How Heavy Are You
Your body weight plays a huge part in choosing the right mattress. Without considering this you are simply guessing as to which spring and tension you need. Retailers rarely ask this and will want to avoid getting into too much detail with you. They do this to keep the sale quick and simple. This often results in you ending up with a really unsuitable mattress and a nightmare trying to exchange it with them.
A light person will find an orthopaedic mattress rock hard, whereas a heavier person may find it just right. So what kind of mattress would be chosen for the heavier person who is asking for a firm mattress believing that this would be the only option for them?
This is where the expertise of the retailer should come into play.
We can help identify the correct spring tensions for you – no more guessing
Another thing to bear in mind is that mattress tension is also relative to the size of the mattress a single mattress will be firmer than a double mattress, a lot firmer than a king size and much firmer than a super king, and of course vice-versa. The bigger the span of the mattress the softer it will feel. So going out to buy a mattress bigger or smaller than the one you are looking to replace will have a direct influence on the mattress tension. This is where you may need specialist advice and we can help prevent you from guessing.
Mattress Warranty And Other Policies
A companys policies may play a role in your purchasing decision. The shipping, trial period, and warranty may be particularly important to consider.
Customers who suffer from joint pain may find it more challenging to set up their mattresses. If you need assistance, you may want to consider whether the company offers White Glove delivery. Most online mattress companies offer trial periods that give customers a chance to try the mattress at home. Arthritis sufferers may use this window to determine whether the mattress provides any relief. Finally, the mattresss warranty can provide customers with additional protection for their purchase.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Firm Mattress
For some specific back problems, such as arthritis or scoliosis, firm mattresses can feel deeply uncomfortable. The best mattress type for back pain tends to be softer, since a hard mattress can put too much pressure on your joints. When you struggle with chronic back pain, its important to consult a physician before making any decisions that might exacerbate any pain.
If youre not used to sleeping on a firm mattress, making the switch can be an adjustment. The harder feel of a firm bed can be slightly uncomfortable and takes a little time to get used to, so you can expect discomfort and an adjustment period if you opt for this kind of bed.
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Pros Of A Medium Mattress
A medium mattress provides a rapid response time to your bodys movements while softly cradling its curves, reducing pressure point build-up. While medium mattresses are relatively soft, they still offer enough firmness so that sleepers wont just sink into them.
Furthermore, a medium mattress typically works with the most body and sleep types because its in the middle of the firmness scale, better suiting a wider user base. Medium mattresses are soft enough to offer lighter individuals necessary cradling, but at the same time, theyre firm enough to prevent individuals from sinking uncomfortably.
What Mattress Firmness Should I Choose
Firstly, in the mattress industry, there has to be a precise definition of soft, medium or firm which there isnt. Youll see all sorts of sliding scales and rating but without knowing whats exactly inside that mattress its just a guess.
This is because most of the time the retailers are using the spring tension to explain the relative firmness of the mattress which is incorrect. Most mattress firmness ratings are based on the upholstery layers on top of the spring unit. So when youre looking for a medium-firm mattress you need to be looking at that upholstery as well as the spring tension to work out the right mattress tension.
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Is A Firm Or Soft Mattress Better For Me
When youre choosing a new mattress theres a range of questions that youre likely to ask yourself is it better to have a firm or a soft mattress? Is a soft mattress supportive enough? You may have heard mixed reviews on whether you should sleep on a firm or a soft mattress. The reality is that theres no one perfect mattress feel for everyone, and personal preference is the most important thing. There are however, some important factors you should consider when deciding whats best for you.
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Most people who sleep on their side are unaware of the fact that the mattress they choose will impact their life so much. The bed they sleep on will have a significant influence on how well they rest night after night. It will also determine if they wake up with muscle pain or not. So when looking for the right mattress for sleeping on a side, one should first consider the following features:
- sensitivity to pressure points
- the ability to maintain the natural alignment of the body
- the capacity to hold the natural curves of the body
After having read numerous reviews and opinions, I came to realize that the best mattress for side sleepers features a combination of memory foam and latex. Let me explain why:
- Memory foam provides the adequate support. It is also slightly softer and designed to relieve pressure points.
- Memory foam was explicitly designed to support and nourish each specific point of the body coming in contact with the mattress surface.
- Also, the material distributes weight and pressure in a balanced manner.
- Latex offers fantastic support for the natural curve of the body when you lay down on the bed.
- The combination of the two types of materials provides extraordinary support for all the sensitive areas of a side sleeper, which are the shoulders and the hips. Due to the extra backing, those areas can rest in a natural position.
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Hard Vs Soft Mattresses
So whats better? Its all about personal preference. Those people who prefer hard mattresses note how they provide more support. A firm mattress may also be the better choice if you sleep on your stomach or back because it keeps your body straighter during the night.
However, If your mattress is too firm, it could push against injuries or tender joints, leaving you in pain when you wake up in the morning.
There are perks of a soft mattress, too. Specifically, soft mattresses can offer more comfort, especially to sleepers who often wake with back pain. Even someone without any back injuries or ailments may find that a hard mattress leaves them aching in the morning and throughout the day.
A hard mattress may exacerbate existing injuries, too. Soft mattresses are often the mattress of choice for side sleepers whose bodies arent quite as straight during the night. But if you sink into a soft mattress and stay in the same position all night, you could wake up with pain in your pressure points, especially around the hips and shoulders, the following day.
It is important to note that even if your mattress is a good fit, you could wake up sore because of other factors- such as a pillow thats too firm or not supportive enough.
