Rolling Mattresses – Comprehensive Buying Guide

What are roll mattresses?

Roll mattresses are rolled up mattresses. However, they do not get into this form by human hands alone, but only with the help of high compression.

The nice thing about roll mattresses is their handiness:

• In the tightly rolled up form, they can be easily transported in your own car.
• The mattresses can have different weights depending on the material.

If you value a comfortably light mattress, I recommend a foam mattress. I explain more details below in the text.

What does a roll mattress bring you?

Above all, the point that you do not have to use a delivery service – you could even transport a single bed mattress on the luggage rack – is on the pro side.

A roll mattress, like a common mattress, is sold in different sizes and can have different qualities. In terms of price, you will find a wide price range – everything is possible from 30 to a few hundred euros.

When buying, pay attention to things like firmness, density and material of the mattress so that your sleep is restful.

Before I go into the individual points in more detail, I would like to briefly explain how a roll mattress actually works.

How does a roll mattress work?

You buy the rolled up mattress and put it on the floor at home. Loosen the plastic and unfold your new roll mattress.

The mattress then expands to regain its shape. This can take anywhere from a few hours to 3 days. You can help the process by making sure the room is well ventilated.

Then you can use your roll mattress like a conventional mattress.

What is a volume weight?

An important factor for a good mattress and its durability is the density.

• Volume weight (RG) = substance per volume

A mattress with a high density, i.e. little air, but a lot of fabric in the core, has a higher quality. That means:

• longer lifespan
• more stable surface – no hollows

A regularly used mattress for an adult should have a value of at least 40 kg / m³. For children, a density of 30 kg / m³ is sufficient due to the weight.

A brief overview of the usual values:

Mattresses with a RG of less than 40 kg / m³ are not recommended. Unfortunately, this value is always reflected in the price. But I advise you not to save here.

What you will also come across is the term hardness.

What degrees of hardness are there?

The spine should be kept in its natural shape and supported while sleeping. This means that you should neither sink into a hollow in the mattress nor have the feeling of lying on an unyielding board.

One step in the right direction is to make sure you choose a mattress with the right degree of firmness for your body weight.

• H1 or degree of hardness 1 is suitable for up to 60 kg.
• H2 is for 60 – 80 kg.
• H3 is the classic in German bedrooms and makes sense with a body weight of 80 – 120 kg.
• H4 for 100 – 150 kg.
• Just like H1, H5 is rather rare. Not all companies have mattresses with a degree of hardness 5 in their range. Therefore the information varies here.

However, the degree of hardness does not include how you feel when you are lying down. Latex mattresses, for example, always feel a little firmer, while cold foam leaves a softer impression.

What are lying areas?

When looking for the right roll mattress, you will come across the word “lying area” again and again.

In order to perfectly support different parts of the body, a mattress can be divided into lying areas. There are zones for the head, shoulder / neck, hips, etc.

• There are 3, 5 and 7 lying areas. 5 and 7 lying areas are the most popular in Germany.
• Very cheap roll-up mattresses often have no zones at all.

What is your lying position?

Do you tend to lie on your side, on your back, on your stomach at night or do you often change positions? Depending on your sleeping habits, you can choose the right mattress for you.

Most people are side sleepers. It is essential that your cervical spine relaxes, your shoulders sink in and your spine is supported according to its line – and that it doesn’t sag.

As a back sleeper, you should make sure that your lumbar vertebrae and neck are particularly well supported.

Do you prefer to lie on your stomach? Then it is important that your mattress stabilizes your pelvis and supports your lower back.

Good mattress manufacturers point out that the mattress should be particularly suitable for a certain lying position .

The perfect height

High mattresses always seem a little more comfortable to me. But is that really true? The fact is, a high mattress won’t do you any good if you end up sagging.

Your mattress has to carry you and at the same time let it sink into the right places.

As far as the degree of hardness is right in addition to the quality, you can assume that:

• The heavier the person, the higher the mattress should be.
• A mattress height of 19-24 cm is recommended.
• You are in the comfort zone from a height of 25 cm.

The right size

The right size mainly depends on the size of the bed. Should it be for a single or double bed?

• Single Size: 90 * 200 cm
• Double Size: 140 * 200 cm
• Queen Size: 160 * 200 cm
• King Size: 180 * 200 cm

To find the perfect size for you, add 20 cm to your height. So as long as you are no taller than 1.80 m, all mattress sizes will fit you, depending on your taste.

