Innerspring Mattresses

The most popular mattress type

Innerspring mattresses are the most popular and familiar type, and despite the introduction of newer types, most people stick with a familiar innerspring mattress. But a dizzying variety of brands, models and features can make mattress shopping confusing. Simmons, Sealy and Serta rule the mattress market along with Spring Air, Duxiana and Stearns & Foster, and there are dozens of other brands out there. Each manufacturer offers a variety of lines, from basic, unadorned beds to fancy pillow-top mattresses with hand-stitched embroidery. To make matters worse, manufacturers have dozens of names for models that may vary only slightly in features, and many offer "exclusives" to certain stores. The result is that it's impossible to comparison-shop based on the model name.

Although model names and cosmetic details vary, innerspring mattresses share the same basic structure. Differences between less expensive models and more expensive innersprings include qualities you can see, such as pillow tops (an extra layer of cushioning on top of the mattress), mattress height and the fabric used for the cover. But it is the details that you can't see -- such as coil gauge, coil count and construction materials -- that determine firmness, durability and overall quality. And manufacturers regularly introduce new features, adding to choice and confusion. For example, the Simmons HealthSmart (*Est. $1,800, queen size) has a removable, washable cover, while Serta's Perfect Sleeper models (*Est. $1,400, queen size) are made with stainproof yarns.

Most mattress stores display cross sections of mattresses so you can see and feel the interior materials for yourself. The ultimate goal, as with any product, is to purchase the highest-quality mattress within your price range -- but that's hard to do unless you know what you should be looking for. Innerspring mattresses use coiled springs, which give support and make the mattress firm or soft. Springs come in three shapes:

• Hourglass-shaped springs, which are attached through spiral wires, compress easily when new. But as the springs compress over time, the mattress becomes firmer. Mattresses made with hourglass springs aren't as durable as other kinds of mattresses. Budget mattresses like the Sealy BackSaver (*Est. $450, queen size) and Posture Premier (*Est. $380, queen size) lines use hourglass springs.

• Continuous-coil springing is an arrangement of coils compiled from a single length of wire. These tend to have thicker coils and offer more support. Both the hourglass and continuous-coil springs connect to each other at the top and bottom, affecting the springs around them when compressed. Continuous-coil springs are more durable and maintain their shape longer than hourglass springs. Serta's Perfect Sleeper series uses continuous coils.

• Pocket springs are different because they are in their own fabric pocket, rather than being connected to each other like hourglass and continuous-coil springs. Pocket springs react individually to pressure and weight. Mattresses with pocket springs are a good choice for couples. Because the springs move a bit more independently, you may be less affected by your partner's movements. Simmons' Beautyrest Classic (*Est. $1,200, queen size) mattresses use pocket springs.

Spring descriptions don't stop with shape; they also differ in strength, called wire gauge. Lower-gauge numbers offer thicker wires, which in turn make a firmer mattress. Thinner wires have higher-gauge numbers, resulting in a softer mattress. A good full-size mattress has a wire gauge of between 12.75 (more firm) and 15 (less firm).

Spring distribution throughout the mattress may also vary. Commonly, firmer springs are found in the middle, since that is where the body needs the most support. Some newer models have edge-to-edge support, with firmer springs along the edges of the mattress for the times you sit on the edge of the bed. Stearns and Foster innerspring beds are known for good edge support, with a foam enclosure around heavy-gauge 12.75 coils.

Mattresses can have as many as 1,000 individual coils, but you don't need such a high coil count to get a quality mattress. Editors at Choice magazine say a good mattress should have a minimum of 300 coils in a full-size bed, 375 in a queen size and 450 in a king size. Editors at WhatsTheBest-Mattress.com discourage judging a mattress on coil count alone. Coil counts can be misleading, they say, because two mattresses of equal coil count can have completely different characteristics such as gauge strength.

Other components of innerspring mattresses

Many manufacturers use the same spring system in all of their mattresses, but use a variety of filling materials, which can significantly boost comfort and price. To gauge comfort, it helps to look at a mattress cross section at a store. Start by examining the middle padding, usually foam, which lies directly beneath the quilted top layer. For example, egg carton foam is softer compared to flat foam, ConsumerReports.org editors say, and helps spread your weight over a wider surface area. Look for more resilient foams, which feel almost moist to the touch. Foams that feel dry or crunchy won't spring back as readily.

Cheaper models might use materials such as lower-grade foam or reclaimed cotton fibers, which can break apart or form lumps and pockets, losing the ability to spring back. Deluxe mattresses might also include layers of wool, cashmere, latex, goose down or memory foam. Luxury layers such as these add significantly to the price, but might not make a big difference in durability or comfort.

Insulation padding lies directly on top of the springs, preventing you from feeling them. A coco pad (from a coconut husk) and a shoddy pad (matted fabric) are glued together and often used as mattress insulation. There should be a metal screen or layer of plastic webbing between the springs and insulation to prevent the springs from chewing up the padding. The only effect this layer might have on your comfort is if multiple layers of coco pad are used alone (without a shoddy pad). This can make a mattress feel too hard.

The outermost fabric covering of the mattress is called the ticking. Materials used in the ticking vary from foam-backed vinyl, found in low-end mattresses, to polyester in better quality mattresses. Some manufacturers tout silk coverings, but experts say this is a marketing gimmick. Silk is less durable than polyester, and you won't be able to tell the difference through the mattress pad and sheets.

Manufacturers also add a number of enhancements to the outside of the mattress. A pillow top is an extra layer (usually 2 or 3 inches thick) atop the main mattress, adding plushness without affecting mattress support. Euro-top mattresses differ from regular pillow tops in that they're made with higher-quality material and have a nicer finished look. If you seek the feel of a feather bed, a pillow top might suit you. Experts say thick layers of padding (like pillow tops) are more likely than the springs to compress, resulting in the impression that the mattress is beginning to sag even though the springs are still in good shape. Several reviewers discourage buyers from purchasing pillow-top mattresses for this very reason, and instead suggest buying a separate mattress topper, then replacing it as needed. (ConsumerSearch has a separate buyer's guide on mattress toppers.)

Many mattresses are now being sold with only one sleep surface; they no longer need to be flipped. Rotating the mattress, however, is still a good idea.

What about a box spring?

The final factor to consider when buying an innerspring mattress is the humble box spring. You may or may not be able to keep your old box spring. Because newer mattresses are heavier than the mattresses of 10 or 15 years ago, you may need a new box spring to support the increased weight. Many, but not all, manufacturers will void your warranty if you're not using a matching box spring. Be sure to ask whether you must buy one to maintain the warranty.

Box springs are less costly to produce, but often the price for the box spring is close to the mattress price, so it's not much of a leap to guess that this is where most of the profit margin lies. For that reason, you might be able to negotiate a discount. It doesn't hurt to ask. In fact, buying guides often stress negotiating for price or extras since, depending on the retailer, marked prices in this market are often just a starting point.

If you don't need to purchase a box spring to maintain the warranty, you may want to consider a solid or slatted platform bed frame instead. Experts say a platform bed frame can extend the life of a mattress by providing more uniform support, though the bed won't feel quite as springy as it does on a traditional box spring. Platforms are also more durable than box springs and can last for 20 or more years.