Innerspring, or coil, type mattresses are the most common version of mattress sold in the U.S. And while innerspring mattresses have been around since the early 1900's, they have changed radically in the last 10 - 15 years. Where innerspring mattresses used to be fairly simple beds, 6" - 8" thick with a continuous layer of coiled wire surrounded by a bit of foam or batted cotton - today they are clocking in at 11" - 15" thick and they often sport a substantial "pillow top" layer offering the latest innovation in mattress technology (memory foam, latex, etc.). Why the move towards these high altitude mattresses? The fact is that old school mattress makers have realized that sleeping on a slab of steel wire is just not very comfortable, and outdated, when you consider all of the hybrid mattress options out there. And as the mattress industry has seen new technologies enter the market, such as beds made using memory foam, latex, gel foams, even the popularity of digital air beds on the rise, conventional innerspring manufacturers have had to scramble to reinvent their product to try to compete.
As a result, a new generation of far more comfortable coil type mattresses employing a unique technology has been created. This technology enables the components to reduce pressure points far more efficiently, distribute weight evenly, and universally supports almost every body type, a kind of �one size fits� all mattress. This technology, called a �pocketed coil� system, is actually pretty amazing. Rather than weaving all of the coils together in one big slab, unconnected coils are inserted one by one, each reacting differently to weight and movement, like a piston. For example, on the outer edge of these mattresses, where you tend to sit, put your shoes on, or simply transfer to a standing position, the first few lines of coils may be stiffer, while as you get into particular zones of the bed, the coils may be slightly softer and cushier in feel. In one mattress, especially a high quality unit, you can get as many as 1,200 coils in a king size mattress, and around 1,000 in a queen!
Each single coil is wrapped in a fabric encasement, and the top and bottom of the entire array is attached to a flexible fabric that allows your body to operate each coil independently- an ingenious reinvention of a system that is more than a hundred years old. Forward thinking manufacturers of coil or innerspring mattresses kept the innerspring core, but layered around it these new comfort layers. I�ve tried many of these mattresses, and since I am a latex fan, I tried to find a pocketed coil model that had some latex above it, since the floating and buoyant sensation that you get from latex would seem to enhance the effect of the coils. They feel springy, soft and supportive, but not too bouncy. One thing I did notice about all of the pocketed coil type mattresses was one common feature - minimal motion transfer. I think this is because the coils are not all woven together, so you don�t get that springy, bouncy transfer from one coil to the next. I also tried memory foam, and other kinds of layers, like wool, and although they had a nice feel, the memory foam kind of sank into the coil layers and did not keep me supported.
If you have back and neck issues, a pocketed coil system with latex might be one solution, at least in my opinion. While I was primarily visiting brick and mortar stores, I tried to find a similar product online, and not surprisingly, found a mattress on a web site called Habitat Furnishings. They created a specialized pocketed coil mattress that sells for a reasonable price, and it seems to have all of the ingredients you might want in a pocketed coil mattress. They use a 3� layer of pure latex, a layer of Jomma Wool (a really high quality kind of lambs wool) to make the mattress sleep cooler. They even give you an organic cover and a thirty year warranty. The benefit I think of buying online, is many mattresses can be rolled and vacuum packaged, which is hugely popular, since mattresses don�t get damaged very much when shipped like this, and it makes it easy to deploy and unfurl on top of your foundation piece. Habitat ships their pocketed coil mattress this way, which I thought was really interesting, since I have never heard of a coil mattress being roll packed.
No more tearing up your mattress dragging it up to your bedroom! I also looked at their warranty and was very impressed. Knowing that they were selling their mattress sight unseen, they not only offer a full year to try out the mattress, but provide a 30 year warranty that also protects you with a full replacement guarantee should the mattress fail, for a full 15 years! I have not seen this kind of coverage, even with popular, big name brands. I looked all over the web for another company with a similar product, especially a thirty year warranty, and couldn�t find anything even close. The crazy thing is, they are well reviewed, have an�A+ BBB rating, and if you don�t like the mattress, you can return it within 365 days. Or, if you prefer talking with someone, they do offer live phone customer service 9am to 5pm Eastern Time, Monday - Friday, at 800-313-2591. All their staff seems to have years of experience and an in-depth knowledge working with innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
They can help you see if the Regal Tranquility may be a solution for your particular sleep needs. I have found that not all companies selling mattresses even offer phone service, so it was nice to talk to a human being about the details as well. It�s worth taking a look at, and I always like to reiterate when I write my articles that I don�t get a commission or referral fee for any sales from mattresses I recommend. I do ask for a small sponsor fee from a site, especially if I find a mattress I really like, to help me keep this site up and running. I�m a piano tuner by day, but after a bad mattress shopping experience myself, I began to study the mattress industry and quickly learned that it pays to be an educated shopper. This led to me writing articles and eventually creating this site which features information about many different kinds of mattresses. Thanks for reading and good luck!Choosing the best mattress for your individual needs is pivotal to achieving quality, restful sleep for your physical and mental well-being.
