Never Buy the Wrong Mattress Again: The Complete Breakdown To Save You Thousands
Are you looking for a new mattress but not sure where to start? The right mattress can be the difference between a blissful night’s sleep and tear-your-hair-out frustration, but sorting through mattress guides, opinion pieces, and reviews is beyond frustrating. How do you know what’s right for you? Rest assured, we'll help you choose the right mattress for your needs.
This guide will make you an all-knowing mattress expert. Learn the difference between innerspring and dual hybrid, the best mattress for your sleep position, and much more. Become a sleepy-time aficionado and never buy the wrong mattress again.
What are the different types of mattresses?
There are so many different types of mattresses on the market and new technologies launch all the time. This mattress innovation paves the way for better sleep but complicates the mattress selection process. It's a true double-edged sleep sword. Don't fret. We'll start with the basics.
You can categorize most mattresses into a few types
Innerspring
Foam
Hybrid
Dual Hybrid
The Difference Is Inside
Not all beds are built the same. Innerspring, foam, hybrid—it’s a lot of mattress jargon, so what's the real difference? Let’s make it simple. Basically, each mattress is made entirely of, or is a combination of, the following.
Types of foam: This includes responsive memory foam made of synthetic, viscoelastic materials and cushy comfort foam made of high-performance, high-airflow materials.
Types of covers: These are the topmost mattress layer and may be cozy knit, plushy quilted, or cooling woven knit. Covers are made of combinations of polyester, rayon, viscose, cotton, wool, and more.
Types of springs: These include varying amounts and types of coils in a single layer, possibly surrounded by layers of foam or covers.
The combination (or exclusion) of these materials is what makes the various mattress types. So, mattresses aren’t a mystery. They’re sandwiches of comfort made of layers of innovative materials.
Innerspring & Wrapped Springs
An innerspring mattress is the most traditional bed type and features a coil support system. The coil shape, gauge, and the number of coils can vary by mattress, but the general structure remains the same. It’s a wire frame paired with a few hundred springs. Innerspring mattresses are relatively inexpensive, which is very nice on your wallet, but they can break down over time, meaning they need to be replaced more often than other mattress types, so if you sleep with pets or unruly little children, this may not be the mattress for you.
A wrapped spring mattress, on the other hand, is the next level of innerspring innovation. Instead of a series of springs chained together, these mattresses offer support through a base layer of individually wrapped springs. Wrapped springs, also called pocket spring mattresses, have individual wrappings to work independently and offer much-needed, targeted pressure relief.
These high-quality springs are capable of zonal support and offer superior air circulation. It's pretty difficult to overheat on a wrapped spring mattress. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is an extremely supportive wrapped spring and foam mattress, and the Leesa Sapira Chill version takes cooling to the next level.
Foams
When you think of sleeping on a cloud, you’re really thinking of a foam mattress. These mattresses offer comfort, cooling relief, and support through all-foam makeup. We mentioned that a few different types of foam are used in mattresses, but most are made of memory foam. This polyurethane synthetic polymer can be specially made to support your body weight.
Memory foam mattresses offer solid support, relieve pressure, and cocoon you in luxurious sleep-inducing foam. All of Leesa’s foam mattresses, including the Original mattress, are CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning they’re made without dangerous chemicals and generally last 7 to 10 years before needing replacement.
Hybrid
The hot new mattress on the scene is the hybrid mattress. Hybrid mattresses combine foam layers with wrapped springs—hence the term hybrid. For many sleepers, this combination offers the best of all worlds: more support, cooler sleep, and minimal motion transfer.
These mattresses have a similar lifespan to foam mattresses, and one of Leesa’s most popular hybrid options, the Original Hybrid, will have you snoozing in comfort for ages.
Dual Hybrid
As fun as it would be, dual hybrid isn’t two hybrid mattresses stacked on top of one another. The duel refers to the two spring units inside the hybrid foam/spring mattress. It means you get more support and airflow than standard hybrid mattresses.
Both the Leesa Legend and Legend Chill are excellent dual hybrid mattresses with zoned support layer of micro pocket springs and a quick response layer of 1,000+ coils.
How Do You Snooze? Choose the right mattress for your sleeping style
It's important to have a mattress that provides proper support for your sleeping position, whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. Think of it this way: some mattresses are just a little more comfortable for certain sleep positions. And why wouldn’t you choose a mattress designed specifically for the way you sleep? It’s a no-brainer.
