The bottom line:
A mattress containing pocket springs is the best you can buy. Far superior than any cage sprung mattress no matter what name they go by.
What are pocket Springs?
Pocket springs are individual springs contained in a calico fabric pocket, totally independent of the springs that surround it. Therefore, eliminating roll together as your body is only using the springs that it needs. If a spring is not being used it stays in the upright (unused) position. There are three types of pocket spring that are ‘common’ in the construction of a mattress:
Nested Pocket Springs: Linear Pocket Springs; Suspension Pocket Springs.
There is no initial reason to unduly worry about which type you get.
Nested pocket springs look like a honeycomb with the springs being closer together on all ’sides’. More common on high spring count mattresses but also used in some 1000 counts..
Linear pocket springs run in rows. More common on the lower spring counts. Also used to create a firmer foundation.
Suspension Pocket Springs are relatively new and do not normally have spring counts associated with them. A premium example of a SPS is The Revolution® used by Harrison’s Beds, aso referred to as Spring in Spring. The proposed benefits are that the main spring will take the initial weight and the internal spring will take the surplus thereby equally balancing the weight load. As a point of note – Suspension Spring Systems should not normally counted in the same way as traditional PS, but based on the type of suspension offered.
Look out for described spring count as some retailers are counting one pocket as two springs which theoretically it is – but can confuse when doing comparisons.
There are various designs of suspension springs but all essentially doing the same thing by offering ‘progressive support’. This means that the main spring will take the initial bodyweight ‘shock ‘and the smaller suspension spring will adjust to even out the weightload.
To confuse matters, but also to clarify. There are numerous other combinations of Pocket Springs, each system with their own particular attributes. Do not let these confuse you until you come to make your final decision.
There is also ‘Hand Nested’ Pocket Springs. This technique is not common on mass produced mattresses but found on top of range hand made mattresses. In brief, the springs are inserted one by one, or hand formed by rows, and clipped/stitched together (hog-tied) to create a bespoke ‘bed’ of pocket springs. Note: It is worth double checking if you see a description of ‘Hand Nested’ pocket springs that they really are ‘Hand Nested‘ and not a mass produced pocket sprung base (Nested).
For clarification. In the video I make mention that pocket springs are not connected to each other in any way. This is correct in the fact that the actual springs themselves are not connected but, the pockets that contain them are (in most cases) heat sealed and glued to make complete ready to use units.
How are Pocket Springs Counted?
The standard way of counting pocket springs is the number of pockets contained in a Kingsized mattress (5′0 x 6′6). A mattress described as having 1000 pocket springs will have 1000 in a king size – proportionately less in a double and proportionately more in a superking. The mattress model name will usually, but not always have the number of springs directly after. Such as Memory Pocket 1000. The more pocket springs in a mattress means the springs get smaller and thinner offering more individual support – The less a mattress contains means they are bigger and wider.
For very high spring counts in excess of 2000 – 3000, they are usually laid on top of each other usually separated by a complementary insulator pad, These types of mattresses are in the very top of range of models. But – are they any better? Depends. If the price is negligible for the extra springs then definitely go for it but as I always say – 1500 – 2000 pocket springs are really more than adequate.
Another point of sound reasoning on this topic is that I personally see Vi-Spring as the one of a few ultimate mattress manufacturers in this country and a respected leader in their field (accredited to have invented Pocket Springs) they use 2800 in one of their excellent top of range models (The Magnificence) So, I justify my comments by saying, if Vi-Spring uses an average of 1500-2000 counts in many of their models then this count should be more then acceptable for anyone.
The spring count has an impact on two main areas:
Price: The less springs the cheaper the mattress.
Firmness: The more springs in your mattress means the more comfortable / supportive it will be. Less springs means the mattress support will be firmer – but manufacturing techniques can make a 1000 PS mattress feel soft by the use of softer comfort layers..1500 – 2000 pocket springs is more than adequate. Many manufacturers try to have a mattress with more springs than their competitors – currently, well in excess of 6000 pocket springs. This is in my opinion, a game of one-upmanship they play between themselves so don’t be dragged into this little game unless you benefit by getting it at a good price.
No matter what your own preferred comfort level is you really should get the most springs you can afford. As I have said, a pocket sprung mattress is the best you can get. More springs will give you exceptional individualised support, longevity and comfort. Less will obviously not be as good. But in any case, any pocket spring count is far superior than any cage spring unit. A 1500-2000 pocket sprung mattress comes in within most manufacturers ‘top of range’ models. Therefore all complimentary components such as waddings and fabrics will also be amongst the best you can get.
Comfort Layers
Remember, the springs are only the support part of the mattress and they will only be supporting / distributing your bodyweight. What provides the comfort is your choice of comfort layer. Comfort layers can be memory foam, lambswool, cashmere, polyester wadding, High Density foam, latex etc, or indeed a combination or blend of these.What comfort layer/s you choose will have an impact on the price of the mattress. The better the comfort layer, such as latex, the more expensive the mattress will be.
Associated Links:
Read more on waddings and fillings (Video Clip) …
Read more about Hand Side Stitching…
Read more on spring types (notes)
Summary
The best way to look for a pocket sprung mattress is to get the most springs you can afford with an acceptable comfort layer. Remember, even the lowest counts 800 – 1000 are far superior to any kind of bonnell or continuous cage sprung mattress.
H,i I am very interested in the Highgrove Affinity pocket 2000 mattress please can you tell me what the firmness rating is. I would find it very helpfull if the firmness rating was indicated along side all the mattresses to help me choose what would be suitable.
Many Thanks.
Hi Mrs Myers, Good question. Unfortunately it is virtually imposible to give an ‘accurate’ firmness rating to any mattress as it all depends on the individuals body weight and what you are comparing it to.. When I test out the mattresses on this site, I indicate the firmness against my bodyweight of approx 13st. Obviously a heavier person may find my ‘medium’ mattress may be a soft to medium, a lighter person may find it medium to firm.
With pocket springs – invariably the spring gauge used will be be very similar (around the 16-17g mark), the support from any 1500 / 2000 etc pocket spring mattress will be similar – but the softness or firmness will depend on the comfort layer and waddings used. Example, a latex topped mattress will feel firmer than a memory foam topped mattress. A polyester topped mattress will be feel softer than a wool topped mattress and so on. Again, comparisons can only be made when you are comparing like against like. For example, The Affinity 2000 and The Clarence 1500 are identicle except for the spring count. Side by side, the Clarence feels softer – The Affinity feels firmer. How can this be when you would normally associate a lower spring count being more firmer? In this case The Clarence having less springs will be slightly less ’supportive’ so it is the support difference you are feeling, not ‘firmness’.
If I was to compare The Clarence 1500 with The Eternity 1500 the difference would be imense, not for the fact that there is no difference in spring count but the complete difference in build, they would be two entirely different sensations. Please read the post about Soft,Med,Firm mattresses.
This is a very tricky area and entirely subjective. You will notice many retailers and manufacturers giving nearly all mattresses a ‘catchall’ medium to their products. Ideally, they should be rated as Polyester Soft / Med / Firm or Memory Foam Soft/ Med /Firm and so on. However, tradition, at a time when there was very little choice, still dictates that we lump so many mattresses into just three categories based on firmness. Thanks for your question. John.
Hi John,
I’m very interested in the Affinity 2000, but have heard that too many pocket springs can be a disadvantage in terms of durability due to their smaller relative size meaning that they are more susceptible to becoming damaged or wearing out more quickly. Can you give your opinion on this?
I’m very grateful for your clear and no-nonsense approach to selling mattresses! I just wonder if I’d be better off with an equivalent grade mattress with a lower spring count (such as the Clarence or Limoges) as I really don’t want to have to buy another mattress 5 years down the line because of spring failure!
Many thanks, Luke
Hi Luke,
Whoever told you that too many pocket springs are a disadvantage is talking out of their hat. True, the springs will obviously be smaller in diameter and not that much thinner, but the individual support will be greater. Consider a bowling ball on your mattress; On a 1000 pocket springs the ball will be supported by say 10 springs with the centre of the ball (the pressure point) depressing about 4 springs to support the weight. The remaining 6 springs will be aiding the support – but not used fully. The same ball on a 2000 pocket spring unit will be supported by 20 springs with the pressure point utilising 8 springs – but as the weight is shared more equally the depression of the pressure point will be much less.
Incidentally, There is only one way that pocket springs can become damaged and that is when the seams on the pocket [containing the] spring come apart / separates. This situation happening naturally is rare. It is usually found that the mattress has been severely bent or used as a trampoline (kids eh?)
Thanks for your comments Luke, and good question. John.
I have recently bought a pocket sprung (1000) matress with memory foam and dismayed to find it has already (6 weeks) settled into two distinct sleeping shapes (and I have turned it). Is this normal? and if so why?
Hi Sheila, No, it’s not normal. What make and model is it so we can avoid it. How much did you pay? Have you tried to return it?
I bought a Staples super king size pocket spring mattress from Dreams last September – not cheap, about £900 within a very short time two body shapes appeared – normal settlement said Dreams. Despite rotating as per recommendation sleeping shapes became deeper. Normal said “independent” inspector supplied by Dreams. We not very happy and body shapes in mattress do not make it very comfortable. We’re not excessivle heavy, 13st & 11st. Where can I go from here? I wish I had found your site before – if I could get a refund I’d buy from you – you seem to know what you are talking about.
Hi John. Sorry to hear this. Can you please add further details of the mattress model.
Indents and settlement are always visibly more pronounced on Superking mattresses for the simple reason that you are not using the entire surface and it does take time to settle evenly Read Article. Believe it or not, mattress faults are rare! The most common reasons for premature indentations can be put down to three main posibilities 1. The ommision of a component layer – usually the ’support’ layer above the spring unit or 2. A faulty spring unit or 3. A design flaw.
The manufacturer you mention has a very high pedigree and it would be unlikely that a design flaw was the reason. I am guessing that for the price you paid the primary comfort layer on your mattress would be more than polyester or wool – as you say – you rotate the mattress (not turn) indicates it is one sided – perhaps latex? If so, then I’m perplexed and if dips are present with a latex comfort layer then my hunch would be a faulty spring unit. As it is pocket sprung the posibilities of spring units being faulty are relatively rare – it is never the spring itself failing but the fabric pocket that contains it -. These ‘pockets’ are either glued and/or heat welded together to make the complete unit and undue force can cause these ‘pockets’ to tear or separate [Hence the Do Not Bend warning - and do not allow kids to use the matt as a trampoline advice].
Being a Superking I would imagine delivery into your home was a nightmare. Not many hallways / stairwells can accommodate the delivery of a mattress this size with ease, and if the delivery men had to ‘force’ it round a sharp bend or ’squeeze’ it beneath an overhang on your stairs then the posibility of the spring unit being damaged as described above would be my initial inkling as to what may be wrong.
Let me know how this gets sorted via the comments section on the Settlement and Indents page. John.