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You can almost hear the loud, creaky squeaks when you think of a traditional spring mattress. While spring mattresses have been around since the 19th century, the spring coils in today’s mattresses are a significant upgrade from older models.
Many of the best mattresses feature innerspring coils that are separate from each other and individually wrapped with fabric. These independent coils are known as “pocketed coils.” More traditional spring mattresses feature interconnected coils, so they move together.
The pocketed coil design allows each spring to move independently and better contour to your body. Pocketed coils are also better at absorbing movement than traditional springs, so you’re less likely to feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Our Reviews Team’s top spring mattresses are hybrid mattresses, which combine foam and spring coils. We carefully chose hybrid mattresses with the best spring mattress qualities: contouring support, a responsive surface, and a stable edge to support mobility.
When evaluating innerspring mattresses, our Reviews Team considered several key factors to ensure you get the best sleep experience:
Mattresses with pocketed steel coils provide individualized support by allowing each spring to move independently. This design helps the mattress contour better to your body and minimizes motion transfer.
Hybrid mattresses that incorporate high-quality foams can enhance the contouring and pressure-relieving properties of the innerspring base.
Good edge support ensures that the mattress remains stable and supportive, even at the edges. This provides a secure sitting edge and makes it easier to get into and out of bed.
Pocketed coils help isolate motion, reducing the chances of being disturbed by a partner’s movements during the night.
A durable mattress is a long-term investment in your sleep health. We assess the materials and construction quality to ensure the mattress will maintain its supportive and comfortable characteristics over time.
A generous trial period, ideally 100 nights or more, allows you to fully experience the mattress in your home. This gives you time to decide if the mattress meets your needs.
Our testers felt comfortable in all sleeping positions on this mattress. The springs provided high responsiveness for moving around, making changing positions easy even though the pillow top was quite thick and cushiony.
This mattress is constructed with six layers: the plush pillow top, a responsive foam layer, a cradling foam layer, a foam transition layer, a steel pocketed coil layer with zoned lower back support, and a dense foam base. The pillow top layer may be upgraded to a cooling GlacioTex cover or a zoned foam cover for back pain prevention.
While Helix rates this mattress as “medium” on the firmness scale, our testers gave it a slightly higher firmness score. The firm nature of this mattress (seven out of 10 on the firmness scale) makes it supportive and comfortable for average-weight (130–250 pounds) and higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) sleepers, but likely too firm (especially for side sleeping) for lighter-weight sleepers (less than 130 pounds). There just isn’t enough sinkage for them in the hips and shoulders to provide pressure relief.
While our testers found the edge support above average, they measured some sinkage when sitting on the edge.
We like the mattress’s supportive bounce, and although our testers felt some bounce when two people were on the bed, the top layer absorbed a lot of the motion, so it wasn’t too jarring—giving it a rare balance of bounce and motion isolation.
The Dusk Luxe also performed well in cooling testing, making it a good choice for hot sleepers.
Overall, the Helix Dusk Luxe is a great pick for all types of sleepers who prefer the bouncy feel of an innerspring mattress and who appreciate pressure relief and cooling features.
“Good support, optimal conformity with some reinforcement at the spine. Comfortable.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Helix Dusk Luxe has 4.5 out of five stars on the Helix website with 1,274 customer reviews. While most people praised it for its comfort, some people complained it was either too soft or too hard.
“My wife and I got this mattress to replace a cheap innerspring we had. She likes less firm, I like more firm. After almost a year of having this mattress we both feel it suits both of our comfort needs. It’s soft but firm as well. Well worth the buy!.”
— Michael C., verified buyer on 11/16/22
“Everyone was right: there is nothing like sleeping on a Helix mattress. This has become particularly clear while traveling for work, where I am sleeping on a standard spring mattress during the week and my Helix Thursday–Sunday. I relish the days at home; I sleep better; I feel rested in a way I haven’t felt in years. Well worth the expense and excellent customer service.”
