Buying Guides
Published July 22, 2022
12 minFirm vs. Medium Firm Mattress: What's Best for You?
Are you confused between a firm vs medium-firm mattress? Well, you have come to the right place. We understand how important it is to get the firmness of the mattress right. After all, most of the tim
Table of contents
Difference Between Firm and Medium Firm Mattress What is a Firm Mattress? What is a Medium Mattress? Firm vs Medium Mattresses for Back Pain Frequently Asked Questions
Are you confused between a firm vs medium-firm mattress? Well, you have come to the right place. We understand how important it is to get the firmness of the mattress right. After all, most of the time we spend at home is spent on the mattress! The right mattress helps you with optimal comfort and ensures that you lose yourself in a deep slumber without any difficulty. Today, we bring you all the key details on firm vs medium-firm mattresses to let you choose the best one for you. Read ahead.
A medium-firm mattress is 5 on the firmness scale, while a firm mattress ranges between 8-10. Both mattresses, as you can see, come with their own advantages and disadvantages and offer a few similarities.
Let’s look at a firm mattress's advantages. This will give you an idea if it's the right fit for you.
Difference Between Firm and Medium Firm Mattress
Let’s quickly take a glance at all the key differences between firm and medium mattress, so it helps you make a better choice.| Parameters | Firm Mattress | Medium Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness Scale | 8-10 | 5-7 |
| Surface | The surface is firm and the comfort layer is not very deep | The surface layer is soft to touch but you don’t sink in too deep |
| Pressure Relief | Offers good support | Offers good support |
| Ideal For | Back sleepers, hot sleepers, heavier people | Side-sleepers, back-sleepers, hot sleepers, couples. |
What is a Firm Mattress?
As the name suggests, a firm mattress is a little harder and falls on the extreme end of the firmness scale. The extra firmness these mattresses provide can offer greater comfort, mainly for heavy sleepers. A firm mattress can give you the much-needed stability where it can help maintain good posture and prevent any sinkage. Hence, it can also be an excellent choice for side-sleepers too.Benefits of a Firm Mattress
Let’s look at a firm mattress's advantages. This will give you an idea if it's the right fit for you. Back Support
When you opt for a firm mattress, your spine remains in proper alignment. It can support the natural curves of your spine and help you maintain a neutral position as you sleep. This enables you to sleep well throughout the night.Minimal Motion Transfer
When your partner tosses and turns all night on a soft mattress, there are chances that it disturbs your sleep. However, when it comes to a firm mattress. It ensures minimal motion transfer for you to enjoy uninterrupted sleep.Uniform Weight Distribution
Some plush mattresses may not be able to distribute your weight equally. This can hamper the alignment of your muscles and joints. However, a firm mattress gives you excellent support and adequately distributes your weight as you hit snooze.Pressure Point Relief
Since the weight is equally distributed on a firm mattress; it offers pressure point relief and wards off any body aches or pains.Disadvantages of a Firm Mattress
Where there are advantages, there is also room for disadvantages. Let’s take a look at the cons of a firm mattress.Can Be Too Firm
If you are not used to a firm mattress, it may feel too uncomfortable. It may take a few weeks and even months to adjust. Therefore, it is always better to go for the firmness that’s ideal for you.Not Great For People With Chronic Pain
If you are suffering from chronic joint or muscle pain, firmness may not help, and you may need something a little softer to provide relief.Can Lead To Back Pain In Some
If you are already experiencing lower back pain, a firm mattress may increase the pain because it cannot offer gentle support.Can Be Unsuitable For Side-Sleepers
If you usually prefer sleeping on the side , a firm mattress can be uncomfortable for you as it will lead to pressure points around your shoulders and hips. This can lead to aches and pains, which are not good for you.Who Are They Best For?
- Stomach Sleepers: If you can sleep well only on your stomach, a firm mattress can be a good choice because when you sleep on a firm mattress, it prevents your pelvis and chest from sinking in, while keeping your spine aligned.
- Heavier Sleepers: A firm mattress can be ideal for heaviersleepers because when you sleep on a soft mattress, you will sink in more than you must, which can lead to spinal misalignment. In fact, a mattress that’s too soft can also hamper circulation for this very same reason.
