Spring, Foam, Air --- What's the Right Mattress for You?

If you haven't bought a mattress for some time, you may be confused by all the available choices. Here's a brief rundown to help you as you head for the mattress store.

Coil Spring

Coil spring mattresses were the standard for many years, and many people still like them. While they usually feel pretty good when new, they do tend to bend inwards in a kind of trampoline effect with use. Springs can also lose their shape over time, resulting in sagging. Even when new, spring mattresses don't conform to the contours of the body as well as the newer alternatives.

Foam

There are two types of foam mattresses: memory foam and latex foam. The physical difference lies in the density of the two materials, latex being more resilient or bouncy while memory foam feels more solid. While latex will press against your body as you lie on it, memory foam will simply stay put. It's this quality of "memory" of your body contours that makes many feel memory foam mattresses are the best choice for mattress comfort.

Air

The advantage of an air mattress is that you can change the firmness by changing the amount of air inside. Some even allow different amounts of air on both sides of the mattress to accommodate different sleep preferences.

Each type of mattress has its pros and cons, and each has its fans. If you're not sure, visit a few mattress stores and try the various types before you start narrowing your choice to brand names.