Mattress
Ratings >
Mattresses
and Firmness Levels --
Based on Data From Over 5,100 Actual Owners
"Firmness" in our research refers to the firmness level of a mattress and is indicated by "soft," "medium" or "firm."
The chart below shows how mattress types compare on this issue
based on owner experiences. Keep in mind that this represents
what is often, but not always, the case; a particular brand,
model or individual mattress may go against these findings.
| Air | Memory
Foam |
Water | Futon | Latex | Innerspring |
|
| Firmness Level | Soft-Firm | Medium-Firm |
Soft-Firm | Medium-Firm | Medium-Firm | Variable |
Air
Airbeds have adjustable firmness, and the level can often be set between soft to firm.
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses typically are medium-firm. The inexpensive brands tend to be at least somewhat more firm than the more expensive brands.
Water
Adjusting the amount of water in a waterbed can cause the firmness level to range between soft and firm.
Futons
Futons are well known for being firm, but softer varieties are available.
Latex
These beds generally feature medium-to-firm firmness levels.
Innerspring / coil
These types of mattresses offer a wide variety of firmness levels. The firmer ones will generally not have a pillow top.