The Best Mattress Types for Every Wink, Nod, and Snooze

Consistent, quality sleep is a must for anyone trying to prioritize their health. After all, getting proper shut-eye can be beneficial for mood and mental health, cognitive functioning, and metabolic health. Marschall S. Runge, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs at the University of Michigan, says the mattress you get that sleep on can determine how easy (or seemingly impossible) it is to get true rest.

“Different mattress types provide different attributes which can influence overall sleep quality,” he says. “Mattress choice can affect sleep quality by offering the right balance of support and comfort, reducing pain, improving spinal alignment, and keeping the body cool. Without optimizing these, sleep quality suffers, and one can even have sleep disturbances.”

The best mattress types are the ones that support your unique sleeping position and preferences. Everyone is different. To help you navigate the difficult, confusing, and high-stakes world of mattress shopping, we’ve broken down the most common types and who they’re best suited for.

The Most Common Mattress Types You Need to Know About

Before you succumb to the marketing hype of the latest viral bed-in-a-box, educate yourself on the four most common mattress types—and what you can expect from each.

Innerspring

Design: Catherine Clark

Innerspring mattresses use a coil system as their main source of support, topped with a layer of padding or foam for additional cushioning (though how much is used varies by brand). Dr. Runge says the coils promote more airflow than other mattress types, which may keep you cooler throughout the night. While back and stomach sleepers will likely find comfort in the support of the springy coil structure, he cautions that these mattresses may not offer enough support for people seeking pressure relief.

“Innerspring mattresses don’t conform to the body as closely,” he says. “That can mean there is not as good pressure relief for those who have pressure-related discomfort, like a painful hip.”

Some innerspring mattresses we think are worth considering: