Open Coil vs Pocket Sprung Mattress: What’s the Difference?
This is part of our complete mattress buying guide – check out the full guide here.
Firstly, what is an open coil mattress? Open coil mattresses feature inner metal springs that are connected and run down the entire length of the mattress. This is then topped with a foam layer or another type of padding.
An open coil mattress is also known as a standard sprung mattress, a coil spring mattress, an open coil Bonnell spring mattress, and various other names. They are one of the most popular mattresses because of their comfort and affordability, but there are other spring mattress types that may be better suited to you.
In this blog, we will discuss the key benefits of open coil mattresses and help you decide whether an open coil or pocket sprung mattress is the best option.
Image courtesy of turboquid.com
Benefits of open coil mattresses
There are several reasons why the open coil mattress has remained popular for so long. Here are two of the benefits of choosing a standard sprung mattress…
1. Lower in price
An open coil mattress can be significantly cheaper than other mattress types. This is because they are easy to mass-manufacture and have a relatively low production cost. An open coil mattress is an attractive option if you want a comfortable mattress that won’t break the bank!
2. Lightweight
An open coil mattress is generally lighter than other mattress types such as a memory foam mattress. This means that a coil sprung mattress is easier to turn without putting strain on your back.
Experts at the Sleep Foundation recommend that you should rotate an open spring mattress 1-2 times a year and an older coil mattress should be turned 2-5 times per year. Turning your coil mattress regularly will help prevent dipping and increase its lifespan.
One trade-off to be aware of is pressure relief. Because the springs are wired together and move as a single unit, an open coil mattress spreads weight fairly evenly but can't contour to the body the way individually wrapped springs do, so it offers less targeted pressure relief around the shoulders and hips.
Are open spring mattresses any good?
Coil springs have been used in open spring mattresses since the mid-late 19th century and they remain one of the most popular mattress types available today.
However, the traditional coil mattress design has been adapted to improve comfort and pocket sprung mattresses have grown in popularity in recent years. A pocket coil mattress is almost as affordable, but they offer several advantages when compared to a standard coil sprung mattress.
Do we advise buying open coil sprung mattresses?
This is why we advise our customers to buy a pocket sprung mattress rather than a basic coil sprung mattress. We only recommend buying an open coil mattress if your budget is low and you are planning on using the coil mattress for a short period of time.
The main reason comes down to durability and value. A connected coil unit tends to lose its shape and start to sag sooner than pocket springs, which work independently and hold their support for longer. So while an open coil mattress costs less upfront, it often needs replacing sooner. Spread across its shorter lifespan, a cheap open coil mattress can work out worse value than a pocket sprung one that lasts years longer. For a guest room or short-term use, though, it still does the job.
Read on to discover whether an open coil spring mattress or pocket sprung mattress is the right choice for you.
Tulsk bed with Juno mattress
Open coil vs pocket sprung
Many people struggle to understand the difference between different types of spring mattresses such as a open sprung or pocket sprung mattress. So what is the difference between an open coil sprung vs pocket sprung mattress?
Pocket spring mattress definition
In a pocket coil mattress, each spring is sewn into individual pockets of fabric instead of having one connected spring unit. Natural fillings like cotton, wool, or man-made fillings are used to provide varying levels of comfort, ventilation, and durability.
Difference between open coil and pocket sprung
A pocket coil mattress is manufactured differently from a standard open coil mattress and offers support that is personalised to your body shape. Pocket sprung mattresses have been carefully designed to ensure optimal comfort and support while you sleep.
Here are three advantages of pocket coil mattresses when comparing open coil vs pocket sprung:
- Adapts to your movements while you sleep
- Offers more personalised support
- Offers optimal pressure relief
The spring system in a pocket coil mattress is extremely supportive, which is why they are often used in orthopedic mattresses. These mattresses have been specifically designed to relieve pressure and adapt to your sleep position to promote a healthy posture. A pocket coil mattress is a great option if you suffer from back pain and need enhanced levels of support.
