Trying to find the best pocket sprung mattress can be a tricky thing if you aren't sure what to look for. It's not easy to know the difference between pocket sprung, hybrid, memory foam, gel, latex and all the other many options that are available on the market.
We have listed some of the best pocket sprung mattresses available in the UK and their different firmness ratings and features. No matter what your favourite sleeping position is or if you are a hot sleeper, there should be something suitable to your taste.
This article is also aiming to clarify some of those concepts and to look closer at some of the benefits of a pocket sprung mattress, such as the fact that they don't offset any VOC's that according to studies✓ could be harmful. It also contains useful tips on what to keep in mind when searching for the best pocket sprung mattress for you and your sleeping preferences.
(Important Facts, Studies, Advice, Considerations & FAQs In Conclusion)
| MATTRESS | THICKNESS | SPRING % | FIRMNESS | TRIAL & WARRANTY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamCloud Mattress | 28 cm | 53% | Medium | 365 Nights Forever | £849 |
| Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 Mattress | 28 cm | 57% | Medium-Firm | 60 Nights 5 Years | £369 |
| Hypnos Swinton Pocket Sprung Mattress | 26 cm | NA | Firm | NA Nights 10 Years | £799 |
| Sealy Posturepedic Nostromo Latex 1400 Pocket Sprung Mattress | 30 cm | 50% | Medium | NA Nights 5 Years | £920 |
| Dreams Hudson Pocket Sprung Mattress | 23 cm | NA | Firm | NA Nights 1 Year | £539 |
| Sleepeezee Backcare Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress | 26 cm | 58% | Firm | NA Nights 5 Years | £329 |
1. DreamCloud Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • 365-day trial and forever warranty • Supportive across the entire mattress surface • Made by a sustainably thinking brand | • Those looking for a sustainable mattress option • Sleepers looking for extra body support • Couples |
This modern pocket sprung mattress is a luxurious option that consists of three inner layers that are combined to give you a comfortable and supportive sleep surface. The base is a foam layer that absorbs motion from the 15cm pocket springs that sit on top. These are designed to provide support across the mattress, including around the edges thanks to their ActivEdge support.
On top of the springs are two foam layers. The upper one is a breathable memory foam, meant to contour your body and to relieve pressure under hips and shoulders. The lower one is a supportive foam layer that can help cradle you and adjust to any sleeping positions you might find yourself in. On top of all sits a quilted cover that aims to provide the sleeper with a soft and breathable surface to rest on.
The DreamCloud mattress comes with a 365-day trial and a forever warranty that speaks for the quality of this mattress. It is also a kind option for the environment as the mattress is completely carbon neutral and made without any harmful chemicals or heavy metals. The packaging it arrives in is sourced from sustainable forests and the brand also donates old and returned mattresses to the British Heart Foundation in order to avoid them ending up in landfills.
2. Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Made from recycled plastic bottles • Award-winning mattress • Highly breathable | • Hot sleepers • People looking for an eco-friendly mattress • Most sleeping positions |
The Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is a highly popular and affordable option for those looking for a more eco-friendly, pocket-sprung mattress. The mattress has won the Good Housekeeping Getting Greener award in 2020 and is, like many other Silentnight mattresses, made from recycled plastic bottles that have been saved from ending up in the ocean.
Its Eco Comfort layers, which sit just underneath the soft, quilted surface, is entirely recyclable and allows for enhanced airflow throughout the mattress. It is made with sustainable fibres that have been constructed vertically to provide additional support. The support layer consists of 1200 zoned Mirapocket springs that are designed to improve the sleeper's spinal alignment.
This mattress is double-sided, meaning that both sides are identical and equally comfortable. It comes in a medium-firm comfort rating and includes a 60-day comfort exchange period. Should you not like your new mattress, you're free to exchange it for another Silentnight mattress.
3. Hypnos Swinton Pocket Sprung Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Handmade in the UK • ReActive spring system for enhanced body support • High quality at a kind price | • Sleepers who enjoy a firm feel • Those looking to add a touch of luxury • Back and front sleepers |
The Hypnos brand is known for its luxurious, handmade mattresses and this pocket-sprung one comes at a more affordable price point, yet it still contains the high-quality materials that represent the brand. It consists of five different layers, starting from the bottom with a dual-density polyester layer that acts as a foundation for the springs. The ReActive spring layer can contain up to 1482 pocket springs depending on the size of the mattress.
Each ReActive spring responds individually to the weight distribution and the shape of the sleeper in order to provide maximum body support and spinal alignment. On top of the springs, you will find another dual-density layer that acts as a transition layer to not feel the springs. The next layer is made of wool which can add to the breathability and the comfort of the mattress.
The upper layer is made of Solotex, a filling that is soft and resilient and aiming to provide comfort that lasts for a long time. The cover is made of a Belgian damask fabric that is hand-tufted and the sides of the mattress are hand-stitched for added edge-to-edge support. This mattress is made to order which means that the delivery times can be slightly longer than usual.
