The best innerspring mattresses blend the sturdiness, support and responsiveness of traditional coil beds with modern comfort innovations, eliminating the need for the cumbersome box-spring-and-mattress combo. After testing dozens of coil-based beds, our favorite is the Saatva Classic. It pays homage to the classic coil bed with its dual-innerspring design and also features multiple firmness levels, different height options and enhanced lumbar features throughout.
The Saatva Classic is among the best innerspring mattresses on the market, alongside beds from DreamCloud, Leesa and more.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
These days, most beds with coils fall within the hybrid mattress category because they usually have some type of foam, wool or cotton comfort layer for extra cushion. However, the mattresses named on our list like the Saatva Classic and WinkBed have strong coil designs and supportive profiles that are comparable to the feel of a traditional innerspring bed. See our choices below, all of which our team of experienced editors and writers has tested.
Upgrade your sleep with the Saatva Classic, a mattress that offers top-notch support and comfort with two layers of innersprings and a list of lumbar reinforcements (which is why it also earned the best mattress for back pain title). Its coils take up most of the bed, which helps explain its prominent innerspring mattress feel—lifted, responsive and supportive. Though, it doesn’t compromise on comfort. “I feel supported and relieved in all the right places,” says a team member who tested the luxury firm model of the Saatva Classic against 28 other beds. “Specifically, my trunk has enough room to make my body alignment feel natural. I also feel like my shoulders can relax enough without dipping back, contrary to many firm mattresses that tend to give my shoulders and upper back no relief at all.”
A thick layer of steel sits near the base of the mattress, while a thinner microcoil layer is sandwiched in between the bed’s zoned quilted pillow top that one tester says “helps balance out the density of the firm mattress beneath” and a memory foam lumbar support layer. It also contains a patented spinal wire as an additional way to promote alignment. You have the choice between three firmness levels, but side sleepers should consider the plush soft while back and stomach sleepers may like the luxury firm or firm best. See more about this bed’s highlights and potential drawbacks in our full Saatva Mattress review.
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If you’re searching for the best innerspring mattress you can get for your money, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature fits the bill and is highlighted in our roundup of top-rated affordable mattresses. I tested this mattress for over a month in my own bedroom, and as I said in my 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.” It doesn’t come with many frills and thrills like the Saatva Classic, but it does offer versatility and comfort at a competitive price, and you’re able to upgrade to a cooling cover if you’re prone to sleeping hot.
It comes in three firmness levels: soft, medium or firm and an array of sizes (including RV beds and non-standard dimensions). Our testers and I tried the medium model, which is an accommodating pick for most sleeping positions; it earned a 7.5 out of 10 for side sleeping, 8.5 for back sleeping and 8 for stomach sleeping. 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.
Best Organic Innerspring Mattress
Certified Organic With Seven Support Zones
Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado Green (Queen)
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
4.3
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
Shoppers who want to buy organic
Hot sleepers, thanks to its naturally breathable materials
Skip if:
You don’t want to pay more for a plusher bed
Motion isolation is a priority
Our pick as the best organic mattress available, the Avocado Green Mattress can suit a variety of sleepers’ needs. From cover to base, it’s made with natural, organic and eco-friendly materials for a greener and cleaner sleep. “I appreciate how every part of this bed is made with sustainability in mind, and I can see that being a big draw for eco-minded sleepers or sleepers with allergies,” says one of our testers who tried the firmest Avocado Green model. The firm model has the most innerspring mattress-like feel, but it’s most ideal for back and stomach sleepers who want a bed with a lifted, supportive profile. The medium and plush options are better for side and combination sleepers who require a bit more cushion and give because they contain more latex comfort foam. However, the softer the mattress, the higher the price tag.
Inside the Avocado Green sits a recycled, pocketed steel coil system with seven zones (compared to the average three- or five-zone design). They’re made to be softer where your body needs more pressure relief and firmer where you need more support. It also contains GOLS-certified latex foam and GOTS-certified New Zealand wool, which is finished with a soft and breathable organic cotton cover. “The Avocado Green keeps my hips lifted and in line with my shoulders, while the latex and thick cover provide a gentle touch,” says one Forbes Vetted tester. For more insights into testing data and our thoughts on this organic bed, see our full Avocado Green Mattress review.
