What Are the Different Types of Mattresses? A Complete Guide

Shopping for a new mattress? With so many options available, understanding the different types of mattresses is one of the best places to start.

From traditional innerspring designs to contouring foam and innovative hybrids, each mattress type offers a different combination of comfort, support and sleep technology.

But here's something worth knowing: the type of mattress you choose is only part of the equation. Firmness, pressure relief, motion isolation and cooling technology can all influence how a mattress feels and performs.

In this guide, we'll explore the main types of mattresses, explain their key differences and help you understand which features matter most for your sleeping habits.

And when you're ready to narrow down your choices, Sleep Country's Mattress Finder can help you discover options matched to your preferences.

Ready to find your match? Try Our Mattress Finder

What Are the Main Types of Mattresses?

While there are many mattress materials and technologies, most mattresses fall into three main categories based on how they're constructed.

Innerspring Mattresses

Built around a support system of metal coils, innerspring mattresses offer a familiar feel with varying levels of cushioning and responsiveness.

Modern innerspring mattresses often feature pocket coils, additional comfort layers and targeted support systems.

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses use layers of foam for both comfort and support, without relying on a traditional metal coil system.

Depending on their design, they can offer a gentle contouring sensation, excellent motion isolation and a wide range of comfort levels.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine a coil-based support system with foam or other comfort materials to provide a balance of cushioning, responsiveness and support.

They offer an alternative for sleepers who enjoy the characteristics of both foam and spring-based designs.

So, Which Is Best?

There isn't one mattress type that's right for everyone.

A foam mattress might be ideal for someone who enjoys close-contouring comfort, while an innerspring mattress may appeal to someone who prefers a more traditional feel. Hybrid designs can offer another balance of these characteristics.

The best choice depends on your individual sleep preferences.

Innerspring Mattresses: Traditional and Pocket Coil

Innerspring mattresses are among the most established mattress designs.

Their defining feature is an internal coil system that provides the primary support structure.

However, not all coil mattresses are built the same way.

Traditional Innerspring Mattresses

Traditional innerspring mattresses use connected metal coils to support the body.

One example is a continuous coil system, in which sections of wire form an interconnected support structure.

These mattresses typically offer a familiar, responsive feel, with performance influenced by the coil design and comfort layers above it.

Because the coils are connected, movement may transfer more easily across the mattress compared with designs using individually wrapped coils.

What to consider:

• Traditional spring-based support
• A responsive sleeping surface
• Construction and comfort layers that affect firmness
• The possibility of greater motion transfer

Pocket Coil Mattresses

Pocket coil mattresses use individual springs wrapped in fabric pockets.

Unlike interconnected coil systems, these springs can move more independently, allowing different parts of the mattress to respond to pressure.

This construction can improve body contouring and reduce the amount of movement transferred across the sleep surface.

Pocket coil mattresses may also incorporate zoned support, reinforced edges and comfort layers designed to provide additional cushioning.

What to consider:

• Individually wrapped coils
• More independent response to movement
• Potentially improved motion isolation
• Different levels of firmness and pressure relief
• Zoned lumbar support and reinforced edges on select models

Does Coil Count Matter?

You may notice mattress descriptions featuring hundreds or even thousands of coils.

Coil count refers to the number of springs within the mattress, typically measured using a specific mattress size.

However, more coils don't automatically mean a better mattress.

Coil design, spring quality, arrangement, zoning and the materials surrounding the support system also influence performance.

For example, some mattresses use multiple layers of coils or specialized arrangements to deliver different support characteristics.

The important question isn't simply how many coils a mattress contains, but how its complete construction supports your body.

Mattresses to explore: Kingsdown, Beautyrest and Serta Perfect Sleeper collections include pocket coil designs with different comfort levels and support characteristics.

Foam and Memory Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses use different layers of foam to create a supportive sleeping surface.

Unlike innerspring mattresses, they don't require a traditional metal spring core.

Their construction can include a combination of comfort, transition and support foams, each designed to serve a different purpose.

What Is a Memory Foam Mattress?

