Innerspring vs Foam Mattress: What Are the Differences?

Are you looking to achieve better sleep?

A good night’s rest is the cornerstone of outstanding performance and mood. Sleeping helps you recover from physical and mental strain and prepare for the day after.

Many people encounter issues that prevent them from getting proper sleep, like insomnia. However, there are also some who still feel unrested after getting a full 8 hours. If this is your problem, you may need to optimize your bedroom.

Your mattress is the foundation of sleep quality. That’s why we’ve uncovered this guide on an innerspring vs foam mattress. Read on to discover more and go mattress shopping today!

What is an Innerspring Mattress?

An innerspring mattress is the oldest type of mattress and has become a staple in bedrooms worldwide. Innerspring mattresses are well-known to be firm, bouncy, and supportive. This is all thanks to the coils, which compose the support cores.

This gives innerspring mattresses and bouncy and robust base. Its comfort layer comes in at around 2 inches or less. This is perfect for people who prefer to sleep on top of their mattress instead of feeling like they’re sinking into it.

An innerspring mattress can come with either higher or low-gauge coils. The traditional coils have an hourglass shape and interconnect with other coils. If you need a more responsive bed, you may want pockets coils instead.

Pocketed coils are more popular in newer mattresses. Manufacturers wrap their pocketed coils to provide enhanced contour. This makes this type of innerspring mattress perfect for pressure point relief.

Benefits of an Innerspring Mattress

Innerspring mattresses have come a long way since their early construction. If you move around a lot in your sleepy, an innerspring mattress makes it easier to switch positions. Thanks to its bounciness, it’s also much easier to get in and out of bed.

An innerspring mattress should be your number one option if you’re a stomach sleeper. An innerspring mattress offers the most uniform sleeping surface. So if you sleep on your stomach, you can rest with your spine in its natural position.

The nature of innerspring beds also means that it’s way more breathable. The space between the coils makes it easier for air to circulate in the mattress. This is perfect for people who prefer to sleep in a cooler environment.

Another hallmark of an innerspring mattress is that its comfort layer isn’t too thick. This means that your mattress is less likely to have a distinct odor. You don’t have to worry about off-gassings, like foam and latex mattresses.

The best part about innerspring mattresses is that they’re the least expensive in the market! Innerspring mattresses are an affordable and cost-effective solution for your guest bedrooms.

How to Choose an Innerspring Mattress

If you’ve decided an innerspring mattress is for you, you need to know how to choose a quality mattress. The first thing you need to consider when choosing an innerspring mattress is coil count. Some brands may feature their units having more coils, but more doesn’t always mean better.

As a rule of thumb, you should stick to the minimum coil count depending on the size. Full-sized beds should have at least 300 coils, 400 for a queen-sized bed, and 480 for a king-sized bed. Steer clear of mattresses that have less than this bare minimum.

Coil gauge, or the thickness of the coils in your mattress, is another crucial factor to consider. Low-gauge means that the coils are thicker. The safest range is between 12 to 15, with 12 being softer and 15 offering more firmness.

If you want a softer mattress, go for higher gauge mattresses. However, keep in mind that low-gauge mattresses offer more support and last longer.

What is a Foam Mattress?

Foam mattresses consist of all foam, usually with a blend of different types of foam. This can range from polyurethane foam to memory foam and more! Foam mattresses are a huge hit for online mattress shoppers and come with unique layers.

Foam beds offer the most versatility as they can range from firm or soft, and has luxury and budget options. To give you a better idea of foam mattresses, here’s a breakdown of the types of foam.

Polyurethane Foam

Also known as polyfoam, this foam is a common component of modern foam mattresses. When it comes to foam mattresses, polyfoam offers the most spring and bounce. Polyfoam is also the go-to comfort layer for spring beds.

Regular polyfoam is the standard in mattress builds, often used as a transition layer. High-density polyfoam offers more firmness as a support layer. High-resiliency polyfoam gives more support but is not as popular as it’s more expensive.

Memory Foam

Memory foam gets its name from its ability to retain a person’s shape after lying down on it. Memory foam contours to the shape of a person’s body, making it the best option for pressure relief.

Benefits of a Foam Mattress

• If you prefer that soft cushiony feeling while sleeping, an air foam mattress like the Original Mattress is for you. Foam mattresses offer the most comfort as they mold to your body. Foam mattresses are also the best option if you sleep on your back.

Foam mattresses encourage spinal alignment. If you have back problems, it can help fill in the problem areas. Memory foam is also hypo-allergenic, making it the best option if you find it hard to sleep because of your allergies.

How to Choose a Foam Mattress

To find the best foam mattress, you want to consider your sleeping style first. As mentioned prior, stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress.

This ensures their spine doesn’t fall out of its natural alignment. Back sleepers need medium firmness, and side sleepers can get away with softer mattresses. Density can also range from high to low, so consider foam density when mattress shopping.

If you want the best of both worlds, consider getting a double-sided mattress. Check out our pick for the best Kingsdown mattress!

Innerspring vs Foam Mattress: Which is Right for You?

Now you know the differences between an innerspring vs foam mattress. We all have different needs, so it’s always best to know your options! We hope this innerspring vs foam mattress guide gave you more insight into which mattress is right for you.

Want to know how to optimize your sleeping environment for better sleep? Check out our other blog posts to discover how you can upgrade your bedroom!