As you may have guessed, innerspring mattresses have a core composed of springs. These are usually combined with some or other foam to enhance comfort.
There are various types of innerspring mattresses available, some of which have a higher quality than others.
Here are the three most common types of spring mattresses.
Barrel pocket spring mattresses
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The barrel pocket spring mattress is our favourite type of innerspring mattress.
Its construction is identical to that of the pocket spring mattress: hundreds of individual steel springs - also known as mattress coils - are sewn into fabric pockets.
The name of this mattress comes from the shape of the springs. They look like barrels.
This design makes the barrel pocket spring mattress point-elastic.
It also offers a slightly softer feeling when lying down than the pocket spring or Bonnel spring mattress.
It is possible to purchase a zoned barrel pocket spring mattress, which can help in terms of ergonomic support and optimal spinal alignment, and relieve pressure.
Barrel pocket spring mattresses are often recommended to people who suffer from back pain.
Pocket spring mattresses
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The difference between the pocket spring and the barrel pocket spring mattress lies only in the shape of the springs.
With both types, hundreds of springs are sewn into individual fabric pockets.
But in contrast to the Bonnell spring mattress, the individual springs are not connected to each other. This makes both the barrel pocket spring mattress and the pocket spring mattress point-elastic.
When you lie on a pocket spring mattress, only the springs that are under load give way.
This means that the shoulders and pelvis can sink in deeper and the spine will remain in a better alignment.
This is especially important for people who sleep on their side, as they need more depth to support the heavier parts of the body.
People who sleep on their back or stomach also benefit from stabilisation in the lighter parts of the body, such as the head, lumbar, and foot sections.
Zoned pocket spring mattresses enhance the support and spinal alignment even further.
Bonnell spring mattresses
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The Bonnell spring mattress has a stable spring core made of hundreds of individual steel springs connected to each other.
There is usually a layer of foam on top of the spring core so that you don't directly feel the springs.
The Bonnell spring mattress is the cheapest option.
Although you get the typical springiness associated with spring mattresses, the Bonnell spring mattress has no point elasticity.
If only offers surface elasticity and, as such, does not relieve musculature.
The mattress is not particularly comfortable and we wouldn't recommend it.