Do box springs make a difference?

[+ FreshFluff]

Does having a box spring under the mattress make a difference in terms of (1) comfort and (2) wear on the mattress?

 

I have a mattress I really like. I'm 18" thick and is the softest thing you've ever seen. It's almost a decade old and no longer available, so I have to take good care of it. I also have a box spring under it.

 

Problem is that I need a new bed. Most of the nice ones are platform, so I'd need to throw away the box spring. I have heard that box springs absorb shock and reduce wear on the actual mattress. Is that true?

[rvwnsd]

I went from a mattress and box spring to a mattress and foundation and back. Saw no difference between the box spring and the foundation. A week ago my new (platform) bed and mattress were delivered. It is very comfortable.

 

My advice is to go to Macy's or Bloomingdale's and ask one of the furniture people. Most of my furniture has come from Macy's and I have been impressed with the sales staff's knowledge and willingness to answer questions.

[Kevin Slater]

Box springs are pure bullshit, sold to gullible Americans (notice you rarely see them elsewhere). As long as you have a platform bed, you're fine without one. The salesperson whose commission is dependent may disagree.

 

Kevin Slater

[+ purplekow]

As a man who sleeps with women, I noticed that a strong foundation and a good spring in the box is the best recipe for great sex.

[+ FreshFluff]

Thanks, rvwnsd and Kevn Slater! So the comfort was the same for you. Any difference in how much wear the mattress took on foundation only vs. box spring?

 

FWIW, my mattress and box spring are shown below. Does the fact that the mattress is extra thick make any difference?

http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/0/optimized/388740_fpx.tif?01AD=3jtVbJGP0cVBoDThNyhO8hqvfkLd4U23bKp4RGtICnLR0QM1ZBK0_QA&01RI=857315952ECA70A&01NA=&wid=300&op_sharpen=1

[+ purplekow]

I have an extra thick mattress for the first time. I find it much more comfortable than the other mattresses I have had. I do have a box spring too though I agree with Kevin, a good foundation of any type, either solid or box spring, gives the mattress the support it needs. One thing about the extra thick mattress, it is more difficult to change the bed linens if you are doing it alone. If there is someone there to help, there is little difference.

[rvwnsd]

I found no difference in comfort between the box spring and the foundation. In fact, when I was mattress shopping this time around the salesman advised me to buy the foundation, as it was less expensive. However, upon mentioning that I was also buying a bed he suggested saving myself some money by looking for a platform bed.

[escortrod]

Personally I prefer a double row of sprung slats on a solid bed base, such as Ikea offers. They absorb impact in the same way that a box spring does, but allow for an attractive bed base. More importantly they allow the mattress to ventilate.

 

[mike carey]

Personally I prefer a double row of sprung slats on a solid bed base, such as Ikea offers.

I had thought of offering a similar comment, but without the visual that Rod included. I prefer a firmer mattress but recognise that a slightly flexible base may absorb some of the pressure that may otherwise damage the internal springs in the mattress.

[+ not2rowdy]

Thread from about a year ago that may be of interest.

https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/if-its-over-8.117995/

 

I agree with @Kevin Slater IRT the technical aspects of box spring usefulness.

 

My platform bed uses the slats like @escortrod photo but also has storage drawers underneath.

 

Several months ago Consumer Reports had an issue that discussed mattresses. Overall, the most satisfied purchasers were those who purchased air adjustable mattresses. Check the magazine section at your local library.

 

Hope your shopping leads to sweet dreams!

[LaffingBear]

Ive had the same mattress with and without a boxspring. The boxspring definitely made a difference. It was a thick, pillow top mattress.

 

Im currently on a very thick foam mattress. It came with platforms - they look like box springs, but theyre just boxes. There was a choice of different height on the boxes, for different height beds.

[+ azdr0710]

Years ago, bed experts in the stores would say you must have a box spring because the mattress needs it for proper support and maintenance. Nowadays, they say a box spring is only so the mattress will be high enough to get onto easily. Do I have that right?? Can a mattress just sit on a platform these days and not get broken down/saggy?? By the way, I added a memory foam three-inch topper to my old mattress and it's great! Had to make sure new sheets could handle the taller profile.

[+ sync]

I ditched my box-spring about a year ago. So far, so good.

[+ deej]

I've always thought box springs came about because of mass-produced bed frames having only 3 or 4 horizontal supporting slats. A mattress, alone, would of course sag between the slats.

[KennF]

The purpose of the box spring depends on your use. Mattresses used to have less technology. They were the stuffing and the softness that rested against your body. The box spring provided the support.

 

As mattresses have developed with padded internal springs, different firmness, pillow tops, foams, and other technology have improved mattresses, the box springs have become a secondary support.

 

If you get an old or cheap mattress, the box springs is important. If you get a new mattress and get one that supports itself, then the box springs are meaningless.

[KennF]

BTW - Platform beds were designed because, and encourage, mattresses to become self-sufficient.

[Kevin Slater]

A mattress, alone, would of course sag between the slats.

 

So do we all.

 

Kevin Slater

[KennF]

A mattress, alone, would of course sag between the slats.

So do we all.

 

Kevin Slater

 

I know a few people's slats I'd like to sag between.

[LaffingBear]

Years ago, bed experts in the stores would say you must have a box spring because the mattress needs it for proper support and maintenance. Nowadays, they say a box spring is only so the mattress will be high enough to get onto easily. Do I have that right??

I think you got that right. I think they now call them bases, not boxsprings.

 

I was also told, at purchase time, that my mattress should not be flipped. It has a designed top and bottom. Rotate periodically, but dont flip.

[LaffingBear]

 

I have a mattress I really like. I'm 18" thick .........

 

I just noticed the typo.

 

If you're 18" and thick.... the hell with all of this bedding talk. When can we meet?

[mike carey]

If you're 18" and thick.... the hell with all of this bedding talk. When can we meet?

I'm sure she would be happy for you to buy her lunch!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

With the right base, a box spring is nearly useless these days.

 

I have a Duxiana mattress with an adjustable box spring and on the bed frame I've got, it works well. The platform frame in my extra BR has a Tempurpedic with no box. It feels great and allows the rather large mattress to sit lower to the ground.

 

It's nice not having to feel like I have to get a running start to get up into bed

[KennF]

I think you got that right. I think they now call them bases, not boxsprings.

 

I was also told, at purchase time, that my mattress should not be flipped. It has a designed top and bottom. Rotate periodically, but dont flip.

 

Yep. because the internal springs and supports have a top and bottom. They aren't vers, like the guys using the bed.

[bigvalboy]

.... the hell with all of this bedding talk. When can we meet?

 

I'm sure she would be happy for you to buy her lunch!

 

Just so that you guys know...The "Kitten" doesn't come cheap. From experience I can tell you that she will most certainly request a table at Per Se, with arrival via S Class with driver...

[Irtwo]

FreshFluff, if your mattress is still under warranty you should take a look at what it says. Many mattresses void the warranty if you don't use a box spring (mainly for the reason Deej pointed out).