Written by Sosha Lewis, Author
When you think of an innerspring mattress, do you envision one of those old-school, thin, squeaky beds with coils that poke you in the ribs? If so, I have good news: Innerspring mattresses have had a major glow-up in the past few years.
The best innerspring mattresses are now made with durable, quality materials, such as a foam surface atop a base of coils designed to offer comfort, support, pressure relief, responsiveness, motion isolation, cooling, and more. However, not every innerspring mattress provides the same feel and comfort level — and what works for one sleeper won’t be the best option for everyone.
With that in mind, our team of writers, product testers, and certified sleep coaches have tested more than 300 mattresses over a decade-long span to find the best mattress options for every type of sleeper. During this time, we have honed in on an approach that combines hands-on evaluation with scientific testing to bring you a comprehensive yet diverse list of the best innerspring mattresses. We also rely on the expertise of our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, and quadruple-board certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine.
For this list, I implemented our mattress-testing methodology to assign each mattress a score of 1 to 5 in 10 featured categories. For innerspring mattresses, I paid special attention to the following:
Materials: Quality materials are a gamechanger when it comes to the comfort and durability of your mattress. To get up close and personal with the interior of a mattress, I cut a section of the side of the mattress to see if the company’s description matches up. (But please don’t try this at home, as it will typically void your mattress’s warranty). I also check the warranty because long warranties tend to indicate a brand’s faith in its product.
Support: A mattress’s support level and firmness are similar but not interchangeable (a soft mattress can be supportive, and a firm one may not be). When I consider support, I make sure that a mattress keeps my hips elevated and my spine aligned. Beds that are not supportive enough can lead to awkward, uncomfortable spinal positioning and pressure buildup over time.
Pressure relief: Older innerspring mattresses often had little padding between the sleeper and the coils. This was not only uncomfortable, but could also lead to pressure accumulation on the parts of your body that make the most contact with the mattress. To make sure you’re getting the pressure relief you need, I evaluated how the mattress felt when I rested on it and used a pressure map that shows thermal readings of where my body is experiencing pressure.
Best Innerspring Mattresses of 2025
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Overall
- DreamCloud – Best Innerspring Mattress for Seniors
- WinkBed – Best Innerspring Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
- Nolah Evolution – Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Value Innerspring Mattress
- Saatva – Best Innerspring Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Luxury Innerspring Mattress
- Titan Plus – Best Innerspring Mattress for Heavyweight Sleepers
- Plank Firm Luxe – Best Firm Innerspring Mattress
- Birch Natural – Best Organic Innerspring Mattress
Disclaimer: Please note that the content in this article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or serve as a substitute for seeing a medical professional regarding any sleep problems you may have. Please see your doctor regarding any urgent medical issues.
What I Looked For
When testing more than 300 mattresses of all types, we put each model through our rigorous test methodology designed to tease out where the mattress excels and where it might fall short for different types of sleepers. To find the best innerspring beds, these are the top features that I looked for:
- Quality innerspring mattresses that fit different budgets: One of the best aspects of a crowded mattress landscape is that you can find numerous quality mattresses at a variety of price points, including under $1,000.
- Construction: Innerspring beds often combine supportive coils with contouring foams, such as memory foam or latex. To make this list, I looked at how the construction of a mattress affects its feel and what kind of sleepers it’s best suited to, while also considering how the materials used should affect its overall durability.
- High test scores: We assign scores of 1–5 for 10 different mattress components, including support, pressure relief, cooling, and more. To make our list of best innerspring mattresses, the bed had to receive a 4 or higher in at least seven categories to be considered.
Compare Best Innerspring Mattresses
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| Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Titan Plus | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Luxe Mattress | Birch Natural Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers, Seniors |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors,
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Couples,
Back Sleepers, Hip Pain |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors,
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Best Innerspring Video Review
Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Overall
Helix has a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Midnight is one of their medium models. It has enough contouring for side sleepers, but should still be supportive enough for back sleepers, as long as they don’t mind a softer bed. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I like the Helix Midnight Luxe for back sleepers and side sleepers. The medium-soft to medium-firm feel should give these folks the right balance of comfort and support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
The Midnight Luxe hybrid quickly set itself apart from other top innerspring mattresses with near-perfect scores across the board in all of our mattress test categories. It scored a 4.5 or 5 for materials, support, value, cooling, edge support, trial, warranty, and motion isolation, all of which averaged out to a 4.8 overall score.
None of those high scores surprised me when I personally tested the bed — I didn’t want to climb off of it when testing was over for several reasons. One of the main reasons I wanted to continue my loungefest is the mattress’s cooling capabilities. I immediately relaxed into the cooling comfort of the Midnight Luxe’s breathable Tencel, a natural fiber made from Eucalyptus.
