A Comprehensive List of Pros and Cons

Mattress shopping can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of mattresses to choose from when you’re shopping online, and they come in a variety of sizes and style. Unfortunately, mattresses are a big investment, which makes choosing the right one incredibly important.

So, the one question that you should ask yourself before mattress shopping is: do I want a firm or a soft mattress? This is the best way to kick off a mattress shopping experience because the firmness of your mattress will play a big role in how comfortable your bed is and how well you sleep on it.

Here are a few pros and cons to both soft and firm mattresses, so that you can make an informed decision.

Firm

Pros

Support

Because firm mattresses have less give to them, they are ideal for those who need a lot of support. Whether you need the support to be comfortable or whether you need it to help battle a health problem or chronic pain, a firmer mattress is generally the way to go when you need a bit of extra.

Heat reduction

Firm mattresses don’t “swallow” you like softer mattresses do, which means that you’re less likely to feel too warm while sleeping on them. This is because, when you use a firm mattress, you quite literally sleep on top of the mattress instead of sinking down into it.

Of course, this means that your body is exposed to the air flow within the room, which aids in keeping you cooler.

Maneuverability

It’s easy to move around on firm mattresses because, as we said before, they don’t swallow you. This gives you the freedom to roll and thrash as you wish.

Cons

Lack of pressure relief

If you need to take pressure off your joints, hips, or back, a firm mattress isn’t going to be your best friend. Since they are so hard, they don’t give you any room to sink into the mattress, which is what relieves the pressure.

Not as traditionally “comfortable”

Most people find firm mattresses to be uncomfortable, plain and simple.

Soft

Pros

Pressure relief

Soft mattresses are great for relieving joint and hip pressure. They accommodate the sharp angles of the body and give them the cushioning that they need.

Feels more comfortable

Most of the time, people find softer mattresses to feel more comfortable. This tends to be true even if they aren’t the right kind of mattress for the sleeper. Why? It’s simply because we equate soft with comfortable.

Cons

Not ideal for larger sleepers

Heavy-bodied sleepers will sink into soft mattresses and feel like they’re stuck, which is never a pleasant feeling.

Trap heat

Because soft mattresses suck you in, you’re more likely to feel like you’re overheating, since you aren’t as exposed to the open air. In addition, soft mattresses tend to be denser, which traps heat.

Now that you know the pros and cons of both firm and soft mattresses, it should be a lot easier to make the choice between them.