10-inch vs 12-inch Mattresses: How to Decide Which Is Best for You

There’s no doubt about it – there are tons of mattresses on the market. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses. So, the question is, would a 10-inch mattress or a 12-inch mattress be best for you? How do you make that decision?

Here are a few factors to consider when deciding between the two thicknesses.

10 or 12-inch: 5 Factors to Consider

Price

If you’re on a budget, price is a factor you should consider. As you’d expect, 12-inch mattresses cost more than 10-inch mattresses do. This is because it takes more material to manufacture them, which boosts their resale value.

Accessibility

If you’re someone with a disability, who is recovering from an injury, or who deals with chronic pain, a thinner, 10-inch mattress might be the best choice out of the two options. Why? Well, thicker mattresses tend to suck people in, which makes it harder to get up from a lying down position.

This can cause exertion that can be bad for someone with heart problems, breathing problems, or other serious medical issues.

In addition, if you’re shorter than average, a thinner mattress is going to be best for you, as it will keep you closer to the ground and make it easier to get on and off your bed.

Body Size

The size of your body will also determine whether you should have a thinner or thicker mattress. Typically, the larger a person is, the thicker their mattress should be. Mattress that are 10 inches or thinner often prove to be uncomfortable for larger sleepers, mainly because they dip very low when a larger person lies on them. A thicker mattress will not dip as much under the weight of the sleeper.

Style of Bed

Despite what you prefer, some styles of beds require a mattress of a certain thickness. Most often than not, this “requirement” is merely aesthetic. Four-poster, low-platform, and high headboard beds tend to look the best with a big, thick mattress.

Of course, if you aren’t worried about aesthetics, this factor might not apply so much.

Support Needed

The amount of support you need to have in a mattress plays into which size is best, too. Typically, the thicker a mattress is, the more potential it has to be supportive. For example, a thin mattress is only so thick, meaning it might only be able to accommodate a few layers of supportive materials, while a thicker mattress can fit many more.

This being said, just because a mattress is thick, it doesn’t mean that it’s also supportive. These are two separate factors that can be (and are) combined into one mattress.

So, which is best for you? Both 10 and 12-inch mattresses have their advantages and, whether you choose the thinner of the thicker of the two, both can be incredibly comfortable. When choosing between the two, remember to keep in mind your body size, price, the support you need, and the style of bed you already have.