for the criteria designers and sleep experts consider when shopping for a new mattress. Plus our top picks for every type of mattress out there.
Different types of mattresses
Mattresses are not usually a hot topic for an enthralling conversation, but like an occasional chat about taxes, it’s something you want to discuss at one point or another. Choosing and buying a mattress is not like buying a new side table. This is a pricey purchase and you will depend on it for a good night’s sleep. Don’t rush when deciding. We’re here to help you weed through all the mattress types to help you make a smart buy. Below, we tapped our testers—a.k.a.: AD editors—to share their experiences sleeping on beds from industry-leading mattress brands in their homes. We also tapped Neslihan Ozdemir, founder of Girl on the Mattress, for additional shopping insight.
The best hybrid mattress is designed to target pressure points with a makeup of encased steel coils and foam layers. Essentially, this means that you won’t be sleeping on a saggy mattress. This bed type holds up over time because of the balance between these sturdy materials, and it’s a solid choice if co-sleepers can’t decide between a soft or firm mattress. Here are a couple of high-quality options to choose from:
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Our pick for the best overall hybrid mattress is the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress. Our global editorial director and US editor in chief Amy Astley sleeps soundly on this medium-firm mattress night after night thanks to five ergonomic zones for support and layers of soft organic natural latex. She says the targeted support has improved her sleep quality, especially around the lumbar area, because it keeps her spine aligned: “My lower back pain disappeared soon after we started sleeping on it—that alone is mattress gold!” Astley also notes in her mattress review that this bed has premier temperature regulation and doesn’t trap body heat as she and her husband sleep. “We both sleep warm and appreciate the vented airflow channels, which allow for circulation and breathability,” she adds.
Contributor Gaby Ulloa has been a fan of this mattress since day one. She says that she usually experiences back pain when sleeping on a hotel bed or even a vetted bed at her mom’s house. “It provides the perfect ‘not too soft, not too firm’ situation and allows me to sink into a deep night’s sleep while still feeling completely supported,” she says. “I wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested each day.” Available on Amazon, this one has streamlined shipping. Ulloa says the bed-in-box was shipped and delivered right to her doorstep. Her pick is two inches thicker than the brand’s standard mattress size, which made it a little harder to move from the box to the bed frame. However, its grand size makes for a great centerpiece in a maximalist bedroom.
The best memory foam mattress is known for its high-density and contouring properties. They are some of the softer mattresses on the market, and they’re great for side sleepers, people with joint pain, and couples who don’t want to disturb each other as a result of tossing and turning (memory foam mattresses are winners when it comes to motion isolation). As we will mention in more detail below, the heavier the weight, the denser the mattress. And in the case of an all-foam mattress, a denser bed will last longer and won’t sink in too much. Although memory foams are beneficial for many reasons, they may lack sufficient edge support (what you need if you sleep closer to one side), coolness, and responsiveness—how quickly the mattress bounces back after you get off the bed.
Here’s how Ozdemir says these two memory foam mattresses stack up:
At 13 inches high, this mattress is certainly very dense and heavy, making it more durable and longer-lasting. If you sleep on the side of the mattress toward the edge, the higher density will prevent the sides from sinking in. You will experience little to no motion transfer with a mattress this dense; if your partner thrashes around throughout the night, this mattress could be your savior. Memory foam mattresses have a bad rap for trapping heat, so Tempur-Pedic’s Smartclimate Max dual-cover system, consisting of a zip-off cover and a super-stretch inner layer, is used to cool it down. Finally, the layers are made of materials with updated technology, meaning you’re getting the best that R&D has to offer, not just the foams in previous versions of the mattress. (Wouldn’t you buy the most updated car or appliance if budget was of no concern?) The top two layers have a very slow response time, which indicates a superior level of contouring for joint pains and more comfort if you’re a side sleeper. Tempur-Pedic offers free white-glove delivery, which in mattress speak means they’ll set it up for you and remove your old mattress, saving you that awful trip down the stairs or elevator with a slippery plastic-covered mass.
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This mattress is also 12 inches high, but it is lighter in weight, meaning it is less dense. It will not have the traditional memory foam feeling. Instead, it will act like a latex-and-memory-foam mix. It is still going to contour to your body, but unlike the more expensive Tempurpedic mattress, the Signature Alexander by Nest Bedding one will be bouncy and responsive, allowing you to easily change positions throughout the night (a.k.a. toss and turn). If you sleep in different positions and don’t need extra contouring, this option might work for you. And while it may lack the weight of the other mattress, it is flippable—each side has a different level of firmness. Finally, the cover is made from organic cotton, which naturally wicks moisture and will keep the mattress relatively cool. Nest offers free shipping and returns, plus a lifetime warranty, whereas many other companies only offer one for ten years.
If you’re in the market for a latex mattress, it’s because you want something that holds up for a really, really long time, keeps super cool, and is supportive without sinking in like a memory foam might, Ozdemir notes. (Latex mattresses’ bouncy, responsive foam layers are best for jumping on the bed—just saying!) When shopping for one, though, the high-quality options will be made from 100% organic latex. Since this bed type is composed of natural materials, these organic mattresses are great for an eco-friendly element for your bedroom. The less natural the latex, the lower the price.
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Latex mattresses tend to be shorter in height than memory foams; this one is 10 inches and very dense based on its weight. It employs three layers of 100% Talalay latex, which refers to the newer and more expensive method of turning natural tree rubber into latex. The cover is made from breathable, natural cotton and is followed by a layer of flame-retardant wool for optimal cooling properties. By nature, latex foam is very responsive (for comfort without sinking in), ventilates by not trapping heat, and, to top it off, is entirely hypoallergenic. Saatva offers free white-glove delivery and removal of your old mattress. While this is the more expensive product in our roundup, it is actually reasonable compared to other natural latex mattresses because it is sold direct-to-consumer.
