Best Medium Firm Mattress

A medium-firm mattress is considered a bed that’s rated between a 5 and 7 on a firmness scale. As such, these beds can provide both softness and support and are suitable for the majority of sleepers.

While the firmness of these beds is similar, the construction among them varies. Medium-firm beds can include hybrids, innerspring mattresses, memory foam beds, and latex models.

Medium-firm mattresses are the most common option, but they’re not for everyone. For this reason, it’s always best to consider your weight and sleep position to determine if a medium feel is right for you.

There are several types of medium-firm mattresses for you to choose from, each with their unique set of pros and cons.

Hybrid mattresses are highly popular among people looking for support, bounce, and breathability. These offer a blend of contouring foam and steel coils. The foam is typically included in the top layers, whereas the coils are towards the bottom. Medium-firm hybrid mattresses have a sturdy coil unit and multiple foam layers working together to bring pressure relief and support for sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Hybrids are also breezy and less likely to overheat, thanks to the coil unit that fosters airflow.

Foam mattresses have a few layers made from memory foam or polyfoam, though some models may include both. These beds have a high-density foam core that supports the upper layers and ensures durability. The top layers are typically softer to contour the body for pressure relief. Medium-firm memory foam mattresses can be better at pressure relief than certain hybrids and innerspring models, but they may be too hot unless they feature cooling technologies and materials. Nevertheless, they’re ideal for most sleepers, although heavyweight sleepers may want a bed with more pushback support.

Latex mattresses are a good choice for eco-conscious shoppers. Latex is a responsive material harvested from the sap of rubber trees. This unique material is known for its moderate contouring properties, so a medium-firm latex bed would be good for back and stomach sleepers. In addition, these beds should provide much-needed support for the hips, preventing them from sinking into the mattress. Another great characteristic of latex beds is their durability, so while they may cost more upfront, they should last you longer.

Innerspring beds are similar to hybrids in that they have spring coils. However, innerspring models don’t have thicker comfort layers like hybrids do. Instead, they have a thin foam layer on top of the coil unit. In some cases, the coils are individually wrapped, while others are interconnected. The performance of an innerspring mattress depends on the coil unit. For this reason, these sometimes lack motion isolation, but they’re airy and suitable for hot sleepers. Innerspring beds are also a great budget-friendly option compared to hybrid or latex models.

Medium-firm mattresses are versatile and should fit most sleepers. However, certain sleepers may need a softer or firmer bed depending on their body type and sleep position. For example, a lightweight sleeper may not find comfort in the same mattress as a heavier person and vice versa.

Medium-firm mattresses are excellent for back sleepers as they provide sufficient support to keep the spine aligned. Sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds should find these particularly comfortable, getting gentle contouring for pressure relief and support for a healthy sleep posture.

For More Information: Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers

Those who struggle with back pain should focus on finding a bed that supports the spine, ensuring it’s always in proper alignment. A medium-firm mattress can help with pain relief by keeping the hips from collapsing into the bed as this could throw the spine out of alignment and cause you to wake up with an aching back. A medium-firm mattress gives a balance of support and contouring to relieve back pain without causing pressure build-up in other sensitive areas.

Stomach sleepers need an equally supportive bed that supports the hips. Softer mattresses allow the hips to sink too much, which causes the lower back to hyperextend, eventually leading to back pain. A medium-firm bed is a golden middle between too firm and soft, supporting the hips while cushioning the rest of your body. However, some heavier stomach sleepers may feel better supported with firm beds since their weight will cause more compression into the layers.

Read More: Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers

Heavier folks usually prefer sleeping on firmer mattresses due to the support they provide. Medium-firm beds can typically support sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. One thing to keep in mind is that a heavier sleeper may find such mattresses softer than sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds. Significantly heavier side sleepers may like a medium-firm mattress, but back and stomach sleepers weighing over 230 pounds will likely opt for a firmer one.

Learn More: Top-Rated Mattresses for Heavy People

Although most people focus on the firmness of a mattress, other factors are equally important when considering overall comfort and quality.

Although all medium-firm mattresses should feel the same, the materials they’re made from can make a difference. In other words, a memory foam bed won’t feel the same as an innerspring, even though they’re both medium-firm. In addition, materials can impact how warm or cool the bed’s surface is. Therefore, you should carefully inspect the construction, checking each material to ensure it fits your needs, especially if you’re looking for an eco-friendly or hypoallergenic bed.

