What’s The Best Innerspring Bed For 2023?

Different innerspring beds will feature different coil patterns and designs. The four primary coil types used in mattresses are featured below.

Open coils, also called Bonnell coils, are the oldest type of spring system found in innerspring mattresses. Their design consists of multiple springs that are interconnected within a wire frame. A standard open-coil mattress usually contains about 300 springs.

This design usually provides very firm support. Bonnell coil units are also typically lighter than pocket spring units, making the beds easier to turn.

However, they aren't the most durable coil type, and are liable to sag or dip in the middle over time. This process can cause an uneven feel across the surface of the bed, as well as “roll-together,” which is when members of a couple find themselves rolling into the divot. 

Encased coils are the most modern and sought-after coil type in innerspring beds. They're also referred to as pocketed, wrapped, or Marshall coils.

A bed with these springs can have hundreds or even thousands of individual coils, each sitting in its own fabric pocket. As they are not attached to each other, the springs can move independently to provide pushback as needed.

This type of coil system conforms to your body, distributing your weight evenly and preventing the pressure buildup that can cause shoulder and back pain. The individually wrapped springs also help prevent motion transfer, so if you move during the night, your partner is less likely to wake up.

Due to these highly desirable features, pocket spring beds are usually the most expensive kinds of innerspring mattresses available.

Offset coils are similar in structure to open coils, except each spring is hinged together by a helical wire on top. Like pocketed coils, this design provides increased contouring and better motion isolation than open coils.

This coil design can also feel firmer than pocketed coils, as the hinging effect allows the springs to bear more weight. Offset coils can be an excellent choice if you want a mattress with a softer surface but an especially firm, supportive core.

As the name suggests, continuous coil units (also known as Mira Coils) are made up of rows of coils that stretch from the head to the foot of the bed, made with a single piece of wire. These coils are then attached to one other with additional helical wires, forming an interconnected foundation.

This design results in a durable, firm, supportive mattress at a low cost. However, continuous coils do not conform to you in quite the same way as pocketed and offset coils do, and they can also be noticeably creaky.

The coil count is the number of coils (or springs) inside the mattress. This amount can range from 200 in a Twin to 1000 in a Queen size bed, or 2000 in a high-quality King size bed.

More coils tend to indicate a better-quality mattress, as the more springs there are, the sturdier it should be. This means a more supportive and longer-lasting bed.

It may not come as a surprise, then, that the higher the number of coils, typically equates to a higher cost. As a general rule of thumb, anything under 300 is considered poor quality.

However, bear in mind that the coil count isn’t the only thing that matters regarding quality. The gauge of the coil can be just as important.

The gauge of the coil refers to the thickness of the metal wire used to form the coil. Numbers commonly range from 12 and 15, with half gauges in between, but they can sometimes go up to 18.

While it may sound confusing, lower coil gauges have thicker wires and create a firmer spring, while higher coil gauges have thinner wires and provide a softer spring.

If your body type needs a bed on the firmer side that is more supportive, it's best to go towards a 12-coil gauge. However, if you prefer a bouncy, plush mattress, shoot for 13.5 and above.

You should always compare the number of coils to the gauge of the coils when choosing your bed. This is because a bed with stronger wires but fewer coils can offer the same or even better quality as one with more but thinner coils.

Innerspring mattresses come with some significant advantages shoppers will want to consider.

Innerspring beds do not mold as much to the shape of your body as memory foam beds. This means there is more airflow around you, which prevents you from getting uncomfortably hot at night. You can also move quickly on this surface thanks to the highly responsive coils, indicating that changing positions and getting up doesn’t require nearly as much effort.

Innerspring mattresses are sold in a wide variety of models from a large selection of brands. Shoppers can choose from traditional innerspring or hybrid models, with numerous options among manufacturers. This means that there is likely to be one to suit your needs as well as your budget. Whether you want firm or soft, large or small, and with or without foam comfort layers, you should be able to find the right model for you. 

Read More: Our list of Mattress Reviews

Innerspring mattresses, particularly the traditional kind, are among the cheapest mattress types out there. Even though hybrids may cost more, some good-quality budget options are still available to consumers. As there are so many mattress models on the market, there should always be an affordable choice if you are on a budget. 

Read Our Full Guide: Best Budget Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses don’t isolate motion as well as all-foam mattresses due to the bouncy coils in the construction. This may be a setback for couples because one partner could easily feel the other’s movements. Innerspring mattresses with pocketed coils and thick comfort layers are better at isolating motion. On the other hand, continuous coils with thin foam on top won’t do a good job.

