Foam vs. Spring Mattress: Which Is Best for You? - Casper Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to have springs or foam in a mattress? ›

Side sleepers, in particular, tend to prefer foam beds, as they often do a better job of conforming to the shape of the body. People who tend to sleep hot at night may wish to opt for a spring mattress. Innerspring beds offer far better airflow, which helps to keep the bed cool at night.

All of the foams in the Casper mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they are made without many harmful chemicals, metals, etc. For instance, the foams are made without ozone depleters, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, and more.

Memory foam conforms to the sleeper's body and provides pressure relief, relieving joint and back pain. It offers better support to your spine. Spring mattresses do not apply uniform pressure throughout the body and hence aggravate the pain at times.

Casper's hybrid mattresses are made with a combination of resilient springs for lift and sinking prevention and layers of breathable foam for cozy comfort.

Generally speaking, foam mattresses provide the best pressure relief and body contouring. If you want pain relief at key pressure points, look for a mattress that gently conforms to your body when you lie down. This allows for your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly.

The Casper Original Hybrid contains several elements that can appeal to hot sleepers, starting with a breathable cover. Under that, ventilated AirScape foam and a base layer of coils can facilitate airflow to keep the mattress cool.

Durability. Overall, the Casper bed is pretty durable, thanks to its high-quality foam layers. The support foam layer that serves as the base is particularly durable. You should expect to get around seven years out of your Casper mattress.

Made with our Snow technology, you can have a bed setup that's cool to touch, has innovative features that prevent overheating, and has breathable layers that allow air to move through. With Casper, you can sleep cool without compromising on comfort. Related Content: How Long Do Memory Foam Mattresses Last?

So, is an innerspring mattress bad for your back? The short answer is ― no. Innerspring beds are generally good for you, and your joints and will provide exceptional amounts of support and comfort for many years. However, innerspring mattresses are great for some and not so much for others.

A memory foam mattress can cause back pain if you don't find the firmness level best suited for you. The ideally firm mattress for your sleep position keeps your spine in neutral alignment while relieving your pressure points. Side sleepers will be most comfortable on a medium, medium-soft, or soft mattress.

Are foam mattresses better for your back? ›

Memory foam relieves pressure on your body

A number of our overall best mattress picks are made from memory foam, because good memory foam offers the ideal mix of support and comfort, while keeping your spine in neutral alignment so it doesn't bend or twist out of shape.

Using a box spring for a foam mattress

According to Casper, the slats on older box springs are too far apart to support the weight of a foam mattress, and that lack of support can cause it to sag. Instead, you need a platform with slats that are much closer together.

Older innerspring mattresses need slightly more frequent rotation, at 2-5 times per year. Casper mattresses have features like ZonedSupport^TM that are designed to support specific sections of your body. Therefore, we recommend rotating your Casper mattress 180 degrees every 3-6 months.

Both the Casper Original and the Original Hybrid have a medium feel, rating around 5 on the 10-point firmness scale. At 11 inches thick, these models are slightly thicker than the average mattress.

Memory foam is one of the best types of mattresses for side sleepers. It contours to your body shape, relieving pressure points and keeping your spinal alignment when you're lying on your side. Side sleepers should also consider a soft mattress because it provides pressure relief to your shoulder and hip joints.

And a mattress with any type of foam (most mattresses have some type of foam), whether it is latex foam or memory foam, is the perfect host to grow mold. The mold colonizes in the millions-upon-millions of open cells or air pockets in the foam, making it impossible to eradicate.

Innerspring. Another most common type of mattress found in hotels is the innerspring mattress. The mattresses with springs enable sleepers to achieve utmost support due to the series of coils under the foam pad, latex or pillow. These mattresses are available in various ranges in terms of firmness and prices.

Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned.

People suffering from back pain should choose memory foam or latex foam mattresses. These provide pain relief by evenly distributing the body weight and help in proper spinal alignment and blood circulation.

Exclusively sold at Costco, the all-foam Casper Select mattress is meant to be a similar version of the popular Casper Original and is designed to bring sleepers both support and pressure relief.

Do Casper mattresses sag over time? ›

All mattresses will have natural settlement within the first year. If you sleep in one position then only that area of the mattress softens and the rest will still be like new. This is what causes the potential sagging. The Casper mattress is a one-sided foam model which means you cant turn this mattress.

The mattresses are also identical in terms of firmness and feel. The other major difference has to do with price. For a queen size, the Select costs a few hundred dollars less than the Original. That being said, you have to be a Costco member to get these savings.

"My educated guess is that Casper's return rate would put it somewhere in the 12% to 14% rate," said Michael Magnuson of GoodBed.com, who's done detailed analysis of industry costs. That would mean roughly 1 out of 8 Casper mattresses might be sent back.

If you're looking for an easy mattress base option, the Casper Platform Bed Frame offers stylish, direct support for your mattress — no foundation or box spring necessary.

The main difference is the “feel” of the mattresses. Firmness level is basically the same. Casper has a soft foam feel, while Purple feels like a giant Dr. Scholl's insole.

General Note: Please allow 24 to 72 hours for your Mattress to regain its full shape. Any memory foam will expand faster in a warmer room. In cold temperature, at delivery, your mattress may take a bit longer to return to full sized from its compressed state.

Casper mattresses are intended for permanent use. Once out of the box, a mattress will not recompress or roll up like an airbed. If you aren't using it as your primary mattress, we recommend storing it fully opened and laid flat. It can also be temporarily stored on its side.

