Pros Of An Innerspring Mattress
Compared to other mattresses, innerspring mattresses have a famously high firmness level and can help in correcting posture. They also pose the following advantages:
- Breathability: Hot sleepers are in luck traditional innerspring mattresses have thin comfort layers that allow air to pass through seamlessly.
- Availability: Compared to their hybrid counterparts, innerspring mattresses are more readily available in showrooms and furniture stores.
- Affordability: If youre on a budget, youll be pleased to know that innerspring mattresses dont usually cost more than $1,000.
- Easy to move: If you change your sheets frequently, lifting this mattress is a piece of cake.
Should I Choose Hybrid Or Innerspring
If youre on the market for a new mattress and are weighing your options between innerspring and hybrid mattresses, these are the main points of consideration to take into account:
- Comfort While innerspring mattresses tend to become more forgiving with time, this tends to be a sign of degradation or spring damage, rather than built-in softness. If you are experiencing this type of degradation, its a common sign you need a new mattress. Contrarily, theres no need to break in a hybrid mattresssoftness is elemental to the design, throughout every layer.
- Quality Innerspring mattresses have a storied heritage, and there are undoubtedly some high-quality innerspring mattresses on the market. Nevertheless, to maintain its performance over time you will need to perform some routine mattress rotating and flipping to ensure your mattress springs keep their bounce.
- Budget Innerspring mattresses tend to be less expensive overall, and can be a great option if youre not set on staying in your current place of residence. While they arent as supportive as hybrids when it comes to sleep hygiene, you can cushion your sleep experience by purchasing a suitable mattress topper for a boost of comfort.
Why You Should Trust Us
Weve been testing mattresses since 2016, and during that time weve assessed some 120 foam, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses. As a senior staff writer on Wirecutters sleep team, Ive visited mattress factories and showrooms, shopped undercover at mattress and furniture stores, and conducted more than 100 hours of interviews with sleep doctors, materials science experts, mattress manufacturers, and mattress sellers. Ive read the fine print on mattress warranties and return policies, as well as analyzed the materials and specifications of every mattress weve tested. Ive also assessed good-quality online customer reviews to gauge trends regarding common complaints and other feedback about mattresses. Along with all that research, we held a brand-concealed group test of 12 popular, good-quality innerspring mattresses with several dozen participants in our Long Island City, New York, testing space in 2019. I then spent approximately a week sleeping on each of the top-scoring models at home. In late 2021 and early 2022, we tested another six innerspring mattresses in our office with a small group of staffers. Associate staff writer Caira Blackwell and I slept on the top contenders at home for about a week each.
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Memory Foam Mattress Overview
Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam, was originally designed by NASA to use as cushioning in aircraft seats. Thanks to its close-conforming pressure relief, memory foam has become a popular material in the mattress industry.
While each model is different, most memory foam mattresses consist of a memory foam comfort system over a high-density polyfoam support core. Some memory foam mattresses also incorporate other materials, such as latex and specialty polyfoam, into their construction to increase durability, responsiveness, and/or temperature neutrality.
Memory foam mattresses cradle the body, which can help distribute weight away from pressure points. However, these conforming properties can also trap heat, which may be uncomfortable for some sleepers. That is why many manufacturers infuse the foam with substances like gel or copper, which are intended to draw heat away from the body. Covers designed for cooling and other materials engineered to wick away heat may also enhance the temperature neutrality.
Memory foam beds are popular and widely available. While prices vary, the average cost of a queen size all-foam mattress is between $800 and $2,500.
Who Can Sleep On A Hybrid Or Innerspring
As our table below shows, hybrids are better suited for a wider range of sleepers because they come in varying firmness levels. Hybrids also have better motion isolation, making them a better choice for people who share a bed.
| Yes | No |
We dont recommend innerspring mattresses for side or petite sleepers because these beds tend to feel firm. Side sleepers and smaller people need a softer mattress to conform to their bodies for pressure point relief. Otherwise, they risk waking up sore and stiff.
Heres a general rundown of the firmness levels recommended for each sleeping position and body type.
- A mattress for side sleeping should have a soft to medium feel for pressure relief.
- A mattress for back sleeping should have a medium-firm to firm feel for good spine support. Medium mattresses are also acceptable if they have targeted lumbar support.
- A mattress for stomach sleeping should have a firm feel to minimize sinkage and spine misalignment.
- A mattress for combination sleeping should have a buoyant, medium feel to promote easy movement and spinal support in any position.
- A mattress for a lightweight sleeper under 130 pounds should tend toward the softer end of the firmness range for their position. Lightweight people dont place a lot of pressure on a mattress, so they need a conforming surface for pressure relief.
- A mattress for a heavier sleeper over 230 pounds should lean toward the firmer end of the range for their position.