- Keeps You Cool: A firm mattress is also useful if you are someone who feels uncomfortably humid because it maintains a seamless airflow. This is because a firm mattress doesn’t sink like a plush mattress.
What is a Medium Mattress?
A medium-mattress is a perfect blend of plushness and firmness. They are softer when compared to a firm mattress but not too soft like a plush mattress. A medium-firm mattress offers great support and gives you excellent pressure point relief. In fact, whenever you are in any confusion, a medium-firm mattress is an ideal choice because it offers the best of both worlds- soft and firm. A medium-firm mattress is suitable for a higher number of sleepers because it is suitable for almost all sleepers, including side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back-sleepers. A medium-firm mattress offers sufficient pressure relief and properly aligns your spine. Medium-firm mattresses are also an excellent option for couples because of the amalgamation of support and comfort it offers. Their versatility suits a variety of sleepers.Benefits of a Medium Firm Mattress
Medium-firm mattress gives you the right amount of compression, just enough to cradle your body but not too much that you sink in. So, let’s look at the benefits of a medium-firm mattress.Suits Most Body Types
Since the medium-firm mattress is both plush and firm; it can be suitable for most body types where even lighter and heavier people can sleep well.Pressure Relief
A medium-firm mattress offers excellent pressure relief and cushions all the main points, including your neck, shoulders, hips, and legs. Because of this, your whole body will feel very comfortable.Neck Discomfort
A medium-firm mattress will keep your spine alignment just right and give you a blend of support and cushion. Here, when you pair it with a softer pillow, it prevents any neck discomfort.Prevents Bed Sores
If you are required to spend a major chunk of your time in bed due to disability, a medium-firm mattress can help prevent any bed sores. This is because your weight gets evenly distributed, and less stress is put on any pressure points.Minimal Motion Isolation
If you feel the jiggle every time your partner moves when you are asleep, a medium-firm mattress is what you need because it curbs down the motion transfer because of its ideal firmness and density.No Uncomfortable Hotness
If you live in a warm city, a medium-firm mattress may be a great choice because it resonates less heat and ensures you sleep well comfortably without uneasy sweating.Disadvantages of a Medium Firm Mattress
The drawbacks of a medium-firm mattress include;Not The Best For Heavier People
A medium-firm mattress can be excessively sinking for someone heavier and can put your spine in an uncomfortable position. And if paired with back pain, the medium-firm mattress can lead to even more discomfort.Who Are They Best For?
- Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, And Combination Sleepers
- Lighter Sleepers
- Couples
- Individuals With Pre-Existing Conditions
Firm vs Medium Mattresses for Back Pain
A study was conducted with 300 people who were asked to use firm and medium-firm mattresses for a period of 90 days. The group who used medium-firm mattresses reported the least amount of back discomfort. So, as you can see, a medium-firm mattress is a great choice and also the one you can opt for when confused. Try Nectar Medium Firm MattressIf you are looking for an ideal medium-firm mattress, you can always choose The Nectar Premium Memory Foam Mattress that hugs your body and keeps you cool as you sleep through the night. The mattress is 6.5 on the firmness scale and comes with five amazing layers where each one works wonders and ensures you enjoy a deep slumber. The first layer is the quilted-cool layer, where the breathable poly-blend cover comes with cooling technology and wicks away any heat and prevents any uncomfortable humidity. The second layer comes with 3-inches of cushiony high-density pressure-relieving gel memory foam. Next comes the bounce-back with 2-inch adjusting foam. The fourth layer is the 7-inch standard foam that makes all the above layers perform the best. Finally, the slip-and-slide layer keeps all the other layers together. Another wonderful offering of Nectar is the 365 free trial nights. Here, you can try the mattress for the whole year and return it for a full refund if you are unsatisfied!This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.Frequently Asked Questions
What firmness do I need if I’m a back sleeper? Firm mattresses are usually suitable for back sleepers. However, it usually depends on your personal preference. Do all mattress materials come in all firmness levels? No. Not all mattress materials are available in all firmness levels. How can I make my existing mattress softer or firmer? How To Make A Mattress Firmer; There are a few things you can do to make your mattress firmer and they include;- Flip your mattress (check with the manufacturer)
- Use a mattress topper
- Add plywood support
- Move the mattress to the floor (check with the manufacturer)
- Buy a softer mattress topper
- Make your room warmer