4. Sealy Posturepedic Nostromo Latex 1400 Pocket Sprung Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Soothing latex layer • Non-flip mattress • Award-winning mattress | • Sleepers in need of pressure relief • Most sleeping positions • Hot sleepers |
The Sealy Posturepedic Nostromo Latex pocket-sprung mattress is one of Sealy's most popular mattresses and a part of Sealy's Posturepedic Gold Pocket Collection. Featuring 1400 individually encased pocket springs, spanning across the entire mattress the patented Unirail border that can help to prevent the mattress from sagging.
The spring system has multiple zones and is weight-responsive, designed to provide spinal alignment and pressure relief to the sleeper. On top of the springs sits a 2,5 cm thick layer of Innergetic latex, added to enhance the mattress's pressure-relieving qualities and to add to the comfort. Together with the naturally temperature-regulating Tencel cover, it is meant to keep you cool and dry throughout the night.
This mattress was endorsed with a Which? Best Buy in 2020 and has a ton of five-star reviews of which many mention its comfort and support. It has a medium firmness rating, which tends to suit most sleeping preferences and comes with a five-year guarantee. The mattress doesn't need any flipping, only occasional turning, and comes with handles on the side for easy manoeuvring.
5. Dreams Hudson Pocket Sprung Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Supportive yet comfortable mattress • Handles for easy flipping • Double-sided mattress | • Those who prefer a firmer feel • Heavier sleepers needing more support • Those looking to buy from a trusted retailer |
The Dreams Hudson pocket sprung mattress is an updated version of Dreams' previous, popular Orchard mattress. This is a firm mattress with thousands of positive reviews and many mention that it gives you great value for the money. It's a double-sided mattress, meaning that you are encouraged to flip it regularly and use both sides that are identical. The outer layer of this hand-tufted mattress is a traditional Damask cover that offers a soft sleep surface.
The following layers are deep dual-density layers containing fillings made of a mix of polyester. These are added for enhanced comfort and support and underneath them, in the middle of the mattress, sits the core spring layer. There can be up to 1,225 springs in the Hudson, depending on which size you have chosen, and each spring is individually wrapped and acts independently.
These are designed to help distribute the sleeper's weight across the mattress, providing extra body support and preventing the feeling of rolling together if you are sleeping next to a partner. This mattress stands at 23 cm tall and comes with handles on the side to facilitate the flipping and rotating as well as a 1-year guarantee.
6. Sleepeezee Backcare Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Additional support for your back • Hypoallergenic fillings • Affordable quality | • Hot sleepers • People prone to allergies • Sleepers with back problems |
The Backcare Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress is a very popular, firm mattress made by Sleepeezee. It contains up to 1000 individually encased pocket springs that create a supportive surface for you to sleep on and is designed to provide pressure relief wherever needed. As the name suggests, this mattress aims to protect your back by providing great support at a fair price.
The springs in this mattress are divided into sleep zones to prevent the feeling of rolling together if you're sleeping next to someone. They also offer additional support in the lower back area. This 26 cm deep mattress is double-sided and meant to be flipped regularly. Air vents are added to the sides of the mattress to allow for better airflow and enhance breathability.
It can be a great option for those who suffer from allergies as the fillings in the layers around the springs are hypoallergenic. The fillings are hand-tufted in place for longer durability and the cover is made by a finely woven damask fabric. It includes handles on the side for easy manoeuvring. The Backcare Deluxe 1000 Pocket Mattress is handmade in the UK and comes with a five-year guarantee.
What Is A Pocket Sprung Mattress?
Pocket sprung mattresses are one of the most commonly seen mattresses on the market today together with memory foam and hybrid mattresses. A pocket sprung mattress, also commonly known as a pocket spring mattress, contains at least one layer of individually encased steel coils and one mattress can easily contain between 800 to 2000 of these coils, depending on its size and construction.
On top of the spring layer, there's always a comfort layer to prevent the sleeper from laying directly on top of the metal coils. These layers can be made from different materials and fillings, such as polyester, wool, cotton, latex and even horsehair or other natural and organic materials.
Pocket sprung mattresses are different from traditional open coil mattresses, in which the steel springs are connected as one single unit and thus move as one. Each pocket spring has its own little pocket, often made by a mesh material that allows for air to flow in between the springs, and respond individually to the sleeper's weight and movements.
This means that if you are sleeping next to a partner and they move around, you should not necessarily feel much movement on your side, whereas with an open coil mattress there would be a lot of motion transfer onto your side of the bed. This, and the fact that the spring count normally is much higher in a pocket sprung mattress, leads to much better body support and an improved sleeping experience.
Will I Benefit From A Pocket Sprung Mattress?
We all have our own preferences when it comes to sleep as well as our physical needs. Back pain is a very common problem and some people need a more supportive mattress in order to not wake up feeling sore. Sprung mattresses offer much higher support than foam mattresses and some hybrids, which can make them a good option for those suffering from back or joint pain.
