Making Sense of Mattress Springs – When shopping for a new mattress, you’ll encounter various spring technologies that can seem confusing at first glance. From traditional open coils to advanced pocket springs, each manufacturer often brands their mattress springs differently – like Silentnight’s Miracoil system.
Your choice ultimately depends on your budget and needs, with open coils offering affordable durability and pocket springs delivering premium comfort with better motion isolation.
Making Sense of Mattress Springs – Understanding pocket springs
Pocket springs represent the gold standard in mattress support technology. Each spring sits in its fabric pocket, allowing it to move independently from its neighbours.
This individual movement means the springs compress based on your specific pressure points, delivering tailored support across your body.
When you shift position, pocket springs respond to your movement without affecting your partner’s side, making them perfect for couples. The individual wrapping also prevents the springs from rubbing together, significantly reducing noise over time.
Making Sense of Mattress Springs – Traditional open coils
Open coil systems, called continuous coil springs, feature interconnected springs that move as a single unit. While movement on one side transfers more readily across the mattress, it creates a supportive, consistent sleep surface ideal for guest rooms and children’s beds.
Open coils cost less to manufacture than pocket springs, making them an excellent choice for those working with a tighter budget but still wanting reliable support (many open coil mattresses last longer than six years).
Micro pocket springs
Think of micro springs as miniature versions of standard pocket springs, typically measuring just a few centimetres in height.
Manufacturers layer these tiny springs between comfort materials in hybrid mattresses, combining the responsive support of springs with the pressure relief of foam.
Their small size allows for targeted compression in specific areas, enhancing the mattress’s ability to contour to your body and mobility with more bounce (a crucial feature if you toss and turn to get comfortable).
Spring count considerations
Higher spring counts generally indicate superior support and durability in pocket-sprung mattresses. A king-size mattress with 2000+ springs provides enhanced pressure relief and better motion isolation compared to one with 1000 springs.
However, the quality of the springs matters as much as quantity—factors like spring gauge (wire thickness), tensile strength, and turn count affect durability and support.
Comfort layer combinations
The materials paired with your mattress springs significantly impact overall comfort. Memory foam layers add body-contouring pressure relief but can retain heat, while latex offers natural bounce and better temperature regulation.
Natural fillings like wool create excellent temperature regulation and moisture-wicking properties. These top layers work with the springs below to determine how firm your mattress feels and how well it maintains its shape over time.
Budgeting
When considering mattress springs, your budget helps determine the type of support system you’ll get. Open coil mattresses like the Giltedge Rome start from around £210, offering reliable support for guest rooms and lighter sleepers.
If you’re seeking pocket springs, entry-level options like the Silentnight Mirapocket 1000, which begins at £335, deliver good motion isolation and targeted support.
Premium pocket spring systems, like the Sleepeezee Jessica 1800, range from £600 to £720. They combine advanced spring technology with luxury comfort layers.
Consider investing in a mattress with 2000+ springs like the Sleepeezee Backcare Ultimate 2000, typically priced around £600-660 for ultimate support.
Getting the right balance
Your ideal spring system depends on sleeping position, whether you have a sleeping partner, and how much you can budget. Premium pocket springs offer superior support but cost more, while quality open coil designs provide reliable comfort at lower prices. Consider how the springs work with comfort layers to create your perfect sleep surface.
Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.
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