Slats vs Box Spring: What’s Better for Your Back and Your Wallet? (2021)

Choosing between slats and box springs can be super confusing. It’s going to depend on the type of mattress you have, your budget, aesthetic taste, and how long you are looking to keep it for. There honestly isn’t one right answer for everyone.

We’ve also included a few of our top picks. If you go for a slats bed we suggest this Manhattan Bed Frame. If you end up with the more hefty box spring option you should check out the stylish Zenus box spring.

Table of Contents

Slats vs Box Springs
What Are Slats
Bestselling Slats
Who Are Slats Most Suited To
What Are Slats Made of
What Are Box Springs
History of Box Springs
Bestselling Box Springs
Who Are Box Springs Most Suited For
What Are Box Springs Made of
Conclusion

Slats vs Box Springs

How do you decide whether to opt for slats or box springs? To help you out a little, we are going to summarize the main aspects to consider:

• What Kind of Mattress Do You Have or Need? One of the primary considerations is your mattress. Ideally, both should be purchased together but that is not always possible. What’s more, you might be upgrading your bed foundation. If that is the case, check the recommendations of your mattress manufacturer.
• What Height Do You Want and Need Your Mattress to Be? If you have back problems, check with your medical professional. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of personal choice. If you’re purchasing a mattress foundation for an elderly person, your best bet is to opt for more height.
• What’s the Best Choice for Back Problems? There is no one answer to this question. Each individual brings a different set of criteria to the table, and it’s best to consult with a physician or chiropractor. As mentioned before, the mattress choice will be key, so perhaps it’s best to choose the mattress first and then pick either slats or box springs according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• What Interior Design Style Do You Like? No matter what way you look at it, aesthetics matter. Hence, also take style into consideration and match your choice with the style of the rest of your furniture.
• Flexibility v Support: If you would like a bed foundation with a little give, choose sprung slats as they are the most pliable option.
• Maintenance and Durability: Ask yourself whether your choice of bed foundation will go the distance and how easy it is going to be to clean and maintain it.
• What Kind of Room Are You Placing Your Slats or Box Springs in? If you live in a chic but small apartment, your choice is going to be different from what it would be if you lived in a huge luxury mansion. Remember, you can store stuff underneath slats.

These are the main aspects to consider before making your choice. Now let’s cover both slats and box springs in more detail and look at some products worth considering.

What Are Slats?

Slats are beds that support the mattress with wooden or metal planks running horizontally across the bed, you know, the old-fashioned ones. Sitting on the frame of the bed, these planks support the mattress, while allowing air to circulate.

Traditionally, planks were made of wood, but nowadays, you often get metal bedframes featuring metal planks.

What height you’re getting from a slat bed depends on the frame. However, in general, they are a little lower than box spring beds. This is one point you need to consider.

When it comes to support, well, slats provide excellent support, though you wouldn’t want to jump up and down on a slat bed, particularly if it’s made with wooden planks. In any case, slats keep your mattress in place and prevent it from sagging in any way.

Because of the narrow gaps between the planks, air can circulate, so you won’t have any mold issues.

Planks for double beds are available in two varieties:

• Single Plank: One plank spans across the entire width of the double or king-size bed
• Two Planks: Here, you’ve got two planks for the two sides of the bed. As a result, if one person moves, only the planks on that size see the weight-shift

All planks come in the following two varieties:

Standard Planks

Standard planks are flat and do not provide any flexibility or “give”. Hence, they provide a stable but inflexible support surface for your mattress.

Sprung Planks

Here, the wooden slats are curved, and their tightness is adjustable for greater or lesser room for maneuver. This means that they will give a little with your movement, thus providing a more flexible, less firm surface for your mattress.

Which of the two plank types you opt for is a matter of personal preference. Choose the more flexible sprung slats for softer support, and standard slats if firmness is what you are looking for.

When you purchase a slat bed, you often need to assemble it, which you may or may not like, depending on your love or hate of flat packs and DIY. One advantage is, that slats are light and easy to move from room to room if necessary.

Now, let’s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of slats, both standard and sprung.

