Innerspring mattresses have undergone significant evolution. Although the innerspring was invented by Heinrich Westphal in 1871, it wasn’t until after World War I that these mattresses became a staple in U.S. households. Since that time, innerspring mattresses have significantly changed from their initial design, now often incorporating foam or other materials, leading to the creation of hybrid mattresses.
A comfortable, supportive mattress is ideal for good sleep hygiene and can have an impact on our ability to fall and stay asleep. Getting quality sleep is important. Physically, we all want to be comfortable and wake up free of aches and pains, but a good night’s rest also plays a crucial role in cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being.
“Lack of adequate sleep can lead to a slew of adverse effects, such as depressed and/or anxious mood, poor decision making, difficulty focusing, and maladaptive coping methods,” says Allison Weiss, a Los Angeles-based psychiatrist.
The right mattress can alleviate discomfort, reduce sleep disturbances, and promote deeper, more restorative sleep.
The mattresses featured in this review are technically considered hybrids, combining the familiar support of springs with the contouring comfort of foam, but we chose those with the most innerspring-focused construction and feel.
Best innerspring mattress overall
The Saatva Classic stands out as the best overall innerspring mattress with its sturdy coil-on-coil construction, offering a traditional springy feel with modern enhancements. It caters to a wide range of sleepers through its various firmness levels and specialized features, like zoned support and an organic cotton cover. Ideal for back and stomach sleepers, it may also appeal to those who tend to sleep hot.
Our picks for the best innerspring mattresses
- Saatva Classic: Best overall innerspring mattress
- The WinkBed: Best innerspring mattress for back pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best value innerspring mattress
- Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid: Best cooling innerspring mattress
- Helix Dusk: Best innerspring mattress for combination sleepers
- Nolah Evolution 15″ Mattress: Best innerspring mattress for side sleepers
Our testing experience
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “sex” and “family” scores.
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130 to 250 pounds), and heavy (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
Why HelpGuide cares about a good night’s sleep
Quality sleep is a key part of mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Sleep helps us reset our bodies, process our emotions, and ease daily stress. Without it, we are at an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression, according to research.
But there are medical conditions that can make sleep difficult. Chronic pain, acid reflux, loud snoring or sleep apnea, and insomnia are issues that can keep you up at night, tossing and turning until you can find some relief.
Finding solutions for better sleep can be frustrating, but we’re here to help. The HelpGuide Handbook Team wants to empower you to make the right decision by providing the most honest information about sleep health and related products, like mattresses.
Good sleep is essential for physical and mental health because it’s our body’s chance to recharge after the physical and cognitive loads of our day. When we sleep well, we have better relationships and communication with our partners, we can think more clearly, and we’re in a better mood.
Julia Catlin, licensed psychotherapist at Calm Science in Las Vegas.
In order to recommend the best options to fit someone’s needs, we sought to better understand how sleep impacts overall health. We consulted with mental health experts, researchers, and industry leaders in sleep and ergonomics to connect the dots about what really matters in a mattress experience.
Ultimately, all of our research is directed at taking the stress out of finding the highest-quality products that can support your sleep health—and in turn, your overall mental well-being.
The HelpGuide Handbook for best innerspring mattresses
If you only learn four things about innerspring mattresses, here’s what you need to know.
Innerspring mattresses use a metal spring system for support, and are generally topped with a comfort layer.
The lifespan of an innerspring mattress is typically seven to 10 years and is influenced by maintenance and usage.
Innerspring mattresses generally cost $600–$1,500, although luxury models can be much more expensive.
Traditional innerspring mattresses are generally preferred by back and stomach sleepers for their firmer support.
Compare the best innerspring mattresses of 2024
| Price | $1,095–$2,540 | $1,149–$2,199 | $665–$1,599 | $1,799–$3,898 | $936.30–$1,748.80 | $1,499–$3,198 |
| Firmness | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring-hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| Best for | All sleepers | Back pain | Value | Cooling | Combination sleepers and responsiveness | Side sleepers |
The best innerspring mattresses reviews
Best overall innerspring mattress: Saatva Classic
Our final verdict on the Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic uses a unique coil-on-coil construction, which offers a familiar innerspring feel. During testing, we found that the memory foam top layer also provided zoned support, focusing on the lumbar (lower back) region.
From our tester
“We see a lot of customization with this mattress. Featuring two types of coils, the individually wrapped layer of coiling offers contouring, which helps with pressure relief, while the bottom coils provide good support.”
Our testers reported that this mattress did a great job of cushioning pressure points while also supporting the lumbar area. The center of the bed has an extra support foam layer that provided our testers a little bit of extra lift around the midsection, making it especially suited to back and stomach sleepers. We appreciated this mattress’s 3-inch thick, silky organic cotton cover, which adds a bit more breathable, anti-microbial plushness.
