For most people, adequate sleep is important for a healthy life. On average, people spend six to nine hours per day lying on a mattress reading, watching television, sleeping, or wishing that they were asleep. This is why it is very important to purchase the right mattress. The six to nine hours you spend per day lying on a mattress should be relaxing and comfortable.

Support and comfort are both essential for a good night’s sleep. When purchasing a mattress, it is important to understand the difference between the terms support and comfort. Support is the mattress’s ability to resist the downward pressure applied to the mattress by the heavier parts of your body and to distribute that pressure evenly across your entire body. Support while lying down is very important for your back and body throughout the day. Comfort is the feel of the mattress and is the mattress’s ability to cushion, soothe and even pamper your body at the mattress/body contact areas. The idea of a firm, extra-firm, or plush mattress is directly related to the comfort of the mattress.

Mattress styles have evolved over the years so that some mattresses are now a hybrid of several styles, however, there are still five basic styles from which to choose. These styles are listed and described below.

Innerspring Mattress

The innerspring mattress is what most people sleep on every night. The traditional innerspring mattress includes a structure of tempered steel coils (labeled as number 2 on the photo above) to provide support for the body. Surrounding the coil structure are cushioning materials (labeled as number 3) and upholstery that insulate the body from the springs and provide comfort (labeled as number 1).

A newer and popular type of innerspring mattress is a “pillow top” mattress, which is manufactured with a thick and luxurious layer of soft padding (similar to a pillow) along the entire length and width of the mattress. The purpose of the pillow is to provide a very soft, deep, feather bed-like sleeping experience while the innerspring coil system supports the back and heavier parts of the body.

Innerspring mattresses are available in a large range of comfort and support choices depending on the number and type of coils used and the amount and type of cushioning material provided. Innerspring mattresses provide great support for those that sleep on their backs and tummies. Most orthopedic mattresses are innerspring.

Foam Mattress

Mattresses comprised entirely of foam are available and, like the innerspring mattress, provide different levels of support and comfort. Foam mattresses are comprised of either a solid core of foam or different types and layers of foam to enhance support, comfort, and performance.

The type of foam mattress growing fast in popularity is the memory foam (visco-elastic foam) mattress. Memory foam conforms to the body to ease pressure points and provide comfort. Because memory foam is so soft and elastic, it is provided only as a top layer on foam mattresses. Memory foam is temperature sensitive and becomes firmer in cold temperatures and softer in warm temperatures. For maximum comfort, a good quality memory foam mattress should have a large temperature range where the mattress will remain soft and conforming.

The benefit of a foam mattress is that higher quality foam mattresses are normally less costly that the higher quality innerspring mattresses. The drawback to a foam mattress is that they are not normally produced for orthopedic back support unless they come with a thick layer of memory foam.

Air Mattress

An air mattress is comprised of an inflatable core, rather than an innerspring or foam core, that provides back and body support. Air mattresses are also provided with layers of cushioning and upholstery to achieve various feels and comfort levels.

The support level of most air mattresses is adjustable by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the mattress core. The benefit of an air mattress is the ability for the sleeper to fine-tune the mattress support to match their desires every night.

Air mattresses can be purchased for the purpose of portable bedding or permanent bedding.
One benefit of an air mattress over an innerspring or foam mattress is that the air mattress can have a longer life expectancy if cared for properly.

Water Bed Mattress

Water bed mattresses use a core filled with water for body support and also layers of cushioning and upholstery materials for comfort. A water bed mattress should have water tight and durable core construction with a moisture barrier.

Water bed mattresses are preferred by some people because they can be easily and comfortably heated. Water bed mattresses, also, have a very long life span of well over ten years if they are cared for properly. The downside to owning a water bed is that the care and maintenance of the mattress is more expensive than other mattresses. The cost of heating a water bed can be quite substantial. Also, a water bed mattress is very heavy once filled with water and, therefore, the water bed should be placed on an area of a floor that can support the combined weight of the mattress and bed.

Adjustable Bed Mattress

An adjustable bed allows the sleeper to choose the position of the head and foot of the bed for maximum comfort. Adjustable beds are very beneficial for people who need to sleep with their head elevated above their stomach for health purposes. Adjustable beds can also be a good choice for people that read, work, or watch television while in bed. Adjustable bed mattresses can be either innerspring, air, and/or foam core and should be specifically designed for use with adjustable beds to ensure the proper flexing and durability due to the extra wear created by the mattress motion.

Futon Mattress

Futon mattresses are specifically designed to support the body while in a lying position and in a sitting position and are manufactured to be very flexible. Futon mattresses can constructed with a foam core or an innerspring core. Mattresses used with futon beds should specifically be designed for that purpose.

Firmness Levels

Most mattress styles come with a variety of padding materials for different levels of firmness or comfort. Innerspring and foam mattresses (unless memory foam is used) will usually be rated by the manufacturer as Firm, Extra Firm, Medium Firm, Plush, Ultra Plush or Plush Pillow Top.

The proper firmness is completely a function of what feels comfortable to the sleeper. Before purchasing a mattress, it is recommended that you lie down on the mattress for several minutes in your typical sleeping position to determine if the mattress is right for you.

Mattresses with high quality materials for comfort and cushioning will experience some body impressions and contouring over time. Manufacturers indicate that this is normal throughout the industry and is a result of the materials conforming to the sleeper’s body. The mattress will still remain comfortable to the bed owner in his/her normal sleeping position, but may be less comfortable in different sleeping positions. Also, the mattress may be less comfortable if shared with guests to whom the “contours” do not belong. Rotating the mattress (unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise) will help to even out these impressions.

