Whether you’re looking to lengthen the lifespan of your mattress, you feel your mattress needs more support, or you just want to elevate it further from the ground, a box spring can be an excellent solution for you.
It’s important to note that not all box springs are made with the same purpose. For starters, consider your priorities for shopping for a box spring. If additional support and comfort are top of mind, it may demand picking an option with slats that are close to each other to really ensure none of the mattress sags.
Other factors to consider include size and height options; ranging generally from 4 to 14 inches in thickness, box springs can be an excellent tool to help elevate your mattress. Additionally, be sure to look into durable and robust materials like steel and wood for a longer lifespan, and be aware that box springs will generally need assembly.
If you are not the most handy, opt for picks that don’t require too much work for assembly. Lastly, consider picks with lengthy warranty and return policies to keep you and your purchase protected.
After extensively researching, we narrowed our picks to the 11 best box springs for you. This meant focusing on models that were able to accommodate people who need a little more height, or even a lot more height. We also included models designed to promote motion isolation to prevent your partner’s movements from waking you.
Best Overall
Helix Foundation
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Lengthy warranty and trial
Spacious slats for airflow
Super simple assembly
Only one height available
A combination of materials, and design locked in the Helix Foundation as our pick for the best overall box spring. Designed with slats that are 5 inches apart, this is ideal for anyone with a memory-foam mattress who is looking to ensure there is as much airflow as possible beneath the mattress.
While this pick requires assembly, it’s the ease and simplicity of that assembly that we appreciate. No tools are necessary, and Helix notes that it can be assembled in just two to three minutes. This is a good pick for people looking to elevate their mattress quite substantially since it’s 7.5 inches thick. However, it may be too tall for some. Our only gripe is that it comes in just one height.
This foundation has spruce wood slats, and the brand notes that it has handled up to 1,000 pounds with no visible signs of wear and tear, despite not having an official weight limit. We also appreciate the customer service: Helix offers a five-year limited warranty, in addition to a 100-night trial.
Material: Wood | Thickness: 7.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds (potentially more) | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Best Budget
Wayfair Sleep Easy Assembly Box Spring
Three thickness options
Removable cover with elastic band
Good for preventing squeaking
Longer assembly time
Lower weight capacity
We love that this pick from Wayfair Sleep is able to provide excellent quality without breaking the bank. Available in 5-, 7.5-, and 9-inch thicknesses, you’ll find a height that suits your needs.
It’s made from durable steel to keep your mattress supported and to prevent sagging, while also working to eliminate any squeaking. It also has a removable cover with an elastic band to make putting it on and taking it off a breeze. Inside, metal support bars are spaced 6.3 inches apart for twin and full sizes, 6.7 inches apart for twin XL, queen, and king sizes, and 7.2 inches apart for California kings.
Assembly will take longer when compared to models like the Helix Foundation, since this box spring has several more smaller pieces. It does have a slightly lower weight limit than other picks, with a 350-pound limit for a twin and a 700-pound capacity for anything above a twin. But, we appreciate the five-year warranty.
Material: Metal | Thickness: 5 inches, 7.5 inches, or 9 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds (twin), 700 pounds (all other sizes) | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Best Alternative
Leesa Mattress Foundation
Available in both high and low profiles
Three-year warranty
30-night trial
Stylish tuxedo gray color
Cover is spot wash only
This pick from Leesa is different from a traditional box spring, but it accomplishes all of the same goals. Inside, this foundation uses 4.5-inch-spaced spruce slats that are protected by high-grade plastic molding and polyester upholstery in tuxedo grey.
Plus, Leesa affords you the choice between a high- and low-profile model for more customizability. The high-profile model is 7.5 inches thick, and the lower profile is 5.5 inches thick.
We also appreciate that this pick comes with free shipping and returns, in addition to a 30-night trial. It also requires no tools for assembly. To top it all off, a three-year warranty should leave you feeling protected with your purchase. Just be aware that the cover is spot wash only.
Material: Wood, plastic | Thickness: 5.5 inches or 7.5 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Best Low-Profile
Brooklyn Bedding The Low Profile Foundation
Features center rail for more support
Classic looking gray upholstery
Five-year warranty
May not be ideal for people who are mobility impaired
If you’re looking to raise your bed without going too high, we love Brooklyn Beddings’ The Low Profile Foundation, which is 5.5 inches thick. Despite the lower height, it offers exceptional support, so you can gain precious inches to make getting in and out of bed easier while accommodating an already thick mattress.
In addition to the thinner, more streamlined profile, this option has a sleek-looking upholstery in gray to blend into your bed frame and bedding. A five-year warranty and a simple, no-tool assembly (which apparently takes less than ten minutes!) is a nice bonus.