It’s worth noting that while the Saatva Classic excels in many areas, it may not provide the best motion isolation (we gave it a two out of five on our motion isolation scale), which could be a concern for those sharing a bed. But it did receive a high (4.3 out of five) sex score due to excellent bounce, edge support, and cooling.
Saatva designed the Classic’s dual coils to allow more airflow and keep the temperature down, which our testers found effective. We gave it a cooling score of four out of five. Our testers also found this mattress’s edge support so robust that it pushed them toward the center a little but provided even weight distribution.
We appreciate that the Saatva Classic has three mattress firmness levels and two height options for customized comfort, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
From our tester
“We recommend side sleepers go for the Plush Soft option, back sleepers the Luxury Firm, and stomach sleepers the Firm.”
To learn more about this brand, read our in-depth Saatva mattress review.
Best innerspring mattress for back pain: The WinkBed mattress
Our final verdict on the WinkBed mattress
Our Handbook Team survey of 600 recent mattress customers revealed that most respondents
cited lower back pain as the most common type of pain. The WinkBed mattress stands out as an ideal choice for those suffering from back pain, thanks to its hybrid construction that marries the responsiveness of innerspring coils with the pressure-relieving comfort of foam.
From our tester
“With pressure-relieving foam and zoned support working to evenly distribute my weight, coupled with built-in lumbar support to prevent back pain, this mattress gets high marks for pain relief.”
The zoned support system in the coil layer is a key feature, providing targeted support for spinal alignment, which is crucial for alleviating and preventing back pain. Our testers reported that their weight felt evenly distributed with a little extra support in the trunk/lumbar region.
The multiple firmness options cater to different sleeping preferences, with the Luxury Firm and Fimer models particularly suited to those with back pain.
“Although softer mattresses may be more comfortable at first, they aren’t great for your posture. You may be complaining of back pain after a few nights. You want to get a mattress that’s at least a little firm.”
Ari Spitzer,an integrative sleep coach based in Toms River, New Jersey
We tested the Luxury Firm model, which we think is a true medium-firm with a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. We gave it a 3.75 out of five sex score (which considers bounce, edge support, and cooling) and a four out of five family score (which considers support, edge support, cooling, and motion transfer).
The Tencel cover adds a layer of breathable comfort to aid in temperature regulation, which we found effective, giving it a four out of five score on our cooling scale.
While the weight of the mattress could make setup challenging, we think its overall build quality, zoned coil supportive system, and cooling properties make it an excellent choice, particularly for those seeking relief from back discomfort.
Best value innerspring mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Our final verdict on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Our Handbook Team’s survey of recent mattress consumers revealed that price was the number one consideration for new mattress shoppers, so the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid may be a good affordable mattress for budget-conscious shoppers.
While it comes in three firmness options, we tested the medium, giving it a six out of 10 on our firmness scale. We also gave it high-pressure relief and bounce/responsiveness scores, making it a great choice for back and combination sleepers.
From our tester
“I definitely found this mattress bouncy, not springy—so the bounce quality is solid.”
While this mattress was particularly responsive, it also performed fairly well with motion isolation (we gave it a three out of five). One tester noted that most sleepers shouldn’t be bothered by movements from their sleeping partner unless they were light sleepers. For families with little ones or pets crawling into bed, we gave this a three out of five.
While the brand’s 10-year warranty is disappointing compared to other brands on the market, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid still strikes a balance between quality and cost, making it a great value for an innerspring-hybrid mattress.
Best cooling innerspring mattress: Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid
Our final verdict on the Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid
The Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid stands out for its cooling features, making it an excellent choice for hot sleepers. Its hybrid design provided a balance of comfort and support during testing, which we think will help relieve back pain. Our testers found that the mattress’s multiple layers, including contouring memory foam and supportive innerspring coils, helped maintain spinal alignment.
While this mattress’s soft firmness is ideal for average-weight back and side sleepers, it may not be the best fit for higher-weight people or stomach sleepers since it’s on the softer side.
From our tester
“This super soft mattress helped relieve pressure in my shoulders and hips, while the cooling technology regulated temperature.”
We like this mattress for couples, as it has nice motion isolation thanks to two foam layers above the coils. But because it’s so soft, it is not as responsive (or bouncy) as some innerspring mattress lovers may prefer.
Despite it having limited responsiveness, this mattress’s cooling technology, pressure relief capabilities, and extensive warranty and trial period make it a quality choice. However, this hybrid model is pricey, so cost-conscious shoppers looking for more bounce may want to opt for the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.
Learn more in our Nectar mattress review.
