Latex vs. Innerspring Mattress: What’s The Difference? 

Latex mattresses provide cradling comfort while also offering sleepers with bouncy support. Many people have slept on traditional innerspring mattresses. But, most individuals are unfamiliar with the benefits of purchasing a latex bed.

In this article, we will compare the benefits and drawbacks of innerspring and latex beds. We’ll also offer some insight into which mattress suits your personal preference.

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What is Latex Foam?

Natural latex is manufactured from the sap of the rubber tree, hevea brasiliensis. There are two types of natural latex: Dunlop and Talalay.

Dunlop latex is the most commonly manufactured latex foam. In this method, the sap is removed for rubber trees then, it is whipped into foam. Once the foam reaches the proper consistency, the foam is poured into a mold and baked.

Talalay latex goes through a similar process, but the foam is placed into a mold in stages. Before baking, the foam is also vacuum sealed and frozen to give it a more uniform density.

For a deeper comparison of Talalay and Dunlop latex, please read our Dunlop vs Talalay latex mattress guide.

Additionally, there are synthetic latex mattresses to accommodate individuals with latex allergies.

Latex beds may also consist of blended latex (a blend of natural and synthetic latex). Blended latex is an affordable alternative to natural options. It also is a more durable option than synthetic latex, lasting 2 to 3 years longer.

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Benefits and Drawbacks of Latex Mattresses

Latex has properties of elasticity and responds to your weight, shape, and movement. This allows the foam to support heavy parts of your body and act as one of the best mattresses for joint pain.

Moreover, the bouncy qualities of latex are more desirable than innerspring beds. Latex beds provide body-hugging comfort without feeling stuck. Also, latex is biodegradable, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious shoppers. Not to mention, latex is resistant to dust mites and mold, making it one of the best mattresses for allergies.

If you seek a truly sustainable bed, organic latex mattresses are a good choice. Certifications an organic latex mattress may have include:

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
• Global Organix Latex Standard (GOLS)
• OEKO-TEX® 
• Rainforest Alliance
• eco-INSTITUT

Latex mattresses are heavy and may be difficult to move if needed. Besides their weight, latex beds are some of the most expensive mattresses on the market. Natural latex costs thousands of dollars, especially in local showrooms. So they are not the best for shoppers with a limited budget.

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The Amerisleep Organica is one of the best latex mattresses on the market. Made with a myriad of sustainable and organic materials, it’s a great choice when trying to reduce your carbon footprint. With its medium feel, the Organica works well for all types of sleepers!

The Organica’s cover is made with GOTS organic certified cotton. It’s durable, cool to the touch, and softens with age. Sewn into the cover is a 1-inch New Zealand Joma Wool® batting to regulate your temperature and act as a flame barrier.

Under the cover is 3 inches of Talalay latex. It’s springy and breathable so you never feel stuck inside your bed. At the same time, it cushions your curves and relieves pressure to soothe pain. 

Rather than being made entirely of latex, the Organica contains 8 inches of pocketed springs. The springs isolate motion, support a healthy spine, and enhance the bed’s breathability. Beneath this layer is 1 inch of Dunlop latex to absorb shock and help your bed last.

The Organica includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep Organica Mattress

What is an Innerspring Mattress?

Innerspring mattresses are a firm mattress type, but they do not conform or mold to your curves. Traditional spring beds generally have an interconnected coil system in the mattress core. Newer spring mattresses use a pocketed coil system for more pressure point relief.

Pocket spring beds have hundreds of individual springs sewn into a pocket of fabric. This allows them to move with your body weight and shape with less motion transfer.

Benefits and Drawback of Innerspring Mattresses

A lot of shoppers buy innerspring beds for their affordability. If you need an inexpensive mattress for a guest bedroom or have a tight budget, you can buy a queen innerspring for $500. Not to mention, these beds keep sleepers cooler throughout the night.

The downside of sleeping on an innerspring bed is that these beds offer good motion transfer. If you are someone who tosses and turns, the movement could cause sleeping interruptions.

Furthermore, the comfort layers cannot conform to the natural curvature of your spine. These beds are not the best for those with back or joint pain who need zoned support.

Latex vs. Innerspring Mattress: Which is Better?

Latex and innerspring beds are two mattresses on opposite ends of the spectrum. Let’s take a look at what the best mattress is for your sleep needs.

Best Affordable Option: Innerspring

Shoppers with a tight budget should look at innerspring mattresses since you can buy them for as low as $500. Latex beds come with a higher price tag because they contain natural materials, so they’re not the best choice when it comes to budget mattresses. A high-quality organic latex mattress can cost up to $6000. More affordable latex items range from $700 to $3400.

Best Airflow: Innerspring and Latex

Latex and innerspring beds are both excellent cooling mattresses for hot sleepers. Latex beds have an open cell structure and do not absorb heat like foam materials. Innerspring beds have a coil system without foam layers. So, more air circulates throughout the mattress.

