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Back when innerspring mattresses ruled the market, using box springs was a no-brainer. The flexible, spring-filled mattress bases allowed for flexible support while lifting the mattress to a then-conventional height. However, modern mattresses, like all-foam designs or hybrids with pocketed coils, are best supported by a rigid base rather than the flexible box springs of the past. Hence the rise of the modern iteration of the box spring: the mattress foundation. Generally made with wood or metal, these foundations are framelike with support slats across the top where the mattress rests and no actual springs to speak of. If you have a platform bed or a slatted bed frame, you may not need one at all, because the beds themselves will usually give your mattress the support it needs. But if you have an older metal bed frame that requires a box spring or mattress foundation, or if you just want to add some extra height to your bed, you’ll want a foundation that supports your mattress, raises it to your preferred height, and helps keep it free of dust.
A survey of what’s available online — and what’s available at my own local mattress stores — confirmed that mattress foundations are in and actual box springs with springs are mostly out (though you can still find them at a handful of retailers). And while many mattress buyers don’t actually need either one, three mattress-store salespeople I spoke to told me that a lot of their customers do still purchase box springs or mattress foundations, whether it’s for added height, to make a new mattress work with an existing bed frame, or simply out of habit.
So to help you find the best box spring or mattress foundation for your particular setup, I polled the aforementioned salespeople and other sleep-product experts about what makes a quality box spring and what to consider as you shop.
[Editor’s note: All prices below are listed for a queen size.]
Update on August 21, 2024: Added additional details about box springs vs. mattress foundations; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Materials and level of flex
Even though the term box spring is still common, modern box springs are more of a mattress foundation, acting as a firm platform for your mattress to rest on. They typically have a metal or wood frame and a fabric cover, but very few actually contain springs nowadays. Instead, they use steel or wood slats to support your mattress.
Zero-deflection box springs have slats that don’t flex, creating a firm and flat supportive surface that won’t add any additional bounce to your mattress.
Semi-flex box springs usually have a wood frame topped with a metal grid over the slats. Semi-flex box springs are ideal for adding some of the bounce of a traditional box spring, while still offering the firm foundation of a zero-deflection box spring. They tend to be more expensive (and less common) than zero-deflection box springs.
Traditional box springs are difficult to find these days, but they do still exist. They are generally made with a wooden frame and steel coils similar to those used in an innerspring mattress. Suzette Varney, a salesperson at the Original Mattress Factory — a retailer that sells traditional box springs and recommends them over rigid mattress foundations — told me that box springs are more flexible and shock absorbent than the modern mattress foundations.
Height
The ideal box spring height depends on your preferences around the overall height of your bed, the height of your mattress, and the height of your bed frame. If you like your bed closer to the ground, you’ll want a low-profile box spring around four or five inches tall. But if you like feeling lifted, or have limited mobility and want to make it easier to get in and out of bed, you’ll want a box spring that’s seven or nine inches tall. Below, I’ve listed the height options for each of our picks.
Weight capacity
The weight capacity of a box spring depends on the material it’s made of as well as the size and number of slats it has. You’ll need one that can hold the total weight of your mattress combined with the weight of anyone who will be sleeping in the bed. I’ve listed the weight capacity of each box spring below.
Best box spring overall
Material and flex level: Steel, zero-deflection | Height: 4-inch, 7.5-inch, or 9-inch | Weight capacity: 700 pounds for full size and larger; 350 pounds for twin and twin XL
The more slats a foundation has and the closer together they are, the better the weight distribution. This Zinus box spring has slats spaced three inches apart, making for a solid base to support your mattress and prevent it from sagging between the gaps. It uses Zinus’s Quick Lock assembly system, which means the slats snap into place — no screws needed. It also comes with a cover to encase the steel, which zips around like a mattress protector and covers both the top and the bottom to keep dust from collecting inside. The box spring can support up to 700 pounds and you can choose from three heights — 4, 7.5, and 9 inches. I’ve named this box spring our top pick for its sturdy construction, easy assembly, full cover, and affordable price.
[Editor’s note: All sizes of the 7.5-inch foundation, except queen, are currently sold out at Walmart. The 7.5-inch twin and full sizes, and the nine-inch twin and king sizes, are also currently sold out on Amazon. All other sizes are in stock at both retailers.]
Best (less expensive) box spring overall
Materials and flex level: Steel, zero-deflection | Height: 5-inch, 7-inch, or 9-inch | Weight capacity: 700 pounds for full size and larger; 350 pounds for twin and twin XL
Like our top pick, this slightly cheaper Zinus model is made of durable, zero-deflection steel; comes in three different heights (five, seven, or nine inches); and the full, queen, and king sizes can support up to 700 pounds. The steel frame is covered by a soft-knit polyester cover that pulls down over the frame like a fitted sheet, and assembly is simple — many of the frame components snap together with locking buttons, and any tools you’ll need are included. I like this box spring for its affordable price, sturdy build, and multiple height options, but the slats are spaced about six inches apart, meaning it doesn’t offer as much support for your mattress as our top pick. The cover also only covers the top and sides instead of fully encapsulating the box spring, which could allow it to get dustier inside.
