Bed Buying Guide, Buying a Bed, Mattresses

Is a spring mattress or foam mattress better for me?

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Is a spring mattress or foam mattress better for me - summary:

Spring Mattress Benefits: Spring mattresses offer durable support with pocket springs and advanced systems ensuring superior body contouring, support, and reduced partner disturbance. They also enhance breathability for temperature management.
Memory Foam Mattress Benefits: Memory foam molds to body contours, offering pressure-relieving support and varying densities for comfort. However, they may retain heat, and require rotation instead of flipping to evenly distribute wear.
Choosing the Right Mattress: Opting for the correct mattress size affects sleep quality. Research other features based on personal sleeping styles using guides and SleepMaker Sleep Selector to make an informed decision.
Temperature Concerns: Spring mattresses tend to be more breathable, while memory foam may require temperature-regulating covers to manage heat for improved comfort during warmer months.
SleepMaker Mattresses: SleepMaker provides a diverse range of mattresses incorporating the latest comfort technology, catering to Kiwi lifestyles at affordable prices.

Benefits and disadvantages of spring and memory foam mattresses

There are pros and cons to both spring mattresses and memory foam mattresses: it’s important to choose the mattress that will meet your specific needs.

Mattress type	Benefits	Considerations
Pocket spring mattress	Durable support Reduced roll together Minimal partner disturbance Temperature management More premium	Typically costs more Risk of sagging Can be heavy
Continuous coil spring mattress	Head-to-toe, edge-to-edge comfort Maximum weight support Bouncy with sinking feeling	Subject to roll together Historically known to sag Can be noisy
Memory foam mattress	Molds to your body Comfort and support Good pressure relief Durable and long-lasting Relatively affordable	Naturally heat insulating Can be heavy May have a limited range of feels Can have chemical smell

Benefits of spring mattresses

Durable support

Most modern spring mattresses consist of durable pocket springs that work independently from each other, often providing graduated support across the surface of a mattress.

Spring systems adjust well to body contours because they’re able to respond to varying pressure levels from your body. The level of adjustment and comfort is dependent on the quality of your mattress. Pocket spring mattresses often have zoning within them, providing more durable support at heavier points in the body. SleepMaker also makes mattresses with progressive hourglass-shaped springs. These provide different levels in support in one spring, and are often used in combination with regular pocket springs where more contouring support is needed.

Reduced roll together and partner disturbance

Spring systems work well to eliminate partner roll together and partner disturbance. All SleepMaker spring-core mattresses are designed to reduce roll together and partner disturbance. SleepMaker Luxury ranges feature a twin pocket system, with two layers of pocket springs for even more support and motion isolation.

Temperature management

Spring mattresses are usually more breathable, allowing for optimal temperature control. Many SleepMaker mattresses also feature a breathable top quilt, designed to encourage airflow and promote breathability to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night. Additionally, mattress comfort layers may feature cooling technologies including gel or diamond infusions, and ComfortKool thermal regulation is a feature of the higher-end SleepMaker ranges.

View our range of mattresses here or take our Sleep Selector Quiz to find the perfect spring mattress for you.

Benefits of memory foam mattresses

Molding to your body

Memory foam responds to body temperature and weight, slowly conforming to your body profile – this could mean that it might feel cooler and firm when you first hop in bed, but will mold to your shape as it reacts to your body heat and weight.

Comfort and support

Memory foam mattresses have good pressure relieving properties – varying densities of foam form the upper, comfort layers for optimal comfort and support. Some people might find it tricky to move around in their sleep or to get in and out of bed with a memory foam mattress, while others will prefer this feel.

Temperature management

Memory foam mattresses are snuggly in winter but may feel warm in summer. Many people find that using special temperature regulating covers can reduce this effect if they are wanting to be cooler throughout the night. However if you get too warm often, you can read about our best mattress for hot sleepers.

So which mattress is better for you?

It depends! Are you a side sleeper, hot sleeper or do you suffer from back pain? Weighing the pros and cons of each mattress really depends on how you sleep. It seldom comes down to a choice between just-springs or just-foams: most modern spring mattresses have at least a small amount of foam under the quilt - some have several foam layers and may even feature latex! Everyone will have their own perfect mattress match: to find yours, take our Sleep Selector Quiz. Or, if you already have a good idea of what’s your perfect mattress, you can view our range of mattresses here.