No other mattress type boasts the same track record as the innerspring. These mattresses have long served as a cornerstone product in the industry and are fashioned around a tried-and-true coil-based support system.
Historically, innersprings have been made with limited or no extra layers above the springs, leaving the coils as the only means of support. In recent years, hybrid models – innersprings with coil support cores with layers of foam or latex above them – have become increasingly popular because they provide more cushioning and contouring than traditional innerspring models.
Our Sleep Foundation testing team evaluated multiple performance features that sleepers may want to consider when shopping for innersprings. We examined each bed for ease of movement, motion isolation, edge support, and temperature control. Our testing team includes side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers, as well as people with varying body types, in order to represent many different types of sleepers.
If you’re trying to decide if an innerspring mattress is right for you, consider the following guidance:
| Choose an innerspring if: |
Skip an innerspring if… |
– It’s important for you to be able to move easily on top of the mattress
– You tend to sleep hot
– You want to select from a range of firmness levels
– You like being able to analyze and evaluate options for the mattress comfort system |
– You want deep contouring so that it feels like you are sleeping “in” a mattress
– You are worried about motion transfer across the surface of the mattress
– Long-term durability is among your highest priorities
– You want to try a style of mattress that is newer and distinct from the norm |
Scroll L – R for more details
Product Details
Best Overall
Luxury Firm WinkBed
Price Range: $1,149 - $2,049
Mattress Type: Innerspring
Firmness: Medium Firm (6)
Trial length: 120 nights (30 night requirement)
Warranty: Lifetime, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Who it's best for:
- People who need strong edge support
- Sleepers who experience pressure buildup in their joints
- Durability-focused customers who want a mattress with a lifetime warranty
Highlights:
- Adaptive foam over pocketed coils creates a balanced feel
- Steady airflow and breathable cover ensure great temperature control
- Zoned coils are reinforced along the perimeter to limit sinkage
Get $300 off all mattresses
The WinkBed is a foam hybrid available in multiple firmness options. The Luxury Firm WinkBed is one of the model’s most popular iterations thanks largely to a balanced medium firm (6) feel that offers both gentle contouring for the body and sturdy coil-based support.
What It’s Made of
A hybrid design drives the Luxury Firm WinkBed’s performance. The mattress begins with a Euro-top surface padded with gel-infused foam. A transitional layer of high-density polyfoam reinforces the top layer to maintain an even plane for your body while also giving the body a bit of extra cushioning. The support core uses individually wrapped coils that are specially arranged to provide a more robust feel near the edges and give extra support to heavier parts of the body.
How It Performed
Our testing shows the Luxury Firm WinkBed delivers sufficient support for back and stomach sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds. Side sleepers in the range of 130 to 230 pounds also find the mattress comfortable. Lighter or heavier individuals who favor these sleep positions may prefer a softer or firmer version of the WinkBed. The company allows exchanges during its 120-night sleep trial, allowing customers to select a different firmness option if they are not satisfied with their initial choice.
The zoned coils provide great support along the perimeter, so excessive sinkage when getting in and out of bed shouldn’t be a major issue for most people. Other highlights of the mattress include excellent airflow and breathability, good responsiveness for sex, and decent motion isolation for a hybrid model.
After delivery, a 120-night return window allows customers to test out the WinkBed and truly get a sense of its performance. Over the long-term, it is backed by the company’s lifetime warranty policy.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“The Luxury Firm WinkBed is one of the most well-rounded mattresses I’ve ever tested personally. The foam layers provide just enough cushioning for the body without feeling too soft, and the coils feel secure in all the right places.”
Best Value
DreamCloud Mattress
Price Range: $799 - $1,499
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium Firm (6)
Trial length: 365 nights (30-night requirement)
Warranty: Lifetime, limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Who it's best for:
- Those who prefer beds with a responsive surface feel
- Hot sleepers
- People who enjoy sleeping on high-profile mattresses
Highlights:
- Generous trial period lets sleepers test the DreamCloud risk-free for 365 days
- Luxurious quilted cashmere cover provides plush surface
- Breathable cashmere cover and airflow through coil support core offer excellent temperature regulation
$799 special offer! $200 off mattresses + $599 in premium accessories included
Luxury innersprings are often expensive, but some manage to be both affordable and high-quality. The DreamCloud hybrid innerspring is a prime example. The bed is constructed with quality materials and optimized performance features, all at an approachable price-point compared to other luxury models.
