At a Glance:
Mattress Firmness Ratings Explained
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Firm Mattress?
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Plush Mattress?
5 Top Mattresses from Ultra Plush to Ultra Firm
When it comes to choosing a mattress, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of options available or the unfamiliar vocabulary related to mattress firmness. The key is understanding mattress firmness ratings to help you choose the right mattress for your body type.
In this guide on how to choose a mattress for your body type, our sleep experts are giving the rundown on mattress firmness explained as we explore the pros and cons of a plush vs firm mattress.
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Shop NowWhat Is Mattress Firmness?
In order to explain what mattress firmness is, let’s start by pointing out what it is not. Mattress firmness and support are not the same thing—though they are related.
Mattress firmness refers to the feel of a mattress, or how soft or hard it is when you lie down on it. Mattresses are typically categorized on a scale from soft to firm. The right firmness level is a matter of personal preference and depends on your body type and sleep position.
Mattress support, on the other hand, is about a mattress' ability to maintain proper spinal alignment and distribute your body weight evenly. A supportive mattress will help keep your spine in a neutral position, which is important for a restful and pain-free night's sleep. In essence, support is about how well a mattress can prevent pressure points and ensure your body is properly aligned.
Ideally, the heaviest part of the body, which is typically the hip and pelvis area, should be properly supported and aligned when you're lying on your mattress. This alignment is crucial for maintaining a healthy spinal posture and preventing discomfort or pain.
The correlation between firmness and support lies in finding the right balance. A mattress that is too soft may lack proper support and cause you to sink into it, leading to misalignment and discomfort. Conversely, an excessively firm mattress may not contour to your body's natural curves, potentially causing pressure points.
Mattress Firmness Ratings Explained
Have you ever wondered what does a firm mattress mean? Or how do I read mattress firmness ratings? Mattress firmness ratings are expressed on a scale, with various systems used by different manufacturers and retailers. The most common methods include numerical scales, descriptions, or a combination of both.
Because the mattress firmness scale can be subjective and varies across manufacturers, we recommend paying special attention to a mattress’s product description, reading customer reviews, and trying out mattresses in person. However, there are some general rules of thumb between mattress firmness rating and body type, which we’ll review in the next section.
Learn More: 5 Most Comfortable Mattress Models
How Do I Know Which Type of Mattress Firmness I Need for My Body Type?
Wondering how to choose the best mattress for body type? Let’s break down each common mattress comfort level based on what sleeper body type each is best for:
- Ultra Plush: Ultra plush mattresses are best for lighter, petite individuals—particularly side sleepers. For sleepers lighter in frame, an ultra plush mattress will feel soft and supportive, but for someone bigger in stature, they’ll sink uncomfortably into the mattress. Sinking into your mattress inhibits proper spinal alignment and can lead to pain and stiffness.
- Plush: Plush mattresses are also best for lighter weight and petite individuals who sleep in all positions (side, back, and stomach). Again, heavier individuals will sink into a plush mattress, disrupting proper alignment and support.
- Medium: A medium mattress is great for average weight individuals, especially side and back sleepers. This might be a good compromise for a couple sharing a bed when one of them is lighter weight and one of them is of average weight. Heavier individuals and stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress. If you have persistent back pain, research suggests that medium-firm mattresses may be the most beneficial at reducing pain and improving your overall sleep quality.
- Firm: Firm mattresses are great for average and heavier weight individuals as well as back and stomach sleepers. The surface may feel too hard and unsupportive for lightweight individuals who may not weigh enough to cause the mattress to contour to their body’s shape for proper support.
- Extra Firm: Extra firm mattresses are ideal for heavy or overweight individuals, especially back and stomach sleepers. Like a firm mattress, an extra firm mattress may feel too hard and unsupportive for a lightweight individual, and they may not actually weigh enough to cause the mattress to contour to their body’s shape.
Consumer Reports recommends spending five to 10 minutes on your sides, back, and stomach to test out whether a mattress provides you with proper spinal support and pressure relief.
In terms of body weight distribution:
✔ Back sleepers should pay attention to their shoulders, pelvis, and back of the head
✔ Side sleepers should pay attention to their hips, shoulders, knees, and arms
✔ Stomach sleepers should pay attention to their neck, shoulders, and hips
Mattress Too Firm: Symptoms
Your mattress may be too firm if you are a light and petite individual who is feeling back pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling, sore joints, or discomfort in your preferred sleeping position. The odds are that your mattress is too firm and it’s not contouring to your body shape to provide comfort and support.
Mattress Too Soft: Symptoms
Your mattress may be too soft if you are a heavier individual who is experiencing mattress sagging, back pain, tingling or numbness, lack of edge support, or poor alignment. It is likely that your mattress is too soft and you need something firmer to offer adequate support.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Firm Mattress?
✅ Support and Spinal Alignment: Firm mattresses are better at maintaining proper spinal alignment, but this may not be the case for lighter individuals.
✅ Pressure Point Relief: A firm mattress can distribute your body weight more evenly, reducing the risk of pressure points and discomfort in areas like the hips and shoulders.
✅ Durability: Firm mattresses tend to hold up well over time, with less sagging and indentation compared to softer mattresses.
✅ Cooler Sleep: Firm mattresses typically allow for better airflow and heat dissipation, promoting a cooler sleep environment.
✖ Initial Discomfort: Some users find firm mattresses uncomfortable at first, especially if they are used to sleeping on softer surfaces. It may take time to adjust to the feel of a firm mattress.
