The type of support you own will matter a lot when it comes to buying a mattress.
Different mattresses have different bed requirements, but in general, three types of supports are most commonly used: box spring, platform and foundation.
People often wonder which of these provides the best support.
The answer is that all of them are good options, depending on the mattress and the desired effect.
Know the differences between each kind, and make sure that when you purchase a new bed, you keep in mind the type of mattress that will be paired with it.
This research will help you get the most satisfying sleep for a longer time.
Box Spring
A box spring is best to support innerspring mattresses
A box spring usually has a wooden frame (the box) designed to distribute and absorb weight on the mattress, sometimes with added steel reinforcements for strength.
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A system of a large number of heavy gauge wire coils or a grid is attached to the frame as the mattress support system. A fabric with skid resistance covers the top and the bottom, acting as a dust barrier. The box spring also raises the mattress to a suitable height, escaping dust and the cold air.
When buying a box spring, you may have a few options, such as coil spring beds with cone-shaped wire coils for good support and flexibility of stiff mattresses or high-quality modular grids with square coils for greater durability of the mattress.
Semi-flex grid box springs consist of a wooden frame with a stiff, firm metal grid above slats for support and minimal flexing.
Double-sided Innerspring mattresses are best for use with coil springs and modular grid box springs.
The coils of the box spring move along with the coils of the mattress, and a stiffer mattress can feel softer as the coils flex and move and absorb a lot of the sleeper’s body weight.
Some experts advise that single-sided, no-flip coil mattresses don’t last as long as they should when used with box springs.
A few manufacturers say that you can place your latex mattress directly on a box spring, but the weight could make the springs bend and the mattress sag.
Also, those kinds of mattresses are designed to provide comfort on their own, so an uneven surface (like a box spring) can disrupt the way they work.
If that’s the case and you want to keep your box spring for aesthetic reasons, a neat trick is to put a cheap plywood board between box and mattress, making it much more even and rigid.
Platform Bed vs. Box Spring
When comparing platform beds with a box spring and thinking about what to get, it will depend on the type of mattress you have and what you prefer in general. Here we will list the pros and cons of platform beds and box springs to make the distinction clearer.
Box Spring Bed Pros and Cons
Box springs come with coils that promote air circulation and enhance breathability overall. Next on the box spring pros list is that they also serve as shock-absorbers and support the mattress no matter the different styles of sleeping or the sleeping positions. With their non-slip fabric, traditional box springs will keep your bed in place.
On the other hand, a traditional box spring is known to lose support after a while, especially if used with a heavier mattress with springs inside. This is simply because they aren’t sturdy enough, and springs do break over time. So, you are balancing between shock-absorbing features and long-lasting use of other traditional bed frames.
Additional trait users complain about is the noise that metal springs produce after a while as they start sagging into the ground. Lastly, before getting a box spring, make sure that your mattress is compatible with it.
Some don’t work with particular mattresses and can make them lose edge support, so seek more info from the mattress manufacturer. Also, they don’t offer any storage options, as is the case with a platform bed frame.
Platform Beds
One-sided, no-flip innerspring mattresses (like our favorite, the Saatva Mattress), latex, memory foam, gel memory foam, and other modern non-coil mattresses should be used only on firm, flat surfaces like suitable platform beds or foundations (see below).
A platform bed is usually a low bed frame, often with a head and footboard, and a solid panel or wooden slats (usually not more than 3 inches apart) which support a mattress.
Unlike a traditional bed, the platform bed doesn’t need a foundation or box spring to place on it before placing a mattress.
There are many sizes of platform beds available, and since they don’t need a box spring, they can be economical to buy.
When buying a mattress, make sure slat widths and materials match the mattress manufacturer’s recommended usage to avoid voiding the warranty.
Inexpensive compress cardboard or particle board platform beds are available, but always choose the solid frame platform bed for durability and comfort if you can afford them. You don’t want to end up with lower back pain caused by inappropriate underlying support.
You can choose Asian styles or modern, European styles with clean lines. Many have storage areas underneath.
Classic, traditional platform beds are also available.
You should keep in mind that platform beds have lower profiles. If you are spending a lot of money on a high-quality, solid platform bed to last you a long time, you can consider getting an adjustable bed to factor in changes in the body’s demands in the future.
