Guide
Sleep Product Terminology Glossary
Shopping for sleep products means wading through a lot of specialized terms. This glossary explains more than 40 common words and phrases you will encounter when browsing mattresses, adjustable bases, pillows, and bedding at Sleep Comfort Depot, grouped alphabetically for easy reference.
Last reviewed · Published by Essential Systems
A–C
Adjustable Base
A motorized bed frame that allows you to raise or lower the head and/or foot of the mattress to different positions.
Breathability
A material’s ability to allow air to pass through it, which helps regulate temperature while you sleep.
Coil Count
The total number of springs in an innerspring or hybrid mattress, which can relate to support and durability.
Comfort Layer
The upper layer or layers of a mattress, designed to cushion the body and provide initial pressure relief.
Cooling Gel
A gel infused into foam to help draw heat away from the body during sleep.
D–F
Density
A measure of how much a given volume of foam weighs, which influences support, durability, and feel.
Down
Soft clusters found under the feathers of ducks or geese, often used as pillow and comforter fill.
Edge Support
Reinforcement along the perimeter of a mattress that reduces sagging and helps when sitting or sleeping near the edge.
Fill Power
A measurement of the loft and insulating quality of down fill; higher fill power generally means more warmth for less weight.
Firmness
How soft or hard a mattress feels, often rated on a scale, which affects pressure relief and spinal alignment.
G–L
Gusset
A fabric panel added to the side of a pillow to increase loft and maintain its shape.
Hybrid Mattress
A mattress that combines innerspring coils with foam or latex comfort layers.
Innerspring Mattress
A mattress built primarily around a system of steel coils for support, typically topped with a comfort layer.
Latex
A durable, responsive material made from natural or synthetic rubber, used in mattresses and pillows.
Loft
The height or fullness of a pillow or comforter, which affects how it supports the head and neck.
M–P
Massage Feature
A vibration setting on some adjustable bases intended to promote relaxation.
Memory Foam
A viscoelastic foam that contours to the body’s shape in response to heat and pressure, then slowly returns to its original form.
Motion Isolation
A mattress’s ability to absorb movement so that motion on one side is less noticeable on the other.
Pillow Top
An extra layer of cushioning sewn on top of a mattress for added softness.
Pocketed Coils
Individually wrapped springs that move independently, improving motion isolation compared to interconnected coils.
Q–S
Quilted Cover
A mattress cover with stitched patterns, often adding a layer of soft cushioning.
Sleep Position
The posture a person typically sleeps in, such as side, back, or stomach, which influences ideal mattress firmness and pillow loft.
Sleep Trial
A period of time, such as our 120-Night Comfort Guarantee, during which a customer can test a mattress at home.
Support Core
The base layer of a mattress responsible for providing structural support, beneath the comfort layers.
Surface Feel
How a mattress feels to the touch and under initial pressure, such as soft, plush, or firm.
T–Z
Temperature Regulation
Design features, such as breathable covers or cooling gel, intended to help prevent overheating during sleep.
Thread Count
The number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric, often cited for sheets, though not the sole indicator of quality.
USB Port
A charging port built into some adjustable bases for convenient device charging at the bedside.
Warranty
A manufacturer’s commitment to repair or replace a product under specific conditions for a defined period, explained further in our warranties guide.
Zero Gravity Position
An adjustable base setting that elevates the legs slightly above heart level and raises the upper body, evenly distributing body weight.
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