Pros:

• Slats Prolong the Life of the Mattress: Slats help to prolong the durability of your mattress. For one, they provide firm support, preventing any sagging. In addition, slats are sturdy, so the mattress will always remain in a fully horizontal position. Finally, they are hygienic because they will always be firm and dry. No build-up of moisture or bacteria, hence no mold or nasty bedbugs.
• Slats Are Easy to Install and Move: You’ll have no issues setting up or moving slats because the planks are light and thin. This is an important consideration if you’re elderly or thinking of moving home in the not-too-distant future.
• Slats Are Beautiful: From an aesthetics point of view, slats are hard to beat. Regardless of whether you choose sleek black metal slats or stunning wooden ones, slats always look stylish. Match your slats with a nice bedframe, and you’ll be right on trend.
• Slats Are Inexpensive: When it comes to value for money, slats trump as well. Both metal and wooden slats are reasonably priced for the most part.
• Slats Can Be Replaced: If necessary, you can replace single slats and won’t have to ditch your entire bed, again saving you money.
• Slats Are Timeless: Slats won’t go out of fashion, nor will they wear down easily. Metal slats are particularly durable and highly unlikely to break or even show any signs of wear and tear.
• Slats Don’t Gather Nasty Bacteria: From a hygiene point of view, slats are also great. Simple, dry, and moisture resistant, they won’t gather any unpleasant bacteria or molds.
• Slats Give You Storage Space: You can store items underneath your slat bed. What’s more, you can get slat beds with built-in drawers which are both convenient and stylish.

Like all things, slats also have a downside, let’s look at the main drawbacks of slats.

Cons:

• Slats Come Unassembled: In most cases, you’ll have to build your slat bed yourself. Even though it’s easy and doesn’t take long, you may not want the inconvenience of it.
• Wooden Slats Can Warp Over Time: If your slats are in a damp environment, the wooden ones will absorb some of that moisture and begin to sag. Only slightly but if you want guaranteed durability, metal slats are your best bet.
• Slats Need Fitting: Usually, slats come flat-packed, either on their own or with a suitable bed frame. Either way, you’re going to have to fit them and do a proper job if you want your slats, bed frame, and mattress to last. If you don’t do a good job, you’ll end up with an uneven surface for your mattress.
• Rock-bottom-priced Slats Can Be Problematic: If you opt for the most inexpensive slats, chances are, they won’t go the distance. Inadequate materials or oversized gaps mean less stability as well as less durability.
• Slats May Give a Hard Feel if You’re Using a Thin Mattress: If your mattress is thin, you’ll feel the slats. This can seriously hamper your sleeping comfort.

Bestselling Slats

Now, let’s move on to some of the bestselling slats. In this selection, we provide a variety of slat designs, sizes, and materials to illustrate the great choice of slats available.

Olee Sleep 18 Inch Tall T-3000 Heavy Duty Steel Slat

This Olee Sleep slat bed is made of ultra-durable, stylish-looking black steel. Featuring 9 legs in total bringing the mattress height up to 18 inches, this slat bed frame also incorporates 8 slats running across the width of the bed as well as a center steel support beam.

Even though the slats are far apart from each other, the entire frame still offers adequate support for your mattress. In fact, it shouldn’t sag at all. One thing is for sure, these slats won’t wear down any time soon.

Assembly is easy and quick.

Manhattan Queen Bed Frame with Wooden Slats

Boasting a stylish black leatherette bedframe, these sprung wooden slats are designed for flexible, yet sturdy mattress and back support. As this is a double bed, each side features its own set of 12 sprung wooden slats. Only the two center slats run across the full width of the bed for added stability.

Because the slats are sprung, they provide a little give. No doubt, these slats are their most stylish and comfortable.

Best Price Mattress Solid Hardwood Platform Bed, Full, Cherry

Many people opt for this slat bed because of the materials used. Made from cherry wood, you’ll find no inexpensive synthetic materials here. What you get instead is a stunning cherry wood bedframe with solid, wooden planks running across. Support for your mattress is more than adequate, and you may rest easier knowing that the wood stems from sustainable sources.

This slat bed provides all the benefits of slats including breathability, plenty of support, and great aesthetics.

Zinus Ironline Twin Daybed and Trundle Frame Set / Premium Steel Slat Support

If you’re after convenience, style, and two slat beds in one, consider this beauty. Here, you get not just one slat bed but two, as one can conveniently be stowed away underneath the other. As for the slats, well, they’re made from steel and will provide utmost stability and durability. The slats are spaced out for sufficient support while still allowing for air to circulate.

intelliDREAM 14″ Strong and Sturdy Steel Slat Bed Frame

This twin-size slat bed is easy to assemble, sturdy, and made from durable steel. What’s more, it gives your mattress a nice height, in fact, you can even store items under the bed. To protect your floor, the manufacturers have fitted plastic on the feet of this slat bed frame.

This is a simple, yet stylish slat set that you can assemble in minutes but will last for many years.

