It’s essential to consider mattress thickness while buying a mattress. A thick mattress is comfortable, luxurious, and perfect for a good quality sleep every night. A thin mattress can strain your back, break down quickly, and provide poor quality sleep.
Mattresses thicker than 16 inches are known as extra deep or extra tall mattresses. It’s recommended that the top of your mattress is 25 inches from the floor, so your feet can easily reach the feet when you are sitting on the edge of the bed.
In this guide, we will cover how thick a mattress should be, the ideal thickness of mattress, the difference between low profile and slim mattress, mattress thickness levels, and mattress firmness.
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Mattress Thickness Chart
There is no standard mattress thickness. Different people like different thickness of mattresses. The average thickness of high-quality mattresses usually ranges between 8 to 14 inches.
| Thickness | Mattress |
|---|---|
| 2 to 5 Inches | Low Profile |
| 5 to 8 Inches | Slim Profile |
| 8 to 12 Inches | Standard Profile |
| 12 to 16 Inches | Deep, Thick, or Tall Profile |
| More than 16 Inches | Extra Deep, Extra Thick, or Extra Tall Profile |
Here is the list of different thickness of bed and their uses.
Low Profile (2-5 inches)
If you have a toddler or guests who come occasionally, you should get a low profile mattress. These mattresses are perfect for infants and you can also use them as folding beds for guests. You can also find air mattresses of 2 to 5 inches in the market.
You should not invest in a low-profile bed for everyday use unless it’s for a toddler or a murphy bed. Daily use of a 2-5 inches bed can be uncomfortable.
Slim (5 to 8 inches)
Slim mattresses are thin mattresses but are slightly thicker than low-profile mattresses. They have a few extra inches to make them suitable for daily use.
These are great for kids, as they are lightweight and don’t require enough support. You can also consider this bed if you are short or have limited mobility. It is thick enough to sleep comfortably on.
Standard (8 to 12 inches)
Standard mattresses have average mattress thickness. Their thickness suits most of the adults and sleeping positions. The best thing is that they provide variety in terms of materials, price, and technologies.
Tall, Deep, or Thick (12 to 20 inches)
These beds are soft, durable, and an excellent fit for the side and plus-size sleepers. It’s a wide range and you can easily find these mattresses in the market.
Extra Thick, Extra Deep, or Extra Tall (20 inches or more)
Extra thick, extra deep, or extra tall mattresses are usually more soft and durable. If you are considering expensive and extra-large options, you can go for mattresses that are 20 inches or more.
How Thick Are Mattresses?
If you peek inside your mattress, you will find 2 to 5 layers (maybe 3 to 4 layers). These layers include latex, foam, and coils. These layers define the depth, feel, and durability of your bed.
Comfort Layer
The uppermost layer of your mattress is the comfort layer. This soft layer is excellent for relieving pressure and regulating temperature.
A comfort layer has a thickness of 2 to 3 inches. A soft mattress has a thick comfort layer, on the other hand, a firm mattress has a thin upper layer.
A bed can have one or more comfort layers. The extra layers can provide additional features like cooling technology, additional bounce, and more.
Support Layer
The support or base layer makes the most of the mattress. It is the bottom layer of the bed. It should comprise 50% of the bed. The support layer should have quality materials as it plays a huge role in providing support and durability.
If your bed is 12 inches, the base layer should be at least 6 inches thick to ensure durability.
How to Choose a Mattress Thickness?
Mattress depth depends on your size, sleeping position, and various other factors. For daily use, you should use at least an 8-inch mattress.
Body Weight
Your body weights affect the pressure on the bed. Depending upon your weight, you’ll need a mattress thickness that supports your body type and is comfortable enough.
Petite Sleepers (59 Kgs or less)
Thin mattresses can be too firm for petite sleepers. They should use at least a 12-inch mattress to get a comfortable nighttime experience.
Average-Sized Sleepers (59 Kgs to 104 Kgs)
An average-sized adult sleeper must have a 10 to 12-inch mattress for adequate support. They can have a thicker or thinner mattress depending on their sleeping position.
Plus-Sized Sleepers (104 Kgs or more)
A plus-sized sleeper should use at least a 12 to 14-inch thick mattress. This would ensure that the bed lasts longer.
Sharing a Bed
Single adults put less pressure on the bed, so they won’t need much thick mattresses. However, if you are sharing the bed with someone, you need a thicker mattress. For two people, a mattress should have a thickness of at least 10 to 12 inches. If you and your partner are heavy, you should go for a 12 to 14-inch mattress.
Health Condition
Depending on your health condition, you may require a thicker or thinner bed to ease the pain. If you suffer from fibromyalgia, shoulder or hip pain, or arthritis, go for a thicker mattress (12 to 14 inches).
If you have back pain, go for thinner mattresses (10 to 12 inches) to prevent sinkage and sleep comfortably.
Mattress Height Preference
You might have neglected it so far, but your height and range of mobility play an important role in deciding your mattress thickness.
If you have limited mobility, your bed should be 25 inches above the ground. It makes it easier to get on or off your bed.
Sleeping on the ground is not a good idea. The floor is cold, your mattress wears off sooner, and it might void the mattress warranty too. If you are placing the mattress on your floor, use a 12-inch mattress. It’ll be thick enough to make it easily accessible.
Read this article to learn to make a bed step by step.
Sleep Position
Your sleeping position plays a significant role while determining mattress thickness.
Back sleepers: Between 6 and 8 inches.
To provide support to your shoulders and spine.
Side sleepers: Between 8 and 10 inches
They need more support for the hips.
Stomach sleepers: At least 10 and 15 inches
They require comfort and support for their fronts and lower back.
Combination sleepers: 12-inch thick mattresses
They need beds that have a balance between firmness and softness.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Thick Mattresses
Benefits of Thick Mattresses
- They are more durable as the supportive base is usually thicker than 6 inches.
- These are good for side sleepers due to extra cushioning.
- These are strong enough for couples or plus-size sleepers.
Drawbacks of Thick Mattresses
- These are costlier than thin mattresses.
- These are difficult to move.
- They may trap heat due to extra cushioning.
- They can be very tall and difficult to access.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Thin Mattresses
Benefits of Thin Mattresses
- These are cheaper than thick mattresses.
- These are easy to move.
- These are easy to access.
Drawbacks of Thin Mattresses
- These are not as durable as a thick mattress.
- These are not good for couples or plus-size sleepers.
Mattress thickness is as important as any other factor while buying a mattress. Most people think that thick mattresses are a better choice but, there are other factors we should consider as well, like your sleeping position, health, and preference.
