Quick Answer: Pocket coils are the primary support layer of a mattress (5-7 inches tall, individually wrapped, bear your full weight). Microcoils are smaller (1-3 inches) and sit in the comfort or transition layer, adding responsiveness and breathability above the main support. They serve different functions. Both can coexist in a high-quality hybrid: pocket coils for support, microcoils for surface comfort.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 7 minutes
You will encounter the terms "microcoil" and "pocket coil" when shopping for a hybrid mattress in Canada. They sound similar and both involve coiled springs, but they do completely different jobs inside a mattress. Understanding the distinction helps you evaluate whether a mattress is actually well-built or just has impressive-sounding marketing language on the tag.
What Are Pocket Coils and Microcoils?
Pocket Coils (Also Called Pocketed Coils or Wrapped Coils)
Pocket coils are the standard support system in modern hybrid and innerspring mattresses. Each coil is individually wrapped in its own fabric pocket, which allows it to compress independently from its neighbours. This independent action is what gives pocket coil mattresses their good motion isolation: when one coil compresses under pressure, adjacent coils are not dragged down with it.
Standard pocket coils in a mattress support layer are typically 5 to 7 inches tall. They are tempered steel, designed to bear the full body weight of the sleeper for thousands of compression cycles without losing structural integrity.
Microcoils (Also Called Mini Coils or Nano Coils)
Microcoils are much smaller: typically 1 to 3 inches in height. They are not designed to serve as the primary support system of a mattress. Instead, they are used in the comfort layer or the transition layer, the zones between the main support coils and the sleep surface.
In this position, microcoils add responsiveness to the comfort layer. Because they are metal rather than foam, they allow more airflow and can spring back more quickly when you change position. This can make the surface feel more buoyant and less "stuck" compared to a pure foam comfort layer.
Where Each Is Used in Mattress Construction
| Layer | Typical Contents | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Quilted top | Foam, fibre, natural materials (wool, cotton) | Surface feel, temperature regulation |
| Comfort layer(s) | Memory foam, latex, gel foam, or microcoils | Pressure relief, surface adaptability |
| Transition layer | Denser foam, microcoils, or encased transition foam | Bridges comfort and support zones |
| Support core | Pocket coils (primary support) | Structural foundation, spinal alignment, edge support |
| Base | High-density foam or foundation fabric | Stability and durability foundation |
A mattress marketed as having "microcoils" may have a pocket coil support core AND a microcoil comfort layer. The microcoils add responsiveness on top; the pocket coils provide the actual structural support. Always ask which layer each coil type occupies when evaluating a mattress specification.
Support and Durability Compared
Support
Pocket coils in the support layer provide better long-term support than microcoils because they are engineered to bear full body weight across thousands of compression cycles. The cylindrical shape of a pocket coil distributes pressure evenly across the coil's height, which maintains consistent resistance over time.
Microcoils in the comfort layer are not the support system. They adapt the surface. If a mattress has microcoils as the only coil system without a robust support core, it will not provide the structural support necessary for good spinal alignment over time.
Durability
Full-size pocket coils with tempered steel wire typically have a useful lifespan of 8 to 12 years or more in a well-constructed mattress. Microcoils, being smaller with thinner wire, may show wear in the comfort layer sooner, particularly if used in a budget construction with lower wire gauge. This is more noticeable as reduced surface responsiveness than as structural failure.
The practical implication: a mattress whose primary appeal is its microcoil comfort layer should still be evaluated on its pocket coil support system. A great surface on a weak foundation wears out faster and provides poorer sleep quality as the support layer deteriorates.
Research on coil support and sleep quality: A study published in Applied Ergonomics (Jacobson et al., 2008) found that mattress support system quality correlated significantly with back pain and sleep quality in participants. Adequate support from the coil layer maintained spinal alignment during sleep, while insufficient support led to increased morning back pain and more restless sleep. The comfort layer was secondary to the quality of the underlying support.
8 min read
When Microcoils Add Real Value
Microcoils in the comfort layer do provide genuine benefits when used in a quality construction:
- Temperature regulation: Metal coils allow airflow through the comfort layer, reducing heat buildup compared to foam-only comfort layers. For hot sleepers, this is a real advantage.
- Responsiveness: Microcoils spring back faster than memory foam, which can feel sluggish when changing position at night. Combination sleepers and those who move frequently during sleep often prefer the more responsive feel.
