Choosing a new mattress is one of the most important purchasing decisions you will make for your home. You spend roughly a third of your life in bed, and the wrong mattress can affect everything from the quality of your sleep to the health of your back and joints. Walk into any bedding store or browse online, and you will quickly encounter three main mattress categories: pocket spring, memory foam, and hybrid. Each has a devoted following, and each has genuine strengths depending on who is sleeping on it.

This guide breaks down exactly how each type is constructed, what it feels like, and who is most likely to benefit from it. By the end, you will have a clear picture of which mattress belongs in your bedroom — and you are welcome to try all three in person at our Best Beds & Furniture showroom in Papakura, Auckland.

Pocket Spring Mattresses: The Classic for Good Reason

How Pocket Springs Work

A pocket spring mattress contains hundreds of individual coil springs, each housed in its own fabric pocket. Unlike older open-coil or Bonnell spring systems where all springs are connected and move together, pocket springs operate independently. When you press down on one spring, only that spring compresses — the springs around it remain in place.

The number of springs in a mattress varies widely. A queen-size pocket spring mattress might contain anywhere from 800 to over 2,000 individual coils. Higher spring counts generally indicate finer, more responsive coils packed more densely, which translates to better contouring and more even weight distribution.

Zoned Pocket Spring Systems

Many higher-quality pocket spring mattresses use a zoned coil system, where springs of different gauges (thicknesses) are arranged in distinct areas of the mattress. The shoulder zone typically uses softer springs to allow the shoulders to sink slightly and relieve pressure, while the lumbar and hip zones use firmer springs to provide extra support where body weight is greatest. Side sleepers in particular benefit from zoning because it helps the spine stay in neutral alignment from hip to shoulder.

Pros of Pocket Spring

• Responsive feel — springs push back against your body weight, making it easy to move and change position during the night
• Breathability — the open structure of a spring core allows air to circulate freely, keeping the mattress cooler
• Edge support — perimeter springs provide a firm, usable edge so you can sit on the side of the bed without sinking
• Durability — quality pocket spring units maintain their shape and tension for many years without sagging
• Wide range of firmness options — from plush pillow-top models to firm orthopaedic builds

Cons of Pocket Spring

• Motion can transfer between sleepers more than with foam (though far less than old-style open coil)
• Springs can eventually wear or develop noise if the mattress is of lower quality

Who Suits a Pocket Spring Mattress?

Pocket spring mattresses are well suited to back and stomach sleepers who need firm, responsive support, combination sleepers who shift positions frequently, hot sleepers who run warm through the night, heavier body types who benefit from the load-bearing capacity of springs, and couples who prefer a traditional bouncy feel.

Browse our range of mattresses online or visit us in Papakura to feel the difference between our spring counts and firmness levels.

Memory Foam Mattresses: Deep Pressure Relief

How Memory Foam Works

Memory foam — originally developed by NASA in the 1960s for aircraft seat cushioning — is a viscoelastic polyurethane foam. "Viscoelastic" means it responds to both pressure and heat. When you lie down, your body warmth softens the foam locally, and the foam slowly moulds around the contours of your body. When you get up, the foam gradually returns to its original shape, which is where the term "memory" comes from.

The key performance indicator for memory foam is density, measured in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3). Low-density foam (below 40 kg/m3) is soft and inexpensive but compresses quickly and wears out faster. Mid-density foam (40–55 kg/m3) offers a good balance of comfort and longevity. High-density foam (55 kg/m3 and above) provides superior durability and more pronounced pressure relief. At Best Beds, we use high-density foam in our NZ-made mattresses to ensure they hold their shape and perform across years of use.

Pros of Memory Foam

• Exceptional pressure relief — the foam distributes body weight evenly, reducing pressure on hips, shoulders, and joints
• Motion isolation — movement on one side of the bed has almost no effect on the other side, making it excellent for light sleepers sharing a bed
• Contouring — the close body-hugging feel is deeply comfortable for side sleepers and those with chronic pain
• No springs to wear out — quality high-density foam holds its shape without sagging at pressure points
• Silent — no coil noise whatsoever

Cons of Memory Foam

• Heat retention — traditional memory foam traps body heat because its dense closed-cell structure limits airflow; modern gel-infused or open-cell versions address this, but foam still tends to sleep warmer than springs
• Slow response — the gradual return to shape can make it harder to move position at night, which some sleepers find frustrating
• Sinkage feel — heavier sleepers may feel they are sleeping "in" rather than "on" the mattress, which some find uncomfortable

Who Suits a Memory Foam Mattress?