With proper care, the lifespan of a typical mattress averages between eight and ten years. If your mattress is old or you are experiencing back, hip or neck discomfort from sleeping in your bed, it is time to invest in a new mattress.Purchasing a mattress can be a daunting task, especially with the number of choices and types that are available to you. As you begin your search for a new mattress, familiarize yourself with the different types that are being sold in various price ranges. It also may be helpful to look online for the best mattress ratings and reviews to help you evaluate your options. According to Consumer Reports magazine, the best mattress is the one you find most comfortable and supportive, and the only way to know for sure is to try some out.It is important to note that while more expensive mattresses may offer thicker foam, more padding, and/or fancier materials, these enhancements may or may not make a significant difference in how the mattress feels to you.
Following is an overview of the basic types of mattresses on the market, which can be found through online retailers or in an array of furniture and bedding stores.Known as the traditional mattress, innerspring mattresses come in a variety of trims and offer an extensive list of comfort and support options. As the name suggests, innerspring mattress cores are manufactured of steel coils or springs. Different mattress companies will engineer springs differently to manipulate the sleep surface's firmness, comfort and support characteristics. Innerspring technology has been around for centuries, allowing manufacturers to fine-tune mattress-building into a near science. This allows consumers to choose from a wide range of options to find the best mattress to address their needs for support and comfort.Innerspring mattresses come in all price ranges. They can be the least expensive option – as well as among the most expensive choice. To get a better understanding of just how wide the pendulum can swing when it comes to these mattresses, it is worth digging a little deeper into the three most popular types of coil systems described below.
Bonnell Coil - This type of coil is shaped like an hour-glass and represents the cheapest and longest-running coil type used in mattress manufacturing. The Bonnell Coil can be easily damaged or worn out and there is a high incidence of sagging reported among owners. Continuous Coil - The continuous coil is a single wire system weaved into hundreds of interconnected coils. This system helps to extend the mattress life and reduce the incidence of premature sagging.Pocket Coil - Pocket coils are independent coils that are individually encased in fabric, foam or other material. This type of coil system provides varying and appropriate levels of support to different areas of the body (such as the head, chest, hips or ankles) based on weight.Of course, different mattress manufacturers may offer variations of the above in order to present a unique product that sets their brand apart from competitors.Memory foam mattresses have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. These highly engineered mattresses are manufactured using synthetics, foams and chemicals.
In their most basic form, a memory foam mattress will consist of a thick base foam layer that is not unlike many of the foams used in seats or packaging.The top layer of the mattress is where you would find the actual memory foam. Made using technology developed by NASA (hence the name "space age memory foam" that is often used), this comfort layer is thinner than the base layer. It is designed to provide body contouring characteristics, heat retention and superior support.Since memory foam material is highly flammable, mattresses are engineered with fire retardants and other chemicals for safety protection. However, those chemicals often leave an odor that is present when the packaging is removed on new mattresses. The smell usually disappears within a couple of days.By design, memory foam retains body heat. As a result, some users complain about being hot during the night because of the mattress. Others find them to be the best mattress on which they've slept.For the most part, memory foam mattresses are less expensive than luxury innerspring mattresses, contributing to their popularity.
Manufactured from the sap extracted from the rubber tree, latex foam mattresses offer many of the same comfort and support qualities of memory foam mattresses but with two important distinctions: they are more natural (therefore less chemicals) and they do not retain as much body heat. As a result, latex foam mattresses are popular among buyers who suffer from scent hyper-sensitivities, as well as people who consider themselves "hot sleepers.”There are two basic types of Latex Foam: Dunlop and Talalay. Both begin as the same sap from the same tree. Talalay latex adds two steps more to its processing life than Dunlop latex, and this is what makes Talalay more expensive.In terms of overall quality, experts argue that neither makes the best mattress since the additional steps in Talalay latex simply add to its range of surface-firmness. Those extra steps, however, make it less dense and durable than Dunlop latex.Airbeds offer adjustable settings that allow users to customize the comfort and support of their mattress by pumping air into chambers for a firmer sleep experience or releasing air from those chambers to achieve a softer sleep surface.
best mattressSome airbeds are designed with the capability to adjust the firmness of each side of the bed separately. This makes them among the best mattress options for couples who have different mattress preferences.When most people think of waterbeds, they think of the 1980's when owners filled a matress-sized “bladder” full of water and placed it inside a bed frame. Those old-school mattresses were trendy, but they provided poor support, little comfort and no motion-cancelling qualities.Thankfully those days are part of the past. Today's waterbeds replace the traditional mattress core with water, allowing some degree of firmness control. as well as temperature control on some models. These "new" waterbed mattresses offer good structural support and can last a long time with proper care.One of the least expensive bedding options for shoppers is the futon. Extremely comfortable, many futons offer the same benefits as higher priced memory foam and latex mattresses by providing excellent back support.