— Mark A., verified buyer on 3/8/22
To read more about this mode, read our Helix Dusk Luxe review. For information about another popular Helix mattress, visit our Helix Midnight Luxe Review.
With its two layers of coils, the Saatva Classic is considered an innerspring hybrid because it provides more of the classic innerspring feel. It has a quilted pillow top followed by a layer of high-density memory foam, but it has the lowest amount of foam compared to the other hybrid mattresses in this review.
The lower back support layer sits on over 800 pocketed coils that are stronger in the center for additional lower back support. The reinforced support from the foam layer and pocketed coils give the Saatva Classic mattress a firm feel. It also comes in two other firmness options: plush-soft and firm.
To understand how the Saatva Classic’s innerspring construction performs for sleepers with back pain, we recruited our tester, Tim, a 62-year-old back-sleeper of average weight (130-250 pounds) and a history of chronic lower back pain. He found the mattress contoured to his back and kept him lying evenly and comfortably in his usual position.
”I do feel the weight is evenly distributed and well-conforming. My butt has good sinkage, is sinking proportionately. It creates better space for the curves at my lower back.”
Beyond back sleepers, our testers also recommended this mattress for stomach sleepers, but it’s probably too firm for side sleepers. If you’re a lighter-weight sleeper or mainly sleep on your side, consider the Saatva Classic plush soft option.
The mattress is bouncy and responsive to movement, and our testers easily switched between different sleeping positions without fighting the mattress surface. Sleepers with mobility issues might like the additional support from the bed’s responsive surface.
The Saatva Classic has strong edge support for sitting on and sleeping near the edge. Our testers felt the mattress getting firmer as they moved closer to the edge due to its high-density foam lining. When testers lay near the mattress edge, the foam lining protected them from sliding off. Unfortunately, the mattress has poor motion isolation. Our testers were easily disturbed by their testing partner when they switched sleeping positions and got on and off the mattress.
The Saatva Classic is a luxury brand mattress with customer-friendly policies, including free delivery, setup, removal, and a one-year trial period.
“I definitely felt more on top of this mattress, but it provided great support in both back and stomach positions, though I liked the stomach position best.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Saatva Classic has 4.8 out of five stars on the Saatva website, with 3,455 customer reviews. While most people praised the customer service, comfort, support, quality, and durability of the mattress, a few negative reviews found the mattress firmness didn’t work for them or that delivery was slow.
“Our old mattress and box spring had run its course, but we procrastinated on searching for a replacement because we didn’t want to go to one of the mattress stores and deal with the usual song and dance. We found Saatva online and ordered the 14.5 inch queen Classic mattress in Luxury Firm. The turnaround time from ordering online to delivery, set up, and removal of our old mattress and box spring was one week. So far, we absolutely love everything. I have lower back problems and the lumbar support region of this mattress has been a big help in both sleeping more soundly and waking up with far fewer aches and pains …”
— Scott S., verified buyer on 5/10/24
“Received it as promised, great service, delivery and the bed is just perfect. Comfortable yet firm.”
— Lyn, verified buyer on 4/23/24.
Visit our Saatva mattress review to learn more.
Our testers classified the Emma Hybrid Comfort as a firmer mattress, rating it a 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale—making it the firmest in this review. Our testers found this a supportive mattress. Even with three memory foam layers on top of the pocketed coils, the tester felt more “on” the mattress surface than deeply cradled.
Surprisingly, one tester reported that lying on their back was the least comfortable position. They didn’t feel the mattress properly contour to their back or evenly distribute their weight. Instead, their tailbone was pushed up, with pressure buildup in the area. Our testers felt the most comfortable lying on their stomach.
We think the zoned support coils don’t offer the best support for most back sleepers, but this design may be better for average-weight (130–250 pounds) and higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) side sleepers.
Our testers easily switched positions on the mattress due to its firmness and responsive springs. If you’re looking for a bouncy, firmer surface that supports your movement, the Emma Hybrid Comfort is a good option.
