What's The Best Mattress Material For Your Body - A Consumer Guide

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Tired of long, restless nights? Tired of tossing and turning on your stiff or scratchy bed? What about being tired of being TIRED? The culprit may be the mattress material you’re sleeping on. Your current mattress may lack edge support, trap body heat, or simply not match your ideal sleeping position.

Sleeping every night on the wrong kind of causes back pain, sore joints, decreased blood flow, and restlessness. It can even cause or worsen sleep disorders you already have.

That being said, the perfect mattress material type and softness level vary from person to person. There are plenty of mattress options, but one mattress type’ll serve your body best.

Listen to Ryan Poppie, President of The Beloit Mattress Company, answer the commonly asked question, “What Mattress Material Is Best?” For more in-depth inside, keep reading to find the right type for YOU.

What Mattress Material Is Best For Your Body?

Table of Contents

• What’s the Best Mattress Material for You?
• Mattress Materials to Avoid
• What’s the Best Mattress To Consider?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Mattress Type Can Change Your Quality of Life

What’s the Best Mattress Material for You?

There are many different types of mattress materials. Generally, though, the best mattresses in the USA are made material falls into three main categories:

• Memory foam
• Latex
• Innerspring

We’ll focus on these three, so you can better understand what you’re looking at next time you’re in the mattress store. There are also hybrid mattresses, but those are a combination of these three materials.

Memory Foam

Have you seen those commercials where a glass of dark wine is placed on a mattress, and someone jumps on the other end of the bed? It’s stressful to watch, but the wine glass doesn’t spill! That is a memory foam mattress.

There are many different types of foam mattress. Memory foam is super squishy and soft. Its most significant benefit is that it forms in your body, which takes the pressure off your joints and bones. If you often wake up with an achy lower back, sleeping on a memory foam mattress may help alleviate that annoying morning pain.

Another great benefit is that it only moves precisely where you touch it. This is what’s displayed in that wine glass commercial. The perk is that you don’t disturb anyone sharing the bed with you when you move around or get up.

So if you are a sleep-mover or an especially early riser, a memory foam mattress could greatly suit you. Your partner would also be grateful.

Since your memory foam experience is supposed to be like sleeping on a cloud, some people may find it too soft. If your spine or hips need especially firm support, this mattress type may be too squishy.

It also makes some people hot since the foam traps heat and forms around your body. Memory foam may not suit you if you’re hot at night anyway and need a fan blowing on you to sleep.

Memory Foam – At a Glance

Pros:

• Exceptional pressure relief — contours to your body and eases joint/back pain
• Great motion isolation — ideal for couples or light sleepers
• “Cloud-like” comfort — especially soothing for side sleepers
• Minimal noise — no springs, no squeaks

Cons:

• Heat retention — traditional foam can sleep hot without cooling gels or tech, so not ideal for hot sleepers
• Can feel too soft — not ideal for those needing firm lumbar or hip support
• May off-gas — some initial smell if not certified (look for CertiPUR-US)

Best For:

• Sleepers with joint or lower back pain
• Side sleepers or people needing cushion around pressure points
• Couples (or anyone sharing a bed)
• People who like a hugging, cradling sleep feel

Innerspring

You’ve probably slept on an innerspring mattress as it’s the most common type of mattress out there. They are also the most affordable type of mattress. If you’ve never thought about your mattress selection before, then the one you have by default is most likely innerspring.

Being familiar and affordable doesn’t mean this type is wrong, though. On the contrary, a well-made innerspring bed can provide fantastic support while remaining plush and comfortable. Innerspring is made up of different-sized innerspring coils, depending on the specifications of the mattress. Thicker springs give more support, and thinner springs have more give.

There are many different varieties of innerspring. You can choose an innerspring with a pillow top or a firm top. Just be sure to find one with the right firmness for you.

Another benefit of this type is the price tag. Innerspring mattresses are known for their affordability. You can get the top, support, and feel you want at the price you love to see. Who doesn’t want a comfortable, personalized mattress that doesn’t break the bank?

One downside is that quality tends to be a spectrum. Some mattresses don’t have enough springs, so you end up without support. Others don’t have enough cushion, so you feel pressure from the springs.