To further test how well this bed regulates temperature, I used a thermal gun to measure its surface temperature before and after a fellow sleep tester rested on it. The Midnight Luxe’s gel-infused foam and innerspring coils did a great job of minimizing the increase in temperature here: It only warmed by a little over 3 degrees, which we consider to be excellent.
Another reason I wanted to continue to luxuriate in this bed was because the plush pillow top and slow-sinking foam layers wrapped me in a gentle hug and relieved tension from my whole body. However, before I sank too far into the bed, its sturdy coils sprang into action (literally!) to provide top-notch support and spinal alignment. When I rolled out the pressure map, a device that generates color-coded thermal images to show how much pressure is felt when lying on a mattress, my feelings about this contouring mattress were confirmed.
Sleepopolis staff writer Kenny Timper and I then used a test called the pressure map to get a visual representation of how the mattress responds to different body types and sleep styles. We both loved this mattress’s pressure-relieving capabilities when we were on our backs and sides, and the pressure map backed up these evaluations by showing all blues and greens to indicate areas of low pressure.
Does this sound like the right bed for you? Check out our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review. You can also check out the standard version of the bed, the Helix Midnight.
DreamCloud – Best Innerspring Mattress for Seniors
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Although everyone deserves quality sleep, sleepers of a certain age have earned a supportive and opulent bed like the DreamCloud Original Hybrid. This firmer bed’s sturdy coils should keep seniors’ hips elevated, while its pillow top and foam surface layers wrap them in a plush, pressure-relieving hug. Earning a 4.4 overall, the DreamCloud is another heavy hitter in most of our test categories, grabbing a 4.5 or 5 in materials, responsiveness, support, durability, value, edge support, and pressure relief.
Before I tested DreamCloud, I assumed I wouldn’t be a big fan of it because I don’t usually gravitate towards a firm mattress. Well, you know what happens when you assume — seconds after lying on this mattress, I was singing its praises. I wanted to wrap myself in the cashmere cover, and loved how this mattress supported me and kept my spine aligned. Another reason I picked this bed for seniors is because of its exemplary pressure relief, which I measured using a test called the pressure map.
This device consists of a mat that’s rolled across the bed to capture thermal images of pressure points along the body. The DreamCloud showed primarily blue with some green sprinkled in, indicating head-of-class pressure relief. These colors highlight that the bed should ease some of the aches and back pains seniors may experience at night. However, the DreamCloud may not offer enough pressure relief for side sleepers; if this is your preferred sleep position, you should check out our best mattress for side sleepers.
If you’re a senior with mobility issues, you also need a bed with strong support along its perimeter, which makes it easier to get in and out of bed. When I tested the DreamCloud’s edge support by sitting and lying on the far reaches of the bed, I found that it showed minimal sinkage, so I gave it a 4.5 here.
The DreamCloud is a luxury mattress and, as such, has a higher price tag. However, I think that it’s an excellent investment. Bridget Chapman, fellow sleep tester, agrees. “Based on my hands-on experience with the DreamCloud mattress, I think it will perform exceptionally well over time,” she said. “Thanks to its solid construction and quality materials, I expect it to show minimal signs of wear and tear by the three-year mark.”
Read our full DreamCloud mattress review, and if you want a luxury upgrade, check out the DreamCloud Premier.
WinkBed – Best Innerspring Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. Since this bed offered great pressure relief around my lumbar region, I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The percentage of folks who prefer to sleep on their stomachs hovers just below those who are left-handers. Although rare, this group deserves an innerspring mattress like the WinkBed that provides the extra support needed to keep their hips elevated and their spines aligned so they can experience comfortable sleep.
Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer bed to prevent their midsections from sinking too far down into the mattress, leaving their spines at an awkward angle. With a 4.7 overall score and high marks in materials, support, cooling, and pressure relief, the WinkBed makes an impressive case as the best mattress for stomach sleepers in the innerspring category.
One of the reasons that I chose WinkBeds for stomach sleepers is because it is one of the few beds that gives stomach sleepers versatility in their firmness options. This bed is offered in three firmness levels — Soft, Luxury Firm (we tested this model and ranked it a 7 out of 10), and Firmer.
The latter two should give stomach sleepers the support they need while also allowing for some personal preference. A base of individually pocketed coils provides the necessary support for the stomach’s sleeper’s hips while offering lighter support along other parts of the body. This design structure keeps hips elevated and spines aligned while also providing pressure relief for areas such as the chest and shoulders, helping the WinkBed earn a 4.5 out of 5 on pressure relief.
