Key TakeawaysImportance of Mattress Firmness: The firmness level of a mattress significantly impacts comfort and spinal alignment during sleep. Choosing the right firmness is crucial to avoid back, hip, neck, or shoulder pain, as well as ensuring a refreshing night’s sleep.Firm Mattresses Overview: Firm mattresses, ranking around 7 on the firmness scale, maintain shape without much give. Ideal for stomach sleepers, providing necessary lift for neutral alignment, and suitable for heavier individuals, especially if they are stomach sleepers. Extra-firm options (level 8) are available but less popular due to their extremely firm feel.Medium Mattresses Overview: Medium mattresses, rated at 5 on the firmness scale, offer a balance of cushioning and resistance. Well-suited for side sleepers, providing pressure relief for shoulder and hip joints, and recommended for lighter individuals who may not compress a firm mattress adequately. Ensure the mattress gives enough under the heavier parts of the body while supporting the lighter areas.So you’re looking for a new mattress. While you might have spent a lot of time researching materials, brands, and dimensions, another major factor you need to think about is firmness level. How much or little your mattress compresses under your weight will dictate its comfort level and how refreshed you feel after a night of sleeping on it. Getting your mattress firmness level wrong could even lead to pain in your back, hips, neck, or shoulders.In order to keep your spine aligned while you sleep, a mattress has to both compress under the heavier portions of your body and rise to meet the lighter ones. However, different people require different firmness levels to achieve this effect. Let’s talk about two common mattress firmness levels and how to tell if you’ve found the right mattress firmness for you.Firm vs Medium – What’s the Difference?Firmness level is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. However, it’s almost impossible to find a mattress softer than a 3 or firmer than an 8—manufacturers just don’t make a lot of ultra-soft or ultra-firm mattresses because there’s not much of a market for them. That means a firm mattress falls somewhere around a 7 on the firmness scale and a medium comes in around a 5.The scale goes like so:Soft is 3Medium-soft is 4Medium is 5Medium-firm is 6Firm is 7Extra-firm is 8Firm MattressesSince firm mattresses come in around a 7 on the firmness scale, there won’t be much on the market firmer than they are. While you can get an extra-firm 8, these are not as popular of a choice because they’re basically like sleeping on a wooden table. Firm mattresses offer almost as much support as extra firms while still maintaining their ability to compress.What They Feel LikeFirm mattresses maintain their shape without offering a lot of give. When you lie down on them, they might compress some, though if you’re on the smaller side, they might not compress at all. Firm mattresses lift you up and allow you to lie on top of the bed, rather than sinking into it. The lift provided by a firm mattress can be great for some sleepers, though it may be too much for others.Who They’re Best ForStomach SleepersIf you sleep on your stomach, you’re a lot more likely to experience lower back pain than other types of sleepers. While stomach sleeping, your pelvis tends to sink into the mattress, and this creates an arch in your back and leads to strain in your lumbar region.We recommend trying to train yourself to stop sleeping in this position since it is the unhealthiest of all sleep poses. However, if you can’t change your sleep position, the best mattresses for stomach sleepers are firm because they provide the lift you need to better maintain neutral alignment.Heavier SleepersSleep position is the single most important factor in deciding your firmness level, but bodyweight matters, too. If you’re over 230 pounds, you might feel that softer mattresses compress too much or feel too cradling.In most cases, medium-firm mattresses work best for heavier individuals, rather than firm ones. However, you might want to consider a firm mattress if you’re a heavier back sleeper, and you definitely need a firm if you’re a heavier stomach sleeper. Best Firm Mattress: Amerisleep AS2 Price: $949 to $1998Mattress Type: Memory FoamMattress Height: 12 inchesFirmness: Medium-firm (7 on the firmness scale)Best for side, back, and combination sleepers sharing with a partnerAvailable in twin, twin XL, full (double), queen, king, California king, and split king Warranty 20 Years Sleep Trial 100 Nights Shipping FreeMattress HighlightsBio-Pur® plant-based memory foam is made from castor oilZoned support system relieves pressure and enhances back