Will A Firm Mattress Get Softer Over Time
Yes, a firm mattress will soften over time. A bed likely won’t soften significantly however, it should ease up after some use. If you’re looking to soften your mattress quicker, you could walk on it daily to work it in.
Further, make sure you’re using the appropriate base for your bed. Many innerspring mattresses require box springs for support, and memory foam typically needs to rest on a flat base.
Memory foam softens with temperature. A cooler environment will tighten up and firm the bed, and warmer rooms will allow it to relax, softening the product.
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How Much Firmness You Like
The firmness of a mattress does not always reflect its overall level of support. This means you shouldnt count on the firmest mattress being the most supportive, but it also means you can still get the support you need from a softer mattress.
Ultimately, it is up to you and your personal preference. If you like a plush-feeling mattress but require spinal support, soft and pillow-top mattresses offer the best of both. You can also choose a firmer mattress with your ideal level of support and then add a thin or thick plush mattress cover on top.
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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Its Not All About Firmness
Its also important to note that shoppers who are heavy may experience mattress firmness a bit differently than other consumers. The more weight, the more youll sink into a soft mattress.
Thus, a mattress of medium firmness or a hard mattress may be a better option for those who weigh more, especially couples who have a combined higher weight. When shopping for a mattress, you may also want to stick to innerspring and hybrid designs rather than pure memory foam if youre heavier.
Consumers have more than just two choices when it comes to mattresses, however. For example, there are adjustable mattresses, which offer comfort no matter your needs on any given night. Adjustable mattresses might also be the best option for couples with different sleeping preferences.
Furthermore, if you desire a mattress somewhere in the middle, then it might be time to consider a custom foam mattress thats designed specifically for you rather than one off the rack. Sleepers who frequently toss and turn or do not consistently sleep in one position might be better off with a custom mattress solution.
Finally, a pillow-top mattress may be a good compromise for someone who wants a bed thats both supportive and soft.
Sleeping poorly contributes to less sleep overall, increasing health risks and posing other dangers. There may be creative solutions, however. For example, if your new mattress is just slightly too firm, you might be able to add a mattress topper to achieve the perfect softness.
Firmness And Mattress Price
Although mattress price-points vary from brand to brand, models with low firmness settings tend to be the most expensive due to extra padding layers that make the comfort system feel exceptionally soft.
Additionally, high-end materials like Talalay latex and gel memory foam tend to produce comfort systems with the softest settings. Alternatively, firmer mattresses feature less padding and are usually cheaper by comparison.
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Firm Vs Soft Mattress: Which Is Best For You
Lets face it, mattress shopping can be an overwhelming affair. There are hundreds of mattresses to choose from online, and they come in all different types and sizes. Plus, buying a mattress is a big investment, so its a decision you want to make carefully.
There is one question that every mattress shopper should ask themselves: Do I want a firm or soft mattress? This is a great place to start because the mattress firmness will really affect how comfortable or supported you feel on a mattress. Yes, a big part if it comes down to personal preference, but there are some more objective benefits and drawbacks to both firm and soft mattresses.
We have put together this firm vs soft mattress guide to help all those confused mattress shoppers decide which is best for you. Watch our video below or read on to compare them!
Firm Vs Soft Mattresses Pros And Cons
A good mattress is the foundation of a good nights sleep, so choosing which one is right for you really is a big decision. You spend a third of your life on it, and unsatisfactory sleep affects the rest of your life, too. Getting good quality, restful sleep is essential to general health and wellbeing.
The variety of mattress options on the market is enormous, making the final decision trickier than ever. And one of the biggest decisions in terms of mattress buying is the choice between purchasing a firm vs soft mattress. There are pros and cons for either, and really the choice is extremely personal. Here are some tips to help with your decision.
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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.
How To Choose Between Soft And Firm When Sharing The Bed With A Partner
For many couples, choosing a mattress can be a nerve-wracking task.
Why?
Because often, two sleepers can have completely different comfort preferences .
For instance, there can be a side and a stomach sleeper, which means they need a softer and firmer sleeping surface. Finding a compromise can be difficult in a situation like this, and thats when a split mattress can save the day.
As the name suggests, a split mattress is divided into two smaller ones. This can give partnered sleepers a couple of options:
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Is Memory Foam Better For Side Sleepers
It is shared among side sleepers to opt for a mattress that will hold pressure points and contour them. These points need to be comfortable so a side sleeper can have a healthy alignment and continuous sleep cycles.
Most often, memory foam is the one that does the work for side sleepers. It hugs those points and secures proper spine order.
Latex is a type of material that does the same, but memory foam is definitely more widespread.
Sometimes, all-foam mattresses could be too soft, even for side sleepers. Choosing a good hybrid mattress model is the way to go.
A medium-soft firmness is an ideal firmness level for all types of side sleepers. Its neither stiff nor too snug, but it will still embrace your side. Medium-soft memory foam mattresses wont let you sink beyond comfort, nor will they displace spinal alignment.
Pros Of A Soft Mattress
For some people, firm mattresses are just too rigid or uncomfortable. In these cases, a soft mattress is a better option. Here are a few of the main benefits of soft mattresses:
- Soft and contouring feeling. For sleepers who enjoy a mattress that cradles their body, soft mattresses provide a deep cushion hug or a traditional deep contour feel, such as what you get from memory foam mattresses.
- Can be beneficial for pain relief. The bed acts to cradle and cushion throughout the night, regardless of your sleeping position. This firmness level is really pressure relieving, which can help those who have arthritis or joint pain.
- Better for petite sleepers. Especially for individuals with bodyweight on the lower side of the scale, a soft mattress is worth considering as a firmer mattress style provides less give than softer mattresses do.
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