Pocket Mattress – What’s all the fuss!

One of the most common questions we get here at Payless Beds is what is the difference between an open coil spring mattress and a pocket spring mattress.  Well there is a vast difference in terms of comfort and pricing, so here we have an excellent article explaining the make up of the pocket spring mattress.

THE BASICS OF POCKET SPRINGS
These comments refer to widely available mass produced pocket spring units. There may be exceptions to this rule, but these will be discussed under the relevant section.

The Counts:
Pocket spring counts are always based on the number of springs in a king sized mattress: 150 x 200 / 5’0 x 6’6. Even when a single mattress is described as having 1000 pocket springs for example – it won’t. It will have proportionately less. A super king sized mattress will have proportionately more. Some retailers have started to give the exact count for a particular size which throws a fly into the ointment when you are doing  like for like comparisons.  To keep matters simple and easy, always be aware of the count in a king sized mattress and you just can’t go wrong.

The least number of pocket springs you can get is 600. This level of spring count will be in starter or budget ranges of Pocket Sprung Mattresses. This is a good example of the value of a pocket sprung unit, Obviously the retail price will be low BUT .., the quality level of mattress will be significantly better than any mattress utilising an Open Coil or Continuous Coil retailing for a similar price.

The most pocket spring units you can get into a King Sized mattress in one layer is 2000. Mattresses described as having more than this are utilising one of these techniques double layer construction , Suspension Pocket Sprung Unit or they are using mini springs to increase the count. When looking at descriptions and you see a specification with more than 2000 pocket springs you really do have to examine how this was achieved.

A good thing to bear in mind that a 1000 / 1500 / 2000 pocket sprung unit will be broadly similar from about 90% of all manufacturers.
It is what is placed on top of the units (upholstery) that makes the difference – In Price and In quality.

Total spring counts come in usually at 600 / 800 / 1000 / 1200 / 1400 / 1500 / 2000 pockets per unit. The lower spring counts will have a larger diameter spring – The Higher spring counts will have a smaller diameter spring. One of the most prolific questions we get asked and abundant on Internet Forums is the “How many springs are best?” Now although this is such a simple question the answer is not! The response to this question should always be followed up with “.. Best for what?”

Best for Price?
If you are torn between two similar mattresses one open coil and one pocket sprung the pocket sprung mattress will win hands down! Like I said above, the minimum 600 pocket count is far superior to ANY open coil or continuous coil mattress you can get. It is so unlikely an OC / CC mattress will have a quality level of upholstery attached and all these fall within the low end range of mattresses.

Best for you?
If you look at the complete range from Rest Assured for example you will see that the bulk of their mattresses utilise a 1400 pocket spring unit. This count will suit the majority of users – not too firm and not too soft. A bigger person (such as my 20st Rugby Player friend) will gain more benefit from a 2000 unit. His weight will be equalised over a greater number of springs, The springs will not be fully compressed but allowed to ‘move’ with him. If he was on a 1000 pocket unit for example the weight is distributed over a lesser number of springs. Whereas our ten stone friend will be quite happy on 1000 pockets.

Pocket mattress

This is only half the story though! The other difference between 1000 springs and 2000 springs is the tension of the spring itself. There is no hard or fast rule on what gauge wire is used on a particular spring count: A 2000 unit can utilise a firm spring – say 1.5mm  or it can utilise a soft spring – say 1.2mm.  And it is this reason alone why the question above cannot be answered with any degree of precision. It is so unlikely a retailer will know what gauge wire is used on any particular unit contained in a particular mattress.

All pocket springs are known as compression springs and can come in various shapes and sizes: The most common shape is the straight metal coil spring, having the same diameter for the entire length. Other configurations include ‘barrel’ types. It has to be said that the actual mechanics of each type of spring used will vary and will have various load deflection attributes for the user.

