Pros and Cons of Innerspring, Memory Foam, Hybrid, & Pillow Top Mattresses

So you’re looking for a mattress but there are so many brands and types of mattresses to choose from. There is everything from traditional innerspring mattresses to memory foam, hybrid, pillow top, gel, adjustable, and the list goes on. So how do you decide which mattress is right for you?

We will only go over four types of mattresses: innerspring, memory foam, hybrid, and pillow top.

To start, it takes some knowing what type of sleeper you are (back, side, stomach) and what comfort level you prefer (firm, medium, soft, plush). This will set you in the right direction because some mattresses are better for different types of sleepers. You should also lay on various types of mattresses to get a better feel for what you prefer.

Knowing what mattress to invest in also takes a bit of research. In this infographic, we will break down what each of the four types of mattresses is generally made of and a few pros and cons of each mattress type.

Innerspring Mattresses

Construction: individually-wrapped steel coils

Pros:

• Affordability
• Air-flow
• Individually-wrapped coils (500-2000) reduce noise and motion

Cons:

• Comfort can be lacking
• Quality and durability can be lacking
• The number of coils adds to the cost (more comfort = more cost)

Memory Foam Mattresses

Construction: polyurethane and cooling gel.

Pros:

• Premium responsive support
• No transfer of movement
• No sagging or the need to flip the mattress with age

Cons:

• Tends to trap heat (unless made with cooling technology)
• Initial off-gassing with new beds
• Can be expensive

Hybrid Mattress

Construction: innerspring and memory foam

Pros:

• Best of both worlds: air-flow and comfort
• Choose support level: more springs for more support
• Low motion transfer

Cons:

• More motion transfer than memory foam
• A feeling of sleeping on top of instead of in the mattress
• The cost can be higher than most other mattresses

Pillow Top

Construction: innerspring with latex, memory foam, cotton, cashmere, wool, or goose down (feathers) in the pillow top.

Pros:

• Less expensive than memory foam or hybrid mattresses
• Good for side sleepers because it cradles the sleeper
• Good air-flow and comfortable

Cons:

• Less durable
• Tend to sag and become less comfortable as they age
• Motion transfer