How to choose mattress firmness

Firmness is about comfort and personal preference. There's no single 'best' firmness, but a few rules of thumb help narrow it down.

Firmness at a glance

Feel	What it's like	Often chosen by
Soft	You sink in more and the surface moulds around you	Many side sleepers and lighter sleepers
Medium	A balance of give and support	Mixed sleeping positions, couples with different preferences
Firm	You sit on top of the surface with little sink	Many back and front sleepers, heavier sleepers

Sleeping position

As a general rule of thumb, side sleepers often prefer a softer to medium feel that lets the shoulders and hips sink in, back sleepers often choose medium to medium-firm, and front sleepers often prefer firmer. These are tendencies, not rules: comfort is personal.

Mattress types

Pocket sprung: individually wrapped springs move independently, which reduces movement transfer between sleepers.
Memory foam: moulds to your shape and responds slowly to movement.
Hybrid: combines springs with foam comfort layers.
Open coil / sprung: a traditional, often lighter and more affordable construction.

Our existing guides go deeper on pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses.

Children's mattresses

For kids' beds, the most important things are the right size and, on raised beds, staying within the bed's maximum mattress depth. See how to choose mattress firmness for a child.

This guide is general information about comfort, not medical advice. If you have back or joint problems, speak to a healthcare professional.