No two mattresses are the same, and what’s happening beneath the sheets has a lot to do with why. Memory foam contours to your body, latex has a springier feel, and hybrid mattresses combine foam or latex layers with a supportive coil system for the best of both worlds.
As a product reviewer who has been testing mattresses and writing about sleep products since 2022, I’ve spent the past four years getting up close and personal with mattress construction. I’ve learned how everything from the fabric covering the mattress to a few extra inches of foam can change the feel of an entire bed. I’ve also spent a fair amount of time lying down in the name of research, which is a pretty great job perk.
Consider this a primer on the five main types of mattresses—hybrid, innerspring, memory foam, latex, and even smart beds—so you can figure out which one best suits your sleep style and gives you the best excuse to hit snooze. To help us explain these materials even more, we asked John Merwin, CEO of 3Z Brands (parent company of Helix, Birch, Bear, Nolah, and Leesa) and founder of Brooklyn Bedding, to weigh in as well. —Nicole Kinning
Updated October 2026: We've rewritten portions of this guide, added a fresh introduction, updated FAQs on mattress buying, and ensured up-to-date links and prices.
Our Favorite Mattresses We’ve Tested
The Best Hybrid MattressHelix Sleep Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign Jump to Helix Midnight Luxe$2,748 $2,198 (20% off)
Helix
The Best Innerspring MattressSaatva Classic MattressJump to Saatva Classic$2,229
Saatva
The Best Memory Foam MattressBear Original Foam MattressJump to Bear Original$998 $699 (30% off)
Bear
Another Great Hybrid MattressNolah EvolutionJump to Nolah Evolution$2,277 $1,594 (30% off)
Nolah
Jump to SectionAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron- How to Choose the Right Mattress Type
- Hybrid
- Innerspring
- Memory Foam
- Latex
- Smart Beds
- Frequently Asked Questions
- So, Now What?
How to Choose the Right Mattress Type
Knowing your memory foam from your latex is a good start, but how do you actually put that knowledge into practice and choose a bed you’ll be excited to climb into every night? A few factors can help narrow down your options:
Feel preference: Do you like sinking into your mattress or feeling like you’re sleeping on top of it? Memory foam tends to closely contour to your body, and latex feels springier and makes it easier to change positions. Hybrids can go either way, depending on comfort layers and coil system.
Sleeping position: Side sleepers typically benefit from mattresses that have enough cushioning to relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips. Back sleepers usually need a balance of cushioning and support, while stomach sleepers often prefer a firmer surface that keeps their midsection from sinking into the bed.
How hot you sleep: If you’re a sweaty sleeper, consider a latex or hybrid mattress. Both offer more airflow than memory foam, which tends to trap heat. That said, cooling features can help, too; some memory foam mattresses use gel infusions or phase-change fabrics that are designed to pull heat away from the body.
Bed sharing: If you or your sleeping partner toss and turn, proper motion isolation should be at the top of your wish list. Memory foam absorbs movement well, so sleeping partners won’t disturb each other. Pocketed coils have a bit more bounce without wiggling the entire mattress. Innerspring, on the other hand, tends to be the bounciest of the bunch. And then there’s firmness: If you and your partner disagree on this crucial mattress characteristic, a split or adjustable mattress may work best.
Hybrid
Traditional coil mattresses have evolved into hybrids, which is what you will likely encounter on today’s mattress market (aside from latex and foam options). Hybrid mattresses are highly customizable, allowing you to pick and choose what you want in your bed, whether that’s a combination of foam and coils, latex and coils, or even a mix of the three. Many mattress reviews will use the phrase “best of both worlds” to describe hybrids, as this mattress lets you sample the design aspects of the materials involved. You can get the pressure relief you need from memory foam or latex on top, but ample support from the coil core (not to mention the aforementioned responsiveness from coil inclusion).
Speaking of coils and harking back to traditional mattress design, the type of coil used in hybrid mattresses matters too, as it improves upon the design of the Bonnell coil. The keywords to look for are “pocketed coils” or “individually wrapped coils,” which make up the main support mechanism of a mattress. Instead of being interconnected, each coil stays in its own lane (pocket, really) and will compress uninhibited by the other coils around it. In other words, where there is more weight, the bed will feel firmer.
