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Not everyone needs a box spring for their mattress. Find out whether you should use one and your alternative options if you don't. Stainless Steel Edging Strip

A box spring used to be an essential element of anyone's bedding setup, but mattresses have since had a few essential upgrades to make them more supportive, comfortable and accommodating. While some beds do still need a box spring, there are many on the market that don't. Here's how to tell if your mattress needs a box spring, or if you should skip it all together and stick with a bed frame. 

For more mattress help, here are 12 ways to make your mattress last longer and how to make your firm mattress feel softer . 

Designed to support a mattress, a box spring consists of a wood frame filled with either springs or a metal grid. The box spring is  encased in fabric and placed beneath the mattress on a bed frame. Some also have supportive slats on the bottom. They're made to match the sizes of most traditional mattresses, from twin to king. 

Once commonly sold as an integral part of traditional innerspring mattress sets, box springs served several purposes until recent innovations began limiting their usefulness. Such purposes include:

While many new mattresses do not require or work well with box springs, some still do. Other brands recommend them, but only if a metal frame is used. Still more suggest the use of a different type of bed frame or foundation altogether with their mattresses. We'll go over who does and doesn't need a box spring, and how to make sure you're not using the wrong base for your mattress. 

The purpose of a box spring is to provide support and raise a mattress to a comfortable height. However, many of today's modern mattresses, especially bed-in-a-box beds, are made with a thick layer of dense foam or coils to act as the bed's support system. It's typically recommended to skip the box spring when setting these beds up, as the support layers essentially function as a box spring. 

The mattress brand Casper explains  that "the slats on older box springs are too [far] apart to support the weight of a foam mattress, and that lack of support can cause it to sag." Instead, the company suggests a platform with slats closer together. Eco-friendly mattress brand Avocado Green also advises strongly against using box springs with its hybrid and latex mattresses, recommending firmer, sturdier foundations instead.

On the other hand, there are some exceptions. Modern mattress brand Saatva suggests that box springs may be used with its mattresses if the box spring is less than 7 years old and has proper center support and the slats are less than 4 inches apart. Helix also approves box springs with its mattresses, but only if slats are less than 5 inches apart and a piece of plywood or other proper center support is added. 

Since there's some variation across brands here, it's best to check with customer support to find out your own mattress brand's advice. 

It's also important to do research on the warranty for your mattress. This information can be found on the website of the mattress manufacturer or retailer, or on the tag attached to the mattress. Follow the manufacturer's instructions so you won't end up voiding the warranty by using the wrong type of foundation or frame with your mattress.

Some companies are creating their own alternatives to box springs. Casper makes a "box spring alternative" called The Foundation that works with its foam mattresses, while GhostBed sells a box spring/metal frame/foundation combo called the All-in-One Foundation . Brooklyn Bedding makes a Ready-to-Assemble Box Foundation that looks and feels like a traditional box spring with the added center support box springs typically lack. Tuft & Needle also makes its own version called the Box Foundation , a product which its site refers to as an upgraded box spring.

One benefit to buying a box spring alternative directly from your mattress company is that you don't have to worry about whether or not it's compatible. While some companies recommend using the foundations or bases they manufacture themselves, others suggest that anything sturdy will work, from a box spring to a wooden frame to the floor itself. Again, to know for sure, check the fine print on your mattress.

A box spring should still be used under a few circumstances, such as:

There are several alternatives you can choose from, with something ideal for every mattress type. 

These serve as both a frame and foundation, providing stability and support while keeping the mattress elevated off the ground. They tend to be easy to assemble and can support heavier mattresses, and some include features like drawers or other similar small storage spaces. They can also be quite a bit more expensive than other options. 

These are typically designed to be used with bed frames, but some are made for use on their own as well. They provide a sturdy, firm surface to place your mattress on, an ideal option for memory foam beds. They're often made up of wooden slats or solid wood frames. 

These are bed frames that can be adjusted into numerous different positions, helpful for those who like to change their sleep position frequently or who have trouble with pain, acid reflux, poor circulation or snoring. These mattresses can be highly customizable , and some even come with remote controls to customize each side of the bed. They can only be used with mattresses made specifically for adjustable beds, or those that are flexible enough to work with them . Expect these to be pricier than most other options.

This is a hearty slab of wood that adds support to bunk beds, pull-out sofas and other sleep options that lack firmness and support, especially in the center. It can be taken apart between uses and stashed away until next time. 

These are sets of wooden slats arranged for optimal ventilation on a platform. They're usually supportive for heavy mattresses, noise-free and offer a remarkable amount of space underneath for storage. They aren't too pricey and work as a great budget option for those who find full frames too expensive. 

Some swear sleeping on the floor helps alleviate back pain better than any other remedies they've tried -- so why not try a mattress directly on the floor? After all, many of today's mattresses are firm and dense enough to place on the floor without the need for any additional support from a platform or foundation at all. This idea also works with minimalist decor and a simple budget. 

Stainless Steel Flat Strip The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.