Best Mattress That Won’t Sag

When you spend money on a new mattress, it’s natural to expect many years of sound sleep in return for your investment. Luckily, there are many reasonably priced models that guarantee a long lifespan as long as users properly care for them. Knowing what to look for can help you discern between good-quality builds versus mattresses made with cheap materials that might break down sooner.

We’ll discuss how to choose a durable mattress and share recommendations for the best mattresses that won’t sag.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

If you’re still concerned about finding the perfect mattress for your needs, take a look at our guides broken down by mattresses that help address specific issues.

What Causes a Mattress to Sag?

Over time, foam breaks down and coils lose their ability to spring back to their original shape. Both of these issues can result in sagging. Most mattresses will sag eventually, but the quality of construction and materials can accelerate or delay the occurrence.

Premature Sagging vs. Normal Wear and Tear

There are two primary components to a mattress: the comfort system and the support core. Ultimately, every layer of the mattress affects its propensity to sag. The comfort system is more prone to localized body indentations, whereas the support core can cause broader structural problems.

Support Core: The support core is usually made of sturdy materials such as steel springs or high-density polyfoam, which are designed to withstand repeated use before they start breaking down.

Mattresses with low coil counts or low-quality steel are quicker to lose their elasticity, and they generally sag sooner than higher-quality builds. A hybrid mattress made with low-quality coils may only last 5 to 6 years, whereas a better-quality base may lengthen the expected lifespan up to 8 or 10 years.

Likewise, low-density polyfoam with thinner cell walls and more air pockets is more susceptible to sagging. Lower quality all-foam models can break down as soon as 2 or 3 years after purchasing, whereas better models may last up to 7 or 8 years.

Comfort System: The comfort system tends to include softer materials such as memory foam, which can break down sooner and develop permanent indentations. Additionally, mattresses with thicker comfort sections may be more vulnerable to forming body impressions. To a certain extent, this wear and tear is considered a normal part of mattress use. Sometimes, manufacturers add firmer transitional layers to reinforce the softer layers on top.

Most manufacturers don’t cover sagging and body indentations under warranty unless they reach a certain level, such as 1-inch indentations that are visible even when no pressure is applied. If your mattress has body impressions that are not covered by the warranty and you find they affect the mattress’ ability to provide pressure relief, you may be able to compensate by using a mattress topper.

Although the warranty length and terms do not always correspond to the quality of the mattress, these can be a good indication of how long the manufacturer expects the bed to last. Warranties that cover body impressions of at least 1 inch⁠ — as opposed to impressions of 1.5 or 2 inches ⁠— indicate that the construction will likely prevent premature sagging.

Similarly, longer warranties of 15 or 20 years imply that the mattress may last longer before needing to be replaced. These models are often more expensive up-front, but the price may be worthwhile if it saves you the cost of buying another new mattress within that time frame.

How to Choose a Durable Mattress

There are several indications that hint at when a mattress may start sagging, such as the price, the type of materials, and the firmness level. When purchasing a mattress, you should also consider factors that influence the overall comfort, such as temperature regulation and motion isolation, as well as whether the mattress design is appropriate for your body type and sleeping position.

What to Look For in a Mattress That Won’t Sag

Mattress shopping can be overwhelming, as every manufacturer has its own terms to describe proprietary materials. Understanding how the different mattress components contribute to its overall feel and performance can help you narrow down your choices and find a bed suitable for your needs.

Price
Mattress price is an easy way to weed out low-quality mattresses. While prices can vary according to brand, special features, or organic certifications, a cheap mattress will generally sag sooner. These beds may be suitable for guest rooms, but they likely aren’t designed to withstand regular use.

Sleeping Position
Proper spinal support is important no matter what sleeping position you prefer. However, a sagging mattress may be most uncomfortable for stomach sleepers if it allows the midsection to sink in too much. Back sleepers also require a reliable surface to support the lumbar spine.

Quality Materials
Mattresses built with natural materials such as latex and wool tend to outlast other materials. When assessing the quality of your mattress, note the coil count, the coil gauge or thickness, the foam density, and any vulnerable points that may be more susceptible to premature sagging, such as convoluted polyfoam. Look for manufacturers that are transparent with their specs.

Firmness Level
The right firmness level for you depends on your body weight and primary sleep position. Broadly speaking, firmer mattresses tend to be more resistant to body impressions, although there are many exceptions as this also depends on the materials used. Stomach sleepers and individuals who weigh more than 230 pounds may find that a firm (7) or extra firm (9) mattress offers longer-lasting support.

Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is a key factor for all sleepers, especially for side sleepers and those who weigh under 130 pounds. These sleepers can experience pressure points where the hips and shoulders make contact with the mattress, so they benefit from having cushioning materials in the comfort system. High-density memory foam, natural Talalay latex, and wool are examples of pressure-relieving materials with a long-expected lifespan.

Motion Isolation
For people who sleep with a partner, it’s important to find a mattress that doesn’t transfer motion across the bed. All-foam models and hybrids with individually wrapped coils tend to perform well at motion isolation.

Temperature Regulation
Temperature neutrality is especially relevant to hot sleepers and those who live in warm climates. Mattress manufacturers use many techniques to fight against heat retention. For example, mattresses can include moisture-wicking covers, and foams may be perforated or infused with gel beads designed to draw heat away from the bed’s surface. Innerspring cores also perform well at temperature neutrality, as their construction allows air to flow freely through the coils.