This is especially applicable for areas where body weight is centralized when you’re lying down, particularly around the hips and shoulders. Pocketed coils are also meant to outperform traditional ones in the motion isolation arena, meaning that when you move around, the individual coil takes the heat motion-wise and stops the bed from reenacting a small earthquake. With the interconnectivity of traditional coils, it doesn’t take much for the feeling of movement to travel along the entire surface of the bed.
Fun fact: You do not need a box spring with a hybrid mattress. This is a recurring question I see, and pocketed coils in hybrids eliminate the need for one. Box springs were designed to give more support and elevate performance to traditional coil beds, which would align certain sections of coils to yield more support. Nowadays, you may actually void your warranty if you use a box spring with a hybrid mattress—be sure to check that fine print.
Our favorite hybrid we've tested is the Helix Midnight Luxe, which happens to be our top overall pick in our Best Mattresses guide. It also utilizes pressure-relieving foams and pocketed coils to provide targeted lumbar support.
- Photograph: Wired
- Photograph: Wired
Helix Sleep
Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign
$2,748 $2,198 (20% off)Helix
Another awesome hybrid mattress, the Nolah Evolution, seamlessly puts together some superb memory foam and pocketed coils, both of which counteract tension buildup for pressure points. I love it as an option for side sleepers for this reason, but it also works for back and stomach sleepers. The coils also make it easy to move around on, which is helpful for co-sleepers.
- Photograph: Wired
- Photograph: Julia Forbes
- Photograph: Julia Forbes
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Nolah
Evolution
$2,277 $1,594 (30% off)Nolah
Innerspring
This is as much a history lesson as a type of mattress you want to shop for. “Traditional” innerspring mattresses are the firm-feeling beds you probably have early memories of, given that the makeup is just innerspring coils wrapped in a cover. It’s just as squeaky as you probably remember, too, as the coil type used involves connecting every coil so they work as one unit.
These are Bonnell coils, and they connect both laterally and vertically. When you lie down, and your weight is pressed into the mattress, all those coils act as “one for all and all for one” and simultaneously compress. It’s not going to work wonders for pressure relief like modern hybrids will, but it is highly responsive, which means it’ll pop back into its original shape as you move around. So if you’re a sleeper who moves around between sleeping positions, coils are a good feature to have, so you’re getting near-instantaneous support.
Why aren't traditional coils in the works with mattresses nowadays? According to Merwin, upgraded pocketed coils far outperform traditional ones. “Unlike traditional coils that are wired together and move as a unit, pocketed coils are encased individually, which allows each coil to respond independently to movement and pressure," he said. "This design minimizes motion transfer, so when one person moves or gets out of bed, their partner feels far less disruption. It also provides more targeted support, contouring to the body in a way that improves spinal alignment and overall comfort.” While you can still find innerspring mattresses with traditional coils out there, they're typically getting phased out in favor of hybrids. I've only tested a handful of these over the years.
The Saatva Classic is one of the rare modern beds that rely on traditional coils in the secondary coil layer on the very bottom of the bed. This is to help with overall durability and support, which WIRED tester Nena Farrell has mentioned could be beneficial for those with back pain.
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
Saatva
Classic Mattress
$2,229Saatva
Memory Foam
We actually have NASA to thank for this one. If you Google search images of those early space missions, it’s no wonder that something was needed to keep astronauts from being jostled around inside rockets; hence, memory foam was born. It’s evolved quite a bit from those initial iterations, especially when Tempur-Pedic came onto the scene in the ’80s with a vision for it to become the basis of sleep products. Today, memory foam stands in a league of its own when it comes to the unique, compressive feel.
Memory foam is an umbrella term for all the iterations mattress brands have come up with today, but let's refer to the mattress manufacturing expert for this one.
"Memory foam is produced by combining liquid polyurethane with various chemicals, like polyols and isocyanates, to enhance its viscosity and density," says Merwin. Without whipping out the periodic table of elements and giving you a science lesson in the chemical components of this material, here’s the need-to-know: These compounds form a malleable foam that holds teeny-tiny bubbles within it. How it works is, as you lie on it, your body imparts heat onto the surface, flowing into these air pockets, which in turn allows it to become softer to contour around your body.
