What Is Edge Support in a Mattress, and Do You Need It?

You need to consider many things when buying a new mattress – from personal preferences and support to pressure relief and sleeping position. 

One mattress feature you probably ran into while researching is edge support. What is edge support? And do you need it? 

Welcome to our edge support guide, where we’ll answer all your questions. Let’s get into it. 

What Is Mattress Edge Support?

You feel like you’re going to roll off the edge of the mattress and fall on the floor. Does this sound familiar? 

Edge support refers to the reinforcement of the mattress perimeter. If you sit on the edge of the bed and feel some resistance, it’s likely your mattress has reinforced edges. It’s primarily used to give extra support and longevity to the mattress but can also significantly impact comfort. 

Edge support was first used in innerspring mattresses because their coil construction means they are prone to sagging on the edges. Today, edge support can be added to all mattresses with the help of various materials, although not every type needs it. 

Edge Support Benefits

Strong edge support benefits both the mattress and the sleeper. Here’s what edge support is good for.

Better Support and Stability

A mattress with extra edge support means you can sit and sleep along the mattress edge. This gives more stability and improves pressure relief, and it’s beneficial for people with back pain or those who like to sit on the edge of the bed. 

Prevents Sagging

More edge support, especially in an innerspring mattress, holds the bed together and prevents mattress sagging. This will help your mattress last longer than just a few years!

More Space to Sleep On

Do you share a bed with someone or like to have as much space as possible when sleeping? If so, edge support is a must for you. A mattress with firm edges means you get more sleep surface because you won’t feel like you’re going to fall off the edge of the mattress.

Do You Need Good Edge Support?

Here’s the thing about mattress edge support. You won’t immediately notice if you have a mattress with good edge support. But if it has no edge support, you’ll definitely feel it. This can make all the difference for some people. 

Not everyone needs superb edge support, but some people need it more than others to get that good night’s sleep. 

For example, couples should look for a mattress with extra edge support because it has more usable sleeping space and is better for sex. This way, they won’t have to cram into the middle of the mattress. 

Good edge support is also beneficial for older people, people with back or joint pain, or anyone who struggles getting out of bed. The right mattress should offer additional support and a stronger edge they can easily push off to get up.

Lastly, the best mattress for heavy sleepers over 230lbs is a mattress with good edge support. More weight means more pressure on the mattress, so a bed that sinks too much will be hard to get out of. 

How Is Edge Support Made?

Edge support in a mattress can be constructed in different ways using various materials. Here are some of the ways edge support is made. 

Foam Encasement

All-foam mattresses usually use foam enhancement for reinforced edges, but hybrid mattresses tend to use it too. They primarily utilize high-density polyurethane foam because it’s sturdier and offers firm support. 

However, this type of edge support isn’t the best and can’t handle all that much. It can be strong and even pressure-relieving, but it’s not enough for heavier sleepers and others who need extra support.

Heavy Gauge Coils

Reinforced coils are usually used on the perimeter of innerspring mattresses and some hybrid models. The coils found in these mattresses improve durability and provide powerful edge support. It can handle more pressure than foam. 

Steel Border Rods

Although rarely used, steel border rods can provide enough mattress edge support, usually for innerspring mattresses. They’re good at keeping the mattresses whole and stable, but they can be uncomfortable and bend if you frequently sit in the same place.

Zoned Support

Some mattresses offer zoned support, which is good for people with joint pain. The zoned support is situated at the center of the bed and usually spreads to the edge of the bed, thus reinforcing the edges. 

Mattress Types and Edge Support

Do you have a specific type in mind for your new mattress but aren’t sure about its edge support? Here’s how this problem is handled in different mattress types. 

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam is a soft material with excellent contouring and pressure relief. It’s the best mattress for side sleepers because it handles pressure points well and makes for a good sleep experience. Although, a memory foam mattress has two main problems – temperature regulation and edge support. 

Because of its softness, it’s not really a mattress with good edge support. Unlike innerspring mattresses, not every memory foam mattress comes with stronger edges – they just don’t absolutely need it.

Some memory foam mattresses can have firmer foam encasement on the perimeter, but that’s still not sturdy enough. If you’re looking for an all-foam model with slightly better edge support, you should go for one with more polyfoam in the support core and a thinner memory foam comfort layer. Read more: Best Memory Foam Mattress

Latex mattresses

Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses regarding edge support. However, although latex foam is contouring, it’s generally firmer, more durable, and offers a floating sensation. 

This means that a latex mattress has better edge support than a memory foam mattress, but it’s still not strong enough if you need those firm edges. If you’re looking for a latex mattress with better edge support, go for medium-firm to firm models. A Dunlop latex mattress usually feels firmer than Talalay latex.

Also, heavy sleepers looking for a supportive mattress should keep their eye out for latex mattresses explicitly made for heavier sleepers. Mattresses made from latex foam are durable but might not give enough support.Read more: Best Latex Mattress

Innerspring mattresses

Arguably, innerspring beds have the best edge support out of all mattress types. The support layer in an innerspring mattress is made from coils, with thin comfort layers on top. Most sleepers don’t find them all that comfortable, but you can always go for ones with a thicker pillow top. 

Edge support was first made for innerspring models because they needed something to hold the construction together. In these mattresses, edge support is commonly formed with sturdier coils or steel rods on the perimeter. 

Innerspring is a mattress with good edge support because of its construction. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a medium-firm mattress where you can freely sleep and sit on the edge.

Read more: Best Innerspring Mattress

Hybrid mattresses

Hybrid mattresses are made of a combination of two mattress types. The most common one uses coils from an innerspring mattress in the support layer, while the comfort layer is made from memory foam or latex. 

A hybrid mattress can make the best of both worlds, and it’s usually a good combination of support and comfort. That’s why it’s the ideal mattress for many people, from side sleepers to heavy sleepers. When it comes to edge support, it depends. 

For example, if there are thicker layers of coils, the edges made from sturdier coils are more substantial. But, a hybrid mattress could also use foam encasement for edge support. In this case, the edges could be slightly less sturdy, so make sure you know what you need and what you’re getting yourself into before buying it. 

Read more: Best Hybrid Mattress

Airbed

Lastly, airbeds are the rarest type people go for. They can be made from different materials, but the point is on the inside – it’s filled with air. Because of this, you can adjust the mattress firmness level to what suits you. 

Edge support depends on mattress firmness. The softer the comfort layer is, the more likely you will roll off the bed’s edge. This is why airbeds with adjustable mattress firmness could have good edge support. It all depends on the material they’re made from and the thickness of the comfort layer. 

How to Find the Best Edge Support

Now that you know what edge support is and which mattress types are better at it than others, it’s time for a more hands-on approach. You should first know that excellent edge support depends on the individual and their preferences. 

Let’s see how you can know if a mattress has good edge support. 

Buying a Mattress Online

Most people today buy a mattress online, which is our preferred method. It’s more budget-friendly and faster, you have more information, and it can come with other advantages. 

But how can you know if a mattress you want to buy online has sturdy edges? There’s no definite way of knowing, but there are a couple of steps you could take to help you out. 

You first need to ensure you’re buying from a legit company with high-quality products. Check their website and reviews of their mattresses. 

Next, find information about the edge support of a potential mattress on their website. If they don’t have this information public, don’t worry. Most companies will answer any questions about mattress materials and construction. And if they don’t, you should probably look for other options. 

Besides reviews and websites, make sure that the mattress you want has a warranty to match. An excellent and lengthy warranty is a sign of a high-quality product. 

Shopping In-Person

If you’re more into visiting brick-and-mortar mattress stores or want to test the new bed you bought online, you can try several things. 

If there’s good mattress edge support, it will give some resistance to pressure near the edges. There are a couple of positions and scenarios you can attempt.

First, try sitting on the edge of the mattress. Does it feel like you’re sinking too much? Or is it comfortable to sit on? Try bending down like you would to put socks on or tie your shoelaces, and look out for too much compression. 

Next, see whether the edge is firm enough to lie on. Start on the center of the bed and slowly inch towards the edge. The mattress has poor edge support if there’s a big difference and you feel like falling off too soon. 

And finally, try getting in and out of bed to see how sturdy the edges feel. Testing getting out of bed is especially important for older people and everybody who needs the extra push to get out of bed. 

Okay! Now you’re ready to ensure your new bed has ample edge support! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Improve Edge Support?

The possibility of improving edge support depends on the mattress material, construction, and the existing level of edge support. However, neither of these solutions will grant you solid and good-as-new edges. 

If your mattress is overall old and sagging more than before, you can try flipping it. This only works if the mattress is flippable, but many models are.

Another way to improve edge support is by having a proper mattress foundation. Mattress support is mainly used to make your bed more supportive and durable, but it can also have some effect on edge support. Make sure to pick a foundation meant for your mattress type. 

You could also try buying a firm mattress topper if that fits your preferences. But if the existing edge support is already poor, this won’t help much. 

Lastly, memory foam mattresses can get firmer if you lower the room temperature, so you can also try this out. 

How Can I Decrease Edge Sagging?

Taking care of your mattress as much as possible is a must if you want it to last a long time. Use proper mattress support, watch out for wear and tear, and try not to sit in the same spot on the edge all the time. 

What Mattress Type Is the Best for Edge Support?

Technically, innerspring beds have the sturdiest edge construction, so they should have the best edge support. However, this can also vary. Different beds can have different levels of edge support, so as long as it’s a high-quality mattress, you’re good to go. Also, firmer mattresses are generally better for this. 

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it! That’s all you need to know about edge support. Do you think it’s something you’ll need? 

Remember that not everyone needs edge support, but it can help immensely. Heavier sleepers, couples, older people, and people with back pain will love an excellent, sturdy edge. And personal preferences also matter! If you like to sit near the border, look for a strong one. 

We hope this guide helps you out! Good luck with buying your next mattress!