Many assume they need to match their sleep position to the right type of mattress. However, it's the mattress's firmness that matters, not necessarily the mattress type. So, which firmness is best?
Studies show that firm mattresses do not improve sleep quality, especially for back pain sufferers. Softer mattresses make you sink into the bed with minimal support, like horrible mattress quicksand and are nearly impossible for stomach sleepers to rest on.
A medium-firm mattress is the right fit for most people. Medium-firm mattresses improve sleep quality for those who switch from side to back to stomach or some combination. At Leesa, we’re known for our vast selection of medium-firm mattresses that appeal to all types of sleepers, as well as a few mattresses with comfort options.
Find the Best Mattress for:
What's the right mattress size for your lifestyle?
Your ideal mattress size depends largely on your available bedroom space and your sleeping habits. In addition to verifying your exact dimensions/preferences, consider your sleeping arrangements. For example, are you snuggled up with a partner or a pet? Does your child frequently sneak into your bed after a bad dream? Are you squashed between all three?
From a twin-size mattress to a California King, use our Mattress Size Guide to help you evaluate your needs and decide what mattress size is right for you.
Mattresses that match your every budget
We get it. Mattresses are expensive. They’re worth the money since your sleep is priceless, but most folks don’t have piles of cash waiting for your next bed purchase. That’s why Leesa offers quality sleep options ranging from $411 to $3,000+.
Leesa’s selections go from “Good” to “Better” to “Best,” starting at the Studio, an all-foam mattress at an outstanding value, to the Reserve Hybrid, the most premium, luxurious mattress we have.
Selecting a mattress with temperature regulation
There are few things worse than trying to sleep through a sweaty night. Tossing and turning just won’t do. Leesa’s mattresses, specifically the Chill collection, work to solve the problem of midnight overheating.
Our Chill mattresses come with:
Cooling quilt covers
Breathable foam layers
Individually wrapped coils for airflow
FAQs
Can a mattress really help with joint pain or pressure relief?
You're a person, not a glowstick. So why are your joints popping and cracking every time you move? Many struggle with persistent joint pain, and the right mattress can be part of the solution.
Memory foam hybrid mattresses are wonderful for alleviating joint pain. The trick is that they do more than provide consistent softness all night. The springs relieve pressure and cradle your body in the right positions for nightly healing.
Mattress firmness also makes a big impact. Look for medium-firm mattresses that cradle your pressure points.
How long should a good mattress last?
Mattress materials have slightly different longevity, but a good mattress should last you anywhere from 7 to 10 years. Now, activities like jumping on the bed, sleeping with large pets, and relaxing on your bed in the daytime will wear out your mattress faster.
What certifications should I look for in a mattress?
Look for trusted certifications like CertiPUR-US® and GREENGUARD Gold—they ensure your mattress is made without harmful chemicals and meets strict safety standards. The best part? Every Leesa mattress is backed by both, so you can sleep safer and cleaner from night one.
What if I don’t like the mattress after I try it?
We recommend sleeping on your new mattress for at least 30 nights before deciding whether it works for you or not. It’s okay if you’re a little more indecisive. Each mattress comes with a 100-night trial period. Don’t like it? Just initiate a return, no problem.
Can I try a Leesa mattress in-store before buying online?
We get it. Seeing is believing. Or, in the case of mattresses—sleeping is believing. Sometimes, you just need to try things out yourself.
Look for Leesa mattresses at select west elm and Pottery Barn locations across the United States.
What are the best mattresses for kids?
Your little ones deserve great sleep, too. Little bodies may not have the aches and pains of adults, but they need good support for proper growth. We have four different kid’s mattresses designed for various age groups, sleep patterns, and needs: the Natural Youth, Youth, Kids, and Trundle.
How often should you replace your mattress?
There's no magic number of years a mattress should last, but it may be time for a new mattress if you're waking up with aches, your mattress is lumpy, uneven, or smelly (or all of the above!), or your mattress is more than 10 years old. The most important indicator is how you feel.
Are you all of a sudden waking up in pain? Is your mattress just not cozy anymore? You deserve a sturdy, comfy mattress, so it may be time for a replacement.