Choosing a mattress can feel surprisingly complicated. There are different firmness levels, spring systems, foam types and comfort layers to consider, and the same mattress will not necessarily feel the same to everyone.
One useful place to start is by thinking about how your body interacts with a mattress. Body weight can influence how much you sink into the surface, while your sleeping position and comfort preferences can help determine how much cushioning or resistance you may enjoy.
If you have been sent this page by a member of our sales team, you can go straight to the quiz below. You do not need to read the whole guide first.
Find Your Mattress Firmness and Material Starting Point
Not sure which mattress firmness or material to look for? Answer the questions below and we will give you a general starting point to explore.
Your weight is optional. You can still use the quiz if you would rather not provide it. Your result is a guide rather than a definitive recommendation, because mattresses vary in construction and firmness.
Your starting point
Firmness to compare:
Materials worth exploring
How does body weight affect mattress firmness?
Mattress firmness describes how soft or firm the surface feels. Body weight can influence that feeling because it affects how much the mattress compresses beneath you.
For example, a lighter person may not sink as far into a mattress, so its surface can feel firmer to them. Someone with a higher body weight may compress the same comfort layers more deeply and experience a softer feel.
This is a general pattern, not a guarantee. Two mattresses labelled medium can feel quite different because of their spring unit, foam density, comfort layers and overall design. Even mattresses made with similar materials may have different feels.
Body weight is therefore best used as a starting point. Combine it with your usual sleeping position, whether you prefer to sink into a mattress or lie more on top of it, and the manufacturer’s guidance for the specific mattress you are considering.
A general mattress firmness guide by weight
The table below offers broad starting points for comparing mattress firmness. The weight bands are approximate, and the suggestions are not strict cut-offs. You may prefer a different feel within or outside the range shown, particularly if you sleep in a position that benefits from more cushioning or prefer a noticeably firmer surface.
| Approximate body weight | Firmness to explore | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
|
Under 60 kg (under about 9 st 6 lb) |
Soft to medium | Whether the surface offers enough cushioning and whether you find it comfortable without feeling as though you are lying on top of it. |
|
60 to 75 kg (about 9 st 6 lb to 11 st 11 lb) |
Soft to medium-firm | How much give you prefer, especially around the shoulders and hips if you sleep on your side. |
|
75 to 90 kg (about 11 st 11 lb to 14 st 2 lb) |
Medium to medium-firm | The balance between cushioning and resistance, and whether the mattress feels comfortable in your usual sleeping position. |
|
90 to 110 kg (about 14 st 2 lb to 17 st 5 lb) |
Medium-firm to firm | How well the mattress manages sinkage while still providing enough cushioning for your preferred sleeping position. |
|
Over 110 kg (over about 17 st 5 lb) |
Compare medium-firm and firm options, guided by the mattress construction | Check the manufacturer’s guidance on intended use and weight limits, where provided. Consider the comfort layers as well as the firmness label. |
These suggestions are deliberately broad. A side sleeper may prefer more cushioning than a front sleeper, for example, and a mattress with a firmer base can still have a plush comfort layer on top. The combination of layers can make a meaningful difference to the overall feel.
If you are choosing a mattress for someone else, you do not need to rely on weight alone. Asking how they like a mattress to feel, what position they usually sleep in and whether they prefer a responsive or more contouring surface can also help narrow down the options.
How sleeping position affects your choice
Your usual sleeping position can help you decide how much cushioning and resistance to look for. The suggestions below are starting points, and you may prefer a different feel depending on your build and personal comfort.
Side sleepers
Side sleepers often prefer a surface with enough give to accommodate the shoulders and hips. A softer or medium feel may be worth comparing, although the comfort layers and overall construction can make a firmer mattress feel different from another model with the same label.
Back sleepers
Back sleepers may prefer a balanced or medium-firm feel, depending on how much cushioning they enjoy. Compare how the mattress feels beneath the areas that make contact with the surface.
Front sleepers
Front sleepers often start by comparing medium-firm and firm options, particularly if they dislike the feeling of sinking deeply into the mattress. The right choice still depends on body weight, comfort layers and personal preference.
Combination sleepers
If you change positions during the night, a medium or medium-firm mattress can be a useful place to start. Consider whether you can move comfortably on the surface and whether the mattress feels suitable in each position you use.
Comparing mattress materials
Firmness is only one part of how a mattress feels. The materials inside it influence how closely it contours to your body, how quickly it responds when you move and how much cushioning you notice at the surface.
Memory foam
Memory foam is known for its close, moulded feel. It responds to pressure and can feel more enveloping than a spring mattress. This may appeal to people who like to sink into the surface, while those who prefer a springier feel may find it less suitable.
Foam types and constructions vary. If you are considering memory foam, look at the comfort layer, the mattress’s overall firmness and the manufacturer’s description rather than assuming every foam mattress feels the same.
Pocket sprung
A pocket sprung mattress contains individual springs held in fabric pockets. The spring unit provides a responsive base, while the comfort layers above it influence how soft, cushioned or firm the surface feels.
Spring tension, spring design and the materials layered on top all affect the result. Do not judge a pocket sprung mattress by spring count alone, as that number does not explain the quality or feel of the complete mattress.
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine a spring unit with comfort materials such as foam or other fillings. They can offer a mix of responsiveness and cushioning, but the balance depends on how the individual mattress is designed.
A hybrid is not automatically firmer or softer than a mattress made from one main material. Compare its overall feel, the depth and type of its comfort layers, and any guidance the manufacturer provides about use and suitability.
