The preferred level of firmness is entirely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to sleep on a firm mattress, others prefer softer options, and still others prefer medium-firm mattresses. Every mattress has a firmness rating that indicates whether it is softer or firmer. To determine a mattress’s firmness rating, it’s important to know that firmness ratings are not standardized. You should therefore consider several factors to ensure you find the right mattress firmness for your individual needs.
Calculating and Defining a Mattress's Firmness Level
Calculating the right firmness level for a mattress and tailoring it to your personal needs may seem complicated at first. However, once you take a closer look at the topic, it’s not that difficult at all. Various mattress retailers use a capital “H” to indicate firmness level. This “H” is followed by a number, which can range from one to five. The higher the number, the firmer the mattress.
But which firmness level is right for you? The following overview illustrates which firmness level suits you and your individual body type. Keep in mind, however, that mattress firmness levels are not standardized. Many manufacturers therefore provide a scale on their websites to better illustrate the firmness level of the mattresses they offer. You should also pay attention to the materials used in your mattress, as the feel varies depending on the materials. We’ll come back to this in more detail later.
When determining the appropriate level of firmness, body weight is often the primary consideration. However, factors such as your height, body type, and sleeping position also play a role. Generally speaking, lighter people often prefer softer mattresses, while people with a slightly broader build tend to find firmer mattresses more comfortable. However, this always depends on individual needs.
H1-H2 is a soft mattress that is particularly popular among people who weigh up to 80 kilograms.
H3-H5 is preferred primarily by people weighing over 80 kilograms. The firmness levels most commonly found in Germany—and the ones most frequently offered and purchased—are H2 and H3.
Various manufacturers, such as Kipli, offerreversible mattresses with two different firmness levels. The Kipli mattress, for example, features firmness levels H2 and H3. This allows you to choose between a softer and a firmer side, and there’s usually a sleeping experience to suit everyone.
To sleep well—and, above all, healthily—it is extremely important to have a mattress with the right level of firmness. The ideal situation is when the spine is straight and supported, and the intervertebral discs, pelvis, and shoulders sink into the mattress.
Mattress Firmness: Calculating Based on the Material
Every material has distinctive properties that affect a mattress’s firmness. For example, a spring mattress cannot be compared to a natural latex mattress in terms of firmness. For innerspring mattresses, the firmness level depends on the wire gauge, the number of coils, and the type of springs used. Since an innerspring mattress should last a few years and not develop dips after a short time, it should have at least 400 springs.
When choosing a mattress, be sure to select one that offers point elasticity and is ergonomically designed to provide perfect support for your body. Some mattress models feature so-called "zones." These zones influence how certain parts of the body—such as the shoulders or pelvis—sink into the mattress and are relieved of pressure. Thanks to these comfort zones, these areas sink in perfectly while providing optimal support for the spine. This ensures a high level of sleeping comfort.
With natural latex mattresses and foam mattresses, density also affects the firmness of the mattress.The higher the density, the firmer the mattress.This is howyou can calculate a mattress's firmness.
Density has a decisive impact on the quality of a mattress. The higher the density, the more dimensionally stable, sturdy, and firm the mattress is. Density also affects a mattress’s durability. A high density indicates a durable mattress.
Cold-foam mattresses often have a density of 35–40 kg/m³. Soft cold-foam mattresses with a lower density are particularly suitable for people who weigh 80 kilograms or less. A cold-foam mattress with a high density can support a weight of over 100 kilograms.
Natural latex mattresses, on the other hand, typically have a density of 65 kg/m³ to 90 kg/m³. Some mattresses even feature two built-in firmness levels. The Kipli mattress, for example, is reversible and features firmness level 2 on one side and firmness level 3 on the other. It is classified as a medium-firm mattress.
The softer side consists of a 5-centimeter-thick layer of natural latex and allows you to sink in comfortably. The density of this side of the mattress is 65 kg/m³. This softer side of the mattress features a single comfort zone and conforms perfectly to your body. The firmer side consists of a 15-centimeter-high layer of natural latex and provides optimal support. The density of this side of the mattress is 85 kg/m³. The surface features 7 comfort zones and offers perfect support for every part of your body. The comfort zones provide precise shoulder and pelvic contouring and offer optimal support for the spine.
In general, natural latex is highly ergonomic. The Kipli mattress adapts perfectly to each person’s individual body shape and sleeping position on both sides, up to a maximum weight of 150 kg per person.
The Role of the Slatted Bed Base
The slatted base accounts for 30–40% of your sleeping comfort and, therefore, also affects the firmness of the mattress. When properly adjusted, it optimally complements the mattress and its properties. You can find detailed information on thistopic in ourblog post titled “How Important Is the Slatted Base, Really?”
Rigid slats make the mattress feel even firmer, whereas springy slats provide a softer feel. Disc-style slat bases are particularly suitable for people with back problems.
Before buying a mattress, make sure it is compatible with your box spring. Not all mattresses fit every box spring. Other mattresses, however, can be used with any box spring—such as the Kipli mattress.
To provide the ideal support for the Kipli mattress, we recommend a slatted base—either rigid or flexible, depending on your preference—which is also made from high-quality, durable natural materials.
The slatted base thus perfectly complements the Kipli mattress and optimally enhances the mattress's benefits in terms of health, comfort, and durability.
Conclusion
Calculating a mattress's firmness level isn't that easy, since there are no standard guidelines for it. However, if you consider a few factors and have a good understanding of your needs, you'll be able to find the right mattress for you. Above all, it's important that your spine remains straight and that your pelvis and shoulder area sink in and are properly supported.
If your current mattress is too hard or too soft, check to see if the box spring and its firmness can be adjusted—and whether the box spring is even compatible with your mattress. Often, the right box spring adjustment can work wonders and perfectly complement your mattress.
If you still have any questions, please feel free to contact us via chat, by email at kontakt@kipli.com, or by phone at +49 (0) 32 21 22 96 570.