What is an Innerspring Mattress?

Innerspring mattresses are an older type of mattress, existing for decades. An innerspring bed provides sleepers with a springy sensation and bouncy support. They’re easy to find at furniture stores and mattress showrooms.

Coils are the main support layer of an innerspring mattress. The coils of this mattress are then covered with a layer of padding to aid in comfort. Both sides usually have a padded layer, allowing you to flip an innerspring mattress.

In this article, we’ll explain what an innerspring mattress is. Then, we’ll help you decide whether it is the right choice for you. We’ll also touch on the other types of available mattresses. The type of mattress you choose impacts your comfort, support, and sleep quality.

Components of an Innerspring Mattress

Most innerspring mattresses feature three layers. The first and top layer of your mattress is known as the comfort layer. This layer contains a portion of upholstered padding that sits directly on top of the spring system. The comfort layer is designed to provide you with a soft and comfortable sleep surface.

Beneath the comfort layer is the core layer or coil support system. The coils in an innerspring mattress support your body and give your mattress a responsive feeling. Coils also help to prevent you from sinking into your mattress. Lastly, there’s usually a thin, padded layer on the mattress’s reverse side.

The foundation of your innerspring mattress is known as the box spring. A box spring is placed underneath an innerspring mattress, below the coil support structure. Box springs help to further sturdy and support your bed. The coils inside the box spring align with the springs, increasing shock absorption.

Benefits of Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are breathable, preventing you from overheating or suffering from night sweats. Their breathability comes from the spaces in between coils. These spaces allow for improved airflow, establishing a cooling mattress.

Are you shopping on a strict budget? You’ll appreciate how affordable innerspring mattresses are. They’ve been around for a while and often lack a lot of the newer mattress technology that other beds do. This design translates into a lower price tag. Innerspring mattresses can sell for as little as $200 or $300, excellent if you need a budget mattress.

Drawbacks of Innerspring Mattresses

Due to their coil support base, innerspring mattresses can be noisy. You may notice your mattress creaking and squeaking as your partner moves in bed. This motion transfer can cause sleep disturbances.

The comfort layer of an innerspring mattress isn’t very thick. For some sleepers, this thinner comfort layer isn’t comfortable or supportive enough. This can cause your mattress to have a rigid feeling, leading to joint or muscle stiffness in the morning.

Another drawback of the coils inside an innerspring mattress is early mattress sagging. You can prevent or lower the risk of sagging by rotating your mattress 180 degrees every 6 months. This allows for more even wear and tear.

Types of Innerspring Mattresses

The type of coils, the coil gauge, and the number of coils in your innerspring mattress impact how well you sleep at night. You have a few options when it comes to the type of coils that support your innerspring bed.

Continuous Coils

In a continuous coil innerspring mattress, there is one large, interconnected piece of wiring and coils. A continuous coil setup offers improved mattress durability and provides sleepers with a firm surface.

This coil system reduces the cost of your mattress. However, it also increases the amount of noise your bed makes.

Open Coils

Most traditional innerspring mattresses come with an open coil system. This system features coils that have an hourglass shape. These uniquely shaped coils allow for better edge support and even weight distribution. However, open coils are still noisy and may not provide adequate support for some sleepers.

Pocket Coils

A pocket coil innerspring mattress has an interconnected system of coils surrounded by a layer of fabric. The added wrappings to this coil system allows for a body-hugging sensation from the mattress. However, this both raises the price of the mattress and lowers its durability.

Do You Need a Box Spring with Your Mattress?

Yes, you need to pair your innerspring mattress with a box spring. Their design necessitates the use of a box spring for comfort and support. There will be durability and sagging issues with your innerspring bed if you do not pair it with a box spring.

Most sleepers won’t get enough support or feel comfortable without a box spring. Plus, you may void your mattress warranty by going without a box spring.

That said, box springs are designed only for innerspring mattresses. So we don’t recommend pairing a memory foam mattress and a box spring, for example.

Is Innerspring Right for Me?

When determining whether innerspring is the right type of mattress for you, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration. The first thing to consider is the support and different firmness levels you’re seeking. Innerspring beds provide sleepers with a firm and responsive sleep surface. Some sleepers may find this type of mattress to be too rigid or uncomfortable.

Next, think about whether you’re a light sleeper who is prone to night sweats. Light sleepers should only buy an innerspring mattress if they plan to sleep alone. Those who suffer from overheating at night should be comfortable in an innerspring bed due to its high breathability.

Then, look at your support needs and budget. Those who want a lot of pressure point relief or joint support are better suited with a different style of mattress. Innerspring mattresses don’t offer enough contouring for these sleepers to rest comfortably. If you’re looking for a cheaper mattress, innerspring is the right choice.