Not only did I notice little pressure around my hips and shoulders, but the pressure relief test images backed these personal evaluations up. I used a pressure map to capture images that show how much pressure is felt in different positions, and it indicated low pressure for stomach sleepers. However, if you’re a stomach sleeper who shares a bed with a side sleeper, the Luxury Firm and Firm options may be too hard for them.
Also, the WinkBed might not be in everyone’s budget; if you’re looking for a bed that is a little easier on the credit card statement, check out some of the best cheap mattresses for a better option. Learn more about this mattress in our full WinkBed mattress review, or check out the brand’s memory foam model, the WinkBed GravityLux.
Nolah Evolution – Best Innerspring Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Not only did I pick the Nolah Evolution as the best mattress for side sleepers, but I liked it so much that I bought one for myself. Before purchasing it, my husband and I were headed for a sleep divorce because, sleeping in our old bed, we both often woke up in pools of sweat, and my husband’s nightly tossing and turning made me think I was on a questionable carnival ride.
As a certified sleep coach, I knew that we needed a bed that supported our side-sleeping preferences and had excellent cooling and superior motion isolation. With 4.5 scores in all of these categories, a 4.4 overall score, and an absolutely heavenly feel, it’s easy to see why I picked this bed as the best for side sleepers — and for me.
The Nolah Evolution is available in three firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. I tested and bought the Luxury Firm model, which has a medium-firm firmness that works best for most side sleepers. The bed’s upper layers are soft and welcoming, giving side sleepers a comfortable entry into the bed and providing incredible pressure relief. On top of sleeping on my side, I am a CrossFitter and weightlifter, so I deal with my share of shoulder and hip issues, which makes pressure relief a non-negotiable for me. The pressure map testing showed blue and light green around these areas, which are the colors that appear when there is little pressure buildup.
Although motion isolation isn’t directly related to side sleepers, if you, like me, sleep with a partner who flips and flops like a wounded marlin, a bed like the Nolah Evolution can be a sleep marriage saver. Plus, the supportive coils and foams with cooling technology help keep our body temperature regulated throughout the night. This feeling was confirmed by the cooling test that showed the mattress only heated up a few degrees after I lay on the mattress before quickly cooling back down.
Get into the Nolah Evolution goodness by checking out our full Nolah Evolution mattress review, and if you’re interested in the brand’s all-foam model, check out the Nolah Original.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Value Innerspring Mattress
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and sturdy coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“Given that the Signature Hybrid has some excellent bounce, I’d highly recommend this mattress for combination sleepers who often change positions multiple times throughout the night. I also think the Signature Hybrid could be a great fit for couples. You shouldn’t be overly disturbed by a restless partner on this bed, and it has nice, firm edge support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid proves that a well-made mattress doesn’t have to cost the same as floor seats to Taylor Swift. If you’re worried about how this company can produce high-quality beds at a fraction of the cost of its competitors, it’s because Brooklyn Bedding owns its factory, which allows it to save on manufacturing costs. Showing that an inexpensive bed can score as high as those that cost considerably more, the Signature Hybrid earned a 4.5 overall score, receiving a 4 or higher in value, materials, support, edge support, cooling, responsiveness, and pressure relief.
Considering that you can often find a queen-sized Signature Hybrid for under $1,000, you may be shocked that it is made with a soft, breathable, quilted cover and pillow top; premium foam; and individually encased coils. However, this universally appealing medium-firm bed doesn’t rest there; it also excels on all our measurable performance evaluations. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly bed that is good for combination sleepers and sexually active couples, you’ll like how bouncy and responsive this bed is.
“One of my favorite things about the Signature Hybrid is how it offers an ‘on-top-of-the-bed,’ plush feel,” says Bridget Chapman, mattress tester and expert. “I think it’s a great choice for combination sleepers who need a mattress that makes it easy to change positions at night. I’d highly recommend considering the Signature Hybrid if you switch positions frequently throughout the night.”
The temperature tests showed that the Signature Hybrid’s coils and Brooklyn Bedding’s proprietary Hyper-Elastic Supreme Response Comfort Foam keep sleepers cool and comfortable throughout the night. When former product tester Nichole Mondshein used a thermal temperature gun to take an initial surface temperature reading and then another one after she lounged around on it awhile, she saw only an 8-degree increase.
“This is a sign of good cooling abilities,” Nichole explains. “When considering the airflow-promoting coils in the construction, I think it should be a natural fit for any hot sleepers out there.”
Click here to read our full Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress review, or check out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe for a more luxurious option from the same brand.
Saatva Classic – Best Innerspring Mattress for Back Sleepers
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Saatva understands that you can improve on an original design without reinventing it, and that’s exactly what the company has done with the Saatva Classic, my pick for the best innerspring mattress for back sleepers.