So, these are our top 5 slats, but who are slats most suited to and what are they made of?

Who Are Slats Most Suited To?

In the great big slats vs box springs debate, you’d have to ask what type of sleeper they are most suited to. Stomach, back, or side sleepers? Well, there is no one answer to this question because sleeping comfort mostly comes down to the choice of mattress rather than the platform selection.

In that sense, you will choose a platform that best suits your mattress.

What Are Slats Made of?

Generally, slats are either made from steel or wood, with each material providing its own benefits. While steel slats tend to be standard, wooden slats can also be sprung for more flexibility. Material is, no doubt, an important aspect.

Some people prefer the durability of steel, while others choose wood because of its natural feel and appearance. Again, this is a matter of personal preference.

So, now that you know a lot about slats, let’s move on to box springs and take a closer look.

What Are Box Springs?

Box springs are fabric-covered bed platforms made from a variety of materials in different designs.

You use box springs to support your mattress. Rather than featuring a bedframe with legs, box springs look like large boxes. Some box springs feature wheels, so you can move them more easily. Compared to slats, they are quite bulky. As they resemble a box, they are flush to the floor, so you can’t store anything underneath.

But, what lies hidden inside a box spring? Well, there’s no single answer to this question. Many box spring designs are available. What’s more, box spring manufacturers have kept up with mattress innovations to provide top designs. Hence, over the years, box springs have evolved quite a bit. To give you a brief history, we’d like you to watch the following video:

For those among you who can’t spare 5 minutes to watch this clip, let’s summarize here.

History of Box Springs

The original box springs contained coil springs which were flexible and provided plenty of support for the mattress. At that time, mattresses were quite thin, so the coil design increased sleeping comfort. But what were the coil springs sitting on? Well, the first box springs featured coils sitting on a wooden platform.

The trouble with these coil box springs was that they began to sag after a while. At the same time, the flexibility decreased. To counter sagging, particularly at the center of the mattress, people began placing a sheet of plywood on top of the coil box springs.

Soon, manufacturers caught on to this issue and began to work on a better coil box spring design. That’s when they came up with the torsion modular unit. This design incorporated pliable torsion modules for flexibility along with a sturdier metal grid on top, both sitting on a wooden plank base.

This was a step up from the traditional coil box spring design, offering more stability over a longer period of time. Right up until 8-10 years ago, this was the most popular box spring design.

However, as mattress sophistication grew, box spring designers had to keep up with new developments. It was the emergence of one-sided mattresses, in particular, that heralded new box spring designs.

Manufacturers began to develop bed platforms featuring a wooden plank base and metal flex element to provide greater stability. Still, flexibility was important too, so today, different degrees of flexibility in these designs are available. Depending on your personal preference, you can choose the degree of flexibility.

Today, you can also get box springs containing wooden platforms. Here, similar to slats, wooden planks support the mattress. The only difference is, that the box spring wooden platform is often covered with fabric. In addition, it usually sits on a very thin heavy cardboard base and is flush to the floor.

Finally, for very heavy mattresses, box spring manufacturers nowadays provide a full wooden platform featuring heavy-duty wooden planks for optimum support. These units provide all the benefits of slats without offering the same height or style.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of box springs?

Pros:

• Box Springs Provide Great Stability for Your Mattress: Regardless of the box spring type, you get plenty of support for your mattress. As a consequence, there’s little risk of sagging.
• Kids Can Bounce on Box Springs: You needn’t worry about your box spring if you’re kids go crazy bouncing on it. Thanks to the sturdy design, box springs can withstand more than wooden slats.
• Box Springs Keep the Mattress in Place: The fabric featured on most box springs prevents the mattress from moving.
• Box Springs Can Give You a Nice Height: When you place your mattress on a box spring, you get a nice comfortable height. However, some of them don’t, barely lifting it off the floor at all. For that reason, you have to be careful when choosing box springs. Watch out for the height measurements!

Cons:

• Box Springs Are Bulky: Moving box springs is difficult, after all, they resemble a giant box. Getting box springs up a stairway can be a real nightmare. However, many box springs feature wheels to counter this downside somewhat. In addition, box springs for double or king-size beds are often in two detachable parts for easier lifting and shifting.
• Box Springs Don’t Let the Air Circulate: Your mattress is going to be fully flush with the box spring. As a result, no air can circulate which may be an issue in moist environments.
• Box Spring Fabrics Are Difficult to Clean: You won’t be able to remove the fabric from your box springs unless it’s of the zippered variety. This means that no matter who clean you keep it, it will gather dust and dirt. Naturally, you can vacuum the surface but that can be difficult if you have a heavy mattress to lift off the box springs first.
• Box Springs Don’t Offer Storage Space: Even though you can purchase box springs featuring storage drawers, they are few and far between. Most box springs don’t offer any “under-the-bed-type” storage which must be a consideration.
• Box Springs Don’t Please the Eye: Traditional box spring designs were nothing to write home about. However, the designs have improved and nowadays, stylish box springs are available.