“The key ingredient is a polymer that creates an open-cell structure, which allows the material to respond to heat and pressure. This is what gives memory foam its signature contouring or ‘hugging’ feel," Merwin says. "During the manufacturing process, the liquid foam mixture is poured onto a moving line, where it expands and solidifies into large foam blocks, which we call ‘buns.' At a high level, it’s a blend of chemistry and precision that transforms raw materials into a high-quality product.”
To say it's a natural fit for those who need pressure relief from their mattress may be a bit too on-the-nose, but it's the standout feature of this material. It also lessens the feeling of movement for the most restless of sleepers, which also makes it an attractive option for couples. Arguably, the biggest issue that plagues memory foam is heat retention, since once the heat enters these air chambers, it turns into something akin to microscopic saunas that can make the overall mattress into a nightmare for those who sleep warm. This is where the various iterations of foam come into play, as some brands infuse elements like graphite, copper, gel, or more advanced cooling technology like phase-change materials into the foams that they use.
Three layers of foam make up the Bear Original, but its certifications and cooling cover are here to help dispel any rumors that circulate about the downsides of memory foam. You won't find any eyebrow-raising chemicals here thanks to CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certifications. Plus, you can add on a Celliant cover for a cooler feel.
- Photograph: Wired
- Photograph: Wired
- Courtesy of Bear
Bear
Original Foam Mattress
$998 $699 (30% off)Bear
The Nectar Premier is another memory foam option we've tested and liked, especially for side sleepers. Its foam layers are stacked so that you feel more pressure relief on top, but get more than enough support via a firmer foam layer at the bottom.
- Courtesy of Nectar
- Courtesy of Nectar
- Courtesy of Nectar
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Nectar Sleep
Nectar Premier
$999 $900 (10% off)Amazon
$999Nectar Sleep
Latex
The same stuff that goes into tires, balloons, and sports equipment can also be used for mattresses—and it’s the good stuff, too. Latex acts similarly to memory foam when it comes to pressure relief, but is far more reactive to you moving around. Think of a rubber band snapping back into shape when released; it’s pretty dang close to that. Many brands rely on organic rubber sap to create latex as we know it, and there are two categories of latex foam you’ll usually find with mattresses: Dunlop and Talalay. These names refer to the production process and resulting product, as liquid rubber is poured into molds, torched at high temperatures (called “vulcanization” and yes, I have to resist doing Spock’s “live long and prosper” hand signal every time), and flash-frozen to retain the feel. Dunlop is a firmer latex foam, and hence, has a firmer feel. Talalay yields a more plush feel. Latex is generally pretty even-keeled when it comes to temperature, too, keeping heat from accumulating within your mattress to maintain a nice, room-temperature feel.
WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson has applauded the organic latex construction of the Birch Luxe Natural, citing great support for the lower back region and good temperature regulation.
- Courtesy of Birch
- Courtesy of Birch
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Birch
Luxe Natural Mattress
$2,624 $2,099 (20% off)Birch
Smart Beds
- Photograph: Julia Forbes
- Photograph: Julia Forbes
- Photograph: Julia Forbes
Bryte
Balance Pro Smart Mattress
$6,499Bryte
Smart mattresses offer the ability to adjust their firmness level with the press of a button. They do this via internal air chambers or sensors that adjust coil firmness. To make your bed softer or firmer, you use a remote control or the brand's accompanying app.
That's not the only thing that sets this mattress type apart. Some are also outfitted with tech features such as sleep trackers and massage settings, as in the case of the Bryte Balance Pro. Smart beds are becoming more refined as sleep tech evolves.
Smart beds often employ adjustable bases, which allow the head and foot of the bed to move up and down. This is an important consideration in the purchase—you should budget for the cost of the base, as this type of bed can't inherently achieve this level of flexibility on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Better to Get a Boxed Mattress or a Fully Set-Up Mattress?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronOne of the biggest arguments I see in the mattress world isn't what the best type of mattress material is—it's how the mattress is delivered to you. Some will argue that mattresses compressed into boxes compromise the materials' long-term durability and performance. The thought is that you won't get as much support because of this, which is why some brands insist on bringing a fully inflated, set-up mattress to you via white-glove delivery.
