What is the Best Mattress? Discover How to Choose the Ideal Mattress
Posted by Leafsleep on December 19, 2025
Choosing the ideal mattress is one of the most important decisions for ensuring comfortable nights of sleep and restful rest. With several options available—from foam to pocket springs—it can be difficult to know where to start.
Each person has a different body structure, a preferred sleeping position, and a preferred level of firmness. A mattress that is too soft can misalign the spine, while one that is too firm can increase pressure on the shoulders and hips. Therefore, the choice should be made based on objective criteria.
Types of mattresses
Foam mattresses
Foam stands out for its ability to adapt to the body, providing enveloping comfort and good relief from pressure points. Foam mattresses offer a more uniform and quiet surface, making them a good choice for those who sleep on their side, change position frequently, or seek a feeling of greater adaptation to the body during rest.
Box spring mattresses
Pocket springs work independently, ensuring greater ventilation and reducing motion transfer. They are an excellent option for those who prefer a firmer feel and structured support, and are also particularly suitable for couples, as they promote stability and correct posture throughout the night.
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam mattresses stand out for their high capacity to adapt to the body, reacting precisely to body weight and temperature. This material molds to the contours of the user, distributing weight evenly and helping to reduce pressure points.
By providing progressive and uniform support, memory foam contributes to correct spinal alignment and pressure relief on the joints. These characteristics make it a particularly suitable option for those seeking superior comfort or suffering from muscle, joint, or lower back pain, promoting more comfortable and restful sleep.
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid models combine the best of both worlds: the support of springs and the comfort of foam and memory foam. They are versatile and adapt to most profiles, ensuring a balance between firmness and comfort.
The importance of spinal alignment
The key point in selecting a mattress is to ensure that your spine remains in a neutral position throughout the night. A good mattress distributes your body weight, prevents excessive sinking, and keeps the natural curves of your spine well supported.
How to choose the right mattress firmness
For those who sleep on their side
Medium to medium/soft firmness is generally the most suitable, as it allows the shoulders and hips to settle correctly into the mattress, helping to reduce pressure points and maintain spinal alignment.
For those who sleep on their backs
Medium firmness is considered the most balanced option, providing adequate support for the lumbar region without compromising comfort, promoting a stable and natural resting position.
For those who sleep on their stomachs
For this position, a medium to firm mattress is recommended to prevent excessive sinking of the abdominal area and improper curvature of the spine.
What is the ideal mattress for each age group?
1. Children and adolescents (up to 18 years old)
During the growth phase, it is essential to choose mattresses that offer uniform and stable support. High-density foam mattresses or those with memory foam layers help maintain correct spinal alignment, providing comfort without compromising the stability needed at this stage.
2. Young adults (18 to 30 years old)
At this stage, the body tends to be more flexible and resilient, allowing for a wider range of choices. Medium-firm mattresses are generally a good option, as they offer a balance between comfort and support. Models that combine foam, memory foam, or pocket springs adapt well to different sleeping positions.
3. Adults (30 to 50 years old)
Between the ages of 30 and 50, muscle tension or lower back discomfort may arise. At this stage, it is advisable to choose mattresses that offer good pressure point relief and effectively adapt to the body's natural curves, promoting more comfortable and balanced rest.
4. Middle Age (50 to 65 years old)
In this age group, the mattress should provide consistent support combined with adaptable comfort. It is important to avoid excessive sinking, ensuring sufficient stability to protect joints and maintain a neutral spine position throughout the night.
5. Seniors (65+ years old)
For older users, the ideal mattress combines a feeling of soft comfort with effective support. This combination helps reduce pressure points in sensitive areas such as the shoulders, hips, and back, and makes it easier to move when lying down and getting up, contributing to a more restful sleep.
Does the height of the mattress make a difference?
Yes. Mattresses that are 20 cm or thicker tend to offer greater stability and overall comfort, especially when combined with good bed bases. The feeling of rest becomes more enveloping, and durability improves considerably.
The Bed Base Influences Mattress Comfort
A mattress reveals its full performance when used on a suitable base. The choice of box spring directly influences the support, stability, and durability of the mattress. Bases that are too flexible can alter the feeling of firmness and compromise body support, while structured and stable box springs help maintain a uniform and consistent surface.
A Complete Solution: Spring Visco Set and 20 cm Tribu Pearl Box Spring
For those looking to renew their rest in a practical and complete way, Leafsleep offers the Spring Visco and Sommier 20 cm Tribu Pearl Set, a complete mattress and base solution.
The Spring Visco mattress combines individual pocket springs and layers of viscoelastic foam, offering a good balance between support and adaptable comfort, suitable for different body types and sleeping positions. The 20 cm high Tribu Pearl box spring complements this performance with a solid and stable structure, providing a uniform and durable base. Together, they contribute to a more consistent rest experience and preserve the characteristics of the mattress.
Taking care of your mattress also makes a difference
Choosing the ideal mattress is an investment in your daily rest and well-being. To prolong its durability and maintain a healthy sleeping environment, it is essential to adopt good hygiene and maintenance habits. Consult our complete guide to mattress hygiene and find out how to properly care for your mattress.