What is a box spring?

A box spring is a cloth-covered bed base made from a wooden frame that contains an array of coiled springs. It’s meant to be sandwiched between your mattress and bed frame.

What does a box spring do?

Box springs provide a foundation for your mattress, offering support and preventing your damage from sagging or developing lumps with use. Box springs also make your bed more comfortable by raising the sleep surface to a comfortable height and acting as a shock absorber.

Do you need a box spring?

Having a sleep surface, like a box spring or foundation , is not required. That being said, having a box spring does have its benefits. If you pair it with an innerspring mattress, the box spring can prolong the life of your mattress. They can also make your bed much more comfortable.

The 7 Best Box Springs of 2022

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The 8 Best Box Springs of 2022 — The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

A box spring provides support and absorbs shock from your mattress.

We researched dozens of box springs, assessing them on comfort level, size availability, and style. Our top choice is the Zinus 9-Inch Smart Metal Box Spring, which stands out for its durability, straightforward build instructions, and impressive height.

Check out the best box springs on the market and learn more about what to look for before buying yours.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Zinus Smart Metal Box Spring at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Wayfair Sleep Metal Box Spring at Wayfair

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Best for Memory Foam:

Mainstays Smart Box Spring at Walmart

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Best Low-Profile:

Beautyrest Flat Foundation at Pottery Barn

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Best Wood:

Spinal Solution Wood Mattress Foundation at Wayfair

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Best Box Foundation:

Tuft & Needle Box Foundation at Amazon

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Best Cover:

West Elm Linen Cotton Box-Spring Cover at West Elm

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust The Spruce

4.7

Courtesy of Amazon

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Who else recommends it? Bob Vila, BestReviews, and The Strategist all picked the Zinus 9-Inch Smart Metal Box Spring.

What do buyers say? 89% of 65,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

For an all-around great box spring with solid construction and durable engineering, we recommend the Zinus Smart Metal Box Spring. Since it's made of heavy-duty steel, all sizes above a twin bed can support up to 700 pounds of weight, with a five-year warranty to back it up.

This high-profile platform is 9 inches tall, so it's perfect for those who like their bed to be a little more elevated. The Smart is super easy to put together and comes with all the necessary tools. It has a soft knitted cover and can go over any bed frame or platform bed.

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Courtesy of Wayfair

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If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, the Wayfair Sleep Metal Box Spring is a solid choice. Made of steel with rods instead of springs, it's exceptionally sturdy and easy to assemble—all you'll need is an Allen wrench.

This box spring has a breathable netted fabric cover that'll match virtually any bedding set or bedroom decor scheme. It's available in either a 5-inch or 9-inch profile height and is compatible with most bed frames.

Courtesy of Walmart

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Constructed out of ultra-sturdy steel, the Mainstays Smart Box Spring can support a memory foam mattress and any combination mattress with gel, latex, or intersprings. It comes with a white jacquard cover, which is removable and machine-washable.

This versatile 5-inch box spring can be set up in seconds—no tools needed. Plus, if you need to move it or store it, it folds back up into a conveniently compact configuration.

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Courtesy of Pottery Barn

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With solid steel struts, a non-skid top, and reinforced corner guards, the extra-sturdy Beautyrest Foundation is designed to minimize any motion or shifting. The low-profile option is 5.5 inches tall with a clean, minimalist look.

This box spring has a neutral gray cover and can be used with any mattress or bed frame. However, if you use it with a Beautyrest bed and mattress, it's backed by a 10-year warranty.

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Courtesy of Wayfair

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Unlike most others in its category, the Spinal Solution Mattress Foundation is constructed out of wood. The support slats are designed to evenly distribute the weight of the mattress, which can help minimize tossing and turning. Though it weighs only 40 pounds, it supports up to 800 pounds of weight.

This box spring can be set up within seconds and is easy to store and transport. It comes in two profile heights, 4.5 inches and 7.75 inches.

Courtesy of Tuft & Needle

View On Amazon View On Tuft & Needle

Tuft & Needle's take on the box spring is this 7-inch Box Foundation. Whether you want your bed to sit a little taller or need something to go over a standard bed frame, you can't go wrong with this handy base.

