Shopping for a new mattress can be a confusing process. With hundreds of beds to choose from across dozens of categories, it can start to feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can narrow down your search easily by focusing on one big question: Do you want a foam or an innerspring mattress?

We’ll focus on the differences between foam versus spring mattresses. By learning more about these two categories, you can become better informed when it comes to choosing the right mattress for your needs.

What’s the difference between a memory foam vs spring mattress, or pocket spring mattress? It all comes down to the materials used and the style of construction. The details of each style are discussed in later sections.

Which is better? There’s no definitive answer to that question.

Of the two mattress types, innerspring beds are the older and more “traditional” option. Some may think of them as old-fashioned, but there are plenty of high quality, comfortable, and modern spring mattresses available.

Rather, it is better to frame the question as a matter of which one is the better choice for you and your needs. Each type of mattress tends to perform better in certain ways, making them generally better suited to the needs of different kinds of sleepers. There is also plenty of variation in performance among models of the same type, making it important to investigate how a roll up mattress is constructed.

What is a Foam Mattress?

Foam mattresses are all-foam beds that are exceptionally popular for online mattress shoppers. They can be made out of a variety of foam materials, from memory foam to polyfoam, and typically contain several unique layers. Foam beds can be soft or firm, budget or luxury, so there is a huge amount of variety within this category.

What is a Spring Mattress?

Spring mattresses, also called innerspring mattresses, are beds that utilize dozens to hundreds of metal springs to provide an underlying support layer. They also have softer plush material layers to increase comfort. Some find that spring hybrid mattresses feel more supportive than foam, at least initially. This is particularly true for heavier people, who may benefit more from the coiled spring support systems than a foam base.

Lastly, the various types of springs used in these mattresses will impact their comfort and support ratings.

Types of Springs/Coils

Bonnell Coils – Bonnell coils are the original design used in the first innerspring mattresses, and some manufacturers still use them today. They are hourglass-shaped and can be made to be either soft or firm depending on the wire gauge. Bonnell coils are simple and cost-effective, so many mattresses utilize them.

Most online mattress retailers now offer free trial periods, where you can test the bed for up to several months. If you’re unsure about a roll up innerspring mattress, this flexibility may provide a little reassurance during the purchase process.