Key Points
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The most common mattress types are foam, latex, innerspring, pillowtop, and hybrid.
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When deciding on how to choose a mattress, consider your body type and sleeping position.
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According to consumer reports, the most popular mattress of 2022 was the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress.
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After considering all the information on how to choose a mattress for 2023, the most important factor is still what feels best to you.
Many people are very picky with their mattresses, and for a good reason: the right mattress can make or break your night of sleep. Getting enough sleep is imperative for staying healthy and maintaining your immune system. The wrong mattress can make that almost impossible. However, many customers have trouble deciding how to choose a mattress for 2023.
Buying a mattress is a sizable investment. A new mattress is something you hope lasts a decade before replacing it. The Sleep Foundation recommends replacing your mattress every 6 to 8 years for normal wear, and sooner if your mattress is damaged or saggy. Remember, you sleep on your mattress every single night, so comfort and support are essential (no pressure, though). Here are research-backed tips to help you figure out how to choose a mattress for 2023.
Mattress Mayhem
Trying to find the perfect mattress can feel overwhelming. There are temperature-control mattresses, firm ones, soft ones, and many, many more. There is also the small matter of material. Mattresses come in almost as many fabrics as clothes do.
A new trend is the "bed in a box." The mattress comes compacted in a box and expands to full size when removed.
There are mixed opinions on the bed in a box, but the consensus is they are a decent option. This type of mattress is especially ideal for consumers with no time to shop in person or who want a quick and easy bed that's sturdy enough to last for several years.
Three critical factors to consider when choosing the best mattress of 2023 are material, support level, and personal sleeping style. Dip your toe into the bed selection process with this overview of mattress types.
Memory Foam
Most people are familiar with memory foam mattresses because it's one of the more common fabrics for mattresses.
Memory foam mattresses often have multiple layers, with firm layers at the bottom for stability and softer layers on the top for comfort. They're popular because they conform to your body. Memory foam mattresses are healthcare professional-approved because they reduce the pressure on your spine.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal surgeon with the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New York-New Jersey, says, "Too-firm mattresses may be too stiff to allow the spine to curve naturally."
Memory foam mattresses promote proper spine alignment and help with chronic joint pain by relieving stress from your hips and shoulders. As a bonus, these mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic. If you are sensitive to fabric, memory foam might be your answer.
This material is also cost-efficient, durable, and does not sag easily. Gone are the days of flipping your mattress every few years!
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress was the most popular of this type in 2022 and is still a top choice. Its high-quality materials and 12" thick top ensure a comfy night's sleep.
Memory foam is not ideal if you run too hot while you sleep. The material traps heat, making you even warmer at night. Some memory foam mattresses have cooling features, like a gel layer, but these options are a bit more pricey.
Latex
Latex is not just for gloves! Latex mattresses are similar in feel to memory foam but firmer with a bouncy quality.
Latex is made from trees, so consumers who prefer natural materials (as opposed to synthetic ones) gravitate toward this mattress choice. There are two types: Talay and Dunlop. Talay is somewhat softer.
In contrast to memory foam, latex is great for temperature regulation because it's relatively porous. Many stay loyal to latex mattresses because they're right in that Goldilocks sweet spot of not being too soft or too firm. It has that "just right" feel.
Latex is so beloved because it's plush enough to be comfortable but firm enough to support the body and ensure proper skeletal alignment. It's also more resilient than memory foam and resists sinking for longer.
An excellent latex mattress option is the Winkbeds EcoCloud Latex mattress. It's made with breathable cotton and has phenomenal temperature-regulating properties.
One downside of latex is its price. Not only does it cost more to make, but latex is heavy. This means shipping and handling costs are also higher for this mattress type.
Of course, if you're allergic to latex, skip this option.
Innerspring
The thought of an innerspring mattress may conjure images of old-fashioned mattresses with springs poking out, but innerspring mattresses are still popular for good reasons.
Here's a fun fact: Most 5-star hotels use innerspring mattresses. These mattresses often have two layers of springs, making them firmer and more solid than other options.
There are a few things to consider with innerspring mattresses.
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The first one is coil count. As a general rule of thumb, more coils in the mattress equals a more sturdy mattress.
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Mattress seekers must also consider coil thickness, sometimes called "coil gauge." A smaller number (lower coil gauge) means a firmer mattress.
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Innerspring mattresses' durability makes them best suited for customers needing more back support. These mattresses are also affordable and widely available.
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Innerspring mattresses are the ideal pick for bounciness. It's not the kids you have to keep from jumping on the bed — it's you.
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On the other hand, innerspring mattresses are more prone to wear down over time because of the nature of the springs — especially with the aforementioned jumping-on-the-bed event.
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Innerspring mattress users often experience "motion transfer," meaning the mattress carries movement from one area to another. In short, your partner's tossing and turning affect you.
Costco has some excellent innerspring mattresses at very reasonable prices. Most of them also have temperature-regulating properties!
Hybrid
A hybrid mattress is exactly what it sounds like: a mix of springs and memory foam or latex.
