Last updated: May 2026 · By the Naptime team
Quick answer: For most Australian sleepers, a pocket spring hybrid is the right choice, it combines the airflow and edge support of pocket springs with the pressure relief of memory foam, which suits Australia's warm climate better than pure foam. Choose pure pocket spring if you run hot, share a bed, or are a heavier sleeper. Choose pure memory foam only if you sleep cold, sleep alone, and prioritise deep contouring over cooling.
In this guide:
- Side-by-side comparison
- What is a pocket spring mattress?
- What is a memory foam mattress?
- What is a hybrid mattress?
- Which should you buy?
- FAQs
Side-by-side comparison
| Pocket spring | Memory foam | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Individually wrapped coils respond independently | Visco-elastic foam contours to body shape | Pocket springs as base + foam comfort layer on top |
| Cooling | ★★★★★ — air moves freely through coils | ★★ — traps heat unless gel-infused | ★★★★ — springs ventilate, gel foam dissipates heat |
| Pressure relief | ★★★ — coils give but don't contour | ★★★★★ — moulds to body | ★★★★ — foam contours, springs support |
| Motion isolation | ★★★★ — pocket springs absorb partner movement | ★★★★★ — best in class | ★★★★ — very good |
| Edge support | ★★★★★ — strong perimeter | ★★ — weak, foam compresses at edge | ★★★★ — reinforced perimeter coils |
| Durability | 10-12 years | 6-8 years | 8-10 years |
| Best for | Hot sleepers, couples, heavier sleepers | Light, cold sleepers who sleep alone | Most people, most of the time |
| Naptime models | Ortho Balance, Osteo Support, Advance Posture | (none — we don't recommend pure foam for AU) | Naptime 2.0 Dual Flip, Optimal Support, Odyssey, Oasis Gel |
What is a pocket spring mattress?
A pocket spring mattress is a mattress where each coil is individually wrapped in fabric and responds independently to pressure. This is the opposite of older "continuous coil" or "Bonnell" mattresses, where coils are wired together and move as one unit (which is why old mattresses bounce both sleepers when one rolls over).
Pocket springs are typically arranged in zones — 3-zone, 5-zone or 7-zone — meaning the springs are firmer under the hips and lumbar and softer under the shoulders and legs to keep the spine in neutral alignment.
Pocket spring strengths:
- Cooling. Air moves through the spring layer, dissipating body heat. This matters a lot in Australian summers.
- Edge support. Reinforced perimeter springs let you sit on the edge without the bed collapsing.
- Durability. Steel coils outlast foam by years.
- Motion isolation. Better than continuous coil; not as deep as memory foam, but enough that partner movement isn't a wake-up.
Pocket spring weaknesses:
- Less body-contouring than foam — some side sleepers prefer the "hug" of memory foam for shoulder pressure relief.
Naptime pocket spring models: Ortho Balance (3-zone), Osteo Support (3-zone), Advance Posture (5-zone). All available in Single, King Single, Double, Queen and King.
What is a memory foam mattress?
A memory foam mattress is built from viscoelastic polyurethane foam that softens with body heat and moulds to the sleeper's shape, then slowly returns to its original form when pressure is released. Originally developed by NASA in the 1960s, it became a consumer product in the 1990s.
Memory foam strengths:
- Pressure relief. Best in class for contouring around shoulders and hips — side sleepers often prefer it.
- Motion isolation. Almost no movement transfers across the mattress.
- Silence. No squeaks or coil noise.
Memory foam weaknesses:
- Heat retention. Standard memory foam traps body heat. Gel-infused, open-cell and copper-infused foams reduce this but rarely eliminate it.
- Edge collapse. Foam compresses at the edge — limiting usable surface area on a queen.
- Lifespan. 6-8 years before noticeable sag, compared with 10-12 for steel springs.
- "Stuck" feeling. Some sleepers dislike the slow recovery and prefer the responsive feel of springs.