This is what you can expect if you purchase a box spring base for your mattress. Let’s move on and introduce the bestselling box springs.

Bestselling Box Springs

As you now know, box springs come in many styles and designs. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular box springs:

Spinal Solution 8-Inch Queen Size Split Foundation Box Spring

Available in different sizes, this US-made box spring features a sturdy wooden structure covered with white and gray fabric. Using lumbar, the manufacturers have focused on stability as well as convenience with this box spring. For starters, it comes in two detachable parts which makes moving it much easier.

In addition, if you would like to increase the 8-inch height, you can purchase a metal frame with legs to go with this box spring. Stability won’t be an issue here, as the wooden structure provides plenty of support for your mattress.

Noah Megatron 7 Inch Box Spring

Unlike our first top choice, this box spring is made of metal, so durability is guaranteed. Delivered unassembled, you’ll have to put it together, but it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

One nice feature here is that you can take off and wash the cover. This means that hygiene will never be an issue. Again, the 7-inch height doesn’t raise your mattress off the floor by much, however, legs are available for purchase too.

Zinus 14 Inch Free Standing Smart Box Spring

If you’re looking for some added height and don’t want to spend extra cash on a bedframe, this box spring might be the best choice.

On delivery, you receive the metal elements of the box springs along with the zippered fabric. Within approximately 30 minutes, you can assemble this box spring and cover it with the fabric. Finally, you attached the 6 legs you receive with this box spring.

No doubt, this box spring will lengthen the life of your mattress. Durability and stability are guaranteed here, as the box spring is made from steel. What’s more, the washable cover is easy to keep clean, even though you do need to move the mattress and lift the box spring to remove it.

Night Therapy 9-Inch High Profile Bi-Fold Box Spring

This box spring is a little different, and you might be glad to find out that this one doesn’t require any assembly. Instead, it comes folded, and all you need to do is open it up. In a couple of seconds, you’ll have a fully functioning, sturdy box spring foundation for your mattress. This will come be very convenient if you want to move this box spring to a different room, even upstairs.

You might think that as a result, this box spring would provide less stability. But this is not the case thanks to the steel structure hidden inside.

Zinus 4 Inch Low Profile Metal Box Spring with Wood Slats

If you like the idea of laying your mattress on wood rather than metal only, this might be the best choice for you. Here, you get a metal frame, however, the slats featured within the structure are wooden.

Only if you have a very thick mattress or don’t mind sleeping close to the ground, will you be happy with this box spring as it is only 4 inches high. Still, it looks stylish and does feature wooden slats.

The manufacturers do include legs, so your sleeping surface won’t be all that low, but it is a point for consideration.

Now that we’ve listed our favorite box springs and given you some detailed information, let’s look at who they are for and what most box springs are made of.

Who Are Box Springs Most Suited For?

If it’s your back you’re worried about, let me remind you that the mattress is key. Your doctor or chiropractor will be able to advise you.

After that, it’s a matter of aesthetics, price, and convenience. Regardless of whether you sleep on your front, back, or side, box springs are designed to keep your mattress in place and prevent any sagging.

One important point for consideration is the box spring height. If you’re elderly or suffer from back pain, getting in and out of bed can be difficult, especially if the bed is very low.

What Are Box Springs Made of?

As you already know, most box springs nowadays are made from metal or wood, combined with a fabric cover. Both offer plenty of stability rather than any flexibility. As for the fabric, well, the removable covers are convenient and more hygienic.

Conclusion

Now you have a good overview of what the difference between slats and box springs is. Both offer plenty of benefits. Looking at how box springs have evolved over the last few years, they do not differ all that much from slats any longer. After all, both bed foundations feature either metal or wooden planks to support a mattress.

In that sense, they are quite similar, so your choice will come down to style and bed height, in particular. As for back health, well, listen to the advice of your medical practitioner. She/he is best positioned to offer you the tips specific to your back-health needs.

As for us, well, all this talk about beds and sleep has made us long for our very own version of bed comfort. And that’s where we’re off to right now.

