Innersprings have been around for a very long time. Believe it or not, we’ve had all the technology we’ve ever needed to make high quality, extremely comfortable mattresses that can last 40 years or more since the early 1900s.
In 1985, a UK based company called Vi-Spring got a hold of one of their mattresses made in 1911 from a family in Sussex. It was made with pocketed springs, horsehair and cotton — that’s it! 74 years later they opened it up and found that despite some expected wear and tear, it was still comfortable and supportive.
I’ve met many people who told me they’ve had their current mattress for 20 or 30 years and they told me it was still comfortable. The only reason they were shopping for a new bed was because they thought they were supposed to. It used to be very common for people to keep their beds for 20+ years.
So then why would you want an innerspring mattress in the first place?
So, there are 3 main components that a mattress should give you at night. Support, comfort, and durability. And the biggest argument for springs is that they offer all three, including comfort. But first, let’s look at what is actually inside your innerspring mattress:
Although model names vary widely, innerspring mattresses share the same basic structure. Differences between less expensive models and more expensive innersprings include items you can see such as pillow tops, mattress height and the fabric used for the cover, as well as details you can’t see, such as coil gauge, coil count and construction materials. All of these features have an impact on the firmness of the mattress, quality, and longevity of a mattress.
Stain-resistant fabric is one of the latest trends in mattresses. Several major mattress manufacturers offer a new product made with stain-proof yarns or even offer a removable, washable cover.
The ultimate goal when buying a mattress is to find the highest quality product within your price range. But what identifies a quality mattress? Innerspring mattresses use coiled springs, which give support and make the mattress firm or soft. Springs come in three shapes: hourglass, continuous coil, and pocket spring.
Spring descriptions don’t stop with shape; they also differ in strength, called wire gauge. Lower gauge numbers offer broader wires, which in turn make a firmer mattress. Thinner wires have higher gauge numbers, resulting in a softer mattress. A good-quality, full-sized mattress has a wire gauge of between 12.75 (more firm) and 15 (less firm).
Springs also may vary in distribution throughout the mattress. Typically, firmer springs are found in the middle, since that is where the body needs the most support. Some newer models have edge-to-edge support, with firmer springs along the edges of the mattress for the times you sit on the edge of the bed.
Mattresses can boast up to as many as 800 individual coils, but you don’t need such a high coil count to get a quality mattress. A good mattress should have a minimum of 300 coils in a full-size bed, 375 in a queen-size, and 450 in a king-size. However, don’t judge a mattress on coil count alone. Coil counts can be misleading since two mattresses of equal coil count can have completely different characteristics, such as gauge strength.
Many manufacturers use the same spring system in all of their mattresses but with a variety of filling materials, which can significantly boost both comfort and price.
The middle padding, usually foam, lies directly beneath the top-quilting layer. “Egg carton” foam is softer compared to flat foam and helps spread your weight over a wider surface area. Look for more resilient foams, which feel almost moist to the touch. Foams that feel dry or crunchy won’t spring back as readily.
Low-end mattresses may use materials such as lower-grade foam or reclaimed cotton fibers in lieu of foam. These cheaper materials don’t tend to last as long because they can break apart or form lumps and pockets and lose the ability to spring back.
Deluxe mattresses also may include layers of wool, cashmere, latex, goose down or premium foams. Luxury layers can add significantly to the price, but may not make a big difference in durability or comfort.
The final layer of padding is the insulation padding. This layer lies directly on top of springs and provides some padding and comfort between you and the springs. There should be a metal screen or layer of plastic webbing between the springs and insulation to prevent springs from chewing up the padding.
The outermost fabric covering of the mattress is called the ticking. The materials used in the ticking vary from foam-backed vinyl found in low-end mattresses, to the more common polyester. Although many manufacturers tout silk coverings, Consumer Reports found that silk was no more durable than polyester.