Although the mattress’s edge quickly sank when sitting on it, its responsive bounce may help give sleepers a mobility boost for changing positions or getting out of bed. We were impressed with the mattress’s motion isolation for how bouncy it is. Testers felt some movement from their testing partner, but nothing too disruptive.
According to the brand, the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress has pocketed innersprings uniquely designed to support your head, shoulders, back, hips, and legs. We consider it an affordable mattress since the queen size can often be purchased for less than $1,000 with discounts, and it’s one of the lowest price options on this list. The Emma Hybrid Comfort also offers a generous one-year trial period.
“I can feel the springs bounce when I move on the mattress. The bounce helps support my movement, but I slid around a bit since the top fabric isn’t sewn to the rest of the mattress.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Emma Hybrid Comfort has 4.6 out of five stars on the Emma website with 99 customer reviews. While most people praised this mattress for its comfort, price, and support (several higher-weight sleepers reviewed it positively), some people complained about customer service or receiving the wrong size.
“I was extremely nervous about purchasing a mattress online. It came boxed, very secure. The company kept me informed when it was arriving. I have had it for several months now and I love it. It is firm which I like. I have zero complaints. Couldn’t beat the price either. Believe me I looked and looked.”
— Christina, verified buyer on 6/5/24
“This mattress is extremely comfortable and not to mention half the price as most other mattresses of this quality”
— Ray, verified buyer on 6/4/24
For more information, see our in-depth Emma mattress review.
Our testers were impressed by how comfortable this mattress was in both back and side sleeping positions. While we texted the luxury firm model, The WinkBed mattress is available in three other firmness options: softer, firmer, and plus. We consider the luxury firm a true medium-firm mattress (6.5 out of 10, per the industry standard). If you’re looking for a mattress to prevent back pain, research shows that medium-firm mattresses can help relieve lower back pain and improve sleep quality.
Our testers found that this mattress gently contoured to their backs and offered gentle sinkage to help relieve pressure while evenly distributing their weight. When we analyzed our pressure mapⓘ A mat with sensors that detect pressure buildup when someone lies across it , we didn’t find signs of pressure buildup when our testers lay on their back, and our testers felt only slight pressure buildup when they switched to their side. This means the mattress will keep your spine in alignment and contour to pressure points, important for anyone with back pain.
We think The WinkBed offers optimal support for most back sleepers. Lighter-weight sleepers who primarily sleep on their side may want a plusher option to help their shoulder and hip comfortably sink into the mattress.
Use The WinkBed firmness guide to help choose the right mattress firmness option. If you don’t like the firmness you choose, you can exchange it for a different option for $49.
The mattress’s supportive bounce helps with switching sleeping positions. Testers also never felt “stuck” in the mattress, even though it has a plush pillow top.
While our testers didn’t feel completely stable when lying near the mattress edge, they felt more supported when sitting on it. The mattress’s strong edge support and bounce are helpful when adjusting to a seated position or getting out of bed.
The WinkBed is another hybrid mattress with impressive motion isolation. We placed a glass of water on one side while a tester moved on and off the bed. The glass barely moved during these tests.
“The combination of pressure-relieving foam and zoned support helps distribute your weight more evenly, while the added lumbar support can help ease back pain.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The WinkBed mattress has 4.8 out of five stars on the WinkBeds website with 8,686 customer reviews. While many people praised the comfort and quality of this mattress, some people complained it wasn’t right for them or had issues with customer service.
“My shoulders are better than they have been in years! My chiropractor recommended the luxury firm and I am not disappointed!.”
— Jill H., verified buyer, on 6/4/2024
“Feels great. Firm, but not too firm and comfortable. I was having back issues with our 11 year old memory mattress. I did my research and your bed was recommended for older people with back issues. Definitely mixed feelings on purchasing a bed without trying it out first, but your warranty on guaranteed satisfaction or return it with no hassles convinced us.”
