There are countless mattress options to choose from.

Many people who actually research it end up scratching their heads, saying things like, "There are so many numbers I don't understand the differences between..." or "I don't even know what the standards for firmness are." If you just decide on a mattress without thinking, you may end up with an unsatisfactory sleeping experience or even feel more fatigued.

Choosing the right mattress can help you get a more satisfying sleep, making it more enjoyable to sleep, reducing body aches and pains, and even making you feel more active in the morning.

This page explains in detail how to choose the right mattress and the differences in materials so that many people can find the one that suits their body type and environment.

[Author introduction]

Senior Sleep Health Instructor (No. 733). An expert on mattresses and sleep. Purchases and tries out over 50 mattresses a year. Helps many people choose bedding and mattresses from the perspective of sleep quality and QOL. → Good Sleep Hacks

There are three important points to consider when choosing a mattress:

1. Firmness suited to body weight (body pressure distribution)
2. Resilience that makes it easy to turn over in bed (rebound elasticity)
3. Density and quality suited to durability

Keeping these three points in mind will make it easier to find the mattress that's right for you. We'll explain each point in detail below.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a mattress is its firmness (body pressure distribution). Using a mattress with the right firmness for your body will support your weight evenly across your entire body, allowing you to sleep in a natural position. This will help reduce back pain and fatigue.

If the mattress is too hard for your body type, your hips will float, and the extra weight will be borne by your buttocks and back, increasing the feeling of pressure. Furthermore, gravity will be exerted on your floating hips, resulting in an unnatural sleeping position.

On the other hand, if the mattress is too soft, your buttocks, which are prone to body pressure, will sink too much, resulting in an unnatural sleeping position. Also, if your body sinks too much, it becomes difficult to turn over, which can have negative effects such as making it difficult to regulate your body temperature while sleeping and worsening blood flow. A soft and fluffy mattress can increase your sense of satisfaction, but choosing a mattress solely based on temporary comfort can often lead to health problems.

Generally, people tend to choose a mattress based solely on their weight and personal preference, but factors like sleeping position and whether or not they have a swayback can make a big difference. We'll explain in detail which firmness is best for each individual.

Unlike hardness (body pressure distribution), the degree of bounce is called resilience (rebound elasticity). 

"Low resilience" and "high resilience" are distinguished by the "rebound elasticity" which indicates the resilience. The resilience elasticity is a value that indicates the percentage of the height to which a copper ball rises after bouncing when dropped under certain conditions.

The higher the resilience, the more support you will have when turning over or getting up, making it easier to get a comfortable sleep.

Tossing and turning in your sleep does not simply indicate shallow sleep. It is an act of releasing heat that builds up during sleep and adjusting the body temperature to an appropriate level. In addition, frequently changing your position by turning in your sleep promotes blood circulation and helps to relax muscles throughout the body. In many cases, lower back pain and other body aches are caused by poor circulation due to insufficient turning and turning in your sleep.

Therefore, when it comes to turning over in bed, a high-resilience mattress tends to feel more comfortable than a low-resilience mattress. It is difficult to distinguish between this and "firmness," but remember that the degree of bounce is also important when choosing a mattress.

To help you visualize it, we have compiled a table showing the differences in perception between "hardness" and "resilience." Please use it as a reference.

By the way, most manufacturers do not list the rebound elasticity, so if you are concerned, please inquire. If you try it out in a store, you can visualize the rebound force by pressing a nearby device such as a smartphone into the mattress and then quickly releasing it. We recommend doing this with multiple mattresses and comparing their rebound forces.

You don't want to replace your mattress too often, both financially and because of the hassle of disposing of it. To help you choose a mattress that will last you a long time, we'll explain in detail the durability of both urethane mattresses and coil mattresses.

Here are some of the most common types of mattresses.

• Low-resilience urethane
• Urethane (general)
• High-resilience urethane (high elasticity)
• Bonnell coil
• Pocket coil
• hybrid
• latex
• fiber

We will explain in detail the features of the above mattresses and who they are suitable for.

Urethane has a resilience of less than 15%. It ranges in price from inexpensive to expensive depending on its density. In recent years, it has become a material that is often used thinly on the surface.

