Innerspring mattresses may not dominate the market like they used to, but they’re popular among sleepers seeking a breathable, responsive and supportive surface. True innerspring mattresses are delivered flat and feature a base of coils topped with a thin comfort layer of foam, wool or cotton. Our sleep experts call the Saatva Classic the best innerspring mattress overall for its customizable comfort, luxe handcrafted design and traditional lifted bed feel.
The Saatva Classic, our top pick as the best innerspring mattress overall, has two coil layers and a ... [+] soft pillow top for maximum support with ample cushion.
Saatva
If you’re not quite ready to cast memory foam aside but crave the support of springs, opt for a hybrid mattress. Our list includes both traditional and hybrid models and many of these crowd-pleasing picks make an appearance in our best mattresses of 2024 guide, as well. Simplify the search for the bed of your dreams and consider one of our editor-approved picks below.
The Saatva Classic tops our list of the best innerspring mattresses for its overall performance, variety of customizable options, quality handcrafted construction and industry-leading perks. It’s the closest to a “true” innerspring bed on our list since it’s not as foam-heavy as its competitors. It combines a traditional innerspring design with a second layer of individually wrapped coils, and it’s topped with a European-style pillow top with an organic cotton cover. There’s a high-density foam rail along the bed’s perimeter for edge support plus a strip of memory foam paired with an “active spinal wire” for targeted lumbar support. This feature earns it a distinction as one of the best mattresses for back pain along with the Saatva Rx. It comes in three firmness levels (plush soft, luxury firm or firm) plus two height profiles (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches) so you can tailor it to your comfort and sleeping position. Free white glove delivery is included, as is removal of your existing mattress and foundation.
What our editors and contributors say: Deals writer Jordan Thomas says, “The Saatva Classic was my first foray into the world of luxury mattresses and I am never going back. It’s supportive but still comfortable (I’ve found it great for back pain), it’s breathable (a must for grueling Texas summers) and it provides great edge support (no more frustrating sinking or sagging).” Former mattress and sleep editor Lindsey Vickers, who slept on the luxury firm version for her Saatva Classic Mattress review, adds, “I think this is a great pick for pressure relief. I found the mattress extremely comfortable for sleeping on my stomach, and pretty good for side sleeping, too.”
If you want more sinkage (compared to the Saatva Classic)
Skip if:
A 15-inch mattress is too high for you
You’re a heavy stomach sleeper who requires a firmer sleep surface
The Saatva Rx is specially designed for sleepers with chronic back and joint conditions like arthritis, scoliosis, sciatica and herniated discs. (It’s endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and has the Congress of Chiropractic State Association Seal of Approval.) Every layer of this innerspring hybrid is meant to promote proper alignment and offer targeted support and relief. At the base are triple-tempered recycled steel coils topped with foam modules to reduce motion transfer and heat buildup. Above that are 1-inch microcoils sandwiched between two layers of high-density foam to cradle and support your body. Similar to the Saatva Classic, there’s a strip of gel-infused memory foam that runs across the middle; that’s complemented by a patented “Lumbar Zone Quilting” to alleviate pressure buildup in that area. To spare your back from further strain, free white glove delivery is included, as is removal of your existing mattress and foundation.
What our contributors say: Contributor and co-author of this story Alison Barretta has mild scoliosis and occasional lower back pain. “It feels like the Saatva Rx was made for me,” she says. “I graduated to the Rx after sleeping on an unyielding hybrid mattress that gave me a stiff back in the morning. In as little as a week of sleeping on the Rx’s more balanced surface, I noticed a lack of discomfort in my lower back and eventually stopped waking up in pain the longer I slept on it.”
Best Innerspring Mattress For Side Sleepers
Alleviates Hip And Shoulder Pressure Points
MOST POPULAR
Helix Sleep
Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium to medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years
Best for:
Most combination side/back sleepers
Bed-sharing (it dampens movement well)
Alleviating lower back pain
Skip if:
You sleep on your front or are of a heavier build
You like the deep contouring of memory foam
With individually wrapped pocketed coils and zoned lumbar support, the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is softer under the the shoulders and firmer along the hips, making it our top choice as the best mattress for side sleepers overall. Three foam layers, including a high-density memory foam pillow top, cradle and contour the body, and higher gauge coils wrap the perimeter for extra edge support—a perk if you sleep near the edge of the bed or with a partner. (By the way, it has minimal motion transfer, making it a great choice for couples, too.) A premium cooling cover is included but if you’re a chronically hot sleeper, upgrade to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover (for $199) made with specialized fibers for instant dissipation of body heat.