Memory foam is often the best choice for side sleepers who need cushioning at the hip and shoulder, people with joint pain, arthritis, or pressure point sensitivity, light sleepers sharing a bed with a restless partner, and those who prefer a slow, cradling feel over a springy response.

Hybrid Mattresses: The Best of Both Worlds

How Hybrid Construction Works

A hybrid mattress combines a pocket spring core with substantial comfort layers of foam — often memory foam, latex, or high-density polyfoam — on top. The definition of "hybrid" typically requires a minimum of 5–8 cm of quality foam comfort layers above the spring unit; a mattress with only a thin foam topper over springs is simply a spring mattress with a topper, not a true hybrid.

The result is a mattress that pairs the support, breathability, and responsiveness of pocket springs with the pressure-relieving contouring of foam. The pocket spring base handles the structural load, maintains airflow, and provides a buoyant feel, while the foam layers cushion the body, reduce pressure points, and dampen motion transfer between the springs and the sleeper.

Temperature Regulation in Hybrids

Because the spring core of a hybrid promotes air circulation from underneath, hybrids generally sleep significantly cooler than a pure memory foam mattress of similar thickness. The foam comfort layers do add some warmth at the surface, but the overall thermal experience of a well-designed hybrid sits between a straight spring mattress (coolest) and a full foam mattress (warmest). If you love the feel of memory foam but have historically found it too hot, a hybrid is likely your answer.

Pros of Hybrid Mattresses

• Versatility — suits a wider range of sleep positions and body types than either springs or foam alone
• Pressure relief with support — the foam layers cushion while the springs keep the spine properly aligned
• Better temperature regulation than pure foam — the spring core allows airflow underneath the comfort layers
• Reduced motion transfer compared to pure spring — the foam layers absorb a portion of partner movement before it reaches the springs
• Strong edge support — the perimeter spring system maintains a firm edge

Cons of Hybrid Mattresses

• Tend to be heavier than foam-only mattresses, making them harder to rotate
• Usually sit at a higher price point than either a basic spring or foam mattress, though the premium is often justified by longevity and comfort

Who Suits a Hybrid Mattress?

Hybrids are an excellent all-round choice for couples with different sleep preferences, combination sleepers who need both pressure relief and ease of movement, hot sleepers who want foam comfort without overheating, and sleepers who have tried both springs and foam in the past and found themselves somewhere in between.

Mattress Comparison at a Glance

Which Sleep Position Should Guide Your Choice?

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers need a mattress that supports the natural curve of the lumbar spine without letting the hips sink too deeply. A medium-firm to firm pocket spring or a firm hybrid tends to work best. Very soft memory foam may allow the lower back to sag, which leads to morning stiffness over time.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping creates concentrated pressure at the hip and shoulder — the two widest points of the body. Memory foam or a soft-to-medium hybrid with generous foam comfort layers will cushion these pressure points and allow the spine to stay straight. A very firm spring mattress without cushioning can exacerbate shoulder and hip pain for side sleepers.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping places strain on the lumbar region if the hips sink too far into a soft mattress. A firmer pocket spring or firm hybrid keeps the body more level and reduces lower back strain. Memory foam is generally not recommended for stomach sleepers for this reason.

Combination Sleepers

If you move frequently between positions, you need a mattress that responds quickly to your movement — which points toward pocket spring or hybrid. Memory foam's slow response can make repositioning feel like work.

A Word on Price

In New Zealand, quality pocket spring mattresses typically start from around $800 for a queen and can reach $2,500 or more at the premium end. Memory foam sits in a similar range, with price largely determined by foam density. Hybrids tend to start slightly higher given the complexity of their construction, but they represent genuine value when you consider their versatility and longevity.

At Best Beds, we manufacture our mattresses right here in Auckland and sell factory-direct, which means you are not paying for retail markup or importer margins. We also offer interest-free finance options and accept WINZ quotes, so a quality NZ-made mattress is within reach regardless of your budget.

Try Before You Decide

No amount of reading replaces the experience of lying on a mattress for a few minutes and feeling how it responds to your body. Everyone's preference is slightly different, and what reads as ideal on paper may feel wrong in practice.

We invite you to visit the Best Beds & Furniture showroom at 23 O'Shannessey Street, Papakura, Auckland 2110, where you can try our full range of pocket spring, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses in person. Our team will take the time to understand your sleep style and recommend options that suit both your body and your budget. No pressure, no hard sell — just honest, knowledgeable advice from people who make beds for a living.

• Phone: 09-267 3266
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am–5:30pm | Saturday and Sunday 10am–4pm

Ready to explore your options? Browse our full mattress range online, or step into our Papakura showroom and feel the difference for yourself.