This comfortable sleeping aid is a real insider tip. An overview of recommended mattresses with barrel pocket spring core.
When you hear terms like “bin” and “bag” you will not immediately think of comfort and cosiness.
However, behind this long name there is a design change to the classic Bonell spring core mattresses .
In this comprehensive guide, I would like to show you that a barrel pocket spring core mattress is actually more comfortable than the Bonell spring core mattresses that were often used until then.
I have also researched pocket spring core mattresses in various price ranges for you and give you specific recommendations.
Index
An overview of important properties
Pocket spring core mattresses are a direct further development of the classic Bonell spring core mattress and offer you greater comfort and a more peaceful sleep.
On the other hand, barrel pocket spring cores are more expensive to purchase and, due to their construction, much heavier.
- High-quality
- Very long shelf life
- Increased lying comfort
- Suitable for both simple and adjustable slatted frames
- Suitable for heavy people
- Also ideal for allergy sufferers
In the following chapters I will address all the important questions before buying. Let’s start with some general information about this type of mattress:
What is a pocket spring mattress?
A barrel pocket spring mattress has up to 1000 steel springs inside, all of which are individually sewn into fabric pockets and are characterized by a thicker “barrel shape”.
The barrel pocket spring core mattress has a higher point elasticity – this means that individual springs of the mattress can have an elastic effect on your body without stressing the surrounding springs (and thus negatively affecting the lying surface).
Because the barrel pocket springs can act individually, this form of mattress allows greater comfort, even for heavier people. The mattress adapts to your individual body shape more easily.
Bonell springs tend to squeak and creak when used for a long time:
- This unsightly side effect is prevented by the springs sewn into the fabric pockets of the barrel pocket spring core mattress.
- As a result, you sleep much more peacefully and noiselessly, even if the mattress is older.
And because barrel pocket springs are arranged in smaller groups and do not consist of a single mesh as with a Bonell spring core, they are more flexible. This means that different lying areas with different spring rates and sizes can be created.
Long durability
The steel springs used in a barrel pocket spring core mattress are designed for high resilience and durability.
With proper care, such a mattress can provide you with healthy and restful sleep for more than 10 years.
Other mattress types, for example made of cold foam, often show signs of wear and tear when the foam becomes flat and does not return to its original shape.
Hygiene and care
Pocket spring mattresses have a lot of “leeway” inside. There are air pockets between the springs, which ensure good ventilation of the mattress.
As a result, the mattress releases moisture such as sweat better into the environment and dries faster. For example, if you sweat a lot in your sleep, you will still wake up in the morning in a dry bed.
A barrel pocket spring core is therefore particularly suitable for warmer regions.
- In return, the mattress does not store heat optimally. So if you often freeze at night, then a mattress made of cold foam might be more suitable to keep you warm.
- Many manufacturers offer their pocket spring core mattresses with a removable cover that you can easily machine wash at 60 degrees.
The materials used inside the mattress are very low in pollutants and well tolerated. This makes the mattress also suitable for allergy sufferers.
Tip: turn the mattress over on a regular basis. This will prevent one side from being stressed too often while the other side is gathering dust. Incidentally, this applies to all types of mattresses.
Unfortunately, this is exactly where the only disadvantage of a pocket spring mattress is found:
It is the heaviest type of mattress. If you are one of the weaker people, you may have problems handling the mattress.
A barrel pocket spring core mattress measuring 140 x 200 cm can easily weigh over 30 kg.
Degree of hardness and body weight
While the classic Bonell spring core mattress is more suitable for light people, the barrel pocket spring core mattress shines here with a high level of comfort when you are a little heavier.
The high point elasticity adapts ideally to your body and lets you sink into the mattress exactly where it is important. This keeps the spine straight and prevents back pain and other inconveniences.
If you like to lie a little harder than is the case with a cold foam or gel mattress, then you can reach for a pocket spring mattress with a lower weight without worry.
When purchasing, you can choose between 3 degrees of hardness. These are based on your body weight:
- H2: up to 70 kg – soft
- H3: 70 – 100 kg – medium firm
- H4: 100 – 130 kg – fixed
However, many people often prefer a higher degree of hardness than their own body weight suggests.
Suitable for all types of beds
No matter whether you like to sleep on your stomach, back or on your side. A pocket spring core mattress supports you in every position and adapts ideally to your body.
This means you are always comfortable and the spine is not unnecessarily stressed.
The barrel pocket spring core mattress does not adapt to the body of side sleepers as flexibly as a mattress made of synthetic latex or cold foam. Therefore, in this case, you have to weigh the list of all advantages and disadvantages for yourself.
If the barrel pocket spring core convinces you overall, then the disadvantage in comfort for side sleepers is negligible.
In any case, they lie better than on a Bonell spring core mattress, which cannot adapt to the body at all.
Correct slatted frame for pocket spring core mattresses
The barrel pocket spring core combines the advantages of a Bonell spring core mattress with the advantages of flexible foam and latex mattresses.
This means that a pocket spring core mattress offers sufficient stability that you can use it on the floor, for example, without a bed frame.
At the same time, the division into independent zones ensures that you can also use the mattress on slatted frames with an adjustable headboard. Classic Bonell springs cannot.
Therefore, a barrel pocket spring core mattress is suitable for both simple and adjustable slatted frames.
Recommended barrel pocket spring core mattresses
Here I present the most recommendable models so that you can save valuable time in the (often long) search for a suitable mattress and see all the advantages and disadvantages at a glance.
