Quick Answer: Microcoils (1-3 inches tall) are comfort-layer springs that add responsiveness and airflow. Pocket coils (5-7 inches tall) are the main support system. For motion isolation, pocket coils win because they compress independently and have enough height to absorb movement before it crosses the bed. Microcoils in a comfort layer can complement this, but they do not replace the motion-dampening role of a full-height pocket coil support core.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 7 minutes
What Are Microcoils and Where Do They Go?
Microcoils go by several names depending on the manufacturer: minicoils, nanocoils, microsprings. The name changes but the concept is the same: they are small coil springs, typically between 1 and 3 inches tall, made from lighter gauge wire than a support coil. You will not find them in the base of a mattress. They belong in the comfort layers, sitting above the main support core.
Their purpose is to add a springy, responsive feel to a comfort layer that might otherwise use only foam. Because they are individually wrapped like pocket coils (just much smaller), they move somewhat independently and allow air to circulate through the comfort section. On a warm night, this can make a noticeable difference in sleeping temperature compared to an all-foam comfort layer.
Where microcoils get misrepresented is when they are counted alongside a mattress's primary coil system. A mattress might advertise "2,000 coils" and have 1,000 pocket support coils plus 1,000 microcoils in the comfort layer. Those are doing different jobs, and combining the count inflates the impression of support density. The two systems work together, but they are not equivalent.
What We See in Our Showroom
At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, Talia hears the microcoil question fairly often. Customers come in having seen a mattress with a high coil count advertised and want to know if more coils always means better support. The honest answer is no. What matters is what type of coils are doing the support work, how tall they are, and what gauge wire they use. A mattress with 1,222 full-height pocket support coils (like our Restonic ComfortCare Queen) will generally outlast and outperform a mattress that achieves a high coil count largely through a microcoil comfort layer.
8 min read
Pocket Coils: The Independent Support System
Pocket coils are individually wrapped in their own fabric pocket. This is what distinguishes them from traditional Bonnell or continuous coils, where all the springs are connected and movement in one transfers directly across the whole mattress.
Because each pocket coil is wrapped separately, it compresses on its own when weight is applied. The coil next to it is not pulled down. This independent action is the foundation of how pocket coil mattresses isolate motion and conform to body shape without creating pressure points.
Standard pocket coil heights are typically 5 to 7 inches. This height matters for two reasons. First, a taller coil has more travel distance, meaning it can compress gradually in response to different pressures rather than bottoming out quickly. Second, the height creates enough physical separation between partners that a movement on one side takes time and energy to transfer to the other, and much of that energy is absorbed by the coil spring before it reaches the person sleeping beside you.
Our Restonic ComfortCare Queen uses 1,222 individually wrapped pocket coils. The King steps up to 1,440. These are full-height support coils, not a combined count with a microcoil comfort layer.
Motion Isolation Compared
Motion isolation is the measure of how much movement from one part of a mattress travels to another. For couples, this matters whenever one partner shifts position, gets up in the night, or has different sleep schedules. For solo sleepers who move around, it still matters because excessive motion transfer from firm coils can wake you from lighter sleep stages.
How Pocket Coils Isolate Motion
Each pocket coil absorbs and contains pressure independently. When one coil compresses, the surrounding coils are not mechanically pulled down. This creates a localised response. Testing by mattress researchers has shown that pocket coil systems reduce motion transfer significantly compared to traditional interconnected coil systems, where movement ripples across the entire surface.
The quality of motion isolation in a pocket coil mattress depends on a few variables:
- Coil gauge: A thinner wire (higher gauge number) is more flexible and absorbs micro-movements better. A thicker wire (lower gauge) is firmer and transfers more force before it flexes.
- Coil count: More coils in a given area means each coil handles a smaller surface footprint and responds more precisely to localised pressure.
- Comfort layer thickness: A thicker foam or fibre comfort layer above the coils acts as a secondary dampener, absorbing small movements before they reach the spring system at all.
How Microcoils Affect Motion
Microcoils in a comfort layer do provide some independent movement due to their individual wrapping. However, because they are only 1 to 3 inches tall, they have limited travel distance. They can handle small surface movements, like a hand pressing on the mattress or light repositioning, but they do not absorb the deeper, higher-energy movement that comes from a partner turning over or getting out of bed.
That deeper absorption is where the full-height support coil underneath does the real work. If a mattress has an excellent pocket coil support core with a microcoil comfort layer on top, the combination can perform well. If the mattress has only microcoils in a comfort layer sitting over a connected or low-quality support system, motion isolation will be poor despite the high coil count on the label.
Sleep Research on Partner Disturbance
Research on co-sleeping and sleep quality consistently identifies nocturnal partner movements as a common cause of sleep fragmentation. A study published in Sleep and Biological Rhythms found that partners account for approximately 50% of reported sleep disturbances in couples sharing a bed, with physical movement being the most frequent cause. Mattress surface properties, including how well a sleep surface absorbs and localises motion, directly affect how often these disturbances result in arousals. The research supports investing in independent coil systems rather than optimising only for firmness or price.
Coil Gauge, Count, and What the Numbers Mean
Two numbers matter most when evaluating any coil mattress: gauge and count. Both affect how the mattress feels and how long it lasts.
Gauge
Gauge refers to the thickness of the wire. Mattress coils typically range from 13-gauge (thicker, firmer) to 17-gauge (thinner, more flexible). Lower gauge means stiffer wire that holds up under heavier loads. Higher gauge means softer, more flexible wire that responds to lighter pressure.
