At a Glance:
6 Reasons Not to Get a Soft Mattress
4 Firm & Extra Firm Mattress Recommendations
Ultra plush and plush mattresses might draw you in with their soft to the touch feel, but does that mean they are the best choice for a full night’s sleep? If you lie down for any considerable length of time on a soft mattress, you will likely find yourself sinking into its plush surface, and that might not be great for your body. For sleepers who wake up with more aches after spending the night on a pillow-y mattress, it might be worth exploring a medium, firm, or extra firm mattress to give you better support.
In this guide, we will explain seven reasons not to get a soft mattress, plus recommend four of our favorite firm mattresses.
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Shop Now7 Reasons Not to Get a Soft Mattress
The debate between firm vs soft mattress benefits is ongoing, but here are some reasons not to choose a soft mattress. It is important to keep in mind these potential disadvantages of memory foam mattresses. For instance, memory foam is soft and contours to your body, which can offer support for your joints, but there are plenty of memory foam mattress pros and cons. One major pro is motion isolation. If you or your partner tend to toss and turn, foam is a great option.
With that in mind, here’s the not-so-good news when it comes to plush mattresses.
❌ Reason 1: Soft mattresses do not last as long
The softer materials that make up ultra plush mattresses break down more quickly. That’s because mattresses experience a lot of compression, and when a mattress’s structure is soft, it tends to compact quicker than other materials such as latex or coils. If you’re looking for a mattress that will last you for years, avoid extra soft mattresses.
❌ Reason 2: Soft mattresses tend to trap more heat
Because foam and other contouring materials fill in close to your body, there is not as much airflow between the surface and the body. As a result, heat gets trapped. If you tend to be a hot sleeper, look for a mattress that prioritizes temperature control and air circulation.
❌ Reason 3: Some soft mattresses aren’t so healthy
Memory foam mattress health concerns include off-gassing. Look out for mattresses with safety certifications, like CertiPUR-US. On the other end of the spectrum, foam mattress side effects include varying quality and sinking. This is a concern because irregularities in the surface of a mattress can cause spinal misalignment, resulting in back, hip, and shoulder pain.
Because memory foam mattresses are so widely available on the internet, there is bound to be a varying level of quality on the market.
❌ Reason 4: Soft mattresses are not ideal for couples
“Which type of mattress is best?” is a question to consider not just as an individual, but for you and your partner to answer together. A medium or firm mattress is going to be the best medium. You and your partner may not share the exact same preferences, but you are more likely to find common ground if you avoid the extremes of an extra soft or extra firm mattress.
❌ Reason 5: Soft mattresses are not ideal for back or stomach sleepers
One of the benefits of a firm mattress is that the surface is ideal for back and stomach sleepers. Again, this goes back to spinal alignment. The less a mattress sinks, the lower the chance your body’s posture will become misaligned. This is particularly important for stomach sleepers since the sleep position is the most vulnerable to bad posture.
What about a firm or soft mattress for side sleepers? Side sleepers lighter in weight might find a soft mattress comfortable because they aren’t as likely to sink into it. Side sleepers can also benefit from the support of a firm mattress.
❌ Reason 6: Soft mattresses sink easily
Stomach and back sleepers should avoid soft mattresses at all costs. Even for side sleepers, you might feel like your mattress is swallowing you up. Softness sounds comfortable in theory, but your body likely needs more support. Sinking into your mattress can worsen snoring. Also, keep in mind your and your partner’s weight. Heavier sleepers are not suited for soft mattresses.
❌ Reason 7: Soft mattresses can lead to improper spinal alignment, back or joint pain, and stiffness
Sleepers in every position need support for their spine, but back and stomach sleepers need a firmer surface to ensure their hips and lower back stay at the same level as the rest of the body. Look for mattresses that combine different material types to offer ergonomic comfort and support.
Learn More: How to Relieve Hip Pain from Sleeping on Side
Firm Mattress Benefits
For all of these reasons, we recommend exploring the possibilities of a firm mattress. With the motion control of a firm mattress, you don’t have to worry about bothering your partner when you stir during the night, and you also get to enjoy the support and comfort of your mattress without sinking into it.
Mattresses that are extra firm offer very similar advantages, but make sure to ake the time to test out an extra firm mattress first. It is a good rule of thumb to avoid extremes with mattress comfort.
