Your Sleep Matters!
Pocket sprung mattresses are among the most popular mattresses in Ireland.
And rightly so - these are enormously comfortable. 😴
But is a pocket sprung mattress the right choice for you?
And, if it is, which is the best pocket sprung mattress to buy?
We’re here to help you out, giving you recommendations of the best pocket sprung mattresses in Ireland - and helping you choose the perfect model for your needs.
Let’s get to it. 🎉
The Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is a double-sided mattress made from recycled materials & free from foam & chemical treatments.
This is a Good Housekeeping Getting Greener award-winning eco-friendly mattress made from recycled plastic bottles.
The Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is one of Silentnight's most popular mattresses and a Good Housekeeping Getting Greener award-winning mattress. 🌱
Made from 150 recycled plastic bottles and other materials from sustainable sources, this mattress is as comfortable as it is good for the environment.
It's also fully recyclable. ♻️
The Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 is based on a Mirapocket spring system, featuring 1200 zoned pocket springs that react independently to the weight and movement of your body.
This provides exceptional support with a medium-firm feel and even pressure distribution.
The spring system and the Eco Comfort layer also allow for great breathability and good airflow to keep you cool and comfortable all night long.
The mattress has a depth of 28 cm (11 inches) and has been designed as an affordable alternative to luxury products.
It comes with free two-man delivery from 14 working days. ⏰
You can also purchase an Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 Divan Bed Set to ensure your base is as special as your mattress.
The Silentnight divan beds come in a range of colours and textures and even include under-bed storage options.
| Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 | |
| Composition: | Mirapocket spring system made from recycled materials |
| Firmness level: | Medium-firm |
| Height: | 28 cm (11 inches) |
| Trial period: | 60 nights (T&Cs apply) |
| Guarantee: | 5 years |
| What makes this mattress special? | Eco-friendly & made from 150 recycled plastic bottles |
You’ve probably heard about pocket sprung mattresses before.
But what exactly is a pocket spring mattress?
In a nutshell, a pocket spring mattress is a type of innerspring mattress.
And an innerspring mattress is any mattress that has springs as its core.
These can be low-quality spring mattresses, like open coil mattresses, or high-quality spring mattresses, like pocket spring mattresses.
In a pocket spring mattress, the spiral-shaped springs are all wrapped in individual fabric pockets - hence, pocket springs.
Because they’re not connected to each other, as they would be in an open coil spring mattress, individual pocket springs offer numerous advantages:
A good pocket spring mattress will consist of thousands of tightly coiled springs. 🌀
Together, they’re likely to give your mattress a medium-firm to firm level of support.
But, the exact feel of your mattress will depend on the other materials used.
A pocket sprung mattress doesn’t only contain springs.
The springs are generally housed between layers of comfort foam. 🥱
The comfort foam can be made of cold foam, latex foam, polyurethane foam, or memory foam.
Many luxury pocket spring mattresses, like the Novo Natural, also include natural fillings, such as wool, cashmere, or coir. 🐑
Barrel pocket spring mattresses are also pocket sprung mattresses, but they differ in the shape of the springs.
Instead of regular spirals, the springs look like barrels.
They are wider in the middle than they are at the top and the bottom.
Barrel pocket springs offer a slightly softer feeling, making them very comfortable.
They’re also often recommended to people who struggle with back pain.
All pocket sprung mattresses contain some layers of foam, but hybrid mattresses feature both springs and foam at their core.
They act as a cross between foam mattresses and spring mattresses, providing the advantages of both and eliminating any drawbacks.
The springs make hybrid mattresses stable and supportive, while the foams add comfort and contouring.
Pocket memory mattresses are very popular. 👌
These combine the soft body contouring features of memory foam with the support of springs.
Hybrid mattresses are a particularly good choice for people struggling with aches and pains.
They’ll effectively release pressure points and allow you to sleep snuggly. 🥳
The Simba Hybrid is one of our favourite hybrid mattresses, combining mini pocket springs with multiple layers of Simba-Pure foam.
Hybrid and all-foam mattresses can be compression-packed into a box for easy transport, giving rise to the popular bed-in-a-box mattress. 📦
This cannot be done with pure pocket spring mattresses.
Pocket sprung mattresses are suitable for a wide variety of sleepers and sleeping positions.
Generally, spring mattresses are better suited for back and stomach sleepers because they offer greater stability.
