In Bonnell mattresses the springs are tied together in one single grid. That makes the mattress orthopedic and steady. In pocket mattresses each spring works on its own, inside its own pocket, and the mattress adapts anatomically to your body.
If you want a steady, firm feel, look at Bonnell. If you want the mattress to follow your curves, look at pocket. Below you can see what this means in practice.
What Bonnell springs are
These are the traditional mattress springs. They are hourglass-shaped, wider at the top and bottom and narrower in the middle, and they are linked to one another with wire, forming a single grid. They often have reinforcement around the edge as well, so the edges of the mattress hold up well.
Because the springs work together, the support is even and the feel is steady. Above and below the grid come foams, latex or wadding, and these decide how soft or firm the mattress finally feels.
- An orthopedic, steady feel.
- Even support across the whole surface.
- Does not need a bed frame with dense slats.
- Carries more movement from one side to the other.
- Not anatomical: it does not follow the body point by point.
What pocket springs are
In a pocket mattress each spring is separate and enclosed in a fabric pocket. It is not joined to its neighbours, so it moves on its own and compresses as much as needed at the spot where you rest.
This way the mattress adapts to the shape of your body and the pressure is spread more evenly instead of gathering in certain places. For many people this helps the spine rest naturally. For a couple, because the springs work independently, you may feel the other person’s movements less.
- Anatomical support that adapts to the body.
- Responds separately to each movement.
- May reduce the transfer of movement between a couple.
- Needs a bed frame with dense slats.
- The feel is usually more adaptive than a Bonnell’s.
The bed frame makes a difference
A mattress does not work properly if the bed beneath it does not support it. A Bonnell, because its springs are joined, does not need a bed frame with dense slats. A pocket does, because each spring needs a firm base underneath to work independently.
If you already have a bed with widely spaced slats, that alone may settle the choice. If you are changing the bed too, you are free to choose.
What sits on top of the springs
In both mattresses, the feel you get depends a lot on the materials above the springs. Foams carry a number: the higher it is, the better the quality, and HR foams are the best. Mattresses also use latex, Memory Gel, coconut fibre, Aloe Vera and Coolmax fabrics.
Which one suits you
- Bonnell: if you like a steady, firm mattress and do not want to «sink in».
- Pocket: if you want the mattress to follow your body, especially if you sleep on your side or share the bed with someone.
If you hesitate, the safest way is to lie down. Try both types for a few minutes, in the position you usually sleep in, and notice where you feel support and where you feel pressure.
In any case, what you feel on the mattress also depends on the materials on top and on its firmness. On every mattress page, firmness is shown on a 1–10 scale: up to 3.5 is soft, 4 medium-soft, 4.5–5 medium, 5.5–6 medium-firm and 6.5 and above firm. If you do not know what suits you, Sleep Match asks how you sleep and what you like and suggests mattresses.
How to look after it
Both need turning so they wear evenly. A double-sided mattress is turned over every six months. A mattress with a pillowtop, or with layers on its top side only, is turned head to foot every six months. Also leave a gap of 1–2 cm around the mattress in the bed.
If you have pain that persists when you wake up, the mattress is not always the answer. Talk to a doctor.
In short
A Bonnell is orthopedic and steady and does not ask for a bed frame with dense slats. A pocket is anatomical and does need one. Browse the mattresses and, if you can, try them in person in one of the more than 200 stores where ORION mattresses are available.
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