This bed’s bounciness lends to a more traditional innerspring mattress feel, and the coil-on-coil construction provides excellent lumbar support and spinal alignment for back sleepers. Look no further than the Saatva’s perfect support score and soaring 4.8 overall score to understand why former product reviewer Nichole Mondshein said, “As a sleeper who falls into the average weight category, the Saatva Classic offers firmness where it matters, which for me is my lower back and spine region. However, this mattress is still incredibly plush and contours to my body very well.”
When ordering the Saatva, you’ll be prompted to choose between three firmness levels. For back sleepers, who usually do best with a balanced feel, I recommend the Luxury Firm model, rated a 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale — a score that’s the industry standard for medium firm. This bed also treats back sleepers like family with a comfy pillow top and abundant pressure relief. When I tested this feature using a pressure map, a mat that uses thermal imaging to highlight the amount of pressure on various parts of the body, I found that there was little to no pressure on my back. This let me know that not only will the Saatva support back sleepers — it will also keep them comfortable and potentially relieve back pain.
The main drawback to the Saatva is its high motion transfer. This isn’t all that surprising given the amount of bounce the coils provide, but if you sleep with a restless partner, you may want to consider one of the best memory foam mattresses. These beds typically do an excellent job of preventing motion from moving from one side of the bed to the other.
Interested in learning more? Read our full Saatva mattress review, or check out our best mattress for back sleepers page for more options.
Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Luxury Innerspring Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid uses foam and coils for a mix of support, cushioning, and cooling. While designed for athletes prioritizing wellness and recovery, sleepers of all activity levels can enjoy the many luxurious features. Enjoy zoned support for targeted relief, an “on top of” feel allowing for ease of movement, and cooling features throughout. For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I’d recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for most back and stomach sleepers.I think these sleepers will get the needed pressure relief and contouring around the lower back and hips. This mattress does a wonderful job at offering body contouring while still helping the sleeper stay elevated and lifted as well. The layers of foam should provide comfort while the coil system should offer lots of support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
There are few better places to splurge and treat yourself than a luxuriously comfortable mattress that also provides plenty of support. If you agree, I recommend cozying up with the Bear Elite Hybrid — my pick for the best luxury innerspring mattress. This bed has the traditional innerspring feel, but there’s nothing basic about it. It received a perfect 5-out-of-5 score in materials and warranty, and at least a 4 in every category I measured. This helped the Bear Elite hit a home run with a 4.6 overall score.
Although this bed uses high-end materials, including a plush pillow top, it’s the detail in construction that earned it our top luxury distinction. The gel memory foam is infused with copper, which has been shown to help with cooling, and its contour layer has five zoned sections with varying degrees of firmness, depending on the part of the body it is supporting.
The Bear Elite is noticeably softer at the head and feet, but provides sturdier support along the middle of your body. This helps keep your hips elevated and promotes a neutral spine. The effectiveness of this design was shown when I evaluated the pressure map results. The images produced by the pressure map mat when I rested on my back showcased almost all blue, indicating little to no pressure. Considering that it’s available in three firmness levels (Soft, Medium, and Firm), the Bear Elite is also versatile.
I’m not alone in my praise for this mattress; Bridget Chapman, expert mattress tester, said, “This bed feels like true luxury to me. It’s plush, cooling, and really supportive. I feel like a lot of sleepers could feel comfy on the Bear Elite and get the right amount of pressure relief for their sleeping position.”
One of my few complaints about this bed is that it has a relatively short 120-night sleep trial. Although this will likely give you time to make up your mind about the Bear Elite, for its price, I would like to see a year-long sleep trial like the DreamCloud Premier offers.
Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review, or check out our best luxury mattress guide for more options.
Titan Plus – Best Innerspring Mattress for Heavyweight Sleepers
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Although more mattress companies have started designing beds with heavier sleepers in mind, the Titan Plus still stands out as the best innerspring mattress for those weighing over 250 pounds. It’s durable and sturdy, but doesn’t skimp on comfort. This bed earned a lofty 4.5 overall score by getting a 5 in support and 4.5 for materials, edge support, cooling, responsiveness, and value.
Since none of our testers are in the target audience for the Titan Plus, we called in a favor from our favorite pro powerlifter and mattress tester, Paulie Steinman. He said that he felt supported by the springs in the base, but appreciated how the foams contoured around him. The brand’s proprietary TitanFlex comfort foam also lends to this bed’s winning pressure relief formula.