Platform Bed Pros and Cons
Before going into the pros and cons, let’s address one common mistake people make when getting extra support for their mattress. Namely, there is no need to use platform beds and box springs together. One eliminates the need for the other. Otherwise, with your mattress on top, you will raise the height to an unnatural level, and for the sake of mattress health and your sleeping quality, mattress manufacturers and experts advise against it.
It is worth mentioning that traditional bed frames such as sleigh beds, canopy beds, or four-poster beds were not made to support a mattress adequately. In this case, you will have to use an additional foundation with these frames to get the most out of your mattress.
The great thing about platform beds is that they are compatible with most mattress types making them a better buy than box springs. Thanks to their simple construction and high availability, platform beds are compatible with all hybrid mattresses, memory foam, and every other type of mattress.
Additionally, on the pro list, platform bed bases have a modern, sleek design, and because of their simple construction, they are a nice-looking value option. They come in a wide variety of styles and include storage underneath, which can be highly beneficial.
Platform beds support any mattress weight with their solid base and equally push against the mattress foundation thanks to their sturdy wood and solid surface.
On the other hand, their low-profile bed frame may cause some difficulties such as back and knee pain. However, this can be avoided with more support from the mattress itself.
Although platform beds offer storage features, and you can place storage drawers underneath for more comfort, they are harder to transport, and once set in place, moving will be a challenge. Also, with the rigid slats, platform beds will not cause the sagging of mattresses, but they might create additional pressure points depending on your sleep position.
It is why the firmer surface of platform beds should be combined with a softer foam mattress. As such, they will make the mattress feel firmer and create the perfect balance for excellent sleep quality.
Foundations
A foundation is also a wooden frame with slats, but it is covered in fabric and similar to box springs. Foundations also act very differently from box springs.
Whereas box springs are designed more for shock absorption and less support, foundations are designed to support mattresses.
Foundations are a popular choice for modern shoppers since coil mattresses are slowly being replaced by foam and memory foam, which require support rather than weight absorption.
This type of bed structure provides a lot of support to mattresses, so if you think your platform bed is not enough for your heavy mattress, you could consider getting a foundation.
Foundations are usually recommended for use with latex mattresses or dense, flexible mattresses like memory foam (like one of our favorites, the Loom & Leaf) that need a sturdy surface.
Standard heights of foundations range from 7 to 9 inches, but you can find lower profiles as well.
Foundation Bed Base Pros and Cons
When it comes to foundation bed vs. box spring or a platform bed, foundations win over both, and here’s why. Covered with a breathable fabric, foundation beds conform to your mattress whether it has a solid or slatted surface.
Foundations are replacing box springs, especially with the growing popularity of natural latex mattress types and memory foam models. You can also place your innerspring mattress on the mattress foundation, although you have to be wary of the increased firmness.
Other pros include the durability that both a platform bed and a foundation bed have over box springs, and they also provide robust and even support all across the edges.
However, unlike box springs, mattress foundations are heavy, and because they lack give, it is possible to create pressure points due to the firm bed base.
In Conclusion
If you have a box spring, it is best used with innerspring mattresses. Memory foam mattresses on box springs may be too soft and provide you with less spinal support.
The platform bed is the most versatile since you can place any type of mattress directly on it without a box spring or foundation.
For traditional bed frames (which usually have fewer slats than platform beds and therefore poor weight distribution) you will need a box spring or foundation below the mattress for weight absorption.
Also remember that latex or memory foam mattresses should ideally be used with platform beds or foundations for a good night’s sleep, but if your box spring is in good form some manufacturers promise you can still use that.

Lauren Kendrick
Content Contributor
Lauren is an occasional contributor who helps Ted and Stacey at the peak busy times. She's a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, but also studied Marketing and Classical Literature.
Updated at March 24, 2022
I enjoy a rather firm and bouncy bed to assist to turning over through the night, etc. I just purchased the Sattva Firm (pending delivery) and am flip flopping between box springs vs foundation on suitability.