What our editors say: Our updates editor Alexandra Garrett notes in her Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress review, “When I slept on my side for a full night, I didn’t wake up with aggravated joints. With this in mind, I think the Helix Midnight Luxe is a really solid choice for average-weight side sleepers, since it doesn’t put too much pressure on sensitive joints.” Meanwhile, oure-commerce partnerships senior account manager Jessica Weisman says, “It’s a great mattress when sleeping next to someone else. Move all you want and the person next to you doesn’t wake up.” When it comes to side sleeping, she notes, “The memory foam top is a great touch.”
Best Organic Innerspring Mattress
Certified-Organic With Five Support Zones
Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado Green (Queen)
Type: Organic hybrid | Firmness: Firm, medium or plush | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 25 years
Best for:
Any sleep style—it has three firmness levels
Conscientious shoppers who want to buy organic
Hot sleepers for its naturally breathable materials
Skip if:
You don’t want to pay a premium for a plusher bed
Motion isolation is a priority
Our pick as the best organic mattress available, Avocado is one of the most environmentally-friendly brands in the bedding industry. It holds a number of coveted mattress certifications including Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program. Beyond cleaner materials, the Avocado Green offers ample support and soothing pressure point relief for your shoulders, back and hips. It’s constructed with a layer of pocketed coils that’s divided into five ergonomic zones, which evenly distribute your weight and take pressure off your lower back. There’s also a 2-inch Dunlop latex layer for added pressure relief and low motion transfer, so it’s a good choice for couples, as well. By default, the Avocado Green is a firm mattress but you can add a pillow-top for a medium feel or a box-top for a soft feel. (Note that these additions cost up to $1,500 extra.)
What our editors and contributors say: Our home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala has been sleeping on her Avocado Green mattress for more than two years, during which she experienced a pregnancy. She says, “After having a baby, my body has taken a real hit and I appreciate the natural cushioning and medium support it offers.” Plus, her husband suffers from allergies so he benefits from Avocado’s all-natural, non-toxic materials. Contributor Jamie Ueda calls it “one of my favorite mattresses I’ve tested and slept on” in her Avocado Green Mattress review.
Best Pillow Top Innerspring Mattress
A Luxe, Hotel-Like Choice That Doesn't Drain Your Savings
You like a soft bed or primarily sleep on your side
Pillow top mattresses look and feel luxurious—so they often come with a heavy price tag. For a hotel-caliber innerspring at a reasonable price, check out the DreamCloud Premier Rest, which is the brand’s top-of-the-line model. This hybrid is made of individually-wrapped 8-inch steel springs plus a combined six inches of memory foam to contour and support your body. The pillow top is wrapped in a soft cashmere blend. This mattress is regularly on sale for up to 50% off and includes generous extras for the cost: a one-year sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
What our editors say: Ourdirector of partnerships Madeline Kaufman says in her DreamCloud Premier Rest Mattress review, “The pillow top cushioned my body’s curves and felt especially nice on my runner’s legs. My fiancé sleeps on his side, and I shift around at night from starting on my back to ending up on my stomach. We both felt the mattress cushioned and supported us nicely.” She also feels that it has a softer feel than advertised, but it “does not have a sinking feeling by any means.”
Best Affordable Innerspring Mattress
Comfort And Your Choice Of Firmness For Under $1,000
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft, medium or firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Best for:
Custom firmness and a broad range of sizes
Most sleeping positions
Couples and families who share a bed
Skip if:
You like the deep sink of memory foam
The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid is one of our favorite affordable mattresses. It comes in three firmness levels: soft, medium or firm, as well as an array of mattress sizes (including RV beds and non-standard dimensions). It features a layer of pocketed coils for excellent edge support and adaptability for any sleeping position. Comfort layers consist of gel-infused TitanFlex polyfoam (similar in feel to latex) and VariFlex polyfoam, offering body contouring and pressure relief without excessive sinking. The coils help air flow through the mattress, but if you’re a hot sleeper consider upgrading to a GlacioTex cooling pillow top for extra relief. Thanks to regular sales at Brooklyn Bedding, you’ll often find a queen priced for less than $1,000.
