There are five main types of mattresses sold today: innerspring, foam, hybrid, latex, and airbed. Each uses a fundamentally different construction to support your body, and the differences affect everything from how long the mattress lasts to how much you’ll pay and how it feels when you lie down. Understanding what’s inside each type is the fastest way to narrow your search.
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses are built around a core of steel coils with only a thin comfort layer on top, usually made of cotton, polyester, or a slim sheet of foam. They’re the oldest mattress design still in production and tend to feel noticeably firmer and bouncier than other types. Because the coils do most of the work, the sleeping surface doesn’t contour much to your body.
Not all coil systems are the same. The four common types are Bonnell, offset, continuous, and pocketed coils, and each changes how the bed performs:
- Bonnell coils are hourglass-shaped and interconnected. They’re the most affordable option but transfer motion easily, tend to get noisy over time, and sag faster than other designs.
- Offset coils look similar to Bonnell coils but have squared-off edges that let them hinge together and follow your body’s curves more closely. They reduce motion transfer and show up in mid-range to higher-end beds.
- Continuous coils are formed from a single piece of wire bent into a series of connected springs. They’re extremely durable and provide uniform support, but they can feel stiff and pass movement from one side of the bed to the other.
- Pocketed coils are individually wrapped in fabric so each coil moves on its own. This makes them the best coil type for isolating motion and contouring to your shape, which is why they’re popular in beds marketed to couples.
Traditional innersprings have the shortest lifespan of any mattress category, lasting roughly 5.5 to 6.5 years on average. A basic queen-size innerspring starts around $400, while models with higher coil counts and better comfort layers can run between $800 and $2,000.
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses contain no coils at all. The support core is a thick layer of high-density polyfoam, and the comfort layers above it are usually memory foam, softer polyfoam, or a combination. This all-foam construction is what gives these beds their signature body-hugging feel and deep pressure relief.
The density of the memory foam is the single biggest factor in how a foam mattress performs and how long it lasts. Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot. Foams below about 3 lb/ft³ are considered low density: they’re softer, respond faster, and break down more quickly. Foams at 5 lb/ft³ and above are high density: they contour more slowly, distribute body weight more evenly, and can last up to 50% longer than their low-density counterparts. If you deal with body aches or pressure-point pain, higher-density foam generally does a better job of spreading your weight so no single spot bears too much load.
The trade-off with foam is heat. Dense foam restricts airflow, so many manufacturers now infuse their foam with cooling gel, copper particles, or embed phase-change materials in the cover. Phase-change materials absorb excess body heat and release it as you cool down, smoothing out temperature swings through the night. Foam mattresses average 6 to 7 years of useful life. A queen starts around $500 for a quality model and ranges up to $1,800 for beds with higher-density foam and advanced cooling.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress pairs a coil support core (almost always pocketed coils) with a substantial comfort system at least 3 inches thick, made from memory foam, polyfoam, latex, or a mix. That thick comfort layer is what separates a true hybrid from a regular innerspring with a bit of padding on top. The goal is to capture the bounce and airflow of coils along with the pressure relief and contouring of foam.
Because air circulates freely between the coils, hybrids sleep cooler than all-foam beds. The pocketed coil base also gives them stronger edge support, so you can use the full surface of the mattress without feeling like you’re rolling off. They last about 6.5 to 7.5 years. Pricing for a queen typically falls between $1,000 and $2,000, though sales can push entry-level models under $1,000.
Latex Mattresses
A true latex mattress uses latex rubber in every layer, from the firm support core to the softer comfort layers on top. No foam, no coils. Latex has a distinct feel: responsive and springy rather than slow-sinking like memory foam. It bounces back quickly when you change positions, which makes it a good fit if you move around a lot at night.
There are two manufacturing methods that produce noticeably different feels. Dunlop latex is poured into a mold and baked, producing a denser foam with smaller air pockets and a firmer feel. Talalay latex goes through an extra step of vacuum-sealing and freezing before being heated, which creates larger, more uniform air pockets and a softer, springier result. Dunlop works well as a firmer support layer and is the better choice if you deal with lower back pain. Talalay excels as a soft comfort layer and is often recommended for people with hip or shoulder sensitivity, or conditions like fibromyalgia where pressure relief is critical.
Latex mattresses outlast every other type, averaging 7.5 to 8.5 years. That durability comes at a price: natural latex queens typically start around $1,500 and range up to $2,500, making them the most expensive mainstream option.
Airbed Mattresses
Airbed mattresses (not to be confused with inflatable camping mattresses) use air chambers as their primary support system instead of coils or foam. A built-in pump connects to one or more heavy-duty air bladders, and you adjust firmness with a wireless remote. Pumping air in makes the bed firmer; releasing it makes it softer. Most adjustments take 30 to 60 seconds.
The real selling point is customization for couples. Queen and king models typically have two separate air chambers, one for each side, each with its own remote. One partner can sleep at a soft setting while the other sleeps firm, on the same mattress. Many airbeds also have comfort layers of foam or latex over the chambers to add contouring and prevent you from feeling the bladder directly. Airbeds tend to sit at the higher end of the price spectrum, often starting above $1,500 for quality models and climbing well past $3,000 for beds with advanced features.
How Mattress Type Affects Sleep Position
Your sleeping position determines how much contouring and firmness you need. Side sleepers put concentrated pressure on their shoulders and hips, so they generally do best on a softer surface that lets those areas sink in while keeping the spine straight. Foam, Talalay latex, and softer hybrids all work well here.
Back and stomach sleepers need a firmer surface that prevents the midsection from sagging, which would pull the spine out of alignment. Innersprings, firmer hybrids, and Dunlop latex are natural fits. If you shift between positions throughout the night, a medium-firmness mattress in any category gives you the widest margin of comfort across all sleeping postures.
Typical Cost and Lifespan Comparison
Price and durability vary significantly across categories. Here’s what to expect for a queen-size mattress:
- Innerspring: $400 to $2,000. Lasts about 5.5 to 6.5 years.
- Foam: $500 to $1,800. Lasts about 6 to 7 years.
- Hybrid: $1,000 to $2,000. Lasts about 6.5 to 7.5 years.
- Latex: $1,500 to $2,500. Lasts about 7.5 to 8.5 years.
- Airbed: $1,500 to $3,000+. Lifespan depends heavily on pump and bladder quality.
The cheapest mattress up front isn’t always the cheapest over time. A latex mattress at $2,000 that lasts 8 years costs about $250 per year, while an innerspring at $400 that lasts 5.5 years costs roughly $73 per year but may need replacing sooner and offer less support in its final years. Factor in both the purchase price and how long you expect to keep it when comparing options.