A few factors affect mattress longevity, including how often the mattress is slept on, its composition, and its age.

Some mattresses are naturally less durable than others – pure foam mattresses are the prime example (the layers are held together with adhesives that can fail) – but even a foam mattress can outlive a heavily used pocket spring mattress if it isn’t slept on regularly.

In other words, usage rules the roost for mattress longevity, with a mattress’s composition and technology coming into play with higher usage.

We explain all below.

The longest-lasting mattress is a guest mattress!

Remember our point about usage? It matters to the point where a cheap as chips 100% foam or open coil mattress in a guest bedroom will outlive an expensive pocket spring mattress in your main bedroom.

Of course, this means mattress longevity doesn’t matter if you are buying for a guest bedroom, but it does everywhere else.

Mattress lifespans

Pocket spring mattresses last the longest on average, easily powering through 8, 9, or over 10 years without sweat.

You ideally want 6-8 years from your mattress. The good news is most mattresses should last that long, irrespective of what they’re made from.

For instance, a pure foam mattress like the Giltedge Flex 150 will happily plug away for 5 or 6 years, and it’s one of the cheapest on the block.

Open coil mattresses—often ridiculed on the longevity scale—can easily last as long as 6 years with proper care (don’t jump on them!).

But these aren’t steadfast timeframes—some mattresses fail early from misuse, poor transport between house moves, and internal issues that only arise when the materials wear down (such as adhesives turning to powder).

Mattresses that last more than 8 years

Eight years is a good benchmark for a mattress because it covers a kid from childhood to adulthood (10 to 18). Those 8 years see all sorts, so a mattress that withstands them and still sleeps well at the end is worth its weight in gold.  

You can increase the likelihood of your mattress lasting more than 8 years by choosing one that meets these criteria:

• Pocket springs
• Latex foam
• Over 26 cm thick

This is the recipe for the longest-lasting mattress.

Here’s why

• Pocket springs

Pocket springs operate independently, making them more durable than open coils, which are interconnected and move as one part.

Pocket springs allow a mattress to have a more consistent firmness. They are also breathable and don't allow heat to build up.

For longevity's sake, the more pocket springs, the better—1,000 is the minimum, while 1,500 and 2,000 are even better for heavy usage.

• Latex foam

Latex foam is more durable and resilient than memory and cheaper reflex foam because it doesn’t degrade with compression.

Latex offers more support, responsiveness, and cooling qualities than other foam types, so it’s always a fantastic mattress choice.

• Over 26 cm thick

Thicker mattresses are more resilient and durable because they better resist the bouncing and motion of people on them.

A mattress less than 26 cm in thickness will not last as long as one thicker—models over 30 cm are particularly long-lasting.

Children’s mattresses

Children’s mattresses are a special case because they aren’t expected to last forever, but they do need to resist deformation through the young and teen years.

Generally, a medium-firm or firm mattress is ideal for children. This is because it helps support their spinal alignment during periods of growth.

You should replace your child's mattress every five to seven years.

Sleep is essential to health and well-being. Several studies have found that adequate sleep impacts memory, immune system responsiveness, and school performance.

Hybrid mattresses are a good option – these mimic the feel of a foam mattress with the support system of a pocket spring mattress.

Brands like Sleepeezee and Dormeo have some of the best options for children.

If you want to spend as little as possible on a long-lasting mattress, a reflex foam one will do (although they are firm). Check out the Giltedge Beds Serenity and Giltedge Beds Sicily 1500.