Everything You Need To Know About Innerspring Mattresses

When it comes to shopping for a new mattress, there are so many different things to look for as you find your perfect bed. Before you can decide the brand or even the firmness of the mattress you are looking for, you need to decide what type of mattress it is that you want.

Today’s mattress industry has taken off tremendously and now there are so many different types and styles of mattresses out there. One of the many options that you may be considering is known as an innerspring mattress. These mattresses are popular for those who want to stay cool while they sleep and are also hailed for their durability and affordability.

The average mattress can get up to 30,000 hours of use. That is a lot of time. So, before you run out and buy an innerspring mattress, or any mattress, there are a few things you should know first about these types of mattresses and what they entail so you can make the best choice for you, your needs and your sleeping style.

What is An Innerspring Mattress?

So, what exactly is an innerspring mattress?

Simply put, it is a mattress made out of a base of springs.This is a type of mattress that uses a steel coil support system and is one of the most popular types of mattresses out there today. When most people think of their old mattresses growing up, they think about innerspring mattresses, or coil mattresses. When they were first developed, these mattresses were based on the patented design used for chair seats.

While the innerspring mattresses that were popular years ago may have been noisy and creaky, the ones that are available today have been enhanced to be much quieter, less bouncy and more supportive.

Evolution-Hybrid Mattress

While the original innerspring mattresses weren’t super supportive, over time, manufacturers have gotten creative and created hybrid mattresses that use the original innerspring design along with other elements that you can find in today’s foam mattresses to create a more comfortable sleeping experience.

There are so many different hybrid options out there, from so many different types of brands. Many of them use innerspring coils as the base and then use layers of memory foam or latex foam on top to create a cushioned layer that reduces movement and adds softness and support. 

As you look for the right hybrid mattress, you should pay close attention to the foam and what type of firmness it provides. The top layers in these hybrid mattresses are usually where you get that “soft” or “firmer’ feel. But there is another feature that will really help determine how this mattress feels when you sleep on it. This is the innerspring coil count.

There is a common misconception that the higher the coil count is, the better the product will be. This is not necessarily true. The higher the coil count, the firmer the mattress will be, no matter what type of hybrid foam you have on top.

Support Coil Types and Terms To Look Out For

As you shop for an innerspring mattress, one of the most important things to look for is the type of coil. This is one of the few things that differentiates each innerspring mattress, and the more you know about each of these coils and what they mean for your comfort, the better. Almost all innerspring mattresses can be categorized into these four “coil type” categories.  

Bonnell Coil 

The Bonnell Coil is a common type of coil that you will find in some budget-friendly innerspring mattresses today. It was also one of the original types of coils used in innerspring mattresses.

The Bonnell Coil is made out of an hourglass shape—the middle of the coil is thinner than the rest of the coil which is what allows it to compress easily under pressure. When you lay on a bed that automatically has you feeling like you “sink in” this is probably a Bonnell Coil.

These coils are inexpensive making them a popular option for guest beds, kids’ beds and dorm mattresses. They also unfortunately aren’t as durable as other mattresses, so you should plan on replacing them after no more than five years. This is also why Bonnell Coil mattresses are popular for kids’ beds that need to be replaced once little ones grow out of them.

No matter what firmness or budget you are looking for, chances are you can find Bonnell Coils that will meet your needs. 

Continuous Coil

As the name suggests, continuous coils are made from one continuous wire that is made into rows with “coils” in each row. So instead of a bunch of different individual coils, they are all made with one wire to create a row of coils. These mattresses are also budget friendly because they don’t require the manufacturer to make individual coils.

The result is a mattress that is very firm and supportive, or those who prefer a more durable mattress base. However, with the rowed coils like this, there is less ability for the mattress to shape itself to your body. So, if you prefer those mattresses that feel like they cradle to you and your individual profile, then this may not be the coil option for you.

However, if you are looking for more durability than a Bonnell coil and a mattress that is firm and will stay firm, then this is a great budget-friendly option.

Offset Coils

If you are looking for a higher-quality coil in your innerspring mattress, then offset coils are a great place to start. These coils are similar to the Bonnell coils, however, they use both a hinged and shaped wire to create the mattress base. There are a few different versions of offset coils, including: free arm, double, one-sided extension, two-sided extension and top and bottom hinge coils.

This coil offers more durability and support than other types of coils and shares the load better than coils like pocketed coils. While it can be more expensive than other coils, this one is great for those who want less firmness but more support all in one mattress.

Pocket Coils

Pocketed coils are some of the more popular types of innerspring coil mattresses. They don’t have that bouncy feeling that many innerspring mattress have, because of their unique design. You can expect a plusher firmness with pocketed coils and a more even feeling of support throughout you mattress.  

The coils in these types of innerspring mattresses are individually wrapped and designed to contour well with your body. This will give you the type of flexible support that is more commonly seen in popular foam mattresses. Like foam mattresses these pocket coils are also great for motion isolation, making them a popular option for individuals who share a bed.

While pocketed coil innerspring mattresses can be on the expensive side, they do offer a lot more comfort and durability especially when compared to other innerspring options.

Other Considerations With Innerspring Coils

In addition to the base layer of coils, you should also pay attention to some of the other.

Microcoils

In the comfort layer of your mattress, which is typically the layer right above your innerspring coils, there are typically something called microcoils. These are a popular addition to standard innerspring coil mattresses as they offer support and flexibility to the mattress. As the name suggests, these coils are small in size and typically made from thinner and more flexible wires than traditional coils. Typically, there are at least 800 of these coils in a mattress

They offer great elasticity and durability, and can be paired with both coil and foam mattresses. While the microcoil feature can be a little more costly, they do offer some great benefits for those who need extra durability, carry a lot of weight or who need help with pressure points.

Coil Count 

One of the biggest questions that people tend to have about buying an innerspring mattress is the coil count. So, how many coils should be in your mattress? For many years, the standard was 800 coils for a queen size mattress. However, now that there are many hybrids and different types of coils on the market that isn’t necessarily a hard and fast rule. However, anything below 400 coils per mattress should be reconsidered and likely won’t offer you the type of support that you need to get a good night of sleep.

Coil Guage

One other feature to look for when you shop for an innerspring mattress is the coil gauge. This is a term used to refer to the thickness of the coil used in your mattress.

If you are looking for a softer feel in your mattress, then you want a higher gauge coil. If you are more interested in durability and a mattress that will last longer, then look for lower gauge coils. There are also the coils that will offer more pushback and support, if you prefer the thickness. Of course, if you want a little bit of both, then consider a medium gauge coil.

Most experts agree that no matter what you are looking for, you should attempt to find a coil gauge between 12 and 15, with 12 being the firmest and 15 being the softest option.

Make The Right Purchase With This Helpful Innerspring Mattress Buying Guide

Not only understanding what an innerspring mattress is, but what type of coils are in these hybrid mattresses will only help you as you find the perfect bed to sleep on. You spend about 1/3 of your day in your bed. It is one of the most important things in your home and one that is responsible for how you sleep, how you feel and how the rest of your day goes. The more you know about innerspring mattresses as you shop, the better prepared you will be to make the right purchase for you so that you can literally sleep soundly each and every night.

Jessica Lauren is Founder, contributing Author and Owner of Citrus Sleep. Citrus Sleep is an online publication that highlights brands, sleep products, women’s fashion, subscription services and ideas creating positive social change and promoting a healthy lifestyle. After spending nearly a decade working in PR and marketing for several brands and startups, Jessica knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches and guest posts.

Follow Jessica at @jessicalaurencs | Jessica Lauren

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