What It’s Made of
The mattress is constructed with a quilted cover made from a cashmere blend for exceptional softness and great temperature regulation. While the DreamCloud has a medium firm (6) feel, the memory foam comfort layer provides precise body contouring and even weight distribution, ensuring good alignment and less pressure for most sleepers regardless of their sleep position. The support core contains individually pocketed coils that stabilize the bed nicely and reinforce the edges against sinkage without making the surface feel too stiff for sleeping. The DreamCloud is considered a high-profile mattress and an ideal choice for people who prefer sleeping on thicker-than-average beds.
How It Performed
Thanks to its balanced feel and premium composition, the DreamCloud checks a lot of boxes for sleepers. The surface is responsive enough for sex and should be easy to move across for most people, but the memory foam also absorbs a fair amount of motion to minimize transfer and reduce sleep disturbances for couples. Additionally, the coils don’t produce much noise and won’t be a nuisance when your partner gets in and out of bed. These coils also generate steady airflow throughout the mattress core for a cooling effect.
Given the DreamCloud’s top-tier design, its price-point is very reasonable. The company also provides free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. The mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial, giving you an entire year to test it out before deciding whether to keep or return it, along with a lifetime warranty that protects against defects for as long as you own the bed.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“It’s hard to find a hybrid that meets you halfway with cushioning and support, but the DreamCloud pulls it off. Plenty of plushness on the surface but you never feel like you’re going to sink too much or roll off the sides.”
Most Comfortable
Saatva Classic
Price Range: $912 - $2,396
Mattress Type: Innerspring
Firmness: Soft (3), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Trial length: 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee)
Warranty: Lifetime, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King
Who it's best for:
- Customers who want options for the firmness and height of their mattress
- Back and stomach sleepers
- Shoppers who want free and easy installation including old mattress removal
Highlights:
- Robust support from unique coil-on-coil design
- Micro coil layer offers exceptional responsiveness
- Memory foam lumbar pad for extra cushioning around the midsection
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The Saatva Classic is a luxury hybrid constructed with comfort in mind. The plush pillow-top and pressure-relieving foam greatly alleviate pressure-induced pain in the joints. The Classic also doubles down on the benefits of coils, employing a supportive coil-on-coil construction.
What It’s Made of
The two coil layers in the Saatva Classic have distinct build styles. The bottom layer, which is either 4 or 7 inches thick depending on the model you choose, utilizes bonnell coils. With 13-gauge steel, these coils are strong and offer a reliable support core and meaningful edge support. Above those coils is a 4-inch layer of microcoils. These are individually wrapped, letting each coil compress in a way that is more tailored to the weight applied to the bed. The pillow-top contains polyfoam as well as a memory foam lumbar pad. A breathable organic cotton cover rounds out the overall construction.
How It Performed
For both the 11.5-inch and 14.5-inch models, customers can select between a soft (3), medium firm (6), and firm (8) feel, which broadens the Saatva Classic’s ability to serve all types of sleepers regardless of their weight. The bed should appeal especially to side and back sleepers. The cushioning from the pillow-top coupled with the pushback from the coils is ideally suited to these sleep positions, which require contouring as well as support for healthy sleep posture. While helping with spinal alignment, the microcoils also generate bounce to make moving around a cinch on top of the surface.
As an additional perk, the Saatva comes with free installation and removal of an old mattress as well as a 365-night sleep trial. However, if you choose to return the bed, Saatva does charge $99 to cover the cost of return shipping. The mattress has a lifetime warranty against defects.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“The Saatva Classic comes closer to imitating the responsiveness of a traditional innerspring than just about any other hybrid I’ve tested. We thought the mattress excelled at support and overall stability, and appreciated the versatility of its firmness and thickness options.”
