Bed Mattress Comparisons

Inner-Spring Construction

• In an inner-spring mattress, the main parts are the insulation between the springs and the top layer of the mattress, plus the cushioning provided as the top layer of the mattress. The insulation between the springs and the top layer of the mattress is used to keep the top cushioning from pressing into the springs. It can be made of mesh or fiber. The cushioning on top of inner-spring mattresses is the main factor in determining the comfort. This cushioning affects the softness of an inner-spring mattress. It can be made from several materials, including latex, memory foam and egg-crate foam.

Memory Foam Construction

• Memory foam mattresses are made of visco-elastic foam, which provides resistance as pressure is applied to it. There are no springs, and the comfort depends completely on the foam and cushioning. The mattresses are known to conform to the body by slowly compressing and providing a resistant force only in areas where your body weight is applied. Because the foam compresses only in the areas where body weight is applied, it also minimizes the disturbance caused by a partner's movement.

Firmness

• The number of springs in an inner-spring mattress determines its firmness. A mattress with more springs is more firm. Firm mattresses provide more support for people who sleep on their backs and stomachs. The box springs provided for mattresses also make up a lot of the support. The box springs provide extra support by absorbing most of the weight placed on a mattress. Memory foam mattresses are generally not recommended for back- and side-sleepers, according to the website Ecomall. Because the memory foam mattresses provide a less firm type of support, these types of sleepers generally sink into them at an unnatural angle. Inner-spring mattresses, conversely, are ideal for people who sleep on their side, because they provide support to points on the body where traditional mattresses do not, according to the website Spine Universe.

Durability

• The durability of a mattress depends on the craftsmanship and quality of materials used in the mattress. In inner-spring mattresses, the durability of the mattress depends also on the quality of the springs. As springs get older, they can separate and cause the mattress to sink. Visco-elastic foam is the most durable material used on an inner-spring mattress. It is more resistant to bacteria and mold. While visco-elastic foam is very durable, mattresses made completely of visco-elastic foam have not been around long enough to truly gauge their long-term durability. They are thought to be at least as durable as comparable inner-spring mattresses, however, according to Best Bed Guide.

Size

• Both inner-spring and memory foam mattresses come in a variety of sizes. Mattresses in the United States range from twin, made for one person, to California king, which are especially long. Twin mattresses measure 39 by 75 inches, while California king mattresses measure 76 by 84 inches.