Do Memory Foam Mattresses Need Box Springs?
By Sarah Anderson, Certified Sleep Science Coach 
Key Takeaways
- Compatibility Issues: Placing a memory foam mattress on top of a box spring can lead to sagging and premature wear, potentially voiding the mattress warranty. Memory foam mattresses require consistent, uniform support to maintain their shape, and the flexibility of the foam can cause issues when combined with the flexibility of a box spring.
- Box Spring Limitations: Traditional box springs are not suitable for memory foam mattresses as their coils or slats can cause the mattress to dip between the gaps, leading to loss of support and premature wear. The flexibility of the box spring can also result in an indentation in the middle of the mattress, affecting sleep quality and comfort.
- Alternative Support Options: Instead of a box spring, consider using a mattress foundation that offers a solid surface with closer-spaced slats, ensuring adequate support for the memory foam mattress. Other options such as platform beds, panel beds, and adjustable bases are also viable alternatives, providing the necessary support and customization for a comfortable sleep experience.
If you’re buying a new memory foam mattress and have a box spring you’ve been using for the past few years, you might be considering combining the two. And why not? Isn’t it a great way to give your new bed some bounce and height?
Actually, it’s not. Placing your new memory foam mattress on top of a box spring will likely cause it to sag within a few short years.
Plus, most companies void a mattress warranty if you pair your memory foam mattress with a box spring.
If your mattress loses support or falls apart because of a box spring, you won’t be able to file for a warranty claim.
When Does Your Memory Foam Mattress Need a Box Spring?
For a memory foam mattress, whether or not you need a box spring depends largely on the bed frame and foundation setup.
If your foundation has six or more closely spaced slats, it will likely support the mattress well on its own without needing a box spring.
However, if there are fewer than six slats, or if the slats are spaced far apart, a box spring might be necessary to prevent sagging and extend the mattress’s lifespan.
The unique structure of a memory foam mattress makes it more vulnerable to sagging if it lacks a stable surface, as it can sink into wide gaps between slats.
For optimal support and longevity, a memory foam mattress performs best on a base where slats are no more than 2.75 inches apart or on a solid, flat surface.
- When You Might Need a Box Spring with Memory Foam: If you are using a metal bed frame, a box spring can be essential, as metal frames are not designed to support a memory foam mattress directly.
The box spring will add stability, evenly distributing the weight to avoid mattress sagging and ensure you get the best support.
- When You Don’t Need a Box Spring: Platform beds with closely spaced slats or solid wooden foundations are typically sufficient for memory foam. These setups provide the even support required for memory foam mattresses, making a box spring unnecessary.
Additionally, if you’re using an adjustable base, a box spring should not be used as it may cause structural issues and limit adjustability. Adjustable bases are designed to support memory foam mattresses directly, offering both stability and flexibility.
Selecting the right foundation ensures your memory foam mattress remains in great shape, provides the necessary support, and helps maintain the terms of your warranty.
When Do Bed Frames Need a Box Spring?
Box springs are often necessary for traditional innerspring mattresses but are less suitable for new memory foam mattresses.
Whether or not a bed frame requires a box spring largely depends on the type of frame used. Here are some bed frames that usually do need a box spring:
Folding Metal Bed Frames
Folding metal frames are a budget-friendly, space-saving option, but they lack the internal support needed for most mattresses.
They rely on a box spring to provide stability since they only support the mattress at the perimeter.
Without a box spring, these frames may not offer enough support and might even risk voiding the mattress warranty.
Platform Bed Frames with Slats
Platform bed frames with slats may or may not need a box spring, depending on the spacing between the slats.
If the slats are close together (generally less than four inches apart), they provide adequate support for most mattresses without a box spring.
However, if the slats are spaced more than four inches apart, adding a box spring may be necessary to ensure support and meet mattress warranty requirements. Slats can vary in material, coming in options like:
- Wood
- Metal
- Plastic
- Composite
Steel slats generally provide the most durable and rigid support, extending the mattress’s lifespan.
