How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Too Firm
If you are a side sleeper, look for the following signs to determine if your mattress is too firm.
- You experience pain and stiffness near pressure points, such as your hips and shoulders.
- Your arms quickly fall asleep with little pressure.
- You frequently wake with back pain due to a misaligned spine.
Back sleepers tend to benefit from a firmer mattress. However, if you can place a hand between the lumbar and the mattress, you may want a bed with a bit more softness, such as a medium-firm bed.
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Based On Your Body Type
Mattress performance is partially dependent on your body type. Softer mattresses generally arent as durable as firm models and have a tendency to sag, so they often arent the best option for people who weigh more than 230 pounds. These sleepers need a firmer surface and a sturdy comfort layer to maintain stability.
However, softer mattresses provide a comfortable, supportive sleep surface for many people under 130 pounds. People weighing between 130 and 230 pounds often prefer beds with a medium to medium firm rating.
Mattress May Feel Unbalanced For Couples
Some softer mattresses arent as sufficient at isolating motion as firm mattresses. This wont matter if you sleep alone, but for couples, motion isolation is an important consideration before choosing a mattress.
If one person is heavier than the other, theyll sink further into the mattress, potentially causing the other persons surface to become uneven. The uneven surface can feel awkward and cause pressure points and pain. Typically, medium mattresses are best for couples because they offer a balance of cushioning and support.
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How Can I Make My Mattress Firmer On One Side
Couples may have differing sleep preferencesone person prefers a firmer surface, while the other person likes a softer mattress. An excellent solution is to add a mattress topper. Mattress toppers add softness or firmness to a surface. Placing a mattress topper on your side of the bed may give you the extra cushion or support.
Firmness Levels In Different Types Of Mattresses
Now that you have a better idea of what kind of firmness levels there are, you can begin to look at which types of mattresses offer you options in that range. The firmness levels in different mattresses depend on the type, quality, and quantity of the materials used in the comfort layers, as well as the design or composition of the materials.
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Is This Really A Deal
This is a particularly relevant question that pertains especially to mattresses sold through third-party retailers. Thats because manufacturers provide a suggested retail price for the mattress, but the final sale price is up to the retailer. Retailers sometimes mark up the price above the SRP only so they can slash it back down and claim theyre offering a deep discount. Check out the manufacturers or brands site for the mattress SRP before you buy, and use that to gauge whether a retailer is really offering a good deal.
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Does Firmness Make A Difference In How Long A Mattress Lasts
Possibly, but not that much. Firmer mattresses might be a tad more resistant to sagging, but the quality of your mattress materials and construction, and how well you take care of it, are going to have a whole lot more to do with how long it lasts than firmness does.
If you want to make your mattress last longer:
- Use a mattress protector to shield it from stains, bed bugs, and other germs.
- Wash bed linens regularly.
- Properly support your mattress with a quality mattress foundation or platform.
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How To Determine The Right Firmness For You
Determining the right mattress firmness can be challenging, especially for couples. If a bed is too soft for your body weight or sleep style, you risk losing support, which is harmful to your sleep posture. On the other hand, mattresses that are too firm dont provide enough cushioning and can result in spinal misalignment.
Firm Vs Soft Mattress: Whats The Difference
Most mattress brands use a simple scale between 1-10 to describe the firmness of their mattress. Firm mattresses usually fall between a 9 to 7 on the scale, whereas softer mattresses usually fall between 2 to 3.
Since mattress firmness is highly subjective, it can be a challenge to find a uniform rating across mattress brands. One of the other key differences between firm and soft mattresses tend to be the materials they are made out of. All mattresses consist of a mix of comfort and support layers.
The comfort layers are what give your mattress a softer feel, whereas the support layers provide more structure and add some firmness. If your mattress consists of more comfort layers, its probably going to be naturally softer. You can also customize the firmness of your mattress by adding a topper that changes its overall feel.
Check out our mattress comparison with other brands puffy lux vs purple and puffy vs nectar.
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Cooler For Those Who Sleep Hot
If you tend to feel hot at night, a firmer mattress may provide more cooling relief over one that tends to hug your body. If youre looking for a mattress that helps keep you cool and comfortable all night long, check out our cooling collection, complete with mattresses with temperature regulating features, a key dimension of Casper 4D Sleep Technology.
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Plush Vs Firm Mattress: What Is Better For You
Out of the two options, which is the best mattress for you? The firm vs. soft mattress debate has been going on practically since the beginning of time, or at least since the invention of high-quality mattresses, and will likely remain unresolved due to the subjective nature of sleep. So if youre asking yourself, Do I need a firm or soft mattress? the answer is neither.
