The 6 Best Medium Firm Mattresses in 2020

I was testing the Plus model, and here’s an overview of its construction:

• The foundation layer is 2” thick and made from supportive foam.
• The coil base is a 7.5” thick pocketed coil layer comprised of 3 separate zones to provide solid support, as well as better distribution of weight. Every four coils are wrapped together for improved contouring capabilities.
• The 7-zoned lumbar pad was designed for pressure relief and proper alignment in the lumbar zone of your body. Being made from latex, it also adds some bounce to the way your mattress feels.
• The 1” gel foam layer reduces motion transfer.
• The cover is made from eco-friendly Tencel material, extremely breathable and soft.

The Plus model is said to be an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This model was designed to be firmer and much more supportive than most mattresses on the market.

This is an all-latex mattress, but let’s take a closer look at its construction:

• The base layer is made of organic Dunlop latex with a firm feel.
• The comfort layer is composed of the same Dunlop latex with medium firmness.
• The upper comfort layer is, again, Dunlop latex but with the softest feel among the three.
• The organic wool padding under the cover ensures better moisture removal and breathability.
• Finally, the removable cover is made of organic cotton.

But there’s more: 

You can swap the soft and medium latex layers to adjust the firmness level to your needs! Great, right?

You probably won’t be surprised when I say that I wanted to get a firm model. So, let’s see what it has to offer:

• The base Dynamic Foam layer, which is the proprietary Helix material that feels like something between memory foam and latex.
• Individually pocketed micro coils, which provide good pressure relief, create a bouncy feel, and distribute the body weight evenly. They also reduce the motion transfer.
• The high-grade poly-foam top layer. This layer can vary in density depending on the support level and firmness that you want. In my case, it was very supportive and responsive.

On the firmness scale, my Helix would rate 9 out of 10. Let me calm you down right away:

It doesn’t feel like a hardwood floor.

To be honest, it lacks some extra cushioning But overall, it was comfortable for me.

Here’s what’s hiding inside:

• The steel coil base support layer.
• The comfort layer with the coils wrapped individually. It contours your body without making you feel like you’re sinking into it.
• The lumbar support layer, which is a memory foam layer that makes for pressure relief.
• The euro pillow top layer, which is made of cushioning materials and provides additional comfort.
• The dual foam edge support system. It allows you to have more sleeping space.
• The cover is made of cotton and hypoallergenic fibers. It’s soft, natural, and breathable.

On a scale from 1 to 10, the Saatva Firm model rates 7.5-8. Because it has a comfort pillow top placed under the cover, it doesn’t feel too firm, even though it has coils in its construction.

“According to statistics, innerspring mattresses are sold the most in America, but they receive the lowest ratings in terms of the overall satisfaction.”

Now, let’s move on to the most important part, the construction:

• The dual high-density base layer plays a supportive role and has special airflow channels to provide a cooling effect.
• The 2” transition layer.
• The top layer, which is viscoelastic memory foam, contours the body but doesn’t allow it to sink in deep.
• The cooling gel layer, located in the spinal area, which provides additional back support and helps you sleep cool. I found this component very comfortable and effective.
• The cotton cover is organic, hypoallergenic, and breathable.

In terms of firmness, this model would rate 7 on a scale from 1 to 10. It is very responsive and bouncy, but at the same time it allows your body to sink in just enough to release pressure from the pressure points. I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds extremely comfortable.

Factors We Look At

Picking the most suitable products out of lots of mediocre ones is not an easy process. We evaluate every item by different criteria to bring only the worthy options to the table. Here are the factors we consider:

• Comfort in multiple positions. It’s quite rare for one firm mattress to be equally comfortable for everyone, but sometimes we’re lucky enough to find such. And when we aren’t, we will always inform you what sleeping position this or that model is most suitable for.
• Construction. The way a mattress is built defines how well it can help your body align. And proper spinal alignment results in great pressure and pain relief. We choose mattresses with a smart construction that provide a balanced feel to ensure the highest comfort for you.
• Quality and safety of materials. Most mattresses we list here are proudly made in the USA from quality materials with compliance to all manufacturing standards.
• Price and value for money. We’re sure you don’t want to pay more than the mattress is actually worth. If you find us recommending a model that costs more than you expect, be sure it’s worth every cent.
• Company’s reputation, warranty, and trial conditions. All products we list here are manufactured by the most known brands. And we choose the best warranty and trial conditions for you to feel safe when trusting our recommendations.
• Customer reviews. Having different opinions analyzed is a key to providing reliable information. We want you to make an informed decision, which is why we pay attention to what others have to say about this or that mattress after we have tested it personally.

