You might think it’s as easy as searching for a mattress online and choosing one that looks appealing to you, but unfortunately, it’s not. But hear us out though, that’s a good thing. Mattresses require some prior research to ensure you choose the best one for you and any ailments you might have. To limit the amount of time it takes to gather all of the important information on mattresses, EZ Living Furniture has devised this insider’s guide. In this manual, you’ll learn about the materials and features that are essential for your mattress from our expert who has 37 years of mattress experience (impressive, we know), and we’ll outline our top recommendations for 2025 and beyond. With the help of our expert (Director of Bedding Paul Ryan), we’ll also answer some of our readers' and customers' most requested mattress questions. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

New Lir Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

Pay Close Attention To Supports & Fillings

When discussing mattresses with Paul Ryan, there are two things he never fails to mention  - fillings and support systems. When evaluating a mattress, it’s worth paying close attention to the featured materials and spring system because they can quite literally make or break a mattress. To assist you, we’ve listed some of the most common filling and spring types below and outlined their functions to help you better understand what is important for your night’s sleep.

Gel Hybrid 2000 King Size Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

Support Systems Explained

There are two main spring system types found in mattresses: 

  • Pocket springs. 
  • Coil springs. 

Pocket springs are individually wrapped springs designed to provide personalised support. They move independently from one another, allowing you (and your partner) to rest heavily without any sleep disturbance (from one another). While these particular springs tend to be found in higher-priced mattresses, in our mattress expert’s opinion “they’re worth every extra penny”. If you are purchasing a primary mattress and happen to share your bed with someone who tosses and turns throughout the night, then the decision is already made for you – you’ll need pocket springs. The only real decision you’ll need to make is how many pocket springs you’ll need. To answer this for you simply, the more pocket springs, the more personal support you’ll experience.

Coil springs are typically found in lower-priced mattresses and while they do provide some support, because of their construction you’ll often find that they won’t give you the same level of support a mattress with pocket springs will. Coil springs are interconnected springs that move as one whole unit, so if you’re sharing with someone, our mattress expert wouldn’t recommend a coil-sprung mattress.

Natural Cashmere 5ft King Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

Don’t Forget To Look At Mattress Fillings

Just like our support system section, fillings can be broken down into two categories  – materials and foams, and you won’t find one without the other in any of today’s mattresses. Both have unique functions which we have outlined below:

Foam Types Explained

All foams aim to provide pressure relief and additional spinal or whole-body support, although, like most things, some foams do it better than others.

There are three commonly used foam types worldwide: - 

  • Polyurethane Foam.
  • Memory Foam.
  • Gel-infused Foam.

Polyurethane Foam is one of the most commonly used foams in mattresses. This synthetic option generally tends to be the most budget-friendly for manufacturers and provides adequate comfort and support although its downside is that it can retain heat which isn’t great for those who tend to overheat during the night.

Memory Foam (Closed-cell & open-cell): It’s likely that you’ve already heard of memory foam. Its main appeal is that it will mould to your body while you sleep, but did you know there are two different types of memory foam including closed-cell and open-cell and they both work differently from one another? Closed-cell memory foam has a higher density than open-cell foam but can retain heat while open-cell memory foam features internal pockets that allow for ventilation and is a more environmentally friendly choice. 

Gel-infused Foam has gel-based microbeads pumped into it to create pockets similar to those found in open-cell memory foam. 

The types of natural and plant-based fillings pumped into the foam range from Latex to Graphene. 

  • Latex is durable and provides pinpointed support, reacting to every move instantly. It is also known to improve circulation and reduce muscle stiffness.  This option is a more luxurious option and would provide a more comfortable sleeping surface than open-cell memory foam. Latex is breathable which makes it the perfect choice for those who tend to overheat throughout the night. 
  • Graphene is another natural filling that’s found in gel mattresses. Similar to latex, it offers enhanced strength and durability as well as a cooler night’s sleep. 

