What is an innerspring mattress?

Innerspring mattresses used to be one of the most popular sleep surfaces back in the day. These mattresses are still around; you might have used them at your house, with friends, or at a hotel (check the best selling hotel mattresses). 

But what is an innerspring mattress? In this guide, we will shed some light on this particular topic and see what advantages this mattress type has to offer (also check 10 amazing mattresses on the market). 

So, scroll down to keep reading and know all about it!

Best Innerspring Mattress

Flippable, medium-firm, skin-friendly hybrid mattress suitable for all seasons 

Airdown mattress comes with a unique design of dual side flippable mattress. This 14-inch mattress also gives you 3 firmness levels for your comfort. You can extend the mattress’s life by flipping and turning the mattress periodically. 

This is a combination of memory foam and innerspring mattresses. And each individual pocket spring is located between the layers of foam. This combination of foam and spring creates a sturdy core, soft cushioning, and flexible padding to make it extra comfortable (check 10 mattresses with great comfort).

The best thing is that the queen-size mattress is compatible with most frames and bases. The company uses premium memory foam with Gel Aerofusion that relieves pressures better than regular memory foam.

This memory foam also enhances the ability to circulate temperature. The top cover of the mattress is made from ThermaCol material to keep the mattress cool during summer. In addition, it provides a warm feel in the winter season (also check 10 amazing sheets for winter).

This multi-layer mattress provides contoured support that meets the need for different sleep. You can choose your preferred firm, including medium-soft, luxury firm/medium-firm, and soft firm on one side and firm on another side.

If you are a side sleeper (check the top rated mattresses for side sleeper), a medium-soft mattress is ideal because it provides great comfort around your shoulder and hips. The luxury or medium-firm is suitable for stomach, side, and back sleepers that deliver balanced support and comfort. 

Another best thing is this mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, which makes it skin-friendly. Furthermore, your purchase comes with 2 pillows to give you additional comfort and support to your shoulder and neck. Plus, you can use this hybrid mattress with multiple frames and bases (check 10 great mattresses for adjustable bed). There is no need to use an additional mattress topper with this mattress because it comes with a flippable design and 3 firmness levels.

 

What’s An Innerspring & How Is it Different from Other Mattress Types?

These innerspring mattresses were the most popular and are still pretty commonly used. They are different from other types of mattresses because they feature a coil support system that features springs made of metal (steel).

There are different types of spring systems available as well. Some have springs linked in a single unit and units wrapped within pocketed coils. 

The shapes of these springs, their coil gauge, their design, and the number of coils vary from one mattress to another. These mattresses are covered with upholstery materials and padding. These materials feature fiber foam and other cushioning layers that might include layers of smaller springs. 

Difference Between an Innerspring Mattress & Other Mattresses

Most modern mattress history begins with the introduction of innerspring mattresses years ago. But it has declined in popularity over the years. 

It has happened with the introduction of other types of mattresses and other materials used to construct different layers. These include the likes of memory foam mattresses and hybrids. 

But out of all the types of mattresses, you can find on the market, these innerspring mattresses tend to last longer and are pretty good when providing support (also check the top rated mattresses for scoliosis and back support). 

On the other hand, hybrids and memory foam are better regarding conformance and contouring. They provide you with that enveloping feel if you are looking for that. 

You must also keep in mind that these innerspring mattresses also feel much bouncier compared to other mattress types. Innerspring mattresses are more responsive than memory foam, so they are more prone to motion transfer than memory foam. 

But innerspring mattresses reduce motion transfer if they have an individual pocket coil support system. So, they are useful if you share your mattress with a restless partner (check the top rated mattresses for couple). 

However, that doesn’t mean hybrids and memory foam mattresses are not durable. If you can treat them with proper care, they can last as long as these innerspring mattresses.

Types of Innerspring Mattress

Innerspring mattresses are further segmented into different types. These are: 

Continuous coils

This coil system has a single wire and uses it to form the entire support system that is there within the mattress. These mattresses are available in S-shape and don’t have that traditional coil. It’s because the entire system is made of single and interlinked wire. These innerspring types are pretty affordable. 

Bonnell

This coil system was the first of all innerspring types and is still commonly used. This system was developed for buggy seats in the 1800s. They resemble the looks of an hourglass and have the shape of a helix. But when they are put together, the Bonnell spring system is a mid-range option. 

Offset

Worried about those squeaky springs? You should consider going for offset coils. They also have an hourglass shape, but their tops and bottoms are flat. Such edges tend to create a hinging effect, which conforms pretty well to your body. This spring system is pretty sturdy, quiet, and supportive. 