Bed Frames That Don’t Require a Box Spring
Not all bed frames need the additional support of a box spring, regardless of the mattress type. Here are some bed frames that generally provide ample support on their own:
Solid Platform Bed Frames
Solid platform beds use a continuous surface to support the mattress, eliminating the need for a box spring.
This type of frame is lower to the ground, giving a sleek, modern look.
However, sleepers with limited mobility or joint pain might find it helpful to add a box spring to raise the bed’s height for easier access.
Reinforced Metal Bed Frames
Unlike folding metal frames, reinforced metal frames feature additional support bars across the frame’s center.
These support bars distribute weight evenly, preventing mattress sagging and reducing wear, making a box spring unnecessary. Reinforced metal frames are particularly durable and long-lasting.
Adjustable Bed Frames
Adjustable bed frames are engineered for memory foam mattresses and do not require a box spring. These frames are designed to provide consistent support across all mattress areas, even when adjusted to different positions.
Note, however, that adjustable frames are generally not compatible with traditional innerspring mattresses, which require a more rigid foundation.
While box springs are essential for some bed frames and mattress types, many modern bed frames offer strong support on their own.
Understanding your specific frame and mattress compatibility can help you achieve optimal support, longevity, and comfort.
Construction of a Memory Foam Mattress
A memory foam mattress is not made up of just memory foam. Typically, only the top layer is memory foam, while the bottom layer or layers are stiffer, more supportive foams.
Since memory foam mattresses are made entirely out of foam, they can be heavy. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses can feel lighter because of the empty space in their coil bases.
The foams in the mattress are flexible, designed to conform to your body, and able to move with an adjustable base. However, this flexibility means the mattress requires consistent, uniform support to maintain its shape.
1. Traditional Memory Foam Mattress
A Traditional memory foam mattress contours to your body’s shape and weight, helping to cushion pressure points and enhance circulation.
This tailored support is ideal for those who toss and turn during the night or share a bed with a restless partner.
It also offers comfort for individuals with chronic pain or muscle soreness.
2. Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Mattress
While most memory foam is naturally resistant to microbes; hypoallergenic versions provide added protection against dust mites and allergens.
Gel-infused memory foam tends to be highly resistant to allergens, but for those with severe sensitivities, latex memory foam is even more hypoallergenic. However, those with latex allergies should steer clear of this type.
3. Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
The cooling gel memory foam mattress brings a unique twist to traditional memory foam, incorporating gel for added support and temperature regulation.
If you often feel too warm on regular memory foam, the gel alternative can help you stay cool and comfortable. Its innovative design reduces the heat-retention effect, ensuring a more restful night.
4. Plant-Based Memory Foam Mattress
Plant-based memory foam is a greener choice, replacing petroleum-derived ingredients with plant oils.
This eco-friendly alternative not only reduces chemical content but also enhances breathability, minimizing heat retention for a cool, refreshing sleep experience.
Bed Frame Choices for Memory Foam Mattresses
When selecting the perfect base for a foam mattress, there are four primary options to consider:
- Platform Bed
- Slat Bed Foundation
- Mattress Foundation
- Adjustable Bed Frame
Platform Bed
Platform beds provide a stable, flat surface with built-in supports that prevent sagging and are a popular choice for foam mattresses.
For example, our Platform Bed Frame offers a sleek, modern design that eliminates the need for a box spring while delivering reliable support and comfort.
Slat Bed Foundation
Slatted bed foundations, made of metal or wood, work effectively with foam mattresses.
The evenly spaced slats collectively support the mattress’s weight, helping maintain its structure and durability.
Be sure to check with your mattress manufacturer for recommendations on the ideal slat spacing and type for your foam mattress.
Mattress Foundation
Mattress foundations are typically designed and offered by the mattress manufacturer, crafted to provide ideal support and enhance the mattress’s longevity.
