Neither a soft nor a firm mattress is better in itself: the right firmness is the one on which your body lies level. It depends above all on weight and sleeping position, and medium firmness is often a convenient starting point for trying mattresses. The firmest mattress “for your health” is a common myth, and below we explain why.
What firmness is and why it is subjective
Firmness is how much a mattress gives under the body. Manufacturers have no single scale, so “medium” from one brand can feel different from another's. What is more, the same mattress will seem firm to a person weighing 55 kg and rather soft to one weighing 100 kg: a heavier body presses deeper into the layers.
So treat the mark in the specification as a direction to search in, and make the final choice lying down.
What is wrong with too firm and too soft
Picture yourself lying on your side. The shoulder and hip stick out; the waist does not.
- On a mattress that is too firm the shoulder and hip cannot sink in. The body rests on two points, the waist hangs in the air, and the whole weight presses on the shoulder. In the morning the arm is numb and you want to turn over.
- On one that is too soft the hips, the heaviest part of the body, drop deeper than everything else. The back bends in an arc, as in a hammock.
In both cases the muscles do not relax, because they have to hold the body. The right mattress lets the shoulder and hip in just far enough for the spine to stay a straight line.
A guide by weight and sleeping position
The table is a starting point for trying mattresses, not a verdict: people's preferences differ.
| Weight | Sleeping on the side | Sleeping on the back | Sleeping on the stomach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60 kg | Soft or medium | Medium | Medium |
| 60–90 kg | Medium | Medium or above medium | Above medium |
| Over 90 kg | Medium or above medium | Above medium or firm | Firm |
Why position matters: on the side the body rests on a narrow area, and the shoulder needs somewhere to sink. On the back the weight is spread more widely, and the main task is to support the lower back. On the stomach a soft mattress lets the hips drop, so a springier surface is needed here.
If you often change position, medium firmness can be a convenient starting point for trying, but make the final choice by feel.
Who suits what: examples
Soft. For light people and those who sleep on their side and like the feeling of “sinking in”. An example is the Veneto Lux Multi Soft Mattress: soft, 280 mm high, rated for a load of up to 100 kg. A soft mattress will not suit a heavier person: they will press through the comfort layers and lie on the base.
Medium. The most versatile option, and the one to start trying with. For example, the Veneto Lux Comfort Mattress: medium firmness, 240 mm high, load up to 100 kg.
Above medium and firm. For heavier people, for sleeping on the back or stomach, and for those who simply do not like soft. The Veneto Double Bico Mattress has firmness above medium, a height of 260 mm and is rated for a load of up to 130 kg.
Together with firmness, always look at the permissible load in the specification: if your weight is close to the limit, look for a model with a margin.
If you are not sure: double-sided mattresses
Double-sided models have sides of different firmness, and the choice can be changed simply by turning the mattress over. This is handy when you are choosing a mattress for the first time, when your weight changes, or when you want to sleep differently in summer and in winter.
The Veneto YIN YANG Mattress has a firm side and a medium one, is 260 mm high and is rated for a load of up to 130 kg.
Some children's mattresses are built the same way. The Veneto Children's Lux Mattress, 90 mm high, has two sides — firm and medium; it is made of latexed coir and natural latex. Children are generally advised a springier and more level surface than adults; for babies and for children with developmental conditions, consult a paediatrician.
If a couple differ in weight
When the difference is small, medium firmness with an independent spring unit usually suits: every spring works under its own load. When the difference is large, there are three ways:
- choose the firmness for the heavier partner and put a softer topper on the lighter partner's half;
- put two single mattresses of different firmness and the same height side by side;
- choose a model in the showroom together — sometimes a compromise is found at the first try.
How to check firmness
- Lie down in your usual position and give yourself enough time to judge pressure and support.
- On your back, notice whether there is any feeling of the hips dropping or of excessive pressure at particular points.
- On your side, ask someone to look at your back or take a photo: the shoulders and hips should sink in without a marked tilt.
- At home, do not draw a final conclusion after the first night alone: the feel of a new surface can change after a few nights, especially after an old, worn-in mattress.
If you got the firmness wrong
Too little firmness is hard to put right, but a mattress that is too firm is easily softened with a topper — a thin mattress laid on top. The Veneto TOP Memory Topper, for example, is 60 mm high and has two sides: medium and soft. Other options are in the toppers collection. A topper will not save a mattress that has worn into hollows: it will follow the dips beneath it.
If you have a diagnosis to do with the back or joints, or constant pain, agree the firmness with a doctor: general guides do not apply here.
In short
- The right firmness is the one on which the spine lies level and the shoulder and hip do not go numb.
- The greater the weight, the firmer; on the side softer, on the back and stomach springier.
- Medium firmness can be a starting point, but the choice depends on weight, sleeping position and feel.
- Not sure — take a double-sided model.
- A mattress that is too firm can be softened with a topper; one that is too soft cannot be firmed up.
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that a firm mattress is healthier?
No. A surface that is too firm presses on the shoulders and hips and leaves the lower back unsupported. What you need is not the firmest one but the one on which the body lies level.
Which mattress should I choose if I sleep both on my side and on my back?
Medium firmness. It gives enough for the shoulder and is springy enough for the lower back.
Does a mattress get softer with time?
The feel of a new mattress can change with use, but there is no universal period of adjustment. So do not draw conclusions from the first night alone.
Where can I see all the models by firmness?
In the mattresses collection the firmness and the permissible load are given in the specification of every model.
