Types of mattresses – a practical guide

The European market for bed mattresses offers many options. Many popular models, such as spring and latex mattresses, may tempt with their descriptions. However, the construction of these types of mattresses often does not support the spine.

It is worth focusing on functional mattresses that truly take care of your posture during the night, as well as ventilation and thermal comfort, which are related to good design. Therefore, the design methodology of a given mattress and the philosophy of its manufacturer are extremely important.

• Bonnell mattresses are an outdated technology that does not support health. Although they were popular once, they today do not meet the standards of healthy sleep. The construction of bonnell mattresses is based on connected springs, which means they do not provide adequate support for the spine. The body's pressure is distributed over the entire surface of the mattress, resulting from the accumulation of force. This very often causes back pain and posture problems. While they are cheap, they also remain less elastic, quickly losing their properties.


• Pocket mattresses are supposed to be a better alternative, yet they remain problematic. This is theoretically an advanced version of spring mattresses, but in practice, they differ little. Although it is claimed that each spring works independently, in reality, the pockets are glued and work together. Springs themselves are not the best material to support healthy sleep. The lack of point dynamics means that the mattress does not adapt to the body's curves, which can lead to inadequate support for the spine. Even in multipocket mattresses, where the number of springs is greater, the problem remains unresolved.


• Foam T mattresses feature poor quality and questionable comfort, as well as a low price. This is a type of cheap mattress that does not provide healthy sleep in the long term. This type of polyurethane foam quickly deforms, leading to inadequate support for the spine and causing various ailments. As a result, the T foam mattress ceases to function properly, and the body does not rest. They often cause back pain, and their low durability makes it necessary to replace them often, which becomes unprofitable.


• High-elasticity mattresses are the healthiest choice available on the market today. Because they contain HR foam, which has an open-cell structure, they provide excellent ventilation, helping to maintain the proper temperature at night. This type of mattress foam also offers point elasticity, which supports the physiological shape of the spine throughout the night. It is beneficial to include memory foam in the second layer of such a mattress, utilizing its significant advantages while mitigating its drawbacks. This allows for proper contouring of the body without the sinking effect. This is an ideal solution for those who value healthy sleep while caring for their spine.


• Memory mattresses are those that have viscoelastic foam in the top layer. They are popular for their surface comfort upon first contact. Viscoelastic foam reacts to body heat, sinking under it, often causing a sinking effect without proper support properties. This in turn limits ventilation and hinders changing sleeping positions, which in many people can also lead to overheating. They frequently cause lower back pain and various other spine issues.


• Latex mattresses pose a risk of allergies and poor ventilation, which is associated with the properties of this material. Although they are advertised as healthy and comfortable, their drawbacks are increasingly being discussed. Latex, especially natural latex, can trigger allergies. Additionally, latex tends to retain moisture and has nearly zero ventilation, which promotes mold growth and negatively impacts sleep hygiene in multiple dimensions. While latex is flexible, it does not match the properties of high-elastic foam, which provides better spinal support. Furthermore, over time latex deteriorates, resulting from its drying process, which can reduce the mattress's lifespan, raising questions about the purchase's profitability.


• Hybrid mattresses combine pocket springs and foams, which theoretically should provide a compromise between flexibility and support, but that is not the case. The main component is still steel springs, which means these mattresses do not offer the same support for the spine as foam mattresses do. They often also use T foam, which is generally unsuitable for mattress production, or memory foam in the top layer, which exacerbates users' problems.

Currently available foam mattresses are the healthiest solution on the market. The days when gluing foams could raise doubts are long gone. Good mattresses are also odorless, posing no risk from volatile substances. All the foams we use have the CertiPUR certification and meet strict and comprehensive ISO standards ensuring safety.

Making a conscious choice of the best mattress is a decision that impacts one's entire life. A holistic approach to health and well-being involves sleeping in the right conditions. The market offers many types of mattresses, but the key to selection is a rational approach to the entire mattress buying process, which many companies deliberately complicate. However, there is a universal solution: a functional mattress that offers optimal support and comfort for everyone and is made in Poland.

An ideal mattress, such as the Osaka Air mattress, should have a firmness that provides proper spinal support throughout the night without being too soft or too hard. Meanwhile, most types of mattresses offer various levels of firmness that are not subject to any scientific standardization, creating chaos in the market.

The Osaka Air mattress is designed with universal firmness of around 6.5 on the American firmness scale. This level is considered best for the spine while also being comfortable. Such a level of firmness provides users with the best support while allowing for complete relaxation.

This product combines layers of foam with varying elasticity and density, along with an exceptionally elastic mattress cover, allowing it to adapt to the body's shape and support the spine. The HR foam in the top layer provides optimal flexibility and excellent ventilation, helping to maintain the right body temperature throughout the night. Each subsequent layer has its unique properties to perfectly distribute body weight as a whole while effectively eliminating pressure points that can cause discomfort.

It is no surprise that foam mattresses are the winners in the objective mattress ranking. As long as the mattress design is sensibly created, it will be a healthy and comfortable choice that lasts for years. This is why the Osaka Air mattress is so popular, as it provides balanced firmness and support. It is constructed to combine comfort with durability, making it a wise choice.

Also remember that purchasing a mattress is a decision that should be made carefully. Therefore, it makes no sense to test the mattress in the store, where you lie down in your clothes. In this case, you consciously control the movements of your body, which function completely differently at night. Moreover, the store does not reflect the bedroom conditions, where the temperature and humidity are different. Finally, you will not receive a display mattress, but one from the warehouse. Often it turns out to be a different mattress than the one you saw in the store.

ONSEN® is a fully Polish brand that respects the reason and dignity of its customers. This is why we created the Osaka Air mattress, designed with your satisfaction and healthy sleep in mind. With us, you have the option to return the mattress within 100 days. We encourage you to use it without limits during this time, just as you normally use mattresses. We are confident that this is the perfect mattress that will bring you many benefits.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.

What types of mattresses are available?

In Europe, several types of mattresses are available. These include spring mattresses (bonnell, pocket, and multipocket), latex mattresses, and foam mattresses. There are also mattresses that combine features of multiple types, known as hybrid mattresses. Each type has its unique characteristics, but not all provide healthy spine support and a comfortable sleep experience, so choosing a mattress should be a well-considered decision.

How do the types of mattresses differ?

The types of mattresses differ primarily in their construction and the materials used inside. Spring mattresses are often affordable but may deform quickly and offer poor support for the natural shape of the spine. On the other hand, high-quality foam mattresses, especially those made with carefully selected HR foams, are flexible and well-ventilated, providing better body support. Latex mattresses are also flexible but tend to have a shorter lifespan and may retain moisture, which can lead to allergies.

What is the best type of mattress?

The best choice is foam mattresses, which offer functionality and design tailored to human needs. A prime example is the Osaka Air mattress, which provides healthy spine support, good ventilation, and targeted flexibility. Its memory layer, placed in the second layer of the mattress, ensures comfort and contouring without the risk of body overheating.

Which type of mattress is healthiest for sleeping?

Mattresses made of layers of high-resilience (HR) foam with the right density and firmness are considered the healthiest, as their structure ensures proper ventilation and spine support. They distribute body weight evenly and adapt to its shape, helping to maintain correct posture during sleep. The ideal mattress has a layered construction, with each layer thoughtfully designed. Even the cover plays a significant role in the mattress's overall health benefits.

Which type of mattress is the most durable?

The most durable mattresses are made from high-quality HR foam with a memory (V) foam in the second layer. Well-constructed foam mattresses, like the Osaka Air, retain their properties for many years, offering both durability and comfort.