Why Naptime doesn't sell pure memory foam: in Australian conditions, the heat trade-off rarely pays off. Every Naptime mattress that uses memory foam pairs it with pocket springs underneath to keep airflow.
What is a hybrid mattress?
A hybrid mattress combines pocket springs (typically 14-20cm deep) with one or more layers of foam — usually memory foam, latex, or polyfoam — on top. The idea is to get the best of both: springs for airflow, support, edge strength and durability; foam for pressure relief and contouring.
Quality hybrids include:
- Zoned pocket springs (5-zone or 7-zone) at the base
- Comfort foam layer (memory foam, gel foam, or latex) — usually 3-7cm thick
- Cover fabric — bamboo, Tencel or cool gel knit for breathability
Why hybrids dominate the modern mattress market: they fix the heat problem of pure foam without losing the pressure relief that made foam popular. For 80%+ of Australian sleepers, a hybrid is the right answer.
Naptime hybrid models (all available in Single, King Single, Double, Queen and King):
- Naptime 2.0 Dual Flip (from $549 on sale) — 5-zone pocket spring + cool gel memory foam, with the unique flip design giving firm one side and plush the other
- Optimal Support (from $679 on sale) — best-seller; 5-zone pocket spring + memory foam comfort layer
- Odyssey (from $1,199 on sale) — 7-zone pocket spring + cool gel memory foam, bamboo cover
- Oasis Gel (from $1,348 on sale) — 7-zone pocket spring + cool gel memory foam, Tencel cover, our coolest mattress
Which type should you buy?
Use this decision tree:
- Do you overheat at night, or live in QLD/NSW/Northern Australia? → Hybrid or pure pocket spring. Skip pure foam.
- Do you share the bed with a partner? → Hybrid (best balance) or pocket spring (best edge support and cooling).
- Are you a side sleeper with shoulder pressure issues? → Hybrid with at least 5cm of memory foam comfort layer.
- Do you have lower back pain? → 5-zone or 7-zone hybrid, medium-firm. Naptime Advance Posture or Optimal Support.
- Are you on a tight budget? → Entry pocket spring (Naptime Ortho Balance from $278 on sale). Avoid cheap foam at this price — it'll sag in 2 years.
- Do you sleep alone, sleep cold, and want maximum contouring? → Pure memory foam is a legitimate choice. Note: it's not what we sell, but Ecosa is a reasonable Australian option here.
Frequently asked questions
Is pocket spring better than memory foam?
For most Australian sleepers, yes — or more accurately, a pocket spring hybrid is better than pure memory foam, because hybrids keep the contouring benefit of foam while solving foam's heat problem.
Do pocket spring mattresses sag?
Quality pocket spring mattresses (with steel coils and a quilted top) typically last 10-12 years before noticeable sag. Cheap pocket springs with low coil counts and thin gauge wire can sag within 3-5 years.
Is memory foam bad in summer?
Pure memory foam without gel infusion does trap heat and can be uncomfortable in Australian summers. Gel-infused memory foam, especially in a hybrid configuration with pocket springs underneath, performs much better.
What's a 5-zone or 7-zone mattress?
A 5-zone or 7-zone mattress has its pocket springs arranged in 5 or 7 differently-tuned zones along the length of the mattress — typically firmer under the lumbar and hips, softer under the shoulders, and varied at the head and feet to support natural spinal alignment.
Are hybrid mattresses heavy?
Yes — hybrids are heavier than pure foam mattresses because of the steel coil unit. A queen hybrid typically weighs 35-45kg. Two-person setup is recommended.
Can I put a hybrid mattress on a slatted bed base?
Yes, as long as the slat gaps are 7cm or less. Wider slat gaps can damage the pocket spring unit and void the warranty.
Find your fit
- Not sure firm or plush? → Naptime 2.0 Dual Flip lets you switch.
- Coolest hybrid: Naptime Oasis Gel
- Pure pocket spring: Naptime Advance Posture
- Best-selling hybrid: Naptime Optimal Support
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