Memory foam is a material known for its ability to respond to body weight and pressure.

Traditional memory foam gradually contours around the body, creating a cradling sensation that many sleepers find comfortable.

This close-contouring behaviour can help distribute pressure across the sleep surface, particularly around areas such as the shoulders and hips.

However, not every foam mattress feels the same.

Different foam formulations and layer designs can produce anything from plush, enveloping comfort to a firmer, more supportive sensation.

Benefits of Foam Mattresses

• Pressure relief: Comfort foams can help distribute body weight and reduce concentrated pressure in areas that press into the mattress.
• Motion isolation: Foam often absorbs movement effectively, helping limit how much motion travels from one side of the mattress to the other.
• Variety of comfort levels: Foam mattresses are available in different firmness levels, making them suitable for a range of preferences.
• Temperature-management options: Modern foam mattresses may incorporate cooling covers, ventilation or specialized foam technologies designed to help manage heat.

What Should You Consider?

Some foam constructions offer less reinforced edge support than coil-based designs.

The sensation can also vary significantly, from a slow-response, sinking feel to a firmer surface with less contouring.

And while some traditional foams may retain heat, modern foam mattresses can include technologies specifically designed for temperature regulation and cooling.

Mattresses to explore: Bloom, TEMPUR-Pedic, Serta iCool Eco and Sealy foam collections offer different approaches to comfort, support and temperature management.

Hybrid Mattresses: Combining Foam and Coils

What if you like the pressure-relieving comfort of foam but also want the response of a coil support system?

That's where hybrid mattresses come in.

A hybrid mattress combines different support and comfort technologies, typically using a coil system with foam layers above it.

The result is a mattress designed to bring together characteristics of both construction types.

How Do Hybrid Mattresses Work?

The coil system provides a support structure, while the upper comfort layers help cushion and contour around the body.

Depending on the design, hybrid mattresses may offer:

• Responsive support
• Contouring pressure relief
• Reduced motion transfer
• Reinforced edge support
• Cooling or temperature-regulating materials

However, not all hybrids feel alike.

A plush hybrid may provide deeper cushioning, while a firm hybrid can deliver a more structured sleep surface.

Some hybrids place greater emphasis on cooling, while others prioritize support or pressure relief.

Are Hybrid Mattresses Better Than Foam or Innerspring?

Not necessarily.

Hybrid mattresses offer a different balance of characteristics, but that doesn't automatically make them the best choice for every sleeper.

Someone who prefers deep, slow-contouring comfort might enjoy an all-foam mattress more.

Someone who prefers a traditional spring-based sensation may gravitate toward an innerspring model.

A hybrid can be an excellent option when you're looking for a combination of these features.

Mattresses to explore: Casper, Hush and Simba hybrid collections offer different comfort levels, support constructions and temperature-management features.

Understanding Mattress Top Styles

When exploring mattress types, you may also encounter terms like pillow top, Euro top, tight top and smooth top.

These describe how the upper portion of a mattress is constructed.

They're important to understand, but they aren't separate mattress types.

Pillow Top Mattresses

A pillow top features an additional cushioning layer attached to the surface of the mattress.

This layer is typically designed to provide a softer, more cushioned initial feel.

However, the comfort ultimately depends on the materials used and the support system beneath them.

Euro Top Mattresses

A Euro top incorporates additional cushioning into a design that sits more flush with the mattress edges.

This creates a more integrated appearance compared with a traditional pillow top.

Euro tops can be found in various comfort levels and aren't necessarily plush.

Tight Top Mattresses

A tight top has a more integrated, closely fitted surface without a visibly separate pillow-top layer.

Tight tops are often associated with firmer mattress styles, although the actual feel depends on the comfort materials and internal support system.

Smooth Top Mattresses

Smooth top mattresses have a relatively flat, streamlined surface.

This construction is commonly found in foam and hybrid designs, where the primary comfort comes from the layers beneath the cover.

Remember: A mattress's top style affects its feel and appearance, but it doesn't tell you everything about its firmness or support.

Comparing the Different Types of Mattresses

Here's a quick overview of how the three main mattress categories differ.