Choosing between slats and box springs can be super confusing. It’s going to depend on the type of mattress you have, your budget, aesthetic taste, and how long you are looking to keep it for. There honestly isn’t one right answer for everyone.

We’ve also included a few of our top picks. If you go for a slats bed we suggest this Manhattan Bed Frame. If you end up the more hefty box spring option you should check out the stylish Zenus box spring.

Table of Contents

Slats vs Box Springs
What Are Slats
Bestselling Slats
Who Are Slats Most Suited To
What Are Slats Made of
What Are Box Springs
History of Box Springs
Bestselling Box Springs
Who Are Box Springs Most Suited For
What Are Box Springs Made of
Conclusion

Slats vs Box Springs

How do you decide whether to opt for slats or box springs? To help you out a little, we are going to summarize the main aspects to consider:

• What Kind of Mattress Do You Have or Need? One of the primary considerations is your mattress. Ideally, both should be purchased together but that is not always possible. What’s more, you might be upgrading your bed foundation. If that is the case, check the recommendations of your mattress manufacturer.
• What Height Do You Want and Need Your Mattress to Be? If you have back problems, check with your medical professional. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of personal choice. If you’re purchasing a mattress foundation for an elderly person, your best bet is to opt for more height.
• What’s the Best Choice for Back Problems? There is no one answer to this question. Each individual brings a different set of criteria to the table, and it’s best to consult with a physician or chiropractor. As mentioned before, the mattress choice will be key, so perhaps it’s best to choose the mattress first and then pick either slats or box springs according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• What Interior Design Style Do You Like? No matter what way you look at it, aesthetics matter. Hence, also take style into consideration and match your choice with the style of the rest of your furniture.
• Flexibility v Support: If you would like a bed foundation with a little give, choose sprung slats as they are the most pliable option.
• Maintenance and Durability: Ask yourself whether your choice of bed foundation will go the distance and how easy it is going to be to clean and maintain it.
• What Kind of Room Are You Placing Your Slats or Box Springs in? If you live in a chic but small apartment, your choice is going to be different from what it would be if you lived in a huge luxury mansion. Remember, you can store stuff underneath slats.

These are the main aspects to consider before making your choice. Now let’s cover both slats and box springs in more detail and look at some products worth considering.

What Are Slats?

Slats are beds that support the mattress with wooden or metal planks running horizontally across the bed, you know, the old-fashioned ones. Sitting on the frame of the bed, these planks support the mattress, while allowing air to circulate.

Traditionally, planks were made of wood, but nowadays, you often get metal bedframes featuring metal planks.

What height you’re getting from a slat bed depends on the frame. However, in general, they are a little lower than box spring beds. This is one point you need to consider.

When it comes to support, well, slats provide excellent support, though you wouldn’t want to jump up and down on a slat bed, particularly if it’s made with wooden planks. In any case, slats keep your mattress in place and prevent it from sagging in any way.

Because of the narrow gaps between the planks, air can circulate, so you won’t have any mold issues.

Planks for double beds are available in two varieties:

• Single Plank: One plank spans across the entire width of the double or king-size bed
• Two Planks: Here, you’ve got two planks for the two sides of the bed. As a result, if one person moves, only the planks on that size see the weight-shift

All planks come in the following two varieties:

Standard Planks

Standard planks are flat and do not provide any flexibility or “give”. Hence, they provide a stable but inflexible support surface for your mattress.

Sprung Planks

Here, the wooden slats are curved, and their tightness is adjustable for greater or lesser room for maneuver. This means that they will give a little with your movement, thus providing a more flexible, less firm surface for your mattress.

Which of the two plank types you opt for is a matter of personal preference. Choose the more flexible sprung slats for softer support, and standard slats if firmness is what you are looking for.

When you purchase a slat bed, you often need to assemble it, which you may or may not like, depending on your love or hate of flat packs and DIY. One advantage is, that slats are light and easy to move from room to room if necessary.

Now, let’s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of slats, both standard and sprung.