— Michael O., verified buyer, on 5/22/2024
For more information, see our in-depth WinkBed mattress review.
This Bear mattress is available in soft, medium, and firm options. We tested the medium model and rated it as a true medium-firm mattress (6.5 out of 10).
The Bear Elite Hybrid had the highest cooling score in this review (4.5 out of five) due to its high-tech temperature regulation materials, including phase change materials (PCMs), which store or release heat to maintain a constant temperature. You can also add an optional cover with Celliant fibers, which convert heat into infrared energy. The top-most memory foam layer is infused with copper, which whisks away heat and provides antimicrobial properties. Our testers confirmed that it stayed mostly cool while they lay on the mattress.
The mattress scored slightly above average for overall support and motion transfer (3.5 out of five for both). It contoured comfortably to our testers’ lower back and kept their spine neutral and supported. They were impressed by the memory foam’s cradling feel and the support of the pocketed coils. Plus, the plush cover provided some assistance with motion isolation.
While bounce scores were just slightly above average, the mattress’s top offered a nice upward push that aided movement. Unfortunately, the slippery quilted material may require more effort for some sleepers to move around on the mattress.
We thought the mattress edge wasn’t as stable as other innerspring mattresses we tested. Our testers struggled to gain momentum when moving from seated to standing. But the firmness of the mattress helped testers push to a seated position, which can be helpful for sleepers with mobility issues.
The Bear Elite Hybrid has supportive zoned coils beneath a cushion cover, memory foam, and dynamic foam layers. We think it executes the zoned coil design better than the Emma Hybrid Comfort. The pocketed innersprings are designed to target the shoulders, hips, and lower back, with stronger coils in the center for greater lower back support, which may help relieve back pain.
“I feel pretty stable on the edge. The mattress is more dome-shaped, so it feels a little less secure, but the edge support is still decent.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
The Bear Elite Hybrid has 4.6 out of five stars on the Bear website and 3,801 customer reviews. While most people praised this mattress for its comfort and temperature regulation capabilities, some complained that the mattress firmness level they chose didn’t work for them or said there were issues with customer service.
“Extremely comfortable and keeps me much cooler than other mattresses. I love it!”
— Marleen E., verified buyer on 7/8/24
“I very much like my new mattress. It is exceedingly comfortable and much of the back pain and stiffness I experienced with my old mattress has disappeared. Additionally I am able to sleep longer and feel more refreshed when I awake. My only criticism is that the mattress is much too soft at the edges.”
— Robert B., verified buyer on 4/10/24
Visit our Bear mattress review to learn more.
Our Reviews Team has dedicated more than 1,000 hours to researching the mattress industry, consulting at least 10 health care professionals, and testing roughly 40 brands and 130 unique mattress models for quality and comfort. We’ve also interviewed 16 older adults who recently purchased a mattress and surveyed more than 2,700 recent mattress customers to understand their experiences shopping for a new bed.
Each mattress undergoes a rigorous 36-page testing procedure to score its different characteristics, including firmness, support, and other aspects most shoppers consider. We choose the best innerspring mattresses based on the scores of the relevant criteria. See how we tested the most important considerations for this review below.
Firmness
Like most mattress brands in the industry, we use a one-to-10 scoring method when testing firmness, with 6.5 being the true medium firm. Our testers rate this by lying on the surface and comparing the feel to other mattresses we’ve tested. Material density and coil strength influence firmness the most. When selecting the best innerspring mattresses, we selected primarily medium or firm mattresses because they typically provide more support.
Support
We score support on a scale of one to five, with five being the most supportive. Mattresses with strong support contour and push into the curves of your body, particularly the lower back or midsection. Not only do we feel support during testing, but we can also visualize it through pressure map results. Maps with mostly white space at the lower back show how the mattress isn’t making contact with the area, which means the mattress isn’t supportive. A good innerspring mattress should provide ample support with low sinkage.