Best for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight
Price Range: $799 - $1,549
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium Firm (6)
Trial length: 100 nights (30-night requirement)
Warranty: 10 Year, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Who it's best for:
- People who weigh up to 230 pounds
- Side and back sleepers
- Shoppers with limited budgets
Highlights:
- Memory foam hybrid with a true medium firm feel for a balance of cushioning and support
- Steady airflow through the support core helps the mattress sleep cool
- Reinforced perimeter coils prevent excessive sinkage along the edges
Get up to $350 off + 2 free Dream Pillows
Helix Sleep offers an extensive line of hybrid mattresses, each of which is designed with specific types of sleepers in mind. The budget-friendly Helix Midnight is primarily geared toward side sleepers, but the mattress earned favorable ratings from side and back sleepers during our hands-on product tests. This was particularly true for our testers who weigh up to 230 pounds.
What It’s Made of
The Midnight begins with a memory foam comfort layer, followed by a transitional layer of dense polyfoam. These materials contour evenly to the body, but a medium firm (6) feel ensures most people won’t sink too deeply into the mattress. We found the surface responsive enough to move across without feeling stuck, but the foam layers also isolate motion well.
The support core consists of pocketed coils over a base layer of high-density polyfoam. Thicker coils along the perimeter push back against your weight when lying close to the edges or getting in and out of bed. Air also circulates freely throughout the coils to help the mattress stay cool. A knit polyester cover encases the mattress.
How It Performed
Medium firm hybrids are usually popular among different types of sleepers, and the Midnight was no exception during our tests. The most favorable ratings came from side and back sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds and stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. The side sleepers on our team received plenty of cushioning for their shoulders and hips, two areas where people who use this position often experience pressure buildup. Thanks to the strong coil system, our back and stomach sleepers didn’t sink too much around the midsection – a common issue for these positions.
While memory foam tends to sleep hot, the Midnight performed well during our temperature control tests. We didn’t notice much heat buildup on the surface, which can be attributed to the sturdy coils, as well as the breathable cover. We also awarded the mattress solid ratings for ease of movement and edge support.
The Midnight has an affordable price-point compared to the average hybrid, and shipping is free to all 50 states. All orders are backed by 100-night sleep trials and 10-year warranties. Helix Sleep’s website features an online questionnaire designed to help you select the right mattress based on your body type and sleep position. If the Midnight sounds too soft or too firm, complete the questionnaire for more suitable suggestions.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“We’ve tested most of Helix Sleep’s hybrids, and the Midnight is one of the most popular among our crew. This mattress finds that sweet spot between soft cushioning and even support, and it’s affordable to boot.”
Best Cooling
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
Price Range: $999 - $2,249
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7)
Trial length: 120 nights (30-night requirement)
Warranty: 10 Year, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Custom Sizes
Who it's best for:
- People who sleep exceptionally hot
- Sleepers who carry a disproportionate amount of weight in their midsections
- RV owners
Highlights:
- Phase change material reduces heat buildup and helps the mattress sleep cool
- Available in three firmness levels and 10 sizes
- Zoned coils provide extra reinforcement for the midsection
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Many mattresses sold today are designed to sleep cool, but some still fall short for people who feel excessively hot when lying in bed. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is designed for next-level cooling. During our temperature control tests, we noticed very little heat buildup, and phase change material (PCM) makes the surface feel cool at all times.
What It’s Made of
The Aurora Luxe features a top layer of adaptive polyfoam infused with PCM, which is designed to capture and release body heat on contact. The cover fabric also contains PCM. Our testers noted the surface felt cool to the touch but not to the point of being uncomfortable. The second layer is TitanFlex, a proprietary foam designed to mimic the responsiveness of latex. A memory foam transitional layer rounds out the comfort system.
Pocketed coils over a high-density polyfoam base layer make up the Aurora Luxe’s support core. The coils are divided into three zones. We felt extra pushback around the torso and hips – areas where people tend to carry more weight – and a gentler feel around our heads, shoulders, and legs. Thicker coils line the perimeter to minimize sinkage and help you get in and out of bed with relative ease.
