Choosing the right futon mattress is easy once you understand how the filling materials cause the mattress to react differently to the weight of the human body and other criteria. The following graph should help you determine which futon mattress will perform best for your personal needs and application.
Please use this guide wisely. It is meant to help you understand how the product will perform, not judge its quality or value.
Consider how often someone will sleep on the futon. If you plan to only occasionally use it as a bed, perhaps as a guest bed, consider getting a less expensive futon mattress, such as a cotton-filled one. If you plan on using it nightly, you should splurge on a high-quality mattress.
Cotton, Foam, and Fiber
Basic futon mattresses are made of mostly cotton. A layer of foam is sometimes added to sustain the rigidity of the futon. Usually, the more cotton the mattress contains, the heavier and firmer it becomes. Cotton gets compressed over time and becomes hard and lumpy. This requires flipping and patting to break up the cotton fibers that have become hard and compacted over use. The more foam used, the better. The category of futons tends to be the most economical in price. The more foam that is added, the better is the futon. And when a layer of wool is encased over the cotton, it increases the comfort level and helps retain the shape of the mattress. Wool over cotton keeps your body cooler in the summer and warm in the winter and provides a springier feel for sitting and sleeping.
Innersprings and Pocket Coils
Futons have advanced quite a bit in comfort. Innerspring futons provide that conventional mattress feel and keep that added space between your body and the slats. The Pocket Coil mattress has individually wrapped coils which prevent motion transfer and increases the longevity of coil to retain its shape. Unlike cheaper innerspring conventional mattresses, these futons have an encased perimeter so it will hold its shape better while using it as a sofa. Innerspring futons are recommended for those active singles and couples. Our Galaxy mattress by Otis has a firmer feel and a little less bounce than our Pocketed Coil by King Koil. The Galaxy and Millenium futon mattresses use high-density layers of foam encasing these coils. These premium futon mattresses have a life span of 10 plus years.
Memory Foam
Visco memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. It was developed in 1966 under a contract by NASA's Ames Research Center to improve the safety of aircraft cushions. Futons that use Visco foam usually contain anywhere from 1-4 inches layers of Visco memory foam over multiple layers of high-density foam and a cotton/polyester batting underneath for added support. With memory foam, the futon mattress tucks snug on the frame and makes it easier for it to bend when opening and closing the frame. This category of futon mattresses is perfect for every day sitting. It feels like sitting on a normal sofa and the cushion keeps its shape without leaving any body imprints. This can also be used for everyday sleeping. It’s like having a memory foam topper but already constructed within the futon mattress. Some people are not big fans of memory foam for sleeping, but it is highly recommended for every day use as a sofa and provides superior comfort for your occasional guest.
Latex
Latex has become the current "hot" product, though, is that it is a uniquely comfortable sleep surface. Latex is both a very dense surface, but also because of its elastic properties, still has a yielding, giving, and conforming quality. So for those that just haven't been able to get a good night's sleep or have unrelieved pain issues, a latex mattress is a top of the line alternative that has a very different feel, offers unparalleled comfort and support, that may well do the trick. Cotton mattresses, much like futon mattresses, pack down over time and get much firmer, and while wool makes a very nice comfort layer, you still need a good mattress "core" or base, to layer the wool on top of.
Foam and Polyester
Foam futon mattresses do not use a cotton encasement but rather polyester. Polyester is lighter in weight and is a synthetic material that provides a plush surface and helps retain the shape of the futon. These futons are manufactured in the USA and are considered the best of futon mattresses. They simply don’t bottom out. The following mattresses are priced based on the number of layers of foam used. The more layers in the mattress, the better it’s comfort. The Haley 110 is highly recommended for those who want a real firm/soft sofa like feel for sitting and a firm and supportive feel for sleeping. These futons are built to last over 10 years and provide the most superior level of back support and comfort. Because cotton is not used, the high-density foam has a little bounce to it a more cushioned feel. The Moonshadow is made similar to the Haley 110 but has more of a plush feel for those that like it just a bit softer. These futons are also recommended for platform beds and can also withstand the weight for people of 200 lbs and up without bottoming out over long term use.