Should a mattress be hard or soft?

For a very long time, it was assumed that a mattress had to be firm. That’s not true. Or rather, it’s not always true. Sleeping surfaces that are too firm—and certainly those that are too soft—aren’t good for your back. Whether a mattress should be firm or soft depends largely on your body type. Your sleeping position also has some influence on this choice. People who sleep on their back or stomach often benefit more from a slightly firmer mattress. We’ll be happy to explain exactly how that works below.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a hard mattress?

Hard mattresses have the following advantages and disadvantages:

Benefits of a hard mattress:

• Support for heavier sleepers: Provides a stable base and makes it easier for those with limited mobility to get in and out of bed.
• Great freedom of movement: You don’t sink in deeply, so turning over in bed is a breeze.
• Good news for stomach sleepers: Depending on your abdominal volume, a firm mattress prevents your lower back from arching.

Disadvantages of a hard mattress:

• Peak pressure on joints: Can cause uncomfortable pressure on the hips and shoulders, resulting in pain.
• Insufficient lumbar support: The lower back curve is not adequately supported (especially for side sleepers).
• Restless sleep: Due to the high pressure on your body, you end up tossing and turning (too much) without even realizing it.
• Not ideal for light sleepers: Unless someone is exceptionally tall, a firm mattress doesn’t provide enough give.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a soft mattress?

Soft mattresses also have their own pluses and minuses:

Benefits of a soft mattress:

• Contoured feel: The mattress conforms precisely to the contours of your body.
• High comfort: It gives you a relaxed, “on cloud nine” feeling.
• Pressure Relief: Provides optimal relief for the shoulders and hips, making it ideal for side sleepers.

Disadvantages of a soft mattress:

• Poor spinal alignment: The body may sag too much, leading to poor posture (banana shape).
• Lower Back Pain in People Who Sleep on Their Stomachs: The hips sink too far, causing the lower back to become overextended.
• Limited range of motion: The so-called ” hammock effect ” makes it difficult to change positions and increases fatigue.
• Heat buildup: Because of the larger surface area in contact with the skin, a soft mattress quickly feels too warm.

What should you consider when determining hardness?

A firm mattress isn’t necessarily better than a soft one; it all depends on your personal situation. Keep the following factors in mind:

• Partner: Do you and your partner differ in weight, sleeping position, or preferences? If so, choose two separate mattresses or a partner mattress (one large cover with two individual cores). That way, neither of you has to compromise on ergonomics.
• Body Type: Your height, weight, and body shape determine how a mattress feels. Heavier sleepers need a firmer mattress to prevent them from sinking in too deeply and losing their freedom of movement. Lighter sleepers, on the other hand, may find a firm mattress feels like a “plank,” leading to pressure points on their shoulders and hips.
• Sleeping position: Side sleepers benefit from adequate pressure relief around the shoulders and hips (often a softer mattress). Back and stomach sleepers benefit more from a firmer surface. Keep in mind, however, that no one lies completely still all night: we unconsciously change positions up to 40 times a night, assuming various (intermediate) positions in the process.
• Personal preference (comfort preference): Comfort is subjective and largely a matter of habit. Does a softer mattress simply feel more comfortable to you, even if the guidelines recommend something else? Then go with what feels right to you. Keep in mind, however, that your body needs 2 to 4 weeks to get used to a new mattress.

How is the firmness of a mattress measured?

If you want to buy a new mattress, it is of course important to lie on it for a while. This says a lot about how hard or soft the mattress is, but you can also look at a letter with a number for this. In fact, mattress firmness is often measured on a scale from H1 to H4. Here is an overview of hardnesses. Important to keep an average body height in mind. Because when you are smaller, you distribute your body weight less across your height than when you are tall.

H1	H1 is the softest. Such a soft mattress is especially suitable for side sleepers and people who weigh between 40 and 70 kilograms.
H2	H2 is smooth but offers much more support. Suitable for people who weigh between 60 and 80 kilograms.
H3	We recommend a mattress with firmness grade H3 for sleepers between 75 and 100 kilograms.
H4	H4 is the firmest firmness grade and is often preferred by heavier people because their bodies need more support. Do you weigh more than 100 kilograms? If so, be sure to choose H4.

How do you know if your mattress is too hard or too soft?

Are you unsure about your current mattress? Use these quick tests to check the firmness and condition of your bed:

1. Test for a mattress that’s too firm: Lie on your back and slide your hand between your lower back and the mattress. If this is very easy to do and there’s a lot of space left, then the mattress is too firm.
2. Test for being too soft / sagging: Do you feel like you’re rolling into or sinking into a banana-shaped dip? If so, the mattress is too soft or has simply sagged.
3. Check for wear: Place the mattress (without the cover, if possible) on the floor. Place a straight object, such as a broomstick, across the width of the mattress. Do you see a gap between the broomstick and the mattress? If so, the mattress has sagged and needs to be replaced.

Please note: If the mattress is placed on a bed base with a shoulder zone, a slight indentation in the shoulder and hip areas is often normal. We refer to this as contouring.

Should a mattress be hard or soft: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So whether you should buy a hard or soft mattress really depends on your situation. We can’t determine this for you. You have to decide for yourself what you like lying down. Above all, take the time to try out mattresses in stores or opt for an exchange guarantee or no-quibble money-back product if you buy online. So in addition, you also need to consider your physique and sleeping position when you want to buy a new mattress. In addition, don’t forget to consider your partner’s preferences when buying a hard or soft mattress! And remember, an experienced and professional advisor can often give you helpful tips.