Mattress Firmness Guide

Find the Comfort Level That Feels Right for You

Mattress firmness describes how soft or firm a mattress feels when you lie down. Use our 1–10 firmness scale to compare Sleepwell mattresses and better understand which comfort level may suit your preferences.

1 = Very Soft | 10 = Extra Firm

Understanding the 1–10 Firmness Scale

Our firmness scale helps compare how soft or firm each Sleepwell mattress feels. Lower numbers provide more cushioning and sink, while higher numbers feel firmer with less surface cushioning.

A higher firmness rating does not mean better quality—it simply describes the feel of the mattress.

  • 1–2: Very Soft to Soft

    Deep cushioning with the most noticeable sink and pressure-relieving feel. Best for sleepers who strongly prefer a softer surface.

  • 3–4: Medium-Soft

    Gentle cushioning with more contouring while still providing underlying support. Suitable for people who enjoy a softer, more relaxed feel.

  • 5–6: Medium to Medium-Firm

    A balanced combination of cushioning and support. This range is often comfortable for couples and sleepers with mixed preferences.

  • 7: Firm

    A supportive, flatter sleeping surface with less sink. Suitable for customers who prefer a noticeably firmer mattress feel.

  • 8–10: Extra Firm

    The least surface sink and the strongest firm feel. Designed for sleepers who specifically prefer a very firm sleeping surface.

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Firmness is personal. The same mattress may feel softer or firmer depending on body weight, sleeping position, mattress construction, and individual comfort preference.

What Affects How Firm a Mattress Feels?

A firmness number is a useful starting point, but the same mattress can feel different from one person to another. Consider these factors when comparing comfort levels.

  • Body Weight

    Body weight affects how deeply a sleeper presses into the mattress. Lighter sleepers may experience a mattress as firmer, while heavier sleepers may notice more cushioning and sink.

  • Sleeping Position

    Side sleepers often prefer more cushioning around the shoulders and hips. Back and stomach sleepers may prefer a flatter, more supportive feel with less sink.

  • Mattress Construction

    Foam type, coil system, pillow-top thickness, quilting, and comfort layers all affect the feel. Two mattresses with the same rating may still feel noticeably different.

  • Personal Preference

    Comfort is personal. Some sleepers enjoy a cushioned surface, while others prefer a firmer, flatter feel. Couples may also need to consider two different comfort preferences.

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Firmness and support are related, but they are not the same. A softer mattress can still provide strong support, while a firm mattress is not automatically the best choice for every sleeper.

Choosing Mattress Firmness by Sleeping Position

Your usual sleeping position can help narrow down a comfortable firmness range. These recommendations are starting points only, because body weight, mattress construction, and personal preference also affect how a mattress feels.

  • Side Sleepers

    Suggested firmness range: 3–6/10

    Side sleepers often prefer more cushioning around the shoulders and hips. A medium-soft to medium-firm mattress may provide a comfortable balance of pressure relief and support.

  • Back Sleepers

    Suggested firmness range: 5–7/10

    Back sleepers often prefer a balanced or firmer surface that supports the body without excessive sink. Medium to firm mattresses are common starting points.

  • Stomach Sleepers

    Suggested firmness range: 6–8/10

    Stomach sleepers often prefer a firmer, flatter surface with less sink through the middle of the mattress. Medium-firm to extra-firm options may be worth comparing.

  • Combination Sleepers & Couples

    Suggested firmness range: 5–7/10

    Combination sleepers often benefit from a balanced feel that makes changing positions easier. Couples may prefer a medium to firm mattress or a dual-comfort option when their preferences differ.

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These ranges are general guidelines, not fixed rules. A lighter sleeper may experience the same mattress as firmer, while a heavier sleeper may notice more cushioning and sink. Whenever possible, test different comfort levels in person.

