A Complete Guide on the Types of Mattresses

Who does not want a peaceful sleep, right? Multiple people are unaware of the fact that the right mattress plays an important role in offering your perfect sleep at night. However, if you are somebody who wakes up with severe body aches in the morning, it is time for you to make a decision. Considering this, here is a detailed guide to the types of mattresses, along with their pros and cons, that will help you. 

Types of Mattresses: Pros and Cons

When purchasing a mattress for yourself, the first thing that comes to mind is to opt for the right type of mattress. However, to do so, you need to know each type along with its pros and cons, which are mentioned below. Have a look!

Memory Foam Mattress 

Memory foams were initially not designed for the sake of using as mattresses. Instead, they were manufactured in the 1960s for the use of NASA spaceships’ seats and seat belts. Not just this, but memory foam was also used for cushioning in helmets, shoes, and other products. However, in the 1990s, memory foam was introduced as a mattress material. 

It is a type of foam mattress that is made of synthetic material, which is considered to be more resistant. It is considered the best type of mattress for side sleepers and people with joint pain. This is because it takes the position of the body when weight is applied to provide support and bounces back when the weight is removed. 

The following are the pros and cons of memory foam mattresses that you need to know: 

Pros	Cons
Contours the body and provides support	Have a strong chemical smell in the mattress
Memory foam absorbs your motion	Absorbs heat
Best for long-term use as it retains its position	Slightly expensive

Innerspring Mattress 

A mattress consists of two different sections: the support core, or the base of the mattress, and a comfort section. An innerspring mattress, as the name suggests, consists of metal coils between the base and comfort section of the mattress. Because of these coils, the mattress becomes bouncy and springy. However, this is the best type of mattress for back pain as it provides equal support to each part of the body. 

This spring mattress type was a popular choice among people in the early 1900s. But now people have headed towards other options, making the innerspring mattress uncommon in Pakistan. Furthermore, know that this is the best type of mattress for lower back pain and for restless sleepers. 

Explore its pros and cons in the given table:

Pros	Cons
Equal support to the body	Less durable
Ensures airflow and does not absorb body heat	Squeaking sound
Offers bounce	Does not absorb your motion
Affordable

Latex Mattress

It is the type of mattress that is made with latex fillings. Latex is a synthetic material that is extracted from the rubber tree. Just like memory foam, it contours your body and provides support, but not too much. However, the best thing about a latex mattress is that it is manufactured from the naturally occurring material. 

Pros	Cons
No chemicals are involved in the making	More expensive
Made from a natural source – latex	Heavier than the other available options
Offers pressure and contours the body	Not suitable for people with latex allergies
Durable option

Hybrid Mattress

As the name suggests, a hybrid mattress is a type of mattress that is a combination of memory foam, innerspring, and latex. If you are looking for a body support like an innerspring mattress, body contour like memory foam, along with the comfort of a latex mattress, this is the right choice for you. 

Pros	Cons
Less motion transfer	Most expensive due to the complex manufacturing
More airflow

Factors To Consider When Buying a Mattress

Different types of mattresses are available in the market for different purposes. However, it has been observed in different research that people in Pakistan are experiencing body aches due to improper mattresses. It can be either due to the firmness of your mattress or your wrong sleeping position. 

Considering this, you need to know some important factors before you buy a mattress. Explore some of the factors mentioned below: 

Get Medium-Firm Mattresses: As mattresses are available with different firmness levels, soft, medium-soft, medium, firm, and extra firm, you need to opt for the right one. However, considering your body’s requirements and needs, experts usually recommend getting a medium-firm mattress. This is because they provide support to your spinal cord and maintain your body position. 

However, it is said that medium firm mattresses are not only suitable for people with back pain, but everybody can get one. The following is the type of mattress firmness that works best for back pain:

Soft	8%
Extra soft	6%
Firm	29%
Medium firm	49%
Extra firm	8%

Consider Your Sleeping Position: Another important factor to consider when buying the right mattress is to consider your sleeping position. For instance, a memory foam mattress is the best for side sleepers. However, know that for the back sleepers, a medium-firm mattress will offer support and comfort. 

Opt for the Material You Prefer: As discussed in the types of mattresses, each one of them is made with different materials such as memory foam, latex, polyfoam, and more. 

Conclusion

Waking up with severe body pain is a sign that the mattress does not suit your body. However, if you are experiencing this, it is important for you to make the right decision when buying a mattress. Know that not every type of mattress is made for your body, be it an innerspring mattress, a latex mattress, or a hybrid one. 

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