Would you consider there to be a significant difference in the bounce of a mattress if it’s on a box spring vs a foundation? How much bounce should I expect to lose from a mattress if it’s on a foundation rather than a box spring? I am driving myself crazy.
The difference is significant. A flat foundation doesn’t give any bounce at all, while a box spring can be very bouncy!
Why do the bed slats go horizontally across the bed, and not vertically along?
Hi Niamh,
that’s because wood is naturally flexible and the slats would bend in the middle, creating an amok-like shape. Plus, it would be impossible to define different support for the various body sections, like some premium slat brands do.
I have a low profile platform bed built into a corner- includes two side tables and table that creates a headboard. I’m looking to replace an 11” deep tempurpedic with a hybrid mattress. Most are 14 1/2 “ but I found a saatva brand ( my second choice) that also comes 11 1/2”. Any suggestions?
Hi! I just bought a one-sided queen mattress from Ikea (HAUGSVÄR Hybrid mattress, medium-firm) and added a Serta StabL-Base box spring. The box spring is a wooden frame with a steel grid. Both are sitting on a standard metal frame.
I really don’t care much for platform beds. At my age, I find them to be too low to the floor. Since the mattress is one-sided, should I use something else to support it? Am I ruining my mattress by sitting it on a box spring? Thanks!
Hi Barb,
we are not familiar with that model, so it’s best if you check with IKEA directly.
Hello! I have been reading and am still rather confused. I have never bought a new mattress myself. What I currently have is more than two decades old (closer to three!) – spring coil mattress and box spring on a metal bed frame that has an attached brass headboard and footboard. This was bought for me in college by my parents. I am looking to buy a new mattress and support for it but to still go in that bed frame and I am unclear on whether or not a foundation could be used in the bed frame or if I am limited to using a box spring only. I understand many of the newer, better mattresses need a stronger support system than a box spring can offer and that it would void many warranties. Thank you most kindly for your assistance and your time!!! P.S. I know that my mattress and box spring are ancient! It just has never been in my budget to replace vs. taking care of other have-to’s. Still a stretch but I am looking to see what I can do 🙂
Hi Jessica,
what you have right now was designed to be used in combination to provide comfort. Part of the shape adjustment is done by the mattress and part by the box spring.
The newer mattresses are designed to provide the same functionality in just one piece, thanks to the better materials and technologies available today.
If you want to retain the frame and maintain the mattress height, the are plenty of box springs with slats instead of springs, which can provide the right support.
Hi, I recently purchased a Casper original hybrid queen mattress . And separately purchased a platform frame (headboard and footboard). The mattress sits too low. I was thinking of adding a foundation to increase the height while maintaining the support. What do you recommend?
As Amy had asked, I want to purchase a bed high enough to store winter clothes, what kind of mattress/platform bed should I get?
We recently purchased a Dreamcloud mattress and foundation. The foundation was delayed, so I purchased a Mattress Giant box spring. The box spring has rigid metal wires/thin bars alternately spaced 5 or 6.5 inches apart horizontally. The rows that are 5 inches apart have vertical wires also about 5 inches apart, but the 6.5 inch rows have no vertical wires (I hope that’s not too confusing). There are no wooden slats that I can feel. Dreamcloud has no special requirements for a box spring, but I’m wondering if this will be enough support for the mattress. I can return the Dreamcloud foundation (composed of wooden slats 5.5 inches apart) at no cost, or keep that and return the Mattress Giant one but I lose about $90 from the delivery and pickup fees. What do you recommend?
Hi Alicia,
I’d go with the Dreamcloud foundation, simply because their mattress should perform better on slats rather than a box spring. also, the foundation is more durable!
Recently purchased new mattress and bed frame with slats; have had backache ever since; how do I know which is causing it?
Thanks, Robin
Hi Robin,
unless the slats are really soft, I suspect it’s not the right mattress for you. Try placing a plywood panel between slats and mattress (the central part is enough), or put the mattress on the floor for a couple of nights. If the back pain persists, it’s the mattress’ fault (too soft).
I’m 63, need a supportive mattress but need a single mattress. Atter there good single mattresses? Send like they are Just for kids..
And which is better a platform or box spring?
Hi Donna,
have a look at our top mattress picks here. They are all available in Twin size (single) as well.