There are four main types of mattress, although manufacturers often offer variations on the main types:

1. Bonnel sprung (open coil)
2. Pocket sprung (sometimes pocket sprung mattresses will also contain foam)
3. Foam
4. Springing unique to certain manufacturers.

Bonnel sprung mattresses

These are sometimes called “traditionally sprung” mattresses. They contain a set of linked coiled springs (about 288 springs in a king size mattress). The main factors that affect the quality of these mattresses are: the quality of the spring unit; the fillings and the type of the fabric. These are usually the cheapest mattresses to buy. The very cheapest are of poor quality, but the more expensive models can offer acceptable levels of comfort. Nevertheless, they will not respond to the body shape as effectively nor offer the same support as pocket sprung or good quality foam mattresses.

Pocket sprung mattresses

Pocket sprung mattresses contain springs that are separately sewn into individual pockets. There are typically 1,000–1,600 springs in a king size pocket sprung bed. Where there are higher spring counts, there are usually 2 layers of pocket springs to create extra comfort. The pocket sprung system helps to ensure that the mattress provides support for the whole body and helps to eliminate roll-together and roll-off.

Pocket sprung mattresses are manufactured with a variety of fillings. Please see the section on Fillings for details.

Foam mattresses

There are several varieties of foam mattresses available. However, the best of these mattresses contain visco-elastic, otherwise known as “memory foam”. “Memory foam” mattresses are typically constructed from at least 2 types of foam: one type forms the base of the mattress, while the “memory foam” forms the upper part. Some people find that foam mattresses are warmer than open coil or pocket sprung mattresses. As a result many manufacturers produce at least one range that has cooling properties.

Springing particular to certain manufacturers (patent systems)

This type of springing is usually a compromise. Manufacturers aim to produce some of the comfort of pocket sprung systems but at a lower cost. Some of the patent systems are as follows:

• Miracoil™ (Silentnight) - twice as many springs as an open coil mattress; springs concentrated in the centre of the bed; springs in figure of eight shape; each row is made from one coil of wire. Silentnight is famous for its Hippo and Duck logo indicating that the Miracoil™ system offers no roll-together and no roll off.
• Flexiform springs (Dorlux) – almost twice as many springs as an open coil mattress; they are smaller and closer together.
• Flexi-coil (King Koil) – continuous coil springs.