Best Plush Innerspring Mattress
A Luxe, Hotel-Like Choice That Doesn't Drain Your Savings
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Premier Rest (Queen)
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
For a plush and luxe feel that simultaneously doesn’t let your spine sag into the mattress, the DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid is a match for all kinds of sleepers. During our testing, we found it’s supportive and soft enough for most sleeping positions. Although the brand rates it as medium-firm, our team feels it’s much softer. One person says, “The pillow top cradles my shoulders and hips really nicely and relieves pressure along my sides,” while another calls it “incredibly comfortable for a stomach sleeper.” She adds, “The cushioned top and the soft give allow you to feel like you’re floating when you’re lying on your stomach.”
This mattress is also a great pick for couples. Forbes Vetteddirector of partnerships Madeline Kaufman says in her DreamCloud Premier Rest Mattress review, “My husband shifting around and waking me up during the night was definitely a concern when moving in [together].” She continues, “I’ve been so impressed with how well the Premier Rest absorbs his movements—they don’t wake me up (which is what usually happens on other mattresses).” She also says that it has a softer feel than advertised, but it “does not have a sinking feeling by any means.”
Best Cooling Innerspring Mattress
Dual-Coil Design And Cooling Cover For Breathable Comfort
Leesa
Leesa Legend Chill (Queen)
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
The Leesa Legend Chill uses both 8-inch coils and microcoils (less than an inch) for maximum support, and it’s designed with hot sleepers in mind as it has a phase change cover that pulls heat away from your body and evenly disperses it through the mattress. In combination with its dual-coil layers that promote airflow and gel-infused foam for cooling relief, this innerspring mattress helps keep you comfortable even when temps start to soar. I tested the Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid for months before I moved it into my guest bedroom, and it was a nice aid for my husband and me (we’re both hot sleepers). In addition to being cooling, it also offers great ease of movement and edge support for couples who share a mattress with a partner. With a medium-firm profile, this mattress is most ideal for back, stomach and combination sleepers. I think the majority of side sleepers would prefer a softer feel. See more of my thoughts in my full Leesa Legend Chill Mattress review.
Best Innerspring Mattress With A Pillow Top
A Soft, Sumptuous Hybrid That Lulls You To Sleep
WinkBeds
The WinkBed (Queen)
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
4.8
Type: Hybrid |Firmness: Soft, luxury firm, firm or plus | Delivery: Free shipping |Trial: 120 nights |Warranty: Lifetime
You’re a petite side sleeper who needs a very soft mattress
The WinkBed is among the most comfortable beds for sleepers who crave the plush, cushy and airy feel of a thick pillow top mattress. It used to have two coil layers with a feel similar to the Saatva, but it became more lush and cushy when the brand replaced the top microcoil layer with comfortable foam slabs. Underneath its foam layers is a zoned pocketed coil layer that provides extra support beneath the lumbar region and is reinforced along the edges for a stronger perimeter. With its sturdy construction and burly and fluffy Euro pillow top, this is an innerspring mattress that strikes a balance between supportive and pressure relieving. “The pillow top definitely gives it more of a pillowy-soft feel, but it still feels supportive overall," says one of our testers.
The soft model is the most plush and is ideal for side sleepers or people who weigh under 150 pounds. If you’re a combination sleeper or someone who wants a balance between soft and firm, the medium firmness level is the best choice. Sleepers weighing more than 250 pounds should choose the plus model for more support. You can learn more in our full WinkBed Mattress review.
Best Innerspring Mattress For Heavy People
A Firm Pick That Doesn't Buckle Under Pressure
Brooklyn Bedding
Titan Plus (Queen)
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Back, stomach and combination sleepers over 230 pounds
Hot sleepers (optional cooling cover)
Those wanting strong edge support and motion isolation
Skip if:
You sleep on your side and need a bed with more give
A regular hybrid mattress performs just fine for heavier body types, but the Titan Plus, a bed designed for plus-size sleepers, is a premium choice if you’re looking for superior support. It holds 500 pounds on each side, or 1,000 pounds total, and is among the firmest beds Forbes Vetted editors and I have tested. It has a lifted feel that’s reminiscent of traditional innerspring beds, but as one plus-size tester says, “It has enough softness to where it wasn’t uncomfortable.” This makes it a good choice for back, stomach and combination sleepers who want proper support and pressure relief.
There’s a comfort foam layer that’s designed to be sag-proof, along with a core of individually wrapped coils for ample support and motion isolation. Our team of seven plus-size testers rated it a 9.5 out of 10 for motion isolation and an 8.5 out of 10 for edge 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-firm feel for more pronounced contouring that’s better suited for side sleepers or couples with different body types who share a mattress.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we understand the importance of a good night’s sleep. Browse our library of sleep and mattress articles that house our firsthand experience with sleep product testing and meticulously researched guides for better rest.