When expert mattress tester Nichole Mondshein used the pressure map on this bed, it only had a smattering of green coloring when she was on her back, meaning that there was basically no pressure buildup in this position. When she flipped to her side, it showed an area of yellow around her shoulder, indicating that pressure was starting to increase around this area. That said, Nichole isn’t a heavyweight sleeper, so it’s not surprising that a bed this firm showed pressure when she was in this sleeping position.
My main concern with the Titan Plus is its lack of motion isolation. Light sleepers or those with restless partners may be easily disturbed by their significant other’s movements. If this is an important feature to you, check out the Big Fig — another mattress built for heavy people that’s better at muffling motion transfer. Read our full Titan Plus mattress review, or check out our best mattress for heavy people page for more options.
Plank Firm Luxe – Best Firm Innerspring Mattress
The Plank Firm Luxe by Brooklyn Bedding is a flippable mattress with different firmness levels on either side. It’s like getting two mattresses for the price of one! This mattress is great for any sleeper seeking the firmest mattress possible. The extra-firm side is one of the firmest we have tested, while the firm side has a more classic medium-firm feel. For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“The mattress is incredibly bouncy and was very easy for me to change sleeping positions and to move freely on top of this mattress. It felt like I was on a trampoline. I gave this bed a perfect score for responsiveness so this bed is an excellent pick for combination sleepers as well as a good bed for sex!” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
The unique Plank Firm Luxe won my mattress tester’s heart with a flippable design that allows you to choose between a firm side and an extra-firm side. Our tester Nichole Mondshein ranked the firm side a 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale and the extra-firm side an 8 out of 10.
However, after testing it out myself, I know both sides will be an excellent choice for those seeking a truly firm mattress. The construction diversity, coupled with an overall score of 4.2, is why I picked the Plank Firm Luxe as the best firm innerspring mattress. I also appreciated its consistency across the categories tested, as it earned a 4 or higher in materials, motion isolation, support, edge support, cooling, responsiveness, pressure relief, sleep trial, and value.
Expert mattress tester Bridget Chapman stated that the flippable design makes the Plank Firm Luxe a top pick for sleepers who want a firm feel, but want to experiment with how firm they want it. I think the firm side will be supportive and comfortable for back sleepers, but stomach sleepers will likely want to use the extra-firm side to better keep their hips elevated and in line with their shoulders. I think you’ll find both sides to be supportive and responsive.
I loved how easy it was to change positions on the Plank Firm Luxe, and I think it will also be an excellent choice for those who are sexually active. But with its impressive bounce comes less-than-stellar motion isolation. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re a solo sleeper, but if you have a partner, you may want to check out our best mattresses for couples to find one that isolates motion well.
This innerspring mattress is serious when it comes to firmness. So, if you like to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud, I suggest you skip this bed. Those who love soft beds should check out the Helix Sunset.
Birch Natural – Best Organic Innerspring Mattress
The Birch Natural is a latex mattress utilizing individually wrapped coils for added support. This mattress specializes in cooling and responsiveness, and the firmer nature suits back and stomach sleepers well. Perhaps the most special part about this mattress is the material quality. Not only is the Birch organic, but it has also earned multiple certifications for safe production and materials. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“One of my favorite things about the Birch is how cooling it is. I think any hot sleeper will be satisfied by this breathable bed. It’s definitely one of the most cooling mattresses available thanks to its wool and latex layers. These cooling materials also make it one of my favorite organic mattresses.” – Madison Schaper, Sleepopolis staff writer
If doing your part for the planet helps you sleep better, I recommend the Birch Natural, my choice for the best organic innerspring mattress. Instead of synthetic foams, this bed’s comfort layers are made up of natural Talalay latex, and it has an organic cotton cover and a fire barrier made of organic wool.
It also stands out amongst other organic mattresses because it’s an all-natural bed, and you’ll find organic and eco-friendly materials throughout the construction. Plus, Birch’s manufacturer, Helix, says the brand is dedicated to sourcing its materials from sustainable supply chains. Although the Birch Natural scored a 4.5 in materials, it wasn’t selected just because of its high-quality construction; its 4.2 overall score also shows that it performs well across many of our sleep testing categories.
When I first got on the Birch Natural, I was impressed with the bounce and responsiveness provided by the latex, even though the bed had a squishy, almost Jell-O-like feel to it. However, this wasn’t a con for me, especially because the bed offered solid support and excellent spinal alignment.
I wondered how this unique-feeling bed would do regarding pressure relief. Our pressure map test, which involves a specialized mat that creates color-coded thermal images to show areas of pressure, indicated that the best organic innerspring mattress does a fantastic job at relieving pressure for back and stomach sleepers, which helped it earn a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief.
