All waterbeds share one trait in common: They are a luxurious and indulgent piece of bedroom furniture. It is a lesser known fact that there is more than one style or design of waterbed to choose from. One of the biggest distinctions to be made is between the waveless and free flow models.

The names alone imply the essential differences between these two types of waterbed, but let us go into a little more detail. The free flow waterbed is less structured, meaning that the bladder, or the containing wall, is flexible, and allows the water to react to different pressures and gravity in much the same way as a water balloon. Although some individuals are most comfortable with the softness and extra give provided by the free flow mattress, some others find that it either does not provide enough firmness and support for a full night’s sleep, or that the waves created by their body weight is not conducive to sleeping. For the former group, the waveless waterbed mattress was developed.

Once again, as its name implies, the waveless waterbed contains the water so that it does not create waves, but still provides the luxurious feel that makes waterbeds unique. People that prefer the waveless mattress models typically require a greater level of firmness from their sleeping surfaces. In addition, couples often choose these models, in order to prevent, or at least reduce, the waves and motion that will inevitably occur when one partner shifts position, or rises during the night.

Waveless waterbed mattresses require specific methods of construction. The two most popular means of reducing a bed’s range of motion are the use of baffles, and the application of fiber layers. For the former method, varying amounts of fiber layers are constructed into the body of the mattress, thereby stabilizing the flow of water and reducing wave production. Baffles, on the other hand imply the dividing of the mattres into a number of smaller chambers, each containing a portion of water. Because smaller areas are used to contain the water, waves are less likely to cause ripple effects across the entire surface of the bed.

Although waveless mattresses tend to provide a more firm sleep surface, it should be noted that their level of firmness can frequently be adjusted to suit the needs of their individual owners, meaning that they can still provide exceptional softness and give, without the accompanying waves, that could be destructive.

It is advisable to try out a number of mattresses before committing to any one style. To help consumers identify their optimal comfort level in a waterbed, many manufacturers and retailers provide percentage scores for each of their models, helping to identify the degree to which each design has encorporated a reduction of motion.