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What Do Innerspring Mattresses Lack
The biggest drawback of the innerspring mattress is that the inside coils create a firm topper that cannot conform to your body completely. This firmer surface is not suitable for all types of sleepers. It can give you sore muscles when you wake up in the morning.
Moreover, the thin layer of comfort doesnt do an excellent job of keeping out dirt, dust, pollen, cells of dead skin, and other allergens. There is plenty of room inside the coils for debris to accumulate and settle. Therefore, it is not recommended for allergy-sensitive sleepers.
Innerspring mattresses become sag faster as compared to other mattresses. And sagging mattresses are one of the significant reasons you woke up with sore muscles.
On the other hand, innerspring mattresses also decrease their durability. This happened due to creaking and squeaking issues. You can feel these issues if you share your mattress with a partner.
No Mattress Works For Everybody
As we explain in our guide to the best foam and hybrid mattresses, its impossible to find a mattress thats perfect for everyone. Any given mattress can provide one person a refreshing nights sleep but give another a sore back. Your size, shape, sleeping position, musculoskeletal health, and personal preference all play into which mattress is just right for you. And when it comes to getting a good nights sleep, your pillow choice matters as well. For more information on how to choose the best mattress, check out our mattress buying guide.
If a manufacturers offering sounds good to you but the firmness level doesnt, check for a firmer or softer version within that line.
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What Is A Normal Mattress Or In Innerspring Mattress
Innerspring mattresses were created in the mid-19th century, this was when upholstery coil springs were first utilized in creation of carriage seats. The innerspring is a classic and traditional mattress that majority of people are accustomed to and have slept on.
There are now four main types of coils that have been created:
- Continuous coils
The innersprings of the mattress give it its foundation, there are two other layers that are used to make the mattress comfortable to sleep on and these layers are the foundation layer and comfort layer.
How Can Leesa Help
Shopping for a mattress has always been a stressful experience, but with new technologies and the advent of online mattress shopping, there are more options than ever. Foam vs spring mattress vs hybrid seems like just the beginning. Soft? Firm? Plush? Pillow-top or memory foam? Cooling gel-infused? Smartphone-enabled? The sheer number of options can be daunting, but what it really boils down to is: Does it help you sleep better?
At Leesa, were committed to helping you get a better nights sleep. We want to help demystify sleep with helpful guides like this one and, of course, provide premium mattresses that employ the best technology from every type of mattress and at every price point.
We offer a variety of mattress types that fit a wide range of needs, from the affordable Studio Mattress to the luxury Legend Hybrid Mattress, we have something for everyone.
Leesa mattresses also come with a few perks. We offer free shipping straight to your door, 100 nights to make sure the mattress is a good fit, a 10-year warranty, and financing eligibility. Plus, all our mattresses are 100% handcrafted in the USA.
To learn more, check out our full range of mattresses.
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What Are Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress combines coils and foam to deliver comfort and durability. The construction often includes several layers of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex. The coil unit features individually-wrapped steel coils that lie beneath the foam layers. Individually wrapping the coils is a technique to minimize motion transfer that many manufacturers have adopted for their mattresses. Many of these beds have a foam base as well, adding structure and durability and preventing the coil unit from sagging. As a result, hybrid beds are comfortable, supportive, breathable, and bouncy.
What To Know About Coils
When youre looking at a mattress with springs, there are a few terms youre likely to encounter, no matter if its an innerspring or hybrid mattress. A mattresss coil count and coil gauge are commonly cited, for starters. You might also catch a mention of coil density, turns, or pitch.
Coil count refers to the number of coils inside the mattress. The exact number of coils to expect depends on the mattresss size and type. For example, a queen size hybrid mattress may have between 800 to 1000 coils.
Coil gauge expresses the thickness of the wire that makes up the coils.
However, its important to note that coil gauge isnt the only factor when it comes to a mattresss firmness. Coil density, turns, and pitch are all factors that affect how soft or firm a mattress feels:
- Coil density refers to how tightly the coils are packed, which can affect how the mattress feels.
- The term turns expresses the number of turns that make up a coil, or in other words, how tightly wound the coil is.
- Lastly, coil pitch refers to how the coils are angled in relation to the mattresss surface.
Do all of these terms truly matter? Well, there is the idea that a higher coil count and a lower coil promote a longer-lasting mattress, but does that bear out?
Plus, pocketed coils are usually on the higher end of the gauge range, between 14 and 18. Choosing a mattress without pocketed coils for a thicker gauge means giving up the many benefits that this type of coils exclusively offers.
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Drawbacks Of A Hybrid Mattress
- Not always the best choice for stomach sleepers Because hybrid beds have at least 2 of cushioning on top, they usually arent supportive enough for stomach sleepers.
- They tend to cost more Some hybrid mattresses contain many high-quality materials, which can drive up the price.
