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.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sex friendly | Noise possible |
| Many firmness options | Poor motion isolation possible |
| Widely available with affordable prices | Below average durability lifespan |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Pros | Cons |
| Above averagedurability | Difficulty of initial use |
| Above average pain-relief performance | Noise possible |
| Adjustable firmness on each side | Above average maintennance cost |
| Pros | Cons |
| Effective conforming / support combo | Questionable lifespan |
| Many firmness options | Heat retention possible |
| Good motion isolation | Often heavy |
| Pros | Cons |
| Little initial odor / off gassing | Superior edge support |
| No noise | Limited thickness options |
| Pros | Cons |
| Better control of temperature | High maintenance need |
| Affordable price | Extensive assembly |
| Long lifespan | Possible noise and odor |
| Good conforming ability | Considerably heavy |
| 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
|