The best pocket sprung mattress for a fully supported night's sleep
Sleep is not a topic we take lying down. If you don't get a decent night's rest, you can wake up irritable, sluggish and feel more anxious during the day.
That's why it's important to invest in the best mattress you can afford (along with a breathable yet cosy duvet and a comfortable pillow). It's the foundation of a great night's sleep in more ways than one. If a supportive surface is particularly important to you and you don't want to be disturbed by a fidgeting partner, a classic, pocket-sprung mattress is a good choice.
Below, we've rounded up all the pros and cons of springs and we've rounded up the best pocket-sprung mattresses to buy, based on rigorous testing by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Here are our winners at a glance, but keep reading for the full reviews.
What is a pocket sprung mattress?
A pocket sprung mattress contains hundreds or even thousands of individual tiny springs and each is sewn into its own pocket of fabric.
By keeping the springs separate, they work independently from each other, providing responsive, tailored support to your whole body. Handily, it also means there’s less chance of you being woken up when your partner rolls over at night.
Are pocket sprung mattresses the best?
There’s plenty of debate around which type of mattress is the best. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Whether it’s a pocket sprung mattress, a memory foam one, or a hybrid model that contains both, every sleeper is different and has unique needs when it comes to the level of support they require.
If you’re not sure which one is right for you, check out our mattress buying guide, which covers all the different types, including the best mattresses in a box for easy delivery.
Pros of pocket sprung mattresses
Typically offer good support
Ideal for two sleepers of different weights as the springs reduce movement from tossing and turning
More choice when it comes to firmness – typically, the higher the number of springs, the firmer it will be
You feel like you’re lying on top of the mattress rather than sinking into it (although this is a matter of personal preference)
Breathable, making it well-suited to hot sleepers
Cons of pocket sprung mattresses
Can be heavy to turn because the filling is denser than others
Doesn’t adapt to the shape of the body in the same way as memory foam
Springs can wear down over time, so some may not be as long-lasting
Less heat sensitive, so don’t lock in warmth in the same way as memory foam (which can be helpful in colder weather)
What is the best number of springs for a pocket sprung mattress?
In most cases, the higher the number of pocket springs, the greater the support. However, the firmness of a pocket spring mattress also depends on the fillings inside, which make up the comfy sleep surface, as well as the number of turns in each spring, and what bed frame you have (for example, a solid divan base typically gives more support than a slatted bed).
One thing to note is that mattresses with a high spring count are likely to be more expensive, so always keep your budget in mind when shopping.
The ones in this list range from 858 to 4005 pocket springs.
How we test mattresses
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we don’t just try each mattress once and consider it job done. We ask a panel of testers to sleep on them night after night to get real world feedback.
Our panellists trial their mattress for up to six weeks, reporting back on their experience in detail, including if it smelt on arrival, how it affected their body temperature, if it was comfortable and whether it eased any aches.
Separately, we also turn to our extensive reader panel to find out how mattress brands perform over time. Everyone who takes part has to have owned their mattress for at least six months, and we received nearly 4,000 responses, giving further insight into comfort, support, durability, value for money and more.
All this information was then analysed and collated by our GHI experts, who awarded each mattress a final score.
Taking all that into account, these are our best pocket sprung mattresses to buy now.
All prices shown are for a UK double.
Legacy Origins III Mattress
Score: 94/100
This mattress was so highly rated by testers that one even called it “life changing”. They found it comfortable from the get-go and didn’t experience any aches or pains when adjusting to the new mattress (which can be common). Most didn't notice any chemical smell on arrival either.
Throughout testing, everyone said they slept soundly, noting that the mattress regulated their body temperatures well, and didn’t wake them if their partner was tossing and turning.
You're meant to turn the mattress weekly for the first month, which was difficult for some as it’s quite heavy (and definitely a two-person job). But after that initial period, it shouldn't prove too much of a hassle.
£1809.00 at mattressnextday.co.uk
Standen Wool Mattress
Score: 93/100
Filled with layers of cotton, cashmere, silk and traceable British wool (as well as lots of pocket springs, of course), our panel praised this mattress for its super soft sleep surface and premium feel. It also provided an amazing amount of support – our testers all said it cushioned their shoulders and hips effectively. One even stopped waking up with back ache every day after they switched to the mattress.
Due to its natural fibres, most reported a strong smell at first, but leaving it to air or spraying it with a fragrant sleep spray should do the trick. Otherwise, it excelled across the board, ticking our testers’ boxes for durability and a quiet, temperature-regulating sleep.
Hampden Mattress
Score: 92/100
Just like the mattress above, this one from The White Company uses a combination of wool, cotton, hemp, flax and natural latex to create an indulgent sleep experience that our testers loved. It regulated their body temperatures well and supported all sleeping positions, including side sleepers.
As mentioned, mattresses made of natural fibres often smell initially and this was no exception. While the smell lingered for a while, it did eventually dissipate. This mattress was also heavy to move, and you can’t vacuum it. But spot cleaning shouldn’t be too much of a bother, and our panel of testers would all heartily recommend it.
If you still need convincing, we’ll leave you with this quote: “I can honestly say this is one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on.” How about that?