Firmness describes how hard or soft the bed feels when you lie on it. Medium-firm is the most versatile feel, and these mattresses fall between a 5 and 7 on our firmness scale, so they’re neither soft nor firm. These beds are suitable for most sleepers, though some lightweight and plus-size sleepers may prefer other firmness options. Still, it’s important to remember that firmness is subjective and two medium-firm beds may not feel completely the same, depending on their comfort layers or lack thereof.

Motion isolation refers to how well the bed prevents motion from transferring from one side of the mattress to the other. This feature is helpful for couples and everyone else sharing a bed. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are usually better at motion isolation than latex and innerspring beds. Memory foam is excellent at absorbing motion while the use of pocketed coils and foams in hybrids helps reduce motion transfer.

If you or your partner sleep hots, then a great cooling bed is going to be important. Memory foam beds are known to overheat, but manufacturers now use gel and copper infusions to cool the material and make these more suitable for hot sleepers. Latex is more cooling as it’s naturally more breathable. Hybrids and innerspring models are also good for hot sleepers because the coil units provide sufficient airflow to keep the other layers cool. Many models also have unique covers that remain cool to the touch.

Read More: Best Cooling Mattresses

Edge support is important for couples and single individuals who like to spread across their mattresses. Without edge support, you’d likely feel like rolling off the mattress if you sit or sleep near the edge. Hybrid mattresses have the best edge support thanks to the coils that often go from one side of the bed to the other. Some even have a reinforced perimeter with thicker gauge coils that prevent the edges from collapsing.

Pressure build-up is a common issue many sleepers struggle with, although folks who sleep on their side usually struggle the most. The best way to achieve relief is to choose a bed with contouring and cushioning layers that allow a gentle hug. This way, sensitive points like the shoulders, hips, and knees are more “in” the bed than “on” it. Memory foam and latex beds are excellent at pressure relief but so are hybrids with foam and latex comfort layers.

Medium-firm mattresses are available at different prices, but the firmness rarely affects the overall cost. You’ll notice this by checking different firmness options of the same bed. The price usually depends on the size, materials, unique features (like cooling), height, and brand quality. Although you should have a pre-set budget, try not to let the price be the only deciding factor when buying a medium-firm mattress.

All reputable brands will include a warranty with their product. However, warranties vary, so you’ll come across different deals depending on the brand you’re looking at. Some companies offer a 1-year long warranty, while others go as far as providing a lifetime warranty. Although most companies cover the same things, the length of a warranty can make a difference. The longest-lasting deals often indicate how confident a brand is in its product, quality of materials, and craftsmanship.

Sometimes it’s hard to decide if a mattress is good for you without trying it out. Brands have recognized this problem, which is why they include a sleep trial during which you can use the mattress without commitment. If you decide you don’t like it, the company will take it back before the pre-determined sleep trial ends and will refund your money. The trial can last anywhere between 30 and 365 nights.

Did you know you can adjust how your mattress feels? There are ways to make it more comfortable and suitable for your sleep habits and preferences.

A quality pillow can support your head and neck, keeping the spine aligned and allowing a healthy sleep posture. Side and back sleepers should look for a medium or high loft pillow, and stomach sleepers will need a lower loft to prevent the neck from resting at an uncomfortable angle. Therefore, it’s best to consider your preferred sleeping position before picking a pillow to compliment your medium-firm mattress.

You should first consider your sleep position and weight. Medium-firm beds are typically the best for back sleepers, although some side and stomach sleepers may also like them depending on their body weight. Luckily, most brands offer a sleep trial for customers to see if the mattress is right for them.

A medium-firm mattress should be good for your back, especially if back sleeping is your preferred position. These beds provide sufficient support and gentle contouring to fill the gap between your lower back and the mattress. Some models are even specifically made for reducing back pain.

The difference between firm and medium-firm mattresses is in how they feel and their rating. Firm beds are noticeably more rigid and have firmness ratings above 7. Firm mattresses often have minimal contouring pressure relief but excellent support, particularly for heavier bodies.

Whether a medium-firm mattress is good for side sleepers depends on the person. Some side sleepers love soft beds that let them sink into the first layer. Others prefer to sleep “on” the bed instead of “in” it but still like a bit of contouring to prevent pressure build-up. Plus, lightweight and heavier side sleepers won’t get the same feel from the same firmness level. This means your body weight is crucial in deciding if a medium-firm mattress is good for side sleeping.

For more information, check our guide on best mattresses for side sleepers.