For more, watch our interactive video. You can skip to chapters on the different types of mattresses, tips for test driving a mattress, and more. Common claims that haven’t held up in our tests: Foam Layers Make a Better Bed More innerspring mattresses now include foam on top. But the foam is often too thin to make a difference on some of the hybrid models. Hybrid innerspring models that scored well in our tests had a foam layer several inches thick, though performance still varied. More Coils, the Better The better innerspring models we tested had 600 to 1,000 coils. But even if one mattress has more coils than another, the coils could be made of thinner-gauge metal. You’ll also hear about coil variations such as Bonnell (hourglass type), continuous wire, and individually pocketed springs. None of those is inherently superior. Gel Provides a Cooler Sleep Some mattresses (noted in our Ratings) have a layer of gel-infused foam that’s supposed to provide a cooling effect.
But that layer is buried beneath other layers. While our tests have shown that innerspring mattresses containing gel did tend to sleep slightly cooler, the reverse was true with gel-infused foam beds. Extra Lumbar Support Helps Back Sleepers A special lumbar-support zone is one of many ways manufacturers try to differentiate their product lines. But there’s no guarantee that it makes any real difference, and it hasn’t shown significant benefits in our tests. Forget About Comparison Shopping If you like a mattress at one store and ask elsewhere for something similar, you're likely to be steered toward a same-brand mattress claimed to have the same construction, components, and firmness. But they’re probably not the same. Mattress makers offer some lines nationally, but when those brands are sold through major chains such as Macy's, Sears, and Sleepy’s, they're for lines exclusive to those chains. And manufacturers don't publish a directory of comparable mattresses.
When we went to three bedding chains and asked for mattresses similar to those we’d bought at three department stores, five of the six were way off the mark. So use our Ratings as a guide, and insist on the precise make and model that scored well in our tests. Also check our Ratings of mattress brands and stores, based on subscriber surveys. If possible, lie on any mattress that you’re considering. Wear loose clothes and shoes you can slip off. Make yourself comfortable, and shoo away the salesperson if you’re feeling pressured. Salespeople should expect you to take your time. Spend at least five or ten minutes on each side and on your back (your stomach, too, if that's a preferred sleeping position). Panelists who took beds home for a month-long trial rarely changed the opinion they formed after the first night. Shopping online or at a warehouse club? Tryouts aren’t usually an option, so checking return policies before you buy is extra important. Make sure the store offers a full refund or credit toward another mattress.
Return periods, often called “comfort guarantees,” range from a couple of weeks to 120 days. Some retailers, including Macy’s and Sears, charge a 15-percent restocking fee. Costco and some online sellers provide free pickup if you want a refund or exchange, but otherwise, you’ll have to pay for it—or cart the mattress to the store. And you’ll be responsible for any damage. Once you’ve settled on a model, try to bring the price down. Many businesses, such as warehouse clubs, have fixed prices and won’t budge. But for retailers that do negotiate—particularly specialty chains—huge markups allow them to lower prices by 50 percent or more during their frequent sales. Our recommendation: Any time of year, insist on a sale price you’ve seen for the mattress you know you want, and don’t be afraid to walk out if you feel you’re getting a raw deal. Don’t Be Bullied Into Buying a Box Spring You might not need it. For an innerspring mattress, the box spring (also called a “foundation”) is a wood frame enclosing stiff wire and covered with fabric to match the mattress.
For foam or adjustable-air mattresses, it’s a box several inches high. If you're switching to a foam or adjustable-air bed from an innerspring, you'll need a boxy foundation that lacks springs and wire. Otherwise, if your box spring isn't broken and is still structurally sound, consider keeping it and saving money (roughly $150 to $300 for a queen-size). One caveat: Some brands require you to buy their box spring to receive full warranty coverage. It can range from 10 to 25 years and covers only manufacturing defects such as sagging and loose or broken coil wires. Coverage is frequently prorated, meaning that it decreases over time. Never accept delivery without inspecting the mattress (and the box spring, if you buy one) for stains and other damage. Also be sure that the mattress has a label that states “all-new material” before you send the driver on his way. If it’s not there, refuse delivery. And keep it on afterward in case you do have to file a warranty claim in the future.
See our for our list of comped products and affiliate programs. ContentsMy Top 4 Reviewed Innerspring MattressesTop Innerspring Mattresses ComparedWinkBedsSaatvaAviyaBrentwood HomeBest for Back PainBest for Stomach SleepersBest for Side SleepersWhat Makes A Good Innerspring Mattress?Comparison Shopping Can Be DifficultCoil Count and GaugeCoil TypeTop Layer Above The SpringsGetting Good ValueFinal Recommendation Though innerspring mattresses account for about half of the mattress market, there are because they are more difficult to manufacture and ship. Because of these constraints, end up with an innerspring option. That will probably change over time, but it is just much easier logistically to have a foam mattress if you are selling online. Fortunately, the online-only companies that do choose innerspring tend to be more advanced in their mattress knowledge, and deliver a quality product (generally) at a really good value. These reviews cover my personal experience with a number of the leading innerspring brands.