These are general construction characteristics, not guaranteed performance ratings. Individual mattresses can perform differently depending on their materials and design.

Still deciding? Take the Mattress Finder Quiz to help narrow down your options.

How to Choose a Mattress Based on Your Sleep Needs

Now that you understand the main mattress types, the next step is determining which characteristics matter most to you.

Your sleeping position, comfort preferences and whether you share your bed can all influence your decision.

Your Sleeping Position

Side sleepers

Sleeping on your side concentrates more pressure around the shoulders and hips.

A mattress with suitable cushioning and pressure relief can help those areas settle comfortably while maintaining support.

Plush and medium comfort levels may be worth exploring, although the ideal firmness depends on your body and personal preferences.

Back sleepers

Back sleepers often benefit from a mattress that supports the natural curves of the body without allowing excessive sinking.

Medium and medium-firm mattresses can be useful starting points, but other firmness levels may be appropriate depending on individual needs.

Stomach sleepers

When sleeping on your stomach, excessive sinking around the midsection can affect comfort and alignment.

A firmer support surface may be preferable for some stomach sleepers.

Combination sleepers

If you change positions throughout the night, look for a mattress that provides comfortable support across multiple positions.

The right choice may depend on which sleeping position you use most often and whether you prefer a responsive or contouring feel.

Your Preferred Comfort Level

Comfort is personal.

At Sleep Country, mattresses are available across a range of comfort categories and firmness levels, from plush to extra firm.

A plush mattress offers more cushioning, while a firmer model provides greater resistance to compression.

But firmness doesn't automatically determine support quality.

A well-designed plush mattress can provide appropriate support, just as a firm mattress can offer pressure-relieving comfort.

Whether You Share Your Bed

If you share your mattress, motion isolation may be especially important.

When one person moves, a mattress with good motion isolation can help reduce the amount of movement felt on the other side.

Foam mattresses and some pocket coil and hybrid designs are worth exploring if motion transfer is a concern.

Your Temperature Preferences

If you frequently feel too warm while sleeping, look beyond the general mattress type.

Cooling performance depends on the mattress's complete design, including its comfort layers, cover and specialized cooling materials.

Some mattresses prioritize breathability and temperature regulation, while others include dedicated cooling technologies.

Your Support Needs

Different mattresses offer different support features.

Zoned support systems, for example, can provide varying levels of resistance across different areas of the mattress.

Other designs include reinforced edges or specialized lumbar support.

These characteristics can be important regardless of whether the mattress is made with foam, coils or a hybrid construction.

Why Mattress Features Matter as Much as Mattress Type

Two mattresses in the same category can deliver very different sleeping experiences.

That's why it's helpful to understand the features that contribute to overall mattress performance.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief describes how a mattress cushions the body and distributes weight across its surface.

A mattress with suitable pressure relief can help reduce concentrated pressure around areas like the shoulders and hips.

Pressure relief depends on the comfort materials, firmness and how the mattress responds to the body.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation refers to how effectively a mattress limits the transfer of movement across the sleeping surface.

This can be especially useful if your partner moves frequently during the night.

While foam is generally associated with good motion isolation, pocket coil and hybrid mattresses can also perform well depending on their design.

Lumbar and Zoned Support

Lumbar support refers to the support provided around the lower back.

Some mattresses feature zoned support systems that vary the amount of resistance across different sections of the mattress.

These designs are intended to help different areas of the body receive suitable support.

Edge Support

Edge support describes how stable and supportive a mattress feels near its perimeter.

Reinforced edges can make sitting near the edge more comfortable and help maintain a consistent sleeping surface across more of the mattress.

Edge support varies by product and isn't determined solely by whether the mattress uses foam or coils.

Cooling and Temperature Regulation

Although often used interchangeably, cooling and temperature regulation aren't exactly the same thing.

Temperature-regulating mattresses incorporate materials or design features intended to help manage heat and airflow.

Cooling mattresses feature technologies specifically designed to provide additional cooling performance.

