Memory foam, gel, innerspring, hybrid… you hear these words tossed around in mattress names and descriptions, and marketing often muddies the definition and makes it difficult to understand what’s what. Let’s break it down by the main types of mattresses:
 

• Innerspring mattresses

• Memory foam mattresses

• Hybrid mattresses

• Latex mattresses

• Bed-in-a-box
  
  Innerspring Mattresses

• Innerspring mattresses use metal springs as the foundation for their support. Additional layers of other materials such as memory foam, latex, quilting, and even additional coils are used to achieve specific feels. There are four main types of innersprings used in the construction of mattresses: Pocketed, Bonnell, Offset, and Continuous coils. In years past, all four spring types were used prevalently so it may have been important to understand the differences. However, mattress shopping today is simpler in at least this one area – innerspring mattresses will typically be classified as either “pocketed coil” (aka “Marshall coil”) or “open coil”.
   

• Pocketed coil: Individual coils are each encased in fabric, allowing them to move independently of one another and contour to the shape and size of the person lying on them. This type of innerspring is best for proper spinal alignment, support and pressure point relief. Noticeably, pocketed coils also do a great job of eliminating motion transfer between partners. Pocketed coil mattresses are compatible with adjustable bases and typically are found in your premium to mid-range mattresses.
   

• Open coil: Technically “open coil” refers to Bonnell design, but because these along with offset and continuous coils are all used in more promotional lines, the conversation surrounding these pieces is usually more about price than quality so in the industry we’ve come to call all three of these types “open coil” because it’s not as important to understand the differences. However, Bonnell coils are typically the lowest price point, having an hourglass shape and attached to a network frame of wires, and because of being tightly bound together they transfer a lot of motion. Continuous coils use a single piece of wire to form all the springs, also leading to lots of motion transfer. Offset coils are hourglass shaped like Bonnell, but hinged together with helical wires. This hinged design allows slightly more ability to contour and less motion transfer than the other open coil types, but still not as supportive or motion-suppressing as pocketed coils.
   

• Coil count: Coil count refers simply to how many springs are in an innerspring mattress. For simplicity, queen size is used as the basis. So a “600-coil-count” mattress means the queen size of that mattress has 600 coils. Larger and smaller sizes would have more and less, respectively. Coil count is an important number in determining the quality of the mattress, but only to a point. In very general terms, the higher the coil count, the better the mattress. But there’s more to the equation. The type of coils, their gauge (thickness), and the comfort layers on top of the coils all work together to create not only a specific feel but a level of quality. Typically, the quality of components is a theme that’s carried throughout the mattress, so a mid-range coil count (let’s say 500-700 pocketed coil unit) will likely also be paired with mid-range foams and fibers and only a moderate amount of cooling technology. A premium mattress, however, containing 1000+ coils will also likely have premium foams such as latex and or copper-infused (or similar) memory foam and premium cooling covers. Both mattresses may come with a 10-year warranty, but the lesser mattress warranty may be either prorated or may allow for as much as nearly 2” body impression before considered defective, while the premium mattress warranty is likely non-prorated and may cover as little as 3/4” body impression. (Read more about understanding mattress warranties here.) If a mattress contains microcoils (see below), consider whether these coils are being included in the total coil count as they are not part of the primary structural innerspring unit.
   

• Microcoils: Microcoils, or nanocoils, are tiny pocketed coils sometimes used in the top comfort layers of a mattress, and not a part of the structural innerspring. Simply put, steel is more durable than foam. So while cheap polyurethane foams will break down and get lumpy fairly quickly, a thin layer (usually anywhere from 1-3” thick) of microcoils will resist permanent impression and keep the surface of your mattress bouncing back to its original shape year after year. And because they’re pocketed, as discussed above, they can conform to your shape and size, offering great support.
  
  Memory Foam Mattresses

• By definition, “memory foam” is a viscoelastic polyurethane foam. Foam itself is primarily polyurethane, but when certain compounds are added to it, the viscosity (“visco-“) and elasticity (“-elastic) change and the result is what we simply call memory foam. The exact recipe, if you will, can vary greatly from one manufacturer to the next as they try to achieve unique and proprietary feels.
   

• In broad terms, memory foam offers unique support by slowly molding to a body’s size and shape, creating even support with no pressure points. Likewise, its resiliency (elasticity) allows it to return to its original shape once the weight is removed. Additionally, because it absorbs impact so well, it transfers almost no motion between partners.
   

• Memory foam’s ability to perfectly contour to the body makes it an excellent choice for pressure relief and spinal alignment. It also works very well with an adjustable base, which allows for an extremely customizable sleep system. However, its contouring ability can create a stuck-in-place feeling that is comforting for some consumers but less pleasant for others.
   

• The same viscosity that allows memory foam to offer great support also means it retains heat. Over the years, manufacturers have become very sensitive to the consumer demand for cooler sleeping mattresses and have answered this call with recipe changes that result in a product much more capable of absorbing and dissipating body heat.
   

• To that end, the most common (and most economical) additive is gel. Gel acts as a phase-change material to absorb heat and actively transition it to cool. It’s efficient to a point, but isn’t able to convert temperature as quickly as your body sheds it. By itself it’s better than nothing, but may still sleep a bit warmer than an innerspring mattress. Copper is another additive that is very effective in conducting heat away from the body. Additionally, some memory foams are formulated to be more breathable (open-cell), allowing for air flow throughout the mattress. Cooling fabrics can be used for mattress covers, creating a cool-to-the-touch feel. Many top quality mattresses incorporate multiple, or even all, of the above technology to create a mattress that sleeps comfortably cool.
   

