Buying Guides

Here’s Why You Should Buy a Pocket Coil Mattress

By Jennifer, Sleep ExpertPublished Jul 2, 2020Updated Oct 28, 20265 min read

pocket coil mattress
In this guide
  1. What Is a Pocket Coil Mattress?
  2. The Benefits of a Pocket Coil Mattress
  3. What to Look For
  4. What Does a Pocket Coil Mattress Cost?
  5. Summary
  6. Frequently asked questions

A pocket coil mattress is the most popular construction we sell, and for good reason: hundreds of individually wrapped steel coils support each part of your body on its own, so you get targeted support, very little motion transfer, excellent airflow and 10 to 12 years of life. It is the core inside nearly every hybrid, and it has replaced the old connected-coil innerspring almost everywhere. Here is what a pocket coil mattress is, the benefits that matter, what to look for in the coil count and gauge, and what you should expect to pay in Toronto.

Key takeaways

  • Pocket coils are individually wrapped, so each compresses on its own; innerspring coils are wired together and move as one.
  • Benefits: minimal motion transfer, contouring support, durability and breathability.
  • Look for 800 to 1,200+ coils in a queen, thicker (lower-gauge) coils for firmer support, and zoning through the centre.
  • A well-built pocket coil mattress starts around $700 to $1,000 for a queen; price rises with coil count and comfort layers.

What Is a Pocket Coil Mattress?

A pocket coil mattress, also called a pocket spring, pocketed coil or individually wrapped coil mattress, is built from hundreds of tempered steel coils, each sealed in its own fabric pocket and attached to a base so it stands upright. The coils are packed tightly together but are not connected, which is the whole point: when you press on one, only that one compresses.

In a traditional innerspring mattress the coils are wired into a single grid. Press on one and the whole grid moves, which is why older beds bounce your partner awake and develop sags where the grid weakens. Pocket coils fix both problems.

Pocket coil mattresses vary in coil height, thickness (gauge) and count. Thicker, lower-gauge coils make a firmer, more supportive bed; thinner coils feel softer and more conforming. Most quality mattresses now combine a pocket-coil core with foam or latex comfort layers, which is what we call a hybrid.

The Benefits of a Pocket Coil Mattress

Minimal motion transfer

Because the coils move independently, you only compress the coils under your own body. When your partner rolls over, their coils move and yours do not. For couples this is the single biggest upgrade from an innerspring.

Complete, contouring support

Each coil responds to the pressure directly above it, so the heavier parts of your body, the hips and shoulders, sink a little further while the lighter parts stay supported. That keeps the spine level in every position and is especially valuable for heavier sleepers.

Durability

Most pocket coil mattresses carry a 10-year warranty and the best last 10 to 12 years, longer in a two-sided flippable build. The fabric pockets protect the springs and keep them aligned, so the core holds its height long after an innerspring would have sagged. See how long mattresses last.

Cooler, fresher sleep

The spaces between coils let air move through the mattress, which a solid foam block cannot do. Paired with gel or latex comfort layers, a pocket coil mattress is one of the coolest-sleeping beds you can buy. See best cooling mattresses.

What to Look For

Spec What to look for Why
Coil count (queen) 800 to 1,200+ More coils spread weight more evenly and contour more precisely
Coil gauge 13 to 15 (lower = thicker) Thicker coils for firm support and heavier bodies; thinner for a softer feel
Zoning Firmer coils through the centre third Keeps the hips from sinking and supports the lower back
Edge support Foam encasement or reinforced edge coils Usable sleep surface all the way to the edge
Comfort layers High-density foam, gel memory foam or latex Pressure relief on top of the support core

What Does a Pocket Coil Mattress Cost?

Prices vary with coil count, coil thickness and the foam layers on top, but a comfortable, durable pocket coil mattress in queen starts at roughly $700 to $1,000 at Sleep Masters Canada, with Canadian-made Dreamstar models such as the Vion among the best value in the GTA. Premium zoned hybrids from Beautyrest, Serta, Sealy and Stearns & Foster run higher. Watch our mattress sale for the best deals, and browse all pocket coil mattresses.

Pocket coil, but which one?

Tell us your position, weight and budget and we will narrow the coil range to three that fit.

Take the Mattress Selector

Summary

A pocket coil mattress is a great choice for most people: affordable, supportive, cool and built to last many years. If you have been searching for a mattress store near you in Toronto, visit our North York showroom to try Canadian-made pocket coil mattresses at some of the best prices in the market, with free GTA delivery (up to 250 km) and a 100-night sleep trial.

Frequently asked questions

How long will a pocket coil mattress last?

Ten years is the rule of thumb, and quality models last 10 to 12. Because each coil works independently, the ones under your hips age first; when you notice a difference between where you sleep and the rest of the bed, it is time to replace it.

How firm is a pocket coil mattress?

Anywhere from plush to extra-firm, depending on the coil gauge and the comfort layers on top. Every pocket coil mattress on our site carries a firmness rating out of 10, and you can test them all in the showroom.

Pocket coil or memory foam: which is better?

For most people, both together: a pocket coil core for support, airflow and durability with memory foam or latex on top for pressure relief. See memory foam vs pocket coil.

Can a pocket coil mattress come in a box?

Some can, but compressing coils is hard on them. We deliver pocket coil mattresses flat so the coils arrive exactly as they were built.

Written by Jennifer, Sleep Expert at Sleep Masters Canada

Jennifer is a non-commissioned sleep expert at our family-run North York showroom. She has helped thousands of GTA sleepers choose between Beautyrest, Serta, Sealy, Stearns & Foster and Canadian-made Dreamstar mattresses, and every guide comes from what she sees on the showroom floor. About us · Visit our North York showroom · Free delivery across Toronto

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