Did you know that memory foam was originally invented by NASA in the 1970s? Its original purpose was to protect airplane passengers and pilots in the event of a crash, but today, memory foam is often used in pillows and mattresses. Both memory foam and pocket coil mattress options are two very popular mattress options.
While they are both high-quality choices, you might be wondering if one is better than the other. Keep reading and learn more about the differences between these two types of mattresses.
What You Need to Know About Memory Foam Mattresses
The first thing you should know about any memory foam mattress is that it is very dense and typically heavier compared to most other types of mattresses. This is because memory foam is made out of visco foam which is naturally very dense. This density goes along with a high level of elasticity.
For that reason, if you lay down on a memory foam bed and then get back up, you will see the imprint of your body left behind for a few moments before the mattress assumes its original shape. The great thing about memory foam is that it acts as a great shock absorber. If you have a partner that often tosses and turns during the night and keeps you awake as a result, a memory foam mattress can solve this problem.
Your partner can toss and turn all they want and you won't be able to feel a thing on your side of the mattress. This is because the dense memory foam will absorb all the impact of the moving person. A memory foam mattress is also very good at keeping your body in place.
Once your body sinks into the memory foam, you will get the sensation of being cradled. Many people find this to be a very comforting feeling. More than that, the density of the mattress gives some much-needed support for whatever achy joints you might have.
The Downsides
There are, however, some downsides to memory foam mattresses, especially when you compare a pocket coil vs memory foam mattress. In particular, some people might not like the cradled feeling that this type of mattress provides. Instead, you might prefer a mattress that does not close in on you so much.
Memory foam mattresses also don't have much bounce. Even if you jump on the bed, the memory foam will remain relatively static. You might not like this feeling when trying to sleep as the mattress may feel too stiff.
Another problem is that memory foam tends to hold onto heat more then other types of beds. This might not be a problem for some people, but if you tend to overheat during the night, a memory foam mattress certainly isn't going to help this problem. Memory foam mattresses hold onto heat because they are so dense and not very breathable.
Another downside is that these mattresses tend to be quite expensive. This is not to mention that they can be heavy and more difficult to move.
What You Need to Know About the Pocket Coil Mattress
If you don't like the sound of a memory foam mattress, then a pocket coil mattress might be the perfect alternative. But what is a pocket coil mattress exactly? As the name suggests, this mattress has coils in it, but each of these coils is individually wrapped with fabric.
More than that, none of the coils in a pocket coil mattress are connected. This is what makes it so different compared to traditional coil mattresses that have interconnected coils. But why do separated coils make any difference?
By keeping all the coils separate, each coil can act on its own. This makes it so the entire mattress doesn't move so much when you or your partner moves at night. These individual coils also make it much easier for the mattress to mold to your body.
However, the mattress will not mold to your body as much as a memory foam mattress. Instead, a pocket coil mattress will assume the general shape of your body but it will not give you the same cradled feeling as memory foam mattresses do.
The Details
In the same vein, the mattress does have a bit of a bounce.
Even so, the individual springs do make it so a pocket coil mattress can give your body plenty of support. This is important if your back or hips often hurt you. A pocket coil mattress will be able to take the weight off of your aching joints without any effort on your part.
One of the many benefits of a pocket coil mattress is that it does not retain heat as memory foam does. Because it is nowhere near as dense, a pocket coil mattress is much more breathable. So, if you tend to run hot when you sleep, a pocket coil mattress may be the best mattress for you.
This is not to mention that pocket coil mattresses last quite a long time without needing to be replaced. You can enjoy this kind of mattress for many years before it starts to break down and no longer be as supportive as it needs to be.
Comparing Your Mattress Options
When comparing a pocket coil mattress to a memory foam mattress, one choice is not necessarily better than the other. The choice will all depend on your personal preferences. However, pocket coil mattresses do have the benefit of being more breathable and tolerable for those who overheat at night.
If you still need help deciding on what type of mattress is best for you, we definitely recommend to visit us in store and physically try out the different types of beds by laying down on each. If you are looking for immediate advice on selecting a mattress and something more convenient, our Mattress Matchmaker tool can help you get going in the right direction in a few clicks (4 clicks to be exact). Take the what type of mattress is best for me quiz now.
Did you know that 1 in 5 Canadians don't find their sleep refreshes them? Your sleeping position definitely has an impact on the sort of bed you should be selecting. Continue reading f you are interested in learning more about what you need to know when choosing a mattress based on your sleep position.
