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Innerspring mattresses are made with a steel coil support system and at least one comfort layer of padding. The coils set innerspring mattresses apart from memory foam mattresses, which are made completely of foam material without any springs.

Innerspring mattresses are a popular option for several reasons, including their affordability and durability. They’re supportive, yet they have a bouncy feel thanks to the springs. This bounciness makes it easier to switch sleeping positions, compared with foam mattresses that conform to your body.

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses have their similarities. They both allow for better air circulation and more breathability than all-foam constructions, and they both use springs for support. They also both have comfort layers on top of the coil spring system. However, these layers are typically thinner on traditional innerspring mattresses than they are on hybrid mattresses.

Because hybrids have thicker comfort layers, they’re usually more expensive than traditional innerspring models.

Due to their similarities, you may begin your search for a traditional innerspring mattress and decide a hybrid mattress is a better option or vice versa.

The abundance of mattress options can leave you with decision fatigue. This list should help you narrow down your choices.

To create our list of the best innerspring mattresses on the market, we considered the following criteria:

  • Company reputation. The companies here follow federal safety standards, are socially responsible, and offer transparency about the sourcing and type of materials they use.
  • Trial period. Each brand offers a minimum 100-night sleep trial and easy returns. This allows you to try out the mattress before making a total commitment.
  • Warranty. All mattresses on this list include a minimum 10-year warranty for potential issues, including defects or premature sagging.
  • Customer reviews. We looked at hundreds of ratings and customer feedback.

Each brand and individual mattress on our list has also been independently vetted by our team for medical and business standards. Read more about our process.

Pricing guide

All prices listed are for queen-size mattresses. We have indicated cost as follows:

  • $ = under $600
  • $$ = $600–$1,200
  • $$$ = over $1,200

Best cooling innerspring mattress

Saatva Classic Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, and split California king
  • Firmness: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm
  • Height: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches
  • Good for: hot sleepers, those with back or joint pain, those with a higher budget

If you run hot, you may like this Saatva mattress. The coils allow for air to flow through the mattress, while the cover is made with naturally breathable cotton.

It’s also designed to be comfortable for those with back and joint pain. Saatva says the mattress is firm enough to limit motion transfer, plus it supports and aligns your spine.

The company’s representatives are available to help you select the right mattress for your needs and to assist you if you have any issues after making your purchase.

Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress online.

Best eco-friendly innerspring mattress

Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Firmness: medium firm and gentle firm
  • Height: 11 inches or 13 inches
  • Good for: back and stomach sleepers, those who prioritize sustainability, those with higher budgets

Made in Los Angeles, this is the top-ranking natural mattress in the United States. Avocado is a carbon-negative business that’s ultra-transparent about all of their practices and materials.

The Avocado Green Mattress blends firmness and comfort, making it fantastic for back and stomach sleepers.

People with back pain can sleep easy knowing that the American Chiropractic Association endorses this mattress. Many happy customers report that sleeping on this mattress helps alleviate their back pain and improve sleep quality.

Buy the Avocado Green Mattress online.

Best innerspring mattress splurge

Beautyrest Black

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Firmness: medium
  • Height: 13 inches
  • Good for: hot sleepers, those looking for medium firmness, those with higher budgets

This mattress allows you to indulge in the ultimate luxury of rest and relaxation. It offers spring support with pressure relief for the hips and shoulders so you can sleep in comfort.

This option is constructed with durable memory foam. It’s made to wick away heat so you can sleep cool.

Buy the Beautyrest Black online.

Best affordable innerspring mattress

Sealy Response Essentials Innerspring Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Size: twin, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Firmness: firm
  • Height: 10 inches
  • Good for: those looking for a traditional innerspring feel, those with lower budgets

If you’re looking for a firm mattress with lots of support, this may be a good option for you. It has two layers of foam on top of a layer of coils.

Plus, the reinforced foam border provides good edge support. This makes it easy to sit on or sleep near the edge of the bed.

It’s also lower priced than many bed-in-a-box brands, with a queen size running less than $600.

Buy the Sealy Response Essentials Innerspring Mattress online.

Best medium firmness innerspring mattress

Serta Perfect Sleeper Renewed Sleep Plush Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Firmness: medium
  • Height: 15 inches
  • Good for: hot sleepers, back and stomach sleepers, anyone in search of a tall mattress

This supportive mattress includes a gel foam layer for comfort. Gel foam is also more breathable than traditional memory foam, so it’s a good choice for hot sleepers.

The mattress contours to your body shape and provides pressure point relief, which may help reduce back pain.

Several reviewers with back injuries report that they’re satisfied with the comfort level and that it doesn’t sacrifice firmness. The added support is said to limit motion transfer and is great for both back and stomach sleepers.

