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Pocket sprung mattresses
A pocket sprung mattress has rows of small springs, each sewn into its own fabric pocket so it moves independently. That gives responsive support, less partner disturbance than open coil and air moving through. The range includes pocket sprung hybrids.
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What is a pocket sprung mattress?
A pocket sprung mattress has a layer of small springs, each sewn into its own fabric pocket, so every spring compresses on its own instead of dragging its neighbours down with it.
Because the springs aren't wired to each other, the mattress answers each part of your body separately: it gives more under your shoulders and hips and less under your waist. Above the springs sit comfort layers, which might be fibre fillings, foam, wool or a mix. When a foam layer is a big part of the feel, the mattress is usually sold as a hybrid mattress. There's space around every spring, so air moves through the mattress, and pocket sprung mattresses usually feel cooler than all-foam ones.
Pocket sprung or open coil: what's the difference?
The difference between pocket sprung and open coil is how the springs connect: pocket springs move independently, while open coil springs are linked by wire into one unit, so movement on one side travels further across the bed.
| What changes | Pocket sprung | Open coil |
|---|---|---|
| Springs | Each in its own pocket, moving on its own | Linked by wire into one unit |
| Partner disturbance | Less: movement stays nearer where it started | More: the whole unit moves together |
| Feel | Responsive, shaping itself to your body | Bouncier and more uniform |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter and easier to move |
| Cost | Usually more | Usually less |
When people say a standard sprung or simply a sprung mattress, they usually mean open coil. It's still a sensible buy for a guest room or a tight budget, and our open coil mattresses page explains where it fits best.
Does a higher spring count mean a better mattress?
A higher spring count doesn't on its own make a better pocket sprung mattress, because the thickness of the wire, the comfort layers and the fillings change how a mattress feels and supports you just as much.
Spring counts are also quoted for one size, often a double or king, so the same range has fewer springs in a single simply because the mattress is smaller. Compare counts only between mattresses of the same size. Thicker wire makes a firmer spring, which is why two mattresses with the same count can feel quite different. Read the firmness number, shown from 1 to 10 on every mattress page, alongside the count. We're a family-run shop, and we'd sooner explain a spec sheet than sell you a number.
Who is a pocket sprung mattress best for?
Pocket sprung mattresses suit couples, warm sleepers and heavier builds, because the springs limit partner disturbance compared with open coil, let air move through and give firm, responsive support.
- Couples: each side responds on its own, so one person turning over disturbs the other less.
- Warm sleepers: air moves through the spring layer. See cooling mattresses for what else helps.
- Heavier builds: look for a deeper mattress with a strong spring unit and firm edges, usually at medium-firm or firm.
- Side sleepers: choose medium-soft to medium, with enough padding on top for your shoulders and hips to sink in.
- Children and teenagers: slimmer pocket sprung mattresses can suit bunk beds and high sleepers, as long as they sit at or below the maximum mattress line.
How are pocket sprung mattresses delivered?
Many pocket sprung mattresses can't be rolled, so they arrive flat and fully wrapped, ready to sleep on straight away; others are rolled, vacuum packed and boxed.
Most of our mattresses can be delivered the next working day, and each mattress page shows its delivery time and which way it arrives. Pocket sprung mattresses are heavier than foam ones, so a flat king or super king is a job for two people, and it's worth measuring tight turns on the stairs before you order. A rolled mattress is easier to carry and reaches its full shape within 24 to 72 hours. See our delivery and returns page for more on both.
To narrow things down by size, see single pocket sprung mattresses, double pocket sprung mattresses or king size pocket sprung mattresses. If a spec sheet still has you puzzled, ask us about it.
Pocket sprung mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Are pocket sprung mattresses good for couples?
Pocket sprung mattresses suit most couples, because each spring moves on its own, so much less movement crosses the bed than on an open coil mattress. The springs also let air through, which helps when two people share the warmth of one bed. If one of you is a very light sleeper, memory foam usually passes on even less movement.
Do you need to turn a pocket sprung mattress?
A pocket sprung mattress should be rotated head to toe every few weeks for the first three months, then every three months, so it wears evenly. Only flip it over if the maker says it's two-sided, because a one-sided mattress has its comfort layers on the top only.
Are pocket sprung mattresses good for back pain?
No mattress is a treatment for back pain, pocket sprung or otherwise. A 2003 trial in The Lancet, by Kovacs and colleagues, found that people with chronic lower back pain did better on medium-firm mattresses than on firm ones, so look at the firmness grade as well as the springs. If the pain carries on, see a GP or physiotherapist.
Are pocket sprung mattresses good for hot sleepers?
Pocket sprung mattresses are a good choice for hot sleepers, because air can move through the gaps around the springs instead of being held against your body. What sits on top matters too: a thick memory foam layer can hold some warmth, while wool fillings help regulate temperature. Breathable bedding helps as well.
Can you use a pocket sprung mattress on an adjustable bed?
Some pocket sprung mattresses work on an adjustable bed, but only ones flexible enough to bend with it, which usually means pocket springs without stiff edge rods. Follow the bed maker's guidance. Foam mattresses are often the simpler choice for an adjustable bed, because foam bends easily.
Is a pocket sprung mattress good for a child?
A pocket sprung mattress suits many children, especially older ones who sleep warm, as long as it's supportive: medium to medium-firm suits most. On a bunk bed or high sleeper, choose one that sits at or below the maximum mattress line marked on the frame, which often means a slim mattress of 15 to 16 cm or less.
How long does a pocket sprung mattress last?
A pocket sprung mattress lasts around 7 to 10 years as a rule of thumb, the same guide as for any adult mattress, and regular rotation and a sound base help it get there. Signs it needs replacing sooner: a dip where you sleep, lumps, springs you can feel through the top, or waking up stiff.
Why can I feel the springs in my mattress?
Feeling individual springs through the top of a pocket sprung mattress usually means the comfort layers above them have worn thin or the mattress has started to break down. A topper can soften the surface for a while, but it can't fix a sagging or worn mattress, so feeling springs is a sign it's time to replace it.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.