Pros:

• Slats Prolong the Life of the Mattress: Slats help to prolong the durability of your mattress. For one, they provide firm support, preventing any sagging. In addition, slats are sturdy, so the mattress will always remain in a fully horizontal position. Finally, they are hygienic because they will always be firm and dry. No build-up of moisture or bacteria, hence no mold or nasty bedbugs.
• Slats Are Easy to Install and Move: You’ll have no issues setting up or moving slats because the planks are light and thin. This is an important consideration if you’re elderly or thinking of moving home in the not-too-distant future.
• Slats Are Beautiful: From an aesthetics point of view, slats are hard to beat. Regardless of whether you choose sleek black metal slats or stunning wooden ones, slats always look stylish. Match your slats with a nice bedframe, and you’ll be right on trend.
• Slats Are Inexpensive: When it comes to value for money, slats trump as well. Both metal and wooden slats are reasonably priced for the most part.
• Slats Can Be Replaced: If necessary, you can replace single slats and won’t have to ditch your entire bed, again saving you money.
• Slats Are Timeless: Slats won’t go out of fashion, nor will they wear down easily. Metal slats are particularly durable and highly unlikely to break or even show any signs of wear and tear.
• Slats Don’t Gather Nasty Bacteria: From a hygiene point of view, slats are also great. Simple, dry and moisture resistant, they won’t gather any unpleasant bacteria or molds.
• Slats Give You Storage Space: You can store items underneath your slat bed. What’s more, you can get slat beds with built-in drawers which is both, convenient and stylish.

Like all things, slats also have a downside, let’s look at the main drawbacks of slats.

Cons:

• Slats Come Unassembled: In most cases, you’ll have to build your slat bed yourself. Even though it’s easy and doesn’t take long, you may not want the inconvenience of it.
• Wooden Slats Can Warp Over Time: If your slats are in a damp environment, the wooden ones will absorb some of that moisture and begin to sag. Only slightly but if you want guaranteed durability, metal slats are your best bet.
• Slats Need Fitting: Usually, slats come flat-packed, either on their own or with a suitable bedframe. Either way, you’re going to have to fit them and do a proper job if you want your slats, bedframe and mattress to last. If you don’t do a good job, you’ll end up with an uneven surface for your mattress.
• Rock-bottom-priced Slats Can Be Problematic: If you opt for the most inexpensive slats, chances are, they won’t go the distance. Inadequate materials or oversized gaps mean less stability as well as less durability.
• Slats May Give a Hard Feel if You’re Using a Thin Mattress: If your mattress is thin, you’ll feel the slats. This can seriously hamper your sleeping comfort.

Bestselling Slats

Now, let’s move on to some of the bestselling slats. In this selection, we provide a variety of slat designs, sizes, and materials to illustrate the great choice of slats available.

Olee Sleep 18 Inch Tall T-3000 Heavy Duty Steel Slat

This Olee Sleep slat bed is made of ultra-durable, stylish-looking black steel. Featuring 9 legs in total bringing the mattress height up to 18 inches, this slat bed frame also incorporates 8 slats running across the width of the bed as well as a center steel support beam.

Even though the slats are far apart from each other, the entire frame still offers adequate support for your mattress. In fact, it shouldn’t sag at all. One thing is for sure, these slats won’t wear down any time soon.

Assembly is easy and quick.

Manhattan Queen Bed Frame with Wooden Slats

Boasting a stylish black leatherette bedframe, these sprung wooden slats are designed for flexible, yet sturdy mattress and back support. As this is a double bed, each side features its own set of 12 sprung wooden slats. Only the two center slats run across the full width of the bed for added stability.

Because the slats are sprung, they provide a little give. No doubt, these slats are their most stylish and comfortable.

Best Price Mattress Solid Hardwood Platform Bed, Full, Cherry

Many people opt for this slat bed because of the materials used. Made from cherry wood, you’ll find no inexpensive synthetic materials here. What you get instead is a stunning cherry wood bedframe with solid, wooden planks running across. Support for your mattress is more than adequate, and you may rest easier knowing that the wood stems from sustainable sources.

This slat bed provides all the benefits of slats including breathability, plenty of support, and great aesthetics.

Zinus Ironline Twin Daybed and Trundle Frame Set / Premium Steel Slat Support

If you’re after convenience, style, and two slat beds in one, consider this beauty. Here, you get not just one slat bed but two, as one can conveniently be stowed away underneath the other. As for the slats, well, they’re made from steel and will provide utmost stability and durability. The slats are spaced out for sufficient support while still allowing for air to circulate.

intelliDREAM 14″ Strong and Sturdy Steel Slat Bed Frame

This twin-size slat bed is easy to assemble, sturdy, and made from durable steel. What’s more, it gives your mattress a nice height, in fact, you can even store items under the bed. To protect your floor, the manufacturers have fitted plastic on the feet of this slat bed frame.

This is a simple, yet stylish slat set that you can assemble in minutes but will last for many years.