That’s why it’s important not to just go for the cheapest one you can find. Instead, be sure to test it out. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more on one that’ll best meet your needs and foster good sleep quality. After all, we spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed. So make it count.

Innerspring – At a Glance

Pros:

• Affordable and widely available — easy to find and budget-friendly
• Responsive and supportive — especially with thicker or zoned coils
• Multiple comfort options — pillow tops, firm tops, and hybrid versions
• Good airflow — thanks to open coil structure, they tend to sleep cooler

Cons:

• Quality varies widely — cheap versions may lack support or padding
• Can transfer motion — motion transfer may not ideal for couples or light sleepers
• Shorter lifespan — springs can wear out or sag faster than other materials

Best For:

• Back sleepers or stomach sleepers needing firmer support
• Budget-conscious shoppers who want solid comfort without high cost
• People who prefer a bouncy, traditional mattress feel
• Sleepers who tend to sleep hot and want better airflow

Latex

A mattress made out of latex may sound strange. Latex mattresses can be made from synthetic latex rubber or natural latex from rubber trees. They provide a firmer sleeping surface which benefits people who need firm back support while they sleep.

This mattress type is designed to be comfortable but very supportive. So don’t imagine a hard surface OR one that you sink into; imagine something ideally in between, like medium to medium-firm.

Latex mattresses accomplish that great “in-between” through their good BOUNCE. This means that they have some give, but they also push right back. A latex mattress may be perfect for you if you have chronic back pain. It’s also ideal for combination sleepers who shift their sleep style throughout the night.

There are typically two different types of latex mattresses.

1. Dunlop Latex – The first is made using what’s known as the Dunlop process, which creates a completely even and uniform latex mattress. It’s the more cost-effective option.
2. Talalay Latex – The second method takes the Dunlop process two steps further to create empty columns throughout the mattress. The benefit here is increased airflow that keeps you cooler all night long. Talalay allows mattresses to breathe up to 7X better than other latex or foams. That being said, it can be a little more expensive.

Latex mattresses don’t require flipping, avoid harsh chemicals, and can provide a longer mattress lifespan—especially when you choose the right mattress company

Latex – At a Glance

Pros:

• Supportive with bounce — great for spinal alignment without feeling stiff
• Highly durable — can outlast foam and spring options
• Naturally breathable — especially Talalay latex (sleeps cooler)
• Eco-friendly — especially when made from natural latex, with no off-gassing
• Hypoallergenic & chemical-free — ideal for sensitive sleepers

Cons:

• Higher price point — especially for Talalay or organic options
• Heavier and less flexible — harder to move or set up
• May feel firm at first — some users need an adjustment period

Best For:

• Back or combo sleepers needing balanced comfort and support
• Hot sleepers — Talalay latex promotes airflow and heat dissipation
• Eco-conscious shoppers seeking a natural or non-toxic mattress
• People with chronic back pain who want a surface that pushes back gently

Mattress Materials to Avoid

Now that we’ve covered a few of the major players when it comes to the best mattress materials, which are the types you should avoid?

• 

  Low-Density Foam – Low density foam, like many polyurethane foams, are not ideal for mattresses. They compress too easily under weight and offer minimal resistance.

  Some mattresses may contain this type of foam as a top layer to make a softer mattress and try to provide a better sleep experience, but it’s low grade. Quality sleep only comes from quality materials and the best memory foam mattresses are made with high-density memory foam.

• Chemically Treated Mattress Fibers – A lot of companies treat their mattress fibers with toxic chemicals as a way of adhering to strict safety standards while keeping costs low.Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), propylene oxide and toluene diisocyanate (TD), and dimethylformamide (DMF) are just a few of the most common culprits. But these chemicals can be dangerous when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
• Low-Quality Fiberglass Materials – Many consumers don’t realize their inexpensive mattress is made using fiberglass in the mattress cover. But if that mattress cover is removed or punctured, it can send millions of tiny glass shards all over your home.If sucked into your HVAC system, they can become lodged in your carpet, furniture, clothing, and more. That’s why it’s essential to learn about the danger of fiberglass mattress materials and avoid them at all costs.
• Old Mattresses – Last, stay away from especially old mattresses. On the one hand, they often won’t be able to provide nearly as much support and comfort as models made with newer materials. Beyond that, these mattresses may not adhere to the same fire safety standards as newer models. And that could mean putting your safety (and that of your family’s) at risk.