Restful Therapeutic King 5ft Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

Filling Types Explained 

Materials (or fillings) are included in mattresses to enhance a person’s comfort while sleeping, and just like foams, some fillings offer more than others which we will explain simply below.

With so many fillings found in mattresses today, our mattress expert advises prioritising natural fillings whenever possible. When reading a mattress’s description online or label in the shop, look for cashmere, silk, and organic cotton. These natural fillings offer great breathability and are an eco-friendly option too!

Director Of Bedding Paul Ryan’s Mattress Recommendations For 2025

Elite Comfort King 5ft Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

The Elite Comfort

“EZ Living Furniture stocks a range of unique and exclusive mattresses, one of these is the Elite Comfort Mattress. This is a one-of-a-kind mattress, and it has been designed for a first-class sleeping experience which is why I recommend it to all my customers. With 9,000 titanium pocket springs for support, plant-based materials and self-response latex for advanced cooling, and AirCool Memory Foam for comfort, there really is no other mattress quite like it”.

Rian Therapeutic Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

The Rian Therapeutic Mattress

“The Rian Therapeutic Mattress helps to reduce stress and is very good for blood circulation. With 5,000 pocket springs and several unique features such as anti-static and anti-perspiration technology, customers won’t find anything quite like it anywhere else. This is a mattress that I highly recommend to a lot of my customers”.

Natural Supreme 5ft King Mattress at EZ Living Furniture.

The Natural Supreme Mattress

“Another exclusive mattress is our Natural Supreme which features springs made from Titanium, making it incredibly strong and highly durable. The Natural Supreme offers superior comfort and temperature-controlling features, allowing those who purchase the opportunity to experience a full and comfortable night’s sleep”.

Director Of Bedding Paul Ryan’s Most Commonly Asked Questions

“By far the most common question I am asked is "What mattress would you recommend for back support?" or "What size is a king-size mattress?, but there are many other queries that I am asked regularly that I am all too happy to assist with and offer my expert knowledge on.” 

What do people need to take into consideration when choosing a new mattress? The top two things people need to take into consideration are quality and comfort. 

Why is it important to view/try a mattress before buying? It is important to view/try a new mattress in-store before buying because everyone experiences the comfort of a mattress differently. To make sure the mattress is comfortable for them, we always advise customers to try them out first before purchasing. 

How can a dedicated expert help? Using their experience, an expert can advise the customer on the different mattress qualities by outlining the various materials and support systems. This allows them to make an informed decision. 

Why do people tend to dislike their current mattress? They tend to dislike their current mattress because it feels uncomfortable, or they have started to experience lower back pain. Oftentimes, this can be linked to the age of the mattress.  

How often should a mattress be changed? On average, we recommend switching out your mattress every 7 to 10 years, but it really all depends on the quality of the mattress as some can last as long as 15 years if properly maintained.  

What is the solution if a couple like two types of mattresses? This is a good question, in most cases, the couple will come to a compromise, and if the couple can't agree, the guy generally tends to lose out. 

What are the most popular types of mattresses? i.e. pocket sprung, memory foam? Do you have any stats to back this up? Pocket-sprung mattresses are the most popular because 95% of mattresses are supported by a pocket spring system. These mattress types also offer individualised support, making them a popular choice for couples. 

What difference does it make to buy a mattress through EZ Living Furniture? There are 3 reasons why a customer should buy a mattress with us. 1. Our team has years of experience and can advise customers on the best mattress using our expertise. 2. Without question, we carry the best quality mattresses at the best prices. 3. We have mattresses on our floor that feature technology exclusive to us. 

How can a customer get the most out of their new mattress? If they want to extend the life of their mattress, we advise regular rotation, a good-quality mattress protector, and a good strong base to put their new mattress on. 

Now that you have all the important information regarding mattresses, it’s time to shop for your ideal one now. Browse our full range of mattresses here and visit one of our stores nationwide to test out your favourites in person. 

Curious for more? Read: Pairing Your Bed Frame With A Mattress: Things To Consider Before You Buy. 

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