This mattress is made from a blend of coils and natural latex, wool, and cotton. It is durable and designed for different sleep positions. Contributor Katarina Kovac says it hits all the right spots for back sleepers. “Often gravitating toward a more firm sleeping experience, this mattress was perfect—not the firmest but it wasn’t too soft where I sank in,” she says. “The back support was there, and as someone who’s five eleven,” that was sincerely appreciated.” Kovac also gives the bed five stars for the Oeko-Tex certification that guarantees it is not made using harmful substances or chemicals.
The most common breed of mattress in the market, innersprings feature layers of coils plus layers of foam, like latex or memory foam. It usually comes with a pillow top cover for added comfort. The design allows you to get both the solid and responsive support and pressure relief of springs and a layer of cushioning to fit the firmness levels of your choosing (contour-to-your-body memory foam or bouncy and breathable latex foam). If you’re the type to sleep on the edge of the bed or are heavier in weight, an innerspring mattress is the ideal surface to keep you level, Ozdemir says. When shopping for an innerspring, you can analyze the height of the coils (the taller, the better!), but really it is a matter of comfort preference. Here are two popular styles she notes for comparison:
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This mattress features individually wrapped coils, meaning each spring moves on its own without transferring the motion to the other side of the bed. And there are reinforced coils at the edges of the mattress, so if you sleep closer to one side, it doesn’t feel like you’re about to roll off the bed. Next is a layer of smaller micro-coils, which, in this case, are under two inches, making them nano-coils. These won’t affect the level of support but are intended to keep the mattress cool and ventilated. The layers of coils are then topped by two layers of latex foam, one natural and the other synthetic. While synthetic latex usually points to a lower price, this one is infused with graphite, which pulls heat down from the surface, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a particularly cool mattress. The cover is also hand-tufted in super soft natural cotton, which keeps the top layers in position and prevents any shifting over time. For the ultimate luxury experience, Boll & Branch offers free white-glove delivery service, which includes taking away your old mattress.
This mattress has almost the exact same coil construction as the more expensive innerspring one. In fact, its micro-coil layer is actually taller than that of the other mattress, which adds more individual support while also cooling the mattress. The major difference is in the top comfort layers. A WinkBeds mattress is made from a gel-infused Hypersoft Foam that acts similarly to memory foam but pulls heat down and away from the surface. This is all topped off by a tufted cover of sustainably manufactured, natural performance fabric that is cooling and feels supersoft to the touch. While WinkBeds will not haul away your old mattress for free, it does offer free shipping and a lifetime warranty.
How to choose the right mattress for you
So which mattress is right for you? Ozdemir recommends starting with some mattress myths:
- You can judge a mattress just by its looks. Nope. Two similar-looking and -feeling mattresses could be very different in quality.
- You can judge a mattress just by its price tag. False. An expensive product isn’t necessarily better for your particular body and sleeping habits.
- Firmness reflects quality. Actually, you may end up with a very firm mattress that doesn’t contour or offer enough support, eventually causing you pain. Firmness is a personal preference.
Now, about that price point. Today, there are more mattress options than ever. If you’ve started browsing, you may wonder how two mattresses claim the same benefits but are thousands of dollars apart. In many cases, an expensive item is better. But in the case of mattresses, the expensive option might not be the one for you.
A good place to start when comparing products is with the label. Mattress manufacturers are required by law to disclose the materials used in their product, and that can often dictate the quality and price. And most companies share the construction of the mattress, which helps us analyze the three most important factors when choosing a mattress:
Weight: Heavier mattresses are denser, making them more durable and supportive. If there is a large weight difference between two mattresses (like 30-plus pounds), the heavier one will be of better quality.
Layers: The material and positioning of each layer determine how comfortable it will be to you specifically.
Cover: While you don’t sleep directly on the cover, its material and construction play into the coolness and immediate feel of the mattress.
Hopefully, this breakdown aids in your mattress-shopping endeavor. Remember, you can’t learn everything about a mattress just from lying on it for a few minutes. Before testing one out, come prepared with your top priorities (level of firmness, sleeping position, edge support, motion transfer, cooling level, bounciness, delivery method, and warranty), and don’t forget to look at those labels for the construction details.
FAQs
It’s best to replace your mattress every eight years to make sure you have the support you need, recommends Michael Breus, PhD, a clinical psychologist, clinical sleep specialist, and the author of The Power of When. However, if you want to extend the life cycle of your mattress and give your bed a boost of comfort, you can always add a mattress topper for another cozy layer.
Latex is known as one of the most durable mattresses because it has solid support no matter your body weight or body type. And although the mattress feels soft to the touch, it can offer firm support depending on the model. Sleep expert Justin Redman recommends flipping and rotating your latex bed regularly (once every six months to a year) to keep it from sagging.
We consider hybrid mattresses to be the most comfortable since they offer a balance between support and a plush sleeping surface. Mattress materials can vary, but since these beds include encased coils as well as layers of foam, you can often find soft mattresses or some with a purely firm feel under this category.
But this answer depends on your personal preference. Some people want a soft, cozy mattress to sink into at night, but may opt for one with medium firmness for a guest room. A person who is a back sleeper may appreciate a firm mattress way more than anything with extra padding that, to them, might feel like sleeping in quicksand.
