Comparing the Traditional Spring and the New-Technology Memory Foam Mattress – Who’s Going to Win?
Spring Mattress
Spring mattresses have been around since the late 1800s. The spring model contains metal coils within its frame and then wrapped in fabric. Despite it being a ‘dated’ mattress, it’s still a popular choice amongst mattress buyers who like going for a more traditional (bouncy) feel with their bed.
The Pros | The Cons |
Spring mattresses are fairly easy to make, so they usually sell for a cheaper price.
The spaces in between the coils and fabric allow for air to flow freely in the mattress.
Since spring mattresses don’t mould to the body, they also don’t require a break-in period to study your unique contours and sleeping style. |
Spring mattresses are known to lose support in their first few years alone.
This is not the mattress for people with chronic back, shoulder, and neck pain. It tends to push against the body with the same force you put onto it (hence the bounce).
It’s recommended to flip and/or rotate the mattress every 3-6 months to avoid just placing pressure in one area.
Spring’s bounciness can contribute to loud, squeaky sounds that come with every movement. |
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam rose to popularity not long after its inception in the late 60s. NASA test pilots initially used it as a cushioning inside the spacecraft due to its pressure-relieving properties.
Memory foam mattresses mould to the body’s shape; it responds to heat and pressure in just a few minutes. A mattress is usually made with several layers of foam comprised of different densities – with a comfortable top layer and a supportive bottom layer.
The Pros | The Cons |
Memory foam mattresses relieve pressure points by letting the body sink a little and moulding to it. The distribution of body weight is even, so sleepers won’t sink in that deep in the mattress.
The compactness of memory foam mattresses prohibits dust mites and bacteria to travel further down the mattress.
When properly cared for, memory foam mattresses can last between 10-15 years. There’s no need to rotate nor flip the mattress. |
Some memory foam mattresses will sell for a more expensive price due to the cost of technology and materials to design it.
Since memory foam responds to body temperature, some mattresses will feel ‘hot’ to sleep on. High-quality mattresses will have remedied this by using cooling technologies or mechanisms. (e.g., gel memory foam)
Memory foam conforming to your body will take time (as all other great things do) because it needs to study your body shape and sleeping style. |
Don’t Decide Just Yet
We provided you with all the important details you need, but how do you come down to a decision?
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mattress
1. Sleeping Style and Bodyweight
Your perfect mattress should be able to support your favourite sleeping position. It tells you which pressure points you’re most likely to hit. Side-sleepers tend to prefer slightly softer mattress to avoid excessive pressure on the hips and shoulders. Stomach and back sleepers love a firmer mattress for the great support it can give.
Related Article: The Best and Worst Sleeping Position for Your Health
Your body weight plays a part on how much you sink into any mattress. The heavier you are, the more pressure you put on the mattress. Generally, a lightweight sleeper will be fine on a low to medium-density mattress, while a heavier sleeper’s needs could range between a medium and high-density mattress.
2. Firmness Requirements
If you suffer from any chronic pains or have any sore pressure points, memory foam is a no-brainer. A spring mattress can be dangerous and unsupportive when it comes to bad backs, shoulders, and necks. The perfect mattress is one that can keep your spine in a neutral position all-night long. In fact, more than 70% of Ecosa customers noticed an improvement with their back pain after sleeping on the 3-in-1 adjustable memory foam mattress.
3. Mattress Quality
Whether it’s spring or memory foam, you can’t reap each one of the pros in all mattresses – you have to find one with the best quality. Low-quality mattresses more often than not sacrifice support/comfort, just so it could sell you a cheaper mattress. Do your own research – dig up a few brands, compare their features and customer reviews. Buy from a brand that you know you can trust.
4. Budget
How much you’re willing to spend on a mattress is entirely up to you. Find the Goldilocks Zone – not too cheap and not too expensive – because an expensive mattress doesn’t always mean it’s good quality. Pay for a mattress that gives both value for money and a good night’s sleep.
Do Some Research, Then Sleep On It
Our best advice is to research well after this article – think of your sleeping needs and wants each time. Are you going for traditional, or are you more into new technology?
The verdict is in your hands now – we’ll let you sleep on it.