Innerspring mattresses are rather heavy due to the steel coils in the construction. Furthermore, hybrid mattresses will be even heavier with the added foam layers. This may not seem as important, but what if you want to flip the mattress over? Plus, a heavy mattress requires a heavy-duty, reliable foundation that can carry the weight of the mattress plus the people sleeping on it.

Innerspring mattresses come in a variety of models. Below we will look at the important considerations to help determine which innerspring bed is right for you. 

• Budget: You can find innerspring mattresses in various price ranges. Luxury models with thick coils, reinforced edges, quality materials, and advanced comfort layers are the most expensive. Those with a thin comfort layer and lower-quality coils are far more affordable at only about a few hundred dollars. The price depends on the size you choose, the type of the innerspring design, comfort layer thickness, and other materials. Hybrids will generally be pricier than traditional innerspring beds.
• Sleeping Position: Your sleeping position should determine the type of bed you buy. Side sleepers often seek softer beds that conform to the body, whereas back and stomach sleepers need more support to keep the spine in proper alignment. Side sleepers will usually do best with softer hybrid beds because the added foams can provide pressure relief to the shoulders and hips. Back and stomach sleepers should look for a firmer innerspring model that supports the back and midsection well. 
• Body Weight: Traditional innerspring mattresses are good for average to heavier sleepers because these beds are more firm to support the sleeper’s weight. However, a lightweight individual could utilize a softer hybrid bed, with the comfort foams providing more cushion against pressure points. Additionally, the hybrid versions are useful for average and heavier sleepers, but they’ll need to consider the firmness of the particular model and their sleeping position.
• Firmness: Your preferred sleeping position and body weight are the biggest factors influencing the firmness level you’ll find most comfortable. Soft beds are best for side and lightweight sleepers, who need gentle cradling and pressure relief. Medium-firm beds are best for back sleepers, combination sleepers, and average-size individuals. Lastly, firm beds are most beneficial for heavier individuals and stomach sleepers who need extra support for spine alignment.
• Durability: Innerspring mattresses are known to be durable, lasting approximately seven to ten years. However, this usually depends on a few factors, such as the quality of the materials and maintenance. The most important thing to consider is the overall quality of construction and materials. Beds with high-quality materials will last longer than more basic models made of lower-quality materials. How you care for a mattress also has a huge say. For example, rotating it regularly and not letting your kids jump on it should help prolong its life. 
• Motion Isolation: Innerspring mattresses aren’t the best when it comes to motion isolation. This is because coils transfer movement easily, and most traditional innerspring beds have thin comfort layers. That being said, hybrids take steps toward improving motion isolation. First, many brands include memory foam in the comfort layers, which is good for isolation motion. Second, they use pocketed coils, so the springs move independently, reducing motion transfer. 
• Cooling Properties: Innerspring mattresses are great for hot sleepers because the construction allows plenty of airflow and breathability. Those with cooling foam in the comfort layer are even better for hot sleepers as they prevent overheating and sweating by pulling the heat away from the body and keeping the materials cool.
  

An innerspring mattress can last you up to seven years or so, depending on the quality and type of the coils within it. Lower-gauge coils tend to have a longer lifespan than higher-gauge ones due to their thicker construction.

However, the best indicator that it’s time to replace your mattress won’t be the number of years you’ve owned it. Instead, pay attention to the feel of your bed, and note when it begins to sag.

Most innerspring mattresses that you can order online today don’t need a box spring. They’re designed to provide enough support on their own, often with the help of sturdy bases and foam layers. 

However, more traditional innerspring mattresses with thinner designs may need a box spring underneath. Always check the instructions that come with your bed to see if it’s meant to be placed on top of a box spring.

Most innerspring mattresses aren’t designed to be flipped. However, this depends on the construction of the specific mattress you’re interested in. If the structure has the same layers when turned upside down, it’ll likely perform the same when flipped. If not, the bed may not operate correctly if you flip it. Some manufacturers create dual-sided beds that have a softer firmness on one side and a firmer feel on the other.

A full-size mattress should have at least 300 coils, a queen-size mattress should have at least 375–400 coils, and a king-size mattress should have at least 450–480 coils. These coil numbers are the bare minimum for a reliable mattress—you’ll commonly see high-quality mattresses on the market with more than 1,000 coils.

Keep in mind that coil count isn’t the whole story. Coil type and gauge also have an impact on the support, feel, and longevity of your bed. If one mattress has fewer coils than another, those coils might be thicker (with a lower gauge) and therefore compensate for the difference.