When you are looking for a file best mattressThere are a lot of things to consider. What size should it be? How much do you want to spend? What kind of filling do you prefer? And also in this list should be firmness: Are you looking for a soft, medium or hard mattress?
However, these terms can be a bit ambiguous. So let’s first define what we mean. In general, hardness is described between 1 and 10, with 10 being the strongest. This is the classification we use in our mattress reviews. As far as we know, no one has ever produced 1, 2 or 10. So in general, a soft rank would be between 3 and 5, a middle rank would be between 6 and 7, and a hard rank would be between 7.5 and 9.
Having said that, note that we say “described” rather than “measured” because there is no generally agreed upon method for measuring hardness. Therefore, like women’s clothing sizes, what is called 6.5 by one manufacturer may be similar to 7.5 with another. In fact, some brands don’t even describe the level of firmness at all!
So how can you be sure of how soft or firm a mattress is? If you’re buying from a store, the obvious answer is to try it in person. If you’re buying online, checking reviews, including those on this site, can help. In the end, most online mattresses come with a free trial, so you can at least return it, if it doesn’t fit. There is also the option to change the softness of your current mattress to make it firmer or softer; If you like this idea, check out our guide to best mattress covers.
With all that said, is a hard or soft mattress better? As a sleep specialist, trainer and speaker Angela Holiday Bell (Opens in a new tab) The short answer shows that it varies from person to person.
“Personally, I prefer the feel of a soft, plush mattress,” Angela says. “I like the feeling of sinking into my mattress and the envelope that comes with it. However, there are many factors that come into play when determining the best level of support from a mattress. These include your preferred sleeping position, weight, and any pain points.”
In this article, we’ll look at all of these factors and more, to help you decide what type of mattress is right for you.
Stress relief for support
The main difference between a soft and firm mattress is the level of pressure relief and support they provide. Soft mattresses score high in stress relief. Simply put, because you’re diving into it, it puts less pressure on your hips and shoulders.
However, not all news is good. On a soft mattress, your spine is more likely to drop, a problem known as anterior pelvic tilt, and it can lead to poor posture and pain over time. A durable mattress does not allow you to drown in it much, which means that it supports your back more firmly. So it’s a matter of finding the right balance between stress relief and support.
How you rate it basically boils down to two things: your sleep pattern and your body type.
sleeping style
If you sleep on your back or stomach, a firm mattress is better. This is because your spine will be better supported. In contrast, on a soft mattress, your heart will sink compared to your arms, neck and head, and this can lead to long-term back problems.
If you sleep sideways, the opposite is true. A firm mattress will put a lot of pressure on your hips and shoulders, and a softer mattress will do better, allowing it to sink into the mattress more easily. (See our guide to the best mattress for side sleepers for more information on this topic.)
So what if you’re a sleeper person, that is, you do a little bit of everything? In practice, most people who sleep together tend to generally have one sleep pattern. So for example, if you mostly sleep on the side, a softer mattress is likely to be more appropriate than a firmer one.
body type
Your body type also matters when it comes to choosing between a softer and firmer mattress. Simply put, the heavier you are, the firmer the mattress you may need.
If you’re lighter than average, a firm mattress won’t provide enough “tender” and you’ll feel uncomfortable “on top,” while a softer mattress lets you sink in just enough to feel comfortable. How soft? Well, it depends on your sleeping style. So if you’re a lightweight side sleeper, you’ll be looking at the softer side of the spectrum, while a lightweight side sleeper leans more toward the middle.
And the opposite is also true. If you are heavier than average, your priority will be a firm mattress that adequately supports your body. And if you sleep on your back or front, you will need maximum rigidity, while if you sleep on the side, something more rigid may be better.
Transmission
Another factor in choosing between a soft and firm mattress is whether you sleep alone or as part of a couple. In the case of the latter, you will be worried about the transmission of movement. As a generalization, soft mattresses have less motion transmission, which reduces a restless night’s sleep.
However, other design factors can lead to low gear transmission. For example, our review of the Eve Hybrid Premium found it to be very good at absorbing movement, despite its rating of 7.5 for stiffness. In terms of transmission, then, each rank should really be considered on a case-by-case basis.
temperature
A final consideration is whether you tend to sleep hot. If so, a soft mattress isn’t ideal, because when you sink in it, you compress the filler and reduce airflow around you and into the mattress.
However, many manufacturers have sought ways to overcome this problem, through design and material selection. So you have a problem with overheating at night, you again need to think about each model on a case-by-case basis. Our guide to Best Cooling Mattresses I will help you there.
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