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Are Innerspring Mattresses Bad for Your Back?

by Michael Webster

At a Glance: 

What is an Innerspring Mattress?

Pros & Cons of Innerspring Mattresses 

Our Best Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring Mattress FAQs

Why Trust Us?

Unless you’ve actually been sleeping under a rock, you probably have used an innerspring mattress at some point in your life. If you’re the owner of an older mattress, or perhaps you received a hand-me-down bed from a sibling or parent at one point, then you more than likely have had some experience sleeping on an innerspring mattress.  

Innerspring mattresses are the oldest, most commonly used bed type around. But are innerspring mattresses bad for your back? In this quick guide, our experts will fill you in on everything you need to know about innerspring beds, including their pros and cons, and the different types of mattresses you can compare them to in order to make the best choice for your sleep.  

What is an Innerspring Mattress? 

Innerspring mattresses are the traditional bed model that we all think of when someone says the word “mattress”. The bouncy and sometimes cartoonishly fluffy bed with metal innerspring coils has graced bedrooms everywhere, becoming the gold standard of sleeping surfaces. Because innerspring mattresses have been around for decades, they provide that traditional feeling that you know and love when it’s time to call it a day.  

In terms of their construction, innerspring mattresses incorporate a metal wire system combined with springs to create a supporting frame covered in soft fabric with different cushioning materials used on top of the surface for extra support. Compared to more modern memory foam and hybrid mattresses, innerspring beds have a quilted, smoother-feeling top that usually comes in different levels like pillow top, medium, plush, or firm innerspring mattress. Despite its outdatedness, if you enjoy this type of soothing comfort and soft feel, then an innerspring mattress might be just right for you.

Pros & Cons of Innerspring Mattresses  

While innerspring mattresses are no doubt one of the most reliable types of beds available, not everyone is a fan of how they feel. If you’ve grown accustomed to sleeping on an older innerspring bed with outdated materials, exploring a new mattress design may be the right decision. In order to help you make the best choice on a new mattress, here are some of the pros and cons to consider when it comes to innerspring models.  

Pros 

Innerspring Mattresses are Better for Aches and Pains 

One advantage that many consumers enjoy about innerspring mattresses is that they use durable coils to support the body and ensure that weight is distributed as evenly as possible without causing any pressure points. The innerspring, or encased coils,  offer extra-firm, responsive support that helps with spinal alignment, which in turn helps alleviate back pain.  

Innerspring Beds Come in Affordable Pricing  

With innerspring being such a classic mattress type, you are guaranteed to find a model that fits within your budget. However, you’ll need to remember that just because a mattress is priced as a good deal doesn’t mean it will last long. The average mattress lifespan of an innerspring model ranges from five to seven years, but investing in higher-quality bed materials could extend that timeframe.  

No Sinking Memory Foam  

For some sleepers, such as elders and individuals with low mobility, the sinking feeling of lying on memory foam isn’t quite as comfortable as a traditional innerspring mattress. Don’t get us wrong, memory foam is a fantastic supportive material ― but it’s not for everyone. Memory foam mattresses can feel a bit more abrasive than standard bed support materials. Plus, cheaply made memory foam retains more body heat, which can be extremely uncomfortable for sleepers who already run hot. On the other hand, the open network of springs at the base of an innerspring mattress promotes breathability.

Cons 

Bed Springs Can Fail  

If you grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons or always loved jumping on your parent’s mattress, you’ve probably experienced the feeling of a broken spring. Innerspring beds are prone to their coils breaking if too much pressure is applied at one time on one section or from gradual wear and tear over an extended period. If you have little kiddos of your own who like to jump around, you should probably consider a mattress that doesn’t have traditional coil springs. 

Lower Quality Materials  

Since innerspring mattresses have been around for such a long time, there are many models available at varying quality levels. Some innerspring beds will use lesser quality materials in order to cut costs and maximize profit. Sure, a lower-quality mattress will be kinder to your wallet, but with that, it won’t have the same longevity as a bed that uses more durable materials.