- Pressure relief with less sinkage: A microcoil comfort layer can provide pressure redistribution without the deep sinkage of soft foam layers, which some sleepers find disorienting or make it harder to move.
- Durability of the comfort layer: Metal does not permanently compress the way foam does, which can extend the surface life of the comfort layer relative to foam alternatives of equivalent initial softness.
What to Look For When Shopping
When a mattress specification mentions coils, ask these questions:
- Which layer are they in? Are the coils the support core (good, this is the main structure) or a comfort/transition layer (positive feature but secondary)?
- What is the coil count in the support layer? For a Queen, 1,000 or more pocket coils in the support layer indicates good quality. Higher is generally better, up to a point.
- What is the wire gauge? Lower gauge number means thicker, stiffer wire. A 15-gauge coil is stiffer than a 17-gauge coil. Heavier sleepers benefit from a lower gauge number.
- Is there a separate support layer and comfort layer? A mattress that uses microcoils as the only coil system without a robust support core is not a true hybrid in the traditional sense.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "When customers ask about coil count or microcoils, I always ask what they are comparing. A mattress with 800 quality tempered steel pocket coils in a robust support system outperforms one with 2,000 cheap, thin-wire microcoils and no real support foundation. The number that matters is in the support core."
Restonic Coil Construction at Mattress Miracle
At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, the Restonic mattresses we carry use high-count pocket coil support systems as their foundation. Here is what the coil counts in the support layer look like for our key models:
| Model | Size | Support Coil Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restonic ComfortCare | Queen | 1,222 | High-count pocket coil support, most recommended mid-range |
| Restonic ComfortCare | King | 1,440 | Highest coil count in the ComfortCare range |
| Restonic Revive Reflections ET | Queen | 1,200 | Flippable, dual-sided; robust coil support |
| Restonic Luxury Silk & Wool | Queen | 884 (zoned) | Zoned coil system, higher coil density in key support zones |
| Restonic Revive Tiffany Rose / Jasmine | Queen | 1,188 | Talalay Copper Latex comfort layer over robust coil support |
These coil counts reflect the support layer, which is what actually matters for long-term spinal alignment and mattress lifespan. Come in to our Brantford showroom at 441 1/2 West Street and we can show you the construction cross-sections and let you test each model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microcoils vs pocketed coils? Mattress Miracle at 441½ West Street in Brantford carries mattresses with traditional pocketed coil systems, including the Restonic ComfortCare with 1,222 individual coils. Brad can explain how different coil technologies affect feel, durability, and support. If you are comparing mattress specifications online, come feel the difference in person. Numbers only tell part of the story. Call (519) 770-0001.
Shop: Pocket Coil Mattresses at Mattress Miracle
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
Or compare our mattresses in our Brantford showroom.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
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 519-770-0001What is the difference between microcoils and pocket coils in a mattress?
Pocket coils are the primary support layer of a mattress, typically 5 to 7 inches tall, each individually wrapped in fabric. They bear the sleeper's full weight and are the main structural foundation. Microcoils are much smaller (1 to 3 inches) and are used in the comfort or transition layer above the main support system to add responsiveness and breathability, not as the primary support.
Are microcoils better than foam comfort layers?
Microcoils in the comfort layer provide more responsiveness and breathability than foam comfort layers. They allow air to circulate, which helps with temperature regulation. They also adapt to movement quickly, which suits combination sleepers. The trade-off is that they can feel bouncier and less conforming than foam, and their long-term durability varies by manufacturer and wire gauge.
How many pocket coils should a good mattress have?
For a Queen-size mattress, a coil count of 1,000 or more in the support layer is generally considered good. Higher counts distribute weight more evenly and improve motion isolation. However, coil count is only meaningful alongside wire gauge and coil diameter. Moderate count with quality tempered steel outperforms high count with thin, cheap wire.
Do microcoils wear out faster than pocket coils?
Microcoils can wear out faster than full-size pocket coils, particularly at lower wire gauges. Their smaller size means each coil undergoes more compression cycles relative to its size. In the comfort layer this is less critical than in the support layer, but it can affect surface responsiveness over time. Quality microcoil systems with heavier wire gauge perform better.
Is a microcoil mattress good for back pain?
A mattress with microcoils in the comfort layer and quality pocket coils in the support layer can be excellent for back pain, because the combination provides both surface adaptability and firm underlying support. Ask specifically about the support coil system, not just the surface comfort layer, when evaluating a mattress for back pain.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.