Firm vs. Soft Mattresses: The Pros and Cons

There are all kinds of mattresses, but the two main categories in which these are divided are soft mattresses and firm mattresses. People often get confused between these two options because at one place where “soft” seems perfect to buy, “firm mattress” has its own benefits. So to determine which mattress you need, you should understand both of these types clearly. Let’s get on the same here and clear your mind on firm vs. soft mattresses.

Firm vs. Soft Mattresses: Understanding the Types

Though every mattress comes with firmness, the level differs from 1 to 10. So it is not like that a soft mattress is not firm; it is, but to some extent. So the firmer a mattress is the more pressure points it contains that become supportive of the parts of the body.

Pros of a Firm Mattress

A firm mattress is a great option for those who have back problems or experience pain in the back. As a firm mattress has more pressure points, it helps you have a neutral spine pose. What this means is that when you are lying straight on your back, the mattress won’t collapse your lower back, and hence this keeps the overall back straight.

This way, you would be able to have your body straight while sleeping, and the pressure points would support your overall backside. Going further on firm vs. soft mattresses, the firm mattress allows for better blood circulation, so you wake up all fresh in the morning with least to no pain because firm mattresses better for back.

Cons of a Firm Mattress

People who have an issue with the lower back can find it hard to lie on a firm mattress. Those who have arthritis and have been using a soft mattress for a long time also find it hard to switch to a firm mattress.

Going further on choosing firm or soft mattress, if a firm mattress doesn’t seem to be supportive toward specific body points, it can create a painful experience.

Pros of a Soft Mattress

Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress? Well those who are old age or elderly people often find a soft mattress comfortable. Since it creates a cozy feel, the user feels it helpful with the joints pain. If you are a person who prefers to lie on the side, a soft mattress with some pillows creates a pleasant experience.

However, if you are a thin person, you can have a medium-firm mattress that is not so firm and not so soft. So it is going to support your skeleton well.

Cons of a Soft Mattress

It is easier to experience disturbed sleep with a soft mattress. The reason behind it is that a soft mattress pushes your spine out of alignment. Also, if you share the mattress, the heavier person would sink in the mattress because of the less firmness of it and you would pop out. So there are fewer chances that a soft mattress would satisfy your sleeping needs as per the soft mattress ratings.

How to Choose What’s Right for You

Before finalizing any mattress, determine if you have any specific back conditions. Also, observe your sleep position that you mostly be in. Your weight can be another factor to consider before buying the mattress.

Get to know which type of mattress you have used recently, and see how comfortable you were using it. You can go the opposite of your current bed and test it in all the aspects to determine if this is the right mattress for you.

As a general idea, if you have back problems, especially the upper back problem, you should choose a firm mattress. If you don’t want your lower back to collapse while sleeping, then too, a firm mattress is the right choice. In the end, it is all about personal preferences; many stores provide demo sessions where you can take the mattress home for a few days and purchase it once you are satisfied with the type.

Also, many stores do not offer any firmness score, opt for the shops where they care about customer experience and help you choose a bedroom or best mattress for RV.

Conclusion

People often take it lightly while choosing mattresses. They generally go by the brand name influenced by the advertisements. However, you need to understand that having the right bed is equivalent to quality sleep. Because when you sleep well, you feel fresh in the morning and ready to beat the day. We hope you would be able to use the discussion while going for firm vs. soft mattresses and make your decision wisely.