Do You Need a Box Spring? Everything You Need to Know

March 15, 2021 | Casper Editorial Team

Fact checked by Jonathan Eilenberg, CPE

Do you need a box spring? In short, it depends on your mattress, aesthetics, and personal preference. Most modern mattresses do not require a box spring.


If you shopped for your first bed with a parent or older relative in tow, chances are they asked, “Now, what about a box spring?”

Understandably so. Once upon a time, box springs were (and are, in some cases) essential to a bed set. Box springs were patented in 1869 and evolved into a must-have in the Western world. Designed to absorb the shock of a sleeper’s weight and add to a bedroom’s aesthetic, they can improve your mattress’s airflow and offer enhanced comfort and support. 

But do you need a box spring?

The quick answer is that it depends on your mattress, bed frame, and the type of sleep support you crave. Keep reading to learn when you might need a box spring, when you may not, and how personal preference can help you decide. 

What is a Box Spring?

Put simply, a box spring is a platform that supports your mattress. 

They’re composed of metal spring coils that sit on a bed frame (either wood or robust metal). This “box” of coils is often covered with a piece of breathable fabric — to hide the coils, of course, but also to give a more seamless, blended look to a bed set. 

Traditional types of box springs are normally nine inches in height. That said, you can find lower and higher box spring sets. In fact, some box springs are as tall as sixteen inches.

Why do they exist?

Briefly: Box springs act as a barrier between a mattress and the bed frame. Not only can this help extend the longevity of a mattress, but they may also keep certain mattresses from sagging in the center — thus supplying your spine with the support it needs throughout the night.

Let’s dive into a few more reasons why you could benefit from a box spring. 

When You Need a Box Spring

Do you need a box spring? To find out, let’s consider the following:

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses first hit the scene in 1871, less than a decade after the first spring coil mattress was patented. 

You would likely be able to identify an innerspring mattress the second you saw one unsheathed (or unsheeted), but here’s a refresh: 

Traditional innerspring mattresses feature spring coils that provide comprehensive physical support. Four types of coils are presently used in modern innerspring mattresses:

  • Pocket coils
  • Bonnell coils
  • Continuous coils 
  • Offset coils

These coils make up the foundation of the mattress. But an extra layer — known as the “comfort layer” — rests on top of the innerspring. You can probably guess what purpose it serves: Plush in nature, the comfort layer supplies that sumptuous coziness you desire when you snuggle under the sheets.

The box spring (or “foundation layer”) operates as the base of the springs and comfort layer. Again, it strengthens the overall structure of the bed and boosts shock absorption. 

Bottom line: If you have an innerspring mattress, you may need a box spring. Our advice? Check with your manufacturer and your mattress’s warranty. 

It’s Your Personal Preference!

Deciding on an ideal bed set depends on your tastes and needs. If you like the springiness a box spring offers, by all means, use one — as long as it’s compatible with your mattress and bed frame. 

When You Don’t Need a Box Spring

Here are the types of mattresses that don’t need a box spring:

Platform Beds

Platform beds create a solid, singular surface to support your mattress. They’re designed with wood slats that sit close together to ward off that unsightly (and uncomfortable) mattress sag. 

In other words, platform beds function as both a bed base and a bed frame, while a box spring is solely a bed base. Learn more about the platform bed vs box spring in our blog. Given that platform beds have neither a headboard nor a footboard, they give bedrooms a chic, contemporary look. They also feature:

  • A low, contemporary height
  • Enhanced firmness
  • A compact design

Similar to panel beds, platform beds are usually made with wood or metal materials, like the Casper Upholstered Bed Frame, which boasts a robust combination of wood and steel for maximum mattress support.

Memory Foam, Latex, and Hybrid Mattresses

Box springs have largely fallen out of favor because mattresses are increasingly more sophisticated and innovative. Today, modern, non-innerspring mattresses are designed with specific materials that absorb the same shock box springs previously handled. 

These mattress types include:

  • Memory foam mattresses – Sleepers have raged about memory foam mattresses since the 1990s — and for good reason. They’re made with viscoelastic foam, a synthetic material that creates different levels of firmness (like our medium-firm, uber-dreamy The One affordable memory foam mattress). Memory foam mattresses do not require a box spring (unless, of course, you want the feel and look that box springs provide). Instead, they obtain the support they need from platform beds, slat foundations, mattress foundations, and adjustable beds. 
  • Latex mattresses – Latex mattresses are made with, well, latex — what many deem to be an environmentally friendly material when compared to synthetic materials. Known for the optimal firmness and support they offer, they don’t need a box spring, either. Rather, they need flatter, more solid support to ward off sagging.
  • Hybrid mattresses – Hybrid mattresses blend the best of both worlds: they combine latex, gel, or memory foam with an innerspring system (such as the Casper Dream hybrid memory foam mattress). Engineered with four layers (a pillow top, comfort layer, support core, and base layer), they don’t require a box spring either. Why? They already contain coils. They’re stable and breathable as is, and are better paired with a slatted frame, platform bed, adjustable bed, or foundation. 

Read more about the different types of mattresses in our blog.

Adjustable Beds

Speaking of which: Invest in an adjustable bed and you can use the money you would have paid for a box spring on a new pair of bed sheets

Adjustable bed frames are remote-controlled bed bases that you can calibrate according to your wants and needs. Ideal for those who use their beds for more than just sleep (hello, remote workers!), adjustable beds are often ideal for couples with unique sleeping wishes and requirements. Because these beds already feature a base (and a modifiable one at that), you will not need a box spring. Are adjustable bed frames worth it? We sure think so. 