Compare Sleepwell Mattresses by Firmness

Soft Mattresses (Firmness 1–2)

Super Sleeper Ultra — 2/10
A deeply cushioned pocket-coil pillow-top mattress for sleepers who strongly prefer a soft, pressure-relieving surface feel.
View Super Sleeper Ultra

Medium-Soft Mattresses (Firmness 3–4)

Chiro Deluxe — 3/10
A soft pillow-top innerspring mattress with generous cushioning and a relaxed surface feel. View Chiro Deluxe

Brooklyn Standard — 3/10
An all-foam mattress with a softer, contouring feel for sleepers who prefer more cushioning. View Brooklyn Standard

Memphis — 4/10
A medium-soft pocket-coil pillow-top mattress offering cushioned comfort, pressure relief and balanced underlying support. View Memphis

Medium-Firm Mattresses (Firmness 5–6)

Rest Easy — 6/10
A practical innerspring mattress providing light cushioning, stable support, and dependable everyday value. View Rest Easy

Sleep-O-Pedic — 5/10
A flippable innerspring mattress offering balanced comfort and support on both sleeping surfaces. View Sleep-O-Pedic

Plush Firm — 5/10
A pocket-coil pillow-top mattress combining soft surface comfort with responsive underlying support. View Plush Firm

Royal Comfort — 5/10
A flippable pocket-coil mattress combining balanced cushioning, support, and reduced motion transfer. View Royal Comfort

Brooklyn Luxe — 6/10
A premium all-foam mattress offering balanced contouring comfort and medium-firm support. View Brooklyn Luxe

Firm Mattresses (Firmness 7)

Carman — 6/10
A firm pillow-top innerspring mattress combining stable support with comfortable surface cushioning. View Carman

Sleepwell Balance — 7/10
A flippable foam mattress offering gentle cushioning, dependable support, and flexible height options. View Sleepwell Balance

Chiropedic — 7/10
A flippable innerspring mattress with a firm, supportive feel on both sleeping surfaces. View Chiropedic

Super Sleeper Firm — 7/10
A flippable pocket-coil mattress designed for sleepers who prefer firm comfort and reduced surface sink. View Super Sleeper Firm

Extra-Firm Mattresses (Firmness 8–10)

Hotel Supreme — 8/10
An extra-firm pocket-coil mattress with reinforced support and a distinctly firm, hotel-style feel. View Hotel Supreme

Sleepwell Support — 8/10
A flippable foam mattress with a stable surface, minimal sink, and flexible height and custom-size options. View Sleepwell Support

Sleepwell Core — 10/10
An exceptionally firm, flippable foam mattress designed for customers who prefer maximum stability and virtually no surface sink. View Sleepwell Core

Firmness ratings are intended to help compare mattresses within the Sleepwell collection. The same mattress may feel softer or firmer depending on body weight, sleeping position, mattress size, construction, and personal preference. Whenever possible, visit our Winnipeg showroom to compare different comfort levels in person.

Shop All Mattresses

Still Unsure Which Firmness Is Right for You?

Firmness is personal, and the best way to compare mattress comfort is to try different options. Visit our Winnipeg showroom to test soft, medium-soft, medium-firm, firm, and extra-firm mattresses with help from our local team.

We can explain the differences between foam, innerspring, and pocket-coil mattresses and help you narrow down a comfort level based on your sleeping position and preferences.

Visit Our Showroom

Mattress Firmness FAQs

What mattress firmness is best?

There is no single firmness level that is best for everyone. Your sleeping position, body weight, mattress construction, and personal comfort preference all affect which mattress may feel right for you.

Is a firm mattress more supportive?

Not necessarily. Firmness describes how soft or firm the surface feels, while support relates to how well the mattress helps maintain comfortable body alignment. A softer mattress can still provide strong support when properly constructed.

Why can the same mattress feel different to different people?

Body weight and sleeping position affect how deeply a person presses into the mattress. Lighter sleepers may experience the mattress as firmer, while heavier sleepers may notice more cushioning and sink.

What firmness is suitable for couples?

Many couples start with a medium to firm mattress because it offers a balanced feel. When preferences are very different, a custom dual-comfort mattress or Dual Comfort Topper may provide a different feel on each side.

Can I change the comfort after purchasing?

Eligible mattresses purchased directly from Sleepwell Bedding may qualify for one comfort adjustment. Requests must be made within 30 days of delivery or pickup after using the mattress for at least two weeks.

View the Comfort Adjustment Guarantee