The simple answer is yes, a mattress’ weight does correlate with the quality of the materials used to make the mattress.
So, who doesn’t want an amazing mattress to sleep on? Poor mattress quality can lead to restless, REM-less sleep, pain, and possible medical complications. High-quality mattresses yield deep, restful sleep and last far longer than their “dime-store” counterparts.
According to Amerisleep, the average mattress weighs between 50 to 150 pounds depending on the materials used. Of course, the size of the mattress, comparing a single to a California king, matters are well to the mattress’ weight. Also, potential buyers should pay close attention to the materials themselves, like the ILD rating and density of foam, as well as, the coil count and gauge of innerspring coils.
Many people automatically assume that the weight of a mattress determines its quality. While it is true that high-quality mattresses often weigh more than lesser-quality mattresses, the weight is a by-product of the quality and not the other way around.
Mattress Types
There are many different mattress types, according to the Better Sleep Council. They include, but, are not limited to:
- Innerspring mattresses
- Memory foam mattresses
- Regular foam mattresses
- Pillow top mattresses
- Gel mattresses
- Different kinds of hybrid mattresses
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses contain coils of various types. In 2017 and beyond, most of these coils are individual, but there are certain “bargain” mattresses where the coils are all one piece. Of course, those that are “individually wrapped” provide better support for the sleeper than the ones that resemble a trampoline of metal.
According to TheSleepJudge.com, the innerspring mattress tops their list of the highest quality material in terms of cost, durability, heat retention, odor, popularity and motion transfer.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are constructed of viscoelastic polyurethane. The idea behind such mattresses is that they conform to the shape of the person lying in them and then “snap back” to their original shape thereafter so that someone else can use them. The chief drawback is that the polyurethane is exceptionally hot when compared to other bed types, making memory foam less desirable in either summer or warm climates altogether. Gel mattresses offer the sleeper nearly the same properties as memory foam, but without the annoying heat buildup. Both types also might smell unpleasant at various times.
Regular Foam Mattresses
Regular foam mattresses are lighter than others, but as stated, that doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily worse than heavier mattresses. Latex foam is pliable, but not as much as polyurethane. It also doesn’t provide as much support as separated coils. It’s sort of a “middle-of-the-road” kind of mattress.
Related Resource: Can You Order a Good Mattress Online? Hint: OF COURSE, YOU CAN!
Pillow Top Mattresses
Pillow top mattresses are a standard innerspring mattress with an attached top that is softer than the underlying support. Hybrid mattresses, as their name implies, offer a combination of features. Common hybrids put gel tops on innerspring bodies or mix gel and regular memory foam on different sides of the bed for people with different preferences.
Hybrid Mattresses
One kind of hybrid bed is called the Sleep Number™ bed, which allows couples with different firmness preferences to share the same bed. The bed allows each person to set the firmness that he or she wants on his or her side. The last kind of hybrid bed doesn’t involve the mattress at all but the box spring. These beds are motorized to raise up and down to create a sloped sleeping surface. They are useful for people who have lower back pain or frequent, sleep-induced headaches.
