The foam mattress is fast becoming a popular choice. New foam products mean that a foam mattress can be as comfortable and as long lasting as a sprung mattress but for a lower price.

Whilst the lowest priced mattresses are not suitable for every day use, they do make for an ideal 'spare room' mattress for those on a budget. This type can also be bought in the shape of a basic chair, which folds out to become a bed – great to keep in the kid's room for the occasional sleepover. But, as with any type of mattress, you should choose the best foam mattress that you can afford.

Mattresses may be made from a variety of foams and your mattress may even be made up of layers of different foams, with firmer ones towards the bottom of the mattress. Latex foam is biodegradable, hypo-allergenic and long lasting. Memory foam, a NASA developed product, molds itself to the shape of the body, providing individual support, then will revert to it's original shape once the body gets off it. Reflex, or “eggcrate” foam, makes for a very pliable mattress, such as that which might be needed on an electric bed.

The versatility of a foam mattress makes it idea for a custom mattress solution, for example, where partners might need different support on each side of the bed. The structure of the foam also ensures that there is no rolling together of two people in the center of the bed.

But the biggest plus-point of a foam mattress is the reported benefits to the sleep pattern. The lack of pressure on joints and bones is said to aid a restful sleep, as is the molding of the mattress to the shape of the body since it means less tossing and turning during the night. So, if you think your mattress might be the cause of a poor night's sleep, try out a foam mattress for size.