We’ve mentioned the firmness scale numerous times in our mattress reviews.
Manufacturers use a firmness scale, or different designations, to specify the degree of firmness.
You may have come across terms such as H2, H3, H4, softer, firmer, etcetera, numerous times. But what does all of this mean? These terms are a frequent cause of confusion.
In this article, we’ll explain the firmness scale and general degrees of firmness to you. You’ll learn why it is important to pay attention to mattress firmness, which degree of firmness you should choose for your weight and preferred sleeping position, and how we’ve set up the Sleep Hero firmness scale.
Unfortunately, there is no uniform industry standard for the firmness of a mattress. The designations used are only for general orientation. Many manufacturers use terms like H2, H3, and H4. Other manufacturers simply describe their mattresses as ‘softer’ or ‘firmer. Other manufacturers, again, do not specify a degree of firmness at all, and many refer to their mattresses as universal mattresses.
In general, mattresses can be divided into three types:
There are many factors that can influence how firm a mattress feels, which is why we've created a firmness scale to guide you.
Choosing the right degree of firmness is important for healthy spine alignment. If the chosen mattress is too firm, then the mattress will not allow certain parts of the body to sink in sufficiently, creating misalignment of the spinal column. At the same time, if the mattress is too soft, then the body will sink into the mattress too deeply. This results in a hollow back. In both cases, this spinal misalignment can lead to tension and back pain. You'll also sleep less comfortable.
This is quite different if you choose a mattress with the right degree of firmness. A mattress of the right firmness level will allow your body to sink in at the body’s centres of gravity, such as the pelvis and shoulder areas. This allows the spine to remain straight throughout the night and eases tension, allowing for a comfortable night’s rest.
As you can conclude from this, it is very important to pay attention to the degree of firmness when buying a new mattress. If you choose the wrong degree of firmness, then you will severely affect the comfort of your sleep and your overall health.
If you already struggle with severe back, neck, or joint pain, then you need to be even more aware of the degree of firmness. If this is the case, then we strongly suggest you choose a mattress that meets orthopaedic requirements.
Determining factors include your weight, height, and preferred sleeping position. General sleeping preferences may also play a role.
You should consider the following guidelines when choosing the right degree of firmness:
Bodyweight is a decisive factor in selecting the appropriate degree of firmness. However, since other factors such as height, sleeping position, and sleeping preferences are also decisive, everything must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The following firmness chart may help you decide which mattress is right for you:
| Degree of firmness | Feeling | Recommended bodyweight |
| H1 | Soft | Up to 60 kg |
| H2 | Soft to medium-firm | 60 - 80 kg |
| H3 | Medium-firm | 80 - 100 kg |
| H4 | Firm | From 100 kg |
| H5 | Ultra firm | From 130 kg |
| No information (one-fits-all) | Varies, mostly medium-firm | See our mattress reviews |
Side sleepers: With side sleepers, only a few parts of the body touch the mattress. The entire body weight is condensed into these parts, putting an enormous amount of pressure on the mattress at these points. The side sleeper should choose a slightly softer mattress. This allows the hips and shoulders to sink in more deeply, keeping the spine in a healthy alignment.
Stomach and back-sleepers: Stomach and back sleepers can afford to choose a slightly firmer mattress. In both of these sleeping positions, the sleepers will need more support, especially in the lordosis area. This is necessary to prevent a hollow back.
Couples should pay special attention to the degree of firmness before buying a mattress. This is simply because not every degree of firmness will be equally suitable for both partners.
One option would be to buy two mattresses that are the same height but have different degrees of firmness. In this way, each mattress will be adapted to each body type and will ensure that both partners can enjoy a restful sleep. One can easily buy a bed bridge to join the two mattresses together.
There are also mattresses that offer different degrees of firmness on different sides so that each half of the mattress can be individually adjusted. This is the ideal choice. In this way, it is possible for one person to lie on a softer side and one person to lie on a firmer side - all within one mattress.
Firmness is also important to consider when you’re buying a mattress for your child. After all, your child should feel really comfortable on the mattress.
If the child's mattress is too firm or too soft, then there is a risk of spinal deformities developing, especially at an early age. Of course, this must be avoided.