Back and stomach sleepers often need a little more support to keep their hips lifted (and spine straight).
Spring mattresses do this better than foam mattresses.
Side sleepers, in contrast, often find spring mattresses a little too firm. 🧱
This isn’t always the case, though, so it’s always worth paying attention to the firmness specifications of a particular mattress.
You'll also find pillow top pocket mattresses that have a supportive spring base but a soft and squishy top to give you the best of both worlds.
Zoned spring mattresses, like the Silentnight Mirapocket 2000, are also particularly good as they allow for a little more sinkage in the hip and shoulder areas.
This helps create optimal spinal alignment. 📏
Spinal alignment is important for any sleeping position but becomes a little more difficult for side sleepers, who need the right mix of support and sinkage.
Pocket spring mattresses are great for people who struggle with back pains.
This is because pocket springs allow your body to be supported optimally.
They:
This allows your body to fully relax so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. 😴
Pocket spring mattresses are among the coolest mattresses. 😎
This is because the spaces between the springs allow for natural ventilation channels.
This enhances breathability and airflow throughout the mattress, wicking away moisture and heat, and keeping you cool and comfortable all night long. ❄️
This makes pocket spring mattresses particularly suitable for heavier sweaters or people who easily feel hot at night.
Poor open coil spring mattresses can be very bouncy, which isn’t great for couples. 👩❤️👨
Pocket sprung mattresses provide less bounce than open coil mattresses - but a slightly more springy feel than memory foam mattresses.
A good pocket spring mattress will ensure that movements are absorbed well and that you won’t be woken up by your partner’s movements.
There are always important criteria to consider when buying a new mattress.
Luckily, most of the important questions can be solved by choosing a mattress with a risk-free trial period.
Most of the quality brands come with a trial period that lasts at least 100 days. 🗓
This gives you the chance to see if the mattress is really right for you.
It will also help you decide if the firmness you’ve chosen is right for you. ☁️
You don’t want to lie on mashed potatoes, but you don’t want to sleep on an extra-firm steel table either.
As a general guideline:
A good trial period (with free delivery and free returns) will help determine if you’ve made the right choice.
As to whether or not your puppy will fit, you’ll need to ensure you choose the right mattress size. 🐶
But, first, here are a few key criteria that will help you purchase the best pocket sprung mattress.
Sometimes descriptions can be perplexing, so it’s always important to double-check that the mattress you’re considering is actually a pocket sprung mattress and not an open coil mattress.
Pocket sprung mattresses contain springs that are all housed in individual fabric pockets.
Open coil mattresses have springs that are all connected to each other.
The higher the number of springs a pocket sprung mattress has, the better.
This is because a higher spring count increases point elasticity, enabling the mattress to better adapt and react to your body shape. 🧍♀️
This equals more comfort.
A good quality pocket spring mattress contains at least 1000 springs, though you’ll also find models with up to 10,000 springs.
A very high spring count generally means that the mattress relies on smaller springs, like micro-coils or mini pocket springs.
Aim to choose a mattress with 1000 - 2000 springs.
These will provide the best support and most comfort at a good price.
Even a mattress with "only" 1200 springs, like the Silentnight Eco Comfort, will be an excellent choice.
The difference between a pocket sprung mattress with 2000 springs and one with more than that is negligible.
Some mattress brands specify the number of springs per square metre.
If that's the case, then remember that a good pocket spring mattress should have between 350 and 500 springs per square metre.
Another element to pay attention to is spring gauge.
Spring gauge can best be described as the thickness of a spring.
This will range between 12 and 18.
The lower the gauge number, the thicker the spring.
Thicker springs are firmer, resulting in an overall firmer mattress with longer-lasting support.
A higher gauge means thinner coils, which provide more gentle support.
We’ve briefly touched on spring height above, and this is certainly another key element to consider.
Some pocket sprung mattresses contain full-size springs, but others may rely on mini springs.
Hybrid mattresses, like the Simba, for example, often combine mini springs with memory foam.
Some mattresses even combine one layer of full-size springs with another layer of mini pocket springs.
As a standard rule of thumb:
The smaller the springs, the less push-back feeling the mattress will give.
Pocket sprung mattresses are available in all standard mattress sizes in Ireland.
These include:
Foam mattresses are easily available in custom sizes, but this is a little more difficult with pocket sprung mattresses.
