What Is An Innerspring Mattress?
An innerspring mattress is a bed with coil springs inside, providing support and evenly distributing your weight. The best part is that modern innerspring mattresses, also referred to as hybrid beds, feature layers of padding on top for additional cushioning. You can think of a hybrid mattress as an innerspring bed with a built-in plush foam mattress topper.
Who Should Get an Innerspring Mattress?
Innerspring mattresses can be a great choice for many sleepers, but they may be especially beneficial for certain groups. Here are some people who might find an innerspring mattress particularly well-suited to their needs:
- People who need strong support: Innerspring mattresses are known for offering stable and robust support due to the metal coils in their construction. This can be helpful for those who need additional support for their back, hips, or shoulders, or who prefer a firmer feel.
- Hot sleepers: Innerspring mattresses allow for better airflow and ventilation, helping to dissipate heat and keep you cool throughout the night.
- People who prefer a bouncier feel: Innerspring mattresses provide noticeable bounce and responsiveness, which many sleepers find comfortable.
- Budget-conscious shoppers: Innerspring mattresses are typically more affordable compared to other mattress types like memory foam or latex, making them a great option for those looking to save.
Who Shouldn’t Get an Innerspring Mattress?
Innersprings are a traditional mattress type that remains a popular choice for many shoppers. However, they may not be the ideal option for everyone, particularly for those who need extra pressure relief or who are sensitive to motion transfer or noise.
Benefits of an Innerspring Mattress
Although not all of these mattresses are true innerspring models—especially since many companies incorporate foam into the design—they all still maintain that traditional innerspring feel. Here are some of the key benefits of innerspring mattresses, including the ones featured in our article:
- More breathable: One of the standout features of innerspring mattresses is their ability to allow air to flow through. Unlike all-foam mattresses, which are more densely packed and lack this airflow, innersprings can be a great option for hot sleepers who need better ventilation.
- More supportive: Coils offer superior support compared to the foam found in all-foam mattresses. Their design allows the bed to handle more weight, making it a good option for larger individuals or those who need extra support.
- More durable: The coil structure also adds durability, preventing sagging, which some foam mattresses are prone to over time. While innerspring mattresses might come with a higher upfront cost, they can be a wise long-term investment for those looking for a mattress that will maintain its support and not sag prematurely.
Drawbacks of an Innerspring Mattress
While innerspring mattresses offer several benefits, they may not be ideal for everyone. Here are a few factors that might lead you to consider other options:
- Motion transfer: Innerspring mattresses can transfer more motion than other types, as the coils can carry movement across the bed, potentially disturbing a partner’s sleep.
- Noise: Innerspring mattresses may produce noise, particularly if the coils are older or of lower quality, which could disrupt sleep.
- Limited pressure relief: Innerspring mattresses may not offer sufficient pressure relief for certain sleepers, especially those dealing with chronic pain or pressure points, as the coils can push back against the body.
- Prone to sagging: Innerspring mattresses can develop sagging or body impressions over time, particularly if they are of lower quality or not properly maintained.
What People Should Look for When Buying an Innerspring Mattress
As we've discussed, innerspring mattresses come with both pros and cons. Once you determine that an innerspring mattress is the right choice for you, there are a few more factors to consider when evaluating quality to ensure you're getting a mattress that will last. We'll cover important aspects such as coil count, coil gauge, and coil types to help you choose the mattress that best meets your needs.
Top Layer
Not all innerspring mattresses are created the same. There is a wide variety of materials that can be used to enhance the comfort of the springs, which can significantly impact the mattress's feel. For instance, an innerspring mattress with a thin layer of latex on top will feel much different from one that has a thick layer of memory foam.
It's important to understand the differences between various types of comfort layers, as well as the distinctions between poly foam, memory foam, and latex foam. Knowing these differences will help you decide which top layer best suits your preferences.
Additionally, the thickness of the comfort layer plays a crucial role. A mattress with a thick layer of memory foam is more like a hybrid mattress, which will feel more similar to a memory foam mattress than a traditional innerspring mattress.
Coil Count and Gauge
When shopping for an innerspring mattress, whether in a store or online, you'll often come across terms like coil count, coil gauge, and others. Here’s a quick breakdown of what these terms actually mean:
- Coil count refers to the total number of coils used in the mattress. Depending on the mattress size, the count can range from as few as 200 coils to as many as 2,000.
- Coil gauge measures the thickness of the metal wires used in the coils. The lower the number, the thicker the wire.