Pocket sprung mattresses can also be a good option for people who tend to overheat at night. As more air can flow freely between the springs, these mattresses tend to be better at temperature regulation than for example foam mattresses that tend to trap a lot more heat inside the mattress.
Couples sharing a bed could also possibly benefit from a pocket sprung mattress, especially if there is a bigger weight difference between the two. As the pocket springs react and adapt individually to the weight of each sleeper, both will receive the support needed for their bodyweight. However, if one of the two is a restless sleeper it might be worth looking into a hybrid or a memory foam option as these tend to isolate movement even better than pocket sprung mattresses.
Pocket Sprung Mattresses Vs. Memory Foam Mattresses
If you are deciding between a pocket sprung mattress and a memory foam mattress and not sure what is right for you, there are a few things you should consider:
| MEMORY FOAM MATTRESSES | POCKET SPRUNG MATTRESSES |
|---|---|
| Retain more heat inside the mattress. | Allows for better airflow and temperature regulation. |
| Minimise motion transfer from one side to the other. | Tend to transfer more motion from a restless partner. |
| Offer a more stable sleep surface and a "hugging" sensation. | Offer a more bouncy feel and gives the feeling of sleeping on, rather than in, the bed. |
| Can be more durable. | Don't release any funky new mattress smell. |
Hybrid Mattresses
If you are still indecisive you might want to check out some hybrid mattresses that combine both springs and foam in one mattress. However, keep in mind to check the size of the springs in the hybrid options as some brands add tiny springs to a foam mattress in order to call them hybrids.
Not so fun fact:
These mini-springs often don't make any difference at all to the mattress other than making the price higher.
How To Find The Best Pocket Sprung Mattress?
Once you have decided that you want to go for a pocket sprung mattress you should take a moment to think about what other features you want apart from the pocket springs. If you are a hot sleeper you might want to look for a mattress with cooling properties, such as added gel pads. Some mattresses even come with small air-vents on the side to further promote airflow and breathability throughout the mattress.
Another thing to take into consideration is the rest of the materials of your mattress. Are you looking for a mattress with sustainably sourced materials that are kinder to the environment? Is it important to you that the brand offers disposal of your old mattress to make sure it gets recycled and doesn't end up in a landfill? Those are all questions that can help influence your decision when searching for the best pocket sprung mattress for yourself.
Mattress Firmness
One of the most important things when it comes to finding the right mattress is what firmness we prefer and this often comes down to the type of springs that the mattress features. Not all pocket springs look or act the same. Some are straight and some are cone-shaped and they often vary in height and thickness.
When the brands talk about coil gauge they are referring to the thickness of the springs and the mattress firmness is often defined based on this. You however don't necessarily need to check for the coil gauge as the mattress firmness will always be clearly stated by the brand. Pocket sprung mattresses often tend to have a medium to firm comfort rating thanks to the supportive springs.
Medium firm mattresses are usually the most popular ones as they tend to suit the widest array of preferences and sleeping positions. Medium mattresses will "give" a bit more than a firm mattress and can therefore be more comfortable for example when sleeping on your side as the shoulders and hip section want to sink a bit deeper into the mattress in order to maintain a good spinal alignment.
Firm mattresses are often preferred by people who like to sleep on their front or on their backs as they prevent the mid-section of your body to sink too deep and pull your spine out of alignment. Overweight people can also benefit from a firm, or even an extra-firm mattress, as they need more body support than a lightweight sleeper.
Other Considerations To Find The Best Pocket Sprung Mattress
If you take good care of your pocket sprung mattress it can last you for many years to come but nevertheless, you should pay attention to a few things to ensure you're buying a high-quality product. Look at the materials of the mattress and make sure that these seem durable and, more importantly, check for any guarantees.
Most bigger mattress brands today offer guarantees of up to 10-20 years, some even forever. These guarantees speak for high-quality products that will make you sleep better, knowing that your new mattress will last you for a long time. If you are still having doubts about whether or not you have found the best pocket sprung mattress, you should opt for one that comes with a trial period. Some brands offer up to a year of trial for you to get used to your new mattress and decide in the comfort of your own home if it feels right or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pocket sprung mattress?
Each person has different preferences when it comes to sleep. To find the best pocket sprung mattress for you, you should consider which firmness you like, your favourite sleeping position and any other materials or features you want in a mattress and try to find a pocket sprung mattress that ticks all those boxes.
Which mattress is best pocket sprung or memory foam?
It depends on your sleep preferences. Memory foam mattresses have a more hugging feel, retain more heat and isolates motion better. Pocket sprung mattresses have a more bouncy feel, better airflow and transfer more movement than memory foam.
What is best pocket sprung or coil spring mattress?
The springs in a pocket sprung mattress are individually encased and work independently while open coil springs move as one. If two people are sleeping on the mattress, pocket springs are generally preferred in order for the two sleepers not to disturb each other when moving.
