The 10 Best Innerspring Mattresses That Relieve Sore Joints

What is an innerspring mattress?

An innerspring mattress is made with at least one row of supportive spring coils at the core of the bed. These coils are usually topped with one or more comfort layers made of latex, polyfoam, or memory foam to give the surface a cozier feel. There are different types of coils and each type creates a distinct sleep experience based on its level of support and springiness.

Coil type

Open coils, also known as Bonnell coils, have an hourglass shape and are wired together to make a continuous row of coils. They're the least expensive innerspring option, but they can also be noisy and aren't the most effective at responding to movements.

Continuous coils are constructed with one wire piece rather than individual coils to create a very durable yet rigid sleep surface.

Offset coils are similar to open coils, but with a few modifications. The hourglass shape of each coil adjusts to the shape of your body to limit motion transfer for a better sleep experience. A bed with offset coils costs slightly more than an open coil or continuous coil mattress, but it's less expensive than one made with pocket spring coils.

With pocket spring coils, also known as individually wrapped coils, each spring is covered in a layer of fabric that helps limit motion transfer and allows the coil to easily adapt to the shape of your body. Pocket spring coils are the most expensive type of innerspring coils, but they're also considered the most comfortable and durable out of the four kinds listed.

Coil count and gauge

Two numbers to keep in mind when shopping for a quality innerspring mattress are coil count and gauge. Coil count refers to the number of coils found inside a bed, but a higher number doesn't necessarily translate to a better mattress. The more important figure is coil gauge, which is based on the coils' thickness. Mattress gauges typically range from 13 to 18, and lower gauges—meaning wider coils—tend to be more supportive and durable.

Who is an innerspring mattress best for?

Consider an innerspring mattress if you're a:

• Back or stomach sleeper in need of more support: The coils keep your back aligned by bending and bouncing to conform to your body shape. For stomach sleepers worried about their hips sinking too far into the mattress, an innerspring—coupled with a foam layer or pillow top—provides the right amount of cushioning to prevent soreness.
• Hot sleeper: There's a reason hot sleepers looking for the best cooling mattress often choose an innerspring option. The design promotes cooling because the coils create more space for air to circulate unlike dense foam, which traps in heat.
• Sleeper who prefers an elevated feel: If you strongly dislike saggy beds, an innerspring mattress's superior edge support and coil foundation will give you the lift you're looking for.
• Combination sleeper: Innerspring coils quickly pop back into place instead of leaving indentations in the surface of the bed, making transitions between sleep positions much smoother.

Those who should avoid innersprings:

• Couples: While the coils used in innerspring beds are great at responding to movement, they're sometimes noisy and do not isolate motion as well as foam. Couples would be better off with a hybrid mattress that pairs coils with multiple layers of memory foam for less motion transfer, helping you both achieve uninterrupted sleep.
• Sleepers who want contouring comfort: If you prefer to sink into the surface of your bed at night, a memory foam mattress might be a better pick for you.

The benefits of an innerspring mattress

Durability

Coils tend to hold up better over time, lending you at least 10 years of supported sleep from an innerspring mattress. Some of the top picks highlighted in this roundup have 20-year or even lifetime warranties—not that we think you'll need them.

Support

Mitigating back pain is one of the major benefits to sleeping on a firmer bed. Innerspring mattresses adapt to your curves but also provide a level of firmness that prevents your spine from sagging uncomfortably. Proper spine alignment ensures your back stays in a healthy, neutral position throughout the night so you can wake up feeling refreshed and free of aches and pains. If you're looking for a bit more comfort, try adding a cushioning layer to soften up the surface.

Affordability

While some hybrid beds that combine coils with other materials, like foam or latex, are more expensive, innerspring beds aren't typically as pricey. Many innerspring options are available as mattress-in-a-box deliveries, which allow you to cut out the middleman and showroom markups by buying directly from the distributor.

Sex

Many people enjoy an innerspring bed for activities other than sleeping. Its bouncy nature is one of the reasons why this type has been labeled a top mattress for sex. However, innerspring coils can be noisy, so consider adding a foam mattress topper or look into buying a hybrid mattress if you're concerned about being too loud.

Mattress Advisor's Review Process

Each mattress on this list was put to the test (literally) in Mattress Advisor's lab, which is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bedding experts spent over 1,200 hours evaluating and comparing mattresses using a 14-point testing methodology to find the best innerspring beds on the market.

While some of the factors tested are tied directly to performance, like responsiveness, edge support, and pressure relief, others are based around brand operations, such as customer service, shipping policies, and trial period. The Mattress Advisor team combines this proprietary methodology with in-depth interviews and customer experience to arrive at a weighted score out of 10.

Sign up for our Health Shopping newsletter to get your daily dose of retail therapy with great deals handpicked by our editors — straight to your inbox.