What is a box spring bed?

A box spring bed has a solid wooden base with a sprung platform instead of a solid or slatted mattress platform. The springs flex and compress under load and are designed to make sprung mattresses more comfortable.

Although box springs are less common than slatted and solid bases, some people swear by them, despite no modern requirement.

So, do you need one?

The short answer is no. Box spring technology was a product of the 19th century when mattresses were stuffed with wool and cotton. These dense, lumpy mattresses needed airflow and stability. Today’s mattresses are sufficiently thick and reinforced to not need a box spring bed. Also, most modern mattresses aren’t suitable.

However, if you have a compatible mattress and want to maximise its qualities, a box spring bed can enhance comfort and movement isolation.

What mattress is best for a box spring bed?

Box spring beds are only compatible with sprung mattresses (pocket spring, open coil) because the coils in the bed align with the coils in the mattress, facilitating energy transfer to absorb your body weight and impacts.

Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are unsuitable for box spring beds because the dense foam absorbs all the energy. All a foam mattress would do is bounce more because it would effectively sit on top of the platform like a slab.

Pros and cons of box springs beds

If you have a sprung mattress and like the idea of a box spring bed, consider these pros and cons before making your purchase:

Pros

• The box springs align with the coils in your mattress -- this improves energy transfer, enhances movement isolation, and reduces bounce.
• The box springs can extend the life of your sprung mattress by reducing the load on the innerspring system.

Cons

• Box springs are mechanical, moving parts susceptible to wear and tear; if a spring breaks, it is unfixable without tearing the base apart.
• The sprung platform is noisier than solid and slatted bases.
• Not compatible with pure foam or hybrid mattresses because the dense foams do not allow energy transfer to the box springs.

Do box springs make a bed softer?

Box springs do not make a bed softer, but they can improve energy transfer in spring mattresses, creating a mattress that feels more comfortable.

All a box spring bed does is improve energy transfer; mattress springs have a limited length and compression rating. The addition of box springs increases this and improves movement isolation, making a mattress feel more comfortable.

Can I put a new mattress on an old box spring?

An old box spring bed is perfectly usable with a new mattress if the springs are in working order, but we wouldn’t use a memory foam or hybrid mattress. The mattress needs to be innerspring to work with the box springs.

Box spring vs platform – what’s the difference?

While box spring beds have a sprung mattress base, platform beds have a solid, slatted, or mesh (metal) base for the mattress.

Platform beds are more popular because they are cheaper, last longer, and are compatible with memory foam and hybrid mattresses.

You can use any mattress with a platform bed, but box spring beds only work with pocket spring and innerspring (coil) mattresses.

Most people should choose a platform bed. Our article covering slatted vs non-slatted will help you decide which type of bed is best for you.

Are box spring beds outdated?

Ultimately, box spring beds are outdated because today’s mattresses have high-performance springs that take care of energy transfer. Modern mattresses do not need a box spring bed to perform correctly.

You can continue using an old box spring bed with a sprung mattress, but the springs may eventually break. If this happens, get a platform bed because they last longer. Check out our range of divan bases to get started.

Related Pages

• What Type Of Mattress Lasts The Longest? We Look at 5 Mattress Types.