Understanding Mattress Firmness Level: What’s Best for You?
Choosing the right firmness level for your mattress is a crucial factor on the list of what to consider when picking a mattress. A mattress with the right firmness level helps enhance spinal alignment and overall sleep comfort by preventing pain.
However, making the right choice of mattress firmness level is not as simple as it may sound.
This article covers everything you need to know about mattress firmness levels. It explores the mattress fitness guide, the range as explained by experts, and other factors to consider before committing to a mattress.
Mattress Firmness Guide
Mattress firmness means how hard or soft a mattress feels when lying on it. To make it easy to compare mattresses, industry experts use a standardized 1-10 scale to measure the level of mattress firmness. According to the scale, 1 means the softest mattress, while 10 means you might be sleeping on a “concrete mattress.”
Here is what each number stands for:
- 1-2: Extra soft Mattress
- 3-4: Soft Mattress
- 5-6: Medium-Firm mattress
- 6.5: Extra Medium firm Mattress
- 7-8: Firm Mattress
- 9-10: Extra firm Mattress
Distinguishing Mattress Firmness Levels?
Now that you know what each level represents, let’s explore its uniqueness so you can distinguish one from the other.
Extra soft mattress (1-2)
If you’re looking for an extra-soft mattress, you may be out of luck because they are so hard to come by. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) declared that its team had never come across a mattress with a 1-2 rating.
Regardless, since these mattresses are the lowest on the mattress firmness scale, they have a lot of sinkage, meaning you can expect to drown in them when you fall in.
Soft mattress (3-4)
You know a mattress is “soft” when you see your shape impressed on the mattress when you get up from it.
Soft mattresses (3-4 on the scale) are easy to press down as they hug your frame.
Medium mattress (5-6)
Then there are medium mattresses (5-6 on the scale). They are right there in the middle, not that soft, but not that hard either.
Medium Firm mattress (6.5)
Experts describe the medium-firm mattress (6.5 on the scale) as the mattress's “sweet spot.” Studies have shown that using a medium-firm mattress significantly reduces the risk of lower back pain.
Firm mattress (7-8)
Firm mattresses (7 - 8 on the scale) have little sinkage and do not compress too much. They are a great option for those on the bid side, giving them a body to lie on without sinking in too deeply.
Extra Firm mattress (9-10)
Extra-firm mattresses (9-10 on the scale) provide a flat, hard surface on which to lie down.
How to Choose the Right Mattress Firmness
The first thing you should know about choosing the right mattress firmness is that there is no “one size fits all " solution. It is possible that someone will find a certain level of firmness optimal for their sleep, and it just won’t work for you.
Before you pick your mattress, here are some factors you should consider:
Preferred Sleep Position
Do you like to sleep on your back, your stomach, or your side? Believe it or not, this has a role to play in how firm your mattress should be if you want to have a great sleeping experience.
Soft mattresses, like the Luxe Velour Hybrid (Soft Mattress), are excellent for you if you sleep on your side; medium-firm mattresses, like the Luxe Nova Hybrid (Medium Firm), are great for back sleepers, while firm mattresses, like the Majestic 9000 Mattress (Extra Firm), are great for stomach sleepers.
Body Weight
Choosing a mattress firmness level makes sense if you think about it. For example, someone on the big side wouldn’t want a soft mattress as it might not support their body weight.
Soft mattresses are great for people weighing 130 pounds or less, while bigger people would want a firmer mattress. The bigger you are, the firmer your mattress should be.
Health conditions
Conditions like arthritis, back pain, or any other bodily pain could play a role in your choice of mattress firmness. For example, the National Council of Ageing advises patients with arthritis to go for softer mattresses to relieve pressure on joints and reduce pain. Whatever the health issue you have, you should check with your physician to help you make the choice that would improve the quality of your health the most.
Personal Preference
Despite all the research and science, it might be that you just like to sink into your mattress or that you would like to sleep on your mattress rather than in it. Then, you can go for the one you are most comfortable with.
Besides, your sleeping position might not even conform to all the classifications. You might sleep in one position all through the night, or you’re all over the bed by the time it’s morning. Whatever the case, go for a mattress firmness level that affords you a positive sleeping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How would I know if my current mattress firmness is bad for me?
You know your mattress firmness level is a bad fit if you wake up with pain and experience discomfort when you use it. The best mattress is the one that improves your sleep experience, cushions your delicate body parts, and promotes optimal spinal alignment.
Q2. I sleep in every single position. What’s the best mattress firmness for me?
Finding the best mattress for people who sleep in a combination of positions can be tricky, but it’s advised that they get a mattress with a medium firmness to help them change positions.
Q3. Which is the healthier option, the soft or the firm mattress?
In the soft vs. firm mattress comparison, the healthier option would depend on your specific situation. Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to this. Your specific factors, like sleeping position, health challenges, and body type, would determine the type of mattress that would be the best fit for you.
Conclusion
Choosing your mattress can be overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be with the right information to guide you.
Start by considering your body weight, sleep position, and health condition. Regardless, you also want to factor in your personal preferences and choose a mattress that suits your lifestyle.
With this guide, you can now confidently choose a mattress firmness level that supports your lifestyle and comfort.
Check our list of quality Luxe Mattresses to find the one that suits your taste and lifestyle.
