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Foam mattresses need good support and a solid foundation, that’s for sure. But do memory foam mattresses need a box spring? Are box springs mandatory if you want to enjoy your sleep on a foam mattress? You might already have a sense of what the answer is, but to dispel any doubts, read on to learn what box springs are for and what alternatives exist.
Do Memory Foam Mattresses Need a Box Spring?
No, memory foam mattresses don’t need box springs.
Memory foam mattresses are one of the most modern mattress types, while box springs are pretty much a thing of the past. Although furniture companies still produce them and earn money selling them, box springs used to make more sense when paired with old uncomfortable innerspring mattresses.
That being said, I’m not trying to convince you not to get one but I am saying that memory foam mattresses don’t need a box spring. What they do need is a flat surface on a solid base.
There are some situations where a box spring might prove quite useful, such as if you need to raise the height of your bed. With all the different types out there, you should settle only for a box spring that goes well with a memory foam mattress. Many box springs are too “springy” for memory foam mattresses, which means they can’t offer the proper support and might even damage the mattress.
Some people might want to place a box spring directly on the floor as opposed to keeping it on a bed frame – and this is not such a bad idea. It can look good, feel good, and give you high quality sleep. And it’s definitely more sanitary than keeping a mattress directly on the floor.
Other Types of Foundations for Memory Foam Mattresses
Aside from a box spring, you can place your memory foam mattress on one of these foundations:
- Platform beds
- Bunkie boards
- Adjustable beds
- Slats
To help you better understand what kind of foundations work well with memory foam mattresses, you need to know a bit about their structure.
Unlike traditional mattresses (and by this I mean innerspring mattresses), memory foam mattresses are entirely soft. They are either made of one giant slab of foam like the Mainstays mattress, or they contain several foam layers of different densities, like the Puffy mattress.
Either way, since they don’t have internal support – that is, a firm layer on the inside, memory foam mattresses need a solid foundation to properly support their soft structure. What I mean by this is that you can put hybrid mattresses on a bed frame with slats that are wide apart, but you can’t do the same with a memory foam mattress.
This is because a memory foam mattress would get squeezed in between the slats and create an uneven sleeping surface. Not long after, it can get damaged so much that you’ll have to replace it.
This is why you won’t get spoiled for choice when it comes to bed frames we recommend for memory foam mattresses. The right bed foundation can prolong your mattress’s lifespan and give you enough support for a good night’s sleep.
Platform beds
Platform beds are probably the best choice for memory foam mattresses. They offer a flat solid surface and are usually inexpensive. A platform bed makes a stable surface for any mattress type, including non-foam mattresses, and some of them are even made to offer plenty of storage space underneath.
Bunkie boards
A bunkie board is typically a single piece of plywood. Modern bunkie boards can also be made of many slats tightly placed together. Oftentimes, those who debate between a bunkie board and a box spring might opt for a bunkie board because it’s cheaper and because it could serve their purposes better.
You can buy a bunkie board or make one yourself but either way, you’ll end up with a firm foundation that gives extra support to your mattress.
Adjustable beds
Foam mattresses are the best for adjustable bed frames. Whether it’s a polyurethane foam mattress, a latex mattress, or a memory foam mattress, it’ll be able to bend with the frame and assume a variety of positions.
Adjustable beds that not only raise the head area but also bend at the knees are called zero-gravity beds. Both a regular adjustable bed and a zero-gravity bed have an adjustable base that requires a soft bendable mattress.
Slats
You can find a slat foundation on a variety of bed frame types. Bear in mind that slats can support a memory foam mattress only when they are not too wide apart. Otherwise, they could damage your mattress. One more thing – wide slats are better than narrow slats.
What Type of Bed Frames Need Box Springs?
Panel beds
Panel beds are bed frames with only a few rails. You need a box spring with them or some other form of mattress foundation because this setup doesn’t provide enough support for a memory foam bed.
Metal frames
Metal bed frames with only a couple of rails or a design that leaves a lot of unsupported space requires a box spring or a box spring alternative. Plenty of metal bed frames out there don’t actually require a box spring, so choose wisely.
Beds with slats
I added beds with slats here because you should be careful about choosing your slats – make sure they are wide and placed close to each other. If you already have a bed frame with narrow slats that are too wide apart, get a box spring or go for a cheaper option – a sheet of plywood.
What’s the Point of a Box Spring?
You’ve read it several times so far – beds don’t need a box spring and memory foam mattresses don’t need a box spring, and even in situations when you might need one, there are other alternatives (sometimes much cheaper), so – what is the point of a box spring, anyway? Box springs actually do have something to offer.
The four big benefits are:
- improving airflow
- absorbing impact
- increasing bed height
- supporting the mattress.
Improving airflow
It’s important for your mattress to breathe. When the bottom side of the mattress is on a surface that allows the air to circulate, then the air also circulates within the mattress. This brings you two things – the body heat dissipates more easily, allowing for cooler sleep (super important for heat-trapping materials such as memory foam), and the mattress gets to dry out.
The mattress absorbs humidity from the air and body sweat from sleepers. The dampness needs to be able to escape. This prevents bad odors, bacteria, and mold.
Absorbing impact
As the name says, a box spring is a box with springs. Sometimes with slats. Depending on the construction, some box springs can absorb shock better than others. Heavy people might need this more – it could make the mattress feel better for those who don’t like firm beds.
Increasing the height of your bed
Box springs increase bed height. Whether they are low-profile or high-profile, your bed will be higher due the height of the box spring. In fact, box springs are one of the options we recommend for those who are looking for ways of making their bed higher.
Supporting the mattress
Finally, box springs support the mattress. Granted, any foundation is going to support your mattress, but as I stated above, in some situations and for some mattress types, a box spring is better than other options.
FAQs
Yes, you can. You can place the mattress on the floor, on a piece of plywood, or on a variety of bed frames, and you’ll be good.
They might if your bed frame isn’t appropriate for your type of mattress. Otherwise, a box spring doesn’t offer too much of a difference in comfort.
No mattress needs a box spring. They are completely optional if you want to raise your bed, increase airflow, or make sure that the mattress is well-supported on a panel bed, for example.
Conclusion
Box springs are an optional bed accessory that used to make sense in the past when actual mattresses weren’t as comfortable as today’s mattresses.
There’s a variety of options to support your memory foam mattress, such as platform beds, bunkie boards, adjustable beds, and slats. Panel beds, metal frames, and beds with wide-apart slats might need a box spring, especially if paired with foam mattresses. Box springs are not useless as they improve the airflow, absorb impact, increase bed height, and support the mattress.
Next step: Read our Nolah mattress review. Nolah is one of the most popular memory foam mattress brands, but are they worth it? We tested out all of the models they sell and uncovered all of the benefits and downsides so you can decide for yourself.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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