Mattress Types – Complete Guide to Finding Your Ideal Bed

Choosing a mattress starts with understanding the main mattress types and how they feel, support your body, and manage temperature. Once you know the basics, you can match each construction to your body weight, sleep position, and budget, then dive into more detailed reviews on individual pages.

Overview of Popular Mattress Types

Below is a quick reference table showing how the core mattress types compare on feel, support, and cooling. Use it as a starting point, then click through to the detailed guides for each type.

Mattress type Core materials Typical feel Best for
Memory foam Viscoelastic foam comfort layers + polyfoam support core Deep contour, “hugging” feel Side sleepers, couples, pressure relief seekers
Hybrid Foam comfort layers + coil support unit Balanced contour and bounce Combination sleepers, back sleepers, many couples
Innerspring Metal coil core + thinner comfort layers Firm, bouncy, “on top” feel Stomach/back sleepers, hot sleepers, classic feel lovers
Latex Natural or synthetic latex foam layers Buoyant, responsive, supportive Eco-conscious sleepers, combo sleepers, those preferring bounce
Gel-infused cooling Gel memory foam or gel comfort foams (often with coils) Cooler contouring foam Hot sleepers, warm climates, night sweats
Adjustable & smart Air or foam with zones, sensors, and electronics Customizable, tech-driven comfort Back pain sufferers, tech-savvy sleepers, couples with different needs
Bed-in-a-box (format) Any of the above, compressed and boxed Varies by construction Apartment dwellers, online shoppers, easy delivery seekers

This page is the central hub for all mattress types covered on Dream Mattress. Use the sections below to decide where to go next, then explore the in-depth guides linked from each type.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses use viscoelastic foam that softens with heat and pressure, allowing your body to sink in and be cradled evenly. Support usually comes from a denser foam core underneath softer comfort and transition layers.

Key strengths: Excellent pressure relief, top-tier motion isolation for couples, and deep contouring around shoulders and hips.

Common trade-offs: Can sleep warmer than coil or latex beds, has a more “stuck in the bed” feel, and often comes with a brief off-gassing odor when new.

Memory foam is especially well suited to side sleepers, light-to-average weight sleepers, and couples who want a quiet, absorbing sleep surface.

Learn more in our Memory Foam Mattresses guide »

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine a coil support core with thicker foam comfort layers, aiming to merge innerspring support with foam comfort. Most hybrids use pocketed coils plus memory foam, polyfoam, or latex on top.

Key strengths: Balanced feel with some hug plus noticeable bounce, stronger edge support than most all-foam beds, and better airflow through the coil unit.

Common trade-offs: Heavier and often more expensive than simple foam beds, and quality varies widely with coil count, zoning, and foam density.

Hybrids work well for combination sleepers, many back sleepers, heavier individuals who still want contouring, and couples needing both motion control and usable edge support.

Deep dive into Hybrid Mattresses »

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses rely on a core of metal coils (Bonnell, continuous, or pocketed) with relatively thin comfort layers above. The springs provide most of the support and feel, often leading to a firmer, more buoyant surface.

Key strengths: Strong, traditional support with easy movement, generally cooler thanks to open coil airflow, and widely available across price points.

Common trade-offs: Less pressure relief for side sleepers unless paired with a thick pillow top, more motion transfer with tied-coil designs, and potential for squeaks as coils age.

Innersprings are often best for stomach sleepers, many back sleepers who like a firm surface, and hot sleepers who want maximum breathability.

Explore Innerspring Mattresses »

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses use foam made from natural or synthetic rubber (Dunlop or Talalay), sometimes paired with coils in a latex hybrid. The feel is more buoyant and responsive than memory foam but still contouring enough for comfort.

Key strengths: Excellent durability and shape retention, cooler and more breathable than dense memory foam, and naturally responsive with good support.

Common trade-offs: Higher upfront price than many foam and spring beds, and a generally firmer, bouncier feel that may not suit those seeking a deep, slow “hug.”

Latex is ideal for eco-conscious shoppers, combination sleepers who change positions frequently, and those who want support plus bounce rather than a sinking feel.

Read our Latex Mattresses guide »

Gel-Infused Cooling Mattresses

Gel-infused cooling mattresses are typically memory foam or hybrid designs that integrate gel beads, swirls, or layers to improve temperature regulation. The goal is to offer the contouring of memory foam with less heat build-up.

Key strengths: Cooler surface feel at the start of the night, better temperature neutrality than standard foam for many hot sleepers, and often combined with breathable covers or coils.

Common trade-offs: Cooling effect can fade as materials warm up, and some budget “gel” foams add more marketing than meaningful performance.

They are best for hot sleepers who like foam’s pressure relief, people in warm climates, and those dealing with night sweats or heat-related sleep disruptions.

See our Gel-Infused Cooling Mattresses guide »

Adjustable & Smart Mattresses

Adjustable and smart mattresses bring technology into the sleep surface, using adjustable air or foam zones plus sensors and connectivity for tracking. Many pair with adjustable bases that change head and foot height.

Key strengths: Customizable firmness (often on each side), position adjustments for back pain or snoring, and sleep tracking data with app-based controls.

Common trade-offs: Higher cost and more complexity than traditional mattresses, dependence on apps and connectivity, and more components that can fail over time.

They suit back pain sufferers needing fine control, tech-savvy sleepers who like data, and couples with significantly different firmness preferences.

Learn more about Adjustable & Smart Mattresses »

Bed-in-a-Box Mattresses

“Bed-in-a-box” describes how a mattress is packaged and shipped—compressed, rolled, and delivered in a box—rather than a specific material type. Many memory foam, hybrid, and latex models now use this format.

Key strengths: Easy door-to-door delivery, simple setup, and a broad online selection with generous sleep trials.

Common trade-offs: Off-gassing and a short break-in period, plus the fact that edge support can be weaker on budget all-foam versions, with quality varying heavily by brand.

Bed-in-a-box mattresses are best for apartment dwellers, online-first shoppers, and anyone who values convenience and at-home testing over showroom visits.

Full Bed-in-a-Box Mattresses guide »

How to Choose the Right Mattress Type for You

The best mattress type depends on your body, sleep style, and priorities rather than any one “perfect” material. A simple decision path can help you narrow your shortlist quickly.