Mattress Coil Types: Balancing Comfort and Support

A good night’s sleep is essential for overall well-being, and a comfortable mattress is a key factor in achieving that. Mattress coils, commonly found in innerspring mattress innerspring and hybrid mattresses, provide the perfect balance of pressure relief and spinal support. These metal springs, strategically arranged within the mattress, are available in various types, each catering to different sleep needs.

From traditional Bonnell coils to innovative offset coils, continuous-wire coils, and pocketed coils, each variety of pocket coils offers unique benefits that influence mattress performance and durability. Additionally, some mattresses employ smaller coils in the comfort layers for added luxury.

Understanding the nuances of these coil types empowers you to make an informed decision and find the ideal mattress that suits your individual sleep preferences. Join us as we delve into the world of your mattress springs and coils, unlocking the secrets to a restful and rejuvenating slumber.

What Are Mattress Coils?

Mattress coils are crucial in providing a supportive and resilient surface for a good night’s sleep. These metal springs, typically made from tempered steel, are designed to flex and adapt to pressure, offering progressively firmer support as weight is applied.

The process of tempering steel involves repeated heating and cooling, enhancing the coils’ durability and ability to retain their original shape over extended periods of use.

Coil-based mattresses are known for their responsiveness and durability. The gaps between the coils promote better airflow, leading to a cooler sleeping experience than all-foam mattresses. The level of support offered by coil-based mattresses varies depending on factors like the type of coils used, their gauge (thickness), total coil count, and the overall mattress design.

Four main coils are used in mattress support cores: Bonnell coils, offset coils, continuous wire coils, and pocketed coils. Additionally, some mattresses utilize micro-coils, nano-coils, and mini-coils in memory foam’s comfort or transitional layers, adding further variations to the design.

Mattress Coil Types

Each type of mattress coil style offers distinct advantages and disadvantages tailored to various sleeping positions, bodies, mattresses, and budgets.

Bonnell Coils

The Bonnell coil style features a distinctive hourglass shape, with wider sections at the top and bottom and a narrower middle. This design allows the thinner part of tempered coils to respond well to light pressure while the thicker sections provide robust support under heavier pressure. Each coil is tied at the end and interconnected with neighboring coils through a network of spiral-shaped helical wires.

Due to their interconnected nature, Bonnell coils move as a unified unit, offering solid overall support. However, they might not adapt as effectively to different body weights and sleeping positions compared to other side coil mattress types. One downside is that friction between coils can produce some noise.

Originally, Bonnell coils were the first type of coils used in mattress construction, and they remain one of the more affordable options. They generally offer a firm feel and reliable edge support, although they may be prone to c in the mattress’s center.

Offset Coils

An evolution of the Bonnell hourglass coils, these offset coils share a similar hourglass shape and interconnected helical wires. However, they boast significant responsiveness, comfort, and noise reduction improvements.

Unlike the completely rounded Bonnell coils, offset coils have squared sides. This design enables the coils to flex like hinges under lighter pressure and provide more robust support when subjected to increased weight. Furthermore, offset coils excel at minimizing motion transfer across the mattress, and their ergonomic design reduces noise issues.

Offset coils come in various variations, including those with hinges on both sides or top and bottom and versions without knots. The enhanced features of offset coils make them more costly to manufacture, leading to a higher overall mattress price.

Continuous Wire Coils

Continuous wire coils are crafted using a single wire, meticulously formed into rows of loose coils that interconnect through helical wires. The simplicity of this design ensures continuous coils’ remarkable durability and cost-effectiveness.

Helical wires thoughtfully integrated across the frame maintain consistent spacing between coils, effectively reducing motion transfer. However, due to their tightly connected nature, some motion transmissions might still occur when responding to pressure. Notably, continuous wire coils lack the quietness provided by offset coil coils.

These coils are renowned for their firmness and stability, making them a popular choice for durable mattresses. Yet, it’s essential to acknowledge that they may not offer the same level of contouring as offset coils. Continuous wire coils are a suitable and budget-friendly option for mattresses with thicker comfort layers. Thanks to their efficient production process, they are generally more affordable than other types of coils.

Pocketed Coils

Pocketed coils, also known as Marshall coils, comprise multiple smaller coils, each meticulously encased in fabric sleeves. These individual fabric casings are either sewn or glued together, allowing every spring to move independently and flex freely within its enclosure. Pocketed coils are especially prevalent in hybrid mattresses.

The remarkable feature of pocketed coils lies in their ability to contour precisely to the body’s shape. Unlike other pocketed coil mattress types, these coils respond to pressure only when directly engaged, ensuring minimal motion transfer to surrounding coils. This characteristic makes pocketed coil mattresses an excellent choice for couples, as it significantly reduces disturbances during sleep.