Pressure relief
We rate pressure relief on a scale of one to five, with five being the most pressure-relieving. We consider how it feels and use a pressure map with sensors to visualize pressure points around the body accurately. Blue and green pressure map results show great pressure relief, while yellows, oranges, and reds indicate pressure build-up. We looked for mattresses with coils that still provided good pressure relief.
Bounce
Our team scores bounce on a scale between one and five, with five being the most bouncy. We test this by dropping a 10-pound weighted ball on the mattress surface, recording how many times it bounces, and analyzing the sound of its landing. The ball will bounce multiple times on bouncier mattresses before cradling into the surface, while others thud onto the material, indicating low bounce. An innerspring mattress typically has a lot of bounce.
Motion transfer
Motion transfer is scored on a scale between one and five, with five being the most motion-isolating. To score this, one tester lies on one side of the mattress while another changes positions while lying on the other side. We score this feature by how much movement we can feel across the mattress. If we don’t feel movement, the mattress dampens motion well, scoring a five out of five. Mattresses with a lot of bounce tend to have lower motion isolation scores, which is why we included some mattresses that provided better motion isolation.
Edge support
We score edge support on a scale of one to five, with five being the strongest. Our team tests this by sitting and lying on the edge to determine how safe it feels and measure how far it sinks. For example, if a short 11-inch mattress’s edge sinks about 2 inches, it may feel weak because it collapses under body weight. This is an essential factor to consider for couples who want to use the entire surface of the bed, as well as people who need strong support when getting in and out of bed.
Functional support
Our team developed this unique score to understand how well a mattress accommodates mobility issues, like difficulty moving around or getting up from the bed. We combined firmness (30%), support (30%), bounce (10%), and edge support (30%) to create a score between one and five, with five being the most helpful for movement in bed. A good innerspring mattress should provide all of the above for easier movement and support, which is why it was necessary to consider in our overall selections.
To learn more about our testing, review our sleep methodology.
We continuously test new mattresses each month to ensure our reviews reflect the latest innovations and trends in mattress design. This ongoing evaluation lets us provide the most current and accurate information, helping you make an informed decision.
When selecting an innerspring mattress, consider the factors that can significantly impact your sleep quality and overall comfort. The right innerspring mattress will provide a balanced combination of support, durability, and comfort tailored to your specific needs.
Choosing the right firmness level is crucial for achieving a comfortable and supportive sleep experience. Innerspring mattresses come in a range of firmness levels, from soft to extra firm. Your best firmness level depends on your preference and body type. Lighter-weight people may find mattresses feel firmer, while higher-weight people might prefer a firmer mattress for better support. If your mattress is more than 10 years old, it might be time to replace it with a new one that better suits your current needs.
Support is a key factor in ensuring your mattress helps you maintain proper spinal alignment. A supportive innerspring mattress should evenly distribute your body weight and fill the gaps between your body and the mattress surface. Look for mattresses with zoned support, which provides targeted reinforcement in areas like the lower back, ensuring your spine stays in a neutral position. This can help ease pressure and improve overall comfort.
Innerspring mattresses with pocketed coils excel at minimizing motion transfer, which is particularly beneficial if you share your bed with a partner. Pocketed coils move independently, reducing the chances of feeling your partner’s movements throughout the night. This feature is essential for uninterrupted sleep, especially for light sleepers.
Edge support refers to the stability and firmness around the mattress’s perimeter. Good edge support increases the usable sleep surface and prevents sagging when sitting or lying near the edge. This feature is particularly important for people who sit on the edge of the bed frequently or have mobility issues.
Durability ensures your mattress will provide consistent support and comfort over time. High-quality materials and robust construction are indicators of a durable mattress. Innerspring mattresses with reinforced edges and high-gauge steel coils tend to be more durable, maintaining their shape and support for many years.
Temperature regulation is another critical factor, especially if you tend to sleep hot. Due to the space between coils, innerspring mattresses typically offer better airflow than all-foam mattresses. To enhance temperature regulation, look for mattresses with breathable covers and cooling technologies, such as gel-infused foam or moisture-wicking fabrics.
