Memory foam or pocket spring mattress: which one to choose for your rest

Choosing between a memory foam mattress or a pocket spring mattress comes down to a very personal preference: are you looking for adaptability that hugs you or dynamic, cool support? I can tell you right now that there is no single answer. The right decision depends on factors such as whether you sleep alone or with someone else, your usual sleeping position, whether you tend to get hot at night and, of course, your specific comfort needs.

Unveiling the choice for your rest

Choosing the right mattress is one of the most important decisions you will make for your well-being. That's no exaggeration. This choice directly influences the quality of your sleep, your daily energy levels, and your long-term postural health. A good mattress is the first step to truly restful sleep, which is essential for your health and helps you overcome insomnia and anxiety.

To simplify this decision, it is essential to understand the real differences between these two technologies. We are not just talking about materials, but how each system interacts with your body while you rest.

• Memory foam mattresses: Their strong point is their adaptability, which molds to the contours of your body, eliminating pressure points and creating that characteristic "hugging" sensation.
• Pocket spring mattresses: They offer point-by-point support, greater independence if you sleep with a partner, and superior ventilation. They are a classic that has been reinvented.

Quick comparison: memory foam vs. pocket springs

To give you a clear overview from the outset, we have prepared a table summarizing the key points that we will be discussing throughout this guide. Use it as a first reference to orient yourself before we get down to business.

Feature	Memory foam mattress	Pocket spring mattress
Adaptability	Very high, "hug" effect	Tall, adapts to every part of the body
Breathability	Moderate (enhanced with gels and open cells)	Very high, excellent air circulation
Independence of beds	Excellent, absorbs movement	Very good, the independent springs isolate it.
Support	Uniform and focused on relieving pressure	Dynamic and responsive, ideal for the spine
Feeling when lying down	Enveloping and slow sinking	Firm, with a slight feeling of buoyancy
Ideal for...	People with muscle pain or who sleep on their side	Couples, warm people, or people who move around a lot

This table is just the starting point. Next, we will explore each technology in depth, analyzing its advantages and disadvantages according to different sleeper profiles. The goal is to guide you in making an informed decision, ensuring that your investment translates into nights of deep, restful sleep.

How does a memory foam mattress work?

To determine whether a memory foam mattress or a pocket spring mattress is best for you, you first need to understand what makes memory foam special. Interestingly, this material was developed by NASA, which designed it to cushion astronauts' seats. Essentially, it is a high-density polyurethane foam that reacts in a very particular way to your body's heat and pressure.

The magic lies in its thermosensitivity. When you lie down, the foam softens with your body temperature and molds itself with almost millimeter precision to the contours of your silhouette. This creates that famous feeling of being "embraced" or weightless, distributing your weight evenly and eliminating pressure points in key areas such as the shoulders and hips.

This adaptability has made it a very popular choice. In fact, in Spain, the market share of memory foam mattresses continues to grow and now accounts for between 35% and 45% of sales. The reason for this boom is clear: people are looking to relieve pressure, especially if they have back problems, and there are more and more high-quality hybrid models available. If you are interested in this topic, you can read more about trends in the sleep market in this analysis by Hogarium.

Why density is everything

Not all memory foams are created equal—far from it. Density, measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³), is the factor that truly makes the difference in mattress quality and performance.

And keep in mind that higher density does not mean that the mattress is harder, but rather that it has more material per volume. What does this mean?

• Greater durability: A high-density mattress will withstand the passage of time much better without losing its shape.
• Better adaptability: It will mold to your body more precisely and slowly, giving you much more effective support.
• Less rebound effect: It will absorb movements like no other, ensuring perfect motion isolation if you sleep with a partner.

Low-density mattresses (less than 40 kg/m³) tend to recover their shape more quickly and have a shorter lifespan. In contrast, high-density models (more than 50 kg/m³) offer maximum comfort and superior ergonomic support.

Debunking the myth: does memory foam retain heat?

