Before buying a new mattress, be sure to do some research before you buy. You may just be assuming you'll get a spring mattress, but read some mattress review websites to find out if other options might serve you instead. For example, there is a very sophisticated type of air mattress, called an alternating pressure mattress, which might be of interest. And of course there are those made of foam, especially the visco memory foam mattresses.

Spring mattresses have been the North American standard for so long that other kinds regularly get compared to them. A mattress review site will demonstrate that, even if the reviews are for mattresses of memory foam, and certainly the air flow mattresses will be the same. Even people who have spring mattresses often want the give of springs, so they "cheat" and buy a memory foam topper to lie over their existing bed. This way they still get the slight bounce they're looking for, but get the added softness and support of the foam.

Springs can lose their shape eventually, but foam mattresses may also do so. Various types of reviews on mattresses will point out the difference between ordinary foam and memory foam. The latter is much denser, with millions of tiny cells that soften with body heat but "remember" their original shape as they cool. So a mattress made of ordinary foam will flatten much sooner than one made from memory foam.

Another comparison you might find would be between memory foam and the alternating pressure mattress. This mattress has small air cells inside that are inflated and deflated with electric controls. Studies have shown that both the visco memory foam mattress and this air mattress give better support than other types. Yet it was the alternating air pressure mattress that did the best job of preventing bedsores, because the force pressing on a person's body differed from time to time.

These details demonstrate why it's wise to consult a mattress review site before making a final decision. Visit all sorts of stores, get the feel of many types of mattresses, and get tips. In the end you may be satisfied with a really good spring mattress, or you may investigate alternating air, although those are still quite expensive. Or you may decide that the best deal is a memory mattress. Do your research, and you'll discover what works best for you.