Mattress Coils: Pocket Sprung vs. Open Coil
When shopping for a mattress, you will come across pocket sprung and open coil, two competing technologies with one clear winner: pocket sprung.
The big difference is pocket sprung mattresses have individual springs sewn into pockets, while open coil mattresses have a bed of interlocked springs.
The individual springs in a pocket sprung mattresses work independently, compressing with your body weight and delivering zoned support. Open coil springs operate together, so the support is less refined, and the firmness is more consistent.
This article will run through the key differences with a few expert recommendations to help you choose the right mattress for you.
What is an open coil mattress?
An open coil mattress has an interlocked innerspring system, where the spring system operates as a single part, compressing under your body weight. Open coils are also known as innerspring and Miracoil (Silentnight).
Open coil mattresses are the cheapest ones you can buy, offering great value for money and a quality sleeping experience.
While open coil technology isn’t as new as pocket spring technology, the interlocked springs still provide good comfort and support, and you can pick up some top open coil mattresses.
Because of the interlocked springs, open coil technology doesn’t offer progressive movement isolation. Movement in the bed compresses the entire linked system, so cheap mattresses feel so bouncy and energetic.
Mattress recommendations
Here are a few good open-coil mattresses:
- Giltedge Beds San Remo (medium, £319 for a double)
- Shire Eco Drift (firm, £349 for a double)
- Silentnight Memory Lyra Mattress (medium, £399 for a double)
Open coil pros and cons
Pros
- Lower in price
- Supportive
- Consistent firmness
- Lighter
Cons
- Poor movement isolation
- Extra bouncy
- More prone to failure
What is a pocket spring mattress?
A pocket spring mattress has individual springs sewn into pockets. The individual springs work independently, unlike open coils, which work together. This eliminates motion transfer when sleeping with a partner and provides zoned support.
Pocket spring mattresses are more expensive than open coil varieties because they are more complex and costly to manufacture.
However, the extra cost is worth it if you want a mattress that isolates movement with more significant support; pocket springs are tensioned differently depending on where they are in the mattress, which creates refined comfort.
Pocket spring count
Some mattresses have as few as 800 pocket springs, while others have over 3,000, but a more considerable number does not always mean a better mattress; it simply means that there are more springs to support you, which creates a firmer feel.
Types of comfort layers
Pocket spring mattresses can have cotton and white fibre comfort or foam comfort layers. The addition of memory foam provides body contouring, but the effect is not as extreme as with a pure foam or hybrid mattress.
The pocket springs deliver support, and the comfort layers provide cushioning. In general, a memory foam comfort layer is best.
Mattress recommendations
Here are some excellent pocket spring mattresses to get started:
- Giltedge Beds Mistral (medium, £389 for a double)
- Silentnight Miracoil Geltex (medium-firm, £599 for a double)
- Sleepeezee Jessica 1800 (medium, £739 for a double)
Pocket spring pros and cons
Pros
- Best support
- Zoned comfort
- Good movement isolation
Cons
- More expensive
- Heavier
- Pocket spring count can be confusing
Overall
Pocket-sprung technology is superior to open-coil technology, but open-coil mattresses are cheaper and provide a good night’s sleep.
The advantages of pocket springs include movement isolation, zoned support, and better-quality materials that will last longer. However, you will pay 10-20% more for a high-quality pocket spring mattress, so you need to find the right deal.
If you need a cheap and cheerful mattress, an open coil mattress will serve you fine, and they are perfect for guest rooms and children’s bedrooms. If you’re looking for maximum support and movement isolation, look at pocket spring mattresses instead.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our article on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Memory Foam Mattresses.