Mattress Firmness Guide
Mike Stownel
Finding the perfect mattress that’s not too soft but not too firm can be more easily done with an understanding of mattress firmness. The findings of our comprehensive mattresses firmness guide will teach you about the four types of mattress firmness, which companies provide the best mattresses with free delivery, the recommended firmness for different mattress models, along with the pros and cons that surround the various levels of mattress firmness.
Mattress Firmness Guide
#1. Saatva - The classic mattress has one of three degrees of firmness, including Plush Soft (3), Luxury Firm (5-7), and Firm (8).
#2. Puffy - There are two different mattress firmnesses: medium-firm (6-8) and medium-plush (5-7), while mattresses can be memory foam or a hybrid.
#3. Nectar - Nectar splits the middle, with a medium-firm mattress firmness (6.5), to provide an excellent balance between support and comfort.
#4. Dreamcloudsleep - Medium-firm (6.5), also referred to as luxury-firm, is the luxury-level mattress firmness offered by the DreamCloud Sleep brand.
#5. Casper - Casper leverages medium-firm (5-6), the most popular mattress comfort, while the Nova Hybrid mattress has an extra plush top.
What Does it Mean?
Depending on a sleeper’s body weight, preferred sleeping positions, personal and partner preferences, a mattress firmness level can quickly point you in the right direction to a mattress that is best suited for you.
What Choice on the Market - Firmness Scale
Mattress firmness is graded on a scale of 1 through 10. Most shoppers will notice mattresses labeled as soft, medium-soft, medium-firm, or firm in retail. Sleepers that weigh more may have to use medium-firm to firm mattresses instead of soft and medium-soft because those beds are constructed with additional support features.
How to Choose the Best One
Our guide highlights the best mattress companies in the industry, while our firmness chart embedded below will help you quickly narrow down which mattress firmness is optimal for you.
Pros & Cons
Soft Mattresses
- Optimal for Lightweight Sleepers
- Lightweight, plusher, and cloud-like
- Best for side or combination sleepers
- Not suitable for heavier sleepers
- Provides more surface motion disturbance
- Less postural and spinal support
Medium-Soft Mattresses
- Suitable for side and sleeping couples
- The body feels elevated from the mattress
- Ample hugging and contouring
- Not as soft or plush
- Not ideal for stomach sleepers
- Less postural support
Medium-Firm Mattresses
- Suitable for back and stomach sleepers
- Most popular mattress firmness level
- Decreased motion surface disturbances
- Not nearly as soft
- Provides less contouring
- Not made for lightweight sleepers
Firm Mattresses
- Suitable for back, stomach, and heavier sleepers
- Like sleeping “on top” of the mattress, not in it
- Has better response and more resistance than soft/medium-soft
- Not as soft are other mattress firmness grades
- Provides little contouring or hugging
- Not as versatile as more lightweight mattresses
Mattress Firmness Chart
The following chart will show the four types of mattress firmness, their firmness rating from a scale of 1 to 10, what kinds of sleepers are ideal for each firmness level, and how the mattress feels.
1. Saatva
Price Range: $899 to $2,440. Offer: Get 200$ off and FREE glove delivery
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Trial period: 365-night home trial |
Warranty: Lifetime |
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Financing : As low as $92/month at 0% APR |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King |
Saatva mattresses have one of three firmness levels: Plush soft (3), Luxury Firm (5-7), and Firm (8). Preferred by 82% of customers, the Luxury Firm Saatva mattress provides ample uplifting support with an equal balance of support. Side sleepers who prefer extra contouring or a more soft, cushiony feel gravitate towards the Saatva Plush Soft classic mattress
Premium materials. White Glove Delivery, 24/7 Customer Support. Try It For 180 Nights
2. Puffy
Price Range: $795 to $1,995. Offer: $300 OFF + 2 FREE PILLOWS
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Trial period: 101-nights |
Warranty: as long as you own the mattress |
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Financing : 0% APR, Klarna |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
American-made, Puffy provides three types of mattresses that each come with varying levels of firmness. The Puffy 10” mattress provides 3-layers of support and has a medium-firmness of 6 to 8. Puffy most popular mattress, the Lux mattress, has 4-layers of support and a medium firmness rating of 5 to 7. The Royal mattress has 5-layers and a medium firmness rating of 5 out of 10.
