How do I choose between a soft and firm mattress?

After a hard day at work, a good mattress feels like a blessing. But choosing an ideal mattress can sometimes be overwhelming and tedious. There are a plethora of mattresses to choose from, given the range of types and sizes available in the market. People are often confused between choosing super comforting soft mattresses and ideally supportive firm mattresses. Therefore, before investing in a mattress, go through this sufficiently informative article to reach a definite decision.  

Although choosing between a firm or soft mattress is more of a personal choice, choosing the right mattress determines the comfortability or the supportiveness of the overall sleeping experience. Check out the Max Icefoam Orthopaedic Mattresses, which are equally firm and soft. 

What Determines the Firmness or Softness of a Mattress?

Mattress manufacturers rate the softness or firmness of a particular mattress according to the 1-10 point scale ratings. Normally any mattress with firmness level 1 is extra soft and plush, firmness level 2-3 is soft, firmness level 4 is medium soft, firmness level 5 is medium, firmness level 6 is medium-firm, firmness level 7-9 is firm and firmness level 9-10 is super firm. Mattress can become firm or soft due to its materials, grade of coils and structure. 

1. Material:

Plus orthopaedic mattresses are firmer than any other mattresses due to their twin-layer combinations of memory foam and PU foam. These shape-conforming foams maintain spine-neck-hip alignment to facilitate deep sleep. Generally, soft mattresses are constructed from materials which conform closely to the body. Mainly memory foam and latex materials are used for these mattresses. 

2. Thickness:

The thickness of the comfort layer can heavily determine the softness or firmness of the mattress. A mattress which features thick-layered memory foam on the surface level can be pleasingly comforting. However, if the memory foam is thin, it can be very firm, resulting in a hard surface. 

3. Bodyweight: 

The firmness of a mattress is also unique to each person since each person applies different pressure to the surface of the mattress. A person of lighter weight might find a soft memory foam layered mattress to be comfortable, but a heavier person can be pulled down through the memory foam comfort layer and settle on the firmer medium layer. This might give the person a feeling of a firm surface. On the other hand, an overweight person can compress the coils of a mattress, enjoying a soft plush feel, while the lighter person who can not push in will feel that the surface is firmer.

4. Height and weight distribution:  

Firmness preferences can vary from one shorter person to another taller individual. A taller person has his/her weight distributed over a larger surface, feeling a mattress to be extra firm. In the case of a shorter individual, the weight can not spread over a much larger area feeling the same mattress to be soft. 

5. Sleeping Positions: 

Sleeping positions also affect the firmness level of the mattress. For example, firm mattresses can push out the spine from the alignment in the case of side sleepers since they put too much pressure on shoulder joints and hips. Side sleepers prefer medium-firm surfaces to enjoy a slumber night. Back sleepers choose firmer mattresses so that their spine is kept in a neutral position with a subtle cradling of the lumbar region. Combination sleepers who change multiple sleeping positions should choose moderately firm mattresses since their comfort on firmness level changes with every sleeping position. 

Therefore, the firmness and softness of a mattress are subjective and change according to the needs of individuals.

Pros & Cons of Firm Mattresses:

Firm mattresses are quite popular among people who prefer supportive mattresses that hold up their bodies without much sinking in. These mattresses also allow greater airflow and comfort around the body since your body does not sink into the soft, plush surface. Moreover, they provide ideal support to the patients with neckaches, backaches and shoulder pains. 

However, these super supportive firm mattresses are not ideal for pressure release. The side sleepers feel major pressure on shoulders, hands, necks and hip areas as they sleep on firm mattresses. Therefore, for people who prefer comfort over solving health issues related to back, neck, and shoulder pains, firm mattresses might not be a good choice. 

Pros & Cons of Soft Mattresses:

Soft mattresses provide those ultimate royal night’s sleep that no mattresses can provide. These are more comfortable, allowing pressure relief. These are also ideal for side sleepers to reduce pressure on joint areas. Check out Doctor Dream Lite Dual Comfort Mattress, which is ideally soft. 

However, the downside of soft mattresses is their lack of support which might be troublesome to combination sleepers who change sleeping positions every now and then, resulting in disrupting sleep. Also, since there is a lack of airflow around the body, sleeping on soft mattresses can cause upsurged temperature. 

Who Should Choose a Firm Mattress?

1. Larger people:

People with heavyweight might find firm mattresses comforting and supportive since they might sink in softer mattresses. Moreover, firm mattresses can handle heavier weights without being out of shape and are durable for long. 

2. Back sleepers: 

Generally, back sleepers prefer moderately firm or medium-firm mattresses. Since medium-firm mattresses allow the sleeper to slightly sink in to maintain a healthy balance between the hips, knees and neck area, it will be a perfect fit for back sleepers who put heavy pressure on mattresses.  

3. Stomach sleepers: 

Stomach sleepers need extra support under the entire body, specifically the hips. Therefore this mattress provides additional support without creating unnatural bending in the lower back, causing pain. A soft mattress will only give inadequate support providing an unbalanced sleeping position and causing long-term injury.

4. People with orthopaedic issues: 

Orthopaedic patients should choose firm mattresses to move around the bed without aces. It is easier to move and change positions in a firm bed at your convenience without being stuck.

5. Hot sleepers: 

Softer mattresses trap body heat and spread it across the mattress. Hence, sleeping on a firm mattress will be much cooler and more comfortable. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have now decided on the perfect mattress for you. Check out and shop these amazing firm mattresses and soft memory foam mattress by Nilkamal Sleep as per your preference.