The clearest practical difference is in how each handles movement. In an open coil mattress, the springs are linked, so when one person shifts, the whole surface moves with them. That means more motion transfer, and more partner disturbance if you share the bed. Pocket springs move on their own, so one sleeper turning over is far less likely to wake the other.
Lifespan is the other big divide. A well-made pocket sprung mattress typically lasts noticeably longer than an open coil one, because independent springs share the load and resist sagging, while a connected coil unit wears as a whole and softens sooner. So the choice comes down to trade-offs: open coil wins on upfront price and weight, pocket sprung wins on support, pressure relief, reduced partner disturbance and years of use.
Which mattress is right for your sleep style?
The best mattress for you depends a lot on how you sleep. Your usual position changes where your body needs cushioning and where it needs firmer support, and that's where the open coil vs pocket sprung difference really shows.
Side sleepers
Side sleepers put most of their weight through the shoulders and hips, so those points need to sink in while the waist stays supported. This is where pocket springs come into their own, contouring to the body and easing pressure exactly where it builds. An open coil mattress, moving as one unit, can't target those areas as well, so side sleepers often feel pressure on the shoulder and hip. A medium to soft pocket sprung mattress usually suits side sleepers best.
Back sleepers
Back sleepers need the hips and shoulders held level so the spine stays neutral. A medium-firm mattress works well here. Both types can support back sleepers reasonably, but pocket springs adapt more closely to the curve of the lower back, giving better support and pressure relief through the night.
Front sleepers
Front, or stomach, sleepers need firmer support to stop the hips sinking and pulling the lower back out of line. A firmer pocket sprung mattress keeps the body level while still relieving pressure at the chest and hips. An open coil mattress can feel firm enough, but tends to give less consistent support as it ages and starts to sag.
Is a standard sprung mattress right for me?
If you are deciding between an open sprung or pocket sprung mattress, we would always recommend going with the pocket coil design. In our experience, a pocket sprung mattress is the best option in most cases as it offers several advantages when compared to a standard coil mattress.
You should never overlook the importance of your mattress! In our experience, a good quality mattress can make a world of difference to your sleep, health, and overall quality of life.
mattress: Juno Cotton pocket sprung mattress
Open Coil vs Pocket Sprung: The Verdict
So which should you choose? It comes down to your priorities.
On a tight budget: an open coil mattress is the cheaper option upfront, and for a guest room, a child's first bed, or short-term use, it does the job perfectly well.
For couples: a pocket sprung mattress is the clear winner. The independent springs keep motion transfer and partner disturbance low, so you won't feel every time your partner moves. On an open coil mattress, you will.
For long-term value: pocket sprung wins again. It costs more at the start, but it holds its support and resists sagging for years longer, so the cost spread across its life is often better than replacing a cheaper open coil mattress sooner.
For most people sleeping on their mattress every night, a pocket sprung mattress is the better investment.
Best alternatives to open coil mattress in our collection
The open coil mattress is still a popular mattress type, but a pocket coil mattress offers several advantages and is the better option in most cases.
We offer a collection of pocket coil mattresses designed to offer optimal comfort and personalised support while you sleep. Check out our popular Juno Original or our premium Juno Cotton pocket coil mattress. We even offer a 100 night comfort trial on all of our mattresses so you can test your new mattress and make sure it’s perfect!
Get in touch if you are still unsure about the differences between an open coil vs pocket sprung mattress and would like some expert guidance. We are always happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do open coil mattresses cause back pain?
An open coil mattress won't necessarily cause back pain, but it can contribute to it, especially as the mattress ages. Because the springs are connected and move as one unit, an open coil mattress offers less targeted support for the lower back than a pocket sprung one, and it tends to sag sooner. A sagging mattress lets the spine fall out of alignment, which is a common cause of morning back pain. If you already have back trouble, a pocket sprung mattress usually gives better support and pressure relief.
How long do open coil and pocket sprung mattresses last?
A pocket sprung mattress typically lasts around 8 to 10 years with proper care. An open coil mattress tends to have a shorter lifespan, often needing replacing sooner, because the connected spring unit sags and loses support faster than independent pocket springs. Rotating either type regularly, and using a mattress protector, helps it last as long as possible before it needs replacing.
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