# Hybrid mattresses - can they be used with a box spring? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 6, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563 "2025-07-06T20:25:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/1 "2025-07-06T20:25:24Z")
Apologies if this is the wrong forum - or the entirely wrong site. We’re looking for a new mattress and hybrids look like what we want. But some sources say you don’t need a box spring with one, or even avoid using a box spring with a hybrid mattress. But then, if we do that, won’t the bed be much lower? And what would we do with the frame? I don’t get it. Maybe we shouldn’t have waited 30 years to get a new one. \* sigh \* ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/2 "2025-07-06T20:55:10Z")
> [@CC](#): > > But then, if we do that, won’t the bed be much lower? And what would we do with the frame? So last time I bought a mattress, I got a [Saatva](https://www.saatva.com/mattresses/saatva-classic?sku=7056-5%2F0&qty=1), a generally well-reviewed online-only hybrid (if pricier than some). You’ll see they recommend a foundation + frame and offer two different heights of mattress to suit your needs. Hybrids want foundations, because they just want just firm support, not give like a box spring. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/3 "2025-07-06T21:08:09Z")
Yeah. In a nutshell, the industry now makes a rigid box device the right size to replace an obsolete box spring. Get that. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/4 "2025-07-06T22:41:12Z")
It’s been a couple of years since I researched mattresses, but I don’t remember seeing anything about a foundation, other than a system of slats or something to keep the mattress from falling through the frame (unless you have a platform bed). We have two hybrid mattresses, one a Saatva, and one a Titan. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/5 "2025-07-06T23:06:24Z")
Very few innerspring mattress manufacturers have true box springs and haven’t for 20+ years. Generally they’ll have a foundation with very rigid “torsion modules.” A torsion module foundation is for all practical purposes a platform whereas a box spring will have significant flex. If you can figure out what you have you’ll have your answer ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/6 "2025-07-06T23:14:17Z")
The best thing to come out of the waterbed phase was the platform box for beds. I’ve never seen a mattress that wouldn’t work in a box. You can sit that box on any kind platform, legs or just cinder blocks. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hybrid-mattresses-can-they-be-used-with-a-box-spring/1020563/7 "2025-07-07T12:27:33Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > In a nutshell, the industry now makes a rigid box device the right size to replace an obsolete box spring. Ours has big pull out drawers that really help with storage.