Buying a new mattress to replace your old one can be expensive. A great alternative to this is to invest in a good-quality, durable mattress so that it lasts longer and better thereby preventing expenses.
An ideal mattress, in addition to supporting your body, enhances the quality of your sleep too. Mattresses of varying materials for different needs have become very popular and are readily available for selection both in online as well as offline stores.
Types of mattresses:
There are many different types of mattresses available in the market today. They are built with different materials, different thicknesses, and different properties as well.
It is important to decide what it is that you desire from a mattress in addition to being comfortable. Selecting an appropriate mattress will make up for your worn out mattress or even enhance a brand new one. The different types of mattresses available on the market are as follows:
- Feather mattress
- Memory foam mattress
- Polyfoam mattress
- Spring mattress
- Buckwheat mattress
- Fiber mattress
- Latex mattress
Different properties of a mattress:
When selecting the right mattress for your needs, you need to be extremely careful and conscious of the long run. Different types of mattresses vary in firmness, elasticity, and softness. Every mattress material has its specific set of pros and cons but some will fit your needs much better than the rest.
Depending on your needs, choose the right mattress after reviewing how each one of them fares when it comes to different features. In this guide, you will find a list of key factors that you must consider before choosing the right mattress for yourself.
Durability
This is the ability of a mattress to withstand degradation of its material over time. The sturdier the mattress, the longer lifespan it will have.
This durability factor is not as pronounced for feather and polyfoam mattresses. They lose their shape rather quickly and may need to be replaced in a short period of time.
As a comparison, latex mattresses have the best durability. Natural latex is one of the best materials for a mattress since it not only supports your body according to its shape but can last 8 to 10 years. This is an exceptionally long life compared to all other materials. Synthetic latex mattress has a life of 6-8 years which is still quite impressive. Having said that, natural latex mattresses are the ideal choice for a one-time investment in the long run.
Best in category: Latex, Buckwheat, Memory foam, Fiber, Spring
Support
The primary function of a mattress is to provide optimal comfort and support as per each individual’s preference. The right kind of mattress is neither too soft nor too firm. Most importantly, it keeps your spine in alignment while you sleep and helps prevent tossing and turning in bed.
Fiber and feather mattresses fare exceptionally poor when it comes to providing support. They may eventually start sagging, giving you an uncomfortable and lumpy feeling.
Latex mattresses are known for offering superior pressure point relief and provides a more rounded contour for the body. It adheres to the body very well and supports all areas such as the lower back, neck, shoulders, and hips.
Best in category: Memory foam, Latex, Buckwheat
Anti-bacteria & anti-dust mites
Bacteria are found everywhere. Think about all the things you touch during the day. Unless you shower before you turn in, you are going to bring all these bacteria with you. Not only that, but we also shed dead skin cells all the time. In fact, 98% of the dust you witness settling in your mattresses, carpets, and couches are made up of dead skin cells.
Because of the warmth our body provides, a mattress is an ideal place for bacteria to thrive. However, washing your mattress frequently will only strip it off its durability and may create lumps and clots within the material.
The practical solution is to go for an anti-bacterial mattress that will not be a breeding ground for these bacteria and dust mites.
Some mattress materials are excellent at inhibiting the growth of microbes and keep your bed clean and healthy for you. While Feather and Foam have excellent properties of their own, they are not the best choice at keeping your bed sterile.
Feather is a naturally occurring substance which easily promotes breeding for dust mites, bacteria, and microorganisms. Using this material in pillows and mattresses only increases the possibility of attracting and breeding of infectious bacteria and dust in the long run.
Similarly, shedded dead skin cells easily stick to the surface of foam mattresses which, in turn, promotes the chances of contracting allergies and pulmonary disorders.
Buckwheat and latex mattresses are specially designed to be dust-mite resistant and hypoallergenic. Since they provide excellent air flow, they are anti-bacterial by nature. They prevent the growth of mildew and mold as well.
Best in category: Latex, Buckwheat, Memory foam
Quietness
An ideal mattress shouldn’t produce any unwanted, disturbing sound when someone moves around while sleeping.
Memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses are the best choices when it comes to providing comfort without producing any noise. Any tossing or turning on a latex or memory foam mattress means little sleep disruption for you or your partner.
Best in category: Memory foam, Latex, Feather
Comfort at different temperatures
Some people tend to sleep hot. In other words, the body’s core temperature drops which releases heat into the surrounding. This heat is trapped by the mattress and pillows in contact with the body. In such cases, choosing an appropriate mattress becomes a necessity which can help cool it off. These mattresses prevent absorption of heat and instead help cool down the surrounding area so that the individual feels no discomfort while sleeping.
Have you ever woken up dripping in sweat even when you feel asleep just fine? One reason may be because your mattress is absorbing your body heat and releasing it onto you eventually.
When it comes to temperature comfort, memory foam mattresses don’t fare well at all. These absorb the heat released from your body thereby causing inconvenience and discomfort when you’re deep in slumber. Fiber mattresses, even though better than memory foam cannot provide temperature comfort to a good enough capacity.
Feather and polyfoam mattresses are better than the ones mentioned above but they cannot beat Latex and Buckwheat at temperature comfort. The latter are the absolute best at this job. They categorize themselves as passive cooling mattresses.
These mattresses are constructed using special materials that draw body heat and transfer it away. Also, materials that are naturally cool are classified as passive cooling agents. Gel-infused memory foam and natural latex are examples of such materials.
Best in category: Latex, Buckwheat, Feather, Polyfoam
Reduction in motion transfer
When the motion of one person turning around in bed gets transferred via the mattress to the other person, it is known as motion transfer.
For light sleepers, this can be a problem. More motion transfer means more disruptions during sleep. This, in turn, directly affects other aspects of life too, like decreased concentration and irritability due to lack of sleep.
Feather, buckwheat, and spring mattresses are not so great options at this category.
The better alternatives are latex and memory foam mattresses. Due to their elasticity, they can absorb almost 100% of the motions generated before any of it is transferred. These mattresses are best for people sharing the bed with other people or pets to stay asleep.
Best in category: Memory foam, Latex, Polyfoam, Fiber
Using mattress toppers:
You can also use mattress toppers to add extra protection and support, just like a mattress pad. However, a mattress pad is a comparatively thinner than mattress topper. While the main function of a mattress pad is to protect the mattress and provide some extra softness, a mattress topper will provide much more comfort and support. The thickness of a mattress topper is usually about 1 to 4 inches.
Summing it up:
Mattresses are essential for good quality sleep and better rest. They also help in enhancing the support to your back, hips, and neck. Different mattresses have different features. Depending on your requirement, you can zero down on the ideal mattress for yourself.
From all the above information, it is easy to conclude that latex mattresses are by far the most excellent choice for mattresses. They are all-rounders and do well in most departments. They are also easy to maintain and a delight to use. This is the reason they have become so popular in the last few years.
