Memory Foam Vs Pocket Sprung: Which Mattress Type Wins?

How Memory Foam Works

Memory foam is a polyurethane-based material that softens under body heat. When you lie down, the foam moulds to your shape, distributing weight across a larger surface area. When you get up, it slowly returns to its original form.

Most memory foam mattresses sold in the UK use multiple layers. A firm base layer provides structure, while one or two softer comfort layers on top do the contouring work. Some manufacturers add gel or graphite to the foam to help with heat dissipation.

How Pocket Sprung Works

A pocket sprung mattress contains hundreds or thousands of individual springs, each wrapped in its own fabric pocket. Because each spring moves independently, the mattress responds to pressure point by point rather than as a single surface.

Spring counts in UK mattresses typically range from 600 to 3,000 for a double. A higher count generally means smaller springs and finer pressure response, though the quality of the steel and the comfort layers above the springs matter just as much.

Comfort And Support

Memory foam excels at pressure relief. Side sleepers and people with joint pain often prefer it because the foam cushions shoulders and hips without pushing back. The trade-off is that some sleepers feel "stuck" in the foam, making it harder to roll over or change position.

Pocket sprung mattresses feel more responsive. They push back against your body rather than sinking around it, which many back and front sleepers prefer. The independent springs also mean less motion transfer between partners, though memory foam is generally better on this point.

If you sleep in multiple positions through the night, a pocket sprung mattress with a memory foam comfort layer gives you both responsiveness and contouring. These hybrid designs have become the most popular type sold in the UK.

Temperature And Breathability

This is where the two types differ most. Memory foam retains body heat. The same density that lets it contour to your shape also traps warmth, and if you tend to sleep hot, a pure memory foam mattress can feel uncomfortable by the middle of the night.

Pocket sprung mattresses breathe more easily. Air circulates between the springs, and natural fillings like wool or cotton on top help wick moisture. If your bedroom runs warm or you share a bed, a sprung mattress will generally sleep cooler.

Gel-infused and open-cell memory foams have improved over the last few years, but they still run warmer than a well-made pocket sprung mattress.

Durability And Lifespan

Both types should last seven to ten years with proper care. Memory foam mattresses tend to develop body impressions over time, particularly in the hip and shoulder areas. Lower-density foams (below 40 kg/m³) wear faster.

Pocket sprung mattresses can sag if the springs lose tension, especially in cheaper models with lower spring counts. The comfort layers on top also compress with use, regardless of the spring quality beneath.

Rotating your mattress head to foot every three months helps both types wear evenly. Neither type should be flipped unless the manufacturer specifically says it is double-sided.

Price

For a UK double mattress, expect to pay roughly:

• Budget memory foam: £150 to £350
• Mid-range memory foam: £350 to £700
• Budget pocket sprung: £200 to £400
• Mid-range pocket sprung: £400 to £900
• Hybrid (pocket sprung and foam): £500 to £1,200

Memory foam mattresses are generally cheaper to manufacture, so entry-level prices are lower. At the mid-range and above, there is less difference.

If you are comparing prices across retailers, our mattress listings page pulls live prices from over a dozen UK shops so you can spot the best offers without checking each site individually.

Which Should You Choose

There is no single winner. The right choice depends on how you sleep, how warm your bedroom gets, and what you value most.

Choose memory foam if you:

• Sleep mostly on your side
• Want maximum pressure relief for joints or back pain
• Sleep alone and motion isolation matters less
• Prefer a "hugging" feel that moulds around you

Choose pocket sprung if you:

• Sleep on your back or front
• Tend to overheat at night
• Want a mattress that feels responsive and easy to move on
• Prefer a more traditional, bouncy feel

If you are not sure about firmness, our guide on choosing the right firmness walks through how sleeping position and body weight affect what feels comfortable. And if you are looking for the best price on either type, check our current deals roundup.