Latex
Latex tends to have a more buoyant, responsive feel than traditional memory foam. It may appeal to people who want cushioning without the same degree of slow, close contouring. The exact feel varies with the latex and the rest of the mattress construction.
Natural fillings and other comfort layers
Materials such as wool and cotton may be used within a mattress to change the surface feel and overall construction. They are often part of a combination of layers rather than the only material in the mattress.
When comparing these mattresses, look at the complete specification and consider whether the surface feels right to you. A material name on its own does not determine the firmness or overall suitability of a mattress.
How body weight and materials work together
The same material can feel different depending on how it is used. For example, a thick foam comfort layer over a spring unit may feel quite different from a thinner foam layer over a similar unit. The firmness of the base, the type of comfort layer and how they work together all matter.
| If you notice… | What to compare |
|---|---|
| You do not seem to sink very far into a mattress | Try a range of comfort layers and firmness levels. A lighter person may experience some mattresses as firmer than expected. |
| You sink more deeply than you would like | Compare firmer options and check the mattress’s construction and any manufacturer guidance about its intended use. |
| You prefer to feel held by the surface | Compare memory foam and other contouring comfort layers, paying attention to how closely each model moulds around you. |
| You prefer a springier feel | Try pocket sprung or latex options, or hybrids with more responsive comfort layers. |
| You tend to feel warm in bed | Compare covers, ventilation and the materials used throughout the mattress. Temperature performance depends on the complete design, not one label alone. |
If you are considering a mattress for a higher body weight, check any manufacturer guidance on intended use or weight limits rather than relying on the word firm. Construction and the combination of materials matter as much as the firmness description.
For a broader introduction to how mattress types differ, read our guide to mattress types .
What if two people sharing a bed need different things?
Partners can have different body weights, sleeping positions and preferences. One person may enjoy a soft, cushioned surface while the other prefers a firmer feel. Choosing a mattress together is easier when both people try it and explain what feels comfortable to them.
A medium or medium-firm mattress may be a useful compromise for some couples, but it is not right for everyone. Depending on the range available, you could also ask about dual-tension mattresses or zip-and-link arrangements that allow each side to have a different feel.
If you share a bed, test it together where possible. Consider how the mattress feels to both people, whether you can move comfortably and whether the overall construction suits your preferences.
How to choose and test a mattress
Once you have a general idea of the firmness and materials you want to explore, use these practical checks to narrow down your options.
- Start with your sleeping position. Think about how you usually settle to sleep, as well as whether you change position during the night.
- Use weight as a guide, not a rule. Consider how much you tend to sink into a mattress, but do not make a decision based on a weight band alone.
- Compare the materials. Decide whether you prefer a close, moulded feel, a springier surface or a combination of the two.
- Check the full construction. Look beyond the firmness label and review the spring unit, comfort layers, mattress depth and any manufacturer guidance.
- Try it in your usual sleeping position. Spend enough time lying on the mattress to get a sense of its surface feel, and change position if that is how you normally sleep.
- Check the individual terms before buying. Delivery, returns, guarantees and any trial arrangements can vary between mattresses. Read the terms for the exact option you are considering rather than assuming they are the same across the range.
If you are still unsure, our guide to choosing the right mattress firmness explains more about comparing firmness levels.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a firmer mattress if I weigh more?
Body weight can affect how much a mattress compresses, so comparing firmer options may be useful if you find that you sink more deeply than you prefer. However, a firm label alone does not guarantee the right feel. The materials, construction, sleeping position and your comfort preferences should all be considered.
Is a soft mattress always better for a lighter person?
No. A lighter person may experience a mattress as firmer because they compress it less, but personal preference still matters. Some people enjoy a cushioned surface, while others prefer a more stable feel. Try different options rather than choosing by weight alone.
Is memory foam suitable for every body weight?
Memory foam mattresses vary in their construction, firmness and comfort layers. Body weight can affect how deeply the foam compresses, but there is no single foam mattress that will suit everyone. Check the details of the individual mattress and how it feels to you.
Are pocket sprung mattresses firmer than memory foam mattresses?
Not necessarily. Pocket sprung describes the spring system, while memory foam describes a material commonly used in comfort layers or throughout a mattress. Either type can be made with different firmness levels, and a pocket sprung mattress may also include foam or other fillings.
Does a higher spring count mean a better mattress?
Not on its own. Spring count is only one part of a mattress specification. The spring design, materials, comfort layers and overall construction all influence how the mattress feels and performs.
What if I am not comfortable sharing my weight?
You can still narrow down your options by discussing your preferred sleeping position, the feel you like and whether you prefer a mattress that contours closely or feels more responsive. Weight is one consideration, not the only way to start a useful mattress conversation.
Find a mattress that feels right for you
Body weight can help you understand why a mattress feels different from one person to another, but it is only one part of the decision. Sleeping position, preferred feel, materials and the construction of the individual mattress all play a role.
Use the quiz and weight guide to decide what to compare first, then check the details of each mattress and try different options where possible. The aim is to find a mattress that feels comfortable to you, rather than one that simply matches a label or a number.
Want to explore your options?
Browse our mattress collection or explore our buying guides for more help choosing the right type and firmness.
Written by Alice Littler
Alice brings a background in marketing, design and branding to Land of Beds, where she focuses on making sleep advice simple, relatable and practical for everyday life. She works closely with leading UK bed and mattress manufacturers, building her knowledge of mattress technology, bedroom comfort and sleep wellbeing.