- Water bed mattresses have a look and feel all their own, but there are other styles of mattresses that have many of the same benefits. A drawback of water beds is their weight, which can be a problem in apartments and mobile homes. None of the alternatives has this drawback, and all of them will work on any type of flat bed frame and don't require a box spring.
- Futon mattresses are among the least expensive alternatives. They are made of natural materials and are firm. They take the shape of the frame underneath them, so they can lie flat for a bed or bend in the middle to form a couch. This makes futons a good alternative for a small studio apartment or an extra bedroom that doubles as a den or TV room. A drawback of futons, especially for anyone used to a water bed, is that they may feel too firm.
- Memory foam is a special material that yields to the pressure of whatever or whomever is lying on top of it. It is a good choice for someone used to a water bed because it has that feature in common with water mattresses. Memory foam prices vary, but all are more expensive than futons. Many are comparable to water bed prices. One benefit that memory foam has over many other types of mattresses, including single-bladder style water beds, is that someone thrashing around on one side of the bed won't cause movement on the other side. Other benefits include durability and less chance of dust mites. Drawbacks of memory foam mattresses are that they may give off an odor when new, they tend to hold in body heat and they don't breathe.
- Latex foam mattresses have similar benefits to memory foam, except they are bouncier. They are also significantly more expensive and can be the most expensive mattress style of all. Water beds in the same price range generally include a whole bed frame, not just the mattress. These mattresses have the same benefits of durability and repelling dust mites as memory foam mattresses, but they tend to be more breathable and are more "green," being made of latex, a renewable material.
- Air mattresses are another style that vary widely in price, depending on brand and features. The most expensive have separate adjustments for each side to take into account different preferences as to firmness. This style of mattress is lightweight, completely opposite to the extra heavy weight of a water bed, but provides many of the same benefits as to support and adjustable firmness.
- The choice is up to you. Many former water bed users like memory foam mattresses, but air mattresses have lots of fans, too. Both will provide the support you might want if you have back trouble. If you also want adjustability, like you have in a water bed being able to control the amount of water in it, you might find an adjustable air mattress to be your best choice. Look to see if the mattresses you are considering have a guarantee; some brands will give you your money back if you find it uncomfortable or even give you a trial period before you start making payments.
