Pocket Spring Mattresses
A pocket spring mattress supports you on hundreds or thousands of individually wrapped springs, each free to move on its own. That independence is what makes them so supportive and so quiet: the springs respond to your body separately rather than as one connected unit, so weight is held where it's needed and movement doesn't travel across the bed.
It's the largest and widest-ranging construction on the UK market, running from around £130 for a boxed basic to well over £2,000 for a handmade British bed. That range is exactly why it pays to compare them side by side on spring count, firmness, size and price instead of trawling retailer by retailer.
We don't sell mattresses ourselves, which means the comparison below answers to the market rather than to any one brand.
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×What is a pocket spring mattress?
In a pocket sprung mattress, each spring sits in its own fabric pocket, so it compresses on its own. That's the key difference from older open-coil or continuous-spring beds, where the springs are wired together and move as one, transferring more movement and offering less targeted support. On top of the spring unit sits a comfort layer, which might be foam, wool, cotton or other natural fillings, and that layer sets much of the feel.
A pocket sprung mattress with a substantial foam comfort layer is often sold as a hybrid. The pocket sprung range covers the spring-led builds, including those with traditional and natural fillings, while thick foam comfort layers over springs sit with our hybrid mattresses.
Who pocket spring mattresses suit
- Anyone wanting responsive, breathable support with a traditional feel rather than the sink of foam.
- Couples, thanks to low motion transfer from the independent springs and typically firmer edges.
- Warm sleepers, since the spring layer allows air to circulate.
- Heavier sleepers, who can choose higher spring counts and firmer tensions for strong, lasting support.
Who might want a different option
- If you want the deep, cradling hug of memory foam, a sprung surface will feel too buoyant. Consider memory foam.
- On a very tight budget, a boxed foam mattress is often cheaper than a decent pocket sprung one.
- If tightest-possible motion isolation is your top priority, dense foam can edge out a budget spring unit.
What to look for
- More springs allow finer support zoning, but count alone is not quality. A well-made 1,000-count pocket unit can outperform a cheap 3,000-count one, so treat very high numbers as refinement rather than necessity.
- Wire tension and gauge drive the firmness more than the count does, with thicker wire giving a firmer feel.
- Natural fillings such as wool and cotton breathe well and feel traditional, while foam comfort layers feel more modern and cushioned.
- Some models need regular turning and others are single-sided, though rotating any mattress helps it wear evenly.
- At the premium end you're paying for handwork, such as tufting and hand-nested springs.
How much pocket spring mattresses cost
This construction spans the widest price range of any mattress build. Budget boxed models start around £130 to £400. The mainstream branded tier runs roughly £400 to £900, where the median sits, and covers most recognisable names. Premium models run £900 to £2,000, and luxury handmade beds climb well beyond that into four and even five figures, with natural fillings and bespoke tensions. Those are starting prices for the smallest size and vary by size and retailer.
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.
How many springs should a pocket sprung mattress have?
More springs allow finer, more targeted support, but the count alone is not a measure of quality. Around 1,000 to 2,000 springs in a king size is ample for most sleepers. Beyond that, you're paying for refinement rather than a necessity, and a well-made lower-count unit can feel better than a cheap high-count one.
Are pocket sprung mattresses good for couples?
Yes, they're a strong choice. Because each spring moves independently, movement on one side transfers far less to the other, and pocket sprung mattresses tend to have firmer edges, so you can use the full width of the bed.
What's the difference between pocket spring and hybrid?
A hybrid is a pocket sprung mattress with a significant foam or latex comfort layer on top. A mattress described as pocket sprung usually leans on traditional and natural fillings instead. The springs are similar; the comfort layer is what differs. Compare both on our hybrid and pocket spring pages.
Do pocket spring mattresses need turning?
Some do and some are made as no-turn, single-sided designs, so check the product details. Either way, rotating the mattress head to foot regularly helps it wear evenly and last longer.
How much should I spend on a pocket sprung mattress?
The £400 to £900 range offers strong value and covers most quality branded models. Below about £300 you often get simpler, lower-count units closer to open-coil performance. Spending more mainly buys natural fillings and handmade construction.