“Firmer mattresses naturally sleep cooler, as a sleeper doesn’t sleep in a mattress but rather sleeps on a mattress.”

Who Medium Firm Mattresses Are Best For?

It’s obvious that firmness preferences differ from person to person. Therefore, some categories of people will greatly benefit from sleeping on a medium firm mattress, while others may only ruin their posture. Check out if you fall under one of these categories before making a purchase:

• Heavier users. Let me make it clearer by defining a heavier person as someone who weighs more than 220 pounds. If that’s you, you’d rather avoid mattresses softer than 7 out of 10. They will sag much quicker under your weight. Besides, you’re likely to feel stuck in them and end up having back pain.
• Stomach sleepers. Because they don’t need to sink in too deeply (as it would result in a wrong curvature), stomach sleepers will feel most comfortable on a mattress that ranks 7-8 points firm.
• Back sleepers. If you sleep in this position, your body is very close to the natural alignment. You don’t need a mattress softer or firmer than 6-7 out of 10. Otherwise, you’re risking to gain pain rather than pressure relief.
• People with back problems. Some health issues require people to sleep on firm surfaces in order to get relief or not to worsen the existing situation. A firm mattress is obviously your option if that’s what your doctor says.

“If you don’t want to sleep on a firm mattress each and every night, but rather need an occasional firm surface for pain relief, pay attention to flippable mattresses. They feature a different firmness level on each of the two sides, allowing you to choose yourself how you want your mattress to feel this or that night.”

Some Things to Keep in Mind

If you’re hundred percent sure a medium firm mattress is for you, it’s time to start shopping. Here are a few tips that will help you end up being satisfied with your purchase:

• Get a thicker pillow. With softer models, you sink into the mattress deeper, which means the distance between your head and the surface of the mattress is shorter. With firmer models, the opposite happens. As you stay on the surface rather than sinking into the mattress, the distance between your head and the mattress increases. Thus, you will need to choose a pillow that is thicker in order to feel comfortable.
• Consider your partner’s preferences. Some manufacturers produce dual-sided models so that you could get the firm feel you want and your partner could get whatever feel they need. Your bedroom is not a place for a compromise.
• Choose a mattress with a longer trial. As it often happens with new things, they need you to get used to them. It’s the same with a mattress, and the truth is, some models may require quite a lot of time to adjust to your body. That’s why it’s always a better idea to go with a mattress covered by a longer trial. 100 nights is the most common period, which should be more than enough.
• Take advantage of a mattress topper. The way you will feel your mattress depends on different individual factors, such as your weight, for example. There’s always a risk of buying a firm mattress and realizing it’s way too firm for you. If that’s the case and you can’t return the mattress, you can improve the situation by using a mattress topper. It will make the surface a bit softer for you and save you the trouble of buying an entirely new mattress.

Why Sleep on a Medium Firm Mattress

If you’re in search of the great firm mattress, you should know about the benefits it can provide and what it can do for your body.

It’s been scientifically proven that too much cushioning can’t keep your spine in a neutral position and support it properly. The moderately firm mattress provides support for your spine and helps it align correctly in any sleeping position.

Also, when sleeping, your bones need to have some resistance to them and bear the most pressure. This allows the muscles, veins, and arteries to relax, which leads to a better blood circulation and simply helps you sleep well.

It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before getting a medium firm mattress, especially if you’ve been sleeping on a soft one for years or have some health issues. It’s hard to transition from a soft bed to a firm one. Plus, some back illnesses don’t require a firm surface, so make sure to talk to your doctor first.

Conclusion

You’re probably wondering “So, which one is the #1 mattress?” In my opinion, it’s Dreamcloud. I’m not saying that it’s a perfect mattress for everyone (none of them are), but I was really sold on the combination of its great qualities. It’s very comfortable. It’s designed by a professional who’s been selling mattresses for over 20 years. It sleeps cool. And, most importantly, it provides excellent support for the spine. It might take you some time to adjust to its firmness, but it will be totally worth it.

Which one do you think will be the most supportive and suitable for your body type? Are you used to sleeping on firm mattresses, or is it something you are only planning to try? Let us know in the comments!

Additional Resources:

Best Soft Mattresses – Buying Guide and Top choices