How It Performed
The Aurora Luxe is available in three firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7). We tested all three and found that each one has unique strengths. The medium soft model was most popular with our side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. This design provides the deepest body contouring to alleviate aches and pains along the spine. The medium firm design was most popular among our testers. This model earned favorable ratings from side and back sleepers across different weight groups, as well as stomach sleepers up to 230 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds also found the firm model comfortable.
Thermoregulation is a major strength of the Aurora Luxe. In addition to PCM on the surface that minimizes heat retention, cooling infusions in the foam layers and steady air circulation throughout the coil layer also help the mattress maintain a comfortable etemperature. We recommend Aurora Luxe to anyone who has yet to find a mattress that sleeps sufficiently cool. Our team was also impressed by the support system. We felt generous pushback from the coils when lying near and sitting along the edges, and none of us had trouble moving across the surface – even when testing the medium soft model.
The Aurora Luxe is available in 10 sizes. These include standard mattress dimensions, as well as a split California king for couples with adjustable bed bases, a short queen, and two RV-friendly options. Brooklyn Bedding offers free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. The company backs each mattress order with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“Very few mattresses we’ve tested can match the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe in terms of cooling and temperature regulation. We also liked how distinct each firmness level was. Most people should be able to find at least one design that feels adequately supportive.”
Best for Back Pain
Nolah Evolution 15
Price Range: $999 - $1,699
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Trial length: 120 nights (30-night requirement)
Warranty: Lifetime, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Who it's best for:
- Hot sleepers
- People who struggle getting in and out of bed
- Those who don’t need a sleep trial for their new mattress
Highlights:
- Three firmness options to ensure most sleepers feel comfortable
- Three-zone coils deliver exceptional support
- Coil system enhances edge support
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The Nolah Evolution 15 is a luxury Euro-top hybrid with a balanced feel we found extremely effective at reducing back pain. The thick foam comfort system has an adaptive feel that closely contours to the body to alleviate pressure-prone areas, while the robust coil system helps you maintain healthy sleep posture.
What It’s Made of
The foam layers that make up the comfort system have an open-cell composition and shouldn’t retain too much heat, while the support core contains pocketed coils that circulate air throughout the interior. The entire mattress is also wrapped in a cover of proprietary ArcticTex fabric designed to offer instant cooling. Thanks to these features, the Evolution 15 should be suitable for anyone who sleeps hot or sweats while they sleep.
How It Performed
The mattress is available in three firmness levels, each one suited to different types of sleepers. The medium (5) feel conforms closely to the body and should appeal to side sleepers. The other two options, medium firm (6) and firm (8), feel more supportive and should be comfortable for back and stomach sleepers – especially those who weigh at least 130 pounds.
With pocketed coils and foam layers that are engineered to minimize heat retention, the bed should feel comfortable for hot sleepers compared to other foam hybrids on the market. The coil system is also zoned to create added stability along the perimeter, so sleepers should feel relatively secure when they lie near the edges or get on and off the mattress.
Nolah offers free ground delivery throughout the contiguous U.S. The company’s sleep trial spans 120 nights in length and includes complimentary return shipping. However, customers may opt out of the trial period to decrease their up front costs for the mattress. All purchases are backed by a lifetime warranty that covers structural defects for as long as the original buyer retains ownership of the Evolution 15.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“The Evolution 15 works because it combines the plushness of a pillow-top with the robust feel of thick, zoned coils. I personally liked the medium firm feel best, but all three firmness levels earned solid ratings from our group.”
Best for Couples
Bear Elite Hybrid
Price Range: $1,721 - $3,565
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Trial length: 120 nights (30-night break-in period)
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Who it's best for:
- Couples
- Hot sleepers
- Side and back sleepers
Highlights:
- Three firmness levels
- Foam comfort layers cushion the body and absorb most movement and noise
- Copper infusions and small perforations in foam meant to reduce heat buildup
30% off sitewide, plus 2 free Cloud Pillows with mattress purchase
Couples who value both motion isolation and responsiveness for sex can have difficulty finding a mattress that meets both of these criteria. The Bear Elite Hybrid is a quintessential foam hybrid that absorbs most movement and noise, while coils create a bouncy feel that’s easy to move across.
