Mattress Types Explained

Walk into any mattress retailer — or browse online — and you will encounter a wide range of mattress types, each with different materials, constructions, and benefits. Memory foam, pocket sprung, hybrid, latex, open coil — the terminology can be confusing, especially when every manufacturer claims their product is the best.

This guide cuts through the noise and explains exactly what each mattress type is, how it works, and who it suits.

In this guide:
Memory Foam | Pocket Sprung | Hybrid | Open Coil | Latex | Quick Comparison | How to Choose

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam — also known as viscoelastic foam — was originally developed by NASA in the 1960s for aircraft cushioning. It became widely available as a mattress material in the 1990s and remains one of the most popular mattress types in the UK today.

How It Works

Memory foam responds to body heat and pressure, softening and moulding to the shape of your body. When you move or get up, it slowly returns to its original shape — hence the name. This contouring effect distributes body weight evenly and relieves pressure at the hips, shoulders, and knees.

Key Benefits

• Excellent pressure relief — particularly good for side sleepers and those with joint pain
• Minimal motion transfer — movement on one side of the bed is not felt on the other, making it ideal for couples
• No springs means no noise
• Conforms closely to the body for a cradling, enveloping feel

Considerations

• Memory foam retains heat more than sprung mattresses. Look for open-cell foam or gel-infused memory foam if you sleep warm
• The sinking sensation is not for everyone — those who prefer to sleep on top of the mattress rather than in it may prefer a sprung or hybrid option
• Requires a solid platform top base for correct support — not suitable for sprung bases
• Can feel firmer in cold rooms and softer in warm rooms

Best for: Side sleepers, couples, those with joint or back pain, those who prefer a quiet, motion-free sleep surface.

Pocket Sprung Mattresses

Pocket sprung mattresses are the most popular mattress type in the UK. They use individual springs, each housed in its own fabric pocket, that move independently of each other.

How It Works

Because each spring is contained in its own pocket, it responds individually to the weight and pressure applied to it. This means the mattress contours to your body shape more precisely than an open coil mattress, where all springs are connected and move as one unit. The higher the spring count, the more precisely the mattress responds.

Spring Count

Spring count refers to the number of individual pocket springs in the mattress. As a general guide:

• Under 1,000 springs (King size): Entry level — adequate for occasional use
• 1,000–1,500 springs: Good everyday support for most sleepers
• 1,500–2,000 springs: Excellent support with precise contouring
• Over 2,000 springs: Premium support — often found in higher-end mattresses

Key Benefits

• Excellent support and body contouring
• Good motion isolation (better than open coil, though not as good as memory foam)
• Breathable — air circulates between the springs, keeping the sleep surface cooler
• Durable — a good quality pocket sprung mattress lasts 8–10 years
• Available in a wide range of firmness levels

Considerations

• Heavier than foam-only mattresses
• Can make some noise over time as springs age, though this is less common with quality pocket sprung mattresses

Best for: Most sleepers, couples, back sleepers, those who sleep warm, those who prefer a traditional sprung feel.

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid mattress combines a pocket spring support core with one or more layers of foam — typically memory foam, reflex foam, or gel foam — on top. The result is a mattress that offers the benefits of both spring and foam construction.

How It Works

The pocket spring base provides support, structure, and breathability. The foam comfort layers on top provide pressure relief, contouring, and motion isolation. The combination means you get the responsive, supportive feel of springs with the pressure-relieving properties of foam.

Key Benefits

• Combines the best properties of springs and foam
• Better temperature regulation than all-foam mattresses, due to the breathable spring core
• Good motion isolation from the foam layers
• Suits a wide range of sleepers and sleeping positions
• Available in a wide range of firmness levels

Considerations

• Heavier than foam-only mattresses due to the spring core
• Generally at a higher price point than entry-level memory foam or open coil mattresses

Best for: Most sleepers, couples, those who want the benefits of both foam and springs, hot sleepers who find all-foam mattresses too warm.

Open Coil Mattresses

Open coil mattresses — also called Bonnell spring or continuous coil mattresses — use a single continuous wire formed into a series of connected springs. They are the most traditional mattress construction and are generally the most affordable option.

How It Works

Because the springs are all connected, they move as a single unit rather than independently. This means the mattress does not contour to the body as precisely as a pocket sprung mattress. When one person moves, the movement is felt across the whole mattress — making open coil mattresses less suitable for couples.

Key Benefits

• The most affordable mattress type
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Good for occasional use — guest bedrooms, children’s rooms

Considerations

• Higher motion transfer — not ideal for couples
• Less precise body contouring than pocket sprung
• Generally less durable than pocket sprung or hybrid mattresses
• Not recommended as a primary mattress for adults who sleep in it every night

Best for: Guest bedrooms, children’s beds, budget-conscious buyers who need a functional mattress for occasional use.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic rubber. Natural latex is derived from the sap of rubber trees; synthetic latex is petroleum-based. Many mattresses use a blend of both.

How It Works

Latex provides a buoyant, responsive feel — it pushes back against the body rather than allowing it to sink in, as memory foam does. It is naturally breathable, hypoallergenic, and highly durable.

Key Benefits

• Naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and mould — excellent for allergy sufferers
• Highly breathable — one of the coolest sleeping surfaces available
• Very durable — natural latex mattresses can last 15–20 years with proper care
• Responsive feel — bounces back quickly when you move, unlike memory foam
• Naturally resistant to sagging

Considerations

• Natural latex mattresses are among the most expensive available
• Heavy — can be difficult to rotate or move
• The responsive, buoyant feel is not for everyone — those who prefer a contouring, enveloping feel may prefer memory foam
• Those with latex allergies should avoid natural latex mattresses

Best for: Allergy sufferers, hot sleepers, those who prefer a responsive rather than contouring feel, those looking for maximum durability.

Quick Comparison

• Best for pressure relief: Memory foam
• Best for couples: Memory foam or hybrid (lowest motion transfer)
• Best for hot sleepers: Pocket sprung, hybrid, or latex
• Best for allergy sufferers: Latex
• Best for back pain: Hybrid or medium-firm pocket sprung
• Best for durability: Latex, then pocket sprung
• Best value for everyday use: Pocket sprung or hybrid
• Best for guest bedrooms: Open coil or entry-level memory foam

How to Choose the Right Type for You

Use this as a starting point:

• You sleep hot: Pocket sprung, hybrid, or latex. Avoid dense memory foam.
• You have joint or back pain: Memory foam or hybrid for pressure relief. Medium-firm pocket sprung for lumbar support.
• You share a bed: Memory foam or hybrid for motion isolation.
• You have allergies: Latex or a mattress with a hypoallergenic cover.
• You want maximum durability: Latex or high spring-count pocket sprung.
• You are furnishing a guest bedroom: Open coil or entry-level memory foam.
• You want the best all-round option: Hybrid.

For more detailed guidance on firmness levels, see our Mattress Firmness Guide. For a complete overview of everything to consider when buying a mattress, see our Mattress Buying Guide.

Ready to find your mattress? Browse our mattress collection or contact us for personalised advice.

Mattress Buying Guide | Mattress Firmness Guide | Bed Size Guide | All Buying Guides