Unless you’ve had a latex bed before, the Birch Natural will have a different feel than other innerspring mattresses. If you prefer slow-moving, motion-absorbing foam, this bouncy bed is probably not your best choice. Instead, I recommend looking at one of our best memory foam beds.
Read our full Birch Natural mattress review, or check out the luxury upgrade of the Birch, the Birch Luxe.
Other Innerspring Mattresses We Researched
We considered more than 100 mattresses to make this list of the best innerspring beds and found dozens of excellent options for those looking for the right balance of support and comfort. Ultimately, we chose the 10 best based on our scores. But here are three more great options that almost made the cut:
Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite – This innerspring mattress gets a solid honorable mention because it caters to hot sleepers, couples, and side sleepers. Its softer firmness and contouring foam provide top-notch pressure relief, and the responsive coils allow for easy repositioning. However, it just missed the top 10 because it’s only offered in one firmness level that I think may be too soft for some sleepers, especially if they prefer a traditional innerspring feel.
Nectar Classic Hybrid – The Nectar Classic is a well-rounded innerspring mattress I love for its cooling capabilities and ability to alleviate back pain. However, it got edged out because I found repositioning hard and it could cause pressure buildup for side sleepers.
Emma Hybrid Comfort – I think that this is a solid, budget-friendly innerspring bed that’s particularly well-suited for stomach sleepers who need ample support around their midsections. However, this one got left on the cutting room floor because it made a weird crinkling sound while being tested. I don’t know if it was just a glitch in the bed we tested or if this happens with all Hybrid Comfort models, but it was too off-putting for me to include it on this list.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Innerspring Mattresses
Although you may catch us at work in our pajamas, we take mattress testing and sleep science seriously. Every mattress in this article has been rigorously vetted by several mattress experts and certified sleep science coaches. We also frequently consult our Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta — MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, quadruple board-certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine — for recommendations and medical advice.
However, despite all our meticulous research, we think the most accurate way to assess an innerspring mattress’s performance is to cozy up on it and then describe it to our readers like we would a friend or family member who calls for a mattress recommendation.
Our team has tested hundreds of innerspring mattresses, yet we never tire of talking about our jobs. We discuss our findings with each other before recording our scores and notes about categories such as firmness, pressure relief, support, cooling, motion transfer, and more on a testing sheet. We employ devices like pressure mats, thermal guns, and seismograph apps to bring more quantitative data to our hands-on evaluations.
Our pressure map test provides color-coded thermal images that show the amount of pressure felt on a given innerspring mattress, and the thermal gun shows how much an innerspring mattress heats up after someone has been on it. We use the seismograph app to record how much motion transfers from one side of the bed to the other. This helps us understand how much a partner’s tossing and turning will affect their bed mate. We drop a weighted ball from different heights and note how far it sinks and how easily it bounces back up to test how easy it is to reposition in a bed. If you’ve ever gotten awkwardly stuck having sex or feel as if you’re trying to turn over in a bed of quicksand, you will appreciate this test.
Once we have completed these tests, we use our notes to assign a score for the individual categories and overall score. An innerspring mattress has to have an overall score of 4 or greater to be one of the “best of” candidates.
What to Consider When Buying an Innerspring Mattress
Innerspring mattresses place foam layers over a base of metal coils to make a responsive, contouring, and supportive bed. However, there’s still a lot of variety in the materials and construction of an innerspring mattress. When shopping for a mattress, you’ll want to consider the type of foams and coils used and how they work together, as some beds may be specifically designed with certain types of sleepers in mind.
Materials
Quality materials are a significant component of a bed’s overall durability. Let’s take a deep dive into an innerspring mattress’s coil and foam layers to help us decide if it will be around for the long haul.
Memory Foam: Many innerspring mattresses use slow-moving memory foam in their comfort layers. This material contours around the body and provides exceptional pressure relief. One complaint about memory foam is that it traps body heat and causes the bed to “sleep warm.” However, newer models often incorporate cooling technology like gel and graphite infusions in their memory foam layers. It’s also worth noting that innerspring beds don’t tend to have cooling problems, as the open structure of their coil layers helps air flow freely.
Latex: Latex is bouncy, responsive, and cooling, and it’s often used in the top layers of innerspring beds. It’s excellent for combination sleepers and sexually active couples due to how easy latex makes it to move around. Unlike synthetic memory foam, latex is an all-natural material, making it a great pick for eco-conscious sleepers, though this also makes it pricier.
Bonnell Coils: Bonnell coils are hourglass-shaped and laced together, causing them to move and react as one. These innerspring coils are often used in cheaper mattresses.