Rolling mattress materials

As with conventional mattresses, the material is also very important for your sleep.

Just think about it: what mattresses have you slept best on so far? Was it foam? Latex? A spring mattress?

You will also find these variants with roll mattresses. It is therefore worth taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of the types of material. Which one is best for you depends, among other things, on your height, weight and any back problems .

• Foam mattresses are the classic roll mattresses: inexpensive, light and good for allergies and back problems.
• Spring core mattresses stand out because they remain comfortable even with heavy sweating and higher body weight.
• Rolled latex mattresses are rarely found, but are particularly suitable for allergy sufferers.

Then I will explain exactly what which material can do.

Foam mattresses

Foam mattresses can be easily compressed as a roll and can easily return to their actual mattress shape when unpacked.

But not all foam is created equal – a distinction is made between comfort foam mattresses, cold foam mattresses and visco foam mattresses.

I would like to explain to you what that means for you here.

Comfort foam mattresses

Comfort foam mattresses are often hidden behind the name PUR mattress. PUR stands for polyurethane.

In terms of lying comfort, they are rather soft and therefore best suited for people weighing up to 80 kg – otherwise the soft material can quickly deform.

The light mattresses are therefore especially popular as a quickly conjured guest bed. They are also great for children and teenagers.

The advantages of comfort foam mattresses are:

• Good air circulation (suitable for allergy sufferers)
• light
• Cheap

Because this material is soft, comfort foam mattresses have a shorter lifespan and require a good slatted frame for a comfortable sleep.

Heavy sweats and sleepers over 80 kg will not be happy with it. But young people and children do.

Cold foam mattresses

Cold foam mattresses are also made of polyurethane, only the processing is different than that of comfort foam mattresses. This makes the mattress point-elastic.

The material adapts to the body shape, e.g. the shoulders sink in a little, but lighter body parts are supported.

This type of mattress is therefore of particular interest to you if you suffer from back problems. Different degrees of hardness make it possible to sleep comfortably even for a higher weight.

Cold foam mattresses have good air circulation, which makes them suitable for allergy sufferers. Compared to the comfort foam mattress, it has a longer lifespan, but is also a little more expensive. Here, too, a good slatted frame is important.

Viscoschaummatratzen

Viscous foam mattresses are made of polyurethane and memory foam . Thanks to memory foam, the foam can permanently adapt to your lying position.

This makes this type of mattress particularly exciting for people with back problems or shoulder pain . In addition to the excellent adaptation to your lying shape, viscose foam mattresses have a long service life, are suitable for different weight classes and also for allergy sufferers.

Of the foam mattresses, however, they are also the most expensive. But I think it’s best especially for back problems.

Summary: Materials of foam mattresses

• Comfort foam mattresses are the cheapest option, but are best used for children and teenagers or as a simple guest bed.
• The slightly more expensive cold foam mattresses qualify for your sleep due to their different processing, if you weigh less than 80 kg and have little or no back problems.
• Viscous foam mattresses are your ideal sleeping aid if you weigh more than 80 kg and have back problems. However, they are also the most expensive in this comparison.

Latex mattresses

You are not a fan of foam mattresses – never mind, there are other materials such as latex. This is characterized by the fact that it is not only suitable for allergy sufferers, but can also perfectly support different sleeping positions .

Latex mattresses can be made of natural or synthetic latex. The body shape adaptation is higher with natural latex. In technical jargon this is called “point elasticity”. The higher this is, the better the material supports the sleeper’s body.

No matter what type of latex, the material is always moisture-repellent. Since it also has antibacterial properties, latex is useful for allergy sufferers.

• If you are a restless sleeper , a latex mattress is the right choice for you.
• The material has a high adaptability to the shape of the person lying down.

Latex mattresses require certain care, but this ensures that they will last for a long time. They offer a high level of comfort, adapt to restless sleepers and are generally a good thing for back problems.

Unfortunately, it has one disadvantage: You should expect a few hundred euros for the costs.

Innerspring mattresses

Spring core mattresses can also be found under roll mattresses. They have a spring core and, thanks to this, can guarantee an elastic surface.

A distinction is made between three types of spring core mattresses: Bonnel, pocket and barrel pocket spring core mattresses .