One of the most common misconceptions about memory foam is that it traps heat. And while it's true that early models could retain heat, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds to solve this problem. Modern mattresses, such as those in the Morfeo range, incorporate innovations that guarantee perfect temperature regulation.

The key is not in the material itself, but in how it is manufactured. The latest generation of memory foam mattresses are specifically designed to be breathable and cool throughout the night.

Let's see what technologies make this possible:

• Open-cell foams: Their internal structure is porous, like a sponge, allowing air to circulate freely and dissipate accumulated heat and moisture.
• Gel particles: Microparticles of gel are injected into the foam. Their function is to absorb excess body heat to maintain a much cooler sleeping surface.
• Graphene infusions: Graphene is a material with incredible thermal conductivity. When added to memory foam, it helps to draw heat away from your body in an incredibly efficient way.

Thanks to these advances, today you can enjoy all the adaptability and comfort of memory foam without having to worry about overheating, achieving a deep and truly restful sleep.

Analyzing the pocket spring core

Unlike memory foam, the core of an innerspring mattress is a high-precision mechanical system. Think of hundreds, or even thousands, of small steel springs, each encased in its own fabric pocket. This structure is the key to understanding why it offers such a different sleeping experience.

Each spring works independently, sinking only when you apply pressure directly to it. This gives us two benefits that completely define its performance: exceptional bed independence and dynamic support that adapts point by point to the shape of your body.

If you sleep with a partner, this independence changes everything. When one person moves, the springs underneath absorb the movement without transmitting it to the rest of the bed. The result is a deep, uninterrupted sleep for both of you.

The importance of quantity and caliber

Not all spring cores are the same, far from it. There are two factors that make a difference in their firmness, durability, and quality: the number of springs and the thickness of the wire used to manufacture them (the gauge).

• Number of springs: The more springs, the more individual support points the mattress will have. This translates into much more precise weight distribution and ergonomic support that follows the natural curvature of your spine.
• Wire gauge: A lower gauge means thicker wire, and therefore firmer, more resistant springs. Manufacturers often combine different gauges to create comfort zones, providing softer support in the shoulders and firmer support in the lumbar region.

This technology has carved out a huge niche in the Spanish market, where pocket spring models now account for between 30% and 40% of sales in the mid-range and high-end segments. A good mattress usually has between 1,000 and 3,000 springs for a size of 150x190 cm, ensuring well-zoned support and perfect back alignment.

Breathability: its definitive advantage

If there is one area where pocket springs win hands down in the comparison between memory foam and pocket spring mattresses, it is breathability. The structure of individual pockets leaves a huge empty space inside the mattress.

This open architecture allows air to circulate freely every time you move. This constant flow of air dissipates body heat and moisture very effectively, keeping the bed cool and dry all night long.

This quality makes pocket spring mattresses the ideal choice for:

• Warm people: Avoid that feeling of heat exhaustion that wakes you up in the middle of the night.
• Warm climates: They offer much greater thermal comfort in places where nights are muggy.
• Those seeking hygiene: Constant ventilation helps prevent the appearance of dust mites and mold, creating a much healthier sleeping environment.

Once you understand how they work, it becomes clear that the advantages of pocket spring mattresses are not limited to firm support; they offer a complete solution for those who value freshness and independence of movement above all else.

Face to face: memory foam or pocket springs?

Now that we know how each technology works, it's time to compare them side by side. Choosing between a memory foam mattress and a pocket spring mattress is not a question of "which is better," but rather of understanding which material best suits your needs. That's why we're going to break down the key criteria, point by point, to help you make the right decision.

Adaptability and pressure relief

Here we talk about how the mattress molds to your body to keep your spine in the correct position. In this area, memory foam is the undisputed champion. Thanks to its heat-sensitive properties, it creates a kind of mold of your body, distributing weight evenly and relieving pressure like no other technology.

