Best Firm Mattresses

Firmness is a subjective mattress quality. It refers to how soft or firm a mattress feels to you. How a mattress feels to you will mostly depend on your height, weight, sleeping position, and personal preferences.

A mattress with the firmness level that is right for you will allow you to enjoy the feel of the mattress when you sleep and may even improve your sleep quality. Firmness is usually determined on a 1 to 10 scale and based on how mattresses feel to the average sleeper.

Here are the firmness levels and their brief description. Note that different manufactures may have their own firmness scales, which may slightly differ from the one below.

• Very soft (1-2) : incredibly soft mattresses that cannot provide proper support. You will sink into the mattress and will feel how the mattress conforms to your body and hugs it. Extra soft mattresses can be good for side sleepers and those who feel pain when sleeping on a firmer mattress.
• Soft (3-4) : these are plush mattresses that provide good sinkage but with better support than very soft mattresses. This type is also good for side sleepers and not recommended for back and stomach sleepers.
• Medium (5-6) : this type will provide a good combination between soft and firm feel. If you are looking for a mattress that would offer core support and pressure-point relief, then try this firmness level first. But if you need a high level of spinal support, then you need to try firmer mattresses.
• Medium-firm (6-7) : this is where you find an excellent balance of contouring comfort and support. Medium-firm mattresses are great for different body types and sleeping positions. Also, you will notice that this type of mattress bounces a bit.
• Firm (8) : if you need a slightly firmer mattress than medium-firm mattress, this is your type of mattress. Firm mattresses provide less hug and sinkage. They are great for heavier people and for those who sleep hot.
• Very firm (9-10) : you will get the most support with extra firm mattresses. There are not many beds that would offer extra firmness and they are usually therapeutic. Extra firm mattresses are not suitable for side sleepers but would be great for back sleepers and those who sleep hot.