How do I choose a mattress according to its firmness?

We all want a mattress that provides a comfortable night’s sleep, so we can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. This is why, selecting the right mattress firmness is crucial when making the decision to purchase a new mattress.

But how do you choose which mattress firmness is right for you? What does firmness really mean when talking about mattresses? And how do you know which firmness level is best for you? When it comes to mattresses, firmness is very subjective. Everyone has a different perception of what soft or firm means. Some manufacturers come with just one option of firmness, whereas others have such an abundant choice, that you could be left confused.

Here’s a guide to mattress firmness, what it means, how it’s affected by sleeping position, body weight and how to decide which firmness level is right for you.

What Is Mattress Firmness?

Mattress firmness refers to how it feels when you lay down on it to relax. When you lie down, does the mattress feel stiff and unyielding? This would be defined as a firm or very firm mattress.

If you lie down and the mattress feels cloud-like with lots of cushioning and contours to your body, then it would be considered soft or medium. Some mattresses like the Ely Mattress have a balanced level of hug, contour, and push back – this is characteristic of our medium firm mattress.

Measuring Mattress Firmness

Brands use different methods of categorisation to label their mattresses which is why many consumers find it mind boggling when choosing mattress firmness. Some mattress companies use numbered ratings which makes it even harder to decide. We’ve come across one company that offers a scale of firmness levels ranging from 1-10! Whilst other manufacturers have a one-size-fits-all type of mattress firmness and claim to be universal for comfort. The single firmness approach can be appealing to shoppers in a world of overwhelming choice, but the problem is that since people come in all shapes and sizes, and sleep in different positions, it is impossible to make a single mattress that is actually comfortable for everyone.

Essentially, the varied firmness levels can be summarised in three, clear descriptions: soft, medium, and firm. We’ve made the Ely Mattress in two feels of firmness – the soft-medium option or the medium-firm option. This allows us to cater for different sleep positions, weight and comfort levels.

Your sleeping position matters

Depending on whether you are a stomach, back, or side sleeper, this will affect the level of firmness you need in a mattress.

• Side sleepers need a soft-medium feel of mattress because this position of sleep puts stress on numerous pressure points between your body and the mattress. You need a mattress that can conform to the shape of the side of your body.
• Stomach sleepers may find they have lower back issues if they don’t buy the right feel of mattress. We recommend a medium-firm mattress to keep the spine aligned for stomach sleepers.
• Back sleepers sometimes complain about back or neck pain if they have a mattress that is too soft. Therefore, a medium-firm mattress for back sleepers is ideal. Back sleepers need a mattress that relieves pressure and offers plenty of support.

Body weight

Weight is another key influence in selecting a mattress firmness level, especially for those who are over or under the recommended body mass index (BMI) range. Heavier people exert more force on their pressure points when they lay down. A heavier person will require a firmer mattress. A further thought for heavier people (or those with mobility issues) is accessibility; sinking into a soft mattress makes it hard to get in and out of the bed.

Heavier people should generally opt for a firmer mattress, as they will tend to just sink into a soft density one and consequently not have their spines supported correctly. Very light people and children will find they sleep better on softer mattresses.

The Ely Mattress comes in two feels

Ely is combined with 5000 5 Zone VP ActivEdge®Perimeter Performance Pocket Springs and Nested Tablet Pocket Springs.  Different zones allow the heaviest parts of your body to remain in line with the rest of the body throughout the night.  The ActivEdge® provides dynamic edge to edge support and eliminates the ‘roll-off’ feel you get on a standard mattress ensuring a consistent, restful sleep every night.

The different layers and zones are designed to provide clear-cut support and comfort for the key parts of your body no matter how you sleep.  The combination of multiple natural layers, work collectively to adapt to your body, dissipate moisture, regulate temperature and most importantly eradicate breathing in harmful chemicals for a third of your life.

Our mattress comes in two firmness levels – soft-medium and medium-firm. If you’re still unsure about which mattress firmness to choose, then send us a direct message and we will happily talk you through which is best for you.