What our editors say: Sleep and mattress editor McKenzie Dillon was impressed at how comfortable and supportive this affordable mattress is. As she notes in her Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress review: “In a sea full of online mattresses, I think of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature as like the Toyota of beds: reliable, reputable and comfortable, without having to be the high-end pick.”
Best Cooling Innerspring Mattress
Cool-To-The-Touch Feel For Enhanced Temperature Relief
You’re a strict side sleeper who sleeps in one position
The Ghostbed Flex sets itself apart from other innersprings and hybrids by pairing individually wrapped coils with gel-infused foam plus a cool-to-the-touch cover to wick away moisture and draw away body heat. The result is one of the best cooling mattresses you can buy. Beyond sleeping remarkably cool, the Ghostbed Flex also has great motion isolation and reinforced edges, so it’s good for couples. While this pick is relatively firm (the company ranks its firmness level a 6 to 7 out of 10), it offers loads of pressure point relief and enough cushioning to warrant the shortlist for back and side combination sleepers as well.
What the reviews say: “We got the [GhostBed] during the summer,” begins one review. “[It] was very comfortable due to the cooling layers. We tried other beds that were hybrids but it didn't work out because of the heat. [That is] not so with this bed.” According to another customer, “I sleep all over the place (back, side and front) and have been comfy in every position. Definitely a worthwhile investment.”
Petite to plus-size sleepers (WinkBed Plus option available)
Skip if:
You’re a petite side sleeper who needs a very soft mattress
The WinkBed is among the most comfortable mattresses for sleepers who crave the embrace of an exquisitely plush bed similar to a bed inside a luxury hotel suite. The softest WinkBed is capped by a three-layer Euro pillow top designed to cradle your body and ease your joints. Underneath that is a layer of pressure-relieving foam and a core of steel pocket coils that are reinforced along the perimeter so you can sprawl out or sit on the edge without fear of falling overboard. To complement this bed’s cloud-like feel, there’s a dedicated lumbar zone to keep your lower back from sinking below the rest of your body.
What our editors say: Dillon says, “The WinkBed used to have two coil layers with a feel similar to the Saatva, but it became more plush and cushy when the brand replaced the top microcoil layer with a comfortable foam slab. Combined with its fluffy Euro pillow top, this is a supportive innerspring mattress that doesn’t compromise on comfort. Most people looking for a plush feel should consider the soft model, but the luxury firm model is best for heavier sleepers who need a little more support.”
Back, stomach and combination sleepers over 230 pounds
Hot sleepers (optional cooling cover)
Skip if:
You sleep on your side and need a bed with more give
The Titan Plus is a sturdy, supportive mattress that accommodates 500 pounds per side, or 1,000 pounds total. We think it’s one of the best mattresses for heavy people who want a supremely firm and supportive bed. There’s a pressure-relieving comfort foam layer that’s designed to be sag-proof, along with a core of 961 individually wrapped coils for ample support. The high-density foam base reinforces the coils to prevent them from buckling under pressure. Everything is topped off by a 1-inch quilted top but you can add a GlacioTex cooling cover if you tend to overheat at night. For a slightly softer touch, upgrade to the Titan Plus Luxe. It has a medium feel for more pronounced contouring.
What our editors say: Based on her experience, Dillon claims, “The Titan Plus is among the firmest beds I’ve tried and has a lifted feel that’s reminiscent of traditional innerspring beds. With a firm profile, people over 230 pounds may find it to be a little softer—around a medium-firm on the spectrum. This makes it a good choice for back, stomach and combination sleepers who want proper support with ample pressure relief.”
Our list of the best innerspring mattresses features traditional and hybrid models that backed by Forbes Vetted staff and contributors, as well as everyday shoppers.
Since hybrids offer “the best of both words”—and true innersprings are less common these days—our list of the best innerspring mattresses includes both traditional and hybrid models.
Our extensive experience in exploring mattresses and other sleep topics allows us to highlight the features sleepers care about most such as pressure relief, edge support, temperature regulation and motion isolation.
We also took cost into consideration, which is why our list includes budget buys, premium splurges and mid-range favorites.
Each pick on this list comes from a reputable sleep brand and has an overall customer rating of at least 4 stars (out of 5).
We recognize that buying a mattress online can be intimidating so all models in this article have a trial period of at least 100 nights and a money-back guarantee. (However, some brands may charge return fees, so make sure you read the terms and conditions.)
