Looking to improve your sleep with a better, more comfortable mattress? You’re not alone. After all, a recent CNET survey found that six out of 10 US adults are willing to invest in a better sleep setup, and that means an average of $1000 a year or $78 per month spent to improve the quality of their sleep. And if you want the most comfortable bed, then you should look into an innerspring mattress. These have evolved greatly over the years, now focusing on support, durability, and giving you a springy feel to ease you into a good night’s sleep. The coil systems also help with airflow and support different areas of the body.
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If you’ve tried all-foam mattresses and they didn’t work out for you, or if you can’t stand that sinking feeling of memory foam, it’s time to check out some better options. There are tons of mattresses out there, so it’s key to find the right one while steering clear of the overly bouncy ones. Our CNET team has put in the time to research and test all the innerspring mattresses in this guide, and they’ve picked out the best ones just for you.
What’s the best innerspring mattress overall?
There are plenty of great innerspring mattresses available from top-notch brands. But the bed that stands out from the rest is the Beautyrest Black Series One. Beautyrest is known for making luxury mattresses with high-quality materials.
The Beautyrest Black is the best overall innerspring mattress because it’s a hybrid bed with 10 different firmness and feel options. Bed brands always get extra points if they offer customization through various models because they allow you to pick the firmness level that best suits your personal needs and preferences. Beautyrest Black isn’t what I would consider a budget mattress, but it’s worth the money if you’re looking for a bed that will last.
Best innerspring mattresses of 2025
Pros
- Made with an extra inch of luxury materials like silk and cashmere fibers
- It’s available in firm, plush, medium pillow top and plush pillow top
Cons
- The Beautyrest Black isn’t a budget mattress
Why we chose the Beautyrest Black Series One mattress: The Beautyrest Black is a fan-favorite and our pick for the best innerspring mattress overall. There are different models, but with its 15-inch profile, gel memory foam and advanced cooling technology, the medium pillow top model of the Series One is one of the most luxurious and accommodating innerspring beds.
Technically a hybrid, it’s made with several layers of pressure-relieving cooling and gel memory foam and topped with Beautyrest’s Sleep Climate technology to help keep you cooler throughout the night. The coils are constructed with a proprietary technique called T3 Pocketed Coil Technology, which is found only in the Beautyrest Black models — a fancy way of saying that each coil has three strands of steel wound into one. This construction solves some of the typical problems associated with innerspring mattresses by reducing motion transfer and absorbing bounce. The innerspring coils provide extra support so the mattress doesn’t sag over time.
Pros
- The Saatva mattress has a dual-layer of coils that provide extra support
- It’s a great pick for people who want more support and multiple firmness options
- Available in two mattress heights
Cons
- This innerspring mattress may be a little too firm for petite sleepers
Why we chose the Saatva Classic mattress: The Saatva Classic hybrid mattress combines the traditional innerspring mattress feel with enhanced comfort and support. It features two layers of springs: On the bottom, a dual coil base unit made of hundreds of tempered steel coils provides advanced support, prevents sagging and allows for increased airflow so the mattress doesn’t trap heat.
The next layer consists of individually wrapped coils made from durable recycled steel that relieve pressure points and quickly respond to your body’s movement to prevent motion transfer. On top of those steel coils sits high-density memory foam and a 3-inch Euro pillow top that gives it some extra oomph, if that’s what you’re looking for.
It comes in two mattress heights, 11.5 and 14.5 inches, and three comfort levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm. The Plush Soft is ideal for all types of sleepers, but the Luxury Firm is the most popular (what 82% of customers ultimately end up choosing, according to Saatva). Firm is best for spinal alignment and back support, especially if you’re a heavier sleeper. This Saatva mattress is compatible with an adjustable base.
Read more in our Saatva Classic mattress review.
Pros
- Comes in soft, medium and firm profile options
- Similar in construction to most innerspring beds but with additional pressure-relieving memory foam
- Good for any body type or sleeping position
Cons
- Out of range for budget shoppers
Why we chose the Stearns & Foster Estate mattress: Stearns & Foster mattresses lean toward the pricier side, but they’re still a great value, especially considering the quality. The Estate and Lux Estate Collection mattresses, which scientists from Tempur-Pedic designed, are made with an exclusive type of coil system called IntelliCoil, sitting on top of a high-density innerspring border around the edges. On top of the coils is the comfort layer with Tempur-Indulge memory foam for pressure relief.
The Stearns & Foster Estate mattress comes in various feels and firmnesses. You can choose between soft, medium or firm profiles in the standard luxury feel or a soft or firm profile with a pillow top feel. This specific model is classified as medium, which means it offers that initial plush feel when you first climb onto it, but with an underlayer of firm support, no matter your sleeping position. Read more in our Stearns & Foster mattress review.
Pros
- Avocado is one of the most popular mattresses for organic materials like natural latex and wool
- It’s a comfortable mattress with multiple firmness options
Cons
- This mattress requires deep pocket sheets even without the pillow top
- The pillow top is an expensive add-on
Why we chose the Avocado Organic Luxury Plush Mattress: The Luxury Plush Mattress is the newest model in Avocado’s already impressive line. This extra-deep mattress has 17 layers of premium materials, including natural and organic latex, wool, silk and cotton, and 1,379 individually pocketed coils. Everything is strategically arranged into seven ergonomic comfort zones that relieve pressure where you need it and provide extra support where you don’t.
There are three models with different feels and firmnesses: medium, plush and ultra plush. The plush and ultra plush come at additional cost of $800 to $1,600, and they add extra plushness, contouring and advanced motion isolation. Avocado boasts an impressive list of sustainability certifications, including Climate Neutral, Greenguard Gold and B Corp — some of the hardest to get in the industry.
Read more in our Avocado Luxury Organic review.
Pros
- Helix makes high-quality, durable mattresses
- Medium-soft firmness is great for side sleeping
- Up to 1,000 durable steel coils for enhanced support and durability
Cons
- On the more expensive side
- Too soft for strict stomach or back sleepers
Why we chose the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: Helix mattresses frequent our best lists for good reason. The Helix Sunset Luxe stands 13.5 inches tall and features seven layers of quality materials. The zoned «body shape layer» at the base has up to 1,000 durable steel coils and reinforced edges, so it won’t sag or sink regardless of where you’re lying on the bed. It features multiple layers of high-density foams for enhanced durability and targeted pressure relief.
The Sunset Luxe offers a luxurious pillow top feel and a medium-soft firmness profile that accommodates side sleepers by providing plenty of pressure relief for the shoulders and hips. While testing this mattress, our sleep experts found it to have a slight hint of a memory foam feel because of the foam layers, but it’s still very responsive and has a neutral, accommodating feel overall.
Helix also has a sleep quiz on its website that considers your personal sleep preferences and positions (as well as your partner’s) to help you choose the right Helix mattress.
Read more in our full review of the Helix mattresses.
Pros
- This innerspring mattress is a great choice for budget shoppers
- You can choose from different firmness options
Cons
- This innerspring mattress has a medium to medium-soft firmness
- Not the best choice for someone who wants a firm bed
Why we chose the Beautyrest Silver Plush Innerspring mattress: Another Beautyrest model, the Silver 12-inch Plush Innerspring mattress is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on comfort. Its base layer is made with what the brand calls «Plush Pocketed Coils,» a specialized system of individually pocketed springs that move independently to adapt to your body shape while also minimizing motion transfer.
Gel memory foam, which offers advanced lumbar support and breathability to keep you cool, sits on top of the innerspring, while a thin layer of memory foam underneath the coils provides extra support for your body and the mattress. This under-layer of memory foam adds a little bit in terms of comfort, but it mostly prevents the springs from sagging in one spot and eliminates the need to regularly flip the mattress, which is a common complaint with older innerspring models.
How to choose an innerspring mattress
Shopping for a mattress is an extremely subjective process. What works for one person may not suit your preferences and needs. There are key factors that you should keep in mind when comparing innerspring mattresses. They include your sleeping position, body type, health conditions and budget.
Sleeping position
Your sleeping position is one of the most important factors in deciding what mattress will be best for you. It will determine how firm or soft your mattress needs to be to keep you comfortable at night.
- Side sleepers need a softer mattress to ensure they don’t develop pressure points on their shoulders, hips and knees.
- Strict back sleepers should get a medium firm or firm mattress so their spine is in a neutral alignment all night. This level of firmness will prevent back pain.
- Combination sleepers have the most flexibility in choosing their firmness level. You have two options: choose a bed based on the sleep position you spend the most time in, or opt for a medium firmness that works for any sleeper type.
Body type
Your body type will determine how much pressure you put on the mattress and which mattress you should choose. People who weigh over 230 pounds should generally choose hybrid mattresses for their support and durability.
Your weight also influences the firmness level of a bed. The more you weigh, the more pressure you put on your mattress, meaning it will feel softer. Petite body types will experience mattresses firmer because they put less pressure on the bed.
Health conditions
When shopping for mattresses, your health conditions also affect your decision making. For example, if you have joint pain, you’ll want to choose a soft mattress with plenty of pressure relief. If you have back pain, stick with a firmer mattress to keep your spine aligned.
Budget
Mattresses are big investments; there’s no way around that. Thankfully, there are mattresses at every budget level. Luxury mattresses are going to be more expensive than the average mattress. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a nice mattress for a fair price. Most brands run big sales around holidays and events. If you time it right, you can get a couple hundred dollars off the price tag.
How we test the best innerspring mattresses
Our CNET Sleep editors have tested more beds than the average sleeper — around 300 different ones, in fact — and have dedicated hundreds of hours to the craft. We take pride in our mattress testing methodology.
Firmness and feel
When we start mattress testing, we first determine the firmness and feel of the mattress. Firmness is simply how hard or soft a mattress is. We have several team members test and rate each bed to get the most well-rounded picture of how a bed performs in these categories.
The feel of the mattress describes how the mattress reacts. Is it slow responding like traditional memory foam? Does it snap back like latex foam? This will translate to how it will feel rolling around on the bed at night.
We also test firmness objectively using our proprietary CNET device, the Mattress Smasher 9000. This machine presses into the middle of a bed, and our corresponding software measures firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. While we also test each bed personally for perceived firmness and feel, we can support our opinions with the data from the Mattress Smasher.
Durability
The durability, or how long a mattress will last, is based on what it’s made from. Mattresses with individually wrapped coils as the base are more durable than all-foam options. They also tend to be more expensive.
Mattress performance
The key performance criteria we assess for mattresses include motion isolation, edge support and temperature.
We test how the mattresses isolate movement by placing a glass of water on the edge of the bed and rolling around to see how much it moves. Motion isolation is a big deal if you have a partner who rolls around and wakes you up.
Edge support is how strong the perimeter of the bed is. The test for this is simple: we sit and lie on the edge to see if it gives way under pressure.
When assessing temperature, we examine the materials and construction of the mattress. Materials like latex and gel memory foam can keep a mattress from retaining body heat.
Read more on how we test mattresses.
Other innerspring mattresses we’ve tested
Our CNET Sleep editors collectively write our best mattress lists based on their experience with hundreds of different mattresses. The beds listed above are all top picks, but with so many to choose from, a few other great beds deserve an honorable mention.
Leesa Legend Hybrid
The Leesa Legend mattress is a thick, premium bed with two layers of coils. One layer is made with individually wrapped coils, while a micro-coil layer in the top layers offers a ton of back support. As far as comfort goes, it has a medium firmness level and a fluffy, soft foam feel that is more responsive than traditional memory foam.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress
Value shoppers should keep Brooklyn Bedding Signature on their list of ideal options. It’s a premium hybrid mattress that costs the same price as popular foam mattresses like Casper or Purple. It’s also available in three different firmness levels so that any sleeping position can find a comfortable option.
Innerspring mattress FAQs
What’s the difference between innerspring and hybrid mattresses?
The main difference between innerspring and hybrid mattresses is what’s in the top layers of the bed. Simply put, hybrid beds typically have more layers of foam and other materials around the inner coils. Innerspring mattresses have that classic, responsive and springy feel, while hybrid beds vary more in their feel based on the top materials. Innerspring beds don’t isolate motion well and are generally better for stomach and back sleepers who need extra support.
Do people still buy innerspring mattresses?
Yes and no. People don’t buy the traditional innerspring mattresses your parents or grandparents had as kids. Modern mattresses utilize coils or innersprings to provide ample support and durability. There are usually layers of foam materials, cotton or wool for added comfort.
How many springs in a mattress is good?
The best innerspring mattresses have 1,000 springs or more. Smaller mattresses like twin or twin XL beds may have slightly fewer because they aren’t as large and require fewer springs in their constructions.
Is an innerspring or coil mattress better?
«Innersprings» and «coils» are terms that can almost be used interchangeably, and they often offer the same benefits of support and durability. Individually wrapped coils are all individually cased in fabric, and move independently from one another. This makes it better at isolating motion than traditional innerspring systems which all move as one cohesive unit. Most innerspring beds these days are made with wrapped coils rather than regular inner springs.
Does an innerspring mattress need a boxspring?
No, an innerspring mattress doesn’t need a boxspring. Innerspring mattresses are designed to be supportive enough without the boxspring.