The Complete Mattress Buying Guide: Every Type Explained

You spend roughly a third of your life on your mattress. It affects your sleep quality, your back health, and how you feel every morning. It’s worth understanding before you buy. Here’s a clear breakdown of every type, who each suits, and what firmness actually means.

The main types

Pocket sprung

Individual springs inside fabric pockets that move independently of each other. This is the most popular mattress type in the UK and one of the most widely purchased globally. The pocket spring count matters: 1,000–1,500 springs is standard; 2,000+ is higher quality, with better pressure distribution and less partner disturbance. Pocket sprung mattresses sleep cooler than foam because air circulates through the spring system.

Memory foam

Conforms closely to body shape under heat and pressure, then slowly returns to its original form. Excellent pressure relief, particularly for side sleepers and people with hip or shoulder pain. Disadvantages: retains heat (a problem for hot sleepers), can feel like you’re “stuck” if the foam density is too high, and takes longer to respond to position changes. Modern memory foam mattresses often include cooling gel layers that partially address the heat issue.

Hybrid

A pocket spring core topped with a comfort layer of foam (memory or latex) of 5cm or more. Combines the responsive, cool-sleeping qualities of pocket springs with the pressure relief and contouring of foam. Hybrids are the most versatile type — they suit a wide range of sleepers and are the most common recommendation for couples with different sleep preferences.

Latex

Natural or synthetic latex offers similar pressure relief to memory foam but is more responsive — it bounces back quickly rather than slowly. It sleeps cooler than memory foam, is naturally hypoallergenic, and is more durable. Natural latex is the most eco-friendly mattress material. Disadvantages: heavy, expensive, and has a distinctive buoyant feel that some people love and others dislike.

Open coil (Bonnell spring)

The traditional coil spring mattress. Less expensive, but springs are interconnected so motion transfers across the mattress easily. Not recommended for couples. Fine for occasional-use guest beds where budget is the primary constraint.

Firmness: what the scale actually means

Firmness scales (1–10, soft to firm) vary by brand and are partly subjective, but the relationship between body weight, sleep position and firmness is relatively consistent:

Lighter sleepers (under 65kg): Tend to prefer softer mattresses (3–5). A firm mattress doesn’t compress enough under lighter body weight to relieve pressure properly.

Average-weight sleepers (65–90kg): Medium firmness (5–7) suits most. The mattress should compress slightly under the shoulder and hip while maintaining lumbar support.

Heavier sleepers (90kg+): Firmer mattresses (7–9) compress adequately under more body weight and offer better long-term durability.

Sleep position matters too: Side sleepers need more give at the shoulder and hip (softer/medium). Back sleepers need lumbar support (medium/firm). Stomach sleepers benefit from a firmer surface to prevent hyperextension of the spine.

How long does a mattress last?

Quality pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses: 8–12 years. Memory foam: 6–10 years. Budget open coil: 3–6 years. Latex: 10–20 years (the most durable type). If your mattress is over 8 years old and you’re waking with back pain or notice visible sagging, it’s time to replace it regardless of how it looks.