What Is Inside a Mattress?

Coils

• With quilting on the outside and steel coils on the inside, innerspring mattresses come in a range of comfort options. Manufacturers use 390 coils in quality queen-size mattresses, with a higher concentration of coils in the middle of the mattress. Thick wire springs provide durability and firm support; mattresses with thin wire springs offer more bounce. Insulation encircles the coils, and layers of upholstery surround the insulation. The insulation consists of synthetic fibers or sisal, and cotton or foam serves as upholstery. In pillow-top mattresses, manufacturers add a layer of down or synthetic padding on top of the upholstery for extra softness.

Latex

• Though innerspring mattresses outsell all other types, some manufacturers think beyond springs and offer beds that don't hit pressure points. Prized for their natural materials, latex mattresses conform to your body without using steel springs. Made from the milky liquid in rubber trees, natural latex resists dust mites and bacteria. The breathable nature of latex means that you won't sweat on hot summer nights. Bypass this material if you're allergic to latex, and beware of mattresses that claim to be latex but actually use synthetic, petroleum-based latex.

Memory Foam

• Like latex, foam mattresses relieve pressure points on the body. Viscoelastic or memory foam consists of layers of synthetic polymers, and manufacturers offer a range of densities. The higher the foam density, the more support the bedding offers. If your partner tosses and turns all night, you'll appreciate the lack of motion transfer in this bed. You made need some time to adjust to the firmness of the material, but foam lasts longer than innerspring mattresses.

Air

• Air mattresses are no longer just temporary, inflatable beds. Manufacturers now offer permanent air mattresses that adjust at the touch of a button. Foam or another type of fiber surrounds the air chambers. Some air beds relieve back pain and improve overall sleep quality. Divided air pockets mean that you and your partner can choose a different firmness level for each side. Because the air chambers contain no coils, you needn't worry about a sagging bed.