Soft, Medium or Firm? How to Choose a Mattress Feel

There is no best firmness, only the best match. The right feel depends on how you lie, how you are built, and what you find comfortable. These three questions are where we would start in a showroom.

How do you usually sleep?

Side sleepers tend to prefer a softer surface that lets the shoulder and hip settle in. Back and front sleepers usually find a medium or firmer feel more comfortable, because it keeps the middle of the body from dipping.

Do you share the bed?

If you do, look for individually wrapped springs. Because each coil moves on its own, movement on one side is less likely to travel to the other.

What do you like right now?

Think about the best night you have had away from home. Was the bed enveloping or level? Your own memory of comfort is a better guide than any chart. A home trial exists for exactly this reason.