No two mattresses are the same, and what’s happening beneath the sheets has a lot to do with why. Memory foam contours to your body, latex has a springier feel, and hybrid mattresses combine foam or latex layers with a supportive coil system for the best of both worlds.

As a product reviewer who has been testing mattresses and writing about sleep products since 2022, I’ve spent the past four years getting up close and personal with mattress construction. I’ve learned how everything from the fabric covering the mattress to a few extra inches of foam can change the feel of an entire bed. I’ve also spent a fair amount of time lying down in the name of research, which is a pretty great job perk.

Consider this a primer on the five main types of mattresses —hybrid, innerspring, memory foam, latex, and even smart beds —so you can figure out which one best suits your sleep style and gives you the best excuse to hit snooze.…