What Is a Spring Mattress? A Clear Guide to This Classic Mattress Type

If you’re searching for “What Is a Spring Mattress”, you’re likely trying to understand how it’s built, how it feels, and whether it fits your sleep needs. This FAQ-style guide explains the basics in plain language, so you can feel more confident comparing mattress types.

What Is a Spring Mattress?

A spring mattress (also called an innerspring mattress) is a mattress that uses a system of metal coils or springs inside the core for support.

These springs are usually surrounded by layers of padding, foam, or fiber to create comfort on top of that support system.

In simple terms:

  • The springs provide the structure, bounce, and firmness.
  • The comfort layers on top add cushioning and softness.

Spring mattresses have been around for many decades and remain one of the most familiar and widely used mattress types.

How Is a Spring Mattress Constructed?

While designs vary, most spring mattresses share a similar basic structure:

  1. Support core (springs/coils)
    This is the internal network of metal springs. It carries most of your body weight and keeps the mattress from sagging too quickly.

  2. Insulation or transition layer
    A thin layer sits above the coils to keep them from poking through and to create a smoother feel.

  3. Comfort layers
    These may include foam, fiberfill, or other soft materials. They affect how plush or firm the surface feels.

  4. Cover (ticking)
    The outer fabric that encases the mattress. It can influence breathability and durability but doesn’t provide the main support.

What Types of Springs Are Used in Spring Mattresses?

When you ask “What Is a Spring Mattress”, it often leads to another question: what kind of coils are inside? Common types include:

1. Bonnell Coils

  • Hourglass-shaped coils linked together.
  • Often found in more traditional or budget-friendly designs.
  • Provide a uniform, slightly bouncy feel.

2. Offset Coils

  • Similar to Bonnell but with flattened, connected tops.
  • Designed to offer more contouring and stability.

3. Continuous Coils

  • Made from a single piece of wire forming many coils.
  • Generally durable and stable, with a more connected feel across the surface.

4. Pocketed Coils (Encased Coils)

  • Each spring is wrapped in its own fabric pocket.
  • Springs can move more independently, which can reduce motion transfer and improve body contouring compared to more connected coil systems.

How Does a Spring Mattress Feel to Sleep On?

The feel depends on the coil type, coil count, wire thickness, and comfort layers, but some common characteristics include:

  • A responsive, bouncy surface rather than a slow “sinking in” feel.
  • A more traditional mattress feel that many people grew up with.
  • Often easy to move around on, which some sleepers appreciate if they change positions frequently.

Firmness can range from soft to very firm, depending on design. The same is true of pressure relief and contouring: thicker or more advanced comfort layers can make a spring mattress feel more cushioned.

What Are the Main Pros and Cons of a Spring Mattress?

Here is a simple overview to help you understand What Is a Spring Mattress in practical terms:

👍 Potential advantages

  • Familiar, bouncy feel that many sleepers are used to
  • Good airflow through the coil system, which can help the bed feel less heat-retentive
  • Easy movement for combination sleepers who change positions often
  • A wide range of firmness options and price points

👎 Potential drawbacks

  • More motion transfer with some coil types, so movements may be felt across the bed
  • Comfort layers may wear down over time, changing how the mattress feels
  • May not contour as closely as some non-spring mattress types, depending on the design

What Should You Look for in a Spring Mattress?

When comparing spring mattresses, consider these key features:

  • Coil type: Pocketed coils often provide more individualized support and reduced motion transfer.
  • Coil gauge (thickness): Lower gauge numbers mean thicker, firmer coils; higher gauge numbers mean thinner, softer coils.
  • Coil count and design: More coils or thoughtfully zoned coils can support the body more evenly, but quality of design often matters more than a single number.
  • Comfort layers: Look at the materials and thickness above the springs. These layers strongly affect pressure relief, firmness, and overall comfort.
  • Edge support: Reinforced edges can make it easier to sit or sleep near the sides of the mattress.

Is a Spring Mattress the Same as a Hybrid Mattress?

Not always.

A traditional spring mattress typically uses coils plus simpler comfort layers like fiber or basic foam.

A hybrid mattress usually combines a coil support core with thicker, more advanced comfort layers, such as specialty foams or other materials, designed to blend the feel of springs with deeper contouring.

Both use springs, but the term “hybrid” usually signals a more layered, mixed-material design.

✔️ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points consumers should understand about What Is a Spring Mattress

  • A spring mattress uses metal coils as its main support system, with comfort layers on top.
  • Different coil types (Bonnell, offset, continuous, pocketed) create different levels of bounce, support, and motion isolation.
  • Many people recognize the traditional, responsive feel of a spring mattress and find it easy to move on.
  • Comfort and performance depend on coil design, coil gauge, and the quality of the top layers, not just the presence of springs.
  • Spring mattresses can offer good airflow and a range of firmness levels, but some designs may transfer more motion or contour less closely.
  • Understanding these basics of What Is a Spring Mattress can make it easier to compare it with other mattress types and choose what fits your sleeping style.

Knowing what a spring mattress is—from its internal coil system to its comfort layers—helps you interpret labels, descriptions, and in-store explanations with more confidence and less guesswork.