This is one of the first questions you need to consider when buying a new bed: How soft or firm do you want it to be? While your answer largely comes down to personal preference, there are some research-based recommendations you should consider when looking for the right firmness level, especially if you suffer from back pain or find yourself waking up stiff most mornings.
No two mattress companies define “firm” exactly the same, and everyone experiences comfort differently. That’s why we have a special method Evaluate mattress firmness When we tested them, we took into account the size of the company and how the bed felt on different body types.
In this article, we outline what you’ll typically see in: One of our mattress reviewsand what you’ll find when shopping for a new bed. We also looked at how mattress firmness affects back pain, consulted sleep medicine experts to find out who needs a firmer mattress, and get more factors to consider before you spend your hard-earned money on a new bed.
What is a mattress firmness rating?
In the United States, there is no industry standard, 100% objective standard for mattress firmness. How hard or soft an object is ultimately depends on factors such as your body shape and sleeping position. For example, brands sometimes also use words like “plush” to describe softness, or “luxury firm” to describe a mattress that’s somewhere between soft and firm.
Here’s a guide to the mattress firmness we use when testing mattresses, on a scale from 1 (soft) to 10 (extra firm).
Soft (3 to 4 out of 10)
The softest mattresses on the mattress firmness scale, which may also be called “plush,” may have a cradle-like sinking feel. A good, soft mattress is still supportive, but not as supportive as a mattress on the firmer side of the mattress firmness spectrum.
Moderate (5 to 6 out of 10)
A medium mattress is a good middle ground between a soft mattress and a firm mattress. If you’re trying out which firmness level is best for you, this is a good place to start testing beds at a mattress store.
Medium hardness (6.5 out of 10)
A medium-firm mattress is similar to a medium-firm mattress, except it’s a little more supportive. Research shows that mattresses are labeled as medium enterprise May be related to lower back pain relief, although “medium” may be the same as “medium-firm” from one mattress brand, or even “firm” from another company. Again, mattress firmness is subjective and depends on what it does to your body.
Determined (7 to 8 out of 10)
Some people need a firmer mattress to support their body and relieve back pain because a firm mattress won’t sink you in. Others simply prefer the feel of a firmer mattress. You can expect mattress companies to clearly label their firm mattresses, although whether it gives you a medium-firm or firm feel will depend on your body and sleeping position.
Extra sturdy (9 to 10 out of 10)
If we rate a bed as “extra-firm” in a mattress review, you can bet that it’s suitable for those looking for the firmest-feeling mattress available.
How do you know what mattress firmness you need?
“There’s a lot of personal preference and variation here,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a professor at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine. Side sleepers may prefer a mattress that feels softer to relieve pressure, but people with back pain “seem to do better on a firmer mattress,” she said.
If possible, Martin says it’s a good idea to go to a mattress store and test out the bed you’re interested in buying to make sure you like it. This way, you can see for yourself how a “firm” mattress compares to a soft mattress.
“I think it’s helpful to test drive some mattresses,” she says.
Just make sure you don’t feel pressured into buying a mattress before you’re sure – you can always test the mattress in person and buy online or later.
People with back pain
reduce back pain can disrupt your sleep, which makes finding the right mattress even more important for those suffering from chronic pain. According to a large Systematic review Published by the European Committee for Standardization in 2021, mattresses labeled as medium-firm can improve sleep quality and comfort for people with low back pain.
Likewise, there’s no standard way to buy a “medium-firm” mattress, although mattresses in this range can provide the right level of spinal support and comfort to help back pain sufferers sleep soundly. However, mattresses are technically labeled by mattress companies (“medium,” “medium-firm,” or “firm”), and it’s best to avoid super-soft mattresses.
“Too many mattresses seem to make back problems worse,” says Martin. That’s because sunken into mattress Too deep can put stress on your body.
supine sleeper
Sleeping on your back is considered a good sleeping position Keep your spine aligned and neutral At night, you need the firmness of your mattress to support this. If you don’t know where to start, consider a medium or medium-firm mattress, such as Research shows People tend to experience less pain when sleeping on these mattresses compared to other mattress firmness levels.
Depending on your body or how deeply you feel like you’re sinking into the mattress (or if it’s not hugging you at all), you may need a softer or firmer mattress.
people sleeping on their stomachs
Although sleeping on your stomach is the preferred position for many people, it may Causes more neck and back Compared to other sleeping positions because when you turn your head to breathe, you put pressure on your neck and spine.
To keep your spine as aligned as possible, you may want to consider a firmer mattress so your hips don’t sink too deep, which could arch your back and cause strain.
Lying on side
Generally speaking, side sleepers may be able to choose a mattress with a softer firmness because their first priority is to relieve pressure on their hips and shoulders, and they don’t need the extra support to overcome the spinal strain and potential back and neck pain that sleeping on their stomach can cause. However, heavier side sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress if they feel like they’re sinking too deeply into a soft or medium mattress.
How to choose mattress and firmness
Here are the most important factors to consider when choosing the right mattress firmness for your needs:
chronic pain
If you have back pain, you need a mattress that provides enough support while still allowing you to sleep comfortably. Research shows that medium-firm mattresses tend to provide better results.
Body size
For example, a lighter sleeper may think the mattress feels firmer than a heavier sleeper because of the different pressure on the mattress. For similar reasons, larger people may also be more uncomfortable on a softer mattress than smaller people.
Sleeping position
People who sleep on their stomachs may need more support than those who typically sleep on their sides because the spine is aligned differently depending on the sleeping position.
Whether to sleep with others
When two people’s priorities are competing for the best mattress firmness level, consider a customizable firmness mattress or a “split” mattress, which is actually two separate beds but pushed together.
Consider testing a medium or medium-firm mattress
It’s worth considering that, in addition to the numerous reviews finding that people with low back pain benefit most from a medium-firm mattress, smaller studies Researchers who looked at sleep quality in people with average body mass index (BMI) also found that medium-firm mattresses were associated with better sleep outcomes.
If you don’t know where to start on your mattress firmness journey, testing a mattress in the medium or mid-firm range may be your best bet.
FAQ
What is the best mattress firmness?
There is no single “best” mattress firmness level. Weight, sleep position and health issues are all important factors in whether people sleep better on a firm or soft mattress.
What mattress firmness do side sleepers need?
Side sleepers should look for a mattress with a firmness that hits the sweet spot: supportive enough to keep the spine aligned and the body as neutral as possible, but soft enough to take pressure off the shoulders and hips. A medium or medium-firm mattress may be suitable for many side sleepers.
What firmness of mattress do people with back pain need?
Research finds that people with back pain, especially lower back pain, tend to sleep more comfortably on mattresses Hovering near the mid-level enterprise leveland not the firmest bed. Your bed should be able to support your spine and body, but not be so hard that it makes you uncomfortable.
How can couples find the best mattress firmness?
“When you share a bed with your spouse or partner, it can be a very stressful decision,” Martin says. In addition to different body weights affecting mattress comfort, couples may also prefer different sleeping positions and have different health issues, which may affect the firmness of the mattress.
But there are some ways to solve this problem. Martin says couples should first see if their mattress is the right size and has enough room for two people. Then, she recommends considering more customizable mattresses that are designed with flexibility in mind. For example, some companies make beds that offer customizable or separate firmness levels to account for the different preferences of two people.
You can also learn how adding or removing pillows can make sleeping more comfortable for you and your partner, or consider sleeping in separate beds.
“I’ve seen some really creative compromises,” Martin said.