The Simmons Beautyrest Recharge Series is one of the newest series from Beautyrest. This review is for the “Hatteras Pillow-Top” (formerly known as the “Mitzi”) which will have a different model name depending on what part of the country you live in. The Hatteras is an entry level mattress, and on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being very firm and 10 being very soft, I put this at a 7.
The Hatteras is an innerspring mattress made with individually pocketed coils and has an 800 coil density. The top layers of the mattress contain: (Updated: Couple small changes from the “Mitzi” Pillow Top.)
The mattress is made with their AirCool® mesh border and their Ventilated AirCool® BeautyEdge Foam Encasement.
Foundation: Triton® Foundation
20-Year Limited warranty. First 10 years are non-prorated, then the next 10 years are prorated.
This model uses Sealy’s “Apex” coil system, which is an individually wrapped coil, while other gel series posturepedics in other retailers around the country will likely have the offset posturepedic innerspring system as opposed to this individually wrapped system.
Confusing, I know. We can all thank the retailers who demand “exclusive” models so you can’t comparison shop. It’s a 704 coil density.
Layering:
The innerspring system on this model is S&F’s “Intellicoil” system, which is a titanium alloy innerspring. It’s a 651 x 2 coil density, meaning each “coil” is really 2 coils in one. There’s a narrow coil in the center portion, which is surrounded by another coil, and is then wrapped in a pocket. This is considered an individually wrapped coil system.
The Saatva Luxury Firm is an innerspring mattress, but quite different from typical innerspring mattresses found in stores. For starters, the construction rivals mattresses costing easily $2,000 more. This is because they use what’s known as a “coil-on-coil” unit, which is two “levels” of inner-springs stacked in the bed as opposed to just one “level” like most beds. The top-level consists of a series of individually wrapped springs. It’s an 884 coil count (884 springs in a queen-size), and these wrapped springs are what conforms to the body while reducing a lot of motion transfer in the bed.
Underneath that is their base level of springs, which is their steel hourglass-shaped support system. They are super thick Bonnell coils, 13 gauge and it’s a 416 count.
Total Coil Count: 1300
Yes. I highly recommend Saatva, they’re a breath of fresh air, and this is the mattress I recommend to my friends and family.
Tip#1: Saatva recommends rotating the bed at least once a year, but I don’t think that’s enough. I’ve learned over the years that most mattresses need to be “prepared” so that it can wear evenly. So for best results I suggest rotating the mattress head to toe once a month for the first 3 months. This will allow the dense top layers to break in. After that, rotate head to toe once every new season.
Tip#2: Don’t use a typical mattress pad, instead use a very thin protector. Mattress pads generally have some padding built-in, and they will alter the feel of this bed and may even make it feel firmer than it actually is. Sounds counter-intuitive, but you get this effect because most pads will create a “drumming” effect.
To get the full benefits of this bed you want to as close to the mattress as possible with very little separating your body from the bed. A good one is the Luna Premium Protector or the Coyuchi Organic Flannel Protector (my favorite). Protecting your mattress from the very beginning is key. I can’t stress this enough. Moisture, body fluids (aka sweat) are the biggest cause of premature sagging because the top layers are like a sponge, they absorb everything which accelerates the wear and tear on a mattress. By protecting your mattress and keeping it dry, you preserve the comfort layers which helps it retain its shape longer.
While this is predominantly an innerspring mattress, as this is where most of the support comes from, there is also some foam on the top to help with cushioning. This isn’t rare these days for this sort of mattress. It isn’t a true hybrid, but there is more than just the coils. There will be some people that find this mattress a little thin for their needs. But, this is clearly advertised as a 6’’ option and sold for kid’s rooms and guests rooms. Clearly, if you need something that isn’t so low profile, you need to opt for one of the other mattresses below – which are twice as big.
The pros and cons of this mattress.
Pros:
1) Heavy-Gauge steel in the coils for optimal support
2) Plenty of sizes to choose from
3) A good low-profile option for guest beds and kids’ rooms
Cons:
1) Too thin for many adults
2) Some issues getting it to rise to the right height.
The coils in this mattress are made from heavy-gauge steel to be as supportive as possible. There are lots of size options available here with twin mattresses up to California Kings. The quality of the materials isn’t really in question here and there are no complaints when passing this over to a kid’s room or guest bedroom.
There are some buyers that have had to put a topper on this bed because they can feel the coils a little too much. Having said this, they do concede that this product is probably fine for lighter children. Other adults say that the comfort levels are what they expected for the price paid. Also, be aware that some comments about the height of the mattress may not be accurate. There are some that say that this isn’t 6 inches tall. There is an airing-out process here where the compressed mattress needs to expand to its optimal size. When given the chance to do so, it will reach that height of 6 inches.
Is it recommendable?
This product is definitely recommendable for the right room. This isn’t going to have the comfort and support needed for an adult bed that is used every night. However, there is enough here for kids and for guests that stay over in a spare room. There is also the fact that this is more supportive and comfortable than expected for the cost. This is an affordable solution for many consumers.
Here buyers shouldn’t have the same problems as they might with the product above because there is a much stronger, thicker support system. There is no risk of people sinking to the ground on this mattress because of the quality of the 12 inches in this mattress. These coils are individually wrapped to help create a more reliable support system. There is also more foam here to help shield users from the coils. This means 9 inches of pocket springs, 1 inch of wave foam and then 2 inches of memory foam on top of that. The design lets the mattress contour to the body more easily while also eliminating the risk of motion transfer.
The pros and cons of this mattress.
Pros:
1) The combination of the foam and the springs for improved comfort
2) The temperature sensitivity in the materials
3) The use of bamboo in the cover
Cons:
1) Some users still need a foam topper with this option
2) It needs time to expand to feel the full benefits
There is also the promise that the mattress is temperature sensitive. This all suggests a product that is more user-friendly and a great choice for couples. It also means that this version is better for adults than the kid-friendly one above. Another benefit here in this option is the use of the bamboo cover. Bamboo is a softer, more durable material with hypoallergenic properties. This should help buyers with allergies while enhancing the cooling properties and ventilation of the mattress.
Most buyers really seem to love this mattress and are impressed with the quality and comfort. As with the last model, there are some questions about the size of the mattress and the thickness of the foam layers. Some people that find this to be too firm and short may not have left the product to expand for long enough. Some say they will have to get an additional mattress topper.
Is it recommendable?
There is a really great design here with clever attention to detail in the use of materials and the individually wrapped coils. When it is fully expanded and at its best, it can provide a lot of support and comfort. But, there is still the risk that this will be too firm for everyone. There are more pros than cons here for the right user and the materials do help a lot with the overall experience.
The pros and cons of this mattress.
Pros:
1) A great bed-in-a-box experience with minimal odour
2) Lots of sizes to choose from
3) Supportive enough for the right user.
Cons:
1) Too firm and thin for some people
2) A simplistic system compared to other products
There will be some people that struggle to get comfortable on this mattress because it is so firm and so reliant on those coils. There isn’t the same use of foam for extra padding between the coils and the user. There is a thin 2 inch layer of poly foam, but not the complex system of layers seen in other products. Still, there are lots of positive reviews for this mattress. A lot of this stems from the quality of the product. Not only are the coils strong and reliable, but there is also a nice knitted cover.
Another benefit here is the bed-in-a-box experience. The company compact the mattress into a surprisingly small box to ensure that it is easily delivered. It then expands to its full 8 inch size very easily and there isn’t much of a smell. This is better than some of the hybrid models where the foam proves to be a problem. It also comes in a range of sizes from twin to California King to suit all users.
Is it recommendable?
The reviews for this product suggest that this is a love it or hate it option. Some hate it because it is so firm and the struggle to get comfortable. They can’t feel the foam layer at all. Others say that it is just what they needed, of a high quality and easy to use. If you need something that is very firm, this could be a great choice. Add in that convenient bed-in-a-box experience and it is hard to go wrong.
This is another innerspring mattress that focuses on the support of the coils inside of a more hybrid approach. 10 of the 12 inches in this mattress are pocket coils made from 6.5 gauge steels. This means a strong, supportive surface which minimal risk of motion transfer. On top of that is a 2 inch layer of high-density foam. This all comes in a small compressed package which means that you need to give the product time to expand. It will reach 12 inches with even support eventually.
The pros and cons of this mattress.
Pros:
1) The quality of the foam and the coils
2) The attention to detail in the design features
3) Comfortable for the right user
Cons:
1) Not many size options to choose from
2) Too soft and unsupportive for some users
It appears that the attention to detail in this mattress extends much further than the construction of the pocket coils and the use of foam. This is a nice looking mattress. This doesn’t really mean all that much when the product is covered with a sheet, but it helps on laundry day. There is s a black and white design with a nice pattern on the cover. There are also handles on the sides to help buyers move and lift it into place. This convenient feature isn’t as common as it should be.
As for the downsides of this product, the user reviews are actually very complimentary about the product and the comfort offered. There is a small minority that finds this too be too soft and say that the foam sinks too much. But, most are impressed with the quality. It should be noted that there aren’t as many size options available here – just twin, full, queen and king – nothing larger or more unusual.
Is it recommendable?
It is hard not to recommend this because of the wealth of positive reviews that outweigh the negative ones. There will be some users that find it too soft or have problems with the coils. However, those that get comfortable can also benefit from the quality of the pocket coils and the detail in the design. This is a company that thinks about the needs of its users. It can’t offer comfort to everyone, but the target demographic has a lot to appreciate.
This final option is a little closer to a hybrid mattress because there is a lot of emphasis on the foam layers as well as the innerspring section. We have included this model because it comes from one of the most popular brands. Zinus has many mattresses in its range that all showcase a great use of materials. Here there is a combination of 7.5 inches of coils, 2.5 inches of high-density foam and a 1.5 inch top layer for added comfort. These coils are, once again, individually wrapped to help limit motion transfer. There is also said to be 10% more of them than in the average mattress to increase the support for the user. There is also a soft knot cover to finish the whole thing off.
The pros and cons of this mattress.
Pros:
1) The high density of coils to provide extra support.
2) The quality of the foam layers
3) A nice blend of comfort and firmness in the layers
Cons:
1) A lack of ventilation compared to their gel-infused products
2) Some issues if it isn’t left to expand fully
There are some great comments from users about the firmness and comfort from the mattress. It is designed to be great for side sleepers because of the density of the coils and thickness of the foam. The majority of users seems to sleep well, although there are some exceptions.
As with the model above, there is a limited range of sizes on offer. This includes twin, full, queen and king only. There is also the usual waiting period to let the product expand to its optimal height. Leave at least 48 hours for this or else the layers may not expand properly. There are also some comments about the heat retained in the layers of foam. There is no ventilation system or cooling gel here – unlike some of Zinus’ other memory foam models.
Is it recommendable?
As long as you give this product enough time to expand properly, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to get a good night’s sleep. Those that rush the process may find a few lumps or collapsed springs. The heat could be an issue for some people. However, the majority are impressed with the quality of the mattress and the density of those coils.
This seems to be one of the more common questions I get asked and I think it has to do with the growing popularity of spring-free mattresses, as well as people sometimes having a “less than desirable” experience on an old, cheaply made innerspring mattress.
Maybe it it started to sag within a short time or they’ve had a mattress that started squeaking after a while and they come to the conclusion that spring mattresses are “bad.” Maybe they get fed up and decide that the next bed they’re gonna buy is going to be a memory foam mattress or an air mattress. Of course, they’ll hear various memory foam and airbed manufacturers refer to inner springs as “old fashioned” which can lead to the erroneous conclusion that foam or air is somehow “better” or more durable than steel.
On the other hand, many people swear by their spring mattress and won’t sleep on anything else. So how do we explain the difference in experiences?
Just like anything else, there are low quality and high-quality innerspring mattresses. Something to keep in mind is that the best mattresses in the world – the kind that typically only the 1% can afford – are all made with innersprings.
There’s actually huge variation in quality with steel spring beds. They can range from the bare minimum required to assemble a barely usable sleeping surface to an absolutely sublime experience that can literally make you want to take a nap the very moment you lie down.
There’s also a lot of variation in “feel” with different springs because springs can be made to feel very firm or so soft and pliable that they don’t feel like they’re even there. This can be accomplished by increasing or decreasing the gauge (thickness) of the wire, as well as from the overall design of the coil.
So when people run into issues with their innerspring bed, there are usually two main reasons for them not living up to their expectations.
Most people are surprised to find that if you were to strip down an old mattress to the coils, you would see that the springs are typically in perfect shape. It’s the top layers of cheap polyurethane foam and fibers that have compressed. But why? Why haven’t the springs compressed after 5, 10, 15 years of use?
The simple answer is because springs are made from steel, and it takes a lot to wear down steel. But there’s more to it than just the fact that steel is strong. It has to do with how body weight is distributed over the mattress.
Just as a street performer can safely lie down on a bed of nails, when lying down on a mattress there’s a wide area applied to the springs underneath, which means less overall pressure. Your total weight is evenly distributed across the bed, and steel springs are strong, so it makes sense that it would take quite some time before they showed substantial wear. But cheap foams and fibers, on the other hand, don’t have the same durability and can’t withstand weight and moisture like steel can, so they tend to break down much quicker.
Imagine yourself standing straight up with a string attached to the top of your head pulling you into perfect posture. Your spine will naturally end up in an S-shaped curvature. Now rotate yourself 90 degrees. That’s more or less how you want your spine to be when lying down in bed.
Support can be defined as the upward force that “props” the body into anatomically correct alignment, simultaneously pushing up to fill in the gaps along your body and releasing under the heavier parts. That’s what a good quality innerspring system will do.
The reason why springs do that has to do with a principle of physics that states that “a spring will push back with the same level of force applied to it.” This results in straight line deflection which is harder to achieve with basic flexible polyurethane foam. So essentially by lying down on an innerspring mattress, your body weight is triggering the springs to “push up” along the body to keep you in alignment, and that’s how springs give support.
Support is a function of the bed’s innerspring, which is located in the center of the mattress. The type of support the innerspring provides depends on its coil configuration and design. Heavy-gauge steel coils that are hinged together for conformance and stability provide uniform comfort and support. The solid edge support means you won’t feel like you’ll slide off the mattress when lying or sitting near the edge. A good, strong coil helps to support your back.
Innerspring mattresses also tend to offer greater breathability, although that does depend on how much and what kind of layering is on the surface. According to one study, innerspring mattresses dissipate heat approximately 28% better than air or foam surfaces. This is because an innerspring system has a lot of space for airflow within the center of the mattress.
Mattress comfort is a matter of personal preference. The upholstery, comprised of various layers of material between your body and the innerspring, largely determines surface comfort. Both the type and thickness of these materials will produce different degrees of comfort.
A variety of comfort levels are available, depending on the brand of bed you select. The most common comfort levels are:
The old saying, “Firmer is better”, is not necessarily true. Typically, your body type determines the comfort level that’s best for you. A mattress that’s too firm will not support all parts of the body evenly and can cause discomfort at the shoulders and hips, your body’s heaviest parts. The increased pressure on these points reduces blood circulation, which can result in a poor night’s sleep.
A mattress that’s too soft will not keep your spine in proper alignment. Therefore, your muscles will need to work throughout the night to keep your spine straight. This extra effort can leave you feeling tired and aching in the morning.
The upholstery on top of a mattress is most important for basic comfort. However, the upholstery choice is up to you. Do you want to feel like you are sleeping on a feather bed, but need real support? Consider a pillow top mattress. Do you want to feel like you are sleeping on a board? Then choose a cover with the thinnest upholstery available.
The most expensive aspect of mattress construction is fabric. The addition of wool, silk, and layer upon layer of foam or cotton adds significantly to the cost. Before you pay for these perks, consider that the thick layers of padding are more likely than the springs to compress to the point of feeling like the mattress is sagging.
You may pay a premium to get something that eventually becomes concave because thick plush or pillow-top components eventually break down, even if the springs do not. And unlike an egg crate or other forms of padding, you cannot simply remove and replace it when it does. In any case, for maximum longevity, regularly rotate and flip your mattress (or regularly rotate no-flip models).
Manufacturers continue to add enhancements to the outside of their mattresses. Once you’ve decided on an innerspring mattress, you’ll need to decide whether you want a pillow top or one without a pillow top.
A pillow top is an extra two or three-inch layer that sits on top of the main mattress. This adds an extra layer of plushness but does not affect mattress support. Euro-top mattresses differ from regular pillow tops in that they’re made with higher quality material and have a more finished look. If you like the feel of a feather bed, a pillow top may suit you.
Here are a few quick tips to help you decide.
When you sleep on your side, a lot of pressure is put on your shoulders and hips. The real purpose of a pillow top is to alleviate that pressure, and it makes a huge difference for side sleepers. You’ll notice that on a pillow top, it helps take the pressure off of your shoulders and your rotator cuff, and it contours much better to your hips.
By reducing the pressure while sleeping on your side, you’ll notice that you can stay on your side a lot longer before you feel the urge to turn over. And of course, the more you can cut down on tossing and turning, the better quality sleep you’ll have because you’re less interrupted throughout the night.
This is because if you sleep on your stomach, you want to prevent yourself from “hammocking” in and compressing your lower back area, which can sometimes happen on pillow tops because of the extra softness they provide. You do sink in a bit more on a pillow top, and I’ve found that stomach sleepers tend to feel an uncomfortable pressure in their lower back when lying in one.
A slightly firmer mattress, perhaps with just a tiny bit of cushion is a better choice. Sometimes called a “cushion firm” or “luxury firm.”
It just depends on your preference. Back sleepers will notice that a pillow top will help ‘fill in’ that spot between their lower back and the mattress, and it feels more comfortable. Other back sleepers find they are simply more comfortable on a firmer, less pillowy surface.
You want a sleep system that’s going to last, so durability is very important. The upholstery materials, type of steel and the design of the innerspring impact the durability of the mattress. For example, coil systems that are heat tempered twice are more durable and better able to maintain their shape that mere heat-tempered coils.
The purpose of a box spring is to help extend the life of the sleep system. The box spring works much like a shock absorber in a car’s suspension; it absorbs the major portion of stress and weight. A properly designed box spring provides strong support as well as some flex and eliminates stress in the mattress unit. A worn-out box spring can shorten the life of a mattress as much as 50%. Not using a box spring with your mattress also shortens the life of the mattress. The example on your right illustrates how much money you will invest on a day-to-day basis:
Bed Price | Cost Per Day* |
---|---|
$600 | 16 cents |
$1000 | 27 cents |
$1500 | 41 cents |
$3000 | 82 cents |
*based on 10 years of use |
The average person spends one-third of their life in bed, so it makes sense to buy the best quality mattress you can afford. And when you divide the cost of a quality mattress over its 10-year life, a good night’s sleep probably costs only pennies per night.
A high-quality bed is a small investment that will pay off year after year.
Here’s what the experts have to say about purchasing a new sleep set:
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