Foam vs Spring Mattresses: How to choose the right one for you
The materials your mattresses are made from matter more than you may think.
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When it comes to buying bedroom furniture, picking the right mattress for you is a crucial decision. Like Goldilocks, settling on a mattress that’s not too soft, not too hard, but “just right” can make the world of difference when it comes to getting quality shut eye.
“Sleep is one of the fundamental pillars of a happy and healthy life, along with nutrition and exercise. It is the key to maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul,” says sleep expert, Emma Sleep’s Emma Merritt.
“Good quality sleep is the key to a well-functioning immune system, healthy heart, and good brain function.”
But with so many options on the market, where do you start? And how do you know whether a spring mattress or a foam mattress – or something that combines the two – is the most suitable for your circumstances?
We’ve rounded up some of the best foam, spring and hybrid mattresses to help you on your shopping journey and shared our guide to deciding on a foam vs spring mattress (or the best of both worlds with a hybrid option).
Our pick is the Emma Comfort Mattress (Double), which has been slashed by 40 per cent, bringing it down to $695.40 (down from $1159).
With 6.6k five-star reviews, happy customers praise the high-quality foam mattress, saying, “The comfort level is beyond compare – it feels like sleeping on a cloud.”
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST MATTRESS FOR SLEEPING WITH A PARTNER
The Koala Mattress (Queen), $1250 at Koala
The Koala Mattress (Queen)
What You Need To Know
Customers love how comfortable this Koala Mattress is, but the real selling point is just how customisable that comfort is. Choose between “firm” or “medium-firm” when it comes to the layers thanks to its “Flippable firmness” and “Partner preference” features.
Describing this mattress as “great value and quality”, a five-star reviewer wrote, “Fantastic mattress, great quality and value. Really happy with our purchase!”
One customer wrote in their review, “I have made a good decision to purchase this mattress, it is so comfy and you can even adjust the firmness. Good investment and to streamline your sleep. What a bliss!”
BEST ALLERGY-FRIENDLY MATTRESS
Ecosa Mattress (Queen), $920 (down from $1150) at Ecosa
Ecosa Mattress (Queen)
What You Need To Know
This memory foam mattress made by Ecosa is an ideal mattress for people looking for firm support and a comfortable night of sleep.
“Mattress is really comfortable, supportive, and makes me sleep like a baby,” one customer wrote in their five-star review. “Literally have not slept this well in a long time. I am always having difficulty sleeping and back pains... but this mattress has honestly made sleeping a lot easier.”
BEST FIRM MATTRESS
SD MACH II, $1649 at Sleeping Duck
SD MACH II
What You Need To Know
The Sleeping Duck’s MACH II is an award-winning tempered steel spring model that incorporates high-density poly foam (available in medium or firm) into its mattress.
One five-star reviewer was impressed by the support provided by this product as well as the lack of motion transfer while sleeping with their partner.
“The best night’s sleep. I don’t feel my husband move or turn during the night and wake up actually recharged/refreshed,” the customer wrote.
Another added, “Best we’ve had in 28yrs. Firm, comfy and no sagging.”
BEST MATTRESS WITH EDGE SUPPORT
Comfort Classic Mattress (King), $1200 at Eva
Comfort Classic Mattress (King)
What You Need To Know
The Eva Comfort Classic matches plush memory foam (to assist with comfort) with pocket springs to provide superior support and accommodate different pressure points.
One five-star reviewer raved about how much the mattress improved their sleep after making the purchase.
“So far we’ve had it for a few months and have been having great sleep on it, waking up more refreshed,” the reviewer wrote. “Edge support great, firmness is just right at Medium Firm, not too much partner disturbance when moving around. Not too high, though not lightweight at 50kg, it’s a solid piece of furniture to sleep on and only adds to the reliability and integrity of the design.”
BEST MATTRESS FOR BACK PAIN
Emma Comfort Mattress (Double), $695.40 (down from $1159) at Emma Sleep
Emma Comfort Mattress (Double)
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a comfortable night’s sleep, this could be the mattress for you! The Emma Comfort Mattress is one the brand’s top-rated product with over 6.6k five-star reviews.
Many of these happy customers praise the high-quality foam mattress.
“The comfort level is beyond compare – it feels like sleeping on a cloud,” wrote one five-star reviewer.
Another added, “My decade-long chronic back soreness dramatically decreased and I stopped waking up multiple times in the night trying to get comfortable.”
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY MATTRESS
Origin Hybrid Mattress, $463.20 (down from $579) at Origin
Origin Hybrid Mattress
What You Need To Know
The Origin Hybrid Mattress is rated number one for “value for money” on ProductReview and is made with bamboo-infused memory foam, motion isolation high density foam and seven-zone antigravity springs for the ultimate comfort and support.
“Very quick delivery, and very impressed with the quality when it uncoiled out of the box,” gushed one five-star reviewer over the mattress. “It is super firm and comfortable and great quality.”
BEST COOLING MATTRESS
Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress, $1031.40 (down from $1719) at Emma
Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress
What You Need To Know
One pleased five-star reviewer said the Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress “exceeded my expectations in every aspect”.
The happy customer was particularly impressed by its comfort and support.
“Its plush yet supportive design provided me with the best sleep I’ve had in years,” they wrote. “From the moment I laid down, I felt cradled and comfortable, allowing me to drift off into a peaceful slumber.”