Some models incorporate specialized cooling foams, graphite-infused materials or other cooling systems.

At Sleep Country, cooling classifications include Slightly Cooling, Cooling, Very Cooling and Maximum Cooling, depending on the product.

These classifications can help shoppers compare different levels of cooling performance within the assortment.

Explore Cooling Mattresses at Sleep Country

Adjustable Base Compatibility

If you're considering an adjustable bed base, it's important to confirm mattress compatibility.

Many foam, pocket coil and hybrid mattresses are designed to work with adjustable bases, but compatibility varies by product.

An adjustable base changes the position of your mattress, while the mattress itself determines much of the comfort, support and pressure relief you experience.

Shop Adjustable Bases

Mattress-in-a-Box Convenience

Mattress-in-a-box refers to a packaging and delivery format, not a separate mattress construction.

These mattresses are compressed and packaged for convenient transportation.

You can find foam and hybrid mattresses available in a box, depending on the product.

Other mattresses are delivered using traditional scheduled delivery services.

When deciding between them, focus first on the mattress's comfort and performance, then consider which delivery option best suits your needs.

Find Your Perfect Mattress With Mattress Finder

Understanding the different types of mattresses is a great first step.

But knowing the difference between innerspring, foam and hybrid doesn't necessarily tell you which specific mattress is right for you.

That's where Sleep Country's Mattress Finder comes in.

Instead of trying to compare every mattress on your own, Mattress Finder helps guide you toward options based on your sleep preferences and needs.

Whether you're looking for plush comfort, firmer support, a mattress that helps limit motion transfer or features designed to manage temperature, it's a useful next step in your mattress-shopping journey.

You can also speak with a Sleep Country Sleep Expert to explore your options and learn more about the technologies that matter most to you.

Shop All Mattresses

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three main types of mattresses?

The three primary construction categories available at Sleep Country are innerspring, foam and hybrid mattresses. Innerspring mattresses use a coil support system, foam mattresses rely on layers of foam, and hybrid mattresses combine coil support with comfort materials such as foam.

What is the difference between an innerspring and a hybrid mattress?

Both can use coil support systems, but hybrid mattresses are designed to combine spring-based support with foam comfort layers. Traditional innerspring mattresses generally emphasize their coil construction, although modern innerspring models can also incorporate substantial cushioning. The distinction depends on the complete mattress design.

Are foam mattresses better than spring mattresses?

Neither is automatically better. Foam mattresses often provide close-contouring comfort and strong motion isolation, while coil-based mattresses can offer a more responsive feel. The best option depends on the specific mattress and your preferences.

What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?

Side sleepers often benefit from a mattress that cushions their shoulders and hips while maintaining comfortable support. Foam, pocket coil and hybrid mattresses can all work well when their comfort level and construction are appropriate.

Is a hybrid mattress good for couples?

A hybrid mattress can be a good choice for couples, particularly when it incorporates independently moving pocket coils and comfort layers that help limit motion transfer. However, foam and other pocket coil mattresses may also offer excellent motion isolation.

Which mattress type is best for hot sleepers?

There isn't one universally best mattress type for hot sleepers. Coil systems can encourage airflow, while certain foam and hybrid mattresses include advanced cooling technologies. Compare each mattress's cooling features rather than relying only on its construction type.

Does a higher coil count mean a better mattress?

Not necessarily. Coil count is just one element of mattress design. Spring quality, arrangement, zoning, comfort materials and overall construction also influence support and performance.

Is a pillow top a type of mattress?

No. A pillow top describes an additional cushioning layer at the mattress surface. Pillow tops can be found on different mattress constructions and don't determine the entire mattress's firmness or support.

Are mattresses in a box different from regular mattresses?

A mattress-in-a-box is simply a mattress packaged in compressed form for delivery. Its construction may use foam or hybrid materials, and performance varies by individual model.

How do I know which mattress is right for me?

Start by considering your sleeping position, preferred firmness, support needs, temperature preferences and whether you share your bed.

From there, Sleep Country's Mattress Finder can help you narrow your options and take the next step toward choosing the right mattress.