Foam mattresses vs. innerspring mattresses: which is better? | sleep basis (2023)

Buying a new mattress can be a confusing process. With hundreds of beds to choose from across dozens of categories, it can feel overwhelming. Luckily, you can easily narrow your search by focusing on one big question: do you want a foam or spring mattress?

We will focus on the differences between foam and innerspring mattresses. Learning more about these two categories can help you be more informed when choosing the right mattress for your needs.

foam mattresses

innerspring mattresses

What is the difference between a cold foam mattress and a spring mattress?It depends on the materials used and the style of construction. The details of each style are discussed in later sections.

Which one is better?There is no definitive answer to this question.

Of the two mattress types, innerspring beds are the older and more "traditional" option. Some might consider them outdated, but there are many modern, comfortable, and quality innerspring mattresses out there.

Foam mattresses are a newer concept but extremely popular. WhileMemory foam was originally invented in the 1960s., the foams used today are much more advanced. Manufacturers now make specific foams designed for specific applications (cooling, support, pressure relieving) and combine them to create round mattresses.

When comparing foam mattresses and innerspring mattresses, there is no clear "better" or "worse" option. There are just too many variables to consider to make a blanket statement that one is better than the other.

Rather, it is better to frame the question as asking what is the best option for you and your needs. Each type of mattress tends to perform better in certain ways, so it's generally better suited to the needs of different types of sleepers. There are also many differences in performance between models of the same type, so it's important to research how a mattress is built.

What is a foam mattress?

Foam mattresses are full-foam beds that are extremely popular with online mattress buyers. They can be made from a variety of foam materialsmemory foamto polyfoam and typically contain multiple individual layers. Foam beds can be soft or firm, inexpensive or luxurious, so there's a lot to choose from in this category.

Foam beds use a variety of materials to provide support and relieve pressure. There are many types of foam, and manufacturers often use multiple materials in each mattress.

types of foam

Polyurethane foam (poly)– Polyurethane foam, commonly referred to simply as “polyfoam”, is a common component of modern foam beds. Polyfoam is known to be much moreAttachmentjelasticthan materials such as viscoelastic. Polyfoam is often used as a layer in modern foam mattresses and as the top comfort layer in box spring beds.

• regular polyfoamIt is a relatively soft standard foam used primarily in transition layers.
• High density Polyschaumit is stronger and is often used in the support layers underneath.
• high resilience PolyschaumIt's firmer and more supportive, but significantly more expensive, so its use is less common.

memory foam– Viscoelastic is another widely used foam material. It is made from similar polyurethane materials to which ingredients have been added to increase its density and viscosity. Memory foam is great forpressure relief, as it adapts to the shape of the body. The term "memory" in memory foam refers to the material's tendency to retain the body's shape for a few seconds after it has been indented.

• Standard memory foamIt's the traditional material that's soft yet supportive and generally affordable.
• Open cell viscoelastic foamIt is designed with openings in the tiny foam cells that allow for better airflow. This material has a slightly softer feel, allowing you to sleep cooler on warm nights.
• Gel memory foamIt has tiny beads of gel embedded in the memory foam material. The gel combined with the open-cell design helps improve cooling and airflow.

Latexschaum– Latex is a material similar to natural rubber, from which a durable and resilient foam can be made.Latex matsare usually considered aown category, but some manufacturers also use a thin layer of latex on foam bedding. Latex is often prized for its durability and environmental friendliness, although it's generally much more expensive than traditional polyurethane-based foams.

• Latex-DunlopIt's made using a more traditional and simple process and results in a slightly firmer feel.
• Latex-TalalayFoaming is a more energy-intensive process that creates latex with a more resilient yet soft feel.

Keep in mind that most mattress manufacturers use a combination of different foam materials to create a comfortable, well-balanced bed. Typically you will see foam mattresses made up of 2 to 5 layers, each with different materials, densities and uses. When it comes to cheap mattresses, you might see single-layer polyfoam beds, but otherwise expect a combination of layers of foam in most modern mattresses.

What is a spring mattress?

Innerspring mattresses, also calledinnerspring mattresses, are beds that use tens to hundreds of metal springs to provide an underlying support layer. They also have layers of softer plush material to increase comfort. Some find that innerspring mattresses feel more supportive than foam mattresses, at least initially. This is especially true for heavier individuals who may benefit more from coil spring support systems than a foam base.

Several factors can affect how a box spring bed feels. Coil count is an important factor; Most quality beds have around 400 coils or more on a queen-size mattress. However, remember that a higher number of coils does not necessarily equate to a higher quality bed, as there are many factors at play.

Feather beds also often have layers of foam surrounding the coils and a plush or polyfoam comfort layer on top. The quality, material and thickness of these layers can greatly affect the comfort and feel of the mattress.

The thickness of the coil, related to the thickness of the wire used, affects the strength of the bed. Manufacturers clearly state the desired firmness of each mattress model, so checking coil strength isn't too important for consumers.

Finally, the different types of springs used in these mattresses affect their comfort and support scores.

Types of springs/coils

Bobinas Bonnell- Bonnell springs are the original design used in innerspring mattresses and are still used by some manufacturers today. They are hourglass shaped and can be made soft or hard depending on the gauge of the wire. Bonnell springs are simple and inexpensive, which is why many mattresses use them.

pocket coils– Also known as Bagged Coils, this design consists of metal coils individually wrapped in fabric sleeves. This allows each coil to move independently, which has the added effect of reducing noise. Bag coils are commonly used in higher end beds and tend to be more expensive to manufacture. They do a great job of targeting pressure relief and tend to give an overall more buoyant feel.

compensated coils– Compensated coils share some properties with pocket coils but are attached with hinge wires. This allows the coils to flex under slight pressure while still providing firm support when needed. Staggered coils can offer more strength than pocket coils that many innerspring beds come withhigher degrees of hardnessMore than 7 out of 10 use some type of compensated coil. Beyond this application, compensated coils are not commonly used.

Continuous coils- The continuous coil design consists of a single wire used to build a full series of "coils". Then each of these rows is attached to each other by spiral wires. This design provides a very firm support system, but because every component is fixed, endless coils are much less able to conform to the body's profile.

Which one is better for you?

Ultimately, choosing the right bed for you involves much more than choosing between foam and innerspring. There are quality, comfortable and supportive mattresses of both types, so choosing the right mattress model is more important in the end.

With that said, there are a few final things to note.

Most people will be happy with a quality foam mattress. The foam offers an excellent compromise by providing a supportive and pressure-relieving fit while still feeling soft and comfortable. Side sleepers in particular prefer foam beds, as they often adapt better to the shape of the body.

People who are prone to heat at night can opt for an innerspring mattress. Innerspring beds offer much better airflow, which keeps the bed cool at night.

Heavy sleepers or stomach sleepers should opt for innerspring, hybrid, or very firm foam beds for adequate support. Softer foam models will likely sag too much for these sleepers to be comfortable.

Most online mattress retailers now offer free trial periods where you can test the bed for several months. If you are unsure about a mattress, this flexibility can give you some peace of mind when purchasing.