Other Mattress Types to Consider

An innerspring mattress may not be the perfect solution for you and your sleep needs. If that’s the case, don’t worry. There are several other types of mattresses for you to consider when mattress shopping. For example, body type can impact your mattress buying decision. A mattress for a heavy person will have different features than one for a lightweight person.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is terrific for sleepers who need more support than what a traditional innerspring mattress has to offer. Hybrid mattresses feature a coil support base with a 2-inch comfort layer, made up of memory foam or latex.

Hybrid mattresses provide body-hugging support to relieve tension. They are also breathable due to their coil base. Air moves between the coils, removing heat and moisture. Plus, the coils adapt to movements without motion transfer.

With this mattress type, you’ll get pressure relief, some bounce, and a surface suitable for all sleep positions.

Latex

Latex mattresses feature layers of latex foam that are natural, synthetic, or a blend of both. Mattresses made of genuine latex are naturally hypoallergenic. This means they won’t aggravate your allergies or skin sensitivities. A latex mattress is bouncy and responsive, like innerspring mattresses.

Natural latex is expensive due to its environmentally friendly harvesting and manufacturing. This higher price is offset by the durability and breathability of an organic latex mattress.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses provide you with a body-cradling sensation. This level of support is excellent for pain and pressure points. Some polyfoam beds come with a cooling gel built-in to keep your cooler at night. A gel memory foam bed is beneficial for hot sleepers.

While latex foam has a reputation for its natural materials that deter allergens, a memory foam bed can be a good hypoallergenic mattress too. The foam density can keep allergens from settling inside the mattress.

Side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers can all sleep comfortably on a memory foam mattress. You just have to choose the right firmness. However, heavyweight sleepers might sink too far into memory foam beds. Still, memory foam mattresses with buoyant, responsive layers can accommodate a heavier sleeper.

Airbed

Airbeds are lightweight, easy to assemble, and use an air chamber system for support. Many are inexpensive, costing around $100 or less. Because they are cheap, these airbeds aren’t very durable or supportive. Airbeds are suitable for short-term use or as mattresses in a guest bedroom that isn’t slept in regularly.

FAQs

How long does an innerspring mattress last?

Innerspring mattresses last for between 5 and 6 years. You can try to lengthen the lifespan of your mattress by rotating it 180 degrees every 6 months. Compare that to other mattress types:

• Latex mattresses last for 8 to 12 years
• Memory foam mattresses have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years
• Hybrid mattresses last for 5 to 7 years

Check your mattress warranty for specifics on how long it should last. Some mattresses come with a 10-year warranty, while others have a lifetime warranty. However, most warranties don’t cover everyday wear and tear.

Are innerspring mattresses toxic?

Your innerspring mattress should not be toxic. Lower quality innerspring mattresses can contain glues or adhesives. These materials can give off a toxic chemical odor. Over time, exposure to this toxin can lead to various health problems, such as cancer.

The solution is to buy your mattress from a reputable mattress dealer. Also, look for certifications that state the mattress’s materials are safe. Then, you won’t have to worry about its quality or whether it is harmful.

Do more coils mean the mattress is better?

Higher coil counts in a mattress can be a determinant of mattress durability. However, at a certain threshold, more coils lead to a higher mattress cost. On average, 800 to 1,000 coils are enough for a high-quality queen size mattress.

How much does an innerspring mattress weigh?

The weight of your innerspring bed depends on its size, the number of coils, and coil thickness. Smaller twin to full size innerspring beds can weigh 100 pounds or less. Larger queen size innerspring mattresses weigh between 120 and 160 pounds.

Are innerspring mattresses good for back pain?

Whether an innerspring mattress is suitable for your back pain depends on its severity, your body size, and your sleep position. An innerspring bed can be too firm or rigid for some sleepers with back pain. The best mattress for those with back and spine pain is a medium to medium-firm mattress.

Those suffering from back pain may be more comfortable on a memory foam mattress, especially if they are lightweight or small framed. Larger framed sleepers who have back pain should go with a hybrid mattress so they don’t sink in and feel trapped in their mattress. Pillow top and Euro-top mattresses are also suitable options for those with back pain.

Is an Innerspring Mattress Right for Me?

Innerspring mattresses contain a comfort layer and coil support base. They need to be paired with a box spring. If you’re shopping on a budget or looking for a breathable mattress, an innerspring bed is a perfect solution.

Shoppers should know that innerspring mattresses can be noisy. The design is also prone to early sagging and too rigid for specific individuals.

Other mattress styles to consider include hybrid, latex, and memory foam mattress. Airbeds are okay for short-term sleep circumstances.