Unlike third-party slat bases, these foundations are tailored specifically for the mattress model.
For instance, we offer The Foundation, an upgraded version of the traditional box spring with evenly spaced slats to optimize mattress comfort and stability on any standard bed frame.
Adjustable Bed Frame
Adjustable frames are another great option for foam mattresses, enabling you to raise or lower the bed to your preferred angle for customized comfort.
Perfect for reading, watching TV, or finding a sleeping position that suits your needs, adjustable frames combine comfort with versatility.
Each of these bed frame options is designed to optimize the support, comfort, and longevity of your foam mattress, allowing you to select the style that best aligns with your personal needs and preferences.
Construction of a Box Spring
As the name implies, a traditional box spring has a wooden box-like frame filled with steel springs. When used with a traditional mattress, it absorbs the shock from movements, deters sagging by holding up the mattress, and increases the bed’s height.
The coils or slats inside a box spring are traditionally more than 2.75 inches apart. When used with a foam mattress, the bed is liable to dip between the coils or slats, causing the mattress’s materials to lose support and wear down prematurely.
The box spring can also flex under the memory foam mattress, leaving your bed with an indentation in the middle. If your mattress develops this indentation, you’re likely to find yourself rolling into the middle of the mattress against your will.
Box Springs and Foundations
While a mattress foundation can look similar to a box spring with its supportive frame, it’s a completely different product. They provide a solid surface with wooden slats or another sturdy material. The material does not flex under the mattress’s weight, with closer spaced slats providing more support. Some foundations come with detachable legs, so that you can place them in a bed frame, much like you would with a traditional box spring.
Foundations and box springs come in low, medium, and standard profiles:
- A low profile is 5.5 inches or lower
- A medium profile is 6 to 8.5 inches
- A standard profile is 9 inches or more
If you purchase a split queen or a split king mattress, you may need to buy a split mattress base. Split mattresses are essentially two separate mattresses pushed together so partners can personalize their side with their favorite firmness. Split mattresses can benefit from extra support in the middle, which a standard foundation may not be able to give.
You can read our mattress foundation sizes guide for more information about choosing the correct foundation size and dimensions.
More Box Spring Alternatives
When you’re shopping for the best foundation for a memory foam mattress, you’ll have a range of options. There are platform beds, panel beds, and adjustable bases, to name a few.
Just remember to check that your choice has the support a memory foam mattress needs. You might also want to check the height of the under-bed area, to calculate the amount of storage space the bed provides.
Platform Beds
Platform beds have a sleek, modern design that forgoes the traditional headboard and footboard. They’re relatively inexpensive since they’re just a wooden or metal base with legs, and may be solid or have a slatted foundation. We recommend slats for more airflow to wick away heat and moisture, but the slats must be at least 0.75 inches thick and no more than 2.75 inches apart.
Panel Beds
The traditional bed frame with a headboard and footboard is also known as the panel bed, named for how they’re made with panels of wood. The bed’s side panels traditionally hide a box spring from view.
Older panels may not have the number of wooden slats needed for support. You may have to purchase a set of slats or a piece of plywood from a home goods store to provide your memory foam mattress with enough support.
Adjustable Base
Perhaps the best way to customize your sleep experience is with an adjustable bed frame. An adjustable bed allows you to raise and lower the head and foot of your mattress.
An adjustable bed offers many benefits. If you snore or have sleep apnea, raising your mattress’s head can help your airway remain clear. Elevating your legs and knees can improve blood flow and take the pressure off your lower back.
Plus, a memory foam mattress is one of the best mattresses for an adjustable bed. The mattress must be able to adapt to the base’s movements without damaging its materials. A memory foam mattress can be flexed and bent and still feel comfortable and supportive.
This flexibility is why memory foam mattresses are commonly bundled in an adjustable bed and mattress combo.
