Know your mattress types
Twelve types of mattress. Only one is right for you.
There is no single best mattress. There is only the right mattress for the right sleeper.
01
Pocket Spring Mattress
Pocket sprung mattresses use hundreds of individual springs, each wrapped in its own fabric pocket, so each spring moves on its own. That means the mattress follows your body more closely and less movement travels across the bed when your partner turns over. The more springs there are, the more finely the support can follow your shape, and the springs are topped with fillings and fabrics that set the comfort. Pocket sprung is the most popular type in the UK because it suits most sleepers and works well on both fixed and divan bases.
Best for: couples, combination sleepers and anyone wanting a supportive mattress with a choice of feels from soft to firm.
Worth knowing: the quality depends on the spring count and the fillings above them, so compare the whole build and not only the number of springs.
02
Bonnell Spring Mattress
A bonnell mattress has a single unit of springs wired together in an hourglass shape. They are the traditional spring mattress, strong, firm and good value, which is why they are common in guest rooms, children's beds and budget ranges. Because the springs are connected, pushing down on one area moves the springs around it, so you will feel more of your partner's movement than on a pocket sprung mattress.
Best for: spare rooms, children and anyone who wants a firm, supportive feel at a lower price.
Worth knowing: they are less contouring, so side sleepers who need pressure relief at the shoulders and hips may prefer pocket springs or foam.
03
Continuous Coil Mattress
In a continuous coil mattress the spring unit is formed from one continuous length of wire, shaped into rows of coils that are linked together. The result is a durable, supportive and fairly firm base at a sensible price. Like other connected spring units the coils work together, so movement spreads across the bed more than on pocket springs.
Best for: people who like a firm, traditional feel and want solid support at a fair price.
Worth knowing: ask how deep the comfort layers are above the coils, because that decides how soft the mattress feels.
04
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam softens in response to your body heat and weight and slowly moulds around you, then slowly returns when you move. That gives strong pressure relief at the shoulders, hips and knees and very little movement across the bed. Some people love the sinking, cradled feel and others find it too enclosing, and the foam can feel warm.
Best for: side sleepers, people who want pressure relief and light sleepers who share a bed.
Worth knowing: a higher density foam generally lasts longer, and the depth and quality of the foam matter as much as the label. Foam mattresses need a firm, solid or slatted base with slats close enough together.
05
Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Gel memory foam is memory foam with gel added, either as beads, swirls or a gel layer, to help draw heat away from the body so the surface feels cooler to the touch and you stay comfortable for longer. It keeps the contouring and pressure relief of memory foam.
Best for: people who like memory foam but sleep warm.
Worth knowing: the cooling effect varies between products and can fade through the night as the foam warms, so airflow in the cover and the layers beneath matter too.
06
Latex Mattress
Latex comes from the sap of rubber trees or is made synthetically, and gives a springy, responsive feel that supports you without the slow sink of memory foam. It is naturally breathable, resilient and long lasting, and it moves with you more easily than memory foam, which many people find helps when changing position.
Best for: people who like a bouncy, supportive feel, sleep warm or want a long lasting mattress.
Worth knowing: latex is heavier than other types, and anyone with a latex allergy should check the product before buying.
07
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid combines a pocket spring unit with layers of foam, latex or both on top. You get the support, airflow and bounce of springs with the pressure relief and comfort of foam in the same mattress.
Best for: couples who want comfort and support together, and people who cannot decide between spring and foam.
Worth knowing: hybrids vary widely in feel depending on the thickness and type of comfort layers, so look at the build and not only the name.
08
Natural and Wool Mattress
Natural mattresses use fillings such as wool, cotton, cashmere, silk, mohair, horsehair or natural latex, often over pocket springs. Wool and cotton are breathable and help to manage heat and moisture, so they feel warm in winter and cooler in summer. These mattresses are usually handmade, and the fillings settle and soften over time.
Best for: people who value natural materials, sleep hot or cold, and want a long lasting mattress with a traditional hand finished feel.
Worth knowing: they usually cost more, and many need turning or rotating to wear evenly, so check the care guide.
09
Orthopaedic Mattress
Orthopaedic is a label for firmer mattresses designed to keep the spine supported and level, and it is not a medical standard, so builds and firmness vary between brands. A good one is supportive without being hard, so your spine stays in a natural line while shoulders and hips are held in place.
Best for: back sleepers, stomach sleepers, heavier sleepers and anyone who prefers a firm mattress.
Worth knowing: firmer is not always better, and a mattress that is too hard can cause pressure. If you have ongoing back or neck pain, speak to a health professional about what is right for you.
10
Pillow and Euro Top Mattress
A pillow top has an extra layer of soft padding sewn on top of the mattress, usually stitched in so there is a visible edge or ridge. A euro top is similar but sewn flush with the sides for a clean, sleek edge. Either adds a plush, cushioned layer over the support unit.
Best for: people who want a softer, luxurious feel without losing the support underneath.
Worth knowing: the extra layer adds thickness, so check your sheets fit and the padding quality matters, because poor padding can compress quickly.
11
Rolled and Boxed Mattress
Rolled and boxed mattresses are compressed, rolled and vacuum packed so they arrive in a box that is easy to carry up stairs and round tight corners. Once unwrapped they expand, usually within a few hours, and are fully ready in around twenty four hours. Many are foam or hybrid builds.
Best for: flats, narrow stairs, spare rooms and anyone who wants simple delivery.
Worth knowing: leave the mattress in a warm room to expand fully and follow the care instructions on first use.
12
Adjustable Mattress
An adjustable mattress is built to flex, so it works with an adjustable bed base that raises your head or feet. Foam, latex and many hybrid constructions bend easily, while a standard firm spring mattress usually does not. The right mattress follows the base without creasing or losing its support.
Best for: anyone who likes to sit up to read or watch television, or who wants to raise their legs for comfort.
Worth knowing: always check that the mattress is described as suitable for an adjustable base, and size and weight limits for the base.
Before you buy, ask yourself
Think in nights, not pounds
3,500–5,000 nights.
You buy one mattress for the next decade of sleep.
A health decision, not just a shopping decision.ComfortDNA™ answers every one of these questions in a single assessment.