Finding the right type of mattress to suit your body and budget can be tricky, so we show you how to choose the best mattress.Memory foam, pocket sprung, latex, open coil, continuous coil... not sure which type of mattress is best for you? We look at the pros and cons of the main types of mattresses to help you find the best.There are four main mattress types to choose from. Most mattress manufacturers make more than one type - different varieties go through a different manufacturing process and cost different amounts. Price isn't everything, though, as what is most important is what you as an individual find comfortable.Use our interactive tool, below, and read our expert tips to help you decide which type of mattress to buy. Once you've made up your mind, you can use the filters on our independent mattress reviews to find your perfect mattress. Keep reading for more information on the main type of mattress. Or, if you already know which type you want, find out how to buy the best mattress.
Pocket sprung mattressIn pocket sprung mattresses, the springs are sewn into individual fabric pockets. Pocket sprung mattresses are the most popular type of mattress among Which? members - more than half of the members we surveyed about their mattress had bought a pocket sprung one.Pocket sprung mattresses don't mould to your shape in the same way that memory foam mattresses do, but that doesn't necessarily mean they offer less support. They also tend not to be as warm as memory foam mattresses, which could be an important consideration if you tend to find yourself too warm at night.We've tested some great pocket sprung mattresses at a range of different prices, so you're sure to find one that suits you. Go to our Best Buy mattresses page to see the very best.Memory foam mattress/memory mattressMemory foam mattresses, also known as memory mattresses, are topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material (memory foam). They can be expensive, but we've found some fantastic memory foam mattresses for less than £400.This makes the shape of the mattress change to fit the shape of your body, and it also tends to make the mattress feel warmer.
Everything you need to know about this increasingly popular type of mattress can be found in our memory foam mattress guide. If you already know that you want to buy a memory foam mattress, you can find the right model for your budget and body type by reading our mattress reviews.Continuous coil mattress and open coil mattress These mattresses are cheaper than other types of bed mattress. Continuous coil mattresses are made from a single looped wire Open coil mattresses are made of single springs fixed together by one wire. Because the springs move as one unit, you're more likely to be disturbed by your partner moving around during the night. The coils in these mattresses wear out more quickly than pocket springs, so you’re likely to end up rolling together eventually.When we surveyed Which? members to find out more about mattresses, those who own an open-coil mattress are less likely to say that it helps them to get a good night's sleep than those who own other types of mattress.
You can find out more about our survey results, including which brands to look out for, in our full mattress brand reviews.Latex mattressLatex is a less common type of mattress which features a core made up of layers of springy latex. These mattresses tend to be more expensive, but manufacturers claim that they are more resilient and able to better keep their shape. Manufacturer Dunlopillo specialises in latex mattresses, although the one we've reviewed doesn't come cheap.Mattress toppersThese add a layer of extra padding to your existing bed mattress. Mattress toppers can be made of memory foam or other materials. However, they can be as expensive as buying a new mattress in some cases, and won’t provide more support if your old mattress is already sagging.Discover which are the best mattress topper brands according to our survey of more than 1,000 mattress topper owners.A mattress can cost up to £3,000, but you don't need to pay this much to buy the best. We explain how to find the best mattress for you.
Your browser does not support the video tagWant to buy the best mattress for you? Deciding which type of mattress you want is only part of the story. If you want a mattress that you'll be happy with for years to come, you also need to make a few other good decisions.Keep reading, as we'll help you to make those key decisions to ensure you get the best mattress for a good night's sleep. From the best way to try out a mattress in a shop to make sure it's going to be right for you, to what you need to look for in a mattress guarantee to make sure you don't get caught out. We've put mattresses of all types through our tough tests - go to our mattress reviews to find the one that's best for you.Buy a mattress from a trusted brand46% of Which? members bought their mattress because it's made by a brand they trust. If you're not sure what the best mattress brands are, we can help. Check out our guide to the best and worst mattress brands. This reveals what people think of the brand of mattress they own, including how comfortable it is, and includes major brands such as Silentnight, Sleepeezee and Sealy.How much do you need to spend on a new mattress?
A new mattress can cost anywhere between a couple of hundred pounds and several thousand. Factors like brand, size and the type of materials used can all have a significant impact on cost.We've found you don't need to spend a fortune to get a mattress that supports your spine and lasts for years.But our mattress tests have found that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a mattress that will support your spine and last for years to come. Sort our mattress reviews by price to find our cheapest Best Buys.Which type of mattress should you get?The type of mattress you choose all comes down to your personal preference and budget. members choose pocket-sprung mattresses. But unlike memory foam mattresses, they don't mould to your shape. You'll also see continuous coil and open coil mattresses, which are usually cheaper than the other types of mattress, and latex mattresses.For more information about mattress types, see our guide to choosing the best type of mattress.Try the mattress before you buyBuying a mattress online may be cheaper and more convenient but, if you can, it’s best to try a mattress before you buy.
Even if you feel awkward doing this in a shop, don't let this put you off - you're going to be sleeping on the mattress for years, so it's important you make the right choice. When we asked Which? members about their experience of buying a mattress, over a third of them told us they feel intimidated trying out a mattress in the shop. A good mattress shop - see our guide revealing the best mattress shops - shouldn't mind you doing this.When you go shopping for a new mattress, wear comfortable clothing and remove your outdoor gear. Lie on a mattress for at least 10 minutes, in positions that you normally sleep in.Sit on the edge of the mattress – it should be firm, not saggy. Don’t shop for beds when you’re tired, as all the mattresses will feel great.If you’re buying a memory foam mattress, relax in one position, then move into another. Was it easy or did you struggle to move? If the latter, you might find the memory mattress will restrict your movement too much, especially in cold weather when the memory foam will be harder.
Don't let sales assistants influence you – they can’t decide whether the mattress is comfortable. If the bed is for two, shop together.Make sure your mattress fits your bed baseManufacturers encourage you to buy a mattress and bed base together, and this is a good idea if you’ve had your old base for many years.If you buy the mattress and base separately, or are going to keep your old base, measure carefully to make sure they’re a good fit. Dimensions can vary so don’t rely on a new double mattress being exactly the same size as your old one.Is your mattress going on a slatted base? Then make sure that the slats are no more than 6cm wide or more than 4cm apart. This ensures sufficient ventilation, whilst preventing the mattress sagging through between the slats.Check the guarantee/warranty on your mattressMake sure you know what your rights are if there's a problem with your mattress. Each of our mattress brand reviews has information on the different guarantees that come with each mattress, so you won't get caught out.
Most guarantees for mattresses will not cover gradual wear and tear, which leads to loss of support. So make sure you use our mattress reviews to pick out a durable mattress that will stand the test of time.Most mattress guarantees will not cover gradual wear and tear.Before you buy your mattress, check whether there’s anything in particular, such as removing labels or using a base other than a recommended one, that would invalidate the guarantee.Don't worry if your mattress is smelly at firstIt's important that you unwrap your mattress as soon as you get it home - leaving the plastic wrappings on could lead to rot. Most bed mattresses have a distinctive chemical odour when you first unpack them, but some can be particularly smelly. Leave your mattress to air for a week before use and the fumes will disperse.Now you know how to go about buying the best mattress for you, check out our best mattress recommendations to reveal the mattresses that will support your spine and last for years.