Pocketed Coils: These coils are typically individually wrapped in thin fabric that joins them without using wire. Unlike Bonnell coils, pocketed coils move independently of each other. This construction results in less motion transfer and more contouring.
Firmness
To score a bed’s firmness, I use a scale of 1 to 10. Beds that remind you of sleeping on a marshmallow are assigned low scores, while their park bench-like counterparts come in on the high end. However, most beds will fall between 5 to 8, and we use 6.5 for the most common and popular mattress firmness, which is also known as medium firm. Although different folks prefer different firmness levels, how hard or soft your bed is affects your comfort, support, and pressure relief. Since firmness is so subjective, we have several testers lie on a bed in multiple positions to estimate its firmness before we average them to assign a score.
Innerspring mattresses are generally available at various firmness levels, but Dr. Raj Dasgupta, our medical advisor, recommends innerspring mattresses for sleepers who prefer a firmer surface and for anyone who needs great spinal alignment. “Your ideal mattress will depend on your sleeping position, body type, and any chronic pain you might have,” he says. “However, innerspring mattresses are great for back sleepers, anyone who struggles with back pain, and anyone who sleeps hot.”
That said, innerspring mattresses can also work for side sleepers, who typically need soft to medium-firm mattresses. These sleepers will want to purchase an innerspring mattress with soft, contouring foam in the upper layers.
The level of mattress firmness you need mainly depends on your sleep position. For the most part, side sleepers need a slightly softer innerspring mattress that offers some contouring and sinkage around their shoulders, allowing them to align with their hips and lower back, leading to a neutral spine.
Support
Supportive innerspring mattresses keep hips elevated so that the spine remains in a neutrally aligned position. The construction and materials used in these beds are often some of the best available. This is because the base comprises sturdy metal coils that keep you elevated so your spine stays in a comfortable and healthy neutral position, with supportive but softer upper layers of foam.
In mattress terms, support and firmness are similar, but they’re not interchangeable. Soft beds can be supportive, and firm beds may miss the mark in this category. For an innerspring mattress to be considered supportive, it needs to keep the majority of sleepers, regardless of their body type or preferred sleep position, lifted so that spinal position is not compromised. However, the type and location of the support within the mattress may look differently depending on these characteristics.
For the most part, side sleepers need a slightly softer bed that offers some contouring and sinkage around their shoulders, allowing them to align with their hips and lower back, leading to a neutral spine. Those who prefer to sleep on their backs need an innerspring mattress that supports their lumbar region, and stomach sleepers should look for one that is zoned with extra support around their midsection, as this can keep their hips from dipping too far down, which can cause the spine to hyperextend.
Motion Isolation
You may not have heard of motion isolation before, but if you’ve ever been woken up from a partner’s tossing and turning, you’re probably aware that your mattress lacks it. We test how well an innerspring mattress keeps motion on one side of the bed so that you know how likely a restless bedmate’s tossing and turning will disturb you.
Where innerspring mattresses are known for having poor motion isolation, memory foam is a slow-responding material that can absorb a lot of motion. If this is an important feature for you or your partner, consider an innerspring hybrid mattress with memory foam in its upper layers.
When possible, we use two testers to mimic the movements of couples sharing a bed. I then use a seismograph app to record the disturbances made on one side of the mattress and felt on the other, and conduct a water glass test. For this test, I fill a water glass up and see how much motion it takes for water to slosh out or for the cup to tip over.
Cooling
When it comes to cooling, innerspring mattresses typically perform very well. Foams that don’t use cooling technology have garnered a well-earned reputation for “sleeping hot.” However, the open structure of the coils used in innerspring mattresses promotes airflow, resulting in better cooling. See our best cooling mattresses for some of our favorite options.
I run each bed through a cooling test to determine how much heat they hold onto. First, I examine the interior of the construction to see what layers are dedicated to cooling. I pay attention to how the coils are wrapped and spaced to ensure good breathability. Then, I lie down on it and determine if the mattress is cool to the touch and how long it takes to feel any cooling properties on its surface.
I also run a test using a thermal heat gun. This device uses color-coded imaging to show how long it takes for a mattress to cool down after a tester finishes lying on it. I take an initial surface temperature, then another after lying on the bed for 5 minutes. Beds that heat up less than 5 degrees throughout the testing receive a 5.
Preferred Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleep position plays a significant role in the type of bed that will best meet your needs. To help you find exactly what you are looking for, we test all of our mattresses by lying in different sleeping positions.
- Back Sleeping: People who sleep on their backs generally want a supportive bed that keeps their spines aligned. Innerspring mattresses are often a great pick for these sleepers because the sturdy coil base layers typically do a great job with spinal alignment, while the foam layers aid in pressure relief, particularly in their lower back and lumbar region.