From the most comfortable model to inexpensive alternatives without sacrificing quality and durability, I have found a suitable mattress for every type.
The comfort winner
The 7 zone pocket spring core mattress from AM quality mattresses impresses with a very high number of springs – 1344 springs with a mattress size of 140 x 200 cm – and thus offers a very high level of comfort.
You can estimate the quality of a barrel pocket spring core mattress by the number of springs. 1000 springs are a very good figure, which is even exceeded here.
The mattress is easy to care for and has an exchangeable and machine washable, breathable cover. I also like the carrying straps, which will make turning it a lot easier.
In addition, the mattress has a height of 25 cm, so you lie higher and softer than with many other mattresses.
Although it is priced at the upper end of the spectrum, it offers you just as much convenience. If you’re not satisfied with less, this mattress is your best bet.
The prize winner
If a low price is decisive for you, but you are still looking for a comfortable mattress, then you will find it with the Sleepling Basic.
The Sleepling mattress also comes with a removable and washable cover, which can even be washed up to 95 degrees. So if you suffer from a mite allergy, you can use this mattress without any problems.
The mattress offers the same functionality as more expensive models.
It has 7 reclining zones, which ideally support the body in every position, is very air permeable and dries out moisture quickly. You don’t have to worry about night sweats either.
Only the number of springs is lower here than with the AM quality mattress. With a height of 16 cm, the mattress itself is 9 cm lower than my recommended top model.
The good middle class
The following mattress represents a middle ground between the top model and the savings offer, both in terms of price and quality.
So if both offers are too much in one direction for you, the following mattress offers you a good alternative.
The breathable mattress also has a removable cover and is therefore suitable for allergy sufferers. In addition, all materials used are certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
The mattress is available in degrees of hardness H2 and H3 and is suitable for people with a weight of 50 to 100 kg.
The spring core is surrounded on both sides by a layer of comfort foam. This allows you to turn and turn the mattress as you like, you are right in every situation.
The lying height of 21 cm is very close to the 25 cm of the top model – with a total weight of “only” 24 kg.
Very suitable for children
The next model is also suitable for children due to the degree of hardness available (H1).
Most pocket spring core mattresses are only available from a hardness of H2 (from 50 kg). The comfort mattress from Dream Night is also available in H1 hardness. It is therefore ideal for children.
It uses a high-quality double cloth cover that is washable up to 60 degrees and enables very good air circulation.
As a result, the mattress quickly releases the moisture it has absorbed into the environment and remains dry.
The core of Punktoflex barrel pocket springs is encased in a shell made of cold foam. The mattress offers you a very soft lying feeling.
This allows you to sink deeper into the mattress at the stressed parts of the body, which means that your spine remains in a straight and supported position.
Other mattress types – a brief overview
In addition to pocket spring core mattresses, you have numerous other variants to choose from.
Inexperienced people in particular quickly lose track of what is really good and what promises more than it delivers.
The following brief overview should help you to understand the most important types and applications quickly and easily.
Bonell spring core mattresses
Are probably the best-known classics and are characterized by a low price and a very long shelf life.
Bonell spring core mattresses are breathable and therefore almost immune to mold stains and mold. In addition, they are particularly suitable for warmer regions.
Due to the very low point elasticity and poor adaptation to the body, especially with side sleepers, they offer you the lowest comfort of all mattress types.
You can read everything you need to know about this type of mattress as well as recommended models in the comprehensive guide to Bonell spring core mattresses .
Synthetic latex mattresses
These models have a very high point elasticity and are very soft.
They give way quickly and you sink into the mattress, making them less suitable for people who sleep on their backs, but are very suitable for people who sleep on their sides.
Latex mattresses are relatively expensive to purchase and often have an unpleasant odor, especially at the beginning. In addition, they are not suitable for people with latex allergies.
You can read everything important about this type of mattress, as well as recommended models, in the comprehensive guide to synthetic latex mattresses.
Cold foam mattresses
Cold foam mattresses are harder than latex mattresses, but they also adapt to your body shape.
They are therefore very suitable if you prefer to sleep on your back and attach great importance to optimal posture during sleep. They are, however, less suitable for side sleepers than mattresses made of synthetic latex.
The mattress stores body heat well and is particularly suitable for colder regions.
You cannot use cold foam mattresses without a slatted frame. Similar to latex mattresses, they also have an inherent odor that only subsides after prolonged use.
You can read everything you need to know about these types of mattresses and recommended models in the comprehensive guide to cold foam mattresses.
Conclusion on pocket spring mattresses and other tips
Pocket spring core mattresses use a similar system to classic Bonell spring core mattresses and have a very long shelf life.
Since the springs are divided into smaller groups, you have greater flexibility and are supported exactly where it is necessary when lying down.
The high flexibility makes barrel pocket springs also suitable for side sleepers, where conventional Bonell springs are too rigid and therefore do not adapt to the body properly.
They are particularly suitable for:
- Back, side and stomach sleepers
- People who sweat a lot in their sleep and in warmer regions.
- Allergy sufferers (thanks to the good breathability).
- Restless sleepers who move around a lot at night.
Barrel pocket spring core mattresses are the highest quality among the spring core mattresses. This is noticeable in the comfort, but unfortunately also in the price and weight.
The mattress is one of the heaviest mattress types and is also more expensive to purchase than most other mattress types.
On the other hand, a good pocket spring core mattress can provide you with reliable service for up to 10 years or even longer without losing comfort.
If you want to learn more about healthy sleep, take a look at these useful articles:
I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.