✖ Limited Motion Isolation: Firm mattresses may not absorb motion as well as softer ones, making them less ideal for couples who are easily disturbed by each other's movements.
✖ Potential for Increased Pressure: While they can relieve pressure points for some, a firm mattress may exacerbate pain and discomfort for others, particularly those with certain medical conditions or specific sleeping preferences.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Plush Mattress?
✅ Pressure Point Relief: Soft mattresses conform closely to your body's contours, which can help alleviate pressure points in areas like the hips and shoulders, promoting a more comfortable sleep. However, this may not be true for a heavier individual who sinks into the mattress.
✅ Reduced Motion Transfer: Soft mattresses often excel in motion isolation, making them a suitable choice for couples, as movements are less likely to disturb one another during sleep.
✅ Comfort for Side Sleepers: Soft mattresses are generally more comfortable for side sleepers, as they allow the shoulders and hips to sink in, aligning the spine better and reducing pressure.
✅ Initial Comfort: Many people find the plush, cushiony feel of a soft mattress to be immediately comfortable, especially if they are transitioning from a firmer mattress.
✖ Lack of Support: Soft mattresses may not provide adequate support for some individuals, potentially leading to poor spinal alignment, discomfort, and back pain.
✖ Durability: Soft mattresses tend to wear out and develop indentations more quickly than firmer mattresses, leading to a reduced lifespan.
✖ Sagging: Over time, a soft mattress can develop sagging areas that lead to uneven support and discomfort.
✖ Heat Retention: Soft mattresses may trap heat, leading to a warmer sleep environment and potential discomfort for those who sleep hot.
5 Top Mattresses from Ultra Plush to Extra Firm
Keep reading for our five top mattress recommendations, ranging from ultra plush to ultra firm.
Best Mattress for Petite Sleepers: Scott Living by Restonic York Hybrid Ultra Plush Tight Top Queen Mattress
Shop This Scott Living Plush Mattress
This hybrid mattress combines memory foam, gel foam, and innersprings to offer support and comfort. Because of its ultra plush tight top design, it’s ideal for lightweight, petite individuals, especially side sleepers. If this is you, then you’ll enjoy the soft top and supportive coils below.
Learn More: Everything You Want to Know About Scott Living Mattresses
Best Mattress for Back and Stomach Sleepers: Scott Living by Restonic Anniversary Hybrid Plush Tight Top Queen Mattress
Shop This Scott Living Hybrid Mattress
This hybrid plush mattress is ideal for lighter weight, petite individuals and is a good option for lighter back or stomach sleepers because it’s a bit firmer than an ultra plush mattress. Enjoy the body contouring effects of gel foam, super soft foam, and medium support foam as well as 832 individually wrapped coils to provide support and promote proper spinal alignment.
Best Mattress for Average Build Sleepers: Scott Living by Restonic Ellis Hybrid Medium Plush Tight Top Queen Mattress in a Box
Shop This Scott Living Medium Mattress
This mattress puts the “medium” in “happy medium.” It’s a great compromise for partners of varying heights and weights, providing medium plush support. It’s ideal for side sleepers of average weight. Wrapped coils provide extra support, and if you tend to be a hot sleeper, you’ll love the 3X cool-to-the-touch sleeping surface to help you stay cool all night long.
Best Mattress for Sleepers of Bigger Statures: Restonic Scott Living Ferndale Wrapped Coil Tight Top Firm Queen Mattress
Shop This Scott Living Firm Mattress
This mattress is constructed of individually wrapped, foam-encased coils for optimum comfort and support. It offers excellent edge support and pressure relief thanks to the combination of coils, gel foam, and memory foam. With its firm feel, it’s ideal for heavy and tall individuals of all sleep positions.
Best Mattress for Overweight People: Restonic Scott Living Addison Wrapped Coil Tight Top Extra Firm Queen Mattress
Shop This Scott Living Extra Firm Mattress
This extra firm mattress is ideal for overweight individuals as well as stomach and back sleepers. With its individually wrapped coils, gel-infused memory foam, and extra firm support foam, this sturdy mattress provides the support you need so you’ll never sink into your mattress again. It also features cooling technology to prevent heat absorption and promote airflow while you sleep.
Learn More: 3 Pain Relieving Reasons You Need a Mattress with Latex
When you’re shopping for mattresses, it’s essential to understand the varying levels of firmness and which one is best for your body type. The goal is to provide comfort, support, pressure relief, and spinal alignment, but depending on your height, weight, and sleeping position, the best mattress for you may vary. At Colder’s, we have a wide selection of mattresses for every body type and our sleep experts are available to help you compare firmness levels. If you’re a Milwaukee local, stop by one of our four Wisconsin locations to try out our mattresses in person.
FAQs
Which type of mattress is best for body support?
A plush mattress is best for body support for lighter weight individuals while heavier and taller individuals will benefit from a firmer mattress.
How firm should my mattress be?
This depends on factors like your height, weight, and sleeping position. As a general rule of thumb, heavier and taller people—as well as back and stomach sleepers—benefit from a firm or extra firm mattress.
What are common mattress health risks?
Some common mattress health risks include improper spinal alignment, back and joint pain, and overheating. That’s why it’s so important to find the right mattress for your body type, sleep position, and other preferences.
What material is best for a mattress that takes your body shape?
Mattresses come in various types and materials. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are made of materials that contour to your body’s shape to provide comfort and support.
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Learn More: How to Shop for a New Mattress Online: Our Definitive Buying Guide