This is because foam can easily be cut into custom sizes, but pocket spring mattresses have to be designed in set sizes.
Pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses are generally more expensive than all-foam mattresses, but they don’t have to be unaffordable.
Often, pocket sprung mattresses are actually more cost-effective as they’re likely to last you a longer time.
A decent hybrid or pocket sprung model should set you back at least €600 - €1200 for a double. 💷
We’d steer clear of anything much cheaper than that, as you’re likely to compromise on quality.
Of course, if you’re investing in a quality pocket sprung mattress, then you also want to make sure you’re getting a bed frame that will best support your new mattress. 🛏
Rigid slatted frames are best for pocket sprung mattresses.
Pocket sprung mattresses tend to be quite heavy, so make sure the frame you choose is robust and stable.
You need a bed base with the structural strength to carry a heavy mattress. 🏋️♀️
Ideally, your frame will also be divided into the same zones as your mattress.
This will enhance overall support.
We’d recommend you stay away from adjustable slatted frames. 🙅
These may be practical, but adjusting the head and foot zones can damage the springs of your mattress.
There is no right or wrong answer to this question.
The right type of mattress will depend on your personal needs.
Heavier-weight sleepers will often find a pocket sprung mattress more comfortable as they enjoy the stability and support a firm mattress provides.
But, you’ll also be able to find quality foam mattresses with a high degree of firmness that is well-suited to heavier people.
Lighter people and side sleepers often prefer foam mattresses as these tend to be softer.
But, you can also find suitable pocket sprung or hybrid models, like the Emma Premium.
Which mattress is right for you will ultimately depend on a number of individual preferences.
As a standard, pocket sprung mattresses are firmer than all-foam mattresses.
If you’re looking for the support of a pocket sprung mattress and the comfort of an all-foam mattress, there are a few options available:
If your actual mattress is quite firm, you can add a soft mattress topper. 👌
Mattress toppers are layers of additional padding designed to add more softness and comfort to a too-firm mattress.
We really like pocket sprung mattresses but they’re not the right choice for everyone.
If you feel that this isn’t the right type of mattress for you, consider one of the below alternatives instead. 👇
Memory foam is characterised by its memory imprint.
Look at the pictures below as a demonstration:
What this shows is:
This high adaptability allows for optimal pressure relief.
For this reason, memory foam is often used in orthopaedic mattresses.
Memory foam is also hypoallergenic, which is great for people prone to allergies. 🤧
On the downside, memory foam mattresses are quite difficult to move around on and they retain more heat, making them unsuitable for restless sleepers and heavy sweaters.
Latex mattresses are great for people focused on organic choices. 🌱
Natural latex mattresses like the Milam Premium Mattress may be very expensive, but they’re environmentally friendly, breathable, supportive, and very comfortable.
Cold foam mattresses provide good point elasticity and high adaptability and are often a good choice for orthopaedic concerns.
They sleep much cooler than memory foam mattresses, while still offering good support. 🧊
Cold foam is often used as a base layer in all-foam mattresses.
Geltex or gel mattresses have good point elasticity, are very comfortable, and have very good ventilation.
They’re also an excellent choice for restless sleepers. 💃
Gel foam is often used as an upper comfort layer in all-foam or pocket sprung mattresses, as in the Silentnight Geltex Ultra 3000.
A pocket sprung mattress is a good choice for a wide variety of sleepers.
This is a good all-rounder choice.
Make sure you choose a mattress with a risk-free trial period so you can try it out in the comfort of your own home before having to decide.
Pocket sprung mattresses have been criticised for allegedly being susceptible to magnetic fields or radiation.
This is not true.
Pocket sprung mattresses are perfectly safe to use.
Quality pocket sprung mattresses are very durable and designed to last a long time.
You should expect to keep your mattress for at least ten years.
Most quality brands offer a 10-year guarantee.
We love bed-in-a-box mattresses.
But, it's really difficult to find pocket sprung mattresses in a bed-in-a-box format.
This is because bed-in-a-box mattresses have to be compressed a fair bit to fit into a box, which isn't always possible with pocket springs.
That said, hybrid mattresses, which combine pocket springs with layers of foam, are popular in the bed-in-a-box format.
You can also buy pocket sprung mattresses at retailers across the UK.
Some of our favourite online and brick-and-mortar retailers include:
If in doubt, stick to brands you trust.
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