Open Coil Spring Mattresses
An open coil mattress is built on a single connected spring unit, where every spring is wired to the ones around it. The whole surface works together rather than responding to you point by point, which gives the springy, traditional feel most people picture when they think of a sprung bed.
It is the most affordable way to build a sprung mattress, with prices starting under £100 and most models sitting comfortably under £200. That makes open coil a common choice for guest rooms and children's beds rather than a main bed used every night.
We compare open coil mattresses across UK retailers and refresh prices regularly, so you can see what each one costs today and the best retailers to buy from.
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×What is an open coil mattress?
An open coil mattress uses one interconnected spring unit, with each spring joined together by a spiral wire and the whole unit framed by a rigid border rod. Press down in one place and the springs around it move as well. That is the defining difference from a pocket sprung mattress, where every spring sits in its own fabric pocket and compresses on its own. Retailers also call it continuous coil or Bonnell.
The feel is flat and noticeably bouncy. Support is spread across the whole surface rather than shaped around your body, so you rest more on top of an open coil mattress than in it. Most open coil mattresses are medium firm, and because the springs work as one piece, movement carries across the bed more than it would on pocket springs.
Who open coil mattresses suit
- Guest rooms and spare beds, where the mattress is used occasionally and the budget matters more than the specification.
- Children's beds and bunks, since open coil mattresses are light and firm enough for a growing body, at a price that's easy to replace.
- Anyone who wants springs rather than foam on a tight budget.
- Back sleepers of average build who prefer a flat, supportive surface to a contoured one.
Who might want a different option
- Couples. Because the springs are connected, movement carries across the mattress, so you will feel a partner turn over. Pocket sprung mattresses handle this far better.
- Side sleepers, who need the surface to give at the shoulder and hip rather than push back evenly.
- Heavier sleepers, as a connected unit can start to dip through the middle sooner than individually pocketed springs.
- Anyone buying for a main bed used every night, where a pocket sprung or hybrid mattress holds its shape for longer.
What to look for
- Spring gauge, the thickness of the wire, sets the firmness. A lower gauge number means thicker wire and a firmer mattress, and it tells you more about the feel than the spring count does.
- The comfort layer above the springs is usually foam or fibre. On a budget mattress it is thin, so check its depth rather than assuming.
- Total depth affects how long it lasts. Shallower builds are lighter and cheaper but wear out sooner, and around 20cm is a sensible floor for anything used regularly.
- A rod edge or stitched border stops the sides collapsing when you sit on them, which matters on a bed you get in and out of every day.
- Many budget models are single-sided and can't be turned, though rotating them head to foot still helps them wear evenly.
How much open coil mattresses cost
This is the most affordable sprung construction available. Prices start under £100 and the typical model sits near £160, with deeper, better-finished builds reaching around £1,300. Highgrove covers much of the value range, and Silentnight, Sealy, JAY-BE and MattressNextDay add further options.
How we compare them
We use information from manufacturer and retailer specifications, verified owner reviews and our own catalogue data across more than 800 construction-checked models, with prices checked regularly across our UK retail partners. You can read more on how we assess mattresses and how we stay independent on How We Make Money.
What does an open coil mattress feel like?
Springy and flat. The connected springs move together, so the mattress pushes back across the whole surface rather than contouring to your shape, and you rest on top of it rather than sinking in. Most open coil models are medium firm.
Is an open coil mattress better than a pocket sprung one?
Pocket sprung is the stronger construction for motion transfer and targeted support, and it usually lasts longer. Open coil wins on price, which is why it suits guest rooms and children's beds rather than a main bed. Compare the two on our pocket spring page.
How long does an open coil mattress last?
Expect around five to seven years of regular use, less than a pocket sprung or hybrid mattress at a similar price. Wire gauge and the depth of the comfort layer both affect that, and the cheapest shallow builds soften fastest.
Are open coil mattresses good for children?
Yes, they are a sensible choice for children's beds and bunks. They are light and firm enough for a growing body, and cheap enough to replace when the child outgrows the bed. Check the depth suits the bed frame, particularly on a bunk with safety rails.
Are open coil mattresses bad for your back?
Not inherently. What matters for back comfort is whether the mattress keeps your spine level, and a firm open coil unit can do that for an average-build back sleeper. It adapts less well to a heavier body or a side sleeper's shape, where a dipping middle causes trouble. If you have persistent back pain, speak to your GP rather than choosing by construction alone.