Written By: Michal Szlas
Michal Szlas is the founder of OTTY Sleep and a lifelong sports enthusiast who understands the critical role quality sleep plays in recovery and performance. With his extensive background in sports and passion for optimizing sleep, Michal is a trusted authority dedicated to helping you achieve better, more restorative sleep every night.
Considering a pocket spring mattress, but not sure exactly what they are?
If you've ever wondered about the secret behind the superior support and comfort of these mattresses, you're in the right place.
Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about pocket spring mattresses.
Table of contents
What is a Pocket Spring Mattress?
A pocket spring mattress offers a unique sleeping surface that offers personalised support.
A pocket spring mattress offers a unique sleeping surface that offers personalised support. Unlike traditional coil and pocket mattresses, each spring in a pocket sprung mattress operates independently. This means that each spring responds individually to the pressure applied to its area, providing a tailored level of support for each person on the mattress.
This type of mattress spring system is particularly beneficial for those who share a bed with a partner of a different weight or for those who tend to move around a lot during the night. The independent movement of the springs helps to prevent 'roll-together' and reduces the transfer of movement across the mattress.
Introduced in 1899, pocket springs revolutionised the mattress industry. They offer a responsive sleeping surface that adapts to the shape of the body, ensuring correct spinal alignment and support. This makes pocket sprung mattresses a popular choice for those seeking a comfortable and supportive night's sleep.
How is a Pocket Spring Mattress Made?
The main type of material used is the pocket spring, each encased in its own fabric pocket.
While there are many spring mattress designs, OTTY's encapsulated pocket spring mattress design allows each spring to react independently to pressure, providing personalised support and response.
The construction process involves wrapping each pocket spring in hardwearing pockets. The springs themselves are typically made from high quality stainless steel, chosen for its strength and resistance to corrosion.
The mattress can also contain a mix of natural and synthetic materials for comfort and cushioning. While cheaper models may use synthetic materials, higher-quality products often incorporate more luxurious natural materials such as high density memory foam, wool, silk, or horsehair.
Benefits of Pocket Spring Mattresses
Pocket spring mattresses are a popular choice for many, and for good reason. They offer a host of benefits that contribute to a good night's sleep. From providing superior comfort and support to reducing partner disturbance, these mattresses are designed to cater to your individual sleep needs.
In this section, we'll delve into the key benefits of a pocket spring mattress, exploring how its unique design and features can enhance your sleep experience. Whether you're a solo sleeper or share your bed, a pocket spring mattress could be the perfect fit for you.
Comfort and Support
A pocket spring mattress is a marvel of comfort and support. The design incorporates individual springs, each encased in its own fabric pocket. This unique structure allows the mattress to offer superior support, moulding to the body's contours and responding to movements with ease.
Sleep Soundly With Your Partner
Pocket spring mattresses are a godsend for those who share their bed. The individual spring design is the key to reducing partner disturbance. Each spring operates independently, absorbing movement rather than transferring it across the mattress.
Spinal Alignment
A pocket spring mattress is a boon for those who value spinal alignment and pressure point relief. Each individual spring in the mattress works independently, reacting to the body weight it supports. This unique feature allows the mattress to mould to your body shape, keeping your spine aligned and correctly supported.
Temperature Regulation
Unlike memory foam mattresses, which can trap heat due to their dense structure, pocket spring mattresses feature individually wrapped coils that promote increased airflow throughout the mattress. T
Understanding Pocket Spring Count
What is Pocket Spring Count?
Pocket spring count refers to the total number of pocket springs contained within a mattress.
This count is typically based on the number of springs in a king-sized mattress of a particular model. The count can vary significantly, ranging from as low as 600 to as high as 13,250.
The spring count is an often a factor in determining the level of support and firmness a mattress can offer. However, it's worth noting that the spring count is not the sole determinant of a mattress's comfort.
Other elements such as the comfort layers, which could be made of memory foam or natural fillings, also play a significant role in shaping the overall feel of the mattress.
Additionally, once reaching around 3000 springs, adding more springs to a mattress is only often possible via adding another layer, which does not add any additional support to the mattress. More springs are often added as comfort layers.
The spring count is often mentioned in the mattress name, making it easy for potential buyers to identify. It's important to remember that a higher spring count doesn't necessarily translate to a firmer or more comfortable mattress.
How Many Springs Should a Good Mattress Have?
The number of springs in a mattress can greatly influence its comfort and support levels.
Check out our guide on How Many Pocket Springs A Good Mattress Should Have.
Pocket Spring Mattresses vs Other Types
This section will look at the comparison of pocket spring mattresses with other popular types.
Pocket Spring vs Open Coil Mattresses
In an open coil mattress, the springs are interconnected, causing the entire mattress to react to movement
On the other hand, pocket spring mattresses feature individually nested springs, each encased in its own fabric pocket. This allows each spring to move independently, providing a more responsive and stable sleeping surface. This design reduces partner disturbance and roll together, making pocket spring mattresses an ideal choice for couples.
While open coil mattresses are often firmer and less expensive, making them a good choice for entry-level mattresses, pocket spring mattresses offer superior support and durability. They may be more complex and costly, but the benefits they provide, such as enhanced spinal alignment and support, make them a worthwhile investment.
Pocket Spring vs Memory Foam Mattresses
Pocket spring mattresses and memory foam mattresses are two popular choices, each with their unique benefits.