supportBio-Core® supports a healthy spine and prevents wearRecommended ForPeople with back painBack and stomach sleepersHot sleepersPlus-size sleepersSave $300 on the Amerisleep AS2 with our discount code. Claim Deal The Amerisleep AS2 is one of the best firm mattresses out there. It’s firm and supportive without causing pressure build-up or pain, which is why it’s great for back pain. Firm mattresses like the AS2 are great for back and stomach sleepers.The AS2 features a knit polyester cover designed to wick away heat and moisture. Inside the bed is 2 inches of Bio-Pur®, 3 inches of Affinity foam, and 7 inches of Bio-Core®.Bio-Pur® is a plant-based memory foam made primarily out of castor oil. This way, the memory foam is more durable and stays cool while you sleep. Traditional memory foam can cause you to sink, but you won’t have to deal with that when sleeping on Bio-Pur® foam.The Affinity foam in Amerisleep mattresses contains a technology called HIVE®. It’s a support system divided into five ergonomic zones to evenly distribute your body weight. The foam is firm around your back, head, and legs, but soft around your hips and shoulders.The Bio-Core® base promotes healthy spinal alignment. As the base layer, Bio-Core® plays a crucial role in helping the AS2 last for years without sagging or going soft.With a purchase of the Amerisleep AS2, you receive free shipping, free returns, a 100-night trial, and a 20-year warranty.Medium MattressesComing in at a 5 on the firmness scale, medium mattresses allow for a lot more compression than their firm counterparts, offering a mix of cushion and resistance.What They Feel LikeYou can expect more give from a medium mattress. It’ll conform to your contours and compress much easier under the heavier parts of your body than a firm mattress, but it will still offer you more resistance than a soft bed.When you lie down on a medium mattress, you should feel it compress under your body weight. But it should give a lot more under the heavier parts of your body, keeping the lighter parts, like your arms and legs, on top of the sleeping surface.Who They’re Best ForSide SleepersIf you sleep on your side, you’re going to need a lot of cushioning under your shoulder and hip joints so you don’t experience pain in those pressure points. In most cases, the best mattresses for side sleepers are medium because they offer enough pressure relief to prevent these issues whilst still supporting the lighter parts of your body and keeping your spine from getting out of whack.Lighter SleepersIf you’re a small person, you might find your body weight isn’t enough to sufficiently compress a firm mattress. Regardless of sleep position, the best beds for petite sleepers are soft to medium because they offer adequate compression and cushioning. If your bed feels like a board when you lie down on it, it’s too firm. Best Medium Mattress: Zoma Mattress Price: $499 to $1198Mattress Type: Memory FoamMattress Height: 12 inchesFirmness: Medium to medium-soft (5 on the firmness scale)Best for hot sleepers and physically active individualsAvailable in twin, twin XL, full (double), queen, king, California king, and split king Warranty 10 Years Sleep Trial 100 Nights Shipping FreeMattress HighlightsResponsive medium feel works with most sleeping stylesGel infusions and cutouts for greater coolnessBuoyant transition foam named for its reactive feelRecommended ForSide, back, and combination sleepersHot sleepersAthletes and those who are physically activeSave $150 on the Zoma Mattress with our discount code. Claim Deal Not only is the Zoma Mattress the best mattress with a medium feel, but it’s easy on your wallet, too! Originally designed for athletes, the Zoma Mattress boosts sleep quality and muscle recovery for peaceful, pain-free nights.The Zoma Mattress features a moisture-wicking AirCloth cover. It increases air circulation throughout the bed, keeping you cool and dry. Under the cover are 3 inches of gel memory foam, 2 inches of Reactiv™ foam, and 7 inches of Support+ base foam.Gel memory foam makes up the Zoma Mattress’s comfort layer. Memory foam is excellent when you deal with chronic pain or pressure points, while the gel prevents heat retention. This layer features Triangulex™ zoned support which aligns the back while cushioning your hips and shoulders.The Reactiv™ foam is a springy transition foam designed to minimize sinking. It rapidly adapts to your movements so you don’t feel “stuck” and plays a role in keeping your body aligned.The Zoma’s Support+ base makes the biggest impact on your spinal health and your bed’s longevity. It promotes healthy alignment while also warding off indents, soft spots, and sagging throughout the bed.The