Are you not sleeping as well as you could? Do you wake up with aches and pains you didn’t have the night before? It might be time to upgrade your bedding.

“Having the right mattress can really make a difference to our quality of sleep,” explained Gretchen Dueñas-Tanbonliong, Associate Director of Health and Wellness at NCOA. “If our joints are supported in the right places, if our necks and backs are aligned, and if our body weight is well distributed, we’re less likely to toss and turn all night.”

That’s important, Dueñas-Tanbonliong continued, because we all need restorative sleep to support our health and longevity. And contrary to popular belief, our sleep requirements don’t change just because we’re aging. It’s as important now to get the recommended 7–9 hours as it was when we were younger.

“That’s why, for anyone who’s struggling with ongoing sleep disturbances, I recommend looking at a new mattress as part of the solution—especially if you’ve had yours for many years,” she said.

If you dread the process, you’re in good company. With so many brands, materials, and retailers to choose from, shopping for a new mattress can feel overwhelming. That’s where a universal firmness rating comes in. This numbered scale, from 1–10, helps you compare apples to apples no matter where you plan to buy. It describes how a mattress feels when you lie down on it: Do you sink deeply into the material right away? Or does it seem like you plopped onto a concrete slab instead?

Those are the two extremes; there are many options in between. Below, we cover everything you need to know about mattress firmness so you can shop with confidence when you’re ready.

Understanding the mattress firmness scale

Having a standard rating for mattress firmness is helpful. Still, human judgment is subjective. What you might consider a “soft” mattress may actually feel “firm” to someone else. That’s why each category below spans a few numbers on the scale. Think of it as a jumping-off point to guide your initial research. Once you test out a few mattresses in real life, you’ll know exactly where on this scale your perceived firmness fits in.

1–10 firmness scale, explained

First, a note about firmness versus support. While the two concepts are related, they are not interchangeable.

Firmness describes how the mattress feels. Support describes how it performs. Or—put another way—firmness allows you sink into the material (or not), while support relieves pressure points and keeps your spine aligned.

Commonly, the firmness of any mattress falls on a scale of 1–10, with “1” being the softest possible, and “10” being the hardest. The actual terms that manufacturers use will vary slightly; some will say “plush” instead of “soft,” for example. That’s why the numbers come in handy. They account for these language differences so you can quickly understand whether a mattress is less firm, more firm, or neutral.

As you research your options, keep in mind that it’s entirely possible to have a cushiony mattress with a lot of support—or a super hard one with zero support.

Firmness categories

For the purposes of this article, we describe firmness using five terms:

• Extra soft (1–2)
  A mattress in this category feels remarkably cushy. You easily sink into it and the material contours closely to your body.
• Soft (3–4)
  A mattress in this category feels supple but not spongy. You still sink into it, though not as deeply, and the material accommodates your body without hugging it.
• Medium (5–6)
  A mattress in this category feels fairly neutral. You will not sink into it much (if at all), but the material will somewhat conform to your body.
• Firm (7–8)
  A mattress in this category feels solid but not overly hard. You may notice a slight “give” when you lie down, though the material provides minimal contouring.
• Extra firm (9–10)
  A mattress in this category feels remarkably rigid. You will remain on it rather than sink into it, and the material will not contour to your body at all.

CHART: Mattress firmness scale at-a-glance

Mattress firmness and aging

Why does any of this matter?

“Because,” said Dueñas-Tanbonliong, “there are certain factors to take into account—realities that often go hand-in-hand with aging that can affect the type of mattress we should choose.”

For instance, someone with obstructive sleep apnea may do better with a soft or medium mattress that’s best for side sleepers, rather than one designed for back sleepers.

When shopping for a mattress, consider whether any of the following affects you.

Age-related sleep challenges

For a variety of reasons, aging can affect our sleep patterns. Natural shifts in our circadian rhythm (body clock) can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.¹ So can conditions like nocturia (needing to pee at night). Even being retired can get in the way of a good night’s rest; not having the built-in schedule of a regular workweek can disrupt the very idea of a normal bedtime.

Certain changes in our health can negatively impact sleep, too. These include:

• Bone and joint pain
  Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and other degenerative conditions can cause considerable discomfort both day and night. Sleeping on a mattress that’s too soft or too hard can make hip, shoulder, and back pain even worse.
• Thinning skin
  Genetics, sun exposure, and natural changes to elastin and collagen levels can make our skin more fragile and prone to tearing.² Sleeping on a mattress that’s too hard can increase our pressure sensitivity and irritation.
• Changing mobility
  Whether temporary due to a surgery, or more permanent due to a condition like Parkinson’s, many of us will experience decreased mobility at some point. Sleeping on a mattress that’s too soft can make it hard to get into, out of, and move around in bed. 

Finding the right firmness

What firmness number is right for you? A lot of it depends: on your personal preference; your favorite sleeping position; and even your size. Still, NCOA’s Review Team found that mattresses that fall into the 5–8 (medium to firm) range generally meet the needs of most older adults.

These mattresses tend to offer the right balance of:

• Cushioning—enough “give” to relieve stress on hips, shoulders, and knees
• Support—enough density to prevent back pain and keep the spine aligned
• Structure—enough bracing to make it easier to get into and out of bed

Many memory foam mattresses combine contouring comfort with supportive inner cores to achieve this sweet spot. You also can look for foam-latex hybrid models.

