Coil Counts, Gauges, & Types: Decoding What Really Matters in Innerspring Mattresses

You’ve probably heard that more coils mean a better mattress. It’s a catchy claim, but like most mattress myths, there’s more beneath the sheets. Coil count is only part of the story, and not always the part that makes the real difference. 

Let’s lift the covers on what really matters.

Coil Count Isn’t Everything

Yes, coil count matters, but only to a point. Once you hit a certain number, adding more coils doesn’t always improve quality. What really makes the difference is the gauge, or thickness, of the coil.

Thinner coils might feel plush at first, but over time they soften, lose tension, and start to sag. Heavier-gauge coils (like the ones we use) hold their shape, maintain their spring, and keep you comfortably supported for years.

The Secret’s in the Springs

We use a double offset coil, made with a heavier gauge of steel. The design lets each coil flex like a hinge, contouring to your body while keeping your spine in a natural position. It’s strong where you need it and flexible where you want it…kind of like the perfect partner.

We also use individually pocketed coils with a heavier gauge for extra resiliency, plus firmer coils around the perimeter for edge and sitting support. That means you can finally sit to put on your socks in the morning without slowly sliding off the side of the bed.

Foam vs. Steel: Why Edges Matter

Many mattress companies use foam encasements around the edges to save money, and it works for a while, but foam breaks down eventually (especially in the spots where you sit, get in, and get out of bed every day). Once that happens, you end up with saggy edges and less usable space.

Our steel reinforced edges stay strong and supportive, so your bed feels just as sturdy on the sides as it does in the middle. We like a mattress that can keep up. 

The Numbers Behind the Springs

A full-size Shovlin mattress has 368 coils in its traditional build, while our pocket coil model clocks in around 1,000. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other, just that they’re simply designed to create different kinds of comfort. Here’s what really matters: the steel we use is crafted for lasting strength, keeping your mattress feeling consistent and supportive long after the honeymoon phase, regardless of coil count.

And for anyone impressed by ads for “titanium coils,” here’s the truth: all mattress springs contain trace amounts of titanium. Let’s just say it’s more pillow talk than performance.

The Flippable Difference

Over time, most mattress makers stopped building beds that could go the distance. They cut corners, simplified designs, and tried to sell that as an “innovation.” We never bought it. Literally.

Shovlin still builds two-sided mattresses because we like things that last, and we know you do, too. Even our non-flip options are made with the kind of durability that keeps people driving in from out of state just to get their hands (and backs) on one. The difference is in the construction: reinforced coils, higher-quality materials, and the same attention to detail that make our flippable mattresses famous. 

In the end, it’s not about how many coils you have, but how well they’re built, how they’re arranged, and how long they’ll keep supporting you. If your mattress can’t make you feel this good, it’s probably time to Stop Sleeping Around… Sleep on a Shovlin.®