In our recent blog, “Mattress Myths Debunked: The Truth About Sleep & Comfort,” we explored some of the biggest misconceptions about sleep quality and mattress shopping. One common confusion we touched on—and one that deserves a closer look—is the difference between mattress firmness and support.
At City Mattress, we believe that understanding this distinction is key to choosing the perfect mattress for your best night's sleep. Let’s break it down clearly:
What Is Mattress Firmness?
Firmness refers to how soft or hard a mattress feels when you lie down. It’s your immediate, tactile experience—the "first impression" of the mattress. Firmness levels typically range from plush/soft to firm/extra-firm and are often rated on a 1–10 scale (with 1 being ultra-firm and 10 being extremely plush).
Factors influencing firmness include:
- The top comfort layers (such as memory foam, latex, or pillow tops)
- The quilting and upholstery materials
- The thickness of cushioning layers
Your personal preference plays a huge role here. Some sleepers love the feeling of sinking into a plush, cloud-like bed, while others prefer the solid, sturdy surface of a firmer mattress.
Key point: Firmness is subjective. What feels “medium-firm” to one person might feel "too soft" to another, depending on body weight, shape, and sleep position.
What Is Mattress Support?
Support, on the other hand, refers to how well a mattress keeps your spine aligned and maintains your body’s natural posture throughout the night. Regardless of how soft or firm a mattress feels, a supportive mattress distributes your weight evenly and prevents your body from sagging or bowing.
A supportive mattress will:
- Keep your spine properly aligned
- Minimize pressure points
- Promote better blood circulation
- Reduce tossing and turning
Support primarily comes from the core of the mattress, such as an innerspring coil system, a high-density foam base, or hybrid constructions that combine different materials.
Key point: A mattress can feel soft and still be highly supportive. Similarly, a very firm mattress might not offer good support if it doesn’t properly contour to your body’s shape.
Why the Difference Matters
When shopping for a mattress, many people mistakenly equate firmness with support. But confusing the two can lead to choosing the wrong bed for your needs, resulting in poor sleep, back pain, and general discomfort.
For example:
- A side sleeper might prefer a softer firmness to cushion their shoulders and hips, but still needs excellent support to avoid spinal misalignment.
- A stomach sleeper might need a firmer surface to prevent their midsection from sinking too deeply, but again, it must provide support to maintain the natural curve of the spine.
At City Mattress, our experts are highly trained to help you find a mattress that offers the right balance of firmness and support based on your body type, sleep position, and comfort preferences.
How to Find the Right Mattress for You
1. Assess Your Sleeping Position
Side sleepers typically need more pressure relief (softer feel), while back and stomach sleepers often benefit from firmer mattresses.
2. Consider Your Body Weight
Heavier individuals may require firmer, more supportive cores to prevent excessive sinkage, while lighter individuals might enjoy softer surfaces without sacrificing support.
3. Test for Both Comfort and Alignment
When you lie down, your mattress should feel good immediately (firmness) and keep your spine neutral (support).
4. Don’t Rely Only on Labels
Terms like "firm" or "plush" are helpful but subjective. Testing different mattresses in person (or working with a knowledgeable advisor) is the best way to judge.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a mattress isn’t just about how soft or hard it feels—it’s about finding a bed that supports your body all night long while delivering the comfort you crave. Understanding the difference between firmness and support puts you in control of making a truly informed decision.
At City Mattress, we’re committed to helping you sleep better. Explore our curated selection of mattresses and experience the perfect match of support and comfort, because your best night’s sleep starts here.