Best innerspring mattress for combination sleepers: Helix Dusk
Our final verdict on the Helix Dusk
The Helix Dusk is the medium-firm model in the Core (base) collection. During testing, we found it provided the right balance of support and comfort for various sleeping positions, especially back and stomach sleeping. Our testers found this mattress’s bouncy feel aided in easy position changes throughout the night. This also makes the mattress great for sex. But this bounciness does pose some concerns about motion isolation.
From our tester
“While this bed is firm, it’s not too firm, making it good for multiple sleeper types. Providing good spinal alignment, this is a good bed for anyone who wants a firm, responsive bed.”
This mattress has a more substantial foam component to it than the others in this review, with four foam layers. Instead of traditional foams, the Dusk features foams that are unique to the Helix Brand. Its first layer of Helix Dynamic Foam behaves similarly to latex, with a balance of cozy compression and springy responsiveness.
The next two layers are made of Helix Responsive Foam. The first is designed to help with pressure relief by contouring adaptively to a person as they move. The second is more focused on support. Next, the coil unit’s job is to provide crucial counterpressure with pocketed coils. The springs on the sides of the bed are stronger to guard against sagging. Finally, a bottom layer of foam stabilizes the bed.
We think the contouring, responsiveness, and durability of the Helix Dusk makes it an appealing choice for those who frequently change positions during sleep.
Best innerspring mattress for side sleepers: Nolah Evolution 15″ mattress
Our final verdict on the Nolah Evolution
According to our Handbook Team’s survey of mattress consumers, 47 percent reported they’re side sleepers. We think the Nolah Evolution 15″ mattress is for them. It comes in as our best mattress for side sleepers because its AirFoamICE technology (designed to be breathable so it dissipates heat faster) provided comfort and pressure relief at the hips and shoulders during testing. This bed also includes mattress cooling properties for maintaining a comfortable temperature. Additionally, we found that the brand’s support coil system provided targeted spinal support, which is crucial for side sleepers to alleviate pressure point pain.
Our testers pointed out the responsive and plush nature of the mattress, highlighted by a Euro top and high-density foam base, which promises durability and ease of movement.
From our tester
“Although this mattress has some plushness and sink, it was still pretty responsive. It was easy to move around without feeling that quicksand feel.”
The Nolah Evolution also caters to different preferences in three firmness levels, with the Plush model ideal for side sleepers and the Luxury Firm or Firmer options suiting back, combination, and higher-weight sleepers.
We also like this mattress for couples due to its balance of motion isolation and bounce. Despite its higher price, we think the combination of advanced technology, eco-friendly materials, and a lifetime warranty make the Nolah Evolution 15″ mattress a worthwhile investment for those seeking comfort and support for side sleeping.
Frequently asked questions
An innerspring mattress primarily consists of a spring support system, offering firm support and some degree of comfort. It is traditionally associated with a bouncy feel and is often topped with a thin layer of foam or fiberfill for added comfort.
In contrast, a hybrid mattress merges the spring system of an innerspring mattress with substantial layers of other materials, such as memory foam or latex. This combination offers the supportive bounce of springs and foam’s pressure-relieving and contouring benefits, providing a balanced sleep experience. True innerspring mattresses are rare. Modern innerspring mattresses are typically hybrid designs.
These terms refer to the same component within a mattress. Innersprings, or coils, are the metal, springy support structures found within the mattress. They can come in various types, such as Bonnell, pocketed, continuous, or offset coils, each offering different support, durability, and motion isolation characteristics.
The best innerspring mattress for you largely depends on your individual needs and preferences, including sleeping position, firmness preference, and budget. Some well-regarded options include the Saatva Classic, known for its customizable firmness and durable coil-on-coil construction; the WinkBed, which offers targeted support and a plush pillow top; and the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid, which we liked for its balance of support and comfort.
An innerspring mattress typically lasts about seven to 10 years. The quality of materials, weight and sleeping habits of the user, and proper maintenance can influence how long your mattress lasts. Rotating the mattress regularly (if the mattress is dual-sided) and using a supportive base can extend its lifespan.
The cost of an innerspring mattress varies widely. Budget-friendly options can start from a few hundred dollars, while high-end models can cost several thousand. On average, a quality innerspring mattress may cost between $600–$1,500. Factors affecting price include the size, the type of coils used, the quality and types of materials in the comfort layers, and additional features like cooling technologies or organic materials.
Innerspring mattresses are often well-suited for back and stomach sleepers. The firm support from the coils provides the necessary support for spinal alignment, which is crucial for these sleeping positions.
Side sleepers might find traditional innerspring mattresses too firm, as they may not offer adequate pressure relief at the hips and shoulders. However, hybrid-innerspring mattresses with a plush top layer can be a good option for side sleepers, as they combine the supportive bounce of springs with the softness and contouring of foam.
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