The process of selecting a new mattress is akin to making a high-risk gamble. With so many opposing recommendations, it is simple to drown in a multitude of possibilities. Perhaps the most important consideration in your choice is the tension, or hardness, of a mattress. Some insist on a bed as hard as stone, while others prefer sinking into something soft and cloud-like. The age-old question of whether a soft mattress or one with more tension is better is one often pondered, but the correct response hinges solely on you.
This guide will demystify the distinctions between different mattress tensions. We’ll discuss the special features of a soft mattress, put it in perspective against medium and firm options, and guide you through choosing the best level of support for your body and sleeping style.
Learning these important differences will enable you to choose a mattress confidently that provides restorative sleep for many years to come.
What Are Mattress Tensions?
Before we get into details, let’s define what “mattress tension” is. It describes the first impression of the mattress when you get in—how much it “gives” to your weight. Firmness is usually measured by most manufacturers on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being softest and 10 being firmest.
- Soft (1-3): These mattresses experience high sinkage and a deep, body-conforming feel.
- Medium (4-6): This category provides a mix of gentle cushioning and firmness. It’s frequently the “universal” level of comfort.
- Firm (7-10): These mattresses provide little give and a strong, “on-top-of-the-mattress” sensation.
Keep in mind that this scale is only a guide – firmness is a matter of opinion. A soft mattress for a heavier person could be medium-firm for a lighter person. That’s why knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each type is so crucial.
The Allure of the Soft Mattress
A soft mattress is designed to provide maximum pressure relief and a plush, contouring sensation. It cradles your body’s curves, creating a feeling of being gently enveloped by your bed.
Who is a Soft Mattress Best For?
The best soft mattress is an excellent choice for specific types of sleepers.
- Side Sleepers: This is the group most in need of a soft mattress. As a side sleeper, your hips and shoulders carry the weight of your body. A soft surface lets these pressure points sink in, keeping the spine aligned. On a hard mattress, a side sleeper’s spine may be pushed out of alignment, causing back and neck discomfort.
- Lightweight People (less than 130 lbs): Lighter sleepers do not put as much pressure on a mattress. A firm bed might not sink sufficiently to offer any contouring to them. A soft mattress provides a lightweight person with enough sinking so that they can get pressure relief and support.
- Individuals with Chronic Pain: Those suffering from conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia tend to find comfort on a softer mattress. The soft cushioning is relieving to sensitive joints and pressure-point pain, allowing for easier positioning.
The Potential Downsides of a Soft Mattress
Although a soft mattress feels lavish, it is not suitable for everyone.
- Inadequate Support for Heavier Sleepers: For those who weigh more than 230 pounds, a soft mattress can be insufficient support. Too much sinking can lead to the spine arching abnormally, which causes lower back discomfort.
- Challenges for Stomach and Back Sleepers: Stomach sleepers require a firm mattress to prevent their hips from sinking too deeply, which puts strain on the lumbar spine. Back sleepers also need sufficient support to maintain their spine in a neutral position. A very soft mattress can lead them to sink into a “hammock” position.
- Overheating Potential: Old-school memory foam, commonly found in soft beds, tends to retain body heat. Although new cooling technologies have minimized this, deep sinkage mattresses decrease air flow around the body.
- Limited Movement: The deep contouring that provides a soft bed’s cosiness can make it more difficult to shift positions or even exit the bed.
The Firm Mattress: A Foundation of Support
At the other end of the scale is the firm bed. Such beds offer a firm, flat surface with little to no sinkage. Rather than being “in” the bed, you’re essentially sleeping “on” it.
Who Benefits from a Firm Mattress?
- Stomach Sleepers: A firm bed is usually mandatory for stomach sleepers. It maintains the hips in a raised position and keeps them in alignment with the shoulders, so the lower back doesn’t arch uncomfortably.
- Heavier People (over 230 pounds): The heavier people are, the more they require a firm surface to avoid excessive sagging and proper spinal support. A firm mattress better distributes their weight.
- Some Back Sleepers: Back sleepers who like a solid feel should like a firm mattress, as long as it has sufficient of a comfort layer to cushion the small of their back.
The Drawbacks of a Firm Mattress
A too-firm mattress can cause problems of its own. It might not enable your shoulders and hips to sink in at all, resulting in pressure points and pushing your spine out of alignment. Side sleepers and lighter folks can expect discomfort and numbness from a firm mattress,
The Medium Mattress: The Best of Both Worlds?
Medium and medium-firm mattresses are the best-sellers for a reason. They try to create a one-size-fits-all comfort that works for the majority of people by combining the pressure relief of a soft mattress and the support of a firm mattress.
Why a Medium Mattress Works for Many
- Combination Sleepers: Individuals who switch positions during the night require a bed that functions well for side, back, and stomach sleeping. A medium firmness is usually responsive enough to enable effortless movement yet still offer sufficient support in any position.
- Couples with Differing Preferences: A medium bed is usually the ideal middle ground for couples. It’s not too firm and not too soft, accommodating the needs of both parties.
- Average-Weight Sleepers: Those in the 130-230-pound weight range find a medium mattress usually provides the perfect balance of support and contouring to maintain proper spinal alignment.
How to Choose the Right Mattress Tension for You
Discovering your ideal mattress tension is a function of three considerations: your sleeping position, your body type, and your own comfort desires.
1. Analyze Your Primary Sleeping Position
- Side Sleepers: You require a surface that nestles your shoulders and hips. You should look for mattresses in the soft to medium range (3-6 out of 10).
- Back Sleepers: Your concern is spinal alignment. You require a mattress that maintains the natural curve of your spine but doesn’t allow your hips to sink too far down. Medium to firm options (5-7 out of 10) are typically best.
- Stomach Sleepers: You need a firm surface to keep your torso from sagging and putting strain on your back. A firm mattress (7-9 out of 10) is nearly always the best option.
- Combination Sleepers: You need a mattress that is responsive and provides comfort in any sleep position. A medium-firm mattress (6 out of 10) is usually the best.
2. Consider Your Body Weight
- Lighter Sleepers (Under 130 lbs): You’ll probably like a soft or medium-soft mattress (3-5 out of 10) to feel adequate pressure relief.
- Average-Weight Sleepers (130-230 lbs): You have the greatest variety but will typically find your best match in the medium to medium-firm range (5-7 out of 10).
- Heavier Sleepers (Over 230 lbs): You need a firmer, more supportive mattress to prevent sagging and maintain alignment. Look for firm or extra-firm options (7-9 out of 10).
3. Trust Your Personal Preference
In the end, comfort is personal. These guidelines are based on ergonomics, but you’re more familiar with your body than anyone else. If you are a side sleeper who always preferred the feel of a firmer mattress, you may be best off with a medium-firm mattress than an outright soft one.
Don’t hesitate to try out mattresses in a showroom. Lie down in your normal sleeping position for 10-15 minutes or more to get a true sense of the surface. Many online mattress businesses also provide ample trial periods (often 100 nights or longer), so you can try the bed at home.
Final Thoughts
The quest for the ideal mattress starts with knowing the fundamental differences between mattress tensions. One soft mattress provides maximum pressure relief and a soft, cloud-like experience, which is best for most side sleepers and light people. Yet what is pure bliss to one individual can be a cause of back problems to another.
By considering your sleeping position, body shape, and personal preference with the features of soft, medium, and firm mattresses, you can make a sound choice. Not only is the objective to discover a comfortable bed, but also the best support system for your body—one that allows you to wake up refreshed, revitalized, and free from pain.
Ready to find your perfect mattress? Explore our expert recommendations and sleep better tonight.
