With so many types of mattress to choose from, the level of firmness is one of the five questions you need to ask when shopping around for a new one, which you will need to do approximately every 8 - 10 years.
What is mattress firmness?
The firmness level usually determines how comfortable a mattress is and refers to the initial feeling or experience when you first lay down on the mattress.
Firmness should not be confused with the other important factor of support, which is how a mattress keeps the spine in alignment.
Firmness is usually dictated by the top comfort layer, whereas support is designed around the core of the mattress.
What is the mattress firmness scale?
There isn’t a standard measurement for firmness, because every manufacturer is different, and we experience it differently due to our personal weight and build.
For example, a heavier person may sink into a mattress more than someone who is less heavy. However, most manufacturers and retailers use a 10-point scale, which looks something like this;
- 1 Extra Soft - this will sink heavily with touch, and wrap around the body
- 2-3 Soft - this will sink and hug the body
- 4 Medium Soft - this will sink a little and contour the body closely
- 5 Medium - this sink less but still contour closely
- 6 Medium Firm - this will not sink much, and contour moderately
- 7-8 Firm - no sinkage and minimal contouring
- 9-10 Extra Firm - no sinkage and no contouring
Why does firmness matter?
Simply, you’ve got one spine and you need to take care of it.
A good quality mattress will keep your spine in the neutral position and take the weight off joints and pressure points, contributing to that deep, restorative sleep we all need for a healthy, happy life. Also the softer the mattress, the warmer it can be.
How to choose a mattress firmness?
Try this Simba hack to find the right firmness for you;
- Lie flat on your back on the mattress
- Slide your fingers between your lower back and the mattress
If your fingers slide in very easily your mattress is too firm; if they don’t at all, the mattress is too soft.
You want to find something in the middle. When you’ve found something that fits, try lying on your side, front, or any other position you often find yourself in. Still comfortable? There’s a good chance it’s the one.
How do I know if my mattress is too soft/too firm?
If you struggle to get comfortable at night, or if you wake up with fresh aches and pains, your mattress could be either too soft or too firm.
What is the best firmness for different types of sleepers?
- Side sleepers lie on a smaller surface area of the body and need proper support due to the many pressure points along the body. The range for side sleepers is between 2 and 7
- Back sleepers benefit from a firmer mattress that gives good support to the lumbar area or mid-section and maintains the neutral spine position. The range for side sleepers is between 3 and 8
- Front or stomach sleepers require a firmer mattress to stop the lower back from arching. The range for front sleepers is between 3 and 8
A medium firm mattress (between 6-7) is the best all-round firmness for the majority of sleepers, combination sleepers, and the best compromise for bed sharers.
It’s the standard firmness that hotels use, as it works for all three sleep positions: back, front and side.
All Simba Hybrid® mattresses are medium firm and this is based on the feedback of thousands of reviews from happy customers and multiple prototypes.
Body weight and firmness levels
Your build will likely affect the firmness level that you find most comfortable.
- Under 130 lbs / 9.2 stone / 59 kg - lighter sleepers may find a softer mattress (between 2 and 5) works best for them
- 130 - 230 lbs / 16.4 stone / 104 kg - average sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress (between 4 and 6) with gentle contouring support
- Over 230 lbs / 16.4 stone /104 kg - heavier sleepers may find a firm to very firm mattress (between 7 and 10) with minimal contour gives the best spinal support