Best for Pressure Relief: Latex

Latex beds shape the contours of your body. Innerspring beds do not offer much contouring or targeted support. Furthermore, latex mattresses come in a variety of firmness levels. Innerspring beds are usually extra firm and are not always the best choice for side sleepers. More conforming mattresses are better suited for side sleepers.

A firm mattress is better suited for combination and stomach sleepers.

Best Durability: Latex

When it comes to how long a mattress lasts, latex mattresses tend to outlast other types. On average, latex mattresses provide comfort for 10 to 12 years. This is about twice as long as innerspring beds. Innerspring beds only last 4 to 5 years and are more likely to sag than latex beds.

Best for Responsiveness: Innerspring

Innerspring beds offer responsive support for sleepers. Sometimes, a bouncy bed makes it easier for those with limited mobility to climb out of bed.

Latex is a more responsive foam material than memory foam. Yet, it still does not match the bounce of an innerspring bed. Some latex beds will still make sleepers feel like they are sinking, so they may not be the best choice.

The Zoma Hybrid is one of our favorite innerspring mattresses. Built for athletes, the Zoma Hybrid fosters deep sleep while enhancing muscle recovery, ensuring you wake up pain-free. It has a medium-soft feel, making it an excellent choice for side sleepers and people who weigh under 130 pounds.

Zoma uses their proprietary AirCloth fabric for the hybrid’s cover. It draws heat and moisture away from your body to keep you cool while you sleep.

Inside the Zoma Hybrid is gel comfort foam, which conforms to your hips and shoulders—the heaviest parts of your body—without overheating. Next is Reactiv™ transition foam, which prevents you from sinking deeply in bed. 

As an innerspring mattress, the Zoma Hybrid contains a pocketed coil support system. Unlike the open coils in most innerspring beds, pocketed coils are more durable. They won’t squeak, cause motion transfer, or break easily! Plus, air can flow through the spaces between the coils to keep you cool. The Zoma Hybrid’s foam base helps the bed last longer without sagging.

You receive a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty with the Zoma Hybrid.

Sleeping Positions

Back sleepers

For those who sleep on their back, it is essential to choose a mattress that can support and cushion the body to maintain proper spine alignment. An ideal option is a medium-firm mattress with a rating of 6, which can prevent the body from sinking while still conforming to the spine’s natural curve.

Side sleepers

If you are a side sleeper, it’s crucial to find a mattress that can relieve pressure on your shoulders and hips, reducing any discomfort. Soft to medium mattresses with a rating of 3 to 5 are perfect for this as they can absorb pressure without causing any pain.

Stomach sleepers 

Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, require a firm mattress to keep their pelvis on top of the sleeping surface and maintain proper spinal alignment. The firmest mattresses with a rating of 7 to 8 are best suited for them, providing adequate support to prevent lower back pain.

Combination sleepers 

The best mattress for combination sleepers who switch between different sleeping positions throughout the night is one with a medium to medium-firm rating to ensure proper spinal alignment regardless of their position. This can help reduce snoring and alleviate neck strain.

FAQS

Do innerspring beds need a box spring?

Generally, older innerspring beds are the only mattress types that need a box spring. You can also use innerspring beds with a slatted or solid foundation and platform beds. These foundations are suitable for memory, latex, and hybrid mattresses as well.

How long should a latex mattress last?

Latex mattresses last for up to 10 years, which is longer than other types of mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are made from durable materials and have a longer lifespan than synthetic latex. Synthetic latex beds tend to wear down after 7 years.

Are pillow top mattresses better for back pain than memory foam beds?

The extra padding in pillow-top beds might be beneficial for back pain sufferers. Though pillow-top beds have soft sleeping surfaces, memory foam beds tend to be better for back pain. Memory foam mattresses have body cradling comfort, which is better for joint pain and spinal alignment.

What type of foundation should I use with a latex mattress?

Latex mattresses need the support of a solid or slatted foundation. If you are using a slatted foundation, make sure the slats are no more than 3 inches apart. This distance provides even support for your mattress while also providing good airflow.

Can I use a box spring with a latex mattress?

We do not recommend using a box spring with a latex mattress. This is because the springs of the foundation can bend under the weight of the bed. Box springs will not provide you with an even sleeping surface and may cause damage to your mattress. It’s better to use a latex mattress with slatted or solid foundations.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a firm to extra firm mattress, both innerspring and latex options can provide excellent support that responds well to pressure. While innerspring mattresses can be a more affordable choice, with queen sizes available for as low as $500, latex mattresses can be a bit more expensive but also offer more durability and resilience.

Though latex mattresses are an expensive investment, they are a more long-lasting mattress type. This could save you money in the long run since you won’t have to worry about replacing your mattress.