Urethane with a resilience rate of 15-49%. This refers to urethane that is neither low nor high resilience. It is often used in inexpensive mattresses. It is also often used as the base layer of thicker urethane mattresses.

They come in a wide range of hardness, from soft to hard, so it's easy to find the hardness that's right for you. Another advantage is that they're relatively inexpensive.

The resilience is between low-resilience and high-resilience urethane, so the fit is not that great and the ease of turning over is average. The lack of outstanding performance can be considered a disadvantage.

• Memory foam is too soft
• High resilience is too hard

This is recommended for people who have found low-resilience urethane to be too soft and high-resilience urethane to be too bouncy.

Urethane has a resilience of 50% or more. It is a material that is often used as filling for expensive mattresses and luxury coil mattresses.

Its main features are its support and ease of turning over in bed. Because it is easy to turn over in bed, it is used as a mattress to prevent back pain.

Although it is less durable than a coil mattress, it is the most durable of all urethane materials. Its high density helps it to withstand wear and tear.

However, due to its high density, the mattress itself can be heavy, making it difficult to transport, so care should be taken if you want to move it frequently.

Another drawback is that the mattress is expensive because it uses high-quality urethane. Incidentally, some budget mattresses may label urethane as "high-resilience" when it's actually just hard. As a general rule of thumb, if you choose a mattress that costs over 30,000 yen, there's a good chance it uses genuine high-resilience urethane.

• I have back pain
• I'm thinking about using it for a long time
• I prefer a firmer sleeping experience

High-resilience urethane is a material that is suitable for many people because it supports the important turning over in bed. Many mattresses have a slightly firmer feel, which is a preference for Japanese people.

However, please note that it may be too stiff for thin people weighing less than 50kg or women with strong curves in their bodies.

This is an integrated mattress made by connecting coil springs together. This structure is commonly used in inexpensive coil mattresses.

The connected coils support the body as a whole, making for a firmer sleeping experience. This means that the mattress has strong support and makes it easy to turn over in your sleep. Another benefit is that the large spaces between the coil layers allow for good breathability.

However, because the coils are all connected, the material has the disadvantage of poor body pressure distribution, which means that it tends to put strain on the heavier parts of the body and makes it easy to feel the vibrations of the person next to you.

• I want to keep costs down
• I like a fairly firm sleeping experience
• Stocky build
• Sleeping alone

Its functionality is not excellent, so it is not recommended for many people. However, it is suitable for people living alone because it is inexpensive and the vibrations are easily felt.

Pocket coil mattresses are mattresses in which coils are individually placed in small nonwoven bags and spread throughout the mattress. Each coil moves independently, providing support for the body at specific points. They are becoming the mainstream of coil mattresses.

The biggest advantage is that each coil moves independently, allowing it to easily conform to the slight curves of your body. It also has excellent body pressure distribution, making it easier to maintain proper sleeping posture.

Another benefit is that vibrations are less likely to be transmitted, meaning you won't be woken up by the movements of the person next to you. Even if pressure is applied to the mattress, it has little effect on the other coils. Furthermore, the spring's resilience makes it easy to turn over in bed.

Although it is slightly less breathable than bonnell coil, it is more breathable than a urethane mattress and has no major disadvantages.

• I have back pain and stiff shoulders
• I'm thinking about using it for a long time
• Emphasis on hygiene
• Sleeping with two or more people

Pocket coil mattresses offer a good balance of comfort, ease of turning over, durability, and hygiene. They also reduce vibrations from the person sleeping next to you, making them ideal for sleeping with two or more people.

A hybrid mattress is a mattress with multiple structures. By combining different materials, it takes advantage of the benefits of each .

By combining different materials, we maximize the benefits of each material.

For example, ZINUS's " Prime Support " is a combination of "low-resilience urethane" and "pocket coils," and offers a good balance of the comfort and fit of low-resilience and the resilience, breathability, and durability of pocket coils.

While providing both a soft feel and ease of turning over, the pocket coils compensate for the disadvantages of low-resilience mattresses, such as breathability and resilience, so overall there are very few disadvantages.

• I want to get a good night's sleep
• I have back pain and stiff shoulders
• Sleep in different ways
• Well-balanced performance

The hybrid mattress combination of "pocket coil x high resilience urethane x low resilience urethane" is recommended as it offers good comfort, sleeping posture, and breathability, but all tend to be well-balanced and relatively unlikely to disappoint.