At payless beds we use the best pocket spring units to achieve a greater support by ratio and balance this by varying the layers of material we use as fillers. Therefore the combination of these two factors will make for the best combination mattresses you can buy,

we have included the  2000 Cashmere supreme and the Rosebury pocket spring mattresses two top of the range mattresses you can buy. You can check them on our website Payless Beds.

What is memory foam?

Memory foam, generally known as visco-elastic, was originally developed by scientists in association with the N.A.S.A space project. Scientists were asked to invent a material that would absorb the tremendous pressures that astronaut’s bodies were subjected to as they exited and re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere.

The new foam-like material proved to be so successful that its potential was soon recognized by medical science. It is now the most effective substance for relieving pressure points caused by the weight of a human body in its relaxed state.

Subsequently it is now used in hospitals throughout the world to prevent pressure sores, which can easily develop when the body lies still for many hours i.e. during an operation. Its unique elastic properties allow it to automatically sense your body weight and temperature, it then responds by moulding to your exact shape and position. When you turn in bed it quickly recovers and re-adjusts, providing you with total support throughout the night.

As an added benefit the structure of the visco elastic memory foam makes it impossible for dust mites to penetrate the mattress. This creates a cleaner and healthier environment ultimately providing the setting for a truly comfortable, therapeutic sleep. It is also ideal for those who suffer from airborne allergies and hay fever, as dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies within the house.

Is it! or is it not! Orthopaedic!

A lot of people are confused by the term Orthopaedic mattress, what is and orthopaedic mattress?  and how can you tell?

Well the answer is is simple! you can’t..!

The mattress description is provided by the manufacturer and they class firmness rating based on current orthopaedic qualities of the base layers.

There are a number of factors to consider before purchasing an item described as orthopaedic.

Each manufacturer has their own way of rating their product, therefore two different manufacturer may rate a similar item in two different ways.  This means that two mattresses labelled as orthopaedic may differ in their firmness and their orthopaedic qualities.

To make matters even more complicated! (sorry) you have to factor in the “definition” of each person who buys an “orthopaedic” mattress . Firmness is relative to the person’s own expectations, one may find the item firm,  whereas another may find it not so firm.

A lot of people buy an orthopaedic mattress because they have back pain and they want something that will relieve the pain. Orthopaedic mattresses are not a cure nor are they an instant fix items, at best; they are only firmer then normal mattresses and provide extra support where a normal mattress would not be able to. Depending on the severity of the problem of an individual, the best that can be expected from any mattress, including orthopaedic, is limited to mild aches and pains.

At paylessbeds.co.uk we take all these factors into confederation, before qualifying a product to be orthopaedic in substance as well as appearance. So while we can not guarantee that our orthopaedic mattresses will be a miracle cure (we don’t think anyone can give this guarantee) we can say for sure that our mattresses have gone through a host of rigorous tests, before being approved to be listed as orthopaedic on our website.

Payless beds has tried and tested a number of Orthopaedic mattresses and we have chosen a select few that we consider to be worthy of being labelled Orthopaedic.

The first is the top of the range Jublee Moon Orthopaedic mattress, a clear choice for those who require a firmer yet comfortable alternative to their current mattress.

Our second choice, is the mid range Moonlight mattress, this mattress has all the right qualities to be labelled an orthopaedic mattress, it is a lot more firm than normal bonell spring units and has extra padding to give it the firmness expected of an orthopaedic mattress.

Finally we have picked a strange one for you , considered to be a comfort choice but again the Sigma memory foam mattress is in this choice, because of the proven affects of memory foam for pain relief.

We hope you will agree that these are fit for purpose.

Welcome To Pay Less Beds

Welcome to our blog, Pay-less beds Ltd  is an established manufacturer of quality beds and mattresses, our manufacturing base is located in the heart of UK bedding industry (West Yorkshire).

All our products are made in the UK, we do not supply any overseas products, which invariably are of inferior quality and maybe prepared using cheap child labour.

Here you will find useful information and news in regards to our products and the bedding industry in general, please check back regularly to see new information and product news.

We would also welcome you comments.