As we mentioned above, when it comes to pricing, if the cost seems almost too good to be true, you very well could be sacrificing the quality and longevity of the mattress. Moreover, because the duration and depth of sleep both depend on the quality of mattress you have — your sleep health could suffer. 

Innerspring Doesn’t Contour Like Memory Foam  

To play devil’s advocate to our previous point, for some sleepers, the lack of memory foam comfort layer on a mattress can be a big drawback. For anyone who prefers the contouring, joint-supporting feeling of memory foam, an innerspring mattress might not be the best fit for your sleeping needs. However, if you prefer the combined support of both memory foam and innerspring in your mattress, a hybrid mattress could be a match made in heaven. Hybrid mattresses use both traditional mattress materials to create a unique blend of modern and old-school comfort available in all firmness options. 

Our Best Innerspring Mattresses

Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, and you shouldn’t let your old mattress get in the way of that. To help you get the quality sleep you rightfully deserve, our experts have selected the best innerspring mattresses that will ensure you land on a cloud night after night.  

Beautyrest Black® L-Class Innerspring Tight Top Medium Queen Mattress

L-class

Turn your sleeping routine into a luxurious reward night after night with this Beautyrest queen innerspring mattress. For those looking for sweet relief when they hit the sheets, this innerspring bed offers up to 21 percent more support where your body needs it the most. With help from the brand’s new plant-based cooling technology, this Beautyrest mattress provides up to 18 percent more cooling power to keep you comfortable as you fall asleep. These innovative features are paired with an all-new, modern design and luxurious comfort to create a first-class sleep experience that will leave you feeling invigorated to take on your day.

Beautyrest Black® K-Class Innerspring Pillow Top Plush Queen Mattress

k-class

For the perfect blend of advanced sleep technology and luxury-style comfort, feast your eyes on this Beautyrest queen innerspring mattress. This Beautyrest mattress truly encompasses the brand’s best features in this innovative and exclusive design. This queen innerspring mattress features T3 Pocketed Coils that better absorb energy, reduce motion, and provide exceptional resilience for support, durability, and undisturbed sleep.

Plus, with tech only found in Beautyrest Black models, this mattress also comes equipped with SurfaceTouch Gel Memory Foam that works directly under the sleep surface to quickly unlock advanced pressure relief from the moment you lie down. At the same time, Dynamic Response Memory Foam eliminates pressure points with its unique feeling, which helps you get the sleep you deserve. 

So, is an innerspring mattress bad for your back? The short answer is ― no. Innerspring beds are generally good for you, and your joints and will provide exceptional amounts of support and comfort for many years. However, innerspring mattresses are great for some and not so much for others. If you constantly deal with back or neck pain and think your innerspring bed may be the culprit, we suggest looking into other mattress types such as memory foam to ensure that you always get a better night’s sleep. 

Innerspring Mattress FAQs 

We understand that there’s a whole lot more than meets the eye when it comes to innerspring mattresses. While we did answer a lot about this type of mattress, it doesn’t matter if it’s a full innerspring mattress or a twin innerspring mattress — there is still plenty more to discuss. To help you make the best decision on your new mattress, here are just a couple of frequently asked questions from customers just like you.   

Q: What is the advantage of an innerspring mattress? 

A: Innerspring mattresses are very breathable. Within the mattress, there is ample room for air to circulate. This particular style of design made the beds particularly cool to sleep on-great for hot sleepers.  

Q: What is wrong with innerspring mattresses? 

A: The greatest drawback to innerspring mattresses is that they do not age well. They have a limited lifespan because the springs used in their construction lose their tension. This breakdown of core materials can cause your mattress to sag and can cause you pain while you’re sleeping.  

Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?        

Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.   

Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!    

Shop Innerspring Mattresses at Spencer’s       

At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop innerspring mattresses today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find the best innerspring mattress, no matter what! Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!       

Learn More: Choose Your Mattress Wisely: Sleep & Mattress Guide