All kinds of mattresses fit broadly under two categories foam and spring. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. You can visit www.thebest-mattress.org/best-and-worst-mattresses/ to get more distinctive features about both the categories.

What is spring mattress?

It is a traditional kind of mattress, which includes plenty of metal coils dangling within the mattress material. It offers plenty of support, especially to people suffering from back pain.
Spring mattress has coil layers of varying density in the center. They offer the mattress majority of structure besides support and bounce.

The feel of spring mattress can be affected by several factors including spring type, thickness, and how they are connected with one another. The springs act as support layer and the upholstery it is encased acts as comfort layer. Upholstery layer has three sections – insulator mesh], middle upholstery [fiber pads or foam] and quilt [light fiber or foam].
Springs are of 4 main types – Pocket coil, Continuous coil, Bonnell coil, and Offset coil.

What is foam mattress?

Instead of spring foam mattress depends on trapped air inside aerated substance to give bounce and support. There are three categories of foam mattresses – memory foam, latex foam and polyurethane foam.

Polyurethane is used mostly in innerspring mattresses upper layer. Chemically, PU is similar to memory foam but without extra viscosity boosters. It means gives the feel of more bouncy and springy than memory foam. To maneuver PU foam is easy because of its lightweight. Poly foam are of three grades – regular, high density as well as high resiliency. The last one is more expensive because it is a full poly foam mattress, while the first two are suitable for layers.

Memory foam mattress is designed with multiple foam layers of different densities. It molds perfectly to your body contours and has slow bounce rate. Best option for people with joint and back pain because pressure is relieved from these areas.

Latex foam

Sap like substance is aerated to create latex foam. The created air bubbles offer firm but bouncy even support. Latex is ecofriendly option because the raw material used is natural and renewable. You get two kinds of latex foam – Dunlop and Talalay.

Manufacturing process of both differ somewhat. Talalay mattress is very expensive option.

Hybrid mattress

Combination of coils with latex foam or memory foam designed initially for unsatisfied sleepers of both categories. Customers can enjoy ‘on top of’ feel, while still getting relief and support from foam. In hybrid mattress, spring is pocketed coil and offers better cradling feel. Spring is topped with thick layer memory or latex foam.

Foam layers decreases the noise making and bounce back.

The differences between spring and foam mattress

Each category reveals their individual pros and cons. However, there is vast variance between both, which makes choosing tricky.

Cost – Both categories are available for different prices, even people on tight budget can find one but certain construction type can cost premium. You get to choose from a wide range of firmness level, support and feel all across wide price range.

Bounce – Innerspring mattresses are bouncier and foam ones are shock absorbing. This means the former springs back quickly but the latter returns to its original position comfortably. Bounciness aspect in different foam mattress vary. Latex foam is bouncier than memory foam.

Support – Memory foam offers better support for people suffering from chronic backache. It supports natural curve of the spine and keeps it aligned.

Temperature – Foam mattresses traps heat making it uncomfortable for people with body heat issues. Spring mattresses are cool options for people residing in hot climate but in foam you can opt for hybrid options.

Movement absorbency – sharing innerspring bed with restless sleeper is an issue because if one moves the other bounces too. On the other hand, foam mattresses are capable to absorb the movement much better.

Smell – Initial experience of foam mattresses is noticeable because it emits unpleasant chemical smell.
After completing research, it is essential to consider personal preference against broad stroked expectations based on mattress types.