What It’s Made of
The Elite Hybrid’s comfort system begins with a top layer of copper-infused memory foam that adapts to the body to relieve pressure points. The copper infusion in this layer is engineered to conduct heat away from the body and dissipate it. Next is a polyfoam transitional layer with five zones meant to reduce sagging in the shoulders and midsection, while cradling the legs. This layer is aerated with small perforations to increase airflow.
Pocketed coils make up the support core, which create pushback for the hips and shoulders to prevent excessive sinkage. The coils rest on a polyfoam base layer to prevent shifting. A Celliant and polyester cover encases the mattress, and it’s infused with phase change material for enhanced cooling.
How It Performed
The mattress comes in three firmnesses – medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8) – ensuring a comfortable model for most of our testers. Our team’s side and back sleepers under 130 pounds enjoyed the softest feel’s extra cushioning. We found the medium firm model to be the most versatile. Side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds and back sleepers up to 230 pounds awarded this model the highest ratings. Our side sleepers over 230 pounds, back sleepers who weigh at least 130 pounds, and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds enjoyed the firmest model’s supportive surface.
Motion isolation, responsiveness, and ease of movement were the Elite Hybrid’s standout features, but it also earned high marks in other key categories. All three firmness levels performed well in our temperature regulation tests, thanks to the cooling cover, aerated foams, and breathable support core. However, the hot sleepers on our team noted that the two firmer models ran slightly cooler than the softer one.
Bear ships free to the contiguous U.S. and offers a 365-night sleep trial, which is one of the longest in the industry. You can return a mattress for a full refund anytime after the 30-night break-in period. If you decide to keep the Bear Elite Hybrid, it is backed by a generous lifetime warranty.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“We highly recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for couples who don’t wish to compromise on either motion isolation or responsiveness for sex. Motion-isolating foam layers and a bouncy coil support core earned the mattress high rankings in both of these performance categories.”
Best for Stomach Sleepers
Joybed LX
Price Range: $495 - $1,490
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Firm (7)
Trial length: 120 nights (30-night requirement, $139 processing fee)
Warranty: 10 Year, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Who it's best for:
- Back and stomach sleepers
- People looking for a natural, environmentally conscious mattress
- Those who sleep hot
Highlights:
- Cotton and wool comfort system wicks moisture and reduces heat retention
- Coil system provides a bouncy feel
- Pocketed coils offer stable, supportive sleep surface
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Joybed mattresses
The Joybed LX is an eco-friendly mattress that combines natural and organic materials with the robust support of strong, individually pocketed coil springs. This solid support makes the mattress a great choice for stomach sleepers, preventing common issues with sagging and spinal misalignment.
What It’s Made of
Rather than using foams, the Joybed LX’s comfort system is made of a combination of layers of both organic cotton and organic wool. The lack of foam comfort layers means the Joybed LX avoids the common pitfalls of retaining heat and off-gassing foam odors. The support core contains springs that are able to respond to changes in pressure independently of each other, rather than compressing as a unit.
The cotton cover is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic. All the natural materials used in the bed undergo multiple testing and certification programs to ensure the animals are raised responsibly and the cotton and wool are free of harmful chemicals and other substances. Lastly, the mattress employs a plant-based fire barrier rather than making use of a chemical flame retardant.
How It Performed
The coil system and natural padding give the Joybed LX a firm (7) feel that suits the needs of sleepers of a wide variety of sizes and sleep positions. Back and stomach sleepers especially should find the blend of strong support and comfort that they need with this mattress. The pocketed coils provide a bouncy feel and a stable surface. The cotton and wool are both highly breathable, moisture-wicking materials that help keep the bed cool through the night, even for those who sleep hot.
The Joybed LX ships for free to the contiguous U.S., while paid shipping may be available to Alaska and Hawaii. White Glove delivery along with old mattress removal are available for an additional fee. The mattress is backed by a 120-night sleep trial along with a 10-year warranty.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“The Joybed is unlike a lot of other mattresses we’ve tested. You don’t get that deep cushioning that foam or latex provides, but the surface feels exceptionally bouncy and the mattress offers top-notch cooling.”