- Stomach Sleeping: Stomach sleeping isn’t as common as back and side sleeping. However, Sleepopolis staff writer and product tester Kenny Timper is a dedicated stomach sleeper who’s always tuned into mattresses that work well for this minority sleep group. Kenny usually likes it when a mattress falls between 6.5 and 8 on our firmness scale, and he finds that many innerspring mattresses don’t provide enough firmness and support. However, our best mattresses for stomach sleepers is a fantastic place for stomach sleepers to find a gold star mattress if they don’t find what they’re looking for in this roundup.
- Side Sleeping: My husband and I are both side sleepers and love our innerspring mattress. We have the Nolah Evolution, a game changer for both of us. It has a medium firmness, but the plush upper layers melt all the tension and relieve the pressure around our shoulders and hips. Although some may think that innerspring mattresses are too firm, there are options for softer ones with thicker foam top layers.
Pressure Relief
As a middle-aged side sleeper whose favorite hobby involves slinging a heavy barbell around, I’m always on the lookout for mattresses that offer exemplary pressure relief. Pressure relief refers to the amount of contouring and cushioning on the parts of your body that make contact with a mattress, like your hips, shoulders, and lower back. Beds that excel in pressure relief can improve your overall comfort and help alleviate pain and tension that has built up through the day.
To determine whether or not a mattress provides adequate pressure relief for certain sleeping positions, I put it through our pressure map test. I spread a special mat across the bed’s surface. When I lie on it, it creates a graphic or “map” that shows high, moderate, and low-pressure areas using body temperature.
Seeing a lot of green and blue on the pressure map image indicates that a mattress will likely excel at pressure relief. While old-school innerspring mattresses were known for being springy and not very contouring, modern ones are more versatile and can provide adequate pressure relief for various sleep positions.
Company Policies
A new innerspring mattress is a big investment, so you’ll want to find a model with strong customer support conditions to give you some peace of mind. Here’s what to look for when shopping for a mattress to ease the stress of making such a big purchase online.
- Warranties: Mattress warranties refer to how long a mattress company ensures the durability of its product and are a great way to gauge how much faith a manufacturer has in its product. All the mattresses on this list have at least 10-year warranties, but many have lifetime or forever warranties. Longer warranties often reflect a higher mattress cost, but you can still find substantial warranties on mattresses at lower price points.
- Sleep trials: One concern shoppers have when buying a mattress online is not being able to try it in person first. However, manufacturers have circumvented this concern with sleep trials. This policy allows you to sleep on a mattress in your home for several weeks to an entire year to help you determine if the bed fits your comfort preferences and sleep style.
- Shipping: Free shipping for online mattresses has become such a norm that it would be a red flag if a company didn’t offer it without a substantial reason. Every mattress I recommend on this list provides free shipping, so you don’t have to stress about adding that cost to your budget. Some companies, like Saatva, offer free white glove delivery (other companies offer it for an extra cost). This is a service where someone hand-delivers the bed to your door, sets it up in your room, and removes your old mattress. So if you don’t want the hassle or don’t think you can lift the mattress up the stairs, I highly recommend Saatva or adding white glove delivery to your order.
- Accessibility: Online mattress sales is a highly competitive industry, with many companies offering similar policies. To help set a company apart, I look at all the little extras it provides. Some of what I look for in this category include mattresses with handles to help move them, brand websites that are more accessible because text alternatives are offered, and companies that provide discounts to first responders, teachers, and military personnel.
FAQs
What is an innerspring mattress?
Innerspring mattresses are made up of a spring coil base that’s usually covered with various foams, including memory foam and latex, to provide cushioning and support. Innerspring mattresses are considered traditional beds.
Do they still make innerspring mattresses?
Yes, innerspring mattresses are still very popular. These are sometimes called hybrid mattresses and use a host of different materials like memory foam and latex in combination with a base of innerspring coils.
What are the disadvantages of innerspring mattresses?
One disadvantage of innerspring mattresses is that they can have limited motion isolation. This means that if you sleep with a partner, their movements on one side of the bed can transfer to yours, possibly disturbing your sleep. Also, the steel coils and foam comfort layers in an innerspring mattress can make them heavy to move.
Sosha Lewis
Senior Writer
About Author
Sosha Lewis is a senior staff writer for Sleepopolis and a certified sleep science coach. Lewis is happy that she is able to combine her love of sleep with her love of writing. Lewis also has had articles featured in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, MUTHA Magazine, Charlotte Magazine, and The Charlotte Observer. Her weekly column, Soshally Awkward, is featured on the nationally-syndicated radio show, Bob & Sheri.
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