In addition to the wood slats, this pick features a center rail for even more support, and it’s designed to have a squeak-free, motion transfer-eliminating night of sleep. Just be aware that if your mattress is already low, and you have limited mobility, this may not be right for you.
Material: Wood, metal | Thickness: 5.5 inches | Weight capacity: Not listed | Assembly required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Made from steel
Three thicknesses available
Five-year warranty
Free shipping
Assembly takes longer than other models
Sturdiness is the name of the game with Joss & Main’s OrthoTherapy Metal Box Spring. This heavy-duty option is built to last thanks to its steel construction. It’s also available in a low profile, 5-inch option, as well as a 7.5-inch option, and a 9-inch option.
On the outside of this durable pick is a polyester cover that looks great but also works for functionality, providing non-slip and elastic straps to make it super easy to use. This box spring will take longer to put together than other box springs on our list because of the smaller metal pieces.
In addition to the sturdiness of this metal box spring, it also comes with a five-year warranty to keep you and your purchase protected. We also appreciate that this affordable pick comes with free three- to five-day delivery.
Material: Metal | Thickness: 5 inches, 7.5 inches, or 9 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Best Split Box Spring
Beautyrest Foundation
Ships in two separate boxes for ease of carrying
Available in low and standard heights
Has steel struts and reinforced corner guards
No returns or exchanges on purchase
If you own a split king or a split California king mattress and are looking for a box spring, this pick from Beautyrest is worth considering. Available in a 5.5-inch “low” profile model and a standard 9-inch thick model, you can really dial in your split mattress height to suit your specific demands with this option.
Inside, it features solid steel struts and reinforced interior corner guards as well as a non-skid top to keep everything in place. Plus, from a convenience standpoint, we appreciate that it is delivered in two separate packages to make moving them into your room easier.
But, it’s worth addressing that we find it unfortunate that this option is final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.
Material: Steel | Thickness: 5.5 inches or 9 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Split king, split California king
Best Foldable
Zinus Jayanna BiFold Box Spring
Comes in a single box
Easier for transporting than other picks
Four thickness options
Lower weight capacity than other picks
While other models of box springs feature bulky designs and somewhat tedious assembly processes, the Jayanna from Zinus aims (and succeeds) at eliminating a lot of the fuss. When it comes time to assemble it, it does require tools, but the assembly isn’t particularly difficult. It’s also made from durable solid steel and comes in 4-, 5-, 7.5-, and 9-inch thickness options.
The Jayanna arrives in one single package to make transporting it easier, and if you ever need to move, the foldable design makes navigating narrow hallways and around corners much easier.
Just be aware that sizes full through California king of this box spring have a weight capacity of 700 pounds, which is lower than other picks on our list. Zinus does offer a five-year warranty, free shipping, and a 30-day return window.
Material: Metal | Thickness: 4 inches, 5 inches, 7.5 inches, or 9 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds (twin, twin XL), 700 pounds (full-California king) | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, split California king
Best for Heavy People
Tatago Heavy Duty Box Spring
3,000-pound weight limit
Center support bracing and welded at the corners
Tear resistant cover
Limited to full, queen, and king sizes
When it comes to holding a larger amount of weight, this box spring from Tatago is built differently. With a weight limit of 3,000 pounds, this pick is made from a reinforced tubular steel frame, and it includes center support bracing. The corners are also welded for additional stability.
We love that this pick is also available in 4-, 5-, 7-, and 9-inch-thick options. And as a bonus, it also comes with all the necessary tools to assemble it. It doesn’t, however, come in sizes other than full, queen, and king, making it more limited than other picks on our list.
But we appreciate that the cover is fitted, non-woven, breathable, and waterproof.
Material: Metal | Thickness: 4 inches, 5 inches, 7 inches, or 9 inches | Weight Capacity: 3,000 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Full, queen, king
Best Wood
Zinus Metal Box Spring with Wood Slats
Tightly spaced slats for support
Three thickness options available
Uses both steel and wood for durability
Heavy when in the box
Lower weight limit
We like that this pick from Zinus combines the best of both worlds, with a durable steel frame construction and wood slats to support the mattress. The 14-piece wood slat construction leaves very little space for the mattress to sag and helps to ensure there’s no weak spots for your mattress to rest on.
For twin and full sizes, the slats are spaced 3 inches apart, while the other sizes (twin XL, queen, king, California king) are spaced 2.6 inches apart. A knitted polyester cover also keeps the frame protected.
Like other picks on our list, this option can hold 350 pounds for a twin, and 700 pounds for all of the other sizes. Keep in mind this is still on average a lower weight limit than other options. On the plus side, it’s available in 4-, 7.5-, and 9-inch thickness options to be able to accommodate any height demands. And don’t worry, all of the necessary tools to build it are included.