Best for Back Sleepers
Real Bed
Price Range: $899 - $1,589
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Firm (7)
Trial length: 100 nights
Warranty: 25-Year, Limited
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Who it's best for:
- People who need extra help getting in and out of bed
- Back and stomach sleepers
- Shoppers looking for a mattress made with natural and organic materials
Highlights:
- Wool, latex, and coil design provides strong balance of cushioning and support
- Airflow through coil support core and breathable cotton cover regulate temperature
- Affordable price-point
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Real Bed (by Charles P. Rogers) mattresses
The Real Bed mattress combines a strong base of Powercore pocketed innerspring coils with multiple layers of latex, wool, and other natural and organic materials. The result is a hybrid innerspring model that provides a combination of support and pressure relief that best suits back sleepers.
What It’s Made of
The mattress is wrapped in a cover made of organic cotton with a breathable, eucalyptus-based rayon lining. Underneath the surface of the mattress is a layer of moisture-wicking wool, followed by a thick layer of bouncy natural latex. The core of the mattress is the Powercore spring unit, which is made of sturdy, individually pocketed coils. These coils provide a healthy degree of pushback and bounce, while also isolating motion to a greater extent than a traditional coil system. This support core rests on a base of more layers of natural latex, wool, and eucalyptus-based rayon.
How It Performed
The Real Bed’s construction makes it a solid choice for sleepers of all sizes and preferred sleeping positions, especially back and stomach sleepers. The coil core’s strong support and the bed’s firm (7) feel have broad appeal and meet the needs of a wide variety of sleepers. The multiple layers of latex and natural materials provide a responsive, moderate amount of contouring. A more responsive feel and coil support core also create a strong perimeter, allowing sleepers to lie closer to the edge. That being said, side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds will likely find the bed a bit too firm and may want a model with deeper cradling.
The Real Bed ships free to the contiguous U.S., with paid shipping available to Alaska, Hawaii, and some international locales. White Glove delivery is available in many of the contiguous states for an additional fee. The mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial period and a 10-year prorated warranty. The coil core unit is covered under a separate 25-year warranty.
Lab Notes – What Our Testers Thought
“If a responsive mattress sounds up your alley, the Real Bed should do the trick nicely. The latex and coils make the surface feel very bouncy. None of our testers had a hard time moving across the surface.”
Why You Can Trust Us
The team at Sleep Foundation has personally reviewed hundreds of innerspring mattresses to provide you with a comprehensive list of the best models out there. In our sleep lab, we examine each mattress using a series of tests that measure temperature control, edge support, pressure relief, and durability.
How We Evaluated These Mattresses
Our testing team includes sleepers who have a range of sleep preferences and body types, which allows us to better predict who will most enjoy each mattress. We try the mattresses by lying on them, changing positions, and scoring for comfort and support. We also measure pressure points by using body-mapping technology and determine heat retention with thermal imaging. This list is updated regularly to include new mattress models that our team considers noteworthy.
To find out more about our testing process, check out our product research methodology below:
- Motion Isolation: We test innerspring mattresses to determine how well they absorb movement when a sleeper shifts. This criteria may be important to couples who are hoping to minimize sleep disruptions at night.
- Temperature Control: We look at the design and composition of a mattress to help determine how well it stays cool on the surface. Beds that contain latex layers and coils tend to run cooler, as do beds with specially engineered fabrics and materials.
- Pressure Relief: Beds that conform to the body can help reduce pressure buildup. To rate pressure relief, we consider the bed’s composition and feel, as well as sleeper preferences and body type.
- Off-Gassing: It’s common for beds to release an initial off-gassing odor, especially models that contain synthetic materials. Our testers found that this smell typically wears away within a couple of days.
- Ease of Movement: For this criteria, we test the ease with which sleepers can move around the surface of a bed. Latex and innerspring beds often rank high in this category.
- Edge Support: We look at edge support to determine how sturdy the bed perimeter feels under a sleeper’s body weight. Firmer mattresses perform well in this category and help make it easier for sleepers to get in and out of bed.