Video: Martin CizmarVideo: Martin CizmarOn the other hand, manufacturers that specialize in boxed mattresses will tell you that these materials are resilient and compressing them doesn't damage them. As long as you set the bed up within the prescribed delivery window (usually within 30 days of delivery), the mattress itself inflates and operates just fine.
My take is that one is not better than the other; it simply comes down to the manufacturer. Some brands, like Saatva or certain Tempur-Pedic models, shouldn't be compressed because of how the materials were developed. Hence, they will be delivered ready to go upon arrival. 3Z's brands, including Nolah, Leesa, and Helix, can be compressed because their foam and coil components can withstand this pressure. The beds are compressed, boxed, and promptly shipped out within a few days. Upon arrival, they should be unboxed immediately, but it's not the end of the world if you don't get to it right away. Make sure not to exceed the maximum time range (usually a month), and let the bed inflate for at least 24 hours after unboxing. This will allow the materials time to “breathe” as they inflate, ensuring they reach their full height and support potential.
What Does Off-Gassing Mean?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWhen a boxed mattress is first opened, there may be a noticeable chemical odor. What you’re smelling are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) coming from the layers of foam, especially memory foam, and from the adhesives used to glue the layers together. You’ll want to look for certifications like CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold to ensure that emission levels are low and that they don’t contain noxious chemicals like formaldehyde. Even then, it’s a good idea to air out the mattress for a day or two in a well-ventilated room before you sleep on it. If a bed contains memory foam and is not CertiPur-US certified, you don’t want it in your home.
How Long Does It Take a Mattress to Expand After Unboxing?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronThis depends on the mattress’s construction and unboxing instructions. Many mattresses can be used shortly after unboxing, while others can take up to a few hours or days to fully expand.
Do I Need a Box Spring for My Mattress?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronMost modern mattresses, including hybrid and memory foam mattresses, are designed to sit on a solid platform bed, slatted bed frame, or adjustable base. A traditional box spring is meant for older innerspring mattresses and has actual springs inside it. Always check your mattress manufacturer’s requirements, because using the wrong foundation can affect the mattress’s performance or warranty.
How Long Does a Mattress Typically Last?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWith the right care, a mattress typically lasts around seven to 10 years. Lifespan can depend on its construction, materials, and how much use it gets.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Replace My Mattress?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronIf you notice visible sagging, lumps, or permanent indentations in a mattress, it may be time for a new one. Or if you find that you’re waking up with new aches and pains, these could be signs your mattress is wearing down and it’s time to get a replacement.
What’s the Best Type of Mattress for Couples With Different Preferences?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronSome mattresses offer split firmness, allowing each side of the bed to have a different feel, while adjustable smart beds allow sleepers to customize their firmness independently. Mattresses with good movement isolation are also great if one partner moves around throughout the night.
What’s a Mattress Topper, and When Should I Use One?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronA mattress topper is a thick layer of cushioning you can put on top of a mattress to make it softer or firmer. It's worth considering if your mattress is still in good condition but needs a little adjustment—check out our guide for recommendations.
How Often Should I Flip or Rotate My Mattress?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronIt depends on your mattress. Many modern mattresses actually shouldn’t be flipped because they’re designed with specific layers that need to stay in a particular order. Rotating a mattress 180 degrees from head to foot can help distribute wear, but not every mattress needs it. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for a suggested rotation and flipping schedule.
Do All Mattresses Work With an Adjustable Bed Frame?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronNo. A mattress needs to be flexible enough to bend safely with an adjustable base, and not every model is designed for that. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines before using a mattress on an adjustable base.
So, Now What?
Congratulations, if you made it to this part of this article, you’ve passed your mattress-type crash course. Hopefully it’s a bit less overwhelming to kick off your mattress research when you better understand what each product actually is. And to further your mattress education, we are actively testing beds to put into our mattress guides. These picks are not only what material works in what instance, but specific models we’ve tested that best exemplify what the material has to offer.
There is always the option to try these mattress types in person to better discern what the bounciness of latex feels like, or the pressure relief of memory foam. But if you aren't all for a field trip to the mattress store, online brands offer sleep trials so that you can comfortably try out their products without leaving your house. Now comes the next part of our course: becoming a mattress tester yourself!
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