4 Firm & Extra-Firm Mattress Recommendations
If you’re ready to give up being a softy, here are four of the best firm mattresses we recommend for our shoppers.
Purple® Hybrid Firm Queen Mattress in a Box
Shop This Purple Firm Mattress
This Purple firm mattress in a box combines the unique Purple Grid™ with wrapped coils and cushioning transition foam. This combination provides greater airflow and a more dynamic response than an all-foam mattress does. For a durable mattress with effective support and temperature control, this is a great option.
Featured Purple firm mattress review: “I would recommend trying it. I’m not big on recommending things unless I thoroughly enjoy it, but my lower back pain has eased noticeably.”
Serta® iComfort® Hybrid CF4000 Hybrid Firm Queen Mattress
The Serta iComfort CF4000 hybrid mattress features exclusive Air Support™ Foam to contour your body and relieve aches and pains caused by pressure points. Stay cool with the UltraCold System™ that channels heat away from your body. We highly recommend this mattress for sleepers struggling with back and neck pain, and so do over 250 other buyers who give this firm hybrid mattress a 5-star rating.
Featured Serta iComfort CF4000 firm mattress review: “I am a side sleeper who likes a firm mattress, but I often struggle finding the right mattress because they often can be uncomfortable in the neck and shoulder area. But not this mattress. It gets the balance perfectly. It provides a nice level of support that I crave, while also having a soft foam topper that provides relief for my shoulders and neck. Since getting this, I've been sleeping better and my husband has been snoring less. A big win! Very glad to have this mattress.”
Beautyrest Black® K-Class Innerspring Pillow Top Firm Queen Mattress
We consider this Beautyrest Black K-Class firm mattress perhaps one is our most luxurious firm mattress recommendations. This hybrid mattress has a strategic layered design that combines gel memory foam, plush comfort foam, latex, comfort layer made from alpaca, cashmere, and silk fibers, and T3 Pocketed Coil® Technology. This combination provides comfort, enhanced support, and motion control, meaning this is a great bed if you struggle with a restless sleep partner. You won’t sink in or feel like you’re sleeping on a board—you’ll just be comfortable and soundly asleep.
Featured Beautyrest Black K-Class mattress review: “I have a firmer mattress than most might like but I think it's great for my back. I find it very comfortable. The quality is superior to all other brands.”
Serta® Perfect Sleeper® Morning Excellence Wrapped Coil Extra Firm Tight Top Queen Mattress
Serta’s exclusive HexCloud™ Gel Memory Foam delivers cool, contouring pressure relief so that you can feel supported and cool all night long. To match the soft landing, individually wrapped coils guarantee top notch support and motion control with more support than a memory foam mattress, minus the hard feel. You get all the extra firm mattress benefits, plus the advantages of soft foam, all without compromising on support and comfort.
Featured Serta Perfect Sleeper mattress review: “I love this mattress. I've gotten the best sleep since purchasing this mattress.”
The cloudlike feeling of a soft, ultra plush mattress sounds good on paper, but it may not be the best choice for your body. What matters the most is that you have a supportive mattress suited to your specific needs, body shape, sleep position, and sleep habits. If you’re ready to say goodbye to a sinking mattress, shop Sleep Better Mattress, south Utah’s prime dealer of the best mattress brands on the market. Shop online or stop by today to see how we can help improve your sleep.
Why Trust Sleep Better Mattress Store?
The Sleep Better Mattress Store sticks to what they know best - the right mattress for you. With a specialized SleepCast mattress fitting system, they take the guessing game out of finding a new mattress by using technology to identify painful pressure points unique to you. With expert advice backed by technological solutions to sleep, they ensure everyone who shops at Sleep Better can go home to - Sleep Better. Complete with Haul Away services and white-glove delivery services, your best night’s sleep is one visit away.
Shop Firm Mattresses at Sleep Better Mattress Store
At the Sleep Better Mattress Store, we provide quality mattresses for a better night’s sleep. Shop firm mattresses online or visit us today at our mattress store in Santa Clara. In the meantime, browse our website to shop by mattress brands and check out our bedroom furniture selections to upgrade your bedroom decor. More available than ever, our experts at Sleep Better Mattress Store are always happy to help you find the perfect firm mattress for you, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: What is the Best Position to Sleep?