£2095.00 at thewhitecompany.com
Team Gold Camborne Combination Mattress
Score: 89/100
While this is technically a pocket sprung mattress, it also boasts a slim layer of memory foam on top for added comfort. Don’t fret about the warmth of the foam though, as it also boasts a cover that’s designed to naturally cool the body – and our testers found it breathable when trialling too.
It was supportive to lie on, and quiet when our panellists turned at night. Everyone who tried it said they'd recommend it to others. You will need to buy deeper sheets if you don’t have any already though, as some standard size fitted sheets pinged off the corners on test.
House Beautiful Maeve Pillow Top Mattress
Score: 89/100
Designed with the help of the House Beautiful editors and manufactured in the UK, this mattress has been made with comfort in mind. There are deep layers of natural fillings including temperature-regulating British wool and antibacterial bamboo, 1539 responsive pocket springs, and a comfortable ‘pillow top’ sleep surface.
It’s a combination that helped improve the quality of sleep for all our testers throughout the trial period. Most found it provided a good amount of support and they didn’t notice when their partner moved or rolled over in the night.
You may need to buy new deeper fitting sheets as it has a depth of 36cm, and some testers did notice the mattress had a slight dip after the trial period. However, they all said they would continue to use the mattress.
Flip 2 in 1 Mattress – Single
Score: 88/100
Children’s bodies typically need a softer sleep surface up to the age of 15, before switching to a firmer mattress once they near adulthood. Slumberland’s flippable mattress offers a two-in-one design with variable springs for that very purpose, helping to support your growing teen over the years.
Our panel found the mattress easy to place into position and said the ‘new’ smell dissipated in a reasonable amount of time. Most said the mattress was just the right level of firmness, with just one telling us it was too soft for their preferences. Flipping the mattress to the firmer side would solve this issue. Doing so is a little tricky though, as the mattress is quite heavy, but you shouldn’t have to do it too often.
£379.99 at bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Air 9.0 Memory Mattress
Score: 87/100
With over 3,050 pocket springs and a thin layer of memory foam on top, this mattress has a huge amount of support that left testers sleeping like royalty. They all said they were sleeping better than before, and for some it even helped ease back pain. It was breathable too.
Opinions were divided on the height of the mattress though – some liked the taller set-up more than others. who found it made getting in and out of bed trickier. You’ll likely need to buy new deep fitted sheets, as well.
£899.99 at bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Air 6.0 Memory Mattress
Score: 86/100
Like the Slumberland Air 9.0 Memory Mattress, this design also has a thin layer of memory foam on top of its springs, and it helped every one of our testers enjoy a fantastic night’s sleep. The additional thin layer of foam is great if you want a touch of softness, while still benefiting from the supportive springs beneath. And you shouldn't have an issue with breathability.
Testers weren’t disturbed when a partner moved around or fidgeted at night either. Again, it’s a tall mattress and most had to purchase new sheets to cover it comfortably, so just keep that in mind when adding this one to your basket.
£799.99 at bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Flaxby Master’s Guild 4450 Pillow Top Mattress
Score: 86/100
Boasting the most pocket springs of all the mattresses we’ve tested, testers praised this pillow-top design for its sumptuous comfort and support. The springs are split over multiple, responsive layers to better contour to your body, which should relieve pressure too. For one tester, this even resulted in an improvement in back pain over the trial period.
It has a tufted design and, note, it is very heavy to move. But overall, most panellists said they’d continue to use this mattress for their beauty sleep, telling us it was “a pleasure to sleep on”.
Naturals Ultimate Wool Mattress
Score: 84/100
Made with naturally temperature-regulating wool, this mattress left our panel comfortably cool overnight and helped them get some quality Zs. It also features a dual layer of pocket springs (a combination of mini and full height), an antibacterial soft-touch cover, and plenty of natural fibres. All combined, this creates a mattress that our testers deemed both durable and well-made.
Half of the panel reported issues with delivery, though, noting several rescheduling attempts and a few not delivered within the timeframe. However, once in position, they were pleased with its supportive and comfortable surface.
£999.99 at bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Naturals Plant-Based Luxe Mattress
Score: 82/100
This plant-based mattress is designed with sustainability at its heart. It’s made of organic cotton, flax, and renewably sourced bamboo, before being topped with a tufted cover composed of 75 per cent recycled PET plastic. Even the packaging has eco-credentials, as its carbon-neutral, fully recyclable and 95 per cent renewable – impressive.
But let’s get down to business. It was a little tricky to manoeuvre due to its weight but once on the bed frame, panellists were impressed with its high-quality production and supportive feel. Those with partners noted it wasn’t noisy or disruptive when their other halves rolled over either, allowing the majority to get a wonderful night’s sleep.
$799.99 at bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Lift Breathe 1600 Pocket Mattress
Score: 76/100
This Silentnight mattress is an excellent pick if you're a hot sleeper as it's designed to increase airflow throughout the mattress and prevent you from overheating. There’s no memory foam either, with a tufted top instead. This lived up to its claims on test, with our panel experiencing a well-regulated and comfortable sleep.
Our testers also loved that it was super quiet, but some found it quite firm despite being rated as a medium. And you’ll need two people to lug it into place, but that's fairly standard.
£729.95 at mattressonline.co.uk
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