Shopping for your Orange County mattress is no easy feat. There are dozens of mattresses to choose from online and in-store. The mattresses come in a variety of sizes, material, and styles. Buying a mattress is an investment in your health and wellbeing, so it is an important decision to make.
As you approach a mattress sale in Orange County, you might be asking yourself if you want a mattress that is firm or soft. This is a valid question because the firmness of a mattress significantly impacts how comfortable or supported you feel when you sleep. While personal preference makes a big difference, there are some objective pros and cons to both firm and soft mattresses.
In this article, we have created a guide on firm vs. soft mattresses to help you decide when is a better fit for you.
First, let’s discuss what exactly makes a mattress firm or soft.
Majority of mattress companies use a 1-10 scale to rate the firmness of mattresses, with 6.5 being medium-firm. Anything below 6.5 is considered soft and anything above is on the firm end. If you are looking to buy a mattress in Orange County, keep this scale in mind.
Firmness is determined by the construction and materials used to make a mattress. For example, if you purchase an innerspring mattress it is going to be firm due to the grade of coils. A latex mattress is also firmer than average because it is made of durable and dense material. An example of a soft mattress would be memory foam, which is known for its comfortable feel and pressure-point relief.
It is important to note that the firmness of a mattress really comes down to how thick its comfort layer is. Firmness also really depends on the size and bodyweight of the sleeper.
Pros and Cons of a Firm Mattress
Pros
- A firm mattress can offer more support than a soft mattress.
- A firm mattress is able to hold up the sleeper’s body without letting it sink.
- Many sleepers describe sleeping on a firm mattress as though they are sleeping “on top” of the bed. You should not have any significant issues moving around on a firm mattress.
- A firm mattress is typically cooler than a soft mattress.
Cons
- A firm mattress is not known for providing pressure relief. If you sleep on your side, you might feel a lot of pressure on your shoulders and hips when sleeping on a firm mattress.
- Even though comfort is subjective, not many sleepers consider firm mattresses to be necessarily comfortable.
Who benefits from sleeping on a firm mattress?
- Stomach sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Heavy-set people
- Hot sleepers
- Individuals with mobility issues
- Individuals who prefer to sleep on top of their mattress
Pros and Cons of a Soft Mattress
Pros
- Known for being comfortable and providing pressure relief. Side sleepers are able to sink in and reduce pressure on their shoulders and hips.
- Lacks support and may not be able to handle heavy-set sleepers or individuals who sleep on their back or stomach.
- May experience difficulty moving around and switching positions while you sleep.
- May feel hot while you sleep because your body lacks exposure to the bedroom air.
Who benefits from sleeping on a soft mattress?
- Side sleepers
- Individuals with pain issues (such as joint or hip pain)
- Individuals who prefer to sink into their mattress
- Couples
When it comes to finding your perfect Orange County mattress, you need to decide whether you want a firm or soft mattress. We hope this guide helps make the decision process a little easier.