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Wire Gauge, Coil Types and Microcoils

Published 2026-08-03. Last updated 2026-08-03. Desk research by Kaiser Khan — we have not product-tested mattress wire gauge and coil types. This is not a shop review and not medical advice.

In short

Wire gauge means spring-wire thickness. Thicker wire usually holds more load and feels firmer. Coil size and shape change contouring. Microcoils are tiny springs in comfort layers that raise the headline spring count. They are not the same as the main support unit below. Read gauge and where springs sit, not the count alone.

About 1 minutes to read

Neat mattress with turned-down sheets on an upholstered bed in soft daylight
How a finished mattress and bedding stack can look once the bed is made.

What materials go into this mattress?

Typical builds use tempered steel wire, fabric pockets, microcoil units. Exact stacks vary by model. Read the spec, not the shop slogan.

  • tempered steel wire
  • fabric pockets
  • microcoil units

How long does this mattress typically last?

A typical range is 7– 10 years. Body weight, base support and rotation change that. It is not a warranty promise.

7– 10 years

What gauge means

Wire gauge tells you how thick the spring wire is. Thicker wire usually holds more weight and feels firmer. Pair this with spring tension vs comfort feel.

Coil roles in the stack

Coil role Job
Primary pocket / open-coil unit Main support
Microcoil layer Surface moulding / count on the label
Edge coils or foam rails Edge support

How it works

Educational diagram comparing thicker and thinner spring wire gauges beside a primary pocket unit and a microcoil comfort layer
Gauge sets load capacity. Microcoils often sit in comfort layers and inflate spring counts without replacing the primary unit.

Frequently asked questions

What wire gauge is best?

There is no single best gauge. Thicker wire suits heavier people and firmer spring tension. Thinner wire suits lighter people and softer tension. Match gauge to your body weight using the maker's guide.

Are more microcoils always better?

Not always. Microcoils can help the surface mould to your body. A very high total count may mostly be tiny comfort-layer springs, not more main support springs. Ask where the springs sit in the stack.