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Matrace Almero

Foam, spring or pocket spring?

Mattresses aren’t just hard or soft. What matters is what’s inside, because that decides how they sleep. See how foam, spring and pocket spring mattresses differ.

Under load, only the springs directly beneath the body compress; the neighbouring ones stay level.

Pocket spring mattress

Every spring sits in its own fabric pocket, so it works on its own.

  • The springs compress only where you put weight on the mattress, so they follow the shape of your body more closely. Zoned versions distinguish the shoulders, waist and hips, for example.
  • A good balance between bounce and absorbing your partner’s movement.
  • Air flows between the springs, so the mattress breathes well.
  • Also suitable for heavier people.
Suits you if
you share the bed, you get hot at night, or you want support that adapts gently.
Watch out for
a higher price and more weight than a foam mattress. It absorbs movement slightly less than good-quality foam.

Typical layers: cover · comfort foam · felt · pocket springs with a foam edge · felt · cover

Choose a pocket spring mattress
The springs are linked by wire, so under load the neighbouring ones dip too and the mattress bends across its width.

Spring (Bonnell) mattress

The classic with interconnected springs. Firm, bouncy and breathable.

  • Excellent ventilation, so neither heat nor moisture builds up.
  • Gives a buoyant feel and holds its edge well.
  • Usually the most affordable option.
  • Easy to handle and easy to get out of.
Suits you if
you’re after a sensible price, a firmer and bouncier feel, or a mattress for guests or a holiday home.
Watch out for
motion transfer. The connected springs react together, so your partner feels every turn. It gives less at individual points of the body than pocket springs.

Typical layers: cover · comfort foam · felt · interconnected springs with a border frame · felt · comfort foam · cover

Choose a spring mattress
The foam forms a smooth hollow around the body and slowly recovers once the weight is lifted.

Foam mattress

A foam core that adapts to your body.

  • Hugs the body closely and spreads pressure, especially cold foam and visco memory foam.
  • Absorbs your partner’s movement very well.
  • Quiet and lighter than a spring mattress.
  • Contains no metal, so there is nothing to squeak.
Suits you if
you sleep with a partner who turns a lot at night, or you like the feeling of being hugged by the mattress.
Watch out for
lower breathability (especially with memory foam) and a weaker edge. Cheap low-density foam dents sooner; heavier people should look for denser foam.

Typical layers: cover · visco memory foam (optional) · cold foam core

Choose a foam mattress

Comparison at a glance

Pocket spring

Adapts to the body
good
Absorbs partner’s movement
good
Breathability
very good
Edge support
good
Weight
higher
For heavier people
yes
Price
medium to higher

Spring

Adapts to the body
basic
Absorbs partner’s movement
weak
Breathability
excellent
Edge support
good
Weight
medium
For heavier people
yes
Price
low

Foam

Adapts to the body
very good
Absorbs partner’s movement
excellent
Breathability
medium
Edge support
weaker
Weight
low
For heavier people
only with dense foam
Price
medium

Mattress myths

A good spring mattress won’t poke you or squeak.

‘Spring mattresses squeak.’

Squeaking mainly affects old Bonnell cores, where metal rubs against metal, and worn beds or slatted bases. Pocket springs sit in fabric sleeves and aren’t linked by wire, so metal doesn’t hit metal. When something squeaks, it is often the bed, not the mattress. Try putting the mattress on the floor.

‘A spring can shoot out of the mattress.’

With a new, good-quality mattress this is very unlikely. The springs are covered by comfort layers of foam and felt, and often by a foam edge as well. A protruding spring is a sign of wear or damage, typically in a very old or very cheap mattress.

‘The harder the mattress, the better for your back.’

Harder isn’t automatically better. In a controlled study of people with long-term back pain, a medium-firm mattress did better than a firm one. The right firmness depends on your weight and sleeping position, though, and a mattress is no substitute for a doctor’s advice.

‘Memory foam is always hot.’

Older, dense memory foams really do hold heat. Modern open-cell foams with a breathable cover do better, and how warm you feel also depends on the slatted base, bedding and bedroom temperature. Trying it out or the specifications of the particular model will tell you.

Mattress finder

Got the type? What about the firmness?

Answer three questions and we will recommend a firmness and specific mattresses.

Start the mattress finder
  1. How do you usually sleep?
  2. How much do you weigh?
  3. What feel do you prefer?