Mattress shopping can be a very tiring and confusing experience that may leave you more puzzled than you were in the beginning. Along with this, there are loads of different types of mattresses on the market coming in all shapes and sizes, so to help simplify what you might be looking for in this article we will be discussing the differences between a firm and soft mattress, the benefits, and identifiers. We will create a simple guide of the firm vs soft mattress guide to help prevent all the confusion that mattress shoppers may experience.

What creates mattress firmness and softness
The topic of a firm and soft mattress is much more than just preference as they each perform different jobs and, in most cases, use different methods to create them; A mattress’s firmness is determined by how it is constructed and the materials used in the process. For example, a mattress that has high-quality tight nit inner springs with no comfort layer will undoubtedly be very firm. The importance of grade of the spring used is also an important factor in the support and firmness of the mattress. Another material often found in a firm mattress is latex, a very durable and dense material that is suitable for increasing support and firmness in many different types of furniture, such as sofa cushions. Whereas, a soft mattress can be constructed from materials such as foam which is often betrayed as providing the most comfort and soft consistency. Often the material that is named when discussing soft mattresses is memory foam. This type of foam uses the heat from the body to mould to the shape of the user while providing support and comfort. When a person is not sleeping in the bed it returns to its original shape bouncing back slowly, however over time will remember you’re the shape and position slept in thus providing the perfect sleeping arrangement. Overall, just because a mattress uses memory foam or another type of foam doesn’t mean that it will be super soft. As there are other factors that can affect how a mattress feels. Such as, depending on the density of the foam used and how thick the comfort layer affects the mattress consistency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A comfort layer pairs the firmness and softness of materials together so as to maximize the comfort and support of the mattress that will aid you in your sleep. This can be found in the Paradise Mattress G-05 that has a thin comfort layer on top and a very firm mattress beneath. Whereas, the Body Rest Visco Mattress features a much thicker comfort layer, so it provides a softer feel to the mattress. In saying this the size and weight of the person will affect how a mattress feels. As a person who weighs more may not find a comfort layer thick enough as they press through to the firm springs underneath, but a lighter person would rest comfortably on top of the comfort layer. The same could be said that a firmer mattress mat feels firm to a lighter person, but the compression springs may feel supportive and comfortable with more weight applied.

Benefits and Drawbacks
A firm mattress’s main objective is to provide support aiming to hold the body up preventing it from sinking and putting strain on certain parts of the body. It can also be cooler to sleep on a firm mattress as it gives the feeling of sleeping on top of the mattress exposing more of the body to air cooling it down. Though firm mattresses are great for people who sleep on their stomachs, backs, larger people, and people who sleep hot. They can lack some of the qualities needed for pressure relief. An example of this is that side sleepers can feel more pressure on their shoulders and hips when they sleep on a firm mattress. Along with this though comfort is subjective, it is often found that firm mattresses Are not as comfortable as their softer counterparts or ones with comfort layers.

Whereas, soft mattresses are designed to be for pressure relief they allow people who sleep on the side to reduce pressure on shoulders and hips by sinking into the mattress. Along with this softer mattress are described as being more comfortable than regular or firm mattresses. This is why soft mattresses suit couples who like to cuddle sleeping on their sides as they handle motion transfer better so reducing disturbing your partner. It is also suitable for people who have soft mattresses can be suitable for people who suffer from joint or hip pain as they reduce the pain felt in those problem areas. However, though soft mattress reduces pressure they don’t provide an adequate amount of support, particularly for heavier people. As a soft mattress allows you to sink in it can make it hard to move and can also mean that there is a build-up of heat due to the reduced amount of air that can circulate.

Finally, choosing whether you want a firm or soft mattress is only the first question you need to ask when looking for your perfect night’s sleep, but it is one that is vital that is asked. By understanding how you sleep, what you enjoy when tucking in for the night, and what you need to better your health. In saying this due to the use of comfort layers on modern mattresses you can have the best of both worlds.