Today we comprehensively cover the different Mattress Firmness Levels.
Mattresses play a significant role in our everyday life. After a busy day at work, everyone wants to have a restful sleep that rejuvenates the body so you wake up the next morning ready for activities the day has in store for you. Sleeping on a bed that is not comfortable or less supportive will have you tossing and turning all night long and impact your overall well-being negatively.
Choosing a good mattress for yourself begins with finding the right one for your bed and one that meets all your needs in terms of support, cushioning, and temperature regulation. When looking to buy a mattress, there are different classes of mattresses that you will find on the market.
The firmness level of each mattress dictates which class it falls into. With the right firmness level, you will have proper spinal alignment and excellent cushioning to the sensitive areas of your body. The end result will be a comfortable and restful sleep, every night, all year round.
Mattress Firmness Levels/Classes
In mattresses, firmness refers to how soft or hard a mattress feels when you lie down on it. While different manufacturers use different methods to measure and describe firmness, we will use the standard 10-point scale to describe the different classes of mattresses available out there.
In most cases, the type of mattress used to make a mattress plays a big role in determining how firm it feels. Most mattresses have a comfort system that is layered over a support core. The comfort system is what cushions your pressure points from pain, while the support core makes the mattress stable.
There is no firmness level that is optimal for all sleeping positions. You have to take into account different factors that include your sleeping position, body type, and weight then find a firmness scale that will be comfortable and supportive.
Mattress Firmness Scale
While there is no accepted measurement for mattress firmness that is accepted universally, we will use a system that has a scale of 0-10 with 0 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Let’s get started.
Extra Soft to Soft (1-3)
Mattresses with a 1-3 firmness level are quite soft. The plush design conforms closely to your body to relieve pressure points. These types of mattresses are often comfortable for side sleepers who weigh 130 pounds and below.
The downside of mattresses that are too soft is the lack of durability. They are often made with plush materials that deteriorate more quickly. They also tend to trap body heat more frequently when they contour closely to the body.
Medium Soft to Medium Firm (4-6)
Mattresses that have a rate between 4 and 6 provide a medium firm feel that most people prefer. They provide moderate support to every part of your body with less sinkage than the softer counterparts.
Furthermore, these mattresses often provide a considerable comfort system that conforms to your body and relieves pressure. When it comes to temperature neutrality, medium-firm mattresses don’t trap as much heat. They also tend to sag less and last longer than the softer models.
The popularity of this firmness level makes the pricing more competitive. Most manufacturers offer most of their mattresses in this range so be prepared to pay more than for the softer models.
Firm to Extra Firm (7-10)
Mattresses in this class offer a relatively even plane as well as a sturdy feels. If you are overweight and over 230 pounds, you might find this mattress firmness the best for your weight. They are also ideal for stomach sleepers who prefer a hard firmness to limit sinking.
Depending on the manufacturer and the type of material used to make the mattress, the break-in period of the firm to extra-firm mattress varies. For some mattresses, you might be forced to get a mattress topper before it starts to break in.
Firm mattresses are also the best for hot sleepers. They hardly trap heat and allow air to flow freely around the body. The main downside of these mattresses is that they are hard to find and too heavy as well.
Read Also: Best Mattresses on the Market
What Determines the Firmness of a Mattress?
The type of material used to make a mattress determines how firm it will feel. The four most common mattress types are innerspring, hybrid, foam, and latex.
Latex. Latex is a natural material that spreads your body weight over a larger area to relieve pressure and limit sinkage. Mattresses made from this material are known for their outstanding durability. However, the firmness varies greatly between models.
Foam. Foam mattresses consist of memory foam and polyfoam. They conform closely to the body and offer great pressure relief. Foam mattresses are often the softest, but there are some options that are exceptionally firm.
Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses are made with a support core of innerspring and a thicker comfort layer of foam or latex. They provide stunning durability and a responsive surface that contours to relieve pressure. Hybrid mattresses also have the added benefit of having different firmness options for you to choose from.
Innerspring. Innerspring mattresses have a coil support core made of steel. These beds are bouncy, breathable, and supportive. However, most innerspring mattresses don’t have a thick comfort layer. This means that they often provide a firmer feel.
Is Firmness the Same as Support?
No. Although firmness and support are closely related, they are not similar. In a mattress, firmness refers to how soft or hard it feels. Support on the other hand indicates whether the mattress provides good spinal alignment.
So, firmness does not determine support, and neither does support determine firmness. But both are an important part of every mattress and can influence each other.
Final Thoughts
Mattresses come in a ton of types, sizes and designs for you to choose from. Finding the best mattress means getting a bed that gives you the correct level of comfort, support, and firmness. You also need to consider the size of your bedroom and your sleeping position when shopping for the perfect match. Hopefully, you have found this post to be of great help.
Related: Types of Mattresses with Pros and Cons