What's the difference between types of mattresses and how to choose the right one?

What's the difference between types of mattresses and how to choose the right one?

One mattress to rule them all?

Many websites wants to sell you only one model of mattress, claiming it is the one carefully picked for you, and that you don't need to look further! This is a very good marketing strategy, because it is easier to sell and promote only one product, and therefore more profitable. But is it what you really need? Here at Bed2Go, your virtual mattress store, you will find different types of mattresses because we are all different, and therefore, we have different needs. Shopping a new mattress can be very confusing so we will help you become an expert at understanding the differences.

 

Ok, so let's delve into the types of mattresses, and how they are made!

There is 2 main categories of mattresses, and many subcategories/hybrid types of those two. The first one, coil spring mattresses, which is the oldest type produced, and the most known and sold. Second, you have foam mattresses, which are getting more attention lately. Those have been selling also for a long time, but were less populars because of the higher tag price associated with it (if you wanted to have the same quality and comfort of a coil mattress).
 

There is also another category of mattresses; latex-based and full-latex mattresses. This category of mattresses is less known, even though they have been selling for almost a century now! Because those were expensive at the time, it was a niche market with very few consumers actively looking to buy those types of mattresses. But nowadays, latex is slowly becoming more popular as people are looking for more natural alternatives, and as the prices are getting more and more affordable. Latex last longer than regular foam (assuming it is 100% GOLS certified latex) but the material cost two to three times, and even more sometimes, the price of regular foam. But also since a mattress made of latex mattress typically last around two to three times longer than other types of mattresses, the investment will be worth it on the long-term.

Different variations and combinations of those types of mattresses exists. The most popular/sold is a mix of coils with various layers of foam on top. Those foam layers comes mainly in three finish style: "pillow-top", "euro-top", and "tight top". These are used to give different comforts. Usually, pillow-tops and euro-tops to get a semi-firm and plush feel, and tight-top firm and semi-firm feel.

 

Then you have all the various "hybrids", for example a mix of coils and latex or foam and latex, or even coils, foam and latex!

One of the most expensive part of the mattress is the foam part. That's why a lot of manufacturers/brands will cut corners in that area. Which will make the mattress sag and get body impressions very quickly. Even a pillow-top mattress or memory foam mattress with high quality foam will make body impressions after a few years. This is almost inevitable. 

Back in the 80's and 90's when mattresses sold were mostly firm coils and were flippable, only a small thickness of foam was used for comfort layers, so it was less expensive to make them using a high quality high density foam layer. That's the reason those were lasting up to 20 years with minimal sagging.

 

What is the difference between coils?

There is many different types of coils, but the most commons are the regular coils, also called Bonnell coils, continuous coils and individual pocket coils. Is there one better than the others? Technically yes, but no could be a good answer too! While pocket coils should be the best ones, it all depends on the quality.

Some Bonnell coils are so good they can be better than most of the pocket coils you can find on the market. But with a similar grade, pocket coils will give you a more adaptative support, but surprisingly, won't last longer. Continuous coils are the cheapest, and will often be found in low end mattresses.

Those are made from rolls of wire twisted to make a spring and held between each spring at at each turns. Once this type of coils begin to sag, it stays deformed and doesn't come back. Mattresses made with continuous coils are slowly disappearing from the market because even a cheaper foam mattress will hold better.

We at Bed2Go only sell good grades pocket coils mattresses.

 

Where do the materials used in mattresses come from?

Around half of the mattress sold in North America are 100% made from local materials. Around a quarter is imported from overseas and another quarter is made here, but have some or all of its materials imported also. Does made locally means quality? It has nothing to do with it. A cheap mattress could be made here, and a very good one could be imported.

That being said, various factors are at play here. Some imported goods don't have the rigorous standards we have in Canada and the United States, and because of the volume of importation it is impossible that they all be verified. But, buying 100% local helps the North American economy growth.

Here in North America we have factories that make foam, fabrics, and also coils! So we can make everything that is used in a mattress except the latex material since this material comes from Hevea trees. Because 100% natural latex needs to be molded on the site of extraction, it has to be imported. Hevea trees grow mainly in South America and Asia.

 

Now that I know all of this and that I'm a specialist in mattresses, which one is good for me?

 As we get older, or as we change, our needs change too. Maybe in the past you preferred a softer mattress and now you need a firmer one, or the opposite!

 As a rule of thumb, it is better to have a slightly firmer mattress than a too softer one! We can always make a firmer mattress softer but not the other way around. Also, we have to consider that any mattress except 100% latex ones (solely made with natural latex) will always soften a little over time.

If you have some lower back pain, in general, you should lean towards a firm to semi-firm mattress and if you have more shoulders and neck pain, you should lean towards a semi-firm to plush mattress.

If you sleep on your back or on your side, you will probably prefer a semi-firm mattress. If you sleep on your stomach, a firmer one. And on your back only, any type of mattress could work depending on your body weight and personal preference. Always remember that you need to have balance!

As you may presume, semi-firm mattresses are the ones who sell the most often, because they are the most versatile, especially when two people sleep together, since nobody likes the exact same comfort so it is a good compromise for the majority of sleepers.

Of course, this is not set in stone, but it's what we've been able observed over the years, having served tens of thousands of customers!

If you need any help on choosing the right product, don't forget that you can always contact us, 7 days a week!

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