Prices vary, so look for a hybrid mattress that fits your budget.

Latex mattresses are made from the sap of rubber trees, and have the softness and elasticity that is characteristic of rubber. There are two types of latex: natural latex and synthetic latex.

It combines the softness and elasticity of rubber, and is excellent at dispersing body pressure, making it easy to turn over in bed.

Natural latex has natural antibacterial properties, making it less susceptible to the growth of dust mites and mold. Another advantage is that it has a strong ability to recover and is less likely to wear out.

However, it has many disadvantages, such as being heavy, having a noticeable odor, causing allergies, and being expensive, making it a material with its own quirks.

• I like a soft sleeping experience
• Back pain
• I want to use it for a long time
• Emphasis on hygiene

It is a soft yet resilient material, making it suitable for people who are light in weight or suffer from back pain. There are natural and synthetic latex types, but natural latex is recommended as it is a higher quality material.

However, care must be taken when putting babies to sleep or when people with allergies are prone to allergies.

Fiber mattresses are made from hardened resins such as polyethylene and polyester, and have a unique appearance that resembles compressed fishing line.

Fiber mattresses have a three-dimensional structure with lots of space, making them incredibly breathable. They don't get stuffy, and the material is extremely resistant to mold, so they're safe to use even when placed directly on the floor. Another benefit is that they have excellent resilience, meaning less force is needed to turn over.

However, it is a material that divides people, as it tends to be a bit hard to sleep on and is expensive. It is also sensitive to high heat, so those who frequently use futon dryers should be careful.

• I want to use it by placing it directly on the surface.
• sweaty
• Stocky build

Although fiber mattresses have a slight quirk, they are extremely breathable and can be used hygienically. The firmness can be improved with a thin mattress topper.

This is ideal for those who wake up in the middle of the night due to heat. It efficiently releases moisture, allowing you to sleep more comfortably than ever before.

Here are three things to keep in mind to avoid regretting your mattress purchase.

If two or more people will be sleeping on the same mattress, it is important to consider how well vibrations are transmitted.

Even if you buy a mattress that suits you, you won't be able to get a good night's sleep if you are woken up by the vibrations of the person next to you. We recommend the following mattresses that don't transmit vibrations.

• Urethane in general
• Pocket coil

Urethane is a material that has the ability to absorb shock and does not transmit vibrations easily. Pocket coils are also less susceptible to the influence of their surroundings because each coil is independent.

For people who tend to wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning, or for people who sleep with someone who gets up often to go to the bathroom, or for people who sleep with very active children, we recommend urethane or pocket coil mattresses.

Coil mattresses have padding between the cover and the coils, which improves body pressure distribution and adjusts the mattress' firmness and resilience.

This filling can have a negative effect if it is too thin or too thick. If it is too thin, you will feel the springs and it will be uncomfortable to sleep on. On the other hand, if it is too thick, you will not get the benefits of the coils and it will feel similar to a urethane mattress.

Therefore, we recommend a filling thickness of about 5 to 8 cm. This will reduce the springiness and prevent heat buildup.

A mattress with poor breathability not only makes sleeping uncomfortable, but also significantly affects its lifespan. Urethane foam tends to wear down easily when it is subjected to constant pressure while retaining moisture.

Also, if excessive moisture is left, mold will grow, making it unusable for long periods of time from a hygienic standpoint.

Generally, coils are the most breathable material, but some urethanes can also be highly breathable. We recommend urethanes that have been specially designed to allow air to pass through, such as by drilling a large number of small holes or by cutting them into a wave pattern, as they are more breathable than regular urethanes.

[Recommended] GreenTea Luxe's Air-Flow design for excellent ventilation

A mattress is one of the things you absolutely do not want to make a mistake in when buying, as it allows you to rest your body for long periods of time every day. Just because a mattress feels soft and fluffy when you lie down on it does not necessarily mean that it is the right mattress for you.

Therefore, when choosing a mattress, pay attention to the three points we have mentioned in this article: firmness, resilience, and durability. If you keep these three points in mind, you should be able to find your ideal mattress.

Just like when buying a house or a car, if you pay attention to your mattress, which is an integral part of your daily life, your quality of life will definitely improve.