Memory Foam

Memory foam or visco-elastic foam is a specific comfort material that conforms to each sleeper’s body differently by reacting to body temperature and weight. The foam is referred to as “memory foam” because, after weight is removed, the foam will return to its original shape. If you switch positions during your sleep, the memory foam will conform to the new contours and shape of your body providing you with comfort in any position. Mattresses with memory foam have variable levels of firmness and are not normally rated as firm, extra-firm, plush, etc.

Memory foam also provides movement isolation so that one sleeper will not disturb another sleeper when tossing and turning.

Innerspring mattresses, foam mattresses, water bed mattresses, air mattresses and futon mattresses can come with memory foam layers.

Innerspring Coil Design

In the past, the durability and support of an innerspring mattress was correlated only to the number of coils (or coil count) in the innerspring core.  Today, the support and durability is more aptly related to the overall design of the spring system taking into account the gauge of the wire, type of coil, and the coil count.  The coil count will usually range from 300 coils to 800 coils in a queen sized mattress. Typically, a higher number of coils indicates a firmer mattress.  Wire gauge can range from 18-gauge wire to 12.5-gauge wire with the lower number gauge being the thickest and heaviest wire.  Sometimes, when comparing mattresses of the same size, a mattress with a higher coil count and lower gauge wire may provide greater support and durability than a mattress with a lower coil count and higher gauge wire.    

What really determines the overall life-time and support of the mattress is the type of coil used in the innerspring core.  Coil types include the following:  Open coil (or bonnell coil), off-set coil, pocket coil (or independent coil), and continuous coil. 

The open coil is the oldest type of coil and provides good support when new, but will start to sag over time.  A mattress with this type of coil system is usually less durable than the other coil system types. 

The off-set coil type is more durable than the open coil type and is designed to contour better than the open coil.

The pocket or independent coil type has each coil wrapped in its own fabric pocket in order to isolate coil movement from adjacent coils.  Only the coils directly under the sleeper will experience deflection and they will not redirect the load to other coils.  This design is desirable for sleepers whose partners toss and turn during the night.  Unfortunately, this coil design can cause coils to permanently deform more quickly than those in other coil designs when used by heavy people.

Continuous coil innerspring mattresses use entire coil rows fabricated from a single strand of wire.  This design allows weight to be distributed more evenly among the coils and results in a mattress that keeps its shape longer than mattresses with other coil designs.

Mattress Size

Mattresses come in different sizes and the size choice is usually dependent on a previously purchased bed frame size.  Mattress sizes from smallest to largest are:

Size Name	Width (inches)	Length (inches)
Crib	28	51
Cot	30	74.5
Single	36	74.5
Twin	39	74.5
Twin XL	39	79.5
Three-quarters (¾)	48	74.5
Double	53	74.5
Double XL	53	79.5
Queen	59	79.5
King	76	79.5
California King	72	84

Before purchasing a mattress, be sure of your bed frame size.

Price ranges for mattresses vary by style and size. In order to adequately represent the price range based on style alone; this guide will only consider queen sized mattresses. These price ranges reflect the price of the mattress only and not the mattress foundation or mattress sets (unless otherwise indicated).

Innerspring Mattress

The price of an innerspring mattress can range from about $350 to $5,000. Mattresses with more and higher quality comforting materials (like a plush pillow top) will be on the more expensive side of the price range. Also, a mattress with continuous coils or independent coils will typically be more expensive than a mattress with an open coil design.

An innerspring mattress with an open coil design and firm to plush comfort rating can range from about $350 to $1,200.

An innerspring mattress with independent/pocket coil design and memory foam can range in price from $1,500 to $4,000.

Luxury innerspring mattresses, like those manufactured under the name of Stearns & Foster, can typically range between $1,500 and $5,000.

Foam Mattress

The price of foam core mattresses can range from about $300 to $2,200. Thicker mattresses that incorporate thick layers of memory foam are on the more expensive end of the price range. A mattress with 1-inch of memory foam and 5-inches of foam core can cost as little as $400, whereas a mattress with 6-inches of memory foam and a 5-inches or more of foam core can cost $1,700 or more.

Thinner mattresses of high quality foam for use as portable bedding can be found as low as $100.

Waterbed Mattress

Waterbed mattresses normally range in price from $700 to $1,500. Mattresses with more padding and comfort materials are often priced in the higher end of the pricing spectrum.

Futon Mattresses

Futon mattresses normally range in price from about $150 to $400. Foam futon mattresses range from $150 for a 6-inch thick mattress to $250 for an 8-inch thick mattress. A futon mattress with innerspring core is more expensive than a foam futon mattress. An 8-inch thick innerspring futon mattress can range in price from $300 to $400.

Air Mattresses

Air mattresses for the purpose of portable bedding can be purchased for less than $50 for a basic air mattress to $800 for a mattress with digital pressure controls. Air mattresses with digital pressure controls for use as permanent bedding in bed frames can range in price from $150 and up. Air mattresses with plush pillow tops that allow individual digital pressure controls for two sides of the mattress can range in price from about $1,000 to $2,500.

Adjustable Mattresses

As mentioned above, adjustable mattresses should be made specifically for that purpose and normally come as a set with the adjustable bed frame. Some air mattress manufacturers, however, indicate that any of their mattresses can be used with adjustable beds.

The price range for adjustable bed sets normally range from $1,500 to $3,000 for sets with foam mattresses and only one control for the entire bed.