Zoma Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. The bed ships to your door for free and includes free returns.FAQsWhat firmness do I need if I’m a back sleeper?To keep the spine aligned, back sleepers tend to need more compression in the heavier region of their hips and buttocks and more support in the lumbar region. We suggest medium-firm mattresses for back sleepers because they provide enough support to fill in the gap in the lumbar region and enough softness to allow the pelvis to compress the bed, keeping the spine in alignment.Do all mattress materials come in all firmness levels?Usually, yes. Whether they’re memory foam, latex, innerspring, or hybrids, all mattresses are available in a range of firmness levels to accommodate different sleepers’ needs. The main thing impacted by a mattress’ material is the feel, not the firmness. For instance, memory foam mattresses will be a lot squishier and more flexible, while innersprings will be much bouncier and more responsive, but both mattress types will come in different firmness options.How can I make my existing mattress softer or firmer?There are a few things you can do to adjust the firmness of your existing mattress without buying a new one. One of the best ways to make a mattress firmer is by adding a firm mattress topper. Contrary to a lot of people’s belief that mattress toppers are only to soften a mattress, there are a lot of really good mattress topper options to add lift and firmness to your bed.You can also try replacing your bed frame slats, sliding a bunky board between your bed base and mattress, flipping your mattress (if it can be flipped), or switching out your old box springs for a mattress foundation.Regardless of whether you want to add firmness to your mattress, it might be a good idea to replace your box springs with a foundation anyway. The coils inside box springs lose their tension over time, leading to sagging in your mattress. Box springs also aren’t rigid enough to support heavier mattresses like memory foam and latex.Is a soft mattress ever a good option?Yes! Depending on your sleep style and body type, soft mattresses can be a wonderful option. For instance, if you’re a lightweight side sleeper who doesn’t get enough compression from a medium mattress to cushion your pressure points or if you prefer extra cradling while you sleep, soft mattresses might be up your alley. A mattress that comes in around 3 or 4 on the firmness scale may compress enough to give you the cradling you crave and help you avoid pain in your shoulders and hips.Which mattress sleeps cooler, medium or firm?Firm mattresses allow for more airflow and usually offer more cooling power than others. They let you sleep on top of the bed rather than conforming to your curves as closely as other mattresses. This lift helps keep more of your body exposed to the air, allowing you to sleep cooler.If you are a hot sleeper, you can also purchase a cooling mattress with features designed to reduce night sweats and overheating.How can I train myself to quit sleeping on my stomach?Since sleeping on your stomach puts stress on your spine and can cause chronic discomfort, it’s a good idea to figure out a way to change your sleep style. The good news is there are several ways to make the switch to side or back sleeping.Try using a cervical pillow or a full body pillow to support you in your new position and prevent you from rolling onto your belly during the night. Some people also sew tennis balls or other hard materials to the front of their pajamas to discourage themselves from turning over in their sleep.Bottom LineThere’s a big difference between medium and firm mattresses—so much so it could be the difference between tossing and turning and a good night’s sleep. While your personal preference for softer or firmer mattresses is an important consideration, it’s vital to remember the main factor in deciding your firmness needs is your sleeping position.Your sleep position dictates which parts of your body need more support and which need more cushioning. If you ignore your sleep style, you’re a lot more likely to wind up with the wrong mattress.About the author Bennett CarringtonIf you’re looking for a mattress recommendation, Bennett Carrington can help. Bennett is Best Mattress Brand’s in-house mattress expert. He’s curated dozens of “best mattress” articles with buying tips for sleepers with a wide range of needs. Whether you’re plagued with back pain or suffering from night sweats, Bennett’s guides can steer you toward the most comfortable mattress for your unique needs. In addition to writing for Best Mattress Brand, Bennett is also a grad student pursuing a degree in English Literature. 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