I plan on reviewing a lot more over time, including a lot of the ones that you can’t buy online. I’d love to hear from you. Everyone is looking for something a little different with their innerspring mattresses, but I’ve chosen my four favorites across some general categories: overall, side-sleeper, budget, and high-end. These are not only some of my favorite innerspring mattresses, but they hold top spots in my overall mattress reviews list. WinkBeds is a relatively new company, but it comes with a great design and specs. This tops the comfort list because it has an extra 2 inches of foam on top, making it a bit more cushiony than other options (and very pressure relieving). To me, the construction is extra adept for side sleepers. The mattress is not as well known as Saatva, but it has a cult following that loves it. See more details about the mattress on their website. To learn more about my personal experience with WinkBeds check out my full WinkBeds review.
Saatva is a quality online-only mattress that (in my opinion) offers great value (learn more HERE). The specs will compare to a higher-end Beautyrest, but the price tag is significantly less (Saatva tops the best mattress under $1000 list as well). The mattress has a layer of memory foam on top, and comes in three firmness settings. The company has been around for a number of years, and thus has many more reviews than the average online mattress company. Saatva is an innerspring mattress I often recommend, but see what type of sleeper I recommend it for most frequently in my Saatva mattress review. Aviya is a small company, but they have managed to deliver a solid innerspring option at a pretty phenomenal price (get best deal HERE). This is by far the lowest priced option on the list, though the dropoff from WinkBeds and Saatva is only a slight one. Good specs and good durability, but again the story with Aviya is it’s just a great value. Read about my experience with the mattress in my full Aviya review.
Brentwood Home has a number of different types of mattresses, but for me their innerspring line really impresses. They have three mattresses that vary in price and construction, the Oceano, Del Mar, and the Avalon (Oceano is my favorite, though it is the priciest as well). Brentwood Home has a really quality brand and team, and even has their own factory located in Los Angeles. The mattress also has great specs, I predict the mattress will be very durable and last a long time. If you go with Brentwood Home, make sure to use my exclusive Brentwood Home coupon ($75 off). If you have back pain, you’re going to really want to focus on great support. All of these options can address the issue, and it might depend most on your sleeping position – but personally I would head for Saatva if I was having lower or mid back pain. If you are a stomach sleeper, you should go with a firmer mattress to get the right feel and support. Of these options, Saatva and Aviya offer firm options.
You may consider some of the firmer Simmons Beautyrest options as well. Read our best mattresses for side sleepers options for other mattress types. If you are a side sleeper, you are going to want a slightly softer mattress to deal well with the pressure points on your hips and shoulders. I would start with WinkBeds, but maybe consider the soft Saatva as well. One big frustration with the mattress industry is how hard it is to objectively compare different models and brands. That is especially true with innerspring mattresses. For one, certain brands will be called different things at different stores, even if they are the exact same mattress. That alone creates a ton of confusion. Similarly, even if you can compare across more objective measures, like coil count or gauge, there are many other factors that will affect the quality of the mattress. For example, there are plenty of mattresses with a higher coil count that are less quality than those with a lower coil count.
As a result, you have to take these levels of comparison with a grain of salt. If you are in a store or on a website, you might see a lot of talk about how a certain innerspring mattress has a certain number of coils, a certain gauge (thickness of the steel wire), etc. These types of stats have the potential to be pretty misleading for a couple of reasons. For example, a lot of people think more coil equals a better quality mattress. However, you can have a higher coil count but use lower quality steel. There are many different factors that go into the quality of the innerspring unit. I would therefore recommend being a little cautious in thinking more coils equals a better mattress. An innerspring mattress can be made more or less firm in a number of different ways, and a lot of it depends on what the top layer above the coils is. Therefore, saying a blanket statement like “thicker gauge means firmer mattress” isn’t always true, because it depends on a few other factors too.
The overall piece of advice is to use these stats as a point of reference, but don’t put too much stock in statements like “because it has a higher coil count, it….” or “because it has a higher gauge, it…” You will also probably hear a lot about the type of coil being used in a mattress’s construction. There are differences between the types. “Pocket” coils are individually wrapped and tend to be better overall at contouring to your body, all things else being equal. However, the type of coil matters more or less depending on the rest of the components of the mattress, so I would take statements like “it has pocket coils, so it’s better” with a grain of salt. If you have a thick layer of memory foam on top of the mattress, the fact that the innerspring unit has pocket coils doesn’t really matter as much, because the memory foam does the contouring. Overall, the type of coil does matter, but its importance is dependent on the rest of the mattress.
Not all innerspring mattresses are made equal, and a big reason why is the comfort layer used on top of the springs. There is a wide range that can be used to add comfort to the springs, and that makes the feel of the mattress different. For example, an innerspring with a thin layer of latex on top will feel much different from one with a very thick layer of memory foam. As a result, you need to understand the differences between the different types of comfort layers. Know the difference between poly foam, memory foam, and latex foam, and decide which feel you like better. Also, understand that the thickness of the comfort layer matters a lot too. If the mattress has a thick layer of memory foam, then it is more of a hybrid and will feel more like a memory foam mattress, which tends to be quite a different feel from the traditional feel associated with innerspring mattresses. I’m a big fan of getting the best value possible. If you are going to shop at a chain store, then I would wait until they have a sale to get the best value.