Memory foam vs innerspring – what's the difference and which is best for you?

As I save up to buy a new bed, I'm considering the pros and cons of memory foam vs innerspring mattresses. I've slept on a memory foam mattress for most of my adult life and I appreciate the contouring comfort it brings. Then again, I slept on an innerspring in college, and I found it kept me much cooler during warmer weather.

Out of all the mattress types, memory foam and innerspring models might have the least in common. One is filled with viscoelastic foam for plush comfort, while the other is lined with stainless steel coils for responsive support. Still, to the untrained eye, it can be difficult to spot the difference between the products.

That's where I come in. As H&G's resident sleep writer, I lead a team of expert testers to find the world's best mattress. We've tested dozens of beds, including plenty of memory foam and innerspring mattresses, so I can tell you all the pros and cons of each mattress type. I've even picked out a few of my favorite beds to streamline your shopping experience.

Memory foam vs innerspring mattress

This article should tell you everything you need to know about memory foam vs innerspring beds, from which keeps cool to which costs less. Each bed you see below is tried and tested by an H&G sleep expert for comfort; support; cooling properties; motion isolation; edge support; and weight bearing capacity.

What's the difference between memory foam vs innerspring mattresses?

Before we begin, it always helps to define our terms. Here's a summary of the similarities and differences between memory foam vs innerspring mattresses.

A memory foam mattress feels squishy and supportive. Filled with polyurethane, also known as viscoelastic foam, memory foam is made to mold to the shape of your body and bear your weight to take the pressure off your joints.

Your average memory foam mattress contains three types of foam: high-density memory foam in the support layer; lower-density memory foam in the comfort layer; in addition to transition foam, which reduces friction between the layers.

An innerspring mattress feels springy and responsive. Lined with hundreds or even thousands of metal coils, strategically positioned to better bear your weight, an innerspring mattress is made for firm support.

If spring coils form the support layer of an innerspring mattress, then thick strips of wool and cotton form the comfort layer. These sorts of natural materials add a bit of plush comfort to your innerspring mattress and help to boost breathability throughout the bed.

What are the pros of a memory foam mattress?

Out of all the sleep positions, a memory foam mattress is most suitable for side sleepers and anyone who appreciates a softer surface. The foam is made to contour to your curves, cushioning your neck, knees, hips, and shoulders while lifting and lengthening your spine.

Some of our expert testers live with chronic pain conditions, from fibromyalgia to niggling aches in their joints. Almost every one of them finds that memory foam helps to ease their aches and pains: the thick foam works to bear the weight of your body and takes the load off your pressure points.

Memory foam also offers excellent motion isolation. That's not surprising when you consider that this material started life in a NASA science lab, designed to absorb the G-force of travel in aerospace. Memory foam is made to absorb motion, so it's a great fit for light sleepers and anybody who shares a bed with their pet or partner.

What are the cons of a memory foam mattress?

As a hot sleeper, I struggle with the heat retention you get with memory foam. There isn't much room for air to flow through the cells of the structure. This leads to a build-up of heat and moisture and makes for uncomfortable sleep and an insanitary mattress. If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, I suggest you narrow the search to a gel memory foam mattress, which should keep you the right side of cool and dry.

Your average memory foam mattress feels soft and squishy. That's great for the center of the bed, but you want something a little more supportive around the sides to help you get into and out of bed. That's especially important if you struggle with mobility or you prefer to sleep or sit on the side of the bed. A hybrid mattress would deliver the same plush comfort with enhanced edge support.

Out of all the mattress types, a memory foam mattress is down there with the least durable. Over time, the foam incurs indents and impressions, which leads to sagging and loss of support. You might only get five to seven years of good use out of your memory foam mattress before you need to start the mattress shopping experience all over again. If you're looking for a bed to stand the test of time, I suggest a latex mattress: with proper care, it could last you up to 20 years.

What are the pros of an innerspring mattress?

If you sleep on your back or stomach, or you appreciate a bit of firm support, you'll prefer an innerspring mattress. Pay special attention to the arrangement of the coils, as outlined in the product listing, and look out for ergonomic zones for optimal alignment. Sometimes, when my back starts to go, all I need is a night on a supportive innerspring to sort me out.

If you're a hot sleeper, I suggest you forgo foam and opt for an innerspring mattress. All those metal coils push air through the bed every time they compress and depress beneath your body weight. This enhanced airflow helps to dissipate heat and wick moisture. To keep even cooler, I suggest you dress your bed with a set of the best cooling sheets.

I sleep on my stomach, so I often end up lying at the edge of the bed to make some breathing space. That was a lot more comfortable on my old college innerspring than it is on a memory foam mattress. Your average innerspring bed is rimmed with a row of reinforced metal coils for superior edge support. You can sit on the edge of the bed to apply lotion or tie your shoes without worrying you'll slip off the sides.

What are the cons of an innerspring mattress?

Your average innerspring mattress has a nice level of bounce that makes it easy to switch positions in your sleep and get into and out of bed in the morning. That bounce does make for a little bit of motion transfer. If you're a seriously light sleeper, or you share a bed with partner who tosses and turns, then you might prefer the stability of a pocket sprung mattress: that's a special kind of innerspring that minimizes motion transfer.

An innerspring mattress is a more supportive option, but it's nowhere near as comfortable as a memory foam mattress. If you appreciate the sinking feeling you get from a plush mattress, then you might not like the feeling of an innerspring.

Much like a memory foam mattress, your average innerspring isn't especially durable. The same coils bear your weight night after night, which can lead to sagging and squeaking in the center of the mattress. To extend the life of your innerspring, I suggest you flip or rotate your mattress once or twice a year.

Memory foam vs innerspring FAQs

Which is the best memory foam mattress?

According to years of rigorous testing, the Emma Original Mattress is the best memory foam mattress on the market. It's got just enough give to suit side sleepers and sufficient support to bear your weight and spring back into shape once you get out of bed in the morning. Even at full-price, the Emma Original Mattress is fairly affordable, but you could always get it for less in the mattress sales.

Which is the best innerspring mattress?

The best innerspring mattress is also the world's best mattress, bar none: the Saatva Classic Mattress. This bed offers excellent motion isolation for light sleepers, natural cooling for hot sleepers, and plush support for pressure relief.

Memory foam vs innerspring – which should I buy?

If you sleep on your side, you're in need of pressure relief, or you simply prefer a softer surface, try a memory foam mattress. There are some excellent affordable models on the market. Any money you save, you can spend on cooling accessories to counteract the heat.

If you sleep on your back or stomach or you'd appreciate some sturdy support, I recommend an innerspring mattress. It's a classic for a reason and you could get as much as a decade's good use out of your innerspring if you take care of it.