How many coils should a mattress have? We answer that and all other mattress coil questions in this blog. Shop for your bedroom set at Surplus Furniture.

Your Guide to Coil Counts in Mattresses   

There’s more to mattress shopping than finding the right size and option that fits within your budget. Need help finding affordable, stylish, quality pieces to build your home? Let’s start by understanding how coil counts in mattresses affect your sleep.

What are Mattress Coils?

Coils are the metal springs woven or placed throughout a mattress to provide support and structure. Innerspring coils are included inside the mattress and spread to all edges, but the way they connect and spiral differs. 

In spring mattresses, they can be arranged as single steel coils, individually wrapped coils, or interwoven coils made from a single thinner wire. They’re placed under a comfort layer so the user doesn’t feel them while getting support. They’re typically made from tempered steel which offers durability and resilience to support weight longer.

Coil Count in Mattresses 

Coil count refers to the number of coils in a mattress. It determines how firm or soft a mattress is when a person lies on it. Coil count changes based on size, brand, type of mattress, and mattress construction. 

Mattress coil count is a determining factor for finding the right mattress for better sleep as they impact:

• Support and comfort
• Mattress durability
• Weight distribution and pressure
• Mattress price

Those who prefer firm mattresses with sturdy support typically choose ones with a high coil count. Meanwhile, those who like softer mattresses usually pick those with a low coil count.

As we explore recommended coil counts for different mattress sizes, remember that a higher coil count doesn’t necessarily mean more support or durability if they’re made from poor materials. It depends on the coil’s material, gauge, shape, and whether or not they’re tempered. 

Coil Count Versus Coil Gauge  

When mattress shopping, note that “coil count” and “coil gauge” mean two different things. As mentioned, the coil count refers to how many coils are embedded in the mattress. A coil gauge refers to the thickness of those coils.

Mattress coils are usually 13 to 17-gauge. The lower the number, the thicker the coil. Low-gauge coils offer more fitness and extra durability. High-gauge coils are more responsive and flexible. Essentially, an ideal coil gauge depends on individual preference.

Mattress Coil Count Chart

How many coils should a mattress have? That depends on the mattress size and preference. For example, a queen-size mattress won’t have the same number of coils as a king-size one. Use this mattress coil count chart to purchase mattresses with the ideal coil count.

Types of Coils in Mattresses

There are four main mattress coil types used in most modern mattresses, each with different construction and features. Let’s take a closer look.

Bonnell Coil Mattresses  

Bonnell coils are also called hourglass coils due to their curved shape. It has a wider top and bottom to accommodate more pressure and a thinner centre that allows more flexibility. These coils are knotted at the ends and connected to adjacent coils with thin, spiralling helical wires.

Because Bonnell coils are interconnected, they move together. This creates more support but less adjustment to different weights and sleeping positions. They have a higher likelihood of making noise as they could rub together.

Offset Coils   

Offset coils have the same shape and interconnectivity as Bonnell coils, but instead of round tops and bottoms, they’re square. This provides better resistance to increased weight or pressure. Their ergonomic design limits noise compared to Bonnell coils and they can handle movement without transferring as much motion across the entire mattress.

Read more: Foam vs Spring Mattress: Which Is Better for You?

Continuous Wire Coil Mattress    

Spring mattresses with continuous wire coils use one single wire that’s formed into rows throughout the mattress. They’re supported with helical wires throughout, which provides better durability and limited motion transfer.

These are not as quiet as offset coils since they are still tightly interconnected, so the movement and pressure can transmit noise throughout the spring mattress. While continuous coils are firm and stable, they aren’t as adept at body contouring. They perform better with a thicker mattress top.

Pocketed Coils    

Pocketed coils are multiple, smaller coils individually wrapped in fabric and embedded throughout the mattress. The fabric is connected to close the space allowing the coils their own pockets to move and respond independently.

These innerspring mattresses are a great option for body contouring since the coils only react to pressure when they’re directly under weight. They don’t transfer motion or strain each other. The cylindrical shape of each wire helps distribute pressure evenly throughout the coil, so they have a lower wear rate. These advantages generally come at a higher price.

Shop Your Next Mattress at Surplus Furniture

A comfortable, healthy sleep is paramount, but finding options that suit a family’s or individual’s budget is also key. Here’s where we can help at Surplus Furniture! As Canada’s one-stop-shop for durable furniture at affordable warehouse prices, we have mattresses of all kinds that are as comfortable as they are cost-effective.

No matter your preferred coil count in mattresses, trust that you’ll find the best mattress in one of our 30+ branches nationwide. Create the bedroom of your dreams with the mattress that makes those dreams super comfortable. Shop Surplus Furniture mattresses today.