Best box spring with wood slats
Material and flex level: Steel and wood slats, zero-deflection | Height: 4-inch, 7.5-inch, or 9-inch | Weight capacity: 700 pounds for full size and larger; 350 pounds for twin and twin XL
For those who prefer wood slats, this box spring combines the strength of steel in the base with the slight give of wood in the slats, which some sleepers say offers a more comfortable night’s rest. The slats of this box spring are spaced about three inches apart for maximum sturdiness and support (just like our top pick), and they’re strung together so you don’t have to worry about spacing them correctly — just unroll the bundle onto the box spring’s frame. As with all Zinus box springs, this one is praised for how easy it is to assemble. It comes in 4-inch, 7.5-inch, and 9-inch heights. And like our all-metal top pick, it comes with a knit cover to encase the entire frame.
Best upholstered box spring
Material and flex level: Steel and wood, zero-deflection | Height: 4-inch, 7.5-inch, or 9-inch | Weight capacity: 700 pounds for full size and larger; 350 pounds for twin and twin XL
This upholstered box spring from Zinus looks nicer than most. It’s made of strong steel for the base and 2.8-inch wood for the slats, but that’s all hidden beneath a gray woven fabric cover around the edges and an off-white fabric on top for a polished look. As some reviewers note, that means even when their box spring peeks out from under the covers or there’s no bed skirt, it looks okay. It’s also easy to assemble, with a base that comes together in just a few steps and all the tools you need included with the box spring. All you have to do is put the frame together, add in the middle support bar, and roll out the wooden slats. The wood slats are encased in a fabric covering that makes them even easier to roll out onto the frame.
[Editor’s note: The nine-inch queen-size foundation is currently out of stock on Amazon. At Walmart, the four-inch full- and king-size foundations are currently sold out. All other sizes are in stock at both retailers.]
Best solid-wood box spring
Material and flex level: Wood, zero-deflection | Height: 4-inch or 8-inch | Weight capacity: 500 pounds for full size and larger; 250 pounds for twin and twin XL
Both the base and slats of this box spring are made of solid wood without any steel. The slats are spaced 3.2 inches apart on the twin and full sizes, and 3.6 inches apart on the queen and king sizes. The box spring comes in two heights, four inches or eight inches. It comes together in three quick steps, with all the tools you need — a small Allen wrench and a ratchet — included in the box. The inside of the frame is lined with Velcro, and the slats are rolled into a bundle that attaches to the Velcro as you unroll it, ensuring proper placement. It also has a fully enclosed cover — with gray edges and a purple top — that zips closed. Note that this box spring has a lower weight limit than others on this list, at 500 pounds for the full size and larger and 250 pounds for the twin and twin XL sizes.
[Editor’s note: The eight-inch twin-size foundation is currently sold out. All other sizes are in stock.]
Best semi-flex box spring
Material and flex level: Steel and wood, semi-flex | Height: 5.5-inch | Weight capacity: 750 pounds for all sizes
Semi-flex box springs are sturdy options that work well with all mattress types, including heavier memory foam and latex mattresses, but their construction offers a bit more bounce and give than zero-deflection box springs. This Kingsdown box spring is made of steel connected to a wooden frame and can hold up to 750 pounds no matter which size you buy. It’s available in just one height: a low-profile 5.5 inches. It is also covered in breathable cotton that promotes airflow.
Best motion-isolating box spring
Material and flex level: Steel and wood, zero-deflection | Height: 5-inch or 9-inch | Weight limit: Not listed
If you sleep with a partner, you may be well acquainted with feeling them toss and turn while they sleep. Though most newer mattresses help limit that motion, the Serta Perfect Sleeper box spring, a favorite of Costner’s, can further assist. Even if your mattress isolates motion well, it’s easy for a bed-frame-and-box-spring combo to still have some wobble to it. Built with a carbon steel grid and a kiln-dried hardwood frame, this box spring helps to absorb impact and minimize movement. It is available in a low five-inch profile and a higher nine-inch profile, and there is no assembly is required. It is also covered in gray fabric for a more finished look.
Some Strategist-approved bed frames
Our experts:
• Mitch Costner, buyer for Mattress Firm
• Logan Foley, editorial director at Sleep Foundation
• John Merwin, CEO of 3Z Brands
• Juliana Trigoso, salesperson for Mattress Firm
• Suzette Varney, salesperson for Original Mattress Factory
Additional reporting by Latifah Miles.
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