A good night’s sleep is critical to your health and well-being. The average person spends about 8 hours in bed, and the mattress is a key component.

The right mattress will make or break your sleeping experience, but buying one can be confusing. There are many choices to consider, including size and material.

Innerspring

The most traditional mattress type, innerspring mattresses feature a coil support system below a layer of foam, fiber or upholstery materials. They come in various styles, such as continuous, Bonnell, or individually wrapped (pocketed) coils. Coil gauge refers to how thick or thin the waves are, which affects the durability and firmness of the mattress.

Innerspring mattresses provide strong, stable support and can be good for people with back pain who need a firm feel. They are also a good choice for hot sleepers, as they offer more breathability than other mattresses and can help dissipate body heat.

Some innerspring mattresses for sale include natural fiber fillings, such as wool or cotton, which can increase breathability and create a cooler sleeping experience. You may also find some hybrid options that combine innerspring and latex or memory foam to provide the best of both worlds. Some mattress sellers also offer delivery and setup services, allowing them to take care of the entire bed-buying process from start to finish.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is the way to go when you want to combine the best aspects of foam and spring mattresses. A mixed bed features memory foam, latex or gel layers on top of a base layer containing pocketed coils and a supportive core.

The coils give the hybrid bed its bouncy feel, and the layers of foam help with pressure point relief. They also conform to the spine’s natural curve, reducing back pain.

Hybrids often have better airflow than all-foam models, so they’re ideal for sleepers who get too warm in an all-foam model. They are compatible with most bed frames, including metal and slatted frames, platform beds and adjustable bed bases.

They are usually pricier than traditional innerspring and foam mattresses, but they last longer and offer superior longevity. They’re available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king sizes. They ship as a “mattress in a box,” so they arrive compressed and will take a day or two to expand to their full extent and shape.

Memory Foam

Originally developed in the 1960s for NASA spaceship seats and seatbelts, memory foam has quickly become one of the most popular mattress types. Its unique material responds to body heat and conforms to the sleeper’s contours, cradling them in a soft, supportive cushion. This reduces pressure points, helping to relieve back, neck and hip pain and correcting poor sleeping posture.

It is also a quiet sleep surface, eliminating the squeaking, groaning and other noises that can occur on some mattresses. It is also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making it an ideal option for people with allergies.

Memory foam can also be quite warm, depending on its construction. Some manufacturers add cooling gel to their traditional memory foam to help minimize this issue. They may also use a core of much firmer foam to provide stability and support, particularly in hybrid mattresses that combine memory foam with innerspring components.

Look for beds with the CertiPUR-US seal of approval, indicating that they don’t contain formaldehyde, ozone depleters or heavy metals and have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They should also be certified as flame retardants.

Adjustable

In addition to selecting the best mattress for your needs, it’s important to consider which type is compatible with an adjustable base (also known as a reclining bed). The four types most commonly paired with this type of foundation are memory foam, all-foam, latex foam and wrapped coil mattresses.

All these materials can bend and flex to accommodate your adjustable bed’s positions. Memory foam is one of the most popular options because it distributes weight evenly and contours to the body. It is also known to be highly durable.

A natural latex foam mattress might be the right choice for shoppers wanting an environmentally-friendly option. This type of mattress is similar to memory foam but offers additional benefits like greater durability and a more “buoyant” feel. Most of these mattresses come with a free home trial. Shoppers should pay attention to the length of time, location restrictions and return policy to ensure they get the best mattress for their needs and lifestyle.