Mattress Firmness Guide: Which Firmness Is Right For Me?
25 Mar 2025
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If you are shopping for a mattress, selecting the right mattress firmness is by far the most important factor to consider. The firmness of a mattress will influence your sleep quality night after night. An overly soft or firm surface can lead to poor spinal alignment, increased pressure points, tossing and turning, and even exacerbated back/joint pain over time.
That's why finding the perfect firmness level tailored to your specific body type and sleep position is so crucial. In this guide, we'll cover the mattress firmness scale, and you need to choose your ideal feel.
Most mattress companies rate their beds on a firmness scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.
Soft mattresses have a plush, contouring feel that allows you to sink in deeply. Firm mattresses have a much more solid and minimally conforming surface.
The most important factor in selecting mattress firmness is your primary sleep position. Back sleepers need a firmer surface to keep their spine aligned in a neutral position. Side sleepers may benefit from a softer mattress that has more cushioning to prevent pressure points in their shoulders and hips. Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress to avoid sinking too far into the bed.
Your weight and body mass index (BMI) also play a role in ideal mattress firmness. Heavier individuals over 100 kg (or 230 lbs) often prefer firmer beds around 7-9/10 firmness, as they need the extra support density. Petite people under 68 kg (or 150 lbs) may find softer mattresses around 4-6/10 firmness allow enough contouring without feeling "stuck."
Those with specific back conditions like herniated discs, arthritis, or scoliosis may need customized firmness and support to alleviate pressure to better manage their condition.
If you share your bed with a partner, it may be challenging to find a mattress that is comfortable for both of you. After all, everyone has different preferences when it comes to firmness levels. It’s also important to consider your partner’s body weight and size.
To keep your spine aligned, back sleepers typically need a firmer mattress in the 7 to 9 out of 10 range on the firmness scale. The Essence Firm Mattress has a firmness rating of 9, featuring reinforced coils along with high-density orthopedic and support foams to provide the ideal supportive surface that is suitably firm for back sleepers.
Side sleeping puts more pressure on the shoulders and hips, so a slightly softer mattress around 6 to 7 firmness is recommended. This allows enough contouring to prevent digging into pressure points. The Loft Mattress has a 5.5 medium-firm rating while the Hush Mattress has a firmness rating of 7 to 8. Both mattresses blend comfort and support that is well suited for those who sleep on their sides.
To avoid sinking too far into the mattress around the midsection, stomach sleepers should look for a firm mattress around 7-8/10 on the firmness scale. The Hush Mattress is a great option with its 7 to 8 firmness rating.
With more weight and higher BMIs over 25, heavier sleepers usually need a firmer mattress in the 7-9/10 range. This denser support prevents sagging and misalignment. Both the Essence Firm and Hush mattresses can provide this level of reinforced support.
The materials used in a mattress also influence the overall firmness feel. Foam and latex mattresses tend to conform more for a softer feel, while innerspring coils have a firmer and more resilient feel. Hybrid mattresses combine these materials for a balanced feel. Both the Hush Mattress and Essence Firm Mattress use premium memory foam and pocket coils in their hybrid design.
For those who sit or sleep near the edges, reinforced edge support helps prevent sagging and softening around the perimeter. This allows the full mattress surface to maintain its intended firmness level.
With all these factors in mind, the best way to gauge your ideal mattress firmness is to experience it for yourself.
Finding the right mattress firmness is essential for alleviating back pain, keeping your spine aligned, and getting deep, restful sleep. Be sure to take your sleep position, body type, medical needs, and other factors into account when shopping. Don't be afraid to spend ample time testing different models in the showroom. And take advantage of risk-free in-home trials to be certain you've found your perfect firmness match.
The mattress experts at Hush Home can guide you to the ideal bed for your sleep needs and body. Visit a showroom today to experience the difference that the proper mattress firmness can make!