The author of this story, McKenzie Dillon, is a Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor with a sleep science coach certification. She has been testing mattresses and other sleep products since 2019 and has written guides on everything from the best mattresses for side sleepers to the best sleep tech.
Bridget Chapman is Forbes Vetted’s senior mattress and sleep editor and is also a certified sleep science coach. Together, she and Dillon have collectively tested hundreds of mattresses, including all of the options on this list.
We spoke with Dr. Michael Gerling, American board certified orthopedic spine surgeon, on the benefits of a hybrid or innerspring mattress and what to consider when you’re shopping for one.
How We Chose The Best Innerspring Mattresses
Our editors and writers have extensive experience testing beds and know what to look for when deciding on the best innerspring mattresses. Here is how they narrowed down beds for this roundup.
Most mattresses these days contain some kind of comfort material in addition to innersprings, but the beds we highlighted are reminiscent of traditional innerspring mattresses with supportive, lifted profiles.
We also looked for mattresses that performed well during testing in multiple categories including motion isolation, edge support, ease of movement and temperature.
We chose mattresses from reputable brands that have at least a 4 out of 5-star rating.
Our team chose mattresses that offer some kind of trial period and warranty so you have plenty of time to decide whether or not you like your mattress and can have confidence in your purchase.
What To Consider When Buying The Best Innerspring Mattresses
As you have probably gathered, some mattresses are better for your specific needs than others—beds aren’t usually a one-size-fits-all deal. When you’re making an investment on a mattress and spending nearly $1,000 or more, it’s important that you find it comfortable, accommodating and worth the price tag.
Sleeping Position
This is one of the most important factors to consider when you’re buying a new mattress. Beds range from soft to firm and many fall somewhere in between.
If you’re a side sleeper, a medium to soft mattress that gives underneath the shoulders and hips is typically the best option.
For people who sleep on their back or stomach, consider a medium-firm to firm mattress, depending on the level of support you’re looking for. A bed that’s too soft can contribute to back pain.
“People appreciate the springy benefits of a hybrid bed if they shift positions,” says Dr. Michael Gerling, American board certified orthopedic spine surgeon, as they offer such good ease of movement. Combination sleepers can either choose a bed that falls in the middle of the spectrum to please most sleeping positions, or cater to their most dominant posture.
Motion Isolation
Innerspring mattresses are great for support and spinal alignment, but they may not be optimal if you want a mattress that completely deadens movement. Mattresses with two layers of coils like the Saatva Classic and Leesa Legend Chill are especially responsive because there are extra springs. For those who co-sleep with a restless partner or have a different sleep schedule than their significant other, consider a softer innerspring mattress that’s better at absorbing motion, or see our list of the best memory foam mattresses.
Ease Of Movement
Hate the stuck feeling of being in a foam mattress? Although motion isolation isn’t innerspring mattresses’ strong suite, ease of movement certainly is. “Springs have give and bounce when one gets in and out of bed, which would be similar to the advantages of playing basketball on a hardwood floor that imparts a small amount of give after impact versus a concrete slab,” says Gerling. “Getting in and out of a bed and changing positions in a hybrid bed that has springs generally adds shock absorption and comfort.”
Combination sleepers fare well with a responsive profile, but so does “anyone with fragile bones and painful joints,” says Gerling, as they don’t have to exert as much energy and effort when trying to switch positions.
Innerspring Types
There are generally three types of innersprings that are commonly used in mattress constructions.
Innersprings: This is the traditional set of steel innersprings that all work together in one system. If a person sits down on one side, the other side of the innerspring system also compresses. This can be found in many traditional mattresses and some modern beds with two coil layers.
Pocketed coils: This is the upgraded version of innerspring coils. They are individually wrapped in fabric and work independently from each other, which improves motion isolation.
Microcoils: These are much shorter than your regular set of coils and they sit near the top of a mattress in a comfort layer. Your average coils are six to eight inches, while microcoils are usually one to four inches and aren’t as dense.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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 trial period and a supportive 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.
Innerspring mattresses are a good choice for those who like to sleep on top of their bed, rather than in 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 trapping.
Innerspring mattresses can help those with back pain sleep more soundly—particularly if they use pressure-relieving pocketed springs. Several of the innerspring and hybrid mattress options on our list feature a targeted lumbar zone to relieve strain on the lower back.
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