Silent Night Miracoil causing backache: what’s the best replacement mattress?

Hi Emma,

Many thanks for your comment asking about Silentnight mattresses and why the one you have may be causing you such a bad nights sleep. Hopefully, we can help address that and recommend a better mattress for you.

The first thing we need to address is the miracoil spring unit and why this may be the primary cause of your poor nights sleep.

What is a miracoil mattress?

The miracoil is Silentnights version of a cage sprung or open coil mattress. The most basic, crudest and cheapest form  of mattress spring unit. It’s made from one large open spring that provides the support of the mattress. These spring units have long been surpassed by the superior pocket spring. But why do some retailers still use Miracoil or Open coil springs? Mainly for price. They are incredibly cheap to make and lightweight.

The problem with miracoil mattresses is they are both incredibly firm (to accomodate a wider range of weights) and also they cause a lot of transference during the night. This means that when you move the entire miracoil open gauge spring unit wobbles too and causes a echo through the mattress. So even the smallest movements can feel like you’re out at sea rocking saway whilst the support unit steadies itself.

Miracoils are also tricky when sleeping with a partner of a different weight. Because there is no isolation between the spring unit it will conform to the heaviest or largest sleeper first. Meaning that you can often we forced to roll together in the middle of the mattress. Just like you’re experiencing. The squeaking is also a frequent complaint as the metal wire rubs against itself during the night.

The only justification for mattress makers using the open coil system is price. We just wish they would explain to customers that it really is fraught with issues.

We never have, no never will use an open coil spring system. They are not worth even the smallest of budgets compared to a pocket spring or other fibres for support.

Best alternative to a Miracoil

The best alternative to a miracoil mattress is a pocket sprung two sided mattress. One where each spring is individually wrapped in an encasement and can react seperately.

You also should be looking for a tailored spring tension based on your bodyweight. This is another area trhat reatilers totally overlook.

Spring tensions in mattresses should be picked based on your bodyweight and nothing else. The confusion of Soft, Medium and Firm spring tensions has led people to believe that this also selects the ‘feel’ of the mattress. ie a soft spring will lead to a soft bed. Which couldn’t be further from the truth.

It is the mattress upholstery that provides the overall feel of the mattress whether you prefer a Soft, Medium or Firmer feel bed. The spring tension is set by your bodyweight. The reason for this is that the springs have been designed to accommodate certain weight and the react to them properly. The springs are made to allow compression and then extension in a mattress ie to sink slightly when you get on them and then push back against you.

Spring Tension	Wire diameter (Gauge)	Weight Range
Soft	1.2mm	Bespoke Tension (Please Call)
Medium	1.4mm	Upto 16 stone
Firm	1.6mm	16 stone plus
Extra Firm / Orthopaedic	1.9mm	20 stone plus

What are mattress spring tensions?

In the mattress industry, there are 4 accepted universal spring tensions, Soft, Medium, Firm & Ultra-firm/Orthopaedic for pocket springs. The table below shows the name, gauge and body weight each of these 4 spring tensions applies to. Simply find your weight and the correct spin tension will be listed.

Mattress Upholstery:

Once you have the correct spring tension you then want to pick fibres and upholstery that will get you the prefered feel to the mattress. Side sleepers tend to need slightly more forgiving fibres than a back or front sleeper, who need a firmer feel.
You should always be able to find out the GSM (grams per square meter) of any mattress upholstery. Why? Because this allows you to compare and know exactly what’s inside your mattress. Sadly most Silentnight models don’t disclose this vital detail. Have a look below at different fibres to see how they feel and what price point they can be found at.

Upholstery Layer	Fibre Type	How it will feel?	Price Point
Polyester	Synthetic	Soft	Cheap
White Fibre	Synthetic	Soft/Medium	Cheap
Recycled Fibre / Eco Fibre	Synthetic	Medium	Cheap
Memory Foam	Synthetic	Medium/Firm	Mid Price
Igel / Hybrid Foam	Synthetic	Medium/Firm	Mid Price
Polycotton	Synthetic/Natural Blend	Soft/Medium	Mid Price
Linen	Synthetic/Natural Blend	Medium	Mid Price
Wool (Pure)	Natural	Soft/Medium	High-End
Cotton (Pure)	Natural	Soft	High-End
Silk	Natural	Soft	Expensive
Horsehair	Natural	Medium	High-End
Mohair	Natural	Medium/Firm	High-End
Hemp	Natural	Medium	High-End
Latex (100% Natural)	Natural	Medium/Firm	High-End
Coir	Natural	Firm	High-End
Flax	Natural	Firm	High-End
Coarse Cashmere	Natural	Firm	High-End
Bamboo	Natural	Super Soft	Expensive / Exclusive
Horsetail	Natural	Firm	Expensive / Exclusive
Alpaca	Natural	Soft	Expensive / Exclusive
Cashmere (Pure)	Natural	Soft	Expensive / Exclusive
Vicuna	Natural	Super Soft	Expensive / Exclusive

Best Alternative to the Miracoil

Depending on your price point, we offer two alternatives to the Silentnight mattress range. Both 2 sided and hand made in the UK.

1.Origins Pocket 1500:

If you’re wanting something that is forgiving whilst offering a medium feel then have a look at our Origins Pocket 1500 mattress first.

Based on your requirements we would advise you choose the Origins Pocket 1500 in the Medium tension if under 16 stone and above 8 stone.

It’s progressive enough to accommodate a front or side sleeper. It will allow more of a soft sink in the very top layer than the Sealy mattress before medium support lower down the upholstery layers. It’s also two-sided so can be turned and rotated each month to extend the lifespan compared to one sided models.


Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress

1: 300GSM WOOL
2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER
3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD
4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER
5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS
TOTAL: 1550GSM
DEPTH 30-33CM

As this is a 2 sided mattress we recommend you turn it each month to help even out natural settlement and get the very longest lifespan out of this hand made mattress. You can read our mattress care guide here to help.

2.Artisan Bespoke 004

If you’re wanting a 100% natural fibre calico encased vanadium coated pocket spring mattress then have a look at our Artisan Bespoke 004 mattress.

It has a medium feel in the natural upholstery with a forgiving top layer. Great for pressure points. The 1600 individual pocket springs allow restless sleepers to move quickly, easily and effortlessly. Often this helps reduce the amount of fidgeting when coupled with the progressive comfort layers of this mattress.

Artisan Bespoke 004 Mattress

1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON

2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER

3: 200GSM SOFT BAMBOO

4: 1200GSM PURE HORSETAIL

5: 1000GSM BONDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON

6: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [ 49MM ] [1.28MM]

TOTAL: 3600GSM

DEPTH: 27-30CM

CHEMICAL FREE COVER

 

We hope that helps and gives you further mattress buying guidance. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on [email protected] or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan