Home LivingWellnessSleepHow to choose the best mattress firmness level for your needsShould you pick a soft, medium or firm mattress? We explain the factors to take into accountWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleepHow to choose the best mattress firmness level for your needsShould you pick a soft, medium or firm mattress? We explain the factors to take into accountWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Should you pick a soft, medium or firm mattress? We explain the factors to take into account
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
REM-Fit 500 Ortho mattress(Image credit: REM-Fit)
REM-Fit 500 Ortho mattress
(Image credit: REM-Fit)
You’ll spend around a third of your life on a mattress; far more than you’ll probably ever spend in your car, for example. Therefore, it’s worth considering carefully which type of mattress is going to suit you best. Part of that is making sure you choose the right firmness level.
Everyone’s different, though, and what’s thebest mattressfor others might prove either too firm or too soft to you. So, how do you go about picking the right firmness level for your particular needs?
To help you out, we’ll first take a look at the different types of mattress firmness and what they mean. Then we’ll look at how different factors such as your weight and sleeping position determine which level of firmness will suit you best.
What is mattress firmness?
Tempur mattress(Image credit: Tempur)
Tempur mattress
Tempur mattress
(Image credit: Tempur)
Mattress firmness is a measure of how much the mattress compresses when you lie on it. A softer mattress will compress more, while a firmer mattress will compress less.
Generally, mattresses can be categorised into 1 of 6 firmness levels. Soft mattresses are plush and cushiony, and the moment you lie on them, you’ll immediately sink into them. While they might seem super comfortable at first, they provide very little support.
Gradually providing more support and less softness are going in order of firmness: medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, firm and extra-firm. Extra-firm mattresses provide the most support and you’ll feel more like you’re lying ‘on’ the mattress than sinking ‘in’ to it.
Firmness is usually described as somewhere on a spectrum between 1 and 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. The softest mattresses will be around 3-5, while a firm mattress is typically between 7.5 and 9. However, it’s important to note that there is no standardization of this measurement across the industry. So a mattress from one company rated 7 may be softer or firmer than a 7 from another manufacturer.
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Mattress firmness: Factors to take into account
(Image credit: Tom May)
(Image credit: Tom May)
Not sure what level of mattress firmness will suit you best? Here are some factors to consider that will help you choose.
- Your weight
The more you weigh, the more pressure you will put on the mattress, which can cause it to sag. That means heavier people will generally need a firmer mattress than lighter people. If you weigh over 230 pounds, check out our guide to thebest mattress for heavy people.
- Your sleeping position
If you’re a back sleeper, you’ll need a mattress that provides good support for your back. If it’s too soft, your spine will curve into too much of a U shape. For this reason, a medium-firm to firm mattress will often be best.
Thebest mattress for side sleepersis one that’s soft enough to let your hips and shoulders sink into the mattress. For this reason, a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress will often be best.
If you’re a stomach sleeper, a mattress that’s too soft will also mean you curve into a U shape. For this reason, a firm mattress will often be best. Finally, if you’re a combination sleeper, you should choose based on the position you spend most time in. If there isn’t one, medium-firm will usually be the best compromise.
- Sleeping habits
If you are a hot sleeper (i.e., you tend to overheat on a warm night), you probably want to avoid softer mattresses. These tend to be less cooling because you sink more into them, compressing the material and reducing airflow within the mattress.
If you move around a lot at night, a firmer mattress makes it easier to change positions. In a similar light, couplesoften prefer a firmer mattress, as this makes it less likely you’ll wake each other when you move during the night.
- Health conditions
If you have a specific health condition that affects your sleep, such as back pain, then addressing this should be your top priority when it comes to choosing mattress firmness. Your doctor, therapist or osteopath should be able to advise you about what level of firmness will suit you specifically. Also check out our general guide to thebest mattress for back pain.
- Personal preferences
If you’ve enjoyed a particular level of mattress firmness all your life, and it’s given you no specific problems, then why reinvent the wheel? As long as your body is happy with it and you’re getting a good night’s sleep, feel free to ignore all of the above!
How to test mattress firmness
Sealy Elevate Ultra Antuco mattress(Image credit: Tom May)
Sealy Elevate Ultra Antuco mattress
Sealy Elevate Ultra Antuco mattress
(Image credit: Tom May)
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