- Sex: Personal preferences will vary between sleepers, but many find that beds with responsive or bouncy feels are best for sex. Innerspring beds often fare well in this category.
- Body Weight: Our testers always factor body weight into mattress evaluations, since this criteria plays a major role in how comfortable a mattress feels for individuals. Sleepers over 230 pounds typically prefer firmer beds.
How Much Does an Innerspring Mattress Cost?
Innerspring mattresses can be found at a huge range of prices. The most bare-bones models with thin, low-quality coils and no comfort layer can be found for only a few hundred dollars for a
queen mattress. Luxury innersprings with thick coils, double-tempered steel, reinforced edges, advanced comfort systems, quality materials, and added features can cost up to and even above $2,500.
For a quality innerspring, the price tends to be similar to or slightly more than all-foam mattresses and less than all-latex mattresses and airbeds. The exact nature of the innerspring design, such as the type, thickness, and quality of its materials, will influence the price and how much any model’s cost compares to other mattress types.
Mattress Costs – Video
Watch the video below for our in-depth explanation of mattress costs. We discuss why some beds have higher prices than others.
How Long Will an Innerspring Mattress Last?
The coils in an innerspring mattress can wear down over time, losing their ability to maintain or spring back to their full, original height. When this happens, the mattress begins to sag and falter in supporting your body.
With traditional innersprings, an average lifespan was around 5 years, but with most modern innersprings, including our top picks, we expect a lifespan of 6 to 8 years and perhaps more.
Several factors can influence the longevity of an innerspring:
- Amount of stress placed on the bed: When there is more body weight applied or more force (such as from sex or kids jumping on the bed), it can wear out springs more quickly.
- Thickness of the coils: Lower gauge coils are thicker and tend to last longer.
- Quality of steel: Tempered steel is stronger than non-tempered steel. Some innersprings use steel that is tempered twice to further reinforce the coils.
- Style of coils: When coils can’t move as independently, such as in bonnell coil systems, the impact of weakened coils can be felt across a larger section of the mattress.
- Design of the comfort layer: The number, thickness, type, and durability of the layers placed above the coils can influence how much stress is placed upon the support core. In addition, if the comfort layer is made with low-quality materials, it may start to wear out even before the springs.
As these criteria demonstrate, a higher-end innerspring is likely to have a significantly longer lifespan than a cheaper model. Looking closely at the specifications can help you determine how long you can hope to use any given model.
With almost any type of innerspring, you can occasionally rotate the mattress, putting what had been the head of the bed underneath your feet but without flipping the mattress. This can keep any one part of the mattress from wearing out more quickly from excess use.
Last Things to Consider With an Innerspring
If you’re diving deep into the available innerspring options, it may be helpful to know about a few other details that are sometimes mentioned with this type of bed.
Coil Gauge
Coil gauge is a way of describing how thick the coils are. While it can be confusing to remember, the lower the gauge, the thicker the coils. Coil gauge often ranges from around 13 to 18, and a lower gauge will normally be firmer and more durable.
Some mattresses will use multiple coil gauges in the support core. For example, they may have certain zones with thicker coils, such as around the perimeter or under the shoulders and hips.
Coil Count
The coil count is the total number of coils present in the system. Unfortunately, coil counts can be confusing and even misleading. If the coils are very small or use thin steel, a higher coil count may give a false sense of the durability or quality of the support core.
While you can look at the coil count, remember to consider it within the context of other factors such as the type of coils, their quality, and their gauge.
Shipping Costs, Delivery, and Set Up
For most online mattresses, shipping is free and is done by sealing it in packaging, and then mailing it as a compressed mattress in a box. Once you take the box to your bedroom and remove the packaging, the mattress quickly takes its full shape. Some innersprings can be heavy, so this process often requires two people, especially for a larger bed.
With some innerspring options, installation may be included or available with your purchase. This involves a team coming to your home and setting up the mattress in your bedroom. Often they will be able to remove an old mattress at the same time if requested. You can check with the mattress seller or with third-party service providers in your area about setup and haul-away services.
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