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Choosing the right mattress helps to ensure high-quality sleep which is important for your health and well-being. The right mattress will support your body, help you regulate your temperature, and reduce disturbances caused by motion transfer. In contrast, the wrong mattress will lead to poor spinal alignment, discomfort, and restless sleep. In this article, an expert from Canada’s top sleep site Slumber.ca shares details on different types of mattress and which mattress may suit you best based on your sleeping preferences. We also share where to find more information and expert recommendaSleeptions on the best mattresses in Canada.

Mattress types

There are four main types of mattresses which are foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses. Each of these mattresses has pros and cons that it is good to be aware of when choosing a new mattress.

Foam mattresses

Modern foam mattresses are generally constructed with different layers of foam that may include, for example, memory foam, polyurethane foam, and gel foam. They are known for providing excellent pressure relief thanks to their body-contouring properties that help your body weight to distribute evenly. Another benefit of foam mattresses is that they often have excellent motion isolation. This means very little motion is transferred across the mattress, making them an ideal choice for couples.

When foam mattresses first came out, one of the problems was they retained heat so you would wake up hot and sweaty. However, most modern foam mattresses incorporate cooling technologies to improve airflow so if you sleep hot, look for features such as cooling gel in the top foam layers.

Latex mattresses

Latex mattresses, whether they are made with natural or synthetic latex, have a responsive and buoyant feel. Similarly to foam mattresses, they contour the body and provide great support. However, they do this without making you feel like you are sinking into the mattress which some people experience with foam mattresses.

Latex has many properties that make it ideal for mattresses. It is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and dust mites. It is also a naturally cooling material, wicking away heat rather

than retaining it. Latex, especially organic latex, is an eco-conscious option as it is a sustainable material. In addition, mattresses made with latex are very durable and will often outlast other types of mattresses. However, all these great qualities come at a cost and latex mattresses are usually more expensive than other types of mattresses.

Innerspring mattresses

The first innerspring mattresses were made in the early 1800s and they quickly became very popular despite lacking motion isolation and support. Their design was significantly improved when a German mattress maker thought to put the coils in individual pockets in 1865. Today, pocketed coil spring mattresses are the standard type of innerspring mattresses.

Innerspring mattresses are breathable and sleep cooler which makes them ideal for people who often sleep hot. The metal coils in the core provide bounce and support and a firmer feel than other types of mattresses. However, they often lack contouring properties which can lead to pressure points forming. To combat this, newer models often come with a pillow-top layer for extra comfort. In addition, the coils are often arranged in ergonomic zones for better spinal alignment and support.

Hybrid mattresses

People have always been looking for ways to improve their quality of sleep and one of the latest innovations is the hybrid mattress that brings together the best qualities of innerspring and foam mattresses. A hybrid mattress has an innerspring core and foam on top. How exactly these coil and foam layers are combined depends on the mattress manufacturer, but often the foam layers combine different types of foam for added comfort and cooling properties.

In a hybrid mattress, the foam layers on the top provide contouring and pressure relief, while the layer of coils offers edge support and responsiveness. These combined qualities make hybrid mattresses suitable for various body types and sleeping positions with various firmness levels available depending on the type of foam and coils used. However, hybrid mattresses may not offer as good motion isolation as foam or as good airflow as innerspring. They are also often more expensive than foam or innerspring mattresses and can be quite heavy which makes them more difficult to move.

Where to find more information

Because choosing your next mattress is an important decision, it is worth taking your time to research what is available in Canada. Reading expert written reviews and recommendations is always a good place to start.

Slumber.ca is a Canadian site focused on helping Canadians sleep better. The website includes reviews and mattress comparisons on a wide range of mattresses such as this article on the best mattresses in Canada that includes categories such as best hybrid, best all foam, and best for pressure relief.

Which mattress type should you choose?

A hybrid mattress on a bed frame. Credit: Slumber.ca

Side sleepers need a mattress that provides pressure relief for hips and shoulders and supports spinal alignment. Soft to medium-firm mattresses such as foam or hybrid are ideal for most side sleepers.

Back sleepers need a firmer mattress than side sleepers. Latex and innerspring mattresses offer support for back sleepers without sagging. Hybrid and foam mattresses can also provide enough support to maintain the natural curve in the spine as long as the foam is not too soft which will lead to heavier parts of the body sinking too deep.

Stomach sleepers also need a firmer mattress to prevent hips from sinking into the mattress. When the hips are supported, the spine stays aligned preventing aches and pains caused by unnatural curvature.

Couples should look for a mattress that reduces motion transfer. Latex and foam mattresses tend to offer the best motion isolation. Hybrids can have good motion isolation depending on the type of foam and how the coils are arranged.

Hot sleepers need to look for mattresses with good airflow so that heat is released rather than retained. Mattresses with coils have better airflow and latex is naturally cooling. If you sleep hot and prefer a foam mattress, choose one with effective cooling technologies.