Located in the base of the mattress, the support core is designed to provide spinal support and stabilize the mattress. If you're looking for a mattress that's more sustainable than most – and still scores highly on comfort – then the Hypnos Pillow Top Select mattress is our top choice. Latex mattress: As the name suggests, these mattresses are filled with latex foam, which is an especially breathable material, so you won’t overheat in the middle of the night. It’s also extremely durable and should last for many years. And it’s a good option for those with allergies or asthma. They can feel rather solid at first though, so they’re better suited to those who prefer a firmer bed. Usually heavy, latex mattresses can be difficult to turn and cheaper versions can develop lumps and dents over time. Primary Support Core: The primary support core is where most of the bed’s reinforcement comes from. Made of strong materials like steel coils, firm latex, or high-density polyfoam, the primary support core supplies a sturdy base to help promote healthy spinal alignment. Comfort System: The comfort system typically occupies between 2 and 4 inches of the mattress. Comfort layers can be made using a wide variety of materials, including memory foam, polyfoam, latex, microcoils, and natural fibers such as wool or cotton batting. The type of materials used in the comfort system directly relates to how firm the mattress will feel. The comfort layers should conform closely enough to relieve pressure points, without causing users to sink in too far and feel swallowed by the mattress.

Consider your body weight: Your body weight can also affect how well a mattress supports your body. Heavier people tend to need firmer mattresses to prevent sagging and provide adequate support, while lighter people may need softer mattresses that can contour to their body’s natural curves. Consider your body weight when selecting a mattress. The DreamCloud starts with a layer of polyfoam quilted into the bed’s cashmere-blend cover. A two-tiered comfort system follows, beginning with a layer of gel-infused memory foam that kept our bodies supported by modestly cradling heavier zones and pressure points. The next layer is made of polyfoam and has slightly less contouring and more bounce. Our testers noted this was a nice way to balance the memory foam’s conforming feel. TEMPUR mattresses contain a layer of high density base foam, ventilated cool foam and an extra layer of memory foam. These mattresses distribute your weight and pressure evenly by supporting your pressure points. There are several different types of support cores available on the market today. Foam and latex cores provide a firm and solid base. Innerspring and hybrid cores rely on steel springs, which flex to absorb the pressure as the sleeper moves around on the bed. Less common types of support cores include water bladders and air chambers, which may allow users to adjust the firmness of the support core. Support Core Measurements Once again referring to our table, you can see that a side sleeper under 130 pounds will need a mattress that's a lot softer than those who are under 230 pounds. And the reasoning is very simple – the heavier you are, the more pressure is exerted onto your mattress.

What is a memory foam mattress?

It also comes with a 60-night exchange, so if you decide it’s not quite right for you, you’re able to swap it for a different Silentnight model of your choice. The only real caveat to this mattress is that the edge support isn’t as good as it could be, so if you’re prone to rolling around a lot in the night, you might notice this. All in all, though, this an impressive budget mattress that will have you sleeping soundly. Silentnight Studio Eco mattress | Read our full review High-Density Foam Encasement: Some mattresses feature an additional foam encasement around the support core, which helps strengthen the mattress and the perimeter of the bed. Foam encasements are most common in innerspring, hybrid, and airbed mattresses.

As you can see in our table, side sleepers generally need a softer mattress than stomach sleepers. This is because when you sleep on your side, both your shoulder and your hip need to be accounted for. In other words, if the mattress is too firm, your spine will be put under stress as your midsection has to bend a little. Coil support cores are still very common and are mainly found in innerspring and hybrid mattresses. They are typically made of steel, which may be tempered for added strength and durability. Most mattresses made today fall into one of four categories: That said, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress is an investment. Compared to the ever-popularSimba Hybrid mattress at the top of our round-up– which benefits from regular discounts that can often see it reduced to half price – the Panda mattress is significantly more expensive, both at full RRP and, from our observations, during sale periods. And, whilst the Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress' 100-night sleep trial is more than generous, it is still beaten by Simba's current 200-night trial. Usually compressed and rolled into a box, there’s no need to “pivot!” like Ross and Rachel from Friends with one of these. Unravel the mattress and it will be ready to use within a few hours. They are usually made from foam or a hybrid between memory foam and springs. The mattress size you choose depends on the size of your bed. To avoid any gaps or overhang between your mattress and the frame, you should always opt for the exact same size mattress as your bed. For example, a small single bed will require a small single mattress. If you’re also upgrading your bed and are wondering what size to go for, we recommend choosing the largest bed size for your available space and budget. This will ensure you have plenty of space to get a good night’s sleep.

The type of mattress you choose is really all down to personal preference, as you will need to choose the size, Consider performance areas, as well. If you tend to sleep hot, a mattress constructed with breathable materials that promote airflow and resist heat retention will probably be the best options. If you tend to sleep near the edge of your bed, you may need a mattress with strong edge support as opposed to one that sags along the perimeter when pressure is applied. If you feel sharp pressure points along the spine, we recommend looking into mattresses that cushion and conform to the body. Couples who prefer bouncy mattresses for sex may want a more responsive model instead. An easy way to test this is to put a wooden board under your mattress to reduce motion from the bedsprings, or test out your mattress on the floor, to see if you prefer a firmer surface. Another option is to physically try out a number of different mattresses at a shop, of course. What may feel fantatsic for a few minutes in the shop might not be conducive to a restful night’s sleep once you get home, so keep that in mind. We test temperature regulation by placing a heating element on the mattress for an extended period of time, and then using a heat gun to measure how much heat (°F) the mattress retains over 5 minutes. The graph below shows how the Bear Elite Hybrid performed compared to the rest of the beds we’ve tested.

Depending on the materials used in the support core, a mattress may be more or less supportive, and it may offer advantages such as better airflow, stronger edge support, or less motion transfer. Transitional Layer(s): Transitional layers rest between the comfort layers and the support core and prevent the sleeper from sinking straight onto the support core. Transitional layers are typically made from materials such as high-density polyfoam, latex, or microcoils.Historically, most mattresses were constructed using a coil support core. The coils are designed to flex when pressure is added and return almost immediately to their original shape when pressure is lifted. As a result, coil support cores generally offer decent ease of movement with a somewhat bouncy feel. With three firmness options and a well-rounded design, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is one of the most versatile hybrid mattresses we’ve tested. We found the bed’s cooling features made it a strong fit for sleepers who tend to run hot at night. Soft mattresses are best for those who sleep on their side. This is because a soft mattress is the best mattress for cushioning and side sleepers have the most vulnerable pressure points, for example, their hips.