For their part, modern pocket spring mattresses offer highly sophisticated "point-by-point" adaptability. Each spring works independently, responding only to the pressure it receives. This achieves a very precise fit to the curves of the body, without the mattress sinking completely.

The key difference: Memory foam gives you a "hugging" feeling, as if the mattress is enveloping you. It's ideal if you're looking for maximum pressure relief. Springs, on the other hand, offer more active and dynamic support, adapting to you without that sinking feeling.

Independence of beds

This point is crucial if you sleep with a partner. It measures the mattress's ability to absorb movement on one side without it being transmitted to the other. Does your partner move around a lot? Then this is something you should consider.

Both technologies are excellent in this regard, but they work differently:

• Memory foam: Its high-density foam is like a sponge that absorbs the energy of movement. It literally cushions any vibration. It's almost impossible to notice when your partner has turned over.
• Pocket springs: Each spring, being in its own pocket, actively isolates movement. Turns and changes in position remain confined to their area, without any domino effect.

Although both are fantastic for sleeping with someone else, memory foam tends to have a slight advantage due to its ability to completely "cancel out" movement.

Breathability and thermal regulation

Here, things change and the balance clearly tips in favor of pocket springs. Their internal structure, with hundreds of individual pockets, leaves a huge space for air to circulate freely. This acts as a natural ventilation system that dissipates heat and moisture very effectively.

Historically, traditional memory foam mattresses tended to retain heat. However, the latest models, such as those from Morfeo, have solved this problem with open-cell foam and the addition of gel or graphene particles that dramatically improve breathability.

Firmness and support

Firmness is very personal, but the type of support each mattress offers is objectively different. Memory foam provides uniform support that adapts slowly and progressively, perfect for minimizing pressure points.

Pocket springs, on the other hand, provide more responsive support, with a slight "bounce effect." This makes it much easier to move around during the night and gives a feeling of buoyancy that many people prefer, avoiding the feeling of being "trapped" in the mattress.

Durability and service life

The durability of both types of mattresses depends, above all, on the quality of their materials. A memory foam mattress with high-density foam (greater than 50 kg/m³) can easily last 10 years or more without losing its properties.

Pocket spring mattresses are also very durable, provided that the steel used in the springs is of good quality and well treated. A good core can last a decade without any problems. In both cases, maintenance is simple: just rotate it every few months.

Comparative analysis by key criteria

To help you see all these differences at a glance, we have prepared a summary table. It is a detailed evaluation of each technology according to the factors that are most important for your rest.

Comparison criteria	Memory foam mattress	Pocket spring mattress	Situational recommendation
Adaptability	Enveloping, it molds to body heat.	Dynamic, point-by-point support.	Memory foam for pressure relief; springs for responsive support.
Independence of beds	Excellent, it absorbs movement completely.	Very good, the springs isolate vibrations.	Both are fantastic options for couples.
Breathability	Moderate (improved with gel/open-cell technologies).	Very high, excellent air circulation.	Pocket springs for people who run hot or humid climates.
Firmness	A more welcoming feel and slow sinking.	Greater buoyancy and quick response.	Memory foam if you don't move around much; springs if you change position a lot.
Durability	High if the density exceeds 50 kg/m³.	High quality steel and good caliber.	Both are long-term investments if you choose a quality model.
Price	Very wide range, from budget to premium options.	They are usually in the mid-to-high range.	The price depends more on the quality of the materials than on the technology.

With this detailed comparison, you now have all the tools you need to identify which technology best suits you and your sleeping habits.

Recommendations based on your sleep profile

Now that you know about the technology behind each type of mattress, it's time to put it into practice. Because the decision between a memory foam mattress and a pocket spring mattress is not about which one is better in absolute terms, but which one is right for you. It depends on who you are, how you sleep, and whether or not you share your bed.

Let's take a look at the most common profiles together. This will make it much easier for you to identify with one and make the right choice.