Most of the time, the coils are near the bottom for stability and the foam or latex sits on top for cushioning. There's also typically a "pillowtop" layer of cotton or wool to maximize comfort. This choice is perfect for indecisive customers because it blends two great alternatives.
Hybrid mattresses are versatile because they support all sleeping positions. They also have that "just right" feel — not overly firm or so plush that you sink into the bed.
The springs allow these mattresses to respond quickly and adjust to your movements. Many hybrid mattresses have built-in cooling features, such as a gel layer, to keep your temperature steady throughout the night.
Snooze recommends the LinenSpa Hybrid mattress. The price is unbeatable, and the mattress has multiple layers with different materials to offer the most comfort and support.
Hybrid mattresses run fairly high on the price scale because they have so much to offer. They're not very bouncy (sorry, kids), which can be a detriment for individuals who like the body contouring that bounciness provides.
While some hybrid mattresses have cooling features, those lacking this feature trap heat more than others, making you feel too warm at night.
Side, Back, and Stomach: All Angles of Selecting a Mattress
Okay, now that you're well-versed in the various mattress types, it's time to decide which suits you best. Personal preference is the most significant consideration. If you're still stuck, consider your sleeping position and body type to help break the tie.
Certain mattress types are better depending on your body build and sleeping position.
Body Types
Your body type refers to how and where you carry most of your weight as well as your hip and waist curvatures. Men and women have different body types and carry weight differently.
Your body type and weight determine your pressure points as you sleep.
Heavier Weight
Heavier individuals require more support from their mattresses than the more petite sleeper. An innerspring mattress is the best option for heavy-set people because of the layered support the coils provide.
Latex is also great because of its springiness. Heavier customers appreciate the buoyancy and breathability of latex.
Lighter Weight
Lighter individuals don't need as much body support, but many prefer it. Memory foam mattresses are usually the top pick for lighter-weight people because they're plush but give a decent amount of skeletal support.
Latex is also good because of its resilience and resistance to motion transfer.
Pressure Points: Shoulders and Hips
People with a body shape resembling a pear, hourglass, or inverted triangle tend to feel stress in their shoulders and hips. If you have pain in these joints, consider a softer mattress to lessen the pressure.
A memory foam or pillowtop mattress does wonders for relieving shoulder and hip pain.
Pressure Point: Lower Back
Individuals with a rectangle or apple-shaped body usually have pain in the lower back area. These customers need a mattress that's sturdier and provides more support.
An innerspring or hybrid mattress maintains spinal alignment and keeps your back comfortable and braced through the night.
Sleeping Positions
Another factor to consider is your sleeping position. Some people are staunch back sleepers, while others flip-flop during their visit to dreamland.
You like your sleep — you need your sleep — and it's vital to ensure your mattress supports you and the pressure points you may experience in your preferred position.
Back Sleepers
The key for back sleepers is spinal support. If you sleep on your back, a firmer mattress keeps your back straight and bolsters your bones. An innerspring mattress is your best bet. Choose a latex or pillowtop mattress if you want something softer.
As long as the mattress is sturdy enough, your back thanks you for this thoughtful consideration.
Side Sleepers
If you sleep on your side, your hips, shoulders, and neck may pay the price. For your best night's sleep, go with a plush, comfortable mattress that relieves pressure on your joints.
Memory foam mattresses are best for you, but a soft latex or hybrid mattress does the trick if you like a little more structure.
To protect your joints, be sure your mattress has enough cushion.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers are similar to back sleepers because they need sturdy support for bone alignment. They also need something with more cushion to protect the ribs and internal organs.
A hybrid innerspring/memory foam mattress or a latex mattress is the best choice for stomach sleepers.
The Mattress Mystery: Solved?
Above all else, the most important thing to consider when picking a mattress is to know what you like. Whether you prefer memory foam, latex, or any other option, just do what is best for you!
If every "sleep expert" on the world wide web agrees, "This is the best mattress for you," and you hate it, they're out-voted. You win in a landslide.
Weighing your options and looking closer at that "bang for the bedtime buck" is crucial. Just because a mattress is expensive doesn't mean it's more fantastic than a modest price tag.
As noted earlier, consumer reports in 2022 named the Nectar Memory Foam mattress the most popular mattress. A close second was the Dreamcloud Hybrid mattress. Both are reliable, high-quality options.
If these brands are outside of your budget, fear not. There are other brands with marvelous mattresses at lower prices, like Costco or Ikea. Amazon can deliver many good options in just a few days.
When it's time to choose your mattress, take all of this information into account, but don't let the science run your life. Also, try not to let the recent news of war, crime, senseless acts of violence, economic threats, political shenanigans, etc., keep you awake at night.
A comfortable mattress won't end world hunger or stop the carnage of war, but it helps get you through the night to face a new day that brings hope for finding those solutions.
If you're suffering from information overload about fabric types, sleep positions, and body type, rest assured that your gut is usually right. Always listen to your gut — but don't forget about your back, shoulders, and hips in the process.
Happy snoozing!
For more mattress recommendations and sleep-related tips, visit Snooze.