For motion isolation, a medium gauge (15-16) often performs well. It is flexible enough to respond to pressure locally without transmitting force rigidly across to adjacent coils.
Coil Count
For a Queen size mattress, a support core of 800 to 1,000 pocket coils is generally considered adequate. Counts above 1,000 offer finer pressure distribution and more precise localised response. This is why our Restonic ComfortCare Queen at 1,222 coils provides noticeably better contouring and motion isolation than entry-level pocket coil mattresses using 800 coils in the same space.
Beyond about 2,000 individual coils in a support core, the additional coils provide diminishing returns for most sleepers. When a mattress advertises very high counts, it is worth asking whether those counts include microcoil comfort layers or only the primary support coils.
Who Needs Which Type
The short version: most sleepers benefit most from a good pocket coil support core. A microcoil comfort layer on top is a genuine enhancement to responsiveness and temperature, but it is not a substitute for pocket coil fundamentals.
Matching Coil Type to Sleeper Needs
- Couples with different schedules: Prioritise pocket coil count and gauge in the support core. Look for 1,000+ pocket coils Queen size. A thicker foam comfort layer above also helps.
- Hot sleepers: A microcoil comfort layer improves airflow compared to an all-foam comfort layer. Look for mattresses that clearly specify microcoils in the comfort zone, not combined counts.
- Heavier sleepers (over 115 kg): Prioritise lower gauge (thicker wire), typically 13-14 gauge in the support core. Durability matters more than count here.
- Side sleepers: A microcoil or soft foam comfort layer on top of a pocket coil core provides pressure relief at the shoulder and hip without sacrificing support.
- Back or stomach sleepers: Firmer pocket coil support core with a thinner comfort layer. Motion isolation is still relevant but firmness and lumbar support take priority.
When you are comparing mattresses in a showroom, lying down and asking your partner to shift positions is a more useful test than reading the coil count on the label. Motion isolation is something you can genuinely feel. Brad at Mattress Miracle often demonstrates this with a glass of water placed on the mattress surface: you can watch how much ripple crosses from one side to another when pressure is applied nearby.
If you have specific questions about our Restonic line or any other mattress in our showroom, call us at (519) 770-0001 or stop by our showroom at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford.
Shop: Pocket Coil Mattresses at Mattress Miracle
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Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic's ComfortCare Dalton & Albany
- Whitney double-sided mattress
- Somnia 3.0 posture support pillow
Or shop the full mattress lineup in our Brantford showroom.
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We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Are microcoils better than pocket coils for motion isolation?
No, not as a primary support system. Microcoils are short comfort-layer coils (1-3 inches) that add responsiveness and airflow. Pocket coils are full-height support coils (5-7 inches) that actually absorb and isolate movement. The best motion isolation comes from a high-quality pocket coil support core, with or without a microcoil comfort layer on top.
What does coil gauge mean on a mattress?
Coil gauge is the wire thickness. The scale runs roughly 13 to 17 in mattresses, with lower numbers being thicker and firmer. A 13-gauge coil is thicker wire and holds up better under heavy loads. A 17-gauge coil is thinner, more flexible, and more responsive to light pressure. Most sleepers do well in the 14-16 gauge range, depending on their weight and firmness preference.
How many pocket coils does a Queen mattress need for good support?
A minimum of 800 pocket coils in a Queen support core is generally considered adequate. Counts of 1,000 to 1,400 provide finer pressure distribution and better motion isolation. Our Restonic ComfortCare Queen uses 1,222 individually wrapped pocket coils, which puts it well above the functional minimum. Beyond about 2,000 support coils, returns diminish for most sleepers.
Is a high total coil count always better?
Not necessarily. Manufacturers sometimes advertise combined counts that include both support core coils and microcoil comfort layers. These two coil types are doing different jobs, and combining them into one headline number can be misleading. Ask specifically how many coils are in the support core versus the comfort layer when comparing mattresses.
Can I test motion isolation at the Mattress Miracle showroom in Brantford?
Yes, and we encourage it. Brad often demonstrates motion isolation using a water glass on the mattress surface so you can see how much movement travels across. If you and your partner have different sleep schedules or are light sleepers, bring them in and test together. Our showroom is at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford. Call (519) 770-0001 to confirm we have the specific models in stock that you want to compare.
Sources
- Jacobson, B.H., et al. (2008). Effect of prescribed sleep surfaces on back pain and sleep quality in patients diagnosed with low back and shoulder pain. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 9(1), 22-31. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2009.12.002
- Kovacs, F.M., et al. (2003). Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain. Lancet, 362(9396), 1599-1604. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
- Dittami, J., et al. (2007). A field study of sleep and sleep disorders in couples sharing the same bed. Sleep, 30(9), 1233-1240. doi.org/10.1093/sleep/30.9.1233
- Schredl, M., et al. (2012). Nighttime movements and sleep quality: a polysomnographic study. Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 10(1), 18-25.
- Carskadon, M.A. & Dement, W.C. (2011). Monitoring and staging human sleep. In M.H. Kryger, T. Roth, & W.C. Dement (Eds.), Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (5th ed., pp. 16-26). Elsevier Saunders.
- National Sleep Foundation. (2013). Sleep in America Poll: Sleep and Technology. National Sleep Foundation, Washington, D.C.
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Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
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