• As with any product, memory foam mattresses are available in every level of quality and price point. Quality, high-density foam and efficient cooling technology comes with a price tag, but can result in a mattress that is extremely durable and can last for many years. Lower density foams with fewer cooling features will have an attractive price point, and are ideal for guest rooms or kids’ beds that may not require premium quality. However, they may develop body impressions quickly and may also contain additives that cause irritation and unpleasant off-gassing for some consumers. Look for a Certipur-US® or Okeo-Tex® certification at any price point to minimize such concerns.

 

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses utilize an innerspring support system, with a substantial amount of foam as a comfort layer. This hybrid construction utilizes the best of both worlds, and has become a popular choice for comfort and quality with many consumers. Most hybrids use a pocketed coil innerspring, but a wide variety of comfort layers on top can be used to achieve almost any feel.
 

Because of the wide variety of ways a hybrid can be constructed, the definition of “hybrid” itself is quite broad. However, our mattress experts feel that a true hybrid is one that maintains a foamy feel on the surface with an evenloft top (rather than quilting with stitched pockets). This distinction has become necessary because the popularity of hybrids has driven some manufacturers to name certain models “hybrids” simply because there is a layer of foam on top of the innerspring unit. It is important to remember that you would never sleep directly on the innerspring unit anyway; a minimal layer of something has to be there just for comfort, and the fact that something happens to be foam does not mean the mattress should be considered hybrid.
 

Hybrid mattresses may use one or multiple comfort layers to achieve a specific feel. Most commonly used are memory foam and latex. As discussed above, memory foam itself encompasses a broad range of viscoelastic foams, with and without cooling features such as gel and copper. Latex is discussed in depth below. Some hybrids may also incorporate a layer of microcoils.
 

As with all mattresses, hybrids come in all different levels of comfort and quality. If you like the idea of the support that foam provides but don’t find solid foam mattresses comfortable, a hybrid may be a great solution for you.

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Latex Mattresses

Latex foam is similar to memory foam in that it offers contouring, pressure-relieving support, but it has an almost instant response and recovery (the time it takes to return to its original shape after weight is removed), and as a result it has a springy feel. Latex is extremely breathable, which allows it to recover quickly, but also means it retains less heat than memory foam. Some manufacturers will accentuate this by adding gel or cooling covers, resulting in an extremely supportive mattress that doesn’t sleep hot.
 

Latex comes in different forms. natural or synthetic or a blend of both, and is the result of different manufacturing processes, Dunlop or Talalay. Let’s discuss.

100% natural latex is a byproduct of sap from a Hevea-Brasilienis tree, a.k.a. rubber tree. The milky white liquid is extracted from the tree much in the same way maple syrup is tapped from a maple tree. Excess water is removed from the sap and the thickened latex is then molded into ventilated foam. The resulting product is an extremely durable, buoyant mattress component that also resists dust mites, mold, and mildew. It does result in a pricier mattress, but the longevity, superior support, and organic aspects draw many consumers to make the initial investment.

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Synthetic latex is produced from petroleum-based materials to create a foam that feels similar to natural latex. It also results in a durable foam but at a lower price point. While most consumers won’t notice off-gassing from either natural or synthetic latex, if you’re ultra sensitive to chemical smells you may be irritated by some leach from synthetic latex.

Blended latex is just as it sounds – the result of a blend of natural and synthetic latexes, often as low as 30% natural latex. The buoyancy of natural latex can be achieved but at a lower price point. Marketing materials will often call blended latex “natural” or even “all natural”, despite being a blend, so ask questions if this is a concern.

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Dunlop latex is a method of pouring the latex into a single mold and heating it, much like baking a cake. Sediment then sinks to the bottom and create a firmer base and an overall dense consistency. The resulting foam will have a supportive and firm feel.

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Talalay latex is produced by vacuum-sealing and then flash freezing the latex before heating, which evenly distributes the air throughout the foam and results in a softer, more consistent feel. Its uniformity makes it ideal to slice into layers of varying thickness and use in combination with other layers to achieve a wide range of feels.

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It is important to note that people with latex allergies are allergic to the proteins found in natural rubber latex, but latex used in mattresses is washed many times in the manufacturing process, removing most or all of those proteins. Additionally, latex in mattresses is used as a core component and thus does not contact the skin directly, so consumers with a latex allergy typically do not experience a reaction to sleeping on a latex mattress.

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Our in-house mattress experts are big fans of latex as a component in mattress construction because of its durability and pressure-relieving comfort, and many insiders in the industry sleep on latex in their personal homes.

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Bed-in-a-box

Certain mattresses of all the above types can be rolled and compressed to fit into a box without compromising structure. This allows for easy and more economical shipping both to the retailer and direct to consumer homes. While in years past, roll-packed mattresses were typically imported and of lesser quality, the prevalence of online shopping and direct-to-consumer sales has increased the demand for roll-pack products and most domestic manufacturers have met that demand with a wide array of roll-packed goods at all levels of quality.

In short, if you’re mattress shopping these days, there’s a good chance many of the mattresses you see on the sales floor come in roll-pack form. It isn’t indicative of quality, only convenience and shipping cost, and should only affect your decision to purchase if you are wanting to put it in the trunk of your car.

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Having said that – if you do purchase a mattress in a box, know that complete inflation depends on the density of the foam and how long it has been compressed. Many mattresses can be slept on within hours but may take several days to look “pretty”. Rely on your mattress expert to advise you on the specific mattress you’re considering.