Its not entirely about what you need, but what you want.
There is no universal need for a plush or firm sleep surface. There are, however, special considerations to be made according to what a sleeper wants based on their body type, sleep position, and individual characteristics. Below youll find some general recommendations based on the science of sleep and mattress construction.1
Consider choosing a firm mattress if:
- Youre a back or stomach sleeperor like to switch it up just about every night.
- You suffer regularly from lower back pain.
- You need some added mattress thickness to avoid sinking too deeply
- You run hot at night and are prone to night sweats.
Consider choosing a plush mattress if:
- Your preferred sleep position is on the side. You will benefit from the cushion and support of a softer surface.
- Youre a petite sleeper who wont sink too deeply into a softer mattress.
- You suffer from chronic joint pain and need help alleviating pressure and soreness.
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Whats The Difference Between A Firm And Soft Mattress
When shopping for a new mattress, you have likely noticed that each one comes with a firmness level. But, how is this level determined? Many brands rely on a standard firmness scale from 1 to 10with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Firm and soft mattresses are at opposite ends of this scale. That said, youll rarely find mattresses rated as a 10 or a 1 because those are extremely firm and extremely soft beds that arent commonly made.
A firm mattress rates between a 9 and a 7 on the firmness scale. These beds have very little give, so the surface tends to remain even and allows for little sinking.
A soft mattress rates between a 2 and a 3 on the firmness scale. These beds compress quickly and easier when pressure is applied. Most sleepers experience some level of sinking when resting on a soft bed.
Benefits Of Plush Mattresses
CConsidering what we know about firmness level, an ultra plush mattress simply means that it will conform more to the sleepers shape rather than holding a more solid, rigid state. Though they may not be the right choice for some sleepers, well-constructed soft mattresses can still deliver more than enough spinal support for most.
Heres an overview of the benefits some sleepers can enjoy from a plush mattress:
- Peak comfort You cant ignore how plush and luxurious a soft mattress feels. Cushioning and cloud-like, they seem to hug you as you sleep. As long as youre not syncing too deeply into an unsupportive mattress, chances are youll love a plush pillowtop layer.
- Physical relief Soft mattresses have a more forgiving surface for chronically sore bodies, especially joint pain, aching muscles, and aging populations.
- Shape-conforming support Well-designed mattresses can encompass both adequate support from the base up and a plush upper layer for top-down softness. When laying on softer memory foam, the parts of your body that arent necessarily flush with the mattresships, shoulders, and so oncan sink into the foam as it conforms around your curves and edges.
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Soft Mattresses: Advantages And Disadvantages
When it comes to pressure alleviation, soft mattresses excel. Side sleepers who sink a bit deeper into their pillows have less stress on their shoulders and hips.
Soft mattresses may be comfortable and relieve pressure, but they lack stability. While they may support lighter loads, they often fall short regarding back or stomach sleeping support.
A softer mattress might make it harder to get out of bed in the middle of the night to switch positions. In addition to feeling heated while they sleep, they may also have difficulty getting up in the morning. Anyone who sleeps on their stomach or back should choose a firm mattress.
Which Mattress Firmness Is Right For You
While theres no hard-and-fast rule about what mattress firmness you should pick, here are some things to consider:
- What is your preferred sleep position?
- Do you have joint or back pain?
- Are you lightweight, average-weight, or overweight?
- Do you tend to overheat while sleeping?
- Are you a solo sleeper, or do you share your bed with a partner?
- Do you snore or use a CPAP machine?
- Do you have mobility limitations that affect your ability to get in and out of bed?
The answers to these questions can help you narrow down whether you should buy a firm mattress, a medium mattress, or a soft mattress. It would also help you to consider the benefits of an adjustable bed.
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Whats The Difference Between A Soft Mattress And A Firm Mattress
The difference between a soft mattress and a firm mattress is in how they feel. A soft mattress will compress more easily under pressure, usually providing a deeper hug and advanced pressure relief. On the other hand, a firm mattress will feel more rigid and not compress as much, focusing more on robust support and leaving the sleeper on top of the bed. Firmness is subjective, but usually, soft beds are in the 4-5 range, while firm beds are at a 7 and above. Medium-firm is a popular middle-ground choice thats rated between 5 and 7.
What Are The Benefits Of A Soft Mattress
Soft mattresses can reduce back pain and help aging individuals deal with joint pain and problems 2. Slimmer, lighter people can sleep on a medium-firm mattress and enjoy the plushness without sacrificing spinal support 3. Soft mattresses can be a better option for people who sleep on their side, especially in a fetal position 4.
