Pocket Sprung Mattresses: The Facts

How They Work

A pocket sprung mattress contains individual small springs, each housed in its own fabric pocket. Because the springs are not connected to each other, each one responds independently to pressure. This allows the mattress to adjust to your body shape point by point, rather than dipping as a whole when weight is applied.

The springs are arranged in layers and filled with materials such as cotton, lambswool, mohair, cashmere, silk, or horsehair. An anti-allergy layer and damask cover complete the construction.

Advantages

Compared with a standard coil sprung mattress, a pocket sprung design has significantly more springs. A typical coil mattress has 300 to 400 springs, while a pocket sprung double can have 1,000 to 3,000. Each spring acts as an individual support point, providing more precise contouring.

Key benefits:

• Targeted support: the mattress moulds to your body like a soft mattress while providing the support of a firm one.
• Ideal for couples: if there is a weight difference between partners, each side of the mattress adjusts independently, so one person's movement does not affect the other.
• Temperature regulation: unlike memory foam mattresses, pocket sprung models allow air to circulate freely. They keep the bed warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Disadvantages

• Sagging: some pocket sprung mattresses can develop a dip in the centre within one to two years, even in premium models. This varies significantly between manufacturers.
• Lifespan: even a good pocket sprung mattress may reach the end of its useful life after five to seven years.
• Spring pressure: some sleepers find that the pushback from the springs causes discomfort, numbness, or restless movement during the night.
• Maintenance: pocket sprung mattresses should be turned head to foot and flipped regularly, ideally once a month. Because they are heavy and bulky, this can be awkward without help.

Choosing The Right One

As with any mattress purchase, testing is essential. Lie on the mattress in your normal sleeping position for at least ten minutes before deciding. Take your partner along if you share a bed.

For help choosing the right firmness for your sleeping position and body weight, see our firmness guide. For a detailed comparison with memory foam, see our memory foam vs pocket sprung guide. To compare prices across UK retailers, check our mattress listings page.