Mattresses are not just a purchase. They are more of an investment. So, if you are looking for a new mattress and cannot decide which kind to choose, you have come to the right place.
Spring and foam mattresses both have their advantages and disadvantages. But, a good mattress is the one that gives you the optimum support along with maximum comfort. So, in this article, we discuss how memory foam is different from a spring mattress and which is good for you.
Memory Foam and Spring Mattresses: What are they?
NASA designed memory foam in the 1960s for seats and cushions in spaceships as it absorbs shocks and dilutes the movements. Therefore, they are also popularly used to pad helmets, wheelchairs, and prosthetics.
Due to its pressure absorbing quality, memory foam is a top choice for a mattress. It moulds itself to the body of the person sleeping and reverts to its shape once the pressure is off. The mattress is firm, too, thereby taking the pressure off the back while sleeping.
On the other hand, the Spring mattress was first invented in 1871 by Heinrich Westphal. Westphal, however, could not live to see its popularity and died before spring mattresses became what they are today. Spring mattresses are made of several coils wrapped together in the centre. All these coils have different thicknesses and act as the structure for the mattress. These coils are the first layer and allow the bounce you must’ve felt in the spring mattresses. The second layer is the insulator fabric or mesh that holds these coils. The next is the foam and fibre pads that act as upholstery for the mattress and provide the much-needed thickness so that you don’t feel the springs. The last and topmost layer provides much-needed softness and usually consists of foams and fibres.
Difference Between Foam and Spring Mattresses
To determine which one is perfect for you, you need to know their difference. So, we have compared both kinds of mattresses on a few critical bases:
| S. No. | Basis | Memory foam | Spring mattress |
| 1. | Softness | Although it is said to mould itself to the shape of your body, memory foam is not as soft and sometimes comes off as abrasive if not mixed with other fibres. | Spring mattresses are coiled springs that give the bounce we all desire. It also consists of layers made of many fabrics and fibres and thus is softer than memory foam. |
| 2. | Firmness | Memory foam was made with the purpose of absorbing pressure. The pressure it provides is medium to low and allows the sleeper to sink into the mattress. | While soft, Spring mattresses provide a higher level of firmness compared to memory foam. |
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3. |
Pressure relief | Memory foam absorbs pressure from the body, thus providing acute pressure relief while sleeping. | Spring mattresses are not as pressure absorbent and do not provide pressure relief. |
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4. |
Temperature | Memory foam retains heat. So, it becomes uncomfortable to sleep on it during summer unless you use built-in cooling technology. | Spring mattresses are made of different kinds of fibres and fabrics. Therefore you can customise the kind of fabrics you want. Heat retainment can be minimised or exaggerated as per the wish. |
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5. |
Motion | If you are a light sleeper, memory foam might be the best for you as it absorbs motion, and therefore you or your partner won’t feel a thing. | The spring mattresses do not absorb motion. Instead, they allow the motion transfer, and you might hear the springs while the other person tosses and turns. |
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6. |
Ventilation | Memory foam is densely packed and therefore does not allow any ventilation. It means there’s no airflow. | Spring Mattresses are not as densely packed, allowing airflow and ventilation. |
Which mattress is good for you?
There are many factors that one needs to consider while buying a mattress. So, now that we have observed the differences between memory foam and spring mattresses, we need to decide which one you should choose. We have discussed a few key points that will help you decide better:
1. Sleeping position
We suggest a memory foam for those of you who tend to sleep on your sides and like to toss and turn. Since memory foam isolates motion and provides medium to low firmness, it is perfect for light sleepers.
On the other hand, people who tend to sleep on their front and back should choose a spring mattress as the springs allow excellent back support.
2. Medical benefits
Spring mattresses provide relief for people who have health conditions that cause night sweats. Memory foam aligns itself according to the sleeper’s body and therefore provides relief from back pain. Also, it helps with spine alignment and better posture. It provides airflow and increases ventilation.
3. Body type
Spring mattresses are suitable for people who have heavier body types as the mattress provides much-needed comfort, and there’s no sinking feeling. Memory foam is more suitable for people with an average petite body type.
4. Longevity
Memory foam lasts much longer as compared to spring mattresses. Although it is advisable to replace a mattress after a maximum of 8 years of usage, memory foam can easily last eight years.
On the other hand, Spring mattresses might need some repairing as per the usage. Another point is that you can quickly flip the memory foam. However, spring mattresses cannot be flipped owing to their complex design.
5. Cost
An essential fact people consider while buying a mattress is whether it comes within their budget. Memory foam is pricier as compared to spring mattresses. Since memory foam is made of polyurethane foam, a product of petroleum, memory foam is more expensive. Spring mattresses are made of metal coils, and different kinds of foams and fabrics are cheaper.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, memory foam and spring mattresses are two prevalent kinds of mattresses, and one needs to know the difference between them to make the right purchase.
Memory foam is better for body posture and releases pressure but does not provide spring mattresses’ extra firmness and ventilation. Therefore, which mattress is good is entirely subjective and depends upon the user. Keep your body weight, sleeping positions and habits, body conditions, and budget in mind before making a decision.
