How firm is your bed?

No two mattress companies have the same exact definition of “firm,” and everyone’s experience with what is comfortable is different. That’s why we have a special methodology for Evaluation of mattress firmness When we test it, we take into account the company’s scale and how the bed feels on different body types.

In this article, we outline what you’ll typically see One of our mattress reviewsAnd what you’ll find when shopping for a new bed. We’ve also delved into research on how mattress firmness affects back pain, consulted a sleep medicine expert for advice on who needs a firmer mattress, and listed more factors to consider before spending your hard-earned money on a new bed.

What are the mattress firmness levels?

In the United States, there is no 100% objective, industry-standard measure of mattress firmness. How firm or soft something ultimately depends on factors like your body type and sleeping position. Brands also sometimes use words like “plush” to describe softness, for example, or “firm luxury” to describe a mattress that ranges from soft to firm.

Below is the mattress firmness index we use when we test mattresses, ranging from 1 (soft) to 10 (firm).

Soft (3 to 4 out of 10)

Mattresses that are softer on the mattress firmness scale may also be called “plush” and may have a softer, sinking feel. A quality, soft mattress will still be supportive, but it’s not as supportive as a mattress on the firmer side of the mattress firmness scale.

Average (5 to 6 out of 10)

A medium mattress is a nice compromise between a soft mattress and a firm mattress. It’s a great place to start testing beds at a mattress store if you’re testing which level of firmness is best for you.

Average company (6.5 out of 10)

A medium-firm mattress is similar to a medium-firm mattress, but it’s a little more supportive. Research has shown that mattresses are described as… Medium hardness They may be associated with less lower back pain, although the “median” of one mattress brand may be the same as the “average firm” or even the “average firm” of another. Again, the firmness of a mattress is subjective and depends on how it works in relation to your body.

Company (7 to 8 out of 10)

Some people need a firmer mattress to support their bodies and reduce back pain, because a firm mattress won’t let you sink into it. Others prefer the firmer feel of a mattress. You can expect mattress companies to clearly label their firm mattresses, although whether it feels medium-firm or firm to you will depend on your body and sleeping position.

Extra Company (9 to 10 out of 10)

If we rate the bed as “extremely firm” in our mattress review, you can bet that it is suitable for people looking for the firmest mattress on the market.

How do you know how firm a mattress you need?

“There’s a lot of personal preference and variation here,” said Jennifer Martin, a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a professor at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. Side sleepers may prefer something softer to reduce pressure, but people with back pain “seem to do better” on a firmer mattress, she said.

If possible, it’s a good idea to go to a mattress store and test out the beds you want to buy to make sure you’ll like them, according to Martin. This way, you can see for yourself how a “firm” mattress compares to a softer mattress.

“I think it would be worth taking a test drive of some mattresses,” she said.

Just make sure you’re not pressured into buying a mattress before you’re sure — you can always test the mattress in person and buy it online or later.

People who suffer from back pain

minimum Back pain It can disrupt your sleep, which makes finding the right mattress even more important for those who suffer from chronic pain. According to the great Systematic review Published in 2021, mattresses labeled “medium firm” by the European Standardization Committee have improved sleep quality and comfort among people with lower back pain.

Again, there is no standard way to purchase “medium-firm” mattresses, although mattresses in this range may provide the right level of spinal support and comfort to help people with back pain sleep soundly. However, since a mattress is technically rated by the mattress company (“medium,” “medium firm,” or “firm”), it may be best to avoid mattresses that are too soft.

“Overbed seems to make back problems worse,” Martin said. This is because Sinking into a bed Too deep can put stress on your body.

Back sleepers

Sleeping on your back is a good position when it comes to this Keep your spine aligned and neutral At night, you’ll want your mattress’s firmness level to support that. If you don’t know where to start, consider a medium or medium-firm mattress Research has shown People tend to feel less pain when sleeping on these mattresses compared to other firmness levels.

Depending on your body or how much you feel like you sink into the mattress (or if it doesn’t hug you at all), you may need a slightly softer or firmer mattress.

Stomach asleep

Sleeping on your stomach, the preferred position for many people, may be possible It results in more neck and back Compared to other sleeping positions due to the pressure placed on the neck and spine when you turn your head to breathe.

In order to keep your spine as straight as possible, you may want to consider a firmer mattress that doesn’t allow your hips to sink in as deep, which can arch your back and cause strain.

Side sleepers

In general, side sleepers may be able to get by with mattresses on the softer end of the mattress firmness scale, since their priority is relieving pressure on the hips and shoulders, and they don’t need additional support to overcome spinal strain and potential back and neck pain that stomach sleeping can cause. However, heavy side sleepers may prefer more firmness if they feel like they sink too much on a soft or medium mattress.

How to choose your mattress and firmness level

When choosing the right mattress firmness for your needs, these are the most important factors to consider:

Chronic pain

If you suffer from back pain, you need a mattress that provides adequate support and allows you to sleep comfortably. Research has shown that medium-firm mattresses tend to produce better results.

Body size

Light sleepers may think the mattress feels firmer than heavy sleepers, for example, due to different amounts of pressure on the mattress. A person with a larger body may also feel more uncomfortable when placed on a softer mattress than a person with a smaller body for similar reasons.

Sleeping position

A person who sleeps on his stomach may need more stability for support than someone who usually sleeps on his side because the spine is aligned differently based on sleeping position.

Whether you sleep with someone else

When two people’s priorities are competing for the optimal level of mattress firmness, consider a mattress with customizable firmness or a “split king” mattress that is actually two separate beds, but pushed together.

Consider testing a medium or medium-firm mattress

It’s worth noting that in addition to a large review that found that people with lower back pain benefited most from medium-firm mattresses, Smaller study which looked at sleep quality in people with an average body mass index (BMI), also found that medium-firm mattresses led to better sleep outcomes.

If you don’t know where to start on your mattress firmness journey, testing mattresses in the medium or medium firmness range may be your best bet.

Frequently asked questions