The choice between foam or pocket sprung mattresses often comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the firm, responsive support of pocket springs, while others enjoy the soft, contouring comfort of memory foam.
Memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to mould to the body's shape, providing personalised support and pressure relief. They're excellent for those with joint or back pain, as they evenly distribute weight and reduce pressure points.
However, pocket spring mattresses offer a different kind of comfort.
Each spring in a pocket sprung mattress operates independently, providing a responsive support system that adjusts to your body's contours. This feature makes them an ideal choice for couples, as movements are less likely to disturb each other.
What is a Hybrid Pocket Spring Mattress?
A hybrid pocket sprung mattress is a unique blend of two popular mattress types. It combines the responsive support of pocket springs with the comfort of foam layers. This fusion creates a mattress that offers the best of both worlds.
The pocket springs provide personalised support. Each spring reacts independently to pressure, ensuring optimal support for different body weights and movements. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who toss and turn throughout the night.
On the other hand, the foam layer enhances comfort. It could be memory foam, latex, or gel, each offering a distinct feel. Memory foam contours to the body, latex offers a bouncy feel, and gel regulates temperature.
At OTTY, we believe that hybrid mattresses are the best out there, as they can combine the best of both worlds - pocket spring and memory foam, to create a sleeping surface that is both supportive for your back and joints, individually responsive, and moulds to your body, maximising comfort. You can compare our mattresses on this page.
Choosing the Right Pocket Spring Mattress
Choosing the right pocket spring mattress can be a daunting task, given the variety of options available. It's not just about picking the first mattress you see; it's about finding the one that provides the right balance of comfort and support for your body shape and sleeping habits.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pocket Spring Mattress
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a pocket sprung mattress:
Quality of Construction
Look for mattresses made using traditional handmade techniques. These ensure high standards of workmanship and durability.
Spring Count
The pocket spring count refers to the number of pocket springs within each mattress. We recommend looking for mattresses with 1000-4000 pocket springs.
Firmness Level
The tension of the springs plays a part in determining the overall firmness of the mattress. Choose a mattress with pocket spring firmness that suits your body shape and sleeping habits for optimal comfort and support.
Spring Size
Look for mattresses with springs that are at least 10cm long. Any pocket springs shorter than this will not usually be able to provide adequate level of support.
Choosing the Best Base for a Pocket Spring Mattress
When it comes to choosing the best base for a pocket sprung mattress, it's crucial to consider the type of bed frame. Platform top bases are often the best choice.
They provide a flat surface that fully supports the bottom of the springs, ensuring optimal comfort and support.
However, if you prefer a slatted bed base, you need to be careful. The gaps between the slats should not be too wide. If they are, it can potentially damage the mattress and the pocket springs, affecting the overall look and feel of your mattress.
Buying the mattress and base together is generally a good idea. This ensures compatibility and can often lead to better overall performance. For instance, many pocket spring mattresses can be purchased with a matching divan base, which can significantly enhance the comfort and support of the bed.
Maintaining Your Pocket Spring Mattress
Just like any other product, a pocket spring mattress requires proper care and maintenance to ensure its longevity.
Think your current mattress might be nearing the end? Check out our guide on how often you should change your mattress.
Should You Turn a Pocket Spring Mattress?
Maintaining a pocket spring mattress requires some attention to detail. One common question is whether you should turn a pocket spring mattress. The answer is, it depends.
Some pocket spring mattresses are single-sided, meaning you can only sleep on the top side. These mattresses can be rotated but not flipped over, as the underside isn't designed for sleeping.
On the other hand, double-sided pocket spring mattresses can be both rotated and flipped. This helps to even out wear and prolong the mattress's lifespan.
Regardless of the type, it's generally recommended to turn your mattress once a week for the first three months, and then once a month thereafter. This helps prevent body impressions and indentations from forming on the surface, a phenomenon often referred to as mattress settlement.
We normally recommend to rotate your mattress once a month for the first year and then once every 3 months thereafter, which would extend the lifetime of your mattress.
How Long Does a Pocket Spring Mattress Last?
A higher-quality pocket spring mattress, for instance, can last up to twenty years if properly cared for.
The lifespan of a pocket spring mattress is influenced by several factors. The build quality and the quality of the materials used are two key determinants.
A higher-quality pocket spring mattress, for instance, can last up to twenty years if properly cared for.
We do not recommend keeping a mattress over 10 years, as there are other sleep issues caused by old mattresses.
On the other hand, cheaper pocket spring mattresses may only last 2 years, even with correct care. The usage of the mattress also plays a significant role in its longevity.
It's worth noting that pocket spring mattresses typically outlast other types of mattresses. This is due to the individual springs that adapt to the body shape, ensuring even weight distribution and exceptional comfort.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Pocket sprung mattresses offer a superior level of comfort and support, thanks to their unique design.
Each individual spring is encased in its own fabric pocket, allowing it to move independently and adapt to your body shape. This results in even weight distribution, reduced partner disturbance, and enhanced spinal alignment.
Pocket sprung mattresses are available in different spring tensions, allowing you to tailor the mattress to your specific support needs.
They are also often made with natural materials, adding a touch of luxury and breathability
Investing in a pocket sprung mattress could be the key to achieving the restful and rejuvenating sleep you need