- Might sleep hot at night If a hybrid mattress has a thick layer of memory foam on top, sleepers could start to overheat at night.
What Does Hybrid Innerspring Mattress Mean
A hybrid mattress is a multi-layer bed that combines memory foam, latex, or gel along with an innerspring system. Sleepers can experience both the pressure relief of the foam layers and the sturdy feel of a classic spring mattress. Lets dive into the hype around these beds and how theyre changing the game.
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Innerspring Vs Hybrid Mattresses: What’s The Difference
The right mattress makes a significant difference in getting a comfortable sleep at night. A mattress past its prime might not offer adequate back support, leading to irritation, ache, and stiffness the following day. Additionally, some unfitting mattresses can even worsen your existing back pain.
However, investing in a firm, high-quality mattress is ideal to keep your spine in a comforting position throughout the night. While there is no perfect mattress that suits all body types and requirements, selecting the most suitable one is preferable.
With so many alternatives available, buying the right mattress can be overwhelming. It requires you to narrow down your options based on quality, comfort, and cost. However, you might want to determine whether you want foam, a spring mattress, or a combination of both .
One of the significant differences between a hybrid and an innerspring mattress is the design. Both beds have a coil support system, but hybrids have a thicker comfort layer than innerspring mattresses.
Are you feeling confused already? Worry not!
Continue reading to understand a few differences between both mattresses to help determine the most appropriate choice for your comfort.
How To Choose Between Memory Foam And Hybrid Mattresses
Sure, a hybrid may technically be more supportive than a memory foam mattress, but that doesnt automatically mean youll find this type of surface more comfortable. Whats comfy for you might ruin someone elses beauty sleep.
Memory foam mattresses tend to be softer than hybrids, but even hybrids can have soft layers. Mattress firmness will vary depending on your body type and weight. If you have higher body weight, a firm bed might feel softer than it would for someone with lower body weight.
When deciding between a hybrid or memory foam mattress, consider the major differences and figure out which of them is a deal breaker.
- Weight capacity. How much do you weigh? Do you sleep with a partner or furry pal? If so, a memory foam mattress might not provide enough support. Opt for a hybrid instead.
- Sinkage. Does the idea of sinking into your sleep surface evoke feelings of coziness? A memory foam mattress might help you sleep better. Does the thought of sinking into your mattress make you panic? Skip the foam and opt for a hybrid model.
- Budget. If you sleep alone and need to stick to a strict budget, a memory foam mattress might be a more economical option.
- Sleep style. Your sleeping position matters, too. Memory foam may not allow for easy movement if youre a combination sleeper or you toss and turn. That said, the pressure-relieving properties of foam are ideal for side sleepers. A hybrids firm supportive design may be better for back and stomach sleepers.
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What Is The Difference Between Innerspring And Hybrid
The main difference between an innerspring and a hybrid mattress is in the construction. Hybrid beds have foam layers above the coil unit. Many models also have a foam base that supports the upper layers. Innerspring mattresses only have a coil unit with a pillow top, so theyre significantly thinner than hybrids.
Is A Pillow Top The Same As A Hybrid
No. A pillow top is basically an innerspring mattress with a thicker layer of padding made of cotton, wool, foam, gel, down, etc. sewn into the comfort layer. Older coil mattresses often came without pillow tops, but nowadays most of them have one. As you probably suspected, if your innerspring mattress comes with a pillow top, you cant flip it either.
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What Are Gauge And Coil Count In An Innerspring Mattress
Coil gauge is the measure of coil thickness. The higher the gauge, the thinner the metal of a mattress coil will be. High-gauge coils compress more easily, and hybrid mattresses normally have the highest gauge coilsusing a larger number of thinner, pocketed coils to provide softer support. Hybrids normally have a gauge range of between 14 and 18, while innersprings have a range of between 12 and 15.
Coil count is simply the number of coils in the mattress. The more coils in the mattress, the more durable it is. The ideal coil count for a queen size hybrid is between 800 and 1,000, and the ideal count for an innerspring queen is around 1,000. Unless youre buying a king or California king, a count higher than 1,000 wont do much to increase comfort or support. Higher coil counts than this are just a marketing gimmick to excuse upping the mattress price.
What Should I Look For When Buying A New Mattress
If you’re buying a new mattress online, always check the trial period and return policy of the product. As Lexie Sachs, executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute says, I would say one of the most important things to look for when shopping for online mattresses is the return policy, she says. This is your insurance in the event that the product doesnt work for you. Most online brands offer at least a 100-day return policy, but the specifics can vary with things like return pick-up fees and how to schedule the return. Its also worth checking what happens to the mattress if you dont keep it, like whether the brand will donate it to a local charity.
You’ll also want to look at the materials used in the mattress and decide whether you want something responsive like foam, bouncy like a hybrid mattress, or a cooling mattress if you sleep hot.
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