• Bonnel spring core mattresses contain many steel springs under a layer of foam.
• With pocket spring core mattresses, the individual steel springs are sewn into fabric pockets for better point elasticity.
• The steel springs of pocket spring core mattresses have a different shape, which ensures better adaptability to the body.

Spring core mattresses are wonderfully air-permeable and therefore very suitable for night owls . They have a long lifespan, but are the only roll-top mattresses that allergy sufferers are not advised to use.

The firmness levels of the rather heavy spring core mattresses are 3 and 4, which makes them attractive for people with a higher weight.

I would also like to point out that with rolled innerspring mattresses the top and bottom can shift slightly. As a result, this type of roll-up mattress can only be flat in height.

Mattress cover

A good mattress cover should be removable and washable. The material is also important: cotton, polyester or mixed fabric covers are available.

• Cotton covers can be washed at 95 degrees and are therefore particularly useful for allergy sufferers.
• Polyester covers are easy to care for and tend to be dirt-repellent, but can only be washed at 60 degrees.
• Mixed fabric covers often consist of polyester and cotton, with a little viscose and elastane. That makes the covers nice and cozy.

Rolling mattresses for allergy sufferers

I have tried to find out whether the respective materials are allergy-friendly.

Nevertheless, when buying, you should make sure that the manufacturer draws attention to this with labels.

My 3 TOP recommendations

Price-performance winner

With the comfortable cold foam mattress, a good price and many options come together.

Different variants and sizes make it easy for you to find the right mattress here. The cold foam mattress is available from 11 cm to 23.5 cm in height.

The 7 lying zones support light body parts well and allow heavy parts to sink in. This ensures a comfortable sleep.

The mattress is suitable for allergy sufferers, the cover is removable and washable at 60 degrees. Only the volume weight of 30kg / m³ is a small downer for me. For an adult of normal weight, the mattress will not last long.

Therefore I would recommend this mattress especially for light people, teenagers and children or as a guest bed.

For allergy sufferers

The comfort zone is of good quality, especially for allergy sufferers – and it’s comfortable.

You can purchase the comfort mattress in H1, H2 and H3 as well as in different sizes. It is certified according to ÖkoTex class 1 (also suitable for babies ). The cover is washable at 60 degrees. Overall absolutely allergy-friendly!

The 7 lying zones ensure that your shoulders and pelvis sink in a little and that your spine is held accordingly. The RG of 45 kg / m³ is another quality feature.

This mattress will last for a long time.

Even if it is particularly suitable for allergy sufferers, no one should feel left out: The soft wave creates such a soft and pleasant surface with an otherwise firm material that this mattress is a total all-rounder.

For heavy sweats

With this mattress you sleep well even if you sweat heavily.

Pocket spring core mattresses generally have very good air circulation, which per se makes them ideal for sweaters. This mattress here has an integrated climate band so that it always stays dry and well ventilated.

Overall, the mattress is 20 cm high. The 7 lying zones ensure a comfortable and well-supported lying feeling. This is underpinned by the density of 40 kg / m³.

The barrel pocket spring core mattress is available in different sizes and degrees of firmness (H2, H3 and H4). This makes the mattress adaptable to your individual needs.

The cover is easily removable and washable at 60 degrees. The mattress has been tested according to the ÖkoTex standard and is therefore free of harmful substances. However, customers describe that the smell stayed at times for up to months.

Where else can I buy roll mattresses?

You can of course also look for roll mattresses on site. In addition to the usual mattress shops, discounters such as ALDI or furniture stores such as IKEA also boast great offers.

With the latter, you should always pay attention to the current offers. You can also use the opportunity to lie on the selected mattress yourself.

Alternatives to the roll mattress

Folding mattresses are a good alternative if you want to save space or if you want to take a comfortable mattress with you when you travel.

After use, you can simply stow the folding mattress again. It is therefore wonderfully suitable as a guest mattress.

Thinner roll mats are mainly used for yoga, but with a height of up to 5 cm they can also be quite comfortable – for one night.

Summary

Often mattresses cost a lot of money, with a roll mattress they are often significantly lower.

This should be a reason for you to look carefully so that you don’t buy a poor quality product.

• Pay attention to the density, the lying areas, the degree of hardness and the material so that you do not experience any unpleasant surprises.
• There are roll mattresses available in many different materials that are suitable for different needs (for example if you sweat a lot).

During my research, the following 3 mattresses in particular struck me as particularly high quality. Perhaps one of the roll mattresses will also suit you: