The foam mattress VS spring mattress argument is a long-running debate. But the real question is, is there a clear winner? Or can they both be the mattress of your dreams?

What You Need to Know About Foam Mattresses and Spring Mattresses

What Is a Foam Mattress?

Foam mattresses are usually composed of a combination of different foam types, such as memory foam, polyurethane (PU), and latex foam.

Pressure-absorbing and naturally body-conforming, these are great for those that need extra support. However, these mattresses are not as breathable and retain heat.

You may also need to deal with one to three days of an unpleasant odor after you pull it out of the box, but you can enjoy it for over a decade.

What is a Spring Mattress?

A spring mattress comes primarily with a large coil layer wrapped in a foam encasement.

There are four broad types of mattress springs—Bonnell coils, offset coils, pocket coils, and continuous coils. These differ in structure and gauge (thickness), but all types are still able to provide great support and pressure relief. And because the twisted design allows for more airflow between the mattress springs, it stays cool even under warm bodies.

Now that we have a brief understanding of the two different types of mattresses, let’s talk about how they measure up.

Which Is the Superior Mattress?

Breathability: Foam VS Spring Mattress

Foam Mattress

Foam mattresses are not known for their breathability. Because these are denser compared to other types of mattresses, they aren’t optimized for airflow.

However, there are foam layers that are built with temperature-sensitive technology that stay cool.

The Ambassador mattress is a hybrid mattress, boasting pocket on pocket coils and a memory foam top that stays cool throughout the night.

Spring Mattresses

Spring mattresses are breathable across the board. Some models even come with additional features that make sure air flows through the layers, keeping the mechanisms humidity-free and rust-free.

Pressure Relief: Foam VS Spring Mattress

Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are especially known for their pressure-relieving properties. The foam sinks and conforms to the natural contours of your body, cradling your pressure points.

Spring Mattresses

Spring mattresses provide excellent, firmer support. They have less give than their foam counterparts but are still able to precisely absorb your pressure points.

If you have a bad back, you’re better off with pocket coils, which move independently of each other. These coils can precisely adjust to the natural curvature of your back, supporting proper spinal alignment.

Support: Foam VS Spring Mattress

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses are ideal for lighter sleepers (below 130 lbs). As they are softer than spring mattresses, they have a lot of give and may not support heavier sleepers as well.

Spring Mattresses

Heavier sleepers (above 130 lbs) may enjoy the firm support of spring mattresses. As these are more rigid, even the heaviest sleepers won’t sink into the bed—a common complaint about memory foam mattresses.

Bounciness: Foam VS Spring Mattress

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses are not bouncy. The material easily compresses and absorbs the sharpest points of your body.

Spring Mattresses

Spring mattresses are bouncy and come in many firmness levels. Mattress springs quickly push back against pressure, giving you that bouncy feel.

Motion Isolation

Foam Mattresses

Because these mattresses are more pressure absorbent, foam mattresses are better at providing motion isolation.

Spring Mattresses

Pocket coils may be your best bet for motion isolation with spring mattresses. Other types of coils are joined and interlaced with each other, so the coils compress and extend together.

However, mattresses today are built with a combination of spring mechanisms and additional supportive foam layers.

The iSplendor is an indulgent blend of responsive pocket springs and contouring latex and memory foam layers.

Odor: Foam VS Spring Mattress

Foam Mattress

As mentioned earlier, off-gassing is common among foam mattresses.

When you pop a PU foam mattress out of its box, it releases compounds that are suspects of the foul odor. The unpleasant odor lasts for around three days but isn’t a sign of trouble. However, cheaper mattresses tend to carry a heavier scent load.

If you purchase a foam mattress that contains a PU foam layer, open it in an open area. Let it breathe for a few days before you transfer it to the bedroom. Otherwise, spray some deodorizers on your mattress or harness the scent-absorbing powers of baking powder.

Spring Mattress

There’s no foul odor associated with spring mattresses. As these are generally breathable, you can expect them to stay dry, hygienic, and odorless.

However, many mattresses are a hybrid of spring mattresses and foam mattresses. If your spring mattress has a PU (ironically) component, air it out.

Weight: Foam Mattress VS Spring Mattress

Foam Mattress

Foam mattresses are light and easier to haul from the delivery truck to your bedroom.

Spring Mattresses

The mattress springs are very heavy and could take at least two people to carry.

Which Is the Bed Winner?

At the end of the day, choose the mattress and not the type. Whichever feels most comfortable and supportive for you is the winner.

While different types of mattresses may be a better fit for some sleepers, how snug and cradled you feel on a mattress is an individual preference.

Choose a spring mattress if you prefer the resilient and pressure-relieving support of mattress springs. If you prefer a less bouncy bed, then foam mattresses could be your winner.

However, mattresses today may come with a combination of both foam and spring mattress layers.

The Serta Celestial Collection mattresses come in three firmness levels and are built with a divine mix of foam and spring layers. Each component was designed to provide optimal spinal alignment and pressure relief.

Serta brings advanced technology to this old-school favorite, combining the best features of foam layers and pocket coils to bring you the slumber of your dreams.

What do you look for in a mattress? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you.