The right mattress can make all the difference when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, staying healthy, and alleviating sleep-related issues such as snoring, tossing and turning, and a variety of aches and pains. Unfortunately, when it comes to shopping for a new mattress, many people feel intimidated and even discouraged by the number of choices that are available. What’s the difference between a memory foam mattress and an innerspring? What exactly is a hybrid mattress? Is one better than another? These are just a few of the questions that people often ask.
At America’s Mattress, we understand that choosing the right mattress is a big decision. It’s an investment in your health and happiness that you will live with for many years. That’s why we feel it’s important to provide our customers with as much guidance and information as possible so they can make their choice with confidence.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your choices or you’re just not sure where to start, the first thing you can do is take our sleep simple quiz. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a better idea of what type of mattress is best for you.
Take Our Sleep Simple Discovery System Quiz
There are several things to consider when you’re shopping for a new mattress. Many people like to focus on the firmness of the mattress, but fail to consider other important factors such as sleeping position, current sleep issues, and whether or not you sleep alone or with a partner. Taking all of these variables into consideration when making your decision will help ensure that the mattress you choose will give you the most consistently comfortable, relaxing sleep for many years to come.
To assist you in your quest to find the right mattress, America’s Mattress has put together a handful of questions for you to answer. We call it our “sleep simple discovery quiz”. It only takes a minute, and when you’re done, we’ll send you an email with the results so you can be one step closer to finding that perfect mattress.
Find Your Perfect Mattress
What To Do With The Results of Your Quiz
Hopefully you found our quiz to be quick and easy, and most of all — helpful! After completing the quiz, you should have received your results and personalized recommendation explaining which mattress is right for you. If you need to look at your results again, check the email address that you provided — you should have an email from America’s Mattress that contains the results of your sleep quiz.
With your mattress recommendation in hand, you can start to narrow down your search as you shop our website. Or, if you would like further help and recommendations, or would like to see our mattresses in person, simply stop by one of our convenient locations in Fort Collins or Greeley.
If you want to learn more about your mattress recommendation or you’re the type of person that likes to do plenty of research before making an important purchase, we can help with that too. Below, you’ll find information on different types of mattresses, as well as a more in-depth explanation on why some are better than others for specific needs.
Types of Mattresses
You’ll notice that your mattress quiz will make a recommendation on the type of mattress we think will suit you best. You may see suggestions like “innerspring” or “hybrid”. Although you can just search for mattresses with those descriptions, it helps to have a basic understanding of how different types of mattress compare in features and construction. See our handy guide below, or keep reading for a more in-depth review of mattress types.
Innerspring Mattress
What is an Innerspring Mattress?
Innerspring mattresses have been around for over 100 years. They consist of a support system made from steel coils. These coils are what is used to support and absorb the weight of a resting body. They can either be linked together in one single unit, or individually-wrapped. When wrapped individually, the metal springs are often referred to as pocketed coils.
Many of today’s innerspring mattresses use pocketed coil technology. This offers a significant benefit over the traditional, open coil system. When you have springs that are all connected as one unit, they tend to react as one when any pressure is applied. Or, in other words, when you move, your partner feels it. With pocketed coils, the pressure that is applied by your body is absorbed by individual springs, minimizing movement to just those coils around you.
Pros and Cons
Innerspring mattresses are made using time-tested technology that has been continuously improved over the years. They are highly durable and will last for many years before the springs start to lose their tension. Compared to a foam or hybrid mattress, an innerspring mattress may offer better ventilation which is important for helping to stay cool during the night. However, there have also been several advances in foam and gel cooling technology that allow people who prefer these types of mattresses to sleep cooler at night.
While some Innerspring mattresses can be friendlier to your budget, when it comes to your health and wellness, you should make sure that you’re not choosing a mattress based on price alone. For instance, for those who suffer from back or joint pain, an innerspring mattress may not be the best option.
Keep in mind that many mattresses, even when classified as an innerspring, often contain additional fabric, foam, or other desirable features that strive to offer customers the best of everything and the perfect fit for their needs.
Memory Foam Mattress
What Is a Memory Foam Mattress?
Memory foam mattresses are some of the newest and most popular types of mattresses purchased today. Unlike traditional innerspring mattresses, those made out of memory foam provide support using a dense polymer known as polyurethane. Originally developed by NASA, it is now used to provide cushioning comfort in a wide range of items including mattresses, pillows, seat cushions, and even pet beds!
Memory foam mattresses are often made out of multiple layers of different types of foam, with each layer serving a different purpose. For instance, the Air Support™ Foam used in our iComfort memory foam mattress is there to provide optimum cushioning that contours to your body, alleviating aches and pains caused by pressure points. In the same mattress, you’ll also find a layer of Carbon Fiber memory foam that is used to channel excess heat aways from your body.
Pros and Cons
For many people, one of the biggest advantages to having a memory foam mattress is the comfortable, pain-relieving support it provides. Memory foam is both soft and conforming to your body, while also providing the support you need to keep your back and joints pain-free. Compared to an innerspring mattress, memory foam mattresses can be quite heavy to move, and if you’ve never had a memory foam mattress, they can take some time getting used to. Although they have a reputation for retaining body heat and causing night sweats, many current models have been engineered with cooling technology to allow for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Another benefit of memory foam is that they tend to house fewer allergens than other types of mattresses. For instance, in an innerspring, dust, mold, and dust mites can find their way into your mattress. With a memory foam mattress, however, the dense foam structure often prevents allergens from entering and accumulating. Unfortunately, it isn’t waterproof so if you spill something on your mattress, it can be difficult to clean. You can easily remedy this problem by investing in a good-quality waterproof mattress protector.
