After a long day at work, you are most probably looking forward to getting a good night’s rest on a cosy and comfortable bed. The quality of your sleep will largely depend on your mattress’s material and firmness. Therefore, when you are looking to purchase a new mattress, other than considering its material, i.e. a memory foam or latex mattress, you also need to decide if the bed’s firmness is suitable for you.
However, the firmness of a mattress is subjective, and everyone has their own preference for how firm they want their bed to be. Moreover, your size, shape, and body weight will also play a significant factor in your decision. Nevertheless, if you are undecided on which mattress firmness is suitable for you, there are several benchmarks that you can refer to as a guide. Let us share everything you need to know about mattress firmness so that you can choose the right mattress for yourself.
The firmness of a mattress will determine if you rest on top of the surface or sink into the bed. Whether you prefer a soft or firm mattress will largely depend on the initial feeling you experience when you lie down on it. In addition, you might want to consider asking yourself the following questions:
1. Is my body sinking into the mattress fibre?
2. Do the mattress materials contour to fit my body shape?
3. Is there a strong level of resistance?
These questions and your experience will play a significant part in helping you determine your mattress firmness level.
To help consumers better understand a mattress’s firmness level, mattress companies usually score their beds according to a firmness scale that ranges from 1 to 10. A mattress that scores a 1 out of 10 is the softest mattress available, while the one that scores a 10 out of 10 would be the firmest. The industry usually considers medium firmness to have a score of around 6.5 out of 10.
Let us further examine the different categories in the firmness scale, so you can have a better understanding of how each mattress type feels like:
Soft mattresses generally score somewhere between 3 and 5 on the firmness scale. This mattress type contours to your physique and offers pressure relief because it utilises cushioning materials like thick sections of memory foam in the mattress’s top layers or quilted pillow tops. You will find yourself sinking into the mattress rather than experiencing any significant pushback when lying on top of it.
If you are a side sleeper or sleep in the fetal position, a soft mattress is ideal for you, as it can assist you with back pain or any joint pain problem. A soft mattress is also the best choice for those who are relatively light, as the material can shape itself to your body and provide adequate support during sleep.
Medium-firm mattresses generally fall within the range of 6 to 7 on the firmness scale. These mattresses usually consist of soft foam layers with sturdier foundations of high-density pocketed coils.
This mattress type typically establishes a balance between support and pressure relief, making it a popular choice among many Singaporeans. If you are a back sleeper or sleep in a variety of positions, then this mattress type is the one for you. It can provide you with a bit of extra mobility, and it offers a good combination of sinking and pushback.
Firm mattresses fall within the 8 to 10 range on the firmness scale, and they seldom incorporate soft or plush materials in their comfort layers. Instead, they add springs or a thin layer of soft foam on top of high-density polyfoam to provide a highly supportive foundation.
If your body weight is on the heavier end of the scale or if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress will be ideal for you. Due to its high support level, it can facilitate a neutral spine position during your sleep, thus keeping the shape of your body straight. This mattress type also reduces pressure on your circulation system, allowing for improved blood flow during sleep.
Before committing to a purchase, you need to consider several factors to ensure you pick out the right mattress that suits you the most. As such, let us share some tips you should keep in mind when you are shopping for a new bed so that you can identify your ideal mattress firmness level.
Your sleeping position is perhaps the most crucial factor to consider when you are out shopping for a new bed. If you are strictly a side sleeper, a soft mattress that ranges between 3 to 6 is a recommended option.
Conversely, if you are a back sleeper, your chosen mattress needs to have a firmness level that falls within the 5 to 7 range. For those that prefer sleeping on your stomach, a mattress firmness level above a 7 is your best choice, as it can provide you with the adequate support that your body needs.
Your weight is also a significant factor to keep in mind when picking out your new mattress. Heavier people should consider a firmer and thicker mattress with deep compression support. In contrast, a softer mattress is recommended for lighter people so that the curves of their body can push the material up and fill the gap where their back and waist are.
Another factor you should consider when choosing a mattress is your body type. By identifying your specific body type, you can determine the appropriate mattress firmness level that fits your body’s needs. If you have a heavier midsection, a firm mattress with a zoned support core that can keep your spinal position neutral is crucial. Conversely, if you are on the lighter side, you may prefer a softer mattress that provides more comfort.
The word “soft” is a natural magnet for consumers. Whenever they see this word printed on a mattress packaging, they naturally gravitate towards it. In their minds, softness seems to indicate comfort and cosiness. However, this is not always the case. Soft mattresses may feel uncomfortable for specific people because they do not provide adequate support for various sleeping positions.
Your body needs support when you sleep, so choosing a mattress based on its softness alone is not always a good idea. Without proper body support, you might wake up feeling sore instead of fully rested. Therefore, it is paramount for you to buy a new bed that supports your ideal sleeping position.
At Four Star, our DETENSE | ArticSilk® Advanze Air Flex mattresses are equipped with 5 zone individual pocketed springs that can conform to your body’s contour to provide you with the support your body needs. Moreover, they feature natural latex that supports the curvature of your spine. This ensures good pressure distribution during sleep, leading to improved blood circulation and promoting pain relief. In addition, you can choose to pair our mattresses with a customised storage bed frame, which is made with a German Hydraulic lift system to enable easy lifting of the mattress to access your personal belongings.
If you are still unsure which mattress firmness you should go for, then your safest option is a medium-firm mattress. Medium-firm mattresses that score a 6.5 on the firmness scale provide universal comfort for the majority of consumers. This mattress type is also a good compromise if you are sleeping with a spouse who has a different sleeping style from you.
Choosing the right firmness level for your mattress is crucial in achieving a good night’s sleep. By picking the mattress firmness that suits your sleeping position, weight, and body type, you can ensure your body receives the adequate support it needs, so you don’t wake up with back pain and joint aches.
However, it is vital to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting the ideal mattress firmness level. While this guide can help inform your decision, what matters the most is your comfort level. Therefore, it is crucial for you to test out your new bed to ensure it is ideal for you before committing to a purchase. So if you are serious about buying a new mattress, head on over to our Four Star showroom now and experience our extensive selection of products first-hand!