However, these stats can sometimes be misleading for a variety of reasons:
For instance, many people assume that a higher coil count means a better quality mattress. But it’s possible for a mattress to have a high coil count with coils made from lower-quality steel, which doesn't necessarily equate to better support or durability. Several factors influence the overall quality of the innerspring unit, so it's best to approach this metric with caution.
Additionally, while coil gauge is often associated with mattress firmness, it’s not always a clear-cut rule. A thicker gauge doesn't always mean a firmer mattress, as the overall firmness depends on various factors, particularly what's in the top comfort layer. Therefore, a simple “thicker gauge equals firmer” statement doesn’t always hold true.
Types of Coils
You’ll likely hear a lot about the type of coil used in a mattress, and while the type of coil does matter, its significance can vary depending on the other components of the mattress. It's important to take claims like "it has pocket coils, so it’s better" with a grain of salt. For example, if there’s a thick layer of memory foam on top, the fact that the innerspring unit features pocket coils may not matter as much, since the memory foam handles most of the contouring.
In general, the type of coil does matter, but its importance is relative to the rest of the mattress. Here’s a quick overview of some common coil types you might come across while researching mattresses:
Pocketed Coils
Pocketed coils are individually wrapped, with each coil housed in its own fabric casing. These casings are then sewn or glued together to form a continuous layer of coils. While pocketed coils are typically more expensive, they offer better contouring since each coil can move independently of the others.
One key advantage of this independent movement is motion isolation. If you share your bed with a partner, their movements are more likely to stay on their side of the bed, minimizing disruption. With other coil types, you may experience more movement transfer, which can disturb your sleep.
Open coils
Open coils are the most affordable and oldest type of innerspring design. In this system, multiple coils are connected by a wire frame, essentially creating a design similar to pocketed coils but without the individual wrappings. As a result, you’re less likely to experience the same level of motion isolation or contouring as you would with pocketed coils.
Offset coils
Offset coils have an hourglass shape and provide better contouring than open coils. This design can offer more support for heavier individuals and help reduce the noise that the coils produce during use.
Continuous coils
Continuous coils are made from a single metal wire that runs throughout the mattress, forming rows of coils. This type of coil system is commonly found in more affordable mattresses. While they are cost-effective and very durable, continuous coils typically don’t isolate motion well and can be somewhat noisy, based on our experience.
How Do Innerspring Mattresses Compare to Other Mattresses?
How do innerspring mattresses compare to other types, such as memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses?
Innerspring vs Memory Foam
Comparing innerspring vs. memory foam mattresses is like comparing apples to oranges, as their materials, performance, and feel are quite different. Innerspring mattresses use metal coils for support, while memory foam mattresses rely on foam layers for pressure relief and contouring.
In terms of performance, innerspring mattresses generally offer more bounce and responsiveness, whereas memory foam mattresses excel at pressure relief and molding to the body’s shape. Memory foam also tends to isolate motion better and is usually quieter than innerspring mattresses.
Innerspring mattresses are a good option for those who need extra support or prefer a firmer feel, while memory foam mattresses are ideal for those who need more pressure relief, especially side sleepers or people with chronic pain.
Innerspring vs Latex
Innerspring mattresses use metal coils for support, while latex mattresses rely on layers of natural or synthetic latex foam for both support and comfort. When comparing the feel and performance of latex vs. innerspring, there are some notable similarities.
In terms of performance, latex mattresses can offer a similar level of support to innerspring mattresses but with added pressure relief. Both types tend to sleep cooler than memory foam, but latex is generally more durable than innerspring mattresses.
Innerspring mattresses are a good option for those who need extra support or prefer a firmer feel, while latex mattresses are better suited for those seeking more pressure relief, particularly side sleepers or those with chronic pain. Additionally, latex mattresses are an excellent choice for those looking for a more eco-friendly or natural mattress option.
Innerspring vs Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine innerspring coils with layers of other materials like memory foam, latex, or gel. When comparing innerspring vs. hybrid mattresses, the key factor to consider is whether you prefer more support and bounce (innerspring) or more pressure relief and cushioning (hybrid).
Hybrid mattresses offer a balance of support and pressure relief, depending on the specific materials used. They can be an excellent compromise for those who want the support of an innerspring mattress but also need the pressure relief provided by memory foam or latex.
Innerspring mattresses are a good choice for those who need extra support or prefer a firmer feel, while hybrid mattresses are ideal for those seeking a mix of support and pressure relief. They can also be a great option for couples with different sleep preferences, as they offer a balance of support and comfort.