Another five-star review was a big fan of the lack of motion transfer – an important factor for those sharing a bed with a partner.
“If you have a bed partner, you don’t feel them move at all. Really important for a light sleeper like me,” they raved.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A FOAM OR SPRING MATTRESS
Mattress size:
In Australia, foam and spring mattresses have these standard dimensions:
Single: 91.5cm X 190cm
Single XL: 91.5cm X 203cm
King Single: 105.5cm X 203cm
Double: 138.5cm X 190cm
Queen: 152.5cm X 203cm
King: 183.5cm X 203cm
Super King: 203cm X 203cm
Firmness:
Firmness levels will impact your comfort and support and the one you choose will come down to personal preference, sleeping position and body type. Medium firm is ideal for stomach sleepers, while back sleepers should opt for a medium firm or firm mattress. Side sleepers, meanwhile, need a softer mattress. Those with a larger or heavier body type should look for medium or medium firm mattresses for superior pressure relief while those with a lighter or smaller body type, a soft or medium mattress may be more suitable.
Pricing:
Consider your budget when it comes to choosing the right mattress for you. Some spring mattresses may be more affordable but may not be as comfortable or durable. Hybrid mattresses bring together the best of both worlds when it comes to foam and spring, but are often a little more expensive. Opt for the most comfortable mattress your budget will allow.
Mattress thickness:
While most standard mattresses range between 25cm and 30cm, there are other options available to choose from. For back sleepers, mattresses in the standard range are most suitable, while thick mattresses (between 30cm and 35cm) are great for those who suffer joint pain or need pressure relief thanks to its extra cushioning. If you have a larger body type, an extra thick mattress (more than 35cm thick) is a good option as it is designed to cradle your body and feels soft enough to be comfortable but not so soft that you’ll get that sinking feeling.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of mattresses available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. Our content is based on a range of different types of research – the team’s first-hand experience with products, hours of research, scouring through pages of consumer reviews or information, and advice from experts we trust.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which is better: foam or spring mattress?
Well, it depends. There are several factors to take into consideration when determining which type of mattress is “better”. Emma Sleep’s in-house sleep expert, Emma Merritt breaks down the key differences between the two mattress types.
Foam mattresses:
“Polyurethane foam has pretty much been the standard material in the mattress industry for decades. It is a relatively inexpensive material to produce and its durability is dependent upon the density level,” Merritt explains.
“Low density polyurethane foam is soft and ideal for the top layers of mattresses although it is not known to be very resilient. High density polyurethane foam, on the other hand, is very durable and is ideal for support layers in mattresses that would otherwise lead to the heavier parts of your body sinking too far into the mattress.”
Merritt adds that a third type of polyurethane foam is used in the mattress industry as well.
“The third type of poly foam mattress is called high resiliency which are even more firm and compact than high density foam,” she shares. “Polyurethane foam is also extremely lightweight and can be easily carried when moving homes. Companies usually use a combination of all these types to create an attractive mattress for their customers.”
Spring mattresses:
“Pocket sprung mattresses are also a very popular choice among current mattress buyers. The springs are sewn into each of the pockets within the fabric of the mattress. This offers more bounce than traditional foam mattresses and sleepers will not sink in as much,” Merritt says of modern spring mattresses.
The sleep expert advises that hot sleepers may want to consider this option when buying a new mattress for their bed.
“Reduced sinking offers sleepers the opportunity to turn more easily throughout the night and tend to not trap as much heat as with foam mattresses,” she says.
While pocket spring mattresses tend to be more popular, there is also the existence of open coil and closed coil spring mattresses.
“Open coil and closed coil are usually cheaper than pock sprung mattresses. Continuous coil mattresses have springs made from a single wound wire, whereas open coil mattresses have single springs arranged by one wire,” Merritt explains. “Neither option is optimal unless you are looking for a budget mattress but be cautious since the coils are fixed together this will prompt the whole mattress to move when you or your partner move during the night. This may prevent you from getting the quality rest that you need if you are prone to moving around a lot at night.”
What are the disadvantages of sleeping on a foam mattress?
Some luxury versions of a foam mattress can be considerably more expensive than their innerspring mattress counterpart. Hot sleepers may need to choose wisely when picking a foam mattress as some models trap body heat. Other disadvantages of foam mattresses include the initial “off-gas” period (where an odour is released in the first couple of days post-setup) as well of the lack of bounce compared to spring mattresses.
What are the disadvantages of spring mattress?
While some spring mattresses can be more affordable, they can wear out more quickly depending on the quality. This can be particularly a problem for cheaper models if the quality isn’t initially up to scratch. The size of the mattress and weight of the sleeper can also affect its durability.
Do hotels use spring or foam mattresses?
More Coverage
Given how luxurious a night’s sleep at a fancy hotel can feel, you might be wondering which mattress type these places use. Are they using beds with gel memory foam, latex mattresses or expensive spring mattresses or something else altogether? Generally speaking, hotels opt for medium-firm hybrid mattresses as these tend to last longer and are able to cater to the high turnover of guests sleeping on the beds. A traditional spring mattresses with a cushioned gel top layer is a common choice for many hotels wanting supportive mattresses for their guests.
To save even more on mattresses, check out news.com.au Coupons, for the best discounts and deals from stores like Koala, Myer, Emma Sleep, Noa Sleep, Origin Mattress and more.
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