What’s the Best Mattress To Consider?

Knowing what mattress to buy is vital. There are a few circumstances you’ll want to consider when choosing the best mattress to buy for your comfort needs and body type.

Weight

If you’re petite or “lightweight,” LESS density in a mattress is your best friend. You want something super soft and pillow. Since you’re not heavy, you won’t likely sink into a mattress too much.

A cloud-like mattress will help you avoid bone and joint pain, especially in your shoulders. Look for soft mattresses that keep your spine aligned.

If you’re heavyset, mattress THICKNESS is what you want to keep an eye on. The optimal thickness for someone 230 lbs. and over is around 12 inches.

A high-density mattress is your best friend. You want a supportive mattress that you won’t sink into. You’ll find plenty of mattresses (like latex) that support your full girth, no problem!

Don’t settle for what a salesman says about whats the best mattress is; instead, find one that suits your weight and body type for a solid night’s sleep.

Partners

Whether you’re a light or deep sleeper is essential when choosing your perfect mattress, especially if your partner’s in the same bed. It could make all the difference in the quality of your beauty rest.

If you’re a light sleeper, you may want a mattress that doesn’t move around whenever your partner does. Memory foam is likely the best option since it doesn’t transfer motion much as the other filing material types. It’ll likely be worth your money in the long run.

A survey from Amerisleep found that being woken up by a partner is the second-most common reason for waking up in the middle of the night (using the bathroom was first). And since Americans regularly report tossing and turning (67%) and snoring (47%), you’ll want to ensure you get as much restful sleep as possible.

For all you deep sleepers, the light sleepers of the world envy you. You don’t need a mattress that stays still with you; you need one that is comfortable. But maybe not TOO comfortable, so you can get up in the morning!

Pregnancy Needs

Pregnancy changes everything, including your sleep patterns and sleep needs. Maybe you usually sleep like a rock but suddenly toss and turn all night. Or maybe your growing belly or widening bone structure cause you discomfort.

You need extra support in certain areas so that a firm mattress can serve you. But you also want to be comfortable, so memory foam could be your cup of tea.

Very importantly, you need something that doesn’t make you hotter than you already feel! The typical “foam” material in memory foam might increase your temperature as it conforms to your body. If that’s the case, look into memory foam made out of GEL.

Gel-based memory foam is just as soft and cozy but doesn’t retain heat. A match made in heaven!

If pregnant, check out gel-based memory foam mattresses or mattress tops. Your changing body, growing baby, and beauty sleep will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about finding the best mattress material for you.

What Is the Most Comfortable Mattress Type?

Latex mattresses tend to be rated as the most comfortable mattress type.

This eco-friendly material offers plenty of support across the entire mattress. Plus, it returns to its original shape more readily than memory foam. Many people describe latex mattresses as a combination of innerspring and memory foam.

That being said, plenty of innerspring mattresses provide exceptional comfort, too. The best mattress types use expert-level craftsmanship and high-quality materials to provide an incredibly comfortable night’s sleep.

What Is the Healthiest Mattress Material?

Latex or innerspring (with natural materials) win out again regarding chemical exposure. They tend to use fewer chemicals than memory foam mattresses, which can also impact how long mattresses last over time.

Regarding back pain, you’ll want a highly supportive mattress without compromising comfort. Most people will choose an innerspring or latex mattress for back support. You’ll also want to factor in your size (heavier body weights will need firmer mattresses) and the severity of your condition.

Mattress Type Can Change Your Quality of Life

Do you have difficulty falling asleep because you can’t get comfortable? Is your back throbbing in pain in the morning? Do you wake up sticky and sweating?

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to get a new mattress. And whether you’re shopping for your home or need a high-quality semi-truck mattress for life on the road, it’s worth investing your time, energy, and money into finding the perfect mattress material type for YOUR body.

Sweet dreams!

Need More Help? We Got Your Back!

Everybody is unique, so we created our Mattress Match system to help you determine which mattress would best fit your specific body needs. It’s super easy to use and takes seconds to find the best mattress.

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