I am sure this varies among manufacturers, but is it possible to compare soft and medium to ultra plush and plush? Which one, in general, would be best for a side sleeper?
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Hi lkn4sleep,
Yes, firmness ratings are very subjective. Plus, two mattresses of the same firmness, regardless of rating, each will feel different based on the weight of the sleeper, the foundation it is resting on and the characteristics of the sheets being used.
So, when considering firmness ratings, there is a lot more to it, and terms do vary by manufacturer, but in general there is a loose hierarchy that makes comparison possible.
Ultra plush is typically the softest option rating, followed by plush, then soft, and then medium, with each step offering a bit more resistance and support. Ultra plush and plush mattresses allow deeper sink and contouring, while soft is slightly more supportive, and medium offers a more balanced feel with less compression. Because companies use these labels differently, a “plush” from one brand might feel similar to a “soft” from another, but the overall progression from ultra plush to medium is fairly consistent.
For side sleepers, softer options are usually preferred because they allow the shoulders and hips to sink in enough to reduce pressure and keep the spine aligned. Most side sleepers are most comfortable on ultra plush, plush, or soft mattresses, depending on body weight and personal preference. Lighter side sleepers often favor ultra plush or plush, while heavier side sleepers may do better with soft or even medium if they need extra support to prevent sinking too far. For myself and my wife, I am 6’ 220 (250+ the last time I bought a mattress for our master bedroom) she is 5’4 135, we have been loving our ultra firm mattress, which is why I call us “against the rule” side sleepers.
Sure, there are some general “rules” but at the end of the day, you really need to test a mattress for a solid 30-90 days to really understand how that mattress and construction work for you.
The key realization is that there is more than one mattress firmness that can provide a comfortable night’s sleep for an individual. During an informal Hastens mattress training and consumer experience, I lay on what they classify as a “medium” firmness mattress. In reality, the firmness was difficult to quantify. Their 2000T mattress felt as though my body was resting on a cloud. It created a sensation of suspension, with no noticeable pressure points at all.
Some mattresses rely on very robust spring systems paired with different comfort-layer constructions, and once the body adjusts, multiple firmness levels can feel equally comfortable and supportive. It truly is about the construction and thoughtfulness about the build and laying of the mattress.
Hope this helps.
Maverick
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Sounds like you would have been a good candidate for the latex mattresses where you can get one side softer than the other, but if your wife is happy then that is all that matters.
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Having both slept on firm mattresses and really loving them, sometimes it really comes down to the overall construction, balance, and thoughtful layering of the internal components. We actually have a 3" firm latex topper on ours now and are still very comfortable. I’m tempted to try a luxury firm topper to see how it would change the feel of our mattress, like the Helix Premium Topper with microcoils. Helix even makes a dual-firm mattress topper.
My mother-in-law’s mattress was a dual-firm model that I ordered for her—a DLX with a firm/medium configuration, and honestly, both sides feel great. I guess as we get older, a touch softer than very firm can have some advantages.
If you can find a showroom that carries a brand with four or five firmness levels, that might be the best way to make an initial comparison. The key is not to ask about firmness at all, just get right on and evaluate without any preconceived ideas. You’ll quickly eliminate what’s too soft (especially knowing it will only get softer over time) and narrow in on what truly feels good without bias toward firmness labels.