One con that is worth mentioning is that the steel construction, while important for sturdiness and durability, does mean that this pick is heavy to carry in the box.
Material: Wood and metal | Thickness: 4, 7.5, 9 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds (twin, twin XL), 700 pounds (full, queen, king, California king) | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Best High Profile
SunPrairie Metal Smartbase
1,500-pound weight limit
Creates 13 inches of storage beneath
Acts as both a frame and a box spring
Limited sizing
Whether you are struggling with your mobility or you just didn’t realize your current mattress and bed frame combo would be so short, this pick from SunPrairie is a great taller foundation. Measuring 14 inches in thickness, this base removes the need for a bed frame, acting as both a frame and a box spring. So its an affordable option for guest bedrooms or small apartments.
Don’t let the reasonable price point fool you—this option is robust, relying on a steel base to create a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds. It also comes with a skirt so you can hide anything that you’ve stored underneath the frame.
We only wish it were available in more than queen, king, and California king sizes.
Material: Metal | Thickness: 14 inches | Weight Capacity: 1,500 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Queen, king, California king
Best for Motion Isolation
Serta Foundation
Good for couples
High weight limit of 1,000 pounds
Free deliveries
120-night trial
Only one height option
If you’re sick of your partner waking you up in the night with their constant movements, the Serta Foundation is a great solution, as it’s designed specifically with motion isolation in mind.
It helps to keep your bed partner’s movements from affecting your side of the bed. This pick also adds 9 inches of height to the bed.
Other perks of this option include a 1,000-pound limit and a 120-night trial. You’ll also appreciate free delivery.
Material: Wood | Thickness: 9 inches | Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Sizes Available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Final Verdict
The Helix Foundation is our top pick for a box spring that’s easy to assemble and well-designed. The slats are well-spaced for airflow and proper support to prevent mattress sagging. You’ll find a similar experience with the Wayfair Sleep Easy Assembly Metal Box Spring, at a more reasonable price. The all-metal box spring has a removable cover and three height options.
How We Picked the Box Springs
To find the best box springs, we researched extensively and focused on picking various options for different bed height needs. We also included several material choices, as well as foundations that are suited to different styles of mattresses. Additionally, we wanted to incorporate picks across the price spectrum. We included picks that worked for different body types as well.
What to Look for in a Box Spring
Box Spring vs. Foundation
While box springs and foundations serve a similar purpose in that they both provide support for your mattress, a foundation, like the Leesa Mattress Foundation (best alternative) tends to offer more firm support, and may be better suited toward latex, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses.
Conversely, box springs like the Wayfair Sleep Easy Assembly Metal Box Spring, our best budget pick, can sometimes offer more airflow, and will be best for innerspring mattresses.
Compatibility With Mattress Type
Not all mattress types are compatible with all box springs. In fact, some companies that make memory-foam mattresses will suggest avoiding a box spring entirely because they don’t serve a particular purpose to that mattress type.
Be sure to not only look at your mattresses’ specific recommendations, but also consider the compatibility of the box spring you are eyeing.
If you do have a foam or hybrid mattress, the Leesa Mattress Foundation (best alternative) is springless so Leesa suggests it for its solid structure.
Height Considerations
It’s important when shopping for a box spring to understand that the height that is listed will be in addition to the height of your existing mattress. That means that if you already have a 13 inch thick mattress, then purchasing a ten inch box spring will further elevate that to a total of 23 inches. If you add in a frame to this, you may be looking at even more height, so be sure to measure everything to best fit your demands ahead of time.
If you’re looking for a subtle height boost, we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding The Low Profile Foundation (best low profile) for a 5.5-inch difference. However, if you’re seeking to add some serious height, consider a pick like the SunPrairie 14” Metal Smartbase (best high profile) for an additional 14 inches of height.
Material and Durability
Like all other pieces of furniture, you’ll want to make sure that the box spring you are purchasing is made of high-quality materials and is designed to last. A poorly built box spring really must be avoided because it is being given the task of supporting your mattress and helping to prolong its lifespan.
Look into durable materials that have a higher weight capacity. All of the picks in our list are made from metal, wood, or a combination of the two. The Tatago Full Steel Box Spring has a 3,000-pound weight limit and the Helix Foundation, our best overall, has a 1,000-pound weight limit.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers, and has been covering since 2022, all things sleep-related for the Spruce. Jack has spoken with dozens of experts in the world of sleep, and has tested out his share of pillows and mattresses in the process. He is consistently reading news on sleep, and is always fascinated when he has the chance to speak with a new expert about optimizing sleep performance.