Here’s how Ozdemir says these two memory foam mattresses stack up:
At 13 inches high, this mattress is certainly very dense and heavy, making it more durable and longer-lasting. If you sleep on the side of the mattress toward the edge, the higher density will prevent the sides from sinking in. You will experience little to no motion transfer with a mattress this dense; if your partner thrashes around throughout the night, this mattress could be your savior. Memory foam mattresses have a bad rap for trapping heat, so Tempur-Pedic’s Smartclimate Max dual-cover system, consisting of a zip-off cover and a super-stretch inner layer, is used to cool it down. Finally, the layers are made of materials with updated technology, meaning you’re getting the best that R&D has to offer, not just the foams in previous versions of the mattress. (Wouldn’t you buy the most updated car or appliance if budget was of no concern?) The top two layers have a very slow response time, which indicates a superior level of contouring for joint pains and more comfort if you’re a side sleeper. Tempur-Pedic offers free white-glove delivery, which in mattress speak means they’ll set it up for you and remove your old mattress, saving you that awful trip down the stairs or elevator with a slippery plastic-covered mass.
This mattress is also 12 inches high, but it is lighter in weight, meaning it is less dense. It will not have the traditional memory foam feeling. Instead, it will act like a latex-and-memory-foam mix. It is still going to contour to your body, but unlike the more expensive Tempurpedic mattress, the Signature Alexander by Nest Bedding one will be bouncy and responsive, allowing you to easily change positions throughout the night (a.k.a. toss and turn). If you sleep in different positions and don’t need extra contouring, this option might work for you. And while it may lack the weight of the other mattress, it is flippable—each side has a different level of firmness. Finally, the cover is made from organic cotton, which naturally wicks moisture and will keep the mattress relatively cool. Nest offers free shipping and returns, plus a lifetime warranty, whereas many other companies only offer one for ten years.
If you’re in the market for a latex mattress, it’s because you want something that holds up for a really, really long time, keeps super cool, and is supportive without sinking in like a memory foam might, Ozdemir notes. (Latex mattresses’ bouncy, responsive foam layers are best for jumping on the bed—just saying!) When shopping for one, though, the high-quality options will be made from 100% organic latex. Since this bed type is composed of natural materials, these organic mattresses are great for an eco-friendly element for your bedroom. The less natural the latex, the lower the price.
Latex mattresses tend to be shorter in height than memory foams; this one is 10 inches and very dense based on its weight. It employs three layers of 100% Talalay latex, which refers to the newer and more expensive method of turning natural tree rubber into latex. The cover is made from breathable, natural cotton and is followed by a layer of flame-retardant wool for optimal cooling properties. By nature, latex foam is very responsive (for comfort without sinking in), ventilates by not trapping heat, and, to top it off, is entirely hypoallergenic. Saatva offers free white-glove delivery and removal of your old mattress. While this is the more expensive product in our roundup, it is actually reasonable compared to other natural latex mattresses because it is sold direct-to-consumer.
This mattress is made from a blend of coils and natural latex, wool, and cotton. It is durable and designed for different sleep positions. Contributor Katarina Kovac says it hits all the right spots for back sleepers. “Often gravitating toward a more firm sleeping experience, this mattress was perfect—not the firmest but it wasn’t too soft where I sank in,” she says. “The back support was there, and as someone who’s five eleven,” that was sincerely appreciated.” Kovac also gives the bed five stars for the Oeko-Tex certification that guarantees it is not made using harmful substances or chemicals.
The most common breed of mattress in the market, innersprings feature layers of coils plus layers of foam, like latex or memory foam. It usually comes with a pillow top cover for added comfort. The design allows you to get both the solid and responsive support and pressure relief of springs and a layer of cushioning to fit the firmness levels of your choosing (contour-to-your-body memory foam or bouncy and breathable latex foam). If you’re the type to sleep on the edge of the bed or are heavier in weight, an innerspring mattress is the ideal surface to keep you level, Ozdemir says. When shopping for an innerspring, you can analyze the height of the coils (the taller, the better!), but really it is a matter of comfort preference. Here are two popular styles she notes for comparison:
This mattress features individually wrapped coils, meaning each spring moves on its own without transferring the motion to the other side of the bed. And there are reinforced coils at the edges of the mattress, so if you sleep closer to one side, it doesn’t feel like you’re about to roll off the bed. Next is a layer of smaller micro-coils, which, in this case, are under two inches, making them nano-coils. These won’t affect the level of support but are intended to keep the mattress cool and ventilated. The layers of coils are then topped by two layers of latex foam, one natural and the other synthetic. While synthetic latex usually points to a lower price, this one is infused with graphite, which pulls heat down from the surface, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a particularly cool mattress. The cover is also hand-tufted in super soft natural cotton, which keeps the top layers in position and prevents any shifting over time. For the ultimate luxury experience, Boll & Branch offers free white-glove delivery service, which includes taking away your old mattress.
This mattress has almost the exact same coil construction as the more expensive innerspring one. In fact, its micro-coil layer is actually taller than that of the other mattress, which adds more individual support while also cooling the mattress. The major difference is in the top comfort layers. A WinkBeds mattress is made from a gel-infused Hypersoft Foam that acts similarly to memory foam but pulls heat down and away from the surface. This is all topped off by a tufted cover of sustainably manufactured, natural performance fabric that is cooling and feels supersoft to the touch. While WinkBeds will not haul away your old mattress for free, it does offer free shipping and a lifetime warranty.
How to choose the right mattress for you
So which mattress is right for you? Ozdemir recommends starting with some mattress myths: