Understanding Mattress Firmness: A Complete Guide

Given that we spend around one-third of our day lying on our beds, it becomes imperative to invest in a good quality mattress that not only enables one to get a comfortable sleep but also provides optimal support. However, the firmness of a mattress is an important factor that you need to be aware of if you are looking to buy mattresses online. Mattresses come in varying levels of firmness and it is important for you to know which type of firmness is apt for you:

Soft Mattress
A soft mattress has the least level of firmness amongst all the other options, falling between 1 and 2 on the mattress firmness scale. Therefore, it also offers less support compared to other mattresses. When you lie down on a soft mattress, it makes you sink into it and contours to the shape of your body, making it suitable for people suffering from hip or shoulder pain. The upper comfort layers as well as the support core of such a mattress is made of softer materials. But due to their soft support core, these mattresses don’t last as long as the ones that have a firmer support core.

Medium-Soft Mattress
A medium-soft mattress features a soft comfort layer and a support core that is slightly firmer than that of a soft mattress. It falls between 3 and 4 on the mattress firmness scale and is ideal for individuals who seek its soft comfort layer for pressure point relief and its firm core for basic support. A medium-soft mattress also conforms to your body shape, but it doesn’t make you sink as deep as a soft mattress does. However, it is not recommended for people who need adequate spinal support.

Medium-Firm Mattress
Falling between 5 and 7 on the mattress firmness scale, a medium-firm mattress strikes the perfect balance between body contouring comfort and support. These mattresses offer a good level of contouring to your body as you sleep, along with a sufficient amount of bounce. Thus, it is considered to be suitable for different types of sleepers with varying body types and preferred sleeping positions. Also, being made of more durable and dense materials, a medium-firm mattress tends to have a longer lifespan than soft and medium soft mattresses.

Firm Mattress
A firm mattress falls between 7 to 10 on the mattress firmness scale, thus providing the maximum level of support amongst all mattresses. Both the support core and comfort layer of this mattress are made of sturdy materials that don't allow you to sink into it at all. A firm mattress is an excellent option for people suffering from back pain, but not for side sleepers who require more cushioning. Firm mattresses also have the longest lifespan amongst all other types of mattresses.

Thus, this is what you need to know about mattress firmness before you indulge in mattress shopping.