The Best Type of Mattress

The best type of mattress is entirely dependent on one thing: what is best for you personally. No matter what you may hear from others or advertisers about the perfect mattress, if you can't get a good night's sleep on it, then it's not even close to being perfect. A number of different types of mattresses exist on the market and knowing what you are looking for as well as what each kind of mattress is good for can help you determine the best mattress for your specific needs.

Springs

The traditional mattress in America has long been the spring mattress, which is made of coils placed inside the mattress. Spring mattresses are traditional because they provide significant support, but this support can vary widely depending on the number of coils and their distribution. Generally speaking, if your back needs support, a spring mattress is the best place to begin, but because coil distribution is based upon a general ratio these mattresses can be uncomfortable for many people.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses actually conform to the sleeper's body so that they eventually take on the shape of the sleeper's favorite position. This can be the best type of mattress for those who prefer soft beds and don't need a significant amount of support, but there is no question that foam mattresses cannot compete with innerspring mattresses for those with back problems who need the support of those coils.

Waterbed

The heyday of the waterbed may be over, but there are still plenty of good reasons to consider purchasing this type of mattress. Waterbeds are great because they conform to your body even better than memory foam, making them ideal for those who seek a soft mattress. Like memory foam, however, waterbeds are not recommended for those with back problems who specifically need strong support beneath their spine.

Air Mattress

The primary benefit of an air mattress is that it can be adjusted for those who prefer a soft or a firm bed. Modern day air mattress are much more sophisticated than the kind used primarily for overnight guests. The amount of air can be regulated to achieve as close to a perfect fit as possible depending on whether one is seeking a luxurious bed into which they can almost sink or a bed nearly as hard as a wooden door.

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam except that latex is the body contouring material. These mattresses are more expensive than memory foam, but may well be worth the expense because they provide a more efficient combination of the soft qualities of foam and the support of springs. However, it must be stated that latex mattress are not nearly as firm as those with innersprings.

Support

It is important to remember that firm does not always necessarily equal support. Spring mattresses are without doubt the strongest mattress, but the support is mainly geared toward whatever is the heaviest part of the body. Therefore, while a spring mattress may do wonders for supporting the back, you may wake up in the morning with a sore neck unless you've got an appropriate pillow.

Test Run

No matter what you may hear about a mattress, the fact is that there is absolutely no way to determine if it is perfect for you until you have given it a test run. While you can find some deals buying a mattress on the internet, make sure you actually go into a brick and mortar store and lay down on the specific model of the brand of mattress you are buying. If you are buying an air mattress or waterbed, make sure that you test it while it is filled up to the level you will actually be using.