Your mattress is possibly the most important investment in your bedroom — on average, a third of your life is spent sleeping on one. Sadly, these fabric cases of springy material don’t come cheap. Even the most basic affordable mattress will set you back at least a couple hundred bucks.
At a certain point, you may decide that it’s time to move on from the cheapest option you can pick up and properly invest in a mattress. The mattress’s material plays an important role in deciding the quality of your sleep, a choice that shouldn’t be made lightly. To help you make that decision, we’ve compiled an explainer of the most common types of mattresses — from memory foam to ones made from environmentally friendly materials — along with their pros and cons and our favorite brand for each type. To sweeten the deal, we’ll also let you in on the hottest sales currently on offer at these mattress brands. Thank us later for a peaceful slumber.
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The invention of memory foam mattresses was actually a happy accident: The material was originally conceived by NASA back in 1966 as protective cushioning for pilots and passengers on flights. It was then widely adopted in hospitals and eventually made it into the hands of the general public.
The foam in these mattresses is technically “Visco elastic foam,” and it acts as the top layer of the bed and conforms to the shape of your body while distributing your entire body weight evenly. Good-quality foam mattresses are typically pricier than spring mattresses but are great for people suffering from joint pain or muscle ache. One caveat: The material has lower air circulation and captures more warmth than your average mattress, so it might not be ideal if you tend to get hot in your sleep.
Tempur-Pedic, whose memory foam was originally created based on the NASA research, is probably the most well-known mattress brand on the market. Its trademark TEMPUR-Cloud memory foam mattress reduces motion transfer and cushions around the shape of the body, guaranteeing a cocooning night’s sleep. For the month of March, you can knock 30% off the price of this bestseller by using the code CLOUD30.
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Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud, $, available at tempu, Tempur-Pedic
If you are someone that sleeps hot, look for a mattress that contains copper fibers, like Nectar’s Premier Copper Mattress, which is also topped with a cooling gel foam top layer to reduce motion transfer. Copper is a moisture- and heat-wicking material that will keep your body temperature regulated even when you are moving around a lot while asleep. The brand is offering a 33% markdown throughout March and will be bumping up the discount to 40% from March 10 to March 13.
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Nectar Sleep Premier Copper Mattress, $, available at Nectar Sleep
Latex mattresses are noted for their durability and friendliness to the environment. Since the synthetic material is naturally resistant to flames, it requires far less chemical processing in its manufacturing.
Latex mattresses are hypoallergenic, so they will safeguard you from dust mites, bed bugs, and mold. They are also renowned for their high responsiveness, or the ability to quickly return to their original shape after being pressed. As such, this material is a go-to for sleepers suffering from joint and hip pain.
The only thing working against this type of mattress? They can be incredibly bulky. We recommend going for a latex hybrid mattress, like this latex and innerspring one from Saatva, one of our favorite bed brands. The brand is doing a limited-time sale for orders over $1,000, so don’t miss the opportunity to get a 15% discount on this popular mattress.
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Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress, $, available at Saatva
This is the oldest type of mattress on the market, and it’s a great option if you’re on a budget. There are typically two types of spring mattresses: Bonnell innersprings, a classic option with interconnected metal coils, and pocketed springs, where the coils are individually wrapped in fabric. While the Bonnell spring mattress is a more affordable option, it’s also more prone to “motion transfer” — any movement on one side of the bed will affect the other side.
On the other hand, a pocketed spring mattress won’t have this problem and are generally more lightweight. Leesa’s award-winning hybrid mattress comes with over 1,000 active-pocket springs and a cooling top foam layer, so you get the best of both worlds in terms of breathability and pressure relief. The Sapira mattress is currently at 11% off on Amazon.
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Leesa Sapira Hybrid 11″ Mattress, $, available at Amazon
If you’re looking for a sustainable option, consider a “green” mattress made with organic materials. Avocado’s green mattress is handmade in Los Angeles with 100% natural latex, New Zealand wool, and certified organic cotton (all of which are biodegradable).
It’s free from polyurethane foams and toxic flame retardants, and its natural materials don’t trap in heat and moisture. That means you can actually cool down while you sleep, without having to rely on flipping your pillow over to the “cool side.” From March 7 to March 27, the brand is offering $200 off its Green, Vegan, and Latex mattresses with the code SLEEP, and $300 off the Luxury mattress with the code SNOOZE.
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Avocado Mattress Green Mattress, $, available at Avocado Mattress
A hybrid mattress combines the best of both worlds: A pocketed foil foundation is topped with layers of memory foam for extra comfort. Due to the different layers, it’s easier to find a combination that conforms to your specific needs. Many hybrid mattresses come with a thin gel foam layer, which helps cool down your body temperature.
Reviewers have been raving about Floyd’s signature hybrid mattress, which consists of a steel coil base for airflow and bounciness, topped with layers of memory foam infused with copper and graphite for better temperature regulation. Get a 10% discount by signing up for the brand’s email newsletter.
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Floyd Full Mattress, $, available at Floyd
If you want a type of mattress that won’t break the bank, a polyurethane foam mattress is the way to go. The inexpensive material provides softness and support all at the same time, and it can be easily compressed. All those direct-to-consumer mattress-in-a-box brands? They mostly come in polyfoam. Opt for a higher-density foam, like this bestseller on Amazon, if you want it to last for years. Grab this 16% off deal on Amazon while it lasts.
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Zinus Cooling Essential Foam Mattress, $, available at Amazon
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