With sturdy wood construction and a woven stone-gray cover, the Box Foundation is durable with a mid-century feel. It comes in a compact box and can be set up in minutes. Also, the non-skid fabric cover ensures your mattress stays in place, so you won't have to worry about readjusting it each night.

Courtesy of West Elm

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Most box springs come with covers, but like bedding, they don't last forever. If yours needs replacing or you just want something that complements the vibe of your sleeping quarters a little better, we suggest this chic cover from West Elm.

The top is 100 percent cotton, and the sides are a linen-cotton blend. With a 200-thread-count weave, the rich, crisp fabric has a high-end appeal. It's 16 inches deep and can fit effortlessly around most box springs.

Thanks to its structured corners, you'll have a clean, tailored finish every time. This box spring cover is available in three neutral colors, white, tan, and beige, to complement almost any bedroom decor style.

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Final Verdict

The best box spring currently on the market is the Zinus 9 Inch Smart Metal Box Spring (view at Amazon). We appreciate its reasonable price tag, heavy-duty metal construction, and high-profile design. That said, the 5.5-inch Beautyrest Flat Foundation (view at Pottery Barn) is an excellent choice if you prefer a low-profile look.

Comfort Level

One of the main purposes of a box spring is to provide comfort, so it’s important to compare comfort levels between products before buying one. If you’re shopping in person, don’t be shy — lie down and roll around on the bed sets to find one that’s comfortable. While you won’t get the same experience shopping online, you can find some information in the product’s description. It’s helpful to know generally what type of support you prefer in a bed set—firm or plush.

Size/Height

Before buying and taking home your new box spring, consider whether or not you’ll be able to fit it in your space. Measure your room as well as stairs, doorways, and narrow hallways. Take those measurements with you to the store (or have them in hand while online shopping) to be sure you’ll be able to maneuver it easily.

Also consider the height of the box spring. For those with back problems or mobility issues, a higher box spring is ideal so that you don’t have to strain your back when you get in and out of bed. In that case, look for a high profile-box spring for a little extra height.

Mattress Type

Some mattress types are designed to work well in conjunction with a box spring, but others aren’t. Memory foam mattresses don’t work well with box springs because they’re soft and need more support than a box spring provides. Innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, are ideal matches for box springs.

FAQ

What is a box spring?

A box spring is a cloth-covered bed base made from a wooden frame that contains an array of coiled springs. It’s meant to be sandwiched between your mattress and bed frame.
What does a box spring do?

Box springs provide a foundation for your mattress, offering support and preventing your damage from sagging or developing lumps with use. Box springs also make your bed more comfortable by raising the sleep surface to a comfortable height and acting as a shock absorber.
Do you need a box spring?

Having a sleep surface, like a box spring or foundation, is not required. That being said, having a box spring does have its benefits. If you pair it with an innerspring mattress, the box spring can prolong the life of your mattress. They can also make your bed much more comfortable.

This shopping guide was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance writer and homeowner with extensive personal and professional experience researching furniture and home goods. Check out more of her work on Byrdie and MyDomaine. Additional reporting was done by Lauren Murphy, a freelance writer whose work has also appeared on Hunker and the Huffington Post.

Best Overall: Zinus 9 Inch Smart Metal Box Spring

Best Budget: Wayfair Sleep Metal Box Spring

Best for Memory Foam: Mainstays 5" White Jacquard Smart Box Spring

Best Low-Profile: Beautyrest Flat Foundation

Best Wood: Spinal Solution Wood Mattress Foundation

Best Box Foundation: Tuft & Needle Box Foundation

Best Cover: West Elm Linen Cotton Box-Spring Cover

The Best Box Springs for Any Bedroom Aesthetic

Our top choice is the Zinus 9-Inch Smart Metal Box Spring

Best Overall: Zinus 9 Inch Smart Metal Box Spring

Best Budget: Wayfair Sleep Metal Box Spring

Best for Memory Foam: Mainstays 5" White Jacquard Smart Box Spring

Best Low-Profile: Beautyrest Flat Foundation

Best Wood: Spinal Solution Wood Mattress Foundation

Best Box Foundation: Tuft & Needle Box Foundation

Best Cover: West Elm Linen Cotton Box-Spring Cover

What to Look for in a Box Spring

Comfort Level

Size/Height

Mattress Type

Why Trust The Spruce?