Spring mattresses are not able to uniformly support the body, causing damage to pressure-points. Springs or coils pressing into already existing pain areas may aggravate the pain. Memory foam is very good at isolating motion transfer making it a good option for couples or those who sleep with children.

Your Mattress is Either Too Soft or Too Hard

A mattress that is too soft for you can start hurting your spine sooner than you realize. A mattress that is too hard causes joint pressure. Most sleep experts recommend going for a medium-firm orthopedic mattress to combat this issue.

Do foam or spring mattresses last longer? ›

Foam mattresses usually last between six to seven years, while innerspring beds have a shorter expected lifespan (around five to six years). However, this depends on many factors, including the materials of the mattress.

Most complaints about memory foam mattresses such as Tempur, Eve, Emma, Leesa and Nectar are that they make sleepers incredibly hot and can sag quickly causing both body indentations and back pain for some sleepers.

Some sleepers can still experience back pain with a memory foam mattress if their body contours to the mattress in a manner where the spine is not properly aligned. In many cases, though, a memory foam mattress may be recommended for back pain.

What mattress toppers do chiropractors recommend? Many chiropractors recommend mattress toppers made from natural latex or memory foam.

When in Doubt, Go 'Medium-Firm' Research is limited, but in one study, researchers assigned new mattresses to more than 300 people with low back pain. They used either "medium-firm" or "firm" mattresses for 90 days. Those in the medium group reported the least amount of discomfort.

A Solid Night's Sleep with Casper

So, does a memory foam mattress need a box spring? The answer is no. However, if you're looking to support your foam mattress, we have a large selection of bed frames to peruse.

This all-foam mattress is a great option for back sleepers who want a balance of support and pressure relief, as well as combination sleepers, who should easily change positions throughout the night. My favorite feature of this bed is its zoned support system, which really promotes healthy sleep posture.

Switch up the look of your bed in a snap with the brand's new attachable headboards. They're made specifically for Casper beds but can also be used with universal headboard brackets, so you don't necessarily have to buy a whole new setup to get in on the new designs.

At Casper, we recommend a Waterproof Mattress Protector. Otherwise, any spill could mean tiresome cleaning at the least, or a ruined mattress at the most.

Why does my Casper mattress smell? ›

After you open the box and lay out your mattress, the foam starts to expand and some components used to make the mattress will start to break down. These VOCs are then released as a gas, causing the distinct off-gassing smell.

With few exceptions, Costco has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Simply bring the product to any Costco warehouse and our Member Services Team will be happy to assist...

Between the two original models, Purple is the clear winner for temperature regulation while sleeping. If you sleep hot, Purple is the mattress for you because Nectar won't do anything to cool you down at night.

Casper Nova mattress is the brand's softest mattress and one of their premium hybrid models. It costs more than your standard online mattress, but we think it's for good reason. Casper Nova is an ultra plush mattress with a cloud-like feel. If you need a lot of pressure relief, we expect that you'll like this bed.

Durability. While spring mattresses can last a while, the springs can sag after five to eight years of use. However, the thicker the coils, the longer the mattress will last. Memory foam is generally considered to be the more durable option, lasting between eight and 12 years.

Innerspring Mattresses are Better for Aches and Pains

The innerspring, or encased coils, offer extra-firm, responsive support that helps with spinal alignment, which in turn helps alleviate back pain.

Memory foam vs pocket sprung side-by-side comparison

The pocket sprung mattress comes out on top regarding affordability and choice, however, the memory foam is unrivalled for its durability and shock absorption.

More pocket springs does have an impact on your comfort and overall sleep quality within a certain range. A higher spring count allows each section of the spring unit to act independently of each other. This offers more personalised support and ensures optimal comfort and support while you sleep.

There's no definitive answer to that question. Of the two mattress types, innerspring beds are the older and more “traditional” option. Some may think of them as old-fashioned, but there are plenty of high quality, comfortable, and modern spring mattresses available.

Memory foam and latex mattresses are often considered the best options for back pain, as they conform to your body, cradling pressure points while supporting your spine and keeping it aligned.

Which mattress type lasts the longest? ›

Latex mattresses tend to last the longest, followed by beds made using high-density memory foams or polyfoams. Lower-density foam beds wear out a bit quicker, as do hybrid models. Traditional innerspring beds generally have the shortest expected lifespan, at approximately five and a half to six and a half years.

Side sleepers generally don't feel comfortable on innersprings compared to other mattress types. This is because most innersprings contain thin foam layers that offer little to no cushioning for the shoulders, lower back, and hips.

It is both highly energy absorbent and soft. Memory foam molds to the body in response to heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight. It then returns to its original shape once you remove the pressure. In addition to protecting against impact, these properties make memory foam very comfortable.

Find a Compatible Bed Base

Bed bases are crucial to your mattress. They provide support and can alter the feel of your bed. For example, memory foam mattresses feel firmer on a box spring and softer on a solid foundation, platform, or adjustable base.

Both materials do a good job of supporting the body, keeping the spine aligned, and improving comfort for the sleeper. In the long-run, latex typically outperforms memory foam when it comes to properly supporting the sleeper's body. This is due to its superior durability and responsiveness.

In innerspring and hybrid mattresses, sagging is also common. The metal coils used in these beds tend to lose tension over time while the comfort layers soften, leading to less rigid support in problem areas. Sagging usually occurs in the areas that are exposed to the most pressure.