Where Do You Rank on the Mattress Comfort Scale?

In the classic children’s story “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” Goldilocks visits the bear family’s home while they are away. Being very tired after eating all their porridge, she heads upstairs to the bedroom. She lays down in the first bed, but it is too hard. So she moves to the second bed, but it is too soft. Finally, she lays down on the third bed, and it is just right. Goldilocks falls asleep.

Buying a mattress is a lot like Goldilocks’ experience – trying to find the right firmness can be daunting with all the choices out there. Mattress comfort is personal and subjective, with some people preferring plush pillowtops, while others opt for a flat surface. Fortunately, every manufacturer offers a mattress comfort scale rating from 1-10 to help you in your quest for “just right.”

Mattress Comfort Scale: By The Numbers

• 1-2: Very Firm – Are you comfortable sleeping on the floor? Do you prefer to sleep on your back or stomach? If so, you likely want the firmest mattress possible.
• 3-4: Firm – Another good choice for back or stomach sleepers, this mattress has a bit of padding but you still feel like you are “on top of” it rather than “in it.
• 5-6: Medium – If you are seeking that perfect balance of comfort and durability, and you are a back, stomach or side sleeper, medium may be the way to go
• 7-8: Soft – The key here is pressure relief as this mattress provides contour foam. Recommend for back sleepers with aches and pains or side sleepers seeking relief for hips and shoulders
• 9-10: Very Soft – Want to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud? Opt for a very soft or plush mattress that you will sink in, providing maximum pressure relief for back and side sleeping.

In addition to your sleeping position and needs for pressure relief, there are a couple of other factors you should take into consideration.

Tips for Finding the Right Mattress Support

Men usually weigh more than women. A general rule of thumb is that when you are a bit heavier, you should select something firmer in order to prevent spinal misalignment. In addition, it is easier to lay down and get up again with a firm mattress.

Women have more subtle body structures and they should choose beds which are very supportive. Therefore, consider a mattress which is medium firm but is tailored to your preferred sleeping position.

Test drive a mattress at our Portland-area showrooms

With so many criteria to take into account, figuring out how to find the best mattress for you can be challenging. Our trained Sleep Specialists at Mattress World Northwest in Portland, Oregon can help you make this difficult decision. There’s no substitute for coming into the showroom and giving the mattress a “test drive”. We recommend that you should spend at least 10-15 minutes on a bed before making a purchase.

Mattress World Northwest is a comfortable, pressure-free environment with knowledgeable staff. You can take as much time as you need to decide on what is arguably one the most important buys you will make in your lifetime.

Additional Mattress Comfort Resources:

1. WebMD, “Choosing the Best Mattress Type for You,” https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/how-to-pick-your-perfect-mattress
2. Consumer Reports, “Best Mattress Buying Guide,” https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/mattresses/buying-guide

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