Mattress Support Zones

Support zones are areas in a mattress with various tensions and densities, providing targeted support. For example, a mattress might have support zones where your shoulders and hips go to keep your spine in a neutral position.

Where it gets confusing is there are acute and general support zones. Acute support zones target small areas of a mattress, while general support zones provide consistent support across the mattress, built up in layers.

For example, a mattress might only have medium-firm springs where your shoulders go – this is acute support. A mattress with various layers of latex foam, with each layer having different perforations, is general support.

Different zones in the mattress help maximise comfort and support, although it is not a prerequisite to getting a good night's sleep.

This article explores everything you need to know about mattress support zones, lifting the lid on the different types, and what they do.

Let's begin!

What are mattress support zones?

Since mattresses were invented, manufacturers have used different materials to produce various firmness levels. 

Introducing pocket springs and foams allowed manufacturers to enhance this effect with support zones – areas of a mattress that are softer or firmer to suit different sleepers and sleeping hotspots.

Simply, support zones offer variable support for the main areas of your body, promising a more comfortable and supportive night's sleep.

What mattresses have support zones?

Pocket sprung, and hybrid mattresses do not necessarily need support zones because the springs respond individually to your body. However, some spring mattresses have zoned springs or foam to make them stand out.

Support zones are more beneficial for pure foam mattresses, which can suffer from a lack of consistent support. Denser foams are standard around the edge of the mattress, with softer or firmer foams at both ends.

The different types of support zones

Spring zones

Spring zones have differently tensioned springs than the rest of the mattress – they can be either firmer or softer, depending on the desired effect.

For instance, a very firm mattress might have softer springs where the shoulders go, while a soft mattress might have firmer springs in the same place.

Because springs are bouncy, zoned springs can also reduce motion transfer and the effects of roll-together and roll-off.

Foam zones

When foams have zoned support, it means the foam has various perforations. The larger and more numerous the perforations are, the greater the effect, and manufacturers can use multiple foam layers to create a refined mattress.

For example, the Silentnight 3 Zone Memory Foam Mattress is medium-soft, with three layers of perforated foam, and the Silentnight 7 Zone has a medium firmness rating, with seven layers of foam for more support.

Are more support zones better?

More support zones technically give you a more refined mattress, but whether more zones are necessary is a matter of opinion.

For instance, three zones will usually mean that the mattress's top, middle, and end have zones to provide nuanced comfort. Seven zones fill in all the spots in between, so it can be superior, providing those zones are correctly designed.

The quality of the mattress and the reputation of the manufacturer is more important than zone numbers – look for mattresses that are highly rated.

The confusion over mattress support zones

The big confusion with support zones is some manufacturers say their pocket spring mattresses deliver zoned support, despite not having support zones. Instead, they market the pocket spring technology as zoned.

Another common mistake is assuming more support zones are better – their placement is more important. 

Support zones have also become a marketing term to promote mattresses that deliver superior sleep, but this is not necessarily true. Some of the best mattresses do not have any zoned support, so take wild claims with a pinch of salt.

Related pages

• Why mattress support is so important