Consider your budget when choosing an innerspring mattress. While it’s important to invest in a quality mattress, options are available at various price ranges. Determine your budget range and look for mattresses that offer the best value within that range, balancing cost with features and durability. Holidays and retail events, like Labor Day, Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July, are great times to purchase a mattress because mattress brands typically run significant sales.
An innerspring mattress is a type of mattress that uses a network of steel coils or springs as its primary support system. These coils are often covered with layers of padding or foam for added comfort. Innerspring mattresses have been around since the 19th century and remain popular due to their durability and support. Today’s spring mattresses are typically made with two types of coils: interconnected coils and pocketed coils. Pocketed coils are individually wrapped in fabric, allowing each spring to move independently, providing better contouring and motion isolation than traditional interconnected coils.
Proper care can extend the life of your innerspring mattress and ensure it remains comfortable and supportive. Here are some best practices to follow:
An innerspring mattress is ideal for shoppers seeking a traditional, supportive sleep surface. It’s particularly beneficial for:
Innerspring mattresses are made with at least one layer of steel springs (coils), so the terms are basically interchangeable. The type of coils and their arrangement significantly affect the mattress’s overall feel, support, and performance.
Here are the main types of coils:
| Our firmness rating | Firm | Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Firm | Softer, luxury firm, firmer, plus | Soft, medium, firm |
| Construction | Hybrid | Pocketed | Pocketed | Pocketed | Pocketed |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 15 years | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
Shopping for a mattress is a personal decision. The best innerspring mattress for you depends on your sleeping position, weight, personal preferences, and budget. The Helix Dusk Luxe is our top innerspring mattress pick for its responsive yet pressure-relieving foam and coil combination. It’s followed by the Saatva Classic, which has a luxurious feel and minimal memory foam. We recommend the Emma Hybrid Comfort if you’re looking for a budget-friendly mattress. The WinkBed mattress is our pick for those with back pain, and the Bear Elite Hybrid performs well with temperature regulation.
Our favorite innerspring mattresses are hybrids that combine foam with individually wrapped coils (pocketed coils). Wrapped coils move independently and offer sleepers more targeted support than traditional unwrapped coils. Our top innerspring mattresses are the Helix Dusk Luxe, Saatva Classic, and Emma Hybrid Comfort. The best innerspring mattress for you depends on your sleeping position, body weight, personal preferences, and budget.
It depends on what you’re looking for in a mattress. Innerspring mattresses have a more responsive bounce than memory foam mattresses. The bouncier surface makes it easier to move around and switch sleeping positions without feeling “stuck” in the surface. Innerspring mattresses are also more breathable than all-foam mattresses. The spring coils allow more airflow than foam, which helps to keep sleepers cool.
Spring mattresses don’t absorb motion as well as most memory foam mattresses, so light sleepers may be more easily disturbed by a partner’s movements when sharing an innerspring mattress. Sleepers also won’t get that sunken-in, deep hug-like feeling when lying on most innerspring mattresses.
Yes, many hotels use innerspring mattresses due to their durability, support, and affordability. Innerspring mattresses provide a firm and supportive sleep surface, which can accommodate a wide range of body types and sleeping positions, making them a popular choice for hotel use. The bounce and responsiveness of innerspring mattresses also make it easier for housekeeping staff to make the beds. Additionally, the airflow through the coils helps regulate temperature, ensuring guests remain comfortable throughout the night. Hotels often select high-quality innerspring mattresses with additional comfort layers to enhance the guest experience.
What one person finds comfortable in a mattress might be completely different from what suits someone else, so there isn’t a definitive answer to the question of whether a spring or coil mattress is better. Generally, mattresses with pocketed coils do a better job contouring to the sleeper’s body. They also provide more motion isolation than a spring mattress, so they might be a better fit for light sleepers who are sharing a bed with someone who moves a lot at night.
Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