Pocketed coil

Also known as the Marshall spring system, it features wrapped or encased coils, and the springs are not wired together. It means that these springs tend to work independently. Therefore, you will get better support and increased motion isolation. 

Benefits of Innerspring

There are various benefits of innerspring mattresses; we will list them for your convenience. 

• Innerspring mattresses are pretty bouncy, and they feel highly responsive. These sleep surfaces are much easier to get in and out and are great for enjoying sex (also check the top rated sturdy bed frames for active couple). 
• They have spring construction in their base layer and are also highly breathable. The air tends to circulate with ease. As a result, air circulates comfortably and keeps the base layer cool.
• These mattresses don’t have many materials in their comfort layer, so they don’t produce any distinctive odor. So, off-gassing is not an issue you will have to deal with when using innerspring mattresses. 
• These mattresses are the least expensive and are one of the most affordable sleep surfaces. But they are also pretty cost-effective options for guest bedrooms (check the top rated mattresses for guest). 
• Inning mattresses have a uniform sleep surface, and that is what these mattresses are ideal for stomach sleepers. They tend to keep the spine properly aligned and prevent the hips from sinking into the bed. 

Disadvantages of An Innerspring Mattress

Innerspring mattresses also have some drawbacks that you have to keep in mind. These are, 

• The biggest disadvantage of these innerspring mattresses is that they tend to sag prematurely. They only have a few layers underneath the sleeper and tend to lose their shape, so they are not very durable. 
• As they are highly responsive, inner ping mattresses don’t perform well regarding motion isolation. So, they become less desirable for couples, especially if one is more restless. 
• They don’t have any comfort layers, so in the beginning, they feel pretty firm and don’t offer much contouring. It’s a huge drawback if you look for that enveloping feel on your sleep surface. 

What to Look for Before Buying an Innerspring Mattress?

In this section, we will have a comprehensive look at some of the most important features that will help you decide what type of innerspring you should go with and whether it is the right type of mattress for you or not. 

Coil construction

Of course, the support coil type is the first thing you will have to look at. There are four different types of coil systems that innerspring mattresses feature. These include Bonnell, continuous coil, offset coil, and pocket coil. 

We have briefly detailed them in the above text, but to reiterate what each type has to offer, here is what you need to consider, 

• Bonnell innerspring mattresses are best suited for guest bedrooms. These innerspring are some of the most short-lived mattresses on the market. 
• Continuous coil mattresses are affordable and offer better support, so these mattresses are pretty good for lower back issues (also check the top rated mattress toppers for back pain). 
• Offset innerspring mattresses offer lower firmness and are better for combo sleepers who tend to spend more time sleeping on their side. 
• Pocketed coil innerspring mattresses are the best in quality and are the most expensive of all innerspring mattresses. But they also offer better performance and durability.

Comfort layers

You also need to consider the comfort layers of these innerspring mattresses. This layer is extremely important as it’s the layer that will make your mattress more enjoyable to sleep on. 

You can go for a foam comfort layer and can also go for a micro coil comfort layer. 

The micro-coil comfort layer is highly breathable, and if you tend to sleep hot, it will be a much better option than the foam layer (check the best selling cooling mattresses for hot sleepers). But foam food is a good choice if you want that enveloping feeling. Still, micro coils would perform pretty well in this area, too, but they also come at a high price. 

Coil count

Of course, coil count is another important factor you must keep in mind when buying an innerspring mattress. It is important to ask how many coils in an innerspring make it more comfortable.

For a long time, queen-size innerspring mattresses have come with 800 coils. Some mattresses even come with a much higher coil count, but there is not much noticeable difference. But the minimum coil count in a full mattress is 300, in a queen mattress is 400 and in a king mattress is 480. 

Coil gauge 

Another feature is the gauge or thickness of the coils used in constructing these innerspring mattresses. Coils with lower gauges will be more durable, long-lasting, responsive, and bouncy. But if you want a softer feel, you should use a higher gauged coil system.

How long do innerspring mattresses last?

The lifespan of an innerspring mattress can vary quite a bit depending on the quality of materials and construction. On average, an innerspring mattress will last around 6-8 years before needing to be replaced. Higher quality innersprings with thicker gauge coils and more comfort padding tend to last longer, up to 10 years or more.

Do innerspring mattresses need a box spring?

Most innerspring mattresses work best when paired with a box spring or other rigid foundation. The box spring provides extra support and absorption for the coils in the mattress. However, some newer innerspring models are designed to work well with platform beds or adjustable bases. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Our Recommendation

Innerspring mattresses are suitable for anyone looking for better support and comfort (also check 10 mattress toppers with great comfort). They are highly breathable and come in different firmness levels based on their coil count and gauge. Innerspring mattresses are also one of the most cost-efficient mattress types on the market.