Castlery | Jun 27, 2023
When it comes to choosing the perfect mattress, your options are endless. While this means you have more to choose from, you’re also faced with a challenge - which exactly should you pick?
Foam mattresses and spring mattresses dominate the market and offer distinct features that can greatly impact your sleep quality.
To ensure you have a restful sleep in bed every night, we dive deeper into each mattress type and explore which one is better suited for your needs.
Spring mattresses, also known as innerspring mattresses, have been around for decades and are widely recognised for their traditional bounce and support. They consist of a core of metal springs that are typically made from steel and provide the primary support for the mattress.
Spring mattresses like the Alber Mattress often have additional pillow tops to provide extra comfort.
To ensure the spring system remains comfortable, it is usually topped with various layers like fibre and foam to enhance the cushioning.
Also known as pocketed coil, pocket spring mattresses are more technologically advanced compared to other spring mattresses.
As each coil is individually wrapped and encased in fabric pockets, they operate independently, allowing for excellent motion isolation, targeted support, and contours to the body's curves.
As a result, pocket spring mattresses have become a preferred choice for their ability to deliver a more customised and isolated sleep experience. On the downside, this also makes them the most expensive option in the spring mattress category.
Bonnell spring mattresses are one of the most common and affordable options. They feature an interconnected coil system where the springs are shaped like an hourglass. These mattresses provide a firm and bouncy feel, making them suitable for individuals who prefer a traditional sleep surface with a responsive feel.
Continuous coil mattresses have a single wire that runs throughout the mattress to create continuous S-shaped coil patterns. This design provides consistent support and durability. While they may not offer the same level of motion isolation as pocket spring mattresses, continuous coil mattresses are generally more affordable and still provide adequate support.
Similar to Bonnell springs, offset coil mattresses feature an hourglass-shaped coil design where each coil is hinged together with helical wires. This design allows for better contouring of the body's curves and helps distribute weight evenly, providing enhanced support and reducing pressure points.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Provides sturdy support and firmness | Transmits movement across the mattress easily |
A responsive surface with a slight bounce | Coils may lose their resilience and support after prolonged use, leading to sagging and unevenness |
The open structure of the spring coils allows for improved breathability | The springs can produce noise or creaking sounds when there is movement |
Generally more budget-friendly than foam mattresses | May create pressure points during sleep that can cause discomfort |
Even though foam mattresses were invented long after spring mattresses, they have gained immense popularity over time. Made from layers of foam, they help to contour the body, providing excellent support and pressure relief.
You’ve probably heard of memory foam mattresses, and maybe even owned one before. They are the most popular option in the foam mattress category due to their exceptional pressure-relieving properties and ability to conform to the body’s contours.
Made from viscoelastic foam, the foam moulds to the body’s shape in response to heat and pressure. Memory foam also excels in motion isolation, meaning they absorb and minimise the transfer of movement across the mattress.
Polyurethane foam mattresses, also known as polyfoam mattresses, are made from high-density polyurethane foam and are extremely common in the market. They offer a balance of comfort and support while being more affordable compared to memory foam or latex foam mattresses.
Latex foam mattresses are constructed using either natural or synthetic latex foam. Natural latex foam is made from the sap of rubber trees, which is naturally hypoallergenic and chemical-free. Synthetic latex, on the other hand, is produced using chemical compounds that mimic the properties of natural latex.
Latex foam mattresses offer a responsive and buoyant sleep surface while providing good support and pressure relief. Latex foam is also known for its natural breathability and durability, making it a popular choice among eco-conscious consumers.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Distributes body weight evenly and reduces pressure points | Higher tendency to retain heat |
Absorbs and minimises motion transfer | Temporary odour, known as off-gassing, may be off-putting to some |
Naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to common allergens | Lacks immediate bounce and responsiveness |
Provides personalised support by conforming to the body's shape | Generally more expensive than spring mattresses |
Depending on your sleeping position, some mattresses can provide better support than others. Picture credits: @samandmonica
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding between the two mattresses is your sleeping position. Everyone sleeps in a different way, and each type of mattress can provide you with individualised support.
If you’re a back sleeper, you have it easier as you can choose from both foam and spring mattresses! It then all comes down to your personal preferences when deciding between the two.
Body weight is another factor to keep in mind because it directly affects how the mattress will feel and perform in terms of support and comfort.
The Cornell Mattress features premium supportive foam, a luxurious organic cooling top, and double pocket springs for extra comfort.
Aside from choosing a cooling bed sheet, picking a temperature-regulating mattress can definitely help to beat the heat - especially in Singapore’s hot and humid weather.
If you share a bed, choose a mattress that absorbs motion for undisrupted sleep. Picture credits: @abbie.ensign
If you share the bed with your partner, kids, or pets, you probably wouldn’t want to wake up every single time they move in their sleep or get out of bed.
If you suffer from backaches, selecting the right mattress is crucial to promote proper spinal alignment, alleviate pressure points, and provide adequate support.
Choosing between a foam mattress and a spring mattress is a personal decision that depends on several factors like your specific sleep positions, body type, and motion isolation.
Choose a foam mattress if you’re a light and side sleeper who shares the bed with your partner, pet, or child. Foam mattresses help to absorb movement, providing you with undisturbed rest and adequate support for your shoulders and hips.
Spring mattresses are great for hot sleepers or those with back pain as they help regulate heat and provide excellent support for the spine.
Ultimately, consider your individual needs and priorities to find the mattress that will provide you with the best sleep experience and ensure restful nights for years to come.