Is it bad to sleep on a soft mattress with back pain?
An overly soft mattress will not support the body properly at all, allowing it to sink into the mattress too much. As a result, your back pain will worsen after sleeping on an extremely soft mattress. Instead, for a bad back, a medium-firm is considered the ideal middle ground: not too soft and not too firm.
What kind of mattress is best for low back pain?
But one survey of 268 people with low back pain found that those who slept on very hard mattresses had the poorest sleep quality. There was no difference in sleep quality between those who used medium-firm and firm mattresses. Soft mattresses, on the other hand, can also be problematic.
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Invest In A Softer Mattress
If you think your mattress is too firm for any of these steps to provide long-term results, it might be time to invest in a new mattress.
Ideally, your mattress should be replaced every seven years so you can always get a great nights sleep. However, if your mattress is damaged or lumpy or is too uncomfortable to sleep on, investing in a softer mattress is the best option.
If youre looking to replace your firm mattress, check out these options:
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Which Mattress Types Are Good For Back Pain
The best type of mattress to mitigate your back pain depends on a few different factors. Along with mattress firmness level, you need to consider material type as well.
One medical journal study found that when subjects switched to mattresses designed to dovetail with their preferred sleeping positions, improvements in both pain and stiffness were noticeable immediately and improved further over the 12 weeks subjects were followed.
Your sleeping position, body weight, and typical sleeping situation can also help determine the right mattress for you.
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Pros Of A Firm Mattresses
The word firm might be a turnoff for some, but firm mattresses can provide an amazingly comfortable nights sleep. Theyre great for heavier than average individuals who may experience too much sinkage on a soft mattress. Durability also tends to increase in correlation with mattress firmness, as premature sagging isnt usually an issue. Back and stomach sleepers tend to find greater support in medium-firm and firm varieties thanks to the even sleeping surface these mattresses provide.
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What Is The Best Mattress For Couples
If youre going to be sharing your mattress with a partner, its important that youre able to choose not just the right firmness, but also the right size for both your shared comfort. Its usually recommended that couples choose queen-sized beds or larger, though a double mattress can work if youre dealing with an especially small space.
The Benefits Of A Soft Mattress
A mattress that is too firm may give you back pain. If you have lower back issues, you may want to stay away from firm mattresses. A soft mattress may provide you with more comfort throughout the night, which may help you get to sleep. Further, if you sleep on your side, you may prefer softer mattresses that will conform to the shape of your body.
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Other Mattresses We’ve Tested
Purple Hybrid mattress: The Purple Hybrid bed took everything we love about the Purple mattress and made it firmer and more supportive. It’s rated around a medium-firm, though you can still feel the weightless pressure relief from the Purple Grid in the comfort layer. It has a unique feel that takes a moment to get used to, but it’s comfortable and accommodating once you’re used to it. It’ll be suitable for just about body type and it accommodates back, stomach and combination sleepers.
Amerisleep AS2 mattress: The Amerisleep AS2 mattress is rated around a medium-firm or a 7 on the scale, and it has a dense memory foam feel that’s slow to respond to pressure. It’ll take a moment for you to nestle into the layers, however, as dense memory foam tends to be triggered by heat. One of my favorite things about this bed is that it has a machine-washable cover, so it’s much easier to get out a spill or stain.
Cocoon mattress: The Perfect Fit memory foam inside Cocoon, as it’s aptly named, adapted to my body, providing pressure relief and support where I needed it most. It also has a nice firmness profile, rated around a medium-firm on the scale. Those are just some of the reasons that it may be the best firm mattress for you, too. This Cocoon chill memory foam sits on top of another foam layer, a responsive comfort layer, that provides a little bit of extra plushness and some extra support so the mattress never sank or sagged.
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When To Buy A Mattress With A Medium Firmness
A mattress designed with a medium firmness level essentially establishes a compromise between support and pressure relief. As mattresses with a medium level of firmness provide an optimal design for an estimated 80 percent of sleepers, individuals looking to purchase a new mattress may want to consider their options in this mid-tier range.
Here are the groups that will likely enjoy a medium firmness mattress.
- Combo sleepers. Many people dont conform to a strict sleeping position. With a medium mattress, combination sleepers maintain pressure relief while lying on their side while maintaining spinal alignment while lying on their back or stomach.
- Small or average-sized body types. If youre petite or under around ~200 lbs, we especially think you can get away with a mattress with a medium firmness regardless of your sleeper type because its so balanced.
- Couples with different sleeping styles. By combining features that provide both cushion and support, a mattress in the medium firmness category works to provide comfort and restfulness all the way around.
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