Buy the Serta Perfect Sleeper Renewed Sleep Plush Mattress online.

Best custom-size innerspring mattress

Mattress Insider Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress II

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: custom
  • Firmness: firm and custom
  • Height: 8 inches
  • Good for: shoppers on a budget, those with back pain, those who sleep hot or cold

This Mattress Insider option combines a pocketed coil system with open-cell foam. Open-cell foam has air pockets, meaning it has better breathability than traditional memory foam. That makes it a good choice for people who run hot or live in a warm climate.

The firmness of this mattress helps prevent motion transfer, which is useful for people who experience back pain or body aches.

Designed with durability and longevity in mind, this option comes with a 20-year warranty from Mattress Insider. The first 10 years are a full warranty, while the last 10 years are a prorated warranty. That means the amount that’s covered will go down over time.

Buy the Mattress Insider Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress II online.

Pros

  • supportive and responsive
  • more breathable than memory foam mattresses
  • lower price point compared with hybrid models
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Cons

  • longevity can be an issue
  • may have poor motion transfer
  • can contribute to pressure point pain
  • can be noisy
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People looking for an affordable mattress

Innerspring mattresses were invented well over 100 years ago, and they’re still a popular choice. Some models are among the least expensive mattresses you can buy, so they’re a good choice if you’re looking for a lower cost option.

Hot sleepers

Coil systems make for firm, supportive sleep surfaces, and they allow for air flow. That makes them a good option if sleeping hot is a consistent issue.

Stomach and back sleepers

Stomach and back sleepers may find that an innerspring mattress offers the support and comfort they need. But side sleepers will need to search for an innerspring mattress that has a generous comfort layer to avoid pressure point pain.

While it’s a big investment, you can expect your mattress to last around 8 years. Investing in a quality mattress that offers longevity will save you money over time.

To help you narrow down your choice, here’s what you may want to consider.

Construction of innerspring layers

Pocketed coils help to maintain the shape of the mattress while minimizing motion transfer.

Open coils are usually firmer and offer more support.

Support options

Decide how you want your mattress to feel. Firmer mattresses provide more support, while softer ones may offer more pressure relief. Keep in mind that every mattress softens over time.

If you sleep with a partner, you might want to look for a mattress that limits motion transfer. Innerspring mattresses are usually bouncier than foam mattresses.

Materials

If sleeping green is important to you, you might want to choose a mattress that uses nontoxic materials and doesn’t contain polyurethane. Eco-friendly options may use materials like natural latex, cotton, or wool instead.

If you do want a mattress that contains foam, you may want to consider one that’s been certified by CertiPUR-US, a nonprofit that ensures mattress safety.

Company policies and customer service

Familiarize yourself with the company’s procedures so you know what to expect.

Consider talking with a customer service representative if you’re unsure which mattress to choose. They will likely be able to recommend the best mattress based on your requirements. They can also fill you in on the details of the company’s trial period, warranty coverage, and return policy.

Innerspring mattresses tend to sag over time due to loss of tension in the coils and softening comfort layers.

To help prevent premature sagging:

  • Use a box spring.
  • Buy a mattress topper.
  • Rotate your mattress at least twice yearly.
  • Sleep on different areas of the bed.
  • Use a foundation that has at least six legs.
  • Check to see if your warranty covers sagging and what the policy requires.

What is an innerspring mattress?

An innerspring mattress has a steel coil support system and a comfort layer. It’s the oldest mattress construction, and it’s still a popular choice today.

Are innerspring mattresses toxic?

It’s true that some mattresses are made with harmful chemicals. In an innerspring mattress, these chemicals may be used in the comfort layer or cover.

To avoid toxic materials in any mattress, including innerspring, look for certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Greenguard Gold, and CertiPUR-US. These ensure a mattress meets stringent guidelines for safety.

You may also want to avoid mattresses made with foam.

Do you need a box spring with an innerspring mattress?

It depends on the mattress. Most mattresses perform better and last longer with some kind of foundation. Box springs are designed to absorb impact and minimize wear and tear on a mattress, and they’re particularly important if you have a thinner mattress. Your best bet is to follow manufacturer guidelines.

Carefully consider all of the details that go into buying a new mattress, including your sleeping needs and preferences.

Familiarize yourself with a company’s trial, warranty, and return policies before making your purchase. And consider reaching out to their customer service department if you have additional questions.

This way, you’ll be able to make a sound purchase and rest in comfort on your new bed.

Emily Cronkleton is a certified yoga teacher and has studied yoga in the United States, India, and Thailand. Her passion for yoga has laid the foundation for a healthy and inspired life. Her teachers and practice have helped shape her life experience in many ways. You can follow her on Instagram.