Pocket Sprung Vs Open Coil Mattresses: Which Is Better?

If you’ve been looking at buying a new mattress, then chances are that you’ve already come across the terms 'pocket sprung' and 'open coil' to describe some of the different mattress types available.

But while both mattress options clearly use springs in their designs, you may not actually know the difference between the two – what exactly sets apart an open sprung vs a pocket sprung mattress, and why is it important to know about?

Well, in this guide, we’re going to explain what makes coil-sprung vs pocket-sprung mattresses so similar yet so different, as well as the pros and cons of pocket-sprung and open-coil mattresses, all to help you decide which of the two is the best mattress for your bedtime needs.

What’s the difference between open coil and pocket sprung mattresses?

While both pocket-sprung and open coil mattresses use springs in their designs, the main difference between the two lies in how the springs inside are arranged. Open coil springs are all connected to each other, whilst pocket springs exist within their own individual fabric pockets.

Open coils are the more traditional design of the two and have been around for quite some time, while pocket springs are a more advanced, recent technology. This makes open coil mattresses a lot cheaper than pocket sprung mattresses because of their ability to be mass-produced with ease, but pocket sprung tend to be of a higher quality.

What is a pocket-sprung mattress?

Starting with anyone thinking of choosing a pocket-spring mattress, as the name suggests, pocket-sprung mattresses contain lots of springs sewn, unsurprisingly, into pockets of fabric spread throughout the mattress.

However, despite their sewn nature, each of these springs works completely independently of the others in the mattress, only reacting to pressure directly applied to them in order to maximise support during sleep without putting undue pressure on the rest of the mattress interior.

As a result, most high-quality pocket-sprung mattresses will have at least 1000 springs installed to accommodate for this, with firmer mattresses reaching up to 3000 springs for those who like a solid sleeping surface. 

Of course, pocket-sprung mattresses still contain soft fillings, and sometimes even a memory foam layer along the top, to keep things soft and comfortable. Thus, some people consider pocket-sprung mattresses to be the 'updated' version of open coil mattresses, as they've modernised the use of traditional bed spring setups.

What are the pros and cons of pocket-sprung mattresses?

Now that you know what pocket-sprung mattresses are, you're probably wondering if they're the right choice for you, which is why we’ve listed out the main pros and cons of this mattress type below.

Pocket sprung mattress pros

Touching on the pros first, here are the main reasons why you should consider investing in a pocket-sprung mattress instead of an open-coil one:

• Minimal movement transfer – since all of the springs inside of a pocket-sprung mattress work independently of each other, there is minimal movement transfer within your mattress. This means that, if you're sharing your bed with someone else, them moving around on the mattress should cause you little to no disturbance.
• Improved spring and bounce – pocket sprung mattresses are naturally quite springy and bouncy, meaning that you won't sink into your mattress when lying on it. This makes them a good mattress type for individuals with back pain, who require a more supportive mattress for proper sleep.
• Wide range of options – thanks to their design, the number of individual spring pockets within pocket spring mattresses can vary drastically between models, giving you lots of options to choose from when browsing. As mentioned earlier, most pocket-sprung mattresses will have at least 1000 springs, making this a good place to start.
• Added comfort – the surface of a pocket-sprung mattress is often very smooth and flat since all of the springs are surrounded by fabric. This reduces the chances of a stray spring digging into your back in the middle of the night and makes for a more comfortable overall sleeping.
• Enhanced breathability – finally, due to their design, pocket-sprung mattresses have a pretty good airflow, which helps create a cooling effect for the mattress. This makes them great for anyone sleeping in warm environments or suffering from night sweats, while also keeping nasty things like mould and dust at bay.

Pocket sprung mattress cons

However, despite all these brilliant advantages, pocket-sprung mattresses do come with a few downsides:

• They can be heavy – given that pocket-sprung mattresses may contain thousands of springs, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that they can get pretty heavy. And while, at first, this may seem like a trivial thing to consider, having a heavy mattress can become quite problematic if you’re living alone and need to turn or flip it for proper mattress care. Though, with that being said, many modern pocket-sprung mattresses are available rolled and boxed, making them easy to carry upstairs after delivery.
• They can be expensive – pocket-sprung mattresses are certainly not the most expensive mattress option on the market, but a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with thousands of springs or a hypoallergenic filling can certainly get quite pricey. This is partly because pocket springs are considered more of an advanced technology compared to regular coils, so they take more time, money, and effort to manufacture, hence the higher price point.
• Finding the right one can take time – depending on your size, weight, and sleeping preferences, you might find that it takes some research to figure out which pocket-sprung mattress is best for you. For example, if you're of a particularly light build, you won't feel the benefits of a firm pocket sprung mattress as much as you would a soft one. Fortunately, our MattressFinder quiz is on hand to make narrowing down your options that much easier.

What is an open coil mattress?

Unlike pocket-sprung mattresses, open coil mattresses contain springs that are all connected to each other by wire rods, running from side to side inside the mattress for full coverage.