With a cylindrical shape, pocketed coils effectively distribute pressure evenly across each spring, granting enhanced durability, particularly in the center of the mattress. In comparison to traditional hourglass-shaped springs, pocketed coils demonstrate higher resistance to wear and tear over time.

The intricate construction of pocketed coils often results in a premium price tag. However, the investment proves worthwhile, as individually wrapped pocket coils tend to be more long-lasting and provide exceptional support for a restful sleep experience.

Micro coils, Nanocoils and Minicoils

Micro coils, nano coils, and mini coils play a crucial role in enhancing the comfort and support of mattresses, particularly in their transitional layers. These coils, ingeniously crafted with flexible metal wires, bring about heightened responsiveness, durability, and overall mattress performance.

Unlike the standard innerspring coils that measure around 6 inches in height, micro coils and mini coils are more compact, ranging from 1 to 3 inches tall. Even more petite are the nanocoils, some barely exceeding 1 inch in height. The individual wrapping of these coils further refines their contouring abilities, providing a personalized and snug experience.

Their main function lies in seamlessly transitioning from the mattress’s comfort section to its supportive core. Due to their smaller size, they respond instantaneously to pressure, offering a profound cradle effect that beautifully balances pressure relief and support.

Furthermore, micro coils, nano coils, and mini coils optimize airflow within the mattress’s comfort layers, significantly reducing heat retention and promoting a cooler sleeping environment. These coil variants are predominantly found in hybrid mattresses, where they may be incorporated in multiple layers alongside foam or alternating with other materials like foam and micro coils.

What Purpose Do Mattress Coils Serve?

The main purpose of mattress coils is to provide excellent support by evenly distributing body weight. These steel coils, commonly found in innerspring and hybrid innerspring mattresses only, play a crucial role in stabilizing the bed and maintaining proper spinal alignment.

Mattress coils can expand and contract based on pressure, resulting in a buoyant effect that provides sleepers with a gentle bounce. This feature distinguishes coil-based mattresses from all-foam models and contributes to their ease of movement. Positioned in the support core, mattress coils focus on delivering deep spinal support, while the comfort layers above them offer cushioning and pressure relief for a more comfortable sleep experience.

Notably, smaller and more flexible coil variants such as micro coils, mini coils, and nano coils find their place in the comfort layers of certain mattresses. These unique coils serve a dual function: pressure relief and spinal support.

If you prefer a mattress with bounce and improved airflow, coil-based mattresses are an ideal choice. Their construction allows them to efficiently handle high-pressure levels, making them suitable for sleepers weighing over 230 pounds.

What Is Coil Gauge Count?

Coil gauge count refers to the measurement that indicates the thickness of the coils used in a mattress, affecting the mattress’s firmness. The gauge number is inversely proportional to the coil thickness; a lower gauge number means thicker coils, resulting in a firmer and stiffer mattress surface.

Typically ranging from 12 to 15, mattress coil gauges are crucial in determining the level of support a mattress provides. If you prefer a forgiving and softer mattress, opting for a gauge number around 14 would be ideal. On the other hand, if you desire a mattress with a firmer and more supportive feel, choosing a gauge number of 13 or lower is recommended.

One advantage of mattresses with lower coil gauges is their potential for enhanced durability. The thicker wire used in these coils tends to wear out slower over time. However, it’s essential to note that most consumers replace their mattresses before the coils wear out, making gauge number less critical when considering overall durability.

How Many Coils Should A Mattress Have?

The number of coils in a mattress determines its support and longevity. It is generally advisable for consumers to have a lower coil count and avoid mattresses with low coil counts. However, it’s important to note that the specific minimum coil count can vary depending on the mattress size.

For instance, a full mattress should ideally have a minimum of 300 coils, while a queen bed should have at least 400 coils, and a king mattress should have a minimum of 480 coils.

Nevertheless, it’s worth considering that mattresses with significantly higher coil counts may not provide substantially higher comfort or support. In some cases, mattresses with lower coil counts may compensate by having a higher coil density, which can offer enhanced support.

Ultimately, finding the right mattress involves assessing individual preferences and needs rather than solely relying on the number of coils. Factors such as mattress materials, firmness, and overall construction should also be considered to ensure a comfortable and supportive sleep surface.

Conclusion

Achieving the perfect balance between comfort and support in a mattress is a personalized journey. With various mattress coil types to choose from, each catering to different preferences and needs, it’s essential to prioritize what matters most to you. Whether you opt for the responsiveness of innerspring coils or the motion isolation of pocketed coils, investing in a high-quality mattress ensures better sleep and improved well-being.

Remember, your mattress is where you spend a significant portion of your life, and finding the right balance of comfort and support will undoubtedly contribute to a healthier and happier you.