If you sleep with a partner

Here, the key factor is undoubtedly the independence of the beds. If your partner moves around a lot at night, the last thing you want is for their movements to wake you up. You need a mattress that absorbs that movement as if nothing had happened.

For this, both memory foam and pocket springs are fantastic options. However, pocket springs tend to have a slight advantage. Their trick lies in their individual response: each spring reacts on its own, isolating movement right where it occurs.

Memory foam is also excellent at absorbing vibrations, but if one of you is particularly sensitive, the stability offered by pocket springs is hard to beat.

Our recommendation: For couples, a pocket spring mattress or a hybrid model—combining springs with a memory foam comfort layer—is the perfect solution to ensure you both sleep soundly.

If you have back pain or muscle discomfort

In this case, the absolute priority is to relieve pressure points and keep the spine well aligned. Memory foam was, in fact, designed with precisely this in mind.

Its ability to mold to the exact contours of your body is what makes the difference. It distributes your weight evenly and eliminates tension in critical areas such as the shoulders, lower back, and hips. This "hugging effect" helps your muscles relax and your back maintain a natural posture throughout the night.

This is no minor issue when we consider that, according to several studies, almost a third of the population in Spain (32%) wakes up with back pain.

Our recommendation: If you suffer from back, muscle, or joint pain, a high-density memory foam mattress will give you the ergonomic support and relief you need.

This decision tree summarizes it in a very visual way so you can see how your circumstances guide you toward the perfect mattress.

As you can see in the infographic, although there are nuances, the independence of pocket spring mattresses is a decisive factor for couples, while the adaptability of memory foam is wonderful for those who sleep alone.

If you are a warm person

If you are someone who gets hot at night, the breathability of your mattress is non-negotiable. And in this area, pocket springs are the clear winners.

Its internal structure, filled with air channels between each pocket, allows air to flow constantly. Every time you move, air circulates, carrying away accumulated heat and moisture. The result is a cool, dry sleeping surface all night long, which is essential if you live in a warm climate or simply generate more heat.

If you want to learn more about this and other aspects, we recommend reading our comprehensive guide on how to choose the right mattress.

Our recommendation: For people who tend to feel hot, a pocket spring mattress is undoubtedly the best option for ensuring ideal thermal comfort.

If you move around a lot while sleeping

For those who change positions frequently, moving easily is crucial. A mattress that is too enveloping can make you feel "trapped," turning every nighttime turn into a minor effort.

Pocket spring mattresses have greater responsiveness, a "rebound effect" that helps you. This more dynamic response makes it easier to change position without effort, allowing you to find a new comfortable position without interrupting your sleep. Memory foam, with its slower recovery, may be less comfortable for restless sleepers.

Our recommendation: If you are someone who cannot stay still, the dynamic response of a pocket spring mattress will give you more freedom of movement and a much more fluid rest.

Hybrid mattresses: the solution that combines the best of both worlds

Until now, the choice seemed to be between two options: either you opted for the enveloping adaptability of memory foam or you went for the dynamic support of pocket springs. But what if I told you that you don't have to give up anything? This is where hybrid mattresses come in, a solution that cleverly combines the best of both technologies to offer a superior and, above all, balanced sleeping experience.

A hybrid mattress is essentially a multi-layered structure designed with a very clear purpose. At its core is a pocket spring system, which acts as the mattress's engine. This base provides robust support, long-lasting durability, and, most importantly, breathability that keeps the bed cool throughout the night.

One or more comfort layers, usually made of high-density memory foam, are placed directly on top of this core. These upper layers are responsible for providing pressure relief, adaptability, and that cozy feeling that eliminates tension in the shoulders and hips.

Perfect synergy, layer by layer

The true genius of a hybrid mattress lies not in its individual components, but in how they work together in perfect harmony. It's not just a matter of stacking materials on top of each other, but of creating a system where each layer enhances the virtues of the other, achieving an almost perfect balance between support and comfort.