Factors that influence perceived mattress firmness

As previously mentioned, the mattress firmness scale provides a helpful starting point for gauging how soft or hard a given model will be. But your “5” could easily be someone else’s “10.”

“How a mattress feels to you along any point of the scale involves a little art and a little science,” NCOA’s Dueñas-Tanbonliong explained. “Certainly, objective things like materials play a role; a feather-top mattress will rarely be extra firm for anyone. But you have your own subjective opinion, too.”

Your individual perception of mattress firmness can be influenced by things like:

• Body weight and distribution
  A firm mattress can feel softer to someone with a higher body weight. Conversely, a soft mattress can feel firmer to someone with a lighter body weight. Height matters as well, because that determines where and how weight gets distributed. The same mattress may feel firmer to a taller person than a shorter one, regardless of the number assigned to it.
• Sleep position
  Do you sleep on your side, your back, or your stomach? Maybe it’s two, or even three of those? Side sleepers tend to prefer a softer mattress to cushion their joints; back sleepers tend to need a firmer choice to keep their pelvis comfortably aligned with their spine; and combination sleepers generally do best with something right in the middle.
• Mattress materials and construction
  Many brands offer different lines of mattresses according to what they’re made of and how. A mattress made exclusively with memory foam can feel softer than a mattress made of latex or a combination of both—even though they may share an identical firmness number. Mattresses with inner coil springs can run the gamut, depending on the coil type and whether the coils are filled with foam.

How to determine the right mattress firmness for you

Most often, this comes down to in-person testing. If you can, visit a few retailers and ask for a guided tour of one or more of the brands they carry. A reputable sales associate will explain the firmness scale for each line and encourage you to lie down on them, in order, without pressuring you to make a decision right away.

Most often, this comes down to in-person testing. If you can, visit a few retailers and ask for a guided tour of one or more of the brands they carry. A reputable sales associate will explain the firmness scale for each line and encourage you to lie down on them, in order, without pressuring you to make a decision right away.

“If you’re feeling rushed into a purchase, you have the right to leave the store,” Dueñas-Tanbonliong said. “This is a major purchase that can really make a difference in the quality of your sleep. Take the time you need to figure out your own preferences.”

If you can’t visit a store, but you have access to the internet, start by reading as many mattress reviews as you can. Often, you can type specific terms into your search bar that will lead you to the most useful information. Rather than ask, “Should I buy a soft mattress?” try “is a soft mattress good for restless leg syndrome?” for example. If the answer is yes, you then can type “best soft mattresses” and evaluate based on user ratings.

Assess personal needs

Ultimately, the combination of your height and weight, your preferred sleeping position, and any health conditions that affect your joints or mobility will dictate which level of firmness will work best for you. To help you get started, check out our reviews of the best mattress for higher-weight people and the best mattress for back pain.

Trial and return policies

No matter how much research you devote up front, you won’t truly know whether you’ve settled on the right mattress firmness until you can literally sleep on it. Look for a retailer and brand that offer generous in-home trial periods (at least 30 days) and easy returns. We cover trial periods and more in our overall best mattress article.

Sleep accessories

To a certain degree, you can adjust the firmness and comfort of your mattress after you buy it. Toppers made of memory foam can add an extra later of contouring, for example. A different pillow can improve the alignment of your spine. If you’ve chosen a firm mattress, and notice discomfort in your neck, look for a pillow with higher loft. (Because you sink less into a firm mattress, a thicker pillow better keeps your spine in a neutral position). And certain mattress protectors can prevent your body heat from transferring to the mattress. In theory, a cooler mattress is less pliable and therefore feels firmer.

The bottom line

If you’re ready to buy a new mattress, a standard firmness scale can help you compare apples to apples. Mattresses rated a “1” are highly plush while those rated a “10” are highly rigid.

Models that fall into the 5–8 range (medium to firm) typically offer the right balance of cushioning, support, and structure to meet the needs of most sleepers—including those of us with health and mobility challenges that otherwise might get in the way of a good night’s rest. That said, how we perceive firmness is subjective and depends on things like our body weight, our height, our preferred sleeping position, and whether we live with pain.

Think of the firmness chart as a jumping-off point to guide your initial research. Once you test out a few mattresses in real life, you’ll know exactly where on this scale your perceived firmness falls.

FAQ

What is the best mattress firmness for lower back pain?
Research shows that medium to firm (5–8 on the scale) mattresses work best for people with back pain.

Will a firm mattress last longer than a soft mattress?
Generally speaking, yes. Firmer mattresses tend to have sturdier construction and therefore won’t sag as easily or quickly as softer ones might. But it all depends on the material, springs, and overall quality.

Can I adjust my mattress firmness at home?
Yes, to a degree. If you want a softer mattress, you could add a memory foam topper. If you want a firmer mattress, you could try using a waterproof cover; this prevents your body heat from transferring through. And the right pillow can complement your mattress. Try a higher-loft (thicker) pillow for firmer models, and a lower-loft (thinner) one for softer models.

How do I tell if my mattress is too firm or too soft?
If you’re buying new, the best option is to find a retailer that offers a generous at-home trial period so that you can sleep on your mattress for a while and either return it or swap it for a different model if it’s not comfortable. Otherwise, consider how easy or difficult it is to get into and out of the mattress; whether your hips, shoulders, or knees hurt during the night; and if you notice any skin irritation.

Does body weight affect how firm a mattress feels?
Absolutely. A firm mattress can feel softer to someone with a higher body weight, while a soft mattress can feel firmer to someone with a lighter body weight.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.