Is There a Way to Use a Box Spring with a Memory Foam Mattress?
While you shouldn’t directly use a memory foam mattress with a box spring, you can still use it to make your bed taller by slipping a bunkie board between your mattress and box spring. Bunkie boards are pieces of plywood or particleboard that are two or three inches thick, which provides a flat surface with enough support to prevent your mattress from sagging.
If you choose to shop for a bunkie board, double-check that it’s moisture resistant. Since a bunkie board is a solid base, it’s difficult for air to flow through and remove the moisture that collects at the bottom of your mattress. This is how stinky mold and mildew can grow underneath your mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of a box spring?
You have a variety of foundations and bed frames to pick from when selecting what’s best for your memory foam mattress. Options include a platform bed, a traditional bed frame, or an adjustable base. You can choose a wooden or metal framework, depending on what goes better with your bedroom decor.
Are box springs obsolete?
Box springs are no longer as necessary for a bed’s comfort as they once were, but they’re still used today. Some customers find that they give their innerspring mattress an extra lift that improves the bed’s feel. Others use a box spring to increase the height of their mattress.
Can a memory foam mattress go on a slatted base?
You can place your memory foam mattress on a slatted platform as long as the slats are no more than 2.75 inches apart. If the slats are too far apart, the mattress can sink between them, causing premature sagging that will reduce the mattress’s comfort and support. Slatted bases are one of the best choices for a memory foam mattress because the design promotes airflow through the bottom of the mattress.
Are beds without box springs comfortable?
They absolutely can be. Many modern mattresses are designed not to need a box spring to feel fully comfortable or to prevent sagging.
Still, comfort and sag prevention isn’t the only purpose a box spring has. A box spring helps you give your mattress some extra height. You can also slip a detachable foundation inside a bed frame to raise your mattress higher.
Can I use an old box spring with a new mattress?
If your new mattress is compatible with a box spring, such as an innerspring mattress, you might be able to reuse your box spring if it’s in good condition. The average box spring lasts about 10 years, which can be longer than a mattress’s lifespan. However, the coils inside a box spring will sag eventually, just as the coils inside a spring or hybrid mattress do.
How do you know if your box spring has worn out? Check for damage or any signs of bending, sagging, or bowing across the base. Squeaky coils can also mean that the box spring is losing support.
How can I ensure my mattress gets enough support without a box spring?
Look for a foundation with slats spaced no more than 2.75 inches apart, or opt for a solid platform. This will prevent sagging and ensure the mattress remains firm and supportive.
Are box springs compatible with all bed types?
No, box springs aren’t ideal for every bed type. They work well with traditional innerspring mattresses, but foam and hybrid mattresses are often better suited to solid platforms or close-spaced slatted bases.
Do box springs increase mattress height?
Yes, box springs add extra height to your bed, which can make it easier to get in and out. If you prefer a lower profile bed, you may want to consider a platform or foundation without a box spring.
Are box springs necessary for hybrid mattresses?
Hybrid mattresses often don’t require box springs. They’re generally designed to perform well on solid platforms or closely spaced slats, as box springs can sometimes make hybrid mattresses feel too soft.
Did We Help?
It would be best if you never placed a memory foam mattress directly on top of a box spring.
Memory foam beds need a solid foundation or one with slats no more than 2.75 inches apart. A slatted base provides the most cooling night’s rest.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.
Sarah Anderson, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Sarah Anderson is a sleep, health, and wellness writer and product reviewer. She has written articles on changing and improving your sleep schedule, choosing the right mattress for chronic pain conditions, and finding the best pillow for you. Sarah Anderson has her Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University in Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to working for Zoma, she wrote for a variety of news publications. Sarah's work has been featured on Bustle, PureWow, and other publications.
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What an education I received reading this literature about mattresses and foundations, etc.
I will definitely have the knowledge to be confident when I choose my mattress. Thanks for this helpful information.
JoAnne