What are the main types of mattress in the UK?

The main build types are open coil (including Bonnell), pocket sprung, memory foam, latex and hybrid. Surface types such as pillow-top and labels such as orthopaedic or gel sit on top of those types — they are not separate mattress families.

Is an orthopaedic mattress a separate type?

Usually no. Orthopaedic is a shop label for firmer or zoned support claims. Always find out what is inside — the build type and spring tension. See our orthopaedic explained guide for more detail.

mattresses

Mattress Types Explained

Entity: mattress types overview

Neat mattress with turned-down sheets on an upholstered bed in soft daylight — How a finished mattress and bedding stack can look once the bed is made.

In short

UK mattresses fall into a few build types: open coil, pocket sprung, memory foam, latex, hybrid, and traditional natural-fill builds. Orthopaedic, gel and eco labels are usually marketing words on top of those types, not separate build systems. Start by picking a type. Then read what is inside — springs, foams, fillings — rather than the slogan on the box.

Educational map of mattress construction types linking open coil, pocket, foam, latex and hybrid with marketing labels aside — Build types are the engineering map. Orthopaedic, gel and eco are usually labels on top of those types.

Materials used

steel springs
polyurethane foams
latex
natural fibre fillings

Average lifespan

5– 12 years

Build types (start here)

Type	Deep guide	How it works
Open coil / Bonnell	/mattresses/open-coil-bonnell	Linked spring grid
Pocket sprung	/mattresses/pocket-sprung	Each spring in its own fabric pocket
Memory foam	/mattresses/memory-foam	Foam that moulds to your shape
Latex	/mattresses/latex-talalay-vs-dunlop	Bouncy rubber foam
Hybrid	/mattresses/hybrid-construction	Springs plus thick foam or latex top
Natural fill traditional	/mattresses/natural-fillings-wool-cotton-horsehair	Fibre padding over springs

Labels that are not separate types

Label	What to read instead
Orthopaedic	Orthopaedic explained
Gel / cooling foam	Gel and cooling claims
Combination	Glossary: combination (= hybrid)
Pillow-top / euro-top	Surface types
Rolled / bed-in-a-box	Rolled expansion

Decision path

Confused buyers: start at how to choose a mattress.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main types of mattress in the UK?: The main build types are open coil (including Bonnell), pocket sprung, memory foam, latex and hybrid. Surface types such as pillow-top and labels such as orthopaedic or gel sit on top of those types — they are not separate mattress families.
Is an orthopaedic mattress a separate type?: Usually no. Orthopaedic is a shop label for firmer or zoned support claims. Always find out what is inside — the build type and spring tension. See our orthopaedic explained guide for more detail.