Memory Foam or Innerspring? How to Choose the Right Mattress.

First, let’s clear something up. You’re not looking for the perfect mattress. You’re looking for the perfect mattress for you. Different mattresses are designed to achieve different goals, and it’s important to remember that when you’re mattress shopping. 

You might love a memory foam mattress while your neighbor can’t stand one. If you’ve ever spent a few minutes reading comments on mattress forums about the difference between memory foam and innerspring mattresses, you’ll see what we mean. 

Our recommendation is that you learn about the different mattress types (which we’ll discuss here) and then head over to a Mattress Man store and talk to our sleep consultants about your specific needs. 

Okay, let’s get started.

The difference between innerspring and memory foam construction

Memory foam and innerspring are, simply put, names for different types of mattress construction. Innerspring mattresses have been around for a long time and are sometimes referred to as traditional mattresses. Memory foam is a more recent invention (read up on its origin at NASA), but both types of mattress have evolved in the past ten years. 

Memory foam mattresses are generally made of polyurethane foam and can include latex foam or gel foam. They don’t have steel coils or springs.

An innerspring mattress is defined by a steel coil support system, though spring shapes, designs and number of coils vary widely. The springs are surrounded by padding, foams, fiber and sometimes layers of smaller springs. Today, many innerspring mattresses consist of a combination of coils and foam and are often called hybrids. 

Memory foam advantages

Memory foam mattresses are great for people who are sensitive to pressure points, who like a mattress that conforms to their bodies, and who want to feel as little bed movement across the mattress as possible. 

High density foams resist sagging or dipping, so make sure that you find out how much air is in your memory foam mattress — less is better. Don’t worry, high density foam can still be soft. In fact, a firm mattress is not a guarantee of high density foam or durability.  

Innerspring advantages

Innerspring mattresses are great for people who prefer a more traditional mattress feel. Within the innerspring mattress category, you’ll find a wide variety of firmness options and toppers on the market. You’ll also find that innerspring mattresses come in a broad range of price points. So if affordability is your top priority, take a look at some of our favorite affordable innerspring mattresses. 

Test out both mattress types

It’s hard to decide which mattress type is right for you until you actually test them both out. Come talk to us, and  try out a few different mattresses. We’ll help you make the right choice for your lifestyle and sleep preferences.