So, these are our top 5 slats, but who are slats most suited to and what are they made of?

Who Are Slats Most Suited To?

In the great big slats vs box springs debate, you’d have to ask what type of sleeper they are most suited to. Stomach, back, or side sleepers? Well, there is no one answer to this question because sleeping comfort mostly comes down to the choice of mattress rather than the platform selection.

In that sense, you will choose a platform that best suits your mattress.

What Are Slats Made of?

Generally, slats are either made from steel or wood, with each material providing its own benefits. While steel slats tend to be standard, wooden slats can also be sprung for more flexibility. Material is, no doubt, an important aspect.

Some people prefer the durability of steel, while others choose wood because of its natural feel and appearance. Again, this is a matter of personal preference.

So, now that you know a lot about slats, let’s move on to box springs and take a closer look.

What Are Box Springs?

Box springs are fabric-covered bed platforms made from a variety of materials in different designs.

You use box springs to support your mattress. Rather than featuring a bedframe with legs, box springs look like large boxes. Some box springs feature wheels, so you can move them more easily. Compared to slats, they are quite bulky. As they resemble a box, they are flush to the floor, so you can’t store anything underneath.

But, what lies hidden inside a box spring? Well, there’s no single answer to this question. Many box spring designs are available. What’s more, box spring manufacturers have kept up with mattress innovations to provide top designs. Hence, over the years, box springs have evolved quite a bit. To give you a brief history, we’d like you to watch the following video:

For those among you who can’t spare 5 minutes to watch this clip, let’s summarize here.

History of Box Springs

The original box springs contained coil springs which were flexible and provided plenty of support for the mattress. At that time, mattresses were quite thin, so the coil design increased sleeping comfort. But what were the coil springs sitting on? Well, the first box springs featured coils sitting on a wooden platform.

The trouble with these coil box springs was that they began to sag after a while. At the same time, the flexibility decreased. To counter sagging, particularly at the center of the mattress, people began placing a sheet of plywood on top of the coil box springs.

Soon, manufacturers caught on to this issue and began to work on a better coil box spring design. That’s when they came up with the torsion modular unit. This design incorporated pliable torsion modules for flexibility along with a sturdier metal grid on top, both sitting on a wooden plank base.

This was a step up from the traditional coil box spring design, offering more stability over a longer period of time. Right up until 8-10 years ago, this was the most popular box spring design.

However, as mattress sophistication grew, box spring designers had to keep up with new developments. It was the emergence of one-sided mattresses, in particular, that heralded new box spring designs.

Manufacturers began to develop bed platforms featuring a wooden plank base and metal flex element to provide greater stability. Still, flexibility was important too, so today, different degrees of flexibility in these designs are available. Depending on your personal preference, you can choose the degree of flexibility.

Today, you can also get box springs containing wooden platforms. Here, similar to slats, wooden planks support the mattress. The only difference is, that the box spring wooden platform is often covered with fabric. In addition, it usually sits on a very thin heavy cardboard base and is flush to the floor.

Finally, for very heavy mattresses, box spring manufacturers nowadays provide a full wooden platform featuring heavy-duty wooden planks for optimum support. These units provide all the benefits of slats without offering the same height or style.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of box springs?

Pros:

• Box Springs Provide Great Stability for Your Mattress: Regardless of the box spring type, you get plenty of support for your mattress. As a consequence, there’s little risk of sagging.
• Kids Can Bounce on Box Springs: You needn’t worry about your box spring if you’re kids go crazy bouncing on it. Thanks to the sturdy design, box springs can withstand more than wooden slats.
• Box Springs Keep the Mattress in Place: The fabric featured on most box springs prevents the mattress from moving.
• Box Springs Can Give You a Nice Height: When you place your mattress on a box spring, you get a nice comfortable height. However, some of them don’t, barely lifting it off the floor at all. For that reason, you have to be careful when choosing box springs. Watch out for the height measurements!

Cons:

• Box Springs Are Bulky: Moving box springs is difficult, after all, they resemble a giant box. Getting box springs up a stairway can be a real nightmare. However, many box springs feature wheels to counter this downside somewhat. In addition, box springs for double or king-size beds are often in two detachable parts for easier lifting and shifting.
• Box Springs Don’t Let the Air Circulate: Your mattress is going to be fully flush with the box spring. As a result, no air can circulate which may be an issue in moist environments.
• Box Spring Fabrics Are Difficult to Clean: You won’t be able to remove the fabric from your box springs unless it’s of the zippered variety. This means that no matter who clean you keep it, it will gather dust and dirt. Naturally, you can vacuum the surface but that can be difficult if you have a heavy mattress to lift off the box springs first.
• Box Springs Don’t Offer Storage Space: Even though you can purchase box springs featuring storage drawers, they are few and far between. Most box springs don’t offer any “under-the-bed-type” storage which must be a consideration.
• Box Springs Don’t Please the Eye: Traditional box spring designs were nothing to write home about. However, the designs have improved and nowadays, stylish box springs are available.