Edge Support
Whereas hybrid and innerspring models usually feature a reinforced perimeter, foam and latex models may compress significantly when weight is placed on the edges of the bed. Weak edge support can significantly limit the usable surface area, so it’s an important consideration for people who like to sit on the edges, partners who share a smaller bed, or those who have trouble getting in and out of bed. Foam mattresses may break down sooner, so if you value edge support, consider a bed with a firmer, thinner comfort system.

Contouring
Contouring refers to a material’s ability to mold itself to the sleeper. Mattresses that contour more closely tend to provide better pressure relief, but they may be more apt to develop body impressions over time. Ideally, the comfort system should provide a certain level of contouring, while the transition layers and support core help bolster spinal support and enhance durability.

Mattress Type
Mattresses are classified into different types according to the primary materials used in their construction. While every model is unique, the mattress type plays a significant role in its performance and durability. Latex and hybrid mattresses often outperform foam and innerspring models when it comes to durability.

Mattress Types

The primary mattress types include hybrid, innerspring, foam, latex, and airbed. Mattress type is mainly determined by the materials used in the support core. While a mattress type can describe general characteristics, there can also be variations from model to model depending on the design and the quality of the materials.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine a substantial comfort system with an innerspring core, which is typically made with pocketed coils to reduce noise and motion transfer. The comfort layers may incorporate polyfoam, memory foam, latex, wool, cotton batting, microcoils, or other pressure-relieving materials.

Hybrid mattresses offer better pressure relief than classic innerspring models, and they also tend to boast sturdy edge support and strong breathability due to the coil layer. This makes them ideal for hot sleepers and those who enjoy using the full surface of the bed.

When looking for a hybrid mattress that won’t sag, aim for a minimum of 1,000 coils in a queen size and dedicated reinforcement around the perimeter. In the comfort system, high-density foams or natural materials like wool or latex are usually the most durable.

Innerspring

Sleepers who favor bounce, edge support, and airflow may be interested in an innerspring model. This mattress type is made almost exclusively of tempered steel coils, with little to no comfort system. These features make innerspring mattresses suitable for stomach sleepers but less suitable for side and back sleepers.

The durability of an innerspring mattress can vary greatly depending on the type, the gauge, and the total number of coils. Thicker-gauge coils and designs such as offset coils can withstand more pressure without losing their resilience. By contrast, older designs such as Bonnell coils may start sinking sooner.

It’s good practice to ensure your mattress has an appropriate coil count for the type of coils used, though several other factors influence a mattress’ performance. Similarly, coils may have different functions depending on their gauge and placement in the mattress. Many manufacturers use thicker low-gauge coils to strengthen the edges and thinner high-gauge coils for the hips and shoulders.

Foam

Foam mattresses contain polyfoam, memory foam, latex, or textiles in the comfort system and sit above a polyfoam support core. Ideally, the support core uses durable high-density polyfoam with a density of at least 1.8 pounds per cubic foot (PCF).

Couples often prefer foam mattresses because the lack of springs allow less motion to transfer to the other side of the bed when one person moves. Models with memory foam in the comfort layers also offer unparalleled pressure relief for side sleepers and individuals under 130 pounds. Sleepers over 230 pounds, however, may find that foam mattresses lack sufficient support.

In addition to the foam density and quality of the materials used, the thickness of the comfort system can also affect a mattress’ lifespan. Thicker comfort systems are more likely to develop body impressions, especially if they are made with low-quality materials.

Latex

Natural latex is made from sap found in rubber trees, which is whipped into a froth and baked using either the Dunlop or the Talalay process. Dunlop latex tends to be denser on one side, whereas Talalay is more buoyant and uniform. Latex can also be made synthetically using petrochemicals.

Natural latex is considered one of the most durable mattress materials, making it highly resistant to sagging. It can be used in the comfort or support layers, and it is often aerated with pincore holes to improve breathability. Mattresses made with certified organic latex may be appealing to sustainably minded shoppers.

Airbed

Airbeds use air chambers as the support core, which can often be inflated or deflated by the user until they reach the desired firmness level. Provided there are no leaks in the air chambers, this system should be protective against sagging as more air can always be added to increase the firmness setting.

Sleepers who want adjustable firmness levels or couples with differing comfort preferences may be interested in an airbed, as each side of the bed generally includes its own customizable air chambers. Airbeds may have additional layers of polyfoam, memory foam, or other materials to supplement the air chambers as well.

Extending the Lifespan of Your Mattress

By adopting a few proactive habits, you can help keep your mattress in tip-top shape for a longer period of time and delay when you need to invest in a new one.

Use a Mattress Protector and Clean Regularly
A mattress protector is a thin, waterproof membrane designed to protect your mattress against spills and stains. Not only does this help prevent accidental damage to your mattress, it can also prevent you from inadvertently voiding your mattress warranty, as most manufacturers won’t cover mattresses with visible stains.

Rotate Your Mattress
Most mattresses sold today aren’t designed to be flipped. However, you can delay the onset of permanent body impressions by rotating the mattress head-to-foot every 3 to 6 months.

Use Proper Support Under The Mattress

A proper foundation is essential for keeping your mattress supported and preventing pressure points from improper spinal alignment. Consult the manufacturer’s website or the warranty terms to find out what type of base is recommended for your model. Generally, a solid or a slatted foundation will offer sufficient support. You may need to ensure the slats are close enough together to prevent sagging. A full mattress or larger may require additional support in the center of the bed.