Pocket Spring Chairs vs. Foam Chairs: Which Is Better for European Buyers?

Media ASKT
Jun 26
4 min read

As the CEO of ASKT and someone who's worked closely with European furniture buyers for over 20 years, I’ve seen countless dining chair innovations come and go. But few debates stir up as much discussion in the purchasing world as the one between pocket spring chairs and foam chairs.

I’ve tested both extensively in our R&D centers and observed real-world feedback from our clients in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. If you're sourcing chairs for your retail stores or e-commerce platforms, this breakdown will help you choose the right solution for your market.

1. What’s Inside: A Quick Engineering Breakdown

Pocket Spring Chairs feature individual coil springs sewn into fabric pockets, much like premium mattresses. These springs act independently, allowing for localized support and bounce.

Foam Chairs, on the other hand, are constructed with high-density polyurethane foam or memory foam, designed to contour and compress under pressure for that “hugged” feel.

Feature	Pocket Spring Chairs	Foam Chairs
Core Structure	Individually wrapped coil springs	Polyurethane, memory, or latex foam
Response	Independent spring action for targeted support	Uniform compression, full-body contouring
Seat Resilience	Very high – springs rebound after use	Medium to high – may compress permanently
Weight Support	Excellent for varying loads	Good, depends on foam density

✅ At ASKT, our pocket spring seats use 1.8mm diameter steel coils arranged in a honeycomb matrix. Our foam seats are built from 35–50kg/m³ high-density foam, depending on chair style and usage intent.

2. Sitting Habits of German Women: Real-World Design Insights

Our customers in Germany—especially female buyers between 35–50—value ergonomic support, breathable fabrics, and visual harmony with minimalist, modern interiors.

We conducted a sitting posture study at our German showroom simulation spaces (based on feedback from 300+ test users). Here's what we found:

Average height: 165 cm
Preferred seat height: 46–48 cm
Preferred seat depth: 42–44 cm for thigh support
Backrest inclination: 100–105° favored for upright posture during meals and work-from-home
Firmness: German users prefer medium-firm comfort—not too soft, not too stiff

🔧 ASKT’s chairs are calibrated accordingly: Our seats have a 48cm standard height, lumbar-angled backrests, and both pocket spring and foam options that meet EN12520 durability standards.

3. Comfort & Ergonomics: Support or Sink?

Pocket Spring Advantage: Independent coils offer targeted responsiveness. These chairs adapt well to varied sitting positions, making them ideal for long dinner parties or in restaurants with high traffic.➕ They retain shape longer, avoiding that unsightly seat dent over time.
Foam Chair Comfort: These deliver a cloud-like initial softness—great for quick, casual use. But they may compress unevenly with time, especially in budget versions.

🧪 At ASKT, we tested seat firmness retention over 20,000 sit-downs. The pocket spring chairs retained 93% of initial form, compared to 78% for foam chairs.

4. Breathability & Heat Dissipation: A Hidden Factor in User Comfort

Pocket Springs allow internal air movement—helpful in avoiding moisture buildup, especially in summer or in warmer interiors.
Foam, even with open-cell tech, can trap body heat and humidity.

📉 In our fabric lab tests, pocket spring chairs showed 30% lower internal temperature rise than foam under 2 hours of continuous sitting.

5. Durability & Cost Efficiency: What Group Buyers Need to Know

Foam chairs, particularly those with low-density fillers (<30 kg/m³), are prone to sagging and material fatigue. You may replace or refund units sooner than expected.
Pocket Spring chairs cost 20–30% more upfront, but their lifespan in commercial settings is 30–40% longer on average.

💡 Our hotel and restaurant clients in Berlin and Amsterdam have reported 50% fewer complaints and replacements on ASKT pocket spring models over a 24-month period.

6. Aesthetic Options & Customization

Buyers often ask whether the seat structure limits style choices. With us, the answer is no.

ASKT offers both foam and pocket spring builds across the same chair models.
You can choose from over 200 OEKO-TEX® certified fabrics—including pet-friendly, stain-resistant, and even recycled plastic bottle textiles (in line with European Green Deal priorities).

🎨 Whether you’re sourcing for OTTO, Google Shopping, or a boutique retail chain, our chairs can be tailored to match brand palettes and themes.

7. Sustainability: Not Just a Buzzword

ASKT has implemented a zero-plastic packaging program, saving our EU clients up to 15% annually on plastic tax penalties. Pocket spring units are also easier to compress during shipment without damaging the core structure, allowing more compact logistics solutions.

Final Thoughts: Which One Is Right for You?

Feature	Pocket Spring Chairs	Foam Chairs
Comfort Feel	Responsive, supportive	Soft, enveloping
Long-Term Shape Retention	Excellent	Moderate (depends on density)
Heat Dissipation	Very good	Average (unless gel-infused)
Cost	Higher upfront	Lower upfront
Ideal Use Cases	Restaurants, dining rooms	Casual seating, WFH
Sustainability	Better with shipping efficiency	Lighter for logistics

🎯 My Recommendation: If you’re buying for long-use environments—restaurants, hotel lobbies, or premium dining—go with pocket spring. For compact apartments or fast-turnover items, high-density foam can be suitable, but ensure you verify foam density with your suppliers.

Let’s Talk Sourcing

I’ve helped dozens of European partners save money and reduce return rates simply by choosing the right internal seat structure. If you're still deciding or want to test both styles, I can send you A/B samples from our Suzhou R&D center—delivered with full ISO test reports and user guides.