Spring, foam, latex or hybrid? The type of mattress decides how it feels, how well it supports you, how hot it sleeps and how long it lasts. Here’s a plain-English guide to every type of mattress you’ll find in Singapore, what each is good and bad at, and which suits the way you sleep.
The short answer: most people sleep best on a hybrid (pocket springs plus comfort layers). Choose high-density foam for a firm bed on a budget, memory foam for pressure relief, and latex if you want something springy, breathable and long-lasting.
Mattress types at a glance
| Type | How it feels | Good at | Watch out for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnell spring | Bouncy, firm | Low price | Movement travels across the bed | Guest rooms, short-term use |
| Pocket spring | Supportive with gentle bounce | Airflow, less partner disturbance | Thin top layers can feel hard | Most sleepers, couples |
| High-density foam | Firm and even | Steady support, quiet, light | Less airflow than springs | Firm-bed lovers, kids, budgets |
| Memory foam | Slow, cradling “hug” | Pressure relief at shoulders and hips | Can feel warm; harder to turn over | Side sleepers, achy joints |
| Latex | Springy and buoyant | Breathable, durable, responsive | Usually costs more | Hot sleepers, combination sleepers |
| Hybrid | Supportive base, plush top | Combines support, comfort and airflow | Heavier, mid to high price | Almost everyone |
Spring mattresses
Bonnell (open coil) springs
The traditional spring mattress: hourglass-shaped coils wired together into one unit. They’re inexpensive and bouncy, but because the coils are linked, movement on one side travels to the other. Fine for a guest room; less ideal if you share a bed. Browse Bonnell spring mattresses.
Pocket springs
Each spring sits in its own fabric pocket and moves on its own. That means better support where you need it, much less disturbance when your partner turns over, and plenty of airflow, which matters in Singapore’s humidity.
The Dorme Cloudform is a medium firm (7/10) pocket spring mattress with a plush quilted top, delivered roll-packed. The Dorme Coolweave adds a cool-touch ice silk cover. Browse all pocketed spring mattresses.
Foam mattresses
High-density foam
A solid block of dense foam gives firm, even support with no springs to creak. Foam mattresses are lighter and quieter than spring ones, and some arrive roll-packed, which helps with narrow corridors and HDB lifts.
- Dorme Firmhaven: firm (8/10), 25cm, cool-feel knitted cover
- Dorme Purecomfort: firm foam base with a plush, button-tufted pillow top
- Dorme Flexfoam: medium firm (7/10), slim 20cm, roll-packed
Memory foam
Memory foam softens with body heat and slowly moulds around you, easing pressure on shoulders and hips. Side sleepers and people with achy joints often love it. The trade-offs: traditional memory foam can trap heat, and its slow response makes changing position feel like more effort.
Gel memory foam, used in every Nuloft mattress, draws heat away better. Most modern mattresses also use memory foam as a comfort layer over springs rather than on its own, as in the Dorme Grandluxe. Browse memory foam mattresses.
Latex mattresses
Natural latex comes from rubber tree sap. It contours to your body like foam but springs back instantly, so you rest on it rather than sink in. It’s naturally breathable, especially when perforated, and it’s one of the most durable comfort materials.
The Nuloft pairs perforated natural latex with cool gel memory foam in a soft, spring-free mattress (6/10). For a firm latex feel, the Nuloft Orthofirm puts a natural latex blend over 5-zone pocket springs (8/10). Browse latex mattresses.
If you have a latex allergy, check with your doctor before choosing a mattress with latex layers.
Hybrid mattresses
A hybrid combines a pocket spring base with thick comfort layers of foam, memory foam or latex. You get the support and airflow of springs with the pressure relief of foam, which is why hybrids suit the widest range of sleepers.
- Nuloft Hybrid: our best seller. Gel memory foam and airflow natural latex over pocket springs, medium firm (7/10), 28cm
- Nuloft Luxe: our cooling hybrid, with SnoWeave™ fabric and 5-zone pocket springs plus micro springs
- Nuloft Lite: a slim, firm 20cm pocket spring mattress with a natural latex blend, ideal for kids’ rooms and storage beds
Which mattress type is right for you?
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Sleep on your side | Memory foam, latex or a plush hybrid, to cushion shoulders and hips |
| Sleep on your back | Pocket spring, hybrid or firm latex, for even support under the lower back |
| Sleep on your stomach | High-density foam or a firm hybrid, so your hips don’t sink |
| Share the bed | Pocket springs or a hybrid, to reduce partner disturbance |
| Run hot at night | Latex or a hybrid with a cool-touch cover. See our cooling mattress guide |
| Want a firm bed on a budget | High-density foam |
| Need it up a narrow staircase | A roll-packed mattress |
Firmness matters as much as type. Our hard vs soft mattress guide explains how to choose. Once you’ve picked a type, check the right dimensions in our mattress size guide.
Try before you commit
Nuloft mattresses in Singapore sizes come with a 100-night trial, so you can sleep on your choice at home before deciding. Pair a mattress with a bed frame and a bedding accessory and use our Bundle & Save codes for an extra discount. Shop all mattresses. Orders over $300 get free delivery and assembly.
FAQ
What type of mattress is best?
For most people, a hybrid: pocket springs for support and airflow, with foam or latex on top for comfort. The best type for you depends on how you sleep, whether you share the bed and how firm you like it.
What is the difference between pocket spring and Bonnell spring?
Bonnell springs are wired together, so movement travels across the bed. Pocket springs each sit in their own fabric pocket and move independently, giving better support and much less partner disturbance.
Is memory foam or latex better?
Memory foam cradles you slowly and is great for pressure relief. Latex supports you with a springier, more buoyant feel, sleeps cooler and tends to last longer. Many mattresses combine both.
What is a hybrid mattress?
A mattress with a pocket spring core and thick comfort layers of foam, memory foam or latex on top. It combines the support and airflow of springs with the comfort of foam.
Which mattress type lasts the longest?
Latex and good-quality hybrids are generally the most durable. High-density foam also holds up well. Whatever you choose, a mattress protector helps it stay clean and in good shape.