Foam vs. Springs: Which Mattress Types Perform the Best?
The golden rule for mattresses is that they need to be replaced about every seven to eight years. Whether a consumer has met their eight-year mark or simply is unsatisfied with the mattress they have now, there are several factors to consider before making a final purchase. Your ultimate goal is to have a good night of sleep, so you wake up comfortable and well rested to start your next day.
Whether a consumer has met their eight-year mark or simply is unsatisfied with the mattress they have now, there are several factors to consider before making a final purchase. Your ultimate goal is to have a good night of sleep, so you wake up comfortable and well rested to start your next day.
America has come a long way since the days of sleeping on handmade straw mattresses and dirt floors instead of box springs. With so many different types of mattresses on the market today, including a wide range of mattresses sold exclusively online, it can be hard for a buyer to choose between an innerspring or memory foam mattress. Both types of mattresses come in a variety of styles and price ranges.
Though there isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, this article will serve as a guideline to help individuals in the market for a new mattress make an informed decision.
Spring Mattresses
Spring mattresses are the most commonly sold type of mattresses on the market today in America. Despite the critiques of memory foam mattress manufacturers, some spring mattresses can be quite comfortable. Today’s spring mattresses have springs (steel coil system) that are individually enclosed and more durable than ever before. They last a lot longer than older versions without losing form or poking through the top.
What consumers need to be conscious of is the spring count of the mattress. This is a huge factor in the overall comfort and support of the mattress. Those shopping for a new mattress should look for ones with at least four hundred springs. This is important because if the springs are arranged too far apart, the person sleeping on the mattress can sink in the gaps and have the springs create uncomfortable pressure points on their body.
A spring mattress will tend to be cooler than a memory foam mattress, depending on the mattress top. Some mattresses will have a thick layer of padding on top of the mattress built in or a buyer can purchase a mattress topper in addition, that they can put on and take off themselves. If the mattress doesn’t come with outer padding, then the owner probably won’t be sinking into the mattress, so there’s less heat retention from their body to the mattress. This could be a good or bad thing depending on if whoever is sleeping on it is more comfortable sleeping in a cooler environment.
Mobility may be an issue. A spring mattress is often a better choice for those who struggle to move around. For an older person with stiff joints and weak muscles, a memory foam mattress can be hard for them to get in and out of. A spring mattress can offer a more firm support that can make entering and getting up a little easier on those with mobility impairments.
Spring mattresses can start sagging after a year or two, so rotating or flipping the mattress is important to do.
Finally, the spring mattress offers more bounce or spring than a foam mattress, which may help when you want to get more intimate with your partner. The springs should make it easier and less of an intense aerobic workout, whereas the foam mattresses absorb movement.
Foam Mattresses
Though sleep should be a restful time, for some it isn’t. For those who share a bed with a partner that tosses and turns at night, bedtime can be a frustrating time. One of the benefits of a memory foam mattress is that it can absorb impact better than a spring mattress. One partner could be changing sleeping positions all night long without their partner ever knowing.
A memory foam mattress can be great for people that suffer from back pain. For individuals inside or not far outside normal weight ranges, the different layers and densities of foam used in making the mattress can help keep their spine in proper alignment and prevent further skeletal pain.
Also, if you have had surgery due to broken bones in your arm, leg, or hip and ended up with nuts and bolt inside of you, many say the foam mattress make you feel more comfortable.
The added warmth from having a surface that surrounds its user and insulate their body heat can be soothing to sore joints and muscles. For someone who is hot-natured though, this added heat could be counterproductive to their need for a comfortable night’s rest. In that case, look at the foam mattresses that have the “cooling gel infused layer”.
Heavier bodies may sink too much for comfort if they are using a memory foam mattress, causing their spine and hips to curve slightly as they sleep. A memory foam mattress may not be the best choice for someone who is very overweight.
A foam mattress does not need to be rotated or flipped, it will alway conform to your body nicely.
Finally, foam mattresses are much easier to purchase and take home or have shipped to your home. They can extract the air out of the mattress, vacuum seal it, and easily ship the mattress in a box. Or you can buy the mattress off the shelf at some of the big warehouse stores. The online foam mattress manufacturers are very generous with their trial period, several companies offer up to 100 days to try the mattress at your own home.
There are plenty of mattress review websites where you can narrow down your choices. My favorite is SleepDelivered.com, they cover mattresses sold only online. SleepLikeTheDead is another great site that covers all sources.
It’s important to test any mattress before committing. What feels good to the shopper after resting on it for a few minutes, may not feel so comfortable hours later.
There is no need to feel embarrassed about taking the time to test the mattress in a store. Some mattresses available in stores and online come with a limited time money back guarantee so you can test their product at home.
Good mattresses don’t come cheap, so it’s important the customer be satisfied with their purchase for years to come.