Mattress Type Comparison

Introduction

There are eight main mattress types on the market to choose from including innerspring, memory foam, latex, airbed, waterbed, memory foam hybrid and latex hybrid. Many manufacturers make more than one mattress type to suit consumers' needs better.

Different mattress type involves a different manufacturing process with an outcome of different performance and price.

It's obvious that different mattress brands and models of the same type may perform differently, but here we put the focus on commonality and review each type of mattress as a group.

The tables below give a thorough comparison and ratings of all eight types of mattresses from different perspectives including product specifications, user experience, pros, and cons.

Pros And Cons Of All Mattress Types

Select a mattress type for details reviews and brand ratings.

Air

Pros Cons
Sex friendly Noise possible
Many firmness options Poor motion isolation possible
Widely available with affordable prices Below average durability lifespan

Memory Foam

Pros Cons
Adjust firmness of different body parts by varied temperature Not suitable for summer due to heat accumulation
Slow recovery and motion isolation Too firm in cold weather
Relax spine and joints for no counterforce Chemicals contained may cause allergy

Latex

Pros Cons
Customizable in some cases Heavy
All-natural materials which is good for health and the environment Mostly expensive
Various models in different firmness levels are provided Limited availability in stores

Air

Pros Cons
Above averagedurability Difficulty of initial use
Above average pain-relief performance Noise possible
Adjustable firmness on each side Above average maintennance cost

Memory Foam Hybrid

Pros Cons
Effective conforming / support combo Questionable lifespan
Many firmness options Heat retention possible
Good motion isolation Often heavy

Latex Hybrid

Pros Cons
Little initial odor / off gassing Superior edge support
No noise Limited thickness options

Water

Pros Cons
Better control of temperature High maintenance need
Affordable price Extensive assembly
Long lifespan Possible noise and odor
Good conforming ability Considerably heavy

Futon

Pros Cons
Often affordable Below average longevity
Dual used for sofa and bed Too thin or firm
Variety of styles and colors Initial odor possible

Specifications Comparison

Select a mattress type for details reviews and brand ratings.

Price Range Lifespan Firmness Options
Innerspring $80 to $7000+ about 6 years soft to firm
Memory Foam $100 - $4000+ about 7 years soft to firm
Latex $1000 to $6000+ about 8 years x-soft to x-firm
Air $500 to $4000+ at least 8.5 years adjustable firmness
Memory Foam Hybrid $500 to $4000 about 7 years soft to firm
Latex Hybrid $200 to $1095+ about 6.5 years soft to x-firm
Water

$50 to $440 (hard-side models)

$800 to $1800(soft-side models)

about 5-10 years soft to firm
Futon $65 to $370 about 2-5 years medium to firm

Construction Comparison

Select a mattress type for details reviews and brand ratings.

Comfort Layer Base Layer
Innerspring regular foam/less than 2" memory foam innerspring coils
Memory Foam memory foam high-density regular foam
Latex latex latex
Air regular/memory foam air chamber/high-density regular foam
Memory Foam Hybrid 2" or more of memory foam/regular foam Innerspring coils
Latex Hybrid latex/memory foam latex/regular foam/innerspring coils
Water water chamber/regular foam water chamber
Futon fiber/regular foam innerspring coils/regular foam/fiber

User Experience Ratings

Select a mattress type for details reviews and brand ratings.

Innerspring Memory Foam Latex Air Memory Foam Hybrid Latex Hybrid Water Futon
Durability
2
7
8
3
4
7
5
3
Models options
8
9
8
7
6
5
3
4
Affordable price
8
8
2
3
1
9
9
10
Conforming ability
3
9
7
6
7
6
6
2
Motion isolation
5
9
6
7
7
5
5
4
Back pain relief
3
8
6
8
6
7
5
5
Adjustable firmness
1
2
6
9
1
5
6
1
Edge support
7
1
2
5
6
2
1
2
Short break in
6
2
4
6
3
4
7
6
Sex Friendly
6
3
7
3
6
7
5
4
Easy to move on
6
2
4
7
3
4
4
6
No odor
5
1
4
5
2
4
6
2
No noise
5
1
4
5
2
4
6
2
No sleeping hot
6
2
3
5
2
3
6
7
No need of topper
2
6
9
4
5
8
5
1
Low maintenance
5
6
4
1
3
3
6
3
Easy to lift, transport
4
4
2
7
1
4
5
7