Said springs and wire rods are usually shaped from just one sheet of steel, which is why everything is interconnected, allowing them to work together to evenly distribute your body weight as you lie on your mattress.

Much like pocket sprung models, those thinking of buying an open coil mattress will be pleased to hear that they’re available in soft, medium, and firm variations, with the firmness level being determined by the thickness of the wire rods rather than the number of springs in the mattress.

As an aside, open coil mattresses are also known as traditional sprung mattresses, coil spring mattresses, or standard coil mattresses, so don’t be confused if you see these terms being thrown about, as they all mean the same thing.

What are the pros and cons of an open coil mattress?

In spite of their age, open coil mattresses are still one of the most popular types of mattresses on the market, much of which can be explained by the various pros and cons we’ve outlined below.

Open-sprung mattress pros

When it comes to coil spring vs pocket sprung mattresses, open coil mattresses hold the advantage in three key areas:

• They’re lightweight – in most cases, even a good quality open coil mattress will usually only contain around 300 springs, making them very lightweight and the perfect option for someone who lives alone or moves house often, since lifting the mattress to turn it around or transport it elsewhere won't be an issue.
• Maximum support – since open coil mattresses are great for creating an extra firm surface, they can provide specialist support to your back, encouraging a straighter sleeping posture. Silentnight's Miracoil open coil mattresses are famous for their intense support in a variety of firmnesses, and open coil mattresses are often used in orthopaedic settings for this very reason.
• A low price point – finally, since open coil mattresses are fairly simple to produce on a mass scale, they usually retail for much lower prices than other mattress options. Of course, the price will depend on the specifics of the mattress you choose, but you likely won't be breaking the bank to buy an open-coil mattress!

Open-sprung mattress cons

Sadly, although open coil mattresses have some good advantages, they do come with two key disadvantages that you should be aware of:

• Lots of movement transfer – unfortunately, due to the interconnected nature of the springs inside open coil mattresses, you’ll more likely be able to feel someone else's movements while in bed. This can be especially annoying for couples that don't necessarily wake up and go to bed at the same time, as they risk waking their partner simply by getting in or out of bed.
• Upholstery migration – unlike pocket sprung mattresses, the springs inside open coil mattresses usually have quite large gaps between them, so if you sleep every night on a cheap open coil mattress, you'll likely notice the appearance of dips and lumps in uncomfortable places, and even expensive open coil mattresses are not immune to this problem.

Open coil vs pocket sprung: Which is better?

So, when it comes to coil spring vs pocket spring mattress, which type is best in terms of price, comfort and support, sleep styles, and longevity? Take a look below to see our thoughts on these important factors to consider when buying open coil vs pocket sprung mattresses:

Price

As we’ve already mentioned several times, open coil mattresses are definitely the cheaper and better option if you're on a budget, with some of the most inexpensive ones starting out at as little as £99, though high-end models can cost well over £1000.

Meanwhile, pocket-sprung mattresses most often start at around £150, but can go up to nearly £2000 in price, depending on how luxurious you want the fillings to be and how many springs you want inside your new bed.

Comfort and support

In general, pocket-sprung mattresses provide better-targeted support to your body than open coil mattresses, as they are able to move independently to precisely support pressure points and relieve pain through comfort.

But, with that being said, open coil mattresses can still provide adequate support, especially in the form of orthopaedic mattresses. In fact, some of the best mattresses for arthritis feature open coil springs.

Sleeping style

Although their support levels can vary, both pocket sprung and coil mattresses are great for any type of sleeping position, as whether or not you will be most comfortable on your back, front, or side will come down to picking the right mattress firmness.

However, a pocket-sprung mattress will be able to provide more targeted support if you sleep on your front or side, whereas an open coil mattress can be better for regular back sleepers.

Longevity

In the long run, pocket-sprung mattresses tend to be much more durable than open coil mattresses since their springs move independently of each other. This means that there's a much smaller chance of dips or lumps developing from filling movement.

However, open coil mattresses can be easier to maintain as they are lighter, and therefore easier to turn around every few months. They are also cheaper to replace, which may cancel out their shorter life span for some customers.

Should you buy a pocket sprung or open coil mattress from MattressNextDay?

As you can no doubt see, when it comes down to open sprung vs pocket-sprung mattresses, both have their benefits and each is most certainly capable of delivering the perfect night’s sleep for the right person.

With that being said, if you're someone on a budget who doesn't share a bed, and doesn't need targeted support, we’d suggest going for open coils. Whereas if you’re sharing with a partner or have a higher budget to invest, then it’s hard to go wrong with a pocket-sprung mattress.

Either way, if you’re looking to purchase a new mattress soon, then you can start browsing the MattressNextDay range today! With mattresses and bed frames on offer in all sizes, you’re sure to find something to suit your needs.

And, if you want more insight into buying a new mattress, or other tips around sleep, don’t forget to visit our sleep blog and guide hub where we have similar pieces to this one, such as our guide comparing pocket sprung vs memory foam vs hybrid mattresses!