What is the Best Mattress Type or the Best Kind of Mattress?

Shopping for the right kind of mattress is not always as easy or as fun as lets say, shopping for a car. Prior to just wasting your whole day in mattress stores and idly examining and testing one type or brand, why not get acquainted with the different types of mattresses that are out on the market. Which one do you think would suit you, your lifestyle, and most especially your budget best?

There is practically a gamut of mattress types out there ranging from the cheapest ($200) to the very expensive ($5000+). Mattress types vary depending on the types of materials used in their make-up or structure.

There are 6 types of Mattresses

1) Inner-spring mattresses
These are the conventional and rather outdated beds that utilize coiled springs as its main support systems. Some inner-spring mattresses though, are a hybrid of spring and foam mattress types.

The hybrid consists of a memory foam layer on top and springs underneath. These often result in a more comfortable mattress but lacks resiliency and proper spinal alignment.

2) Futons
Futons are by far not the best kinds of mattress and should be used sparingly as a sleep mattress.

These cotton-filled mattresses originated from Japan and are basically mattresses that are filled with fluffed cotton, fiber or wool. Similar to inner-spring mattresses, these tend to be heavy and they need to be rotated once in a while to even-out the pressure areas. Futons need maintenance to avoid the growth of mildew if ventilation is not accorded.

3) Waterbeds
Historically, in the 1800s, waterbeds were originally used as beds for invalids. These were originally designed to reduce pressure points in disabled patients.

Waterbeds come in two sorts: hard-side water beds and soft-side waterbeds. The difference mainly lies in the support structure that comes with the mattress. The former is encased by wood while the latter is encased in a fabric bag with foam. The prototype of the waterbed consisted of one water chamber but was then revised to reduce waving when pressure is exerted in one area.

Waterbeds generally take more time to adjust to than spring mattresses or futons because they are relatively softer. This reduces the chance of back pain from hard mattresses. Waterbeds can also heated which is appealing in the cold winter months.

4) Air beds
Air beds are much like water beds but the distinction is obvious. These are commonly made up of PVC, a plastic, specifically poly-vinyl chloride, a synthetic rubber called urethane, or nylon. These materials are used by leading air bed manufacturers to prevent punctures and leakages and to ensure the durability of the air bed. Some people keep away from these air beds because of this.

Air beds are usually multi-chambered. Chambers are vessels inside the bed where air is pumped. Some advanced sleep systems on the market use air as a method to minimize pressure points.

5) Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are known for their resiliency. They can easily last 25 years. Most choose latex because its as close to an organic mattress as you can get. The downfall to latex is their comfort. They tend to be a little firm which is why many buy memory foam toppers to soften them up. High quality memory foam takes a large amount of chemicals to make defeating their initial purpose of an organic sleep surface.

6) Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam mattresses have grown in popularity in the past years because of their ability to conform to ones body. Top memory foam mattresses provide the ultimate in pressure distribution, comfort and last over 20 years. Pressure generated from our hips shoulders and knees which reduces pressure points and tossing and turning. These types of mattresses provide the ideal sleep surface for people with back pain.

The problem with memory foam is that its made with petroleum and chemicals to achieve the right density and desired attributes. People commonly complain of the smell for weeks after delivery.

Its an artificial material which does not breathe well. Heat gets trapped between your body and the memory foam mattress.

However memory foam mattress do have anti-microbial properties compared to spring mattresses and futons so theyre are mildew-free and dust-mite resistant.

Memory foam mattresses would be the best types of mattresses if it wasnt for the chemicals and breathability issues because of they do offer top pressure relief and comfort.

Only Essentia offers natural, chemical free memory foam. They created their own memory material using essential oils as a safe alternative for memory foam.

Author, Jason Wright is the webmaster for Essentia - Memory Foam Mattresses. A website marketer by trade he decided to work with Essentia after purchasing one of their natural memory foam mattresses and pillows.