• Pocket spring core: Provides the firmness necessary for proper spinal alignment and independent sleeping surfaces, which is greatly appreciated if you sleep with a partner.
• Transition layers: These are usually high-resilience foams that connect the core to the upper layers, softening the response of the springs so that you don't notice it.
• Memory foam comfort layer: Offers millimeter-precise adaptability that molds to your body, relieving pressure without that "trapped" feeling sometimes associated with pure memory foam mattresses.

A well-designed hybrid mattress means you don't have to choose between responsive support and enveloping adaptability. It offers you both at the same time, eliminating the drawbacks of each technology separately.

Who is a hybrid mattress ideal for?

Thanks to its well-balanced design, the hybrid mattress is an incredibly versatile option that meets the needs of most people. It is the definitive answer to the question of whether to choose a memory foam or pocket spring mattress, as it combines the strengths of both.

It is especially recommended for:

• Couples with different preferences: If one partner seeks firmness and the other prefers something more adaptable, the hybrid offers a perfect middle ground that leaves both satisfied.
• Warm people who need pressure relief: You get the coolness of springs without sacrificing the ergonomic comfort of memory foam.
• Undecided sleepers: If you value both support and that cozy feeling, this design offers you complete performance without having to make any compromises.

The popularity of these models is precisely due to their ability to offer a comprehensive solution. To better understand how they differ from other options, you can take a look at our article on the difference between foam and memory foam hybrid mattresses. In short, hybrid mattresses represent the evolution of rest.

Frequently asked questions about your new mattress

Even with all the information on the table, it's perfectly normal to have some last-minute doubts before deciding between a memory foam mattress and a pocket spring mattress. Let's answer those questions that are surely running through your head so you can make your decision with complete confidence.

Do modern memory foam mattresses retain heat?

This is undoubtedly the million-dollar question and one of the biggest myths surrounding memory foam, based on the first models that came onto the market. The reality is that today, high-quality memory foam mattresses, such as those in the Morfeo range, are designed to be incredibly cool.

The secret? Technology has advanced tremendously:

• Open-cell foam: Imagine a structure full of pores that allows air to circulate freely. This is how heat dissipates naturally, preventing that feeling of stuffiness.
• Gel or graphene particles: These materials are integrated directly into the foam and act as tiny thermal regulators. They absorb excess heat from your body and maintain an ideal temperature for sleeping throughout the night.

So the answer is a resounding no. A good modern memory foam mattress does not generate heat; it is optimized to offer excellent thermal comfort without compromising its incredible adaptability.

What type of mattress lasts the longest?

The key here is not so much whether it is memory foam or spring, but rather the quality of the materials. If you choose a mid-to-high-end model and take proper care of it, both types of mattresses can offer you a useful life of approximately 10 years.

When choosing a memory foam mattress, you need to look at the density of the foam. Always look for a density of over 50 kg/m³ to ensure it will hold up well. In a pocket spring mattress, the quality of the steel and the heat treatment the springs have undergone are crucial to ensure they do not deform over time and with use.

What type of base or box spring does each mattress require?

Choosing the right base is not a minor detail; it is essential for your mattress to perform at its best and last as long as it should. In fact, a poor choice could even void the manufacturer's warranty.

• For a pocket spring mattress: The recommendation is clear: you need a rigid, breathable base. The ideal option is an upholstered base or a folding storage bed. Don't even think about placing it on a slatted bed base, because the springs could sink into the gaps and end up deformed.
• For a memory foam mattress: Here you have more flexibility. It works wonderfully with both an upholstered base and a slatted bed frame. The latter, in fact, helps the mattress ventilate even better.

A little maintenance trick that works for both: rotate your mattress from head to toe every three months. With this simple gesture, wear and tear will be much more even and you will significantly extend its useful life.

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At Morfeo, we design mattresses that combine the best sleep science with top-quality materials to give you deep, restful nights. Discover the perfect mattress for you and take advantage of our 100-night trial.

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