Trouble sleeping – How to select a mattress

When it comes to buying a mattress you need to be aware that there is no such thing as a "best mattress" or a "perfect sleep" mattress. Ultimately, different mattress types will suit different people, different sleeping positions and different body shapes (and sizes). You will of course come across orthopedic mattresses and wellbeing beds which are generally the top quality beds of any given manufacturer.

Some people like the bouncy feel of springs whilst others prefer the contouring and shaping feel of materials like visco elastic memory foam.

So how do you find out which is the best type of mattress for you?

Well if you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, this would suggests that you are using a mattress that is either, past its best, or that does not suit you or sleeping style. In either case you need to replace your current mattress.

What are the options?

When it comes to mattress design, materials and construction you will never be short on choice. In fact you may feel that there are too many different options and these alternatives can be confusing. However, despite what sometimes appears to be a multitude of different designs and different claims, there are ultimately three real options. These options are –

• Springs (open coil and pocket)

Foams (memory latex, standard etc)

• A composite of both springs and one or more foams (any of the above)

Based on this it is easy to see that there are actually two main types of mattress construction, namely springs or coils of wire, and different foams. When these two options are combined into a single mattress you get a composite, combination or mixed construction mattress. The idea behind the combi mattress is to mix the best characteristics of both springs and foams.

Spring based mattresses

Spring mattresses are the traditional tried and tested mattress construction. Their coiled springs have what is called a "spring count", i.e. the number of springs in the mattress. Higher spring counts have a larger number of springs and this produces a more cushioning and better performing sleeping surface. Low spring count mattresses are cheaper and do not last as long.

All spring based mattresses can have either a firm or a soft and bouncy feel. If you want a mattress to have some "bounce" i.e. to respond to your movements, then springs are probably your choice.

Foam based mattresses

Foam mattresses are very different to spring mattresses, both in their construction and their sleeping characteristics. Foams come in a number of forms ranging from standard foam to Latex and the popular visco elastic memory foam. Unlike spring based beds foams do not have a spring count, however quality is indicated by the density of the foam, i.e. the denser the better.

Foam mattresses can also have a composite construction that sees them made up of differing layers of foam, each with a different density. The idea is to use different densities to bestow different sleeping properties.

Unlike springs, foams do not have a bouncy (or spring) property. They mould and shape themselves around the person lying on them and this gives them an unusual feel. Many people find this "sinking in" sensation very relaxing, however others do not like it.

Making the choice

Choosing which option you prefer will be based on your own personal preferences. Much of the current research suggests that the shaping and moulding foams are better for back support, but this is not always born out by people who buy them. However, if you want this kind of mattress, then visco elastic memory foam or Latex would be the best choices.

If you like a springy reactive mattress, then spring will be the only answer. You can have a firm or soft bed and mattresses with a high spring count will not have a wave effect on any sleeping partner.

If you are unsure of which mattress type to select, or if you like the idea of the moulding properties of foam, but mixed with some of the springiness from springs, then think about a composite mattress. This option will have a thick mattress where the lower level is constructed of springs that have a top "body contouring" layer (or multiple layers) of foam.

If you are still not happy with these options, then there are a couple more alternatives to consider. The first is a water bed and the second is a mattress that has a layer of gel. Gel has a cool feel, but it also shapes and moulds like foam.