This is what you can expect if you purchase a box spring base for your mattress. Let’s move on and introduce the bestselling box springs.

Bestselling Box Springs

As you now know, box springs come in many styles and designs. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular box springs:

Spinal Solution 8-Inch Queen Size Split Foundation Box Spring

Available in different sizes, this US-made box spring features a sturdy wooden structure covered with white and gray fabric. Using lumbar, the manufacturers have focused on stability as well as convenience with this box spring. For starters, it comes in two detachable parts which makes moving it much easier.

In addition, if you would like to increase the 8-inch height, you can purchase a metal frame with legs to go with this box spring. Stability won’t be an issue here, as the wooden structure provides plenty of support for your mattress.

Noah Megatron 7 Inch Box Spring

Unlike our first top choice, this box spring is made of metal, so durability is guaranteed. Delivered unassembled, you’ll have to put it together, but it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

One nice feature here is that you can take off and wash the cover. This means that hygiene will never be an issue. Again, the 7-inch height doesn’t raise your mattress off the floor by much, however, legs are available for purchase too.

Zinus 14 Inch Free Standing Smart Box Spring

If you’re looking for some added height and don’t want to spend extra cash on a bedframe, this box spring might be the best choice.

On delivery, you receive the metal elements of the box springs along with the zippered fabric. Within approximately 30 minutes, you can assemble this box spring and cover it with the fabric. Finally, you attached the 6 legs you receive with this box spring.

No doubt, this box spring will lengthen the life of your mattress. Durability and stability are guaranteed here, as the box spring is made from steel. What’s more, the washable cover is easy to keep clean, even though you do need to move the mattress and lift the box spring to remove it.

Night Therapy 9-Inch High Profile Bi-Fold Box Spring

This box spring is a little different, and you might be glad to find out that this one doesn’t require any assembly. Instead, it comes folded, and all you need to do is open it up. In a couple of seconds, you’ll have a fully functioning, sturdy box spring foundation for your mattress. This will come be very convenient if you want to move this box spring to a different room, even upstairs.

You might think that as a result, this box spring would provide less stability. But this is not the case thanks to the steel structure hidden inside.

Zinus 4 Inch Low Profile Metal Box Spring with Wood Slats

If you like the idea of laying your mattress on wood rather than metal only, this might be the best choice for you. Here, you get a metal frame, however, the slats featured within the structure are wooden.

Only if you have a very thick mattress or don’t mind sleeping close to the ground, will you be happy with this box spring as it is only 4 inches high. Still, it looks stylish and does feature wooden slats.

The manufacturers do include legs, so your sleeping surface won’t be all that low, but it is a point for consideration.

Now that we’ve listed our favorite box springs and given you some detailed information, let’s look at who they are for and what most box springs are made of.

Who Are Box Springs Most Suited For?

If it’s your back you’re worried about, let me remind you that the mattress is key. Your doctor or chiropractor will be able to advise you.

After that, it’s a matter of aesthetics, price, and convenience. Regardless of whether you sleep on your front, back, or side, box springs are designed to keep your mattress in place and prevent any sagging.

One important point for consideration is the box spring height. If you’re elderly or suffer from back pain, getting in and out of bed can be difficult, especially if the bed is very low.

What Are Box Springs Made of?

As you already know, most box springs nowadays are made from metal or wood, combined with a fabric cover. Both offer plenty of stability rather than any flexibility. As for the fabric, well, the removable covers are convenient and more hygienic.

Conclusion

Now you have a good overview of what the difference between slats and box springs is. Both offer plenty of benefits. Looking at how box springs have evolved over the last few years, they do not differ all that much from slats any longer. After all, both bed foundations feature either metal or wooden planks to support a mattress.

In that sense, they are quite similar, so your choice will come down to style and bed height, in particular. As for back health, well, listen to the advice of your medical practitioner. She/he is best positioned to offer you the tips specific to your back-health needs.

As for us, well, all this talk about beds and sleep has made us long for our very own version of bed comfort. And that’s where we’re off to right now.