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. Layla - Buy a mattress with 0,00% APR for 12 months with Affirm and get Two Layla Memory Foam Pillows + Microfiber Sheet Set + Essential Mattress Protector for FREE.
#4. Helix sleep - Most Awarded mattress brand of 2020, have standard and luxury mattresses models, designed for all types of sleepers and price for any pocket. Helix sleep provides 180-Day Free Trial, 10-Year Warranty and Free Shipping within the US.
#5. AmeriSleep - Memory Foam, Hybrid and all-natural latex Organic Mattress manufacturer AmeriSleep provides 100-Night Free Trial and 20-Year Warranty for their customers. Also, AmeriSleep offers very tempting discounts and gifts like sheets, pillows, mattress protector or an adjustable bed when buying a mattress.
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.
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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. Layla
Price Range: $1,049 to $1,699. Offer: Up To $200 Off Mattresses + 2 Free Layla Memory Foam Pillows
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Trial period: 120-nights |
Warranty: Lifetime |
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Financing : 0% APR, Affirm |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Hybrid or memory foam mattresses, made with two levels of firmness in one mattress (flippable firmness). Layla Mattress provides excellent edge support for sleepers of all weights and has great motion isolation. Mattresses made with cooling technology and a very breathable cover that zips off for easy cleaning. Layla Mattresses are adjustable base friendly, come with 10 Year warranty & Free Shipping.
4. Helix sleep
Price Range: $600 to $2,249. Offer: Save up to $200 OFF & Get 2 FREE Dream Pillows
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty: 15 years |
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Financing : 0% APR, Klarna, Katapult |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Sink in like a cloud with the soft feel of the Helix Sunset Luxe, perfect for side sleepers seeking additional pressure point relief, enhanced contouring, zoned lumbar support, and a responsive surface. The Sunset Luxe’s softer top layers render soft, lavishly plush comfort under a premium quilted pillow top.
Special Offer! Save Up To $200 Off Your Mattress
5. AmeriSleep
Price Range: $899 to $4,190. Offer: 30% Off Mattresses + Up To $399 In FREE Accessories
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty: 100-days |
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Financing : - |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
AmeriSleep is one of the most popular and best mattress companies. The assortment includes both hybrid or memory foam mattresses and completely eco-friendly latex mattresses. AmeriSleep provide one of the best guarantees for their products - 20 years warranty, as well as care about the quality and application of new developments in the production of mattresses such as: HIVE® technology that offers dynamic full-body support for a healthy sleeping position, lightweight cover that promotes airflow and prevents overheating, Bio-Pur® foam is more responsive and breathable than traditional foams.
Try Organic Healthy Sleep, Without All The Chemicals. 20-Year Warranty
6. Birch by Helix
Price Range: $1049 to $1799. Offer: $200 off + 2 free Eco-Rest pillows!
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty: 25 years |
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Financing : Klarna, Katapult |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Environmentally-conscious shoppers buy the Birch Mattress due to its multi-certified all-natural materials. Reinforced perimeter support and ergonomically designed pressure relief provide an unprecedented level of comfort and pressure relief for back and stomach sleepers. Individually pocketed coils provide subtle body cradling and reduce surface motion (perfect for couples).
Best Natural Mattress! Try It Now and Say Goodbye to Chemicals.
7. Naturepedic
Price Range: $649 to $9999. Offer: 10% off for all mattress!
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Trial period: 90-nights |
Warranty: 20-years |
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Financing : Affirm |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
The EOS is the ultimate organic pillow top mattress that embodies luxury. Personalize comfort from firm to ultra-plush with its multi-layered zippered design. Multi-certified for purity and sustainable practices, Naturepedic’s EOS Pillowtop organic mattress is best for couples as each sleeper can control their mattress side’s comfort level.
Over 15 Years Experience In Organic Mattresses. 2-3 Business Days Shipping. Order Now
8. Ecoterra
Price Range: $849 to $1,349. Offer: $175 off mattresses
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Trial period: 90-nights |
Warranty:90-days |
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Financing :Klarna |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
Enjoy Nature's Secret For Deep, Comfortable Sleep!
9. Airweave
Price Range: $920 to $3,270. Offer: Save Up To $150 On Mattress Collection, $50 On Accessories!
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty:10 years |
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Financing :0% APR, Klarna |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
The New Airweave Mattress uses proprietary Airfiber technology to deliver a transformative sleeping experience. The mattress is more firm than traditional beds but can be balanced out with a plush pillow top layer. This mattress is machine washable and promotes up to 308% longer deep sleep cycles than memory foam.
10. Zomasleep
Price Range: $549 to $1,748. Offer: Save $150 Off Mattresses
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty:10 years |
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Financing : - |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
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.