I recently found myself in the market for a new mattress. I was tired of feeling the springs of my old mattress every time laid down, and my wife was equally miserable with the body impressions that had formed on our spring and coil mattress. Admittedly, we could have done more to prevent the impressions from forming in the first place, but they were there and needed to be dealt with nonetheless. Initially, we were sucked in to the memory foam mattress craze due to their slick marketing tactics and perceived superiority over other mattresses. However, we soon realized that there were other alternatives besides the traditional coil and spring mattresses; alternatives that wouldn’t break the bank and wouldn’t emit foul chemical odors when new. We quickly settled on a latex mattress, but not before sorting through the various options in the latex class.

When searching for latex mattresses, it quickly becomes obvious that there isn’t just one type that is suitable for every sleeper. As with any product, there are manufacturers that claim to have a superior product over other producers. Some offer a natural latex mattress, which is derived from the byproduct (latex) of a specific type of plant, while other latex mattresses are produced through a synthetic process. It’s important to understand that the two types (natural vs. manmade) are nearly identical in terms of look and feel. Perhaps the major reason for choosing natural latex over synthetic is the cost difference, as natural latex mattresses tend to be more expensive. Apart from the origin of the latex itself, there is also a distinction to be made regarding the specific type or percentage of latex, since some mattresses are composed of 100% latex while others use a foam/ latex combination. In terms of longevity, it’s usually best to go with a higher percentage of latex, since a latex foam mattress might not have the durability that a straight latex mattress does.

In terms of longevity, most independent research has concluded that a latex mattress should last between 15-20 years, assuming that the user rotates their mattress monthly to avoid body depressions. This is far longer than a traditional spring mattress, which may only last for 5-7 years at the most. The reason for this is that latex is much more resilient and able to bounce back to its original form after the sleeper has exited the bed. On the other hand, springs and coils tend to compress over time and slowly lose their supportive qualities, regardless of whether the user rotates the mattress. From a financial standpoint, latex is clearly superior and even rivals the memory foam mattress in its durability and resiliency.
Similar to a visco elastic foam mattress, a latex mattress offers superior support qualities due to its high density. A latex mattress will conform quickly to your body on the surface, but remain highly dense and supportive at its core, preventing the sleeper from feeling as though they’re sinking into it. It’s also important to note that springs, coils or other internal mattress components will never be felt in a latex mattress, since these parts are not used.

For those that are unable or uninterested in spending the money on a new mattress, a latex mattress topper may be a good option. While a mattress topper will never offer the support of a complete mattress, it can greatly improve an existing mattress, particularly if you’re looking to avoid the sharp pokes from springs or coils that are common to old mattresses. If you are looking to purchase a new mattress or find yourself in the middle of the hunt, a latex mattress should be high on your list of considerations. After all, no other mattress type will offer the superior support, longevity and relative low cost than a latex mattress will. While memory foam mattresses come close, they are generally not as affordable and often emit strong chemical odors when new. After nearly a year of ownership, we are extremely happy with our Vera Wang Organic Collection Talalay Latex Mattress, and were able to get a fantastic deal in California through Sleep Train.

Related posts:

1. What Makes Latex Mattresses So Great? You’ve likely heard the various claims made by mattress companies...
2. Get the Best Quality of Sleep with this Latex Mattress // Sleep is one of the simple pleasures in life....
3. Boost Your Comfort with a Latex Mattress Topper The tendency for mattresses to quickly lose much of their...
4. What is a Visco Elastic Foam Mattress // Foam mattresses have increased significantly in popularity over the...
5. The Latex Pillow versus the Others Your pillow is the most important item apart from your...