What To Consider When Shopping For An Innerspring Mattress
Sleeping Position
Think about how you drop into bed at night. Do you favor your side? A softer mattress to alleviate pressure buildup in your shoulders, hips and knees is often the best choice. Back sleepers should consider a medium to firm mattress for proper alignment and even weight distribution. As for stomach sleepers, a medium-firm to firm mattress to keep your pelvis level with the rest of your body works best.
For combination sleepers, a medium to medium-firm mattress is the most accommodating, but you can choose something that suits your dominant position, too.
Body Type
Your body weight influences how much support you need from your mattress. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are a good pick for heavier people since springs can help prevent premature sagging, a common issue with all-foam beds. Petite and average-sized sleepers who like beds with less pushback should get on well with innerspring and hybrid mattresses—provided they’re soft and not too unyielding.
Construction
Innerspring mattresses feature a base of coils topped by a thin comfort layer made of wool, cotton or foam. They’re ideal for sleepers who like a springy sleep surface with minimal give.
Hybrid mattresses combine the support of a traditional innerspring with multiple layers of foam. Those who crave deeper pressure relief and/or need something that isolates movement well should opt for a hybrid mattress construction.
Price
Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are available at various price points. Generally speaking, hybrids tend to be pricier than traditional innerspring or memory foam mattresses since they require more materials.
While cost is an important consideration, don’t assume that an expensive mattress is the best one for your sleep needs. On the other hand, budget beds aren’t made to last for the long-term.
Trial
Testing a mattress at a brick-and-mortar store gives you an idea of how it performs, but your body needs time to adjust to a new sleep surface, especially if you haven’t bought a new mattress in many years. Each one on our best innerspring mattress list includes a trial between 100 nights and a full year. (Your body needs at least 30 days to adjust to a new sleep surface, especially if your previous mattress was old and broken in.) Returns and exchanges are usually free, but some sleep companies may charge a nominal fee.
Warranty
All of the innerspring and hybrid mattresses on this list include a warranty of at least 10 years. They cover manufacturing defects like broken coils or ripped seams; they don’t protect against the wear and tear that comes from regular use. You should also read the terms and conditions of your mattress warranty to avoid doing anything that could render it void, like sleeping with your mattress on the floor.
Long-term and lifetime mattress warranties are usually prorated after a certain point. That means you need to pay for any repairs or replacements beyond the non-prorated portion of your warranty.
Which Type Of Spring Mattress Is Best?
We find the Saatva Classic is the best spring mattress for most people because it comes in three firmness and height levels so you can tailor it to your comfort and space. Other perks include free white glove delivery, a 365-night warranty, and a chiropractor-approved design to alleviate back and joint pain. If you’re working with a smaller budget, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a sound alternative to the Saatva Classic.
Who Should Use An Innerspring Mattress?
It’s a good choice for those who like to sleep on top of their bed, rather than inside of it. The responsive surface of an innerspring mattress appeals to all sleeping positions, but especially combination sleepers who favor beds with good ease of movement. Hot sleepers should also consider an innerspring mattress. The coils help with airflow, while a lack of memory foam means heat is less prone to being trapped.
Are Innerspring Mattresses Good For Back Pain?
Innerspring mattresses can help those with back pain sleep more soundly—particularly if they use pressure-relieving pocket springs. Several of the innerspring and hybrid mattress options on our list feature a targeted lumbar zone to relieve strain on the lower back, like the Saatva Rx.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we understand the importance of a good night’s sleep. Browse our library of meticulously-researched sleep and mattress articles for answers to your most pressing questions on how to catch those ever-elusive Zzzs.
The author of this story, Sharon Brandwein, is a Forbes Vetted contributor and a certified sleep science coach.
Forbes Vetted sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon are also certified sleep science coaches who have collectively tested hundreds of mattresses, including most of the options on this list.
What’s more, our writers, editors and contributors have slept on some of these hybrid and innerspring mattresses. We’ve included their feedback in this article, with links to their full reviews where applicable.
This article is updated regularly for relevance and accuracy; it was last revised in June 2024 by Forbes Vetted contributor and mattress tester Alison Barretta. The most recent update to this article included pros/cons for each product pick and additional buying advice to help you find the best pick. It features several new additions to our list, including the Saatva Rx (best for back pain) and the Titan Plus (best for heavy bodies).