Hybrid Mattress
What Is a Hybrid Mattress?
If you’re looking for the best features of an innerspring mattress and a memory foam mattress all rolled into one, then chances are you may be interested in a hybrid mattress. These multi-layer mattresses often contain several layers of memory foam or gel foam on top of a traditional innerspring system. Although some innerspring mattresses may already incorporate a layer of foam for enhanced comfort, hybrids tend to have thicker foam and lack the signature tufted fabric top that is often associated with an innerspring mattress.
Pros and Cons
People have been sleeping on innerspring mattresses for decades, but many are making the switch to the comforting support of memory foam. When it comes to choosing the right mattress for you, there’s one thing for sure — everyone is different and has unique needs — so what works for one person or seems to be the most popular choice, may not be the best for you.
Despite their popularity, memory foam mattresses are not for everyone, and neither are innerspring mattresses — and that’s where a hybrid mattress comes in. The biggest reason for choosing a hybrid is that they provide the dense cushioning many enjoy from a memory foam mattress with the bounce of an innerspring. Don’t care so much about the bounce? What about support around the edges? Memory foam beds tend to lack structural integrity around the edges — just sit on the corner of a memory foam mattress and then compare that to sitting on the corner of an innerspring and you’ll see a considerable difference. With a hybrid, you’ll get more of the structural support you desire without actually feeling the springs.
Because hybrids use a combination of materials and are engineered to offer the best of everything, they can cost a little more than other mattresses. However, it’s hard to put a price on consistently great sleep, so it’s well-worth spending a few extra dollars if it means you’ll get the sleep you need to stay healthy.
Sleep Better With a New Mattress
The Right Bed For Your Needs
Now that you have a basic understanding of the different types of mattresses, let’s discuss what may influence you to purchase one over the other. When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, there are several things that could be influencing whether or not you sleep like a log or toss and turn all night. If your goal is to wake up feeling completely recharged and refreshed without any nagging aches and pains, here are some things to think about.
Sleeping Position
It’s important to consider your preferred sleeping position because you’ll require different forms of support depending on whether you sleep on your back or your stomach. Of course there are those who tend to change positions throughout the night, but for purposes of finding the best mattress, you should consider the sleeping position you’re in most often.
Stomach Sleepers
People who sleep on their stomach usually require the most support to prevent back and neck pain. Therefore, you should look for one that is on the firm end of the scale and avoid really soft pillow-top types of mattresses.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers also need support, but they need enough cushioning to keep the natural curved shape of the spine. To achieve this, a mattress in the medium to medium-firm range is ideal.
Side Sleepers
People who tend to sleep on their side don’t want a firm mattress that creates pressure points on their hips and shoulders. Instead, a soft (plush) to medium mattress is what they need in order for the spine to be in the correct position.
Temperature
Are you the type of person who throws off their sheets and blankets and sleeps with air conditioning on? Or, do you snuggle into your big, fuzzy blankets so you can stay warm and cozy all night? People have a wide range of comfort levels when it comes to sleeping temperature, and if you tend to find yourself at one extreme or another, you’ll want to consider how your new bed could contribute to your sleeping comfort.
For instance, if you tend to sleep hot, you’ll want to either choose an innerspring mattress or a foam or hybrid mattress that is specially designed with cooling features. In the past, hot sleepers tended to avoid foam mattresses altogether — and you may too — but if a foam or hybrid mattress appeals to you, make sure to get one that incorporates cooling fabrics and gel to help you maintain an optimum body temperature.
Pain or Injury
If you suffer from chronic back, neck or joint pain, have been injured, or deal with degenerative joint conditions such as arthritis, you should seriously consider how your mattress can influence your sleep. For those with frequent or ongoing aches and pains, a foam or hybrid mattress tends to be the better choice.
You’ll want to avoid a mattress that is extremely soft or hard. Ir should provide comfort to your joints while also keeping your spine properly aligned. At America’s Mattress, we suggest stopping into one of our stores to try out some of our mattresses in person. Oftentimes, people with pain or joint issues can tell right away if a particular mattress isn’t going to work for them. When it comes down to it you should probably stick with a mattress that is in the medium to firm range, but whatever feels good is ultimately what you should get.
Find a Wide Range of Mattresses at America’s Mattress in Fort Collins and Greeley
If you’re looking for a large selection of quality innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses all in one location, we encourage you to shop local and stop by America’s Mattress. If you’re unsure of what kind of mattress to get, take our simple sleep discovery quiz or stop by one of our Front Range stores to get your personalized sleep assessment using our Sleep Theater Discovery System. Of course, you can always speak with one of our knowledgeable staff who can answer any of your questions and help you find the perfect mattress for your needs.
When you shop America’s Mattress, you are not only showing your support for local business, but you’ll also be able to rest easy in your choice knowing that we have a 120-day sleep guarantee. This, combined with our price-match guarantee means you won’t find a better mattress anywhere else.
Take the stress out of buying a new mattress. Visit our website to browse our selection or stop by our Fort Collins or Greeley store today and find the right mattress, and the right price, in less time. Shop America’s Mattress today!