Generally, a child’s mattress should be neither too firm nor too soft. Medium-firm mattresses tend to be a good bet.
Teenagers can already make use of adult mattresses and orient themselves according to more general firmness scales.
Everyone who has read our mattress reviews will be familiar with the Sleep Hero firmness scale. We have created our own classification system and do not adhere to the manufacturer’s designations. This allows us to more easily compare mattresses to each other.
Why have we done this?
The Sleep Hero firmness scale is based on our personal experiences and comparisons with different people in different sleeping positions. We rate the firmness of a mattress on a scale of 1 to 10.
Using our scale, we recommend the following degree of firmness for the below sleeping positions:
The following table will give you an overview of where we have rated the firmness of various mattresses in our mattress reviews.
| Firmness scale | Corresponds to: | Feels like: | Recommended for: | Our recommended mattresses: |
| 1-3 | H1 | Ultra-soft | Light-weight side sleepers (up to 50 kg) | / |
| 4 | H2 | Soft | Side sleepers (up to 60 kg) | Emma Original |
| 5 | H2-H2+ | Medium-firm | Side sleepers; light-weight stomach and back sleepers (60-80 kg) | Eve Premium Hybrid, Hypnia Hybrid Pocket Sprung, Eve Original (5.5), Simba (5.5) |
| 6 | H3 | Medium-firm | Many body types and sleeping positions (65-90 kg) | / |
| 7 | H3 | Firm | Back and stomach sleepers; heavier-weight side sleepers (75-95 kg) | Eve Lighter Hybrid, Bruno (7.5) |
| 8 | H4 | Very firm | Heavier-weight back and stomach sleepers (90-120 kg) | Emma One |
| 9-10 | H5 | Ultra firm | Very heavy-weight back and stomach sleepers (from 130 kg) | IKEA Morgedal |
A typical zoned mattress will consist of 3, 5, 7, or even 9 contour or comfort zones. These are usually divided as follows:
If your mattress is too firm, then you have chosen the wrong degree of firmness. But what can you do about it?
If you’ve read our article, then hopefully you’ll be able to answer this question already. Of course, H2 is softer than H3.
The abbreviation simply refers to “hardness” and the respective level. This starts at 1 and usually end at 5, the firmest of them all.
When we talk about an H2 mattress, we’re referring to a softer sleeping surface. An H3 mattress refers to a medium-firm sleeping surface.
This isn’t an easy question to answer. Most importantly, the mattress you choose should fit you. There are many different factors that come into play here.
A mattress that’s good for your back should, above all, offer a high degree of stability and support. It should relieve the pressure and strain on your body and spine. We can recommend mattresses made of Visco foam or gel foam.
Many people will also find it helpful if a mattress offers comfort zones. These make it easier for your body to sink in at the right places and be supported in all the places that need it. A side sleeper, for example, will need to sink in more deeply in the shoulder and pelvic regions and require more support in the lumbar region.
This depends entirely on your weight and height. Personal preferences, such as whether you prefer a soft or a firm mattress, will also play a role.
However, if you choose the wrong degree of firmness, this will quickly lead to more severe back pain. This is because the spine will curve if the mattress is too soft or too firm.
When choosing a mattress, you need to first make sure that you are well-supported when lying down. A firmer mattress tends to be better, but a softer mattress can also provide adequate support. We would suggest taking a look at our article on orthopaedic mattresses.
If you suffer from a herniated disc, then choosing a mattress with the right support is of enormous importance. It is important to immediately relieve pressure and ensure that the spine always remains in a healthy alignment.
In order to achieve this, your mattress of choice shouldn’t be too firm or too soft. For most people, soft or medium-firm mattresses in the H2 or H3 range should be good. However, it may also be helpful to discuss this with your orthopaedist, who will be able to give you valuable tips.
Anyone who weighs more than 100 kg needs to pay special attention to the right degree of firmness. The incorrect firmness can lead to severe back, neck, and spine problems.
We would recommend buying a firm mattress in the H4 range. If you weigh over 140 kg, then considering an H5 mattress would also be a good idea.
Overweight people will benefit from buying a barrel pocket spring mattress. This will ensure that the mattress adapts well to the body and provides adequate pressure relief.
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