Which is Better? A Firm or Soft Mattress?

This is a guest post by Jen about mattresses and what is better, a firm mattress or a soft mattress.

Which is Better? A Firm or Soft Mattress?

There is nothing worse than having to spend your well-earned money on a new mattress, but the time comes for everyone. When it comes to sleep, I am not one to skimp (on both duration and the amount of money I spend). Sleeping is fundamental in our lives. There is no point in investing a lot of money in things for your day to day life, and not invest in your sleep.

Sleeping well can be the key to happiness, and, of course, when it comes to an investment in sleep, you can still save yourself some money. To help you out, I have compared the benefits of a soft mattress vs. a hard mattress. If you can start by looking for the very best mattress, you can save yourself money in the long run, and find more happiness.

What’s the difference between a soft and firm mattress?

Well, apart from the obvious.

A firm mattress will feel more rigid when you touch it or push down on it. A soft mattress will have more give and will compress easier. Within each category, you will also find more sub-categories, but we are only interested in soft vs. firm.

Choosing a Mattress – Back pain

It is generally accepted that a firm mattress is better for people who suffer from back pain. It is also good for stopping back pain from occurring. A firm mattress will support and align your spine. When you are sleeping up to 8 hours a day (I wish), you want your spine and your other joints to be supported. If you are on your back or your side, the pressure is spread through your body, and you are less likely to wake up with any pain.

The other benefit of having your spine aligned is that you can breathe better through the night. The weight in your body is dispersed evenly, which means that your internal organs are relaxed and not compressed. The better you can breathe, the better you are going to sleep.

Mattress Weight

If you are on the lighter end of the spectrum, you can still enjoy an aligned back, while taking advantage of the softness of a soft mattress. With a soft mattress, a lighter person will not sink down as far. The spine will be aligned, and they can take advantage of the softness of a soft mattress. 

A soft mattress is also better for those who sleep in the fetal position and still allow for alignment of your spine. A hard mattress is better for sleeping on your back. You should try and not sleep on your front as your spine will be out of alignment, and you can strain your neck.

Choosing a Mattress: Soft or Hard?

When you are deciding which mattress is right for you, there are a lot of options to weigh up. If you are on the heavier side, then a firm mattress will support you, align your spine, help you to breathe better, and improve your circulation. If you are lighter, then a soft mattress will still give you support, protect your back, and give you a more luxurious sleep. The great thing is that technology is constantly improving, and any negatives associated with a firm or soft mattress are being eradicated.

The other thing which you can think about is combining the two. If you buy a firm mattress and add a soft, plush top layer, then you can have the best of both worlds. The firm layer will help to protect you while you sleep, especially if you are bigger, while the soft top layer will add more comfort to your sleep.

I would recommend trying out a few options to see how they feel. In general, your body can adapt to a hard mattress over a short period of time, so if you are ever in doubt, then that is the way to go.

See tips on how to clean your mattress.