What Mattress Firmness is Right for Me?

Most of us have a pretty good idea of what makes a comfortable mattress, but when choosing the right firmness level, many people aren’t sure where to start.

As we spend nearly a third of our lives in bed, having the right mattress can make all the difference in getting a good night's rest. Choosing the wrong mattress firmness can lead to tossing and turning during the night or waking up with aches and pains.

So what mattress firmness is right for you? Here’s a guide to help you decide.

What is mattress firmness?

The firmness of a mattress is a measure of how hard or soft it is. It directly affects the mattress's comfort when you sleep on it.

While other factors influence overall comfort, like durability and responsiveness, firmness is often the first factor people consider when buying a new mattress.

However, note that firmness is subjective, and what feels comfortable for one person may be too hard or soft for another.

Since there is no universal scale for firmness, most mattress companies rate their mattresses on a scale of 1-10, with one being the softest and ten being the firmest.

Understanding the mattress firmness scale

The mattress firmness scale is a good place to start when choosing the right mattress. Generally, firmness falls into three categories – soft, medium, and firm. Here’s a breakdown of what each level feels like:

Soft (1-3 out of 10)

Soft mattresses provide a cushioning feel and are great for those who like to sink into their bed. They’re also ideal for side sleepers or those who need extra pressure relief on their hips and shoulders, as extra cushioning can help alleviate discomfort. Someone that is more petit may also need a softer mattress to get the right fit.

Medium (4-6 out of 10)

Medium firmness is a great all-around firmness level for most sleepers offering the best of both worlds. They provide enough support to keep your spine aligned without feeling overly stiff, perfect for combination sleepers who move around often at night. 

Firm (7-10 out of 10)

If you’re looking for extra support and need help keeping your spine in line, a firmer mattress may be the way to go. Back and stomach sleepers may find this firmness level more comfortable as it can help keep their bodies in neutral alignment. Just be careful of too much firmness and creating pressure points.  Some contouring helps most body types.

How to choose the right mattress firmness?

The best mattress firmness for most people balances comfort and support. But picking the right firmness largely depends on factors unique to each person, such as sleeping position and body type.

Sleeping position

• Side sleepers: Sleeping on your side puts the most pressure on the shoulders and hips, so a softer mattress with excellent pressure relief is often best for this position. Surface softness that works into more support below is ideal.
• Back sleepers: A medium firmness mattress is generally preferred for back sleepers since it provides adequate support for the spine without being too hard. You still need some contouring and sink to ensure you lumbar area is supported to maintain spinal alignment.
• Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers can benefit from a firmer mattress that can help keep hips from sinking into the bed and putting pressure on the spine. Potential extra Lumbar support under the hips will help. 

Body type

• Heavy: Heavier individuals need firmer mattresses to prevent excessive sinking into the bed, which can cause back aches and pain. Basically they need greater support but some contouring surface softness is okay.
• Light: Lighter individuals can opt for soft to medium-firm mattresses that may provide better contouring support to relieve pressure points. Since lighter individuals don’t sink in as much a Medium can feel firm while a larger person it could feel Medium to Soft.

Choose the right mattress firmness with Evrbed

As tricky as picking the right mattress firmness can be, Evrbed makes it simple and easy with its innovative design.

Evrbed is a multi-layer, hybrid mattress that offers optimal comfort, support, cost efficiency, and sustainability with its replaceable and adjustable components.

With this, you can customize the firmness level to find the perfect balance between support and comfort for your body type and sleep style. Top that with a 20-year guaranteed warranty on the mattress core, and you’ve got a mattress that will last a lifetime.

Get your lastErvbed today!