Pros and Cons of Box Springs

All of that being said, you may still be asking: Do I need a box spring?

To arrive at the right decision, take a peek at the benefits and drawbacks of pairing a box spring with your mattress:

Pros

The perks of box springs generally boil down to:

  • Enriched sleep quality (and the perks that come with it) – You already know that sleep is fundamental to health and wellness. And yet, you might forget that your sleeping posture is also key to feeling refreshed and ache-free. A box spring supplies another layer of support for an innerspring mattress, which may decrease pressure points while you rest, relieve pain, and ensure a more restorative night’s sleep.
  • Enhanced temperature regulation – If you frequently find yourself waking up drenched in sweat, bear in mind what we mentioned earlier: Box springs bolster air circulation. This translates to cooler (and more peaceful) sleep. 
  • Improved accessibility – Plopping an innerspring (or other mattress) on the floor may lend itself to the sleek aesthetic that has dominated bedrooms for some time. However, it might also make climbing in and out of bed more difficult. Box springs provide the elevation you may need to jump in and out of bed with ease.
  • Increased bounce – The best mattresses for your body and lifestyle are entirely subjective. If you love beds that offer bounciness and lots of give, a box spring will enhance your sleep experience. 

Cons

Meanwhile, the disadvantages of box springs are:

  • Incompatibility – Box springs are usually necessary for innerspring mattresses. As for most other mattress types? They’re incompatible. In these cases, if you still want the height and support box springs offer, consider the Casper Mattress Foundation. With its perfectly placed slats, it’s strong and durable — promoting sounder, sweeter sleep. If you have a mattress from Casper, our mattresses should not be used with a box spring. 
  • Decreased support – Over time, the coils in box springs can wear down. How long do box springs last? The average lifespan of a box spring is 10 years. This can turn bedtime into a noisy affair, especially if you and/or your partner toss and turn at night. On that note, box springs also have subpar motion isolation.

Common Alternatives to Box Springs

If you’re keen on the idea of amplifying the comfort and support of your bed, want to add some height to your bed set, or hope to increase your mattress’s run, a box spring isn’t your only option. Two alternatives include:

  • Foundation – A “foundation” is a wooden, fabric-covered box that features wooden slats across it. It gives mattresses ranging from latex to memory foam a solid, non-springy surface to sit on. This may be a particularly savvy choice for those who like their beds firm. Learn more about a box spring vs foundation in our blog.
  • Bunkie board – A bunkie board is similar to a foundation: It’s a fabric-covered piece of wood that supports a mattress. The difference rests in its dimensions. Bunkie boards (which, as their name suggests, were originally created for bunkbeds) are only one to three inches thick.  

Casper’s Mattress and Foundation Solutions

Box springs changed the bedroom game when they were first introduced. They’ve held onto their importance to this day — but only for innerspring mattress owners. Fortunately, modern beds like memory foam and hybrid mattresses are crafted with advanced materials that, when coupled with a strong foundation, offer the support and comfort your parents once found in their traditional box spring bed sets.

Casper mattresses should not be used with box springs, as this will compromise the mattress’s support and cause damage. Instead, explore our bed frames to ensure mattress compatibility.

No matter what mattress you’re eyeing, Casper is here to help you discover the bed set of your dreams. From upholstered to adjustable bed frames and, of course, our mattress foundation, we have the support your mattress needs to support you, keeping you cozy from dusk to dawn (and for all those catnaps in between). Pair it all with the perfect bed pillow, and you’ll achieve the nourishing sleep you crave.

Create your sleeping haven with Casper — browse our bed frame collection today. 

Sources: 

  1. Mansion Global. Does your mattress need a box spring anymore? https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/does-your-mattress-need-a-box-spring-anymore-148301
  2. Better Homes & Gardens. What is a box spring, and do you need one for your bed? https://www.bhg.com/what-are-box-springs-7485494
  3. Tom’s Guide. 3 signs that you need a box spring for your mattress. https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/mattresses/do-you-need-a-box-spring
  4. U.S. News & World Report. Do you need a box spring? https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/sleep/mattress/do-you-need-box-spring
  5. Forbes. Do you need a box spring? Our mattress experts weigh in. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/do-you-need-a-box-spring/
  6. History Central. The evolution of the mattress. https://www.historycentral.com/BookReviews/mattress.html
  7. The Mattress Underground. Mattress support cores – Innersprings. https://mattressunderground.com/mattresses/support-cores/innersprings/#good-quality-pocket-coils 
  8. Casper. Does a Memory Foam Mattress Need a Box Spring? https://casper.com/blog/does-a-memory-foam-mattress-need-a-box-spring/ 
  9. Forbes. What’s a latex mattress? (Plus, how they’re made, pros and cons and more). https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/what-is-a-latex-mattress/
  10. Casper. Box Spring vs. Foundation: Which Do You Need? https://casper.com/blog/box-spring-vs-foundation/ 
  11. Casper. What Is a Hybrid Mattress? https://casper.com/blog/what-is-hybrid-mattress/ 
  12. Tom’s Guide. Hybrid mattresses don’t need a box spring—here’s why and what to use instead. https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/do-hybrid-mattresses-need-box-springs
  13. Casper. What Is an Adjustable Bed? https://casper.com/blog/what-is-an-adjustable-bed/ University of Rochester Medical Center. Good sleeping posture helps your back. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4460
  14. Casper. How Long Do Box Springs Last? https://casper.com/blog/how-long-do-box-springs-last/?srsltid=AfmBOor4ZtlUfUe8FcfzPFtFAsCihu8Q10M1ahRkFvYeu_D3GIdyO1q7