Lifetime Warranty, Free Return. Up To $300 Off. Try It Now
3. Nectar
Price Range: $499 to $1,799. Offer: $399 Of Accessories Included With Every Mattress
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Trial period: 365-nights |
Warranty: as long as you own the mattress |
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Financing : 0% APR, Affirm, Splitit |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Over 1 million Nectar mattresses have found their way into American family homes. Striving to be America’s Most Comfortable Mattress, Nectar provides two types of mattresses that each come with a mattress firmness rating of 6.5 (medium-firm). The Nectar Lush mattress features dual-action cooling, a lofty feel, superior support, and minimizes motion surface disturbances.
Free Shipping & Returns, Financing Available. Try It Risk-Free For A Full Year
4. Dreamcloud Sleep
Price Range: $799 to $1,599. Offer: $200 Off + $399 In Accessories Included!
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Trial period: 365-nights |
Warranty: as long as you own the mattress |
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Financing : 0% APR, Affirm |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Dreamcloud Sleep provides two types of mattresses that each come with a medium-firm mattress firmness rating of 6.5. The DreamCloud Premier mattress offers 6-layers for comfort, has a cashmere blend euro top, and cooling characteristics from the gel-infused memory foam. The Luxury Hybrid mattress has 5-layers for comfort and pressure-relief support.
Free Shipping Within 14 - 21 Business Days. Try Our 100% Risk-Free
5. Casper
Price Range: $595 to $2,995. Offer: Save up to $940 on select mattress
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty: 10 years |
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Financing : 0% APR, Affirm |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Casper is the #1 Bed in a box brand in the US and provides three types of mattresses that come with varying levels of firmness. The Casper Nova Hybrid mattress has a medium-soft firmness of 4 while both the Casper Wave Hybrid mattress and the Casper Original mattress reflect a medium-firm firmness of 5 to 7.
Mattress Firmness Types
Soft (1 - 2)
Composed of ultra-lightweight yet durable materials, soft mattresses will allow the body to sink deeply. There aren’t as many soft-rated mattresses due to a lack of demand and how it is most suitable for sleepers under 130 pounds, which doesn’t include the majority of the adult population. Often compared to sleeping on a cloud, soft mattresses deeply hug sleepers and make them feel as if they are sleeping “in” the mattress instead of on it.
Medium-Soft (3 - 4)
Not as cloud-like, medium-soft mattresses provide plenty of body-hugging and contouring for an exchange in softness. Sleepers will feel more raised on this mattress while this mattress is suitable for sleeping couples, lightweight side sleepers, and combination sleepers.
Medium-Firm (5 - 7)
The most popular go-to mattress firmness would be medium-firm. Medium-firm mattresses are known to provide the perfect balance between contouring and firmness. Additionally, there is less sinkage and conforming, while this mattress firmness is suitable for nearly every kind of sleeper.
Firm (8 - 10)
Firm mattresses have a significantly harder surface than soft to medium-soft mattresses. There is minimum hug or contouring, while sleepers may feel like they are sleeping on top of the bed instead of in it. It provides superior support and is best suited for back or stomach sleepers.
The Bottom Line
The battle between mattress firmness and support almost always boils down to the personal preferences of a sleeper. Knowing the four types of mattress firmness and your sleep preferences will significantly aid you in your quest to find the best mattress for you. While the most popular bedding choice is medium-firm mattresses, medium-soft and firm mattresses are also quite common and can cater to a broad demographic of sleepers.
FAQ
- What are the four types of mattress firmness?
- Which mattress firmness is best for lightweight sleepers?
- Which mattress firmness is best for heavy sleepers?
- Which mattress firmness is best for back sleepers?
- Which mattress firmness grade is the most popular?
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Written by: Mike Stownel
Senior Sleep Health and Mattress Technology Expert
Mike Stownel is a seasoned sleep health and mattress technology expert with over a decade of rich experience. He previously served as a Sleep Wellness Advisor for numerous boutique mattress manufacturers, where he played a crucial role in product development and customer education. Mike also worked as a Consultant for several start-up sleep tech companies, contributing to innovative sleep solution strategies.
His deep understanding of mattress technology and sleep science, combined with practical industry experience, positions him as a trusted authority. Mike`s insights, rooted in both science and market trends, offer invaluable guidance for achieving optimal sleep health.