Does an orthopedic mattress have springs?

Innerspring mattresses use a coil base, while dense blocks of memory foam are used instead of coils. Naturepedic says its EOS Trilux is made entirely of latex, using three interchangeable layers.

Innerspring

The coil base has a comfort layer above it.

• That layer is usually foam, wool, or fiberfill.
• Check the product details for the coil base and the comfort-layer material above it.

Polyfoam

High-density foam can provide support as a core material.

• Check whether the description calls the foam high density.
• Check whether the listing names it as a core material.

Memory Foam

Dense blocks of memory foam are used instead of coils.

• Look for dense blocks in the product details.
• The blocks are described as having a spongy cushioning feel.

Coil types differ in their pressure response, construction, and layer placement.

Offset

Offset coils change how they respond to pressure.

• They flex like hinges under lighter pressure.
• They provide stronger pushback under an increased load.

Continuous-wire coils

Continuous-wire coils form joined rows.

• One strand of wire shapes the rows.
• Helical wires connect the rows.

Pocket coils

Pocket coils are fabric-wrapped springs joined into a support layer.

• Each spring has its own fabric wrap.
• The sleeves are glued or sewn together.

Microcoils, minicoils, and nanocoils

Microcoils, nanocoils, and minicoils most often sit in comfort or transitional layers.

• Check whether a product lists them in its comfort layer.
• Check whether a product lists them in a transitional layer.

A springless build can use dense memory foam blocks instead of coils; Naturepedic says the EOS Trilux is made entirely of latex.

• Look for dense memory foam blocks described as used instead of coils.
• For the EOS Trilux, check its three interchangeable latex layers.

Coils are designed to provide support and airflow, while coil type influences motion transfer and pressure relief. Pocket coils are isolated from one another and dampen movement transfer across the bed. The Sleep Foundation says coil support may vary with coil type, gauge, total coil count, and overall design. Check those details when comparing coil-based models.

The Sleep Foundation says there is no universally accepted firmness measurement, so manufacturers may use their own systems. A hybrid pairs a coil support core with thicker foam or latex comfort layers. When checking a hybrid, read its support-core and comfort-layer details, then compare firmness labels within that maker’s system.

The Sleep Foundation says coil-based mattress support may vary with coil type, gauge, total coil count, and overall design.

The cited description does not say whether a traditional box spring is separate from the mattress, so check the product listing for that detail. Brooklyn Bedding describes a traditional box spring as typically having a covered wooden frame and springs, also called coils.

The Sleep Foundation says firmness labels have no universally accepted measurement, and each manufacturer may use its own system. When comparing mattress listings, check the maker’s firmness scale and descriptions instead of treating a label as universal.

Do pocketed coils move independently?

Yes, pocketed coils move independently inside their fabric casings, even though the fabric-wrapped springs are glued or sewn together to form a support layer.

What is the difference between an orthopedic spring mattress and a regular spring mattress?

Homes & Gardens describes “orthopedic” as referring to the feeling you get from a mattress.

We read 8 published pages from 6 sites (tomsguide.com, Sleep Foundation, homesandgardens.com, originalmattress.com and 2 more), checked in October 2026. Every sentence in the answers above cites one of them; the offer card at the end names its own source. This page reports published sources only; we did not test mattresses in person.