The ideal mattress height varies from model to model. As a result, it’s not that easy to decide between a thin and a thick mattress. Thickness affects both the comfort and durability of a mattress. However, it is not the only factor to consider, nor is it always a guarantee of quality. Above all, it’s important not to confuse thickness with density. In fact, mattress thickness and density are often perceived as related, but they are two distinct factors. To help you determine the ideal mattress height, we’ve summarized the most important criteria for you. Here are some tips to help you choose the right mattress. Whether you choose a thin or thick mattress, the important thing is that it meets your needs and preferences.
Thick Mattress or Thin One: The Different Mattress Thicknesses
Mattresses that are 15 cm or less in height
Mattresses that are 15 cm thick or less are primarily suitable for children. Since children do not have the same needs as adults, a child can get excellent support from a mattress that is only 15 cm thick or less. However, this type of mattress should not be used by adults, as it does not provide optimal support and can therefore cause back pain. They are generally considered low-end mattresses when it comes to mattresses for adults and can be used, for example, as futons.
A thickness between 15 and 20 cm
Mattresses with a thickness between 15 and 20 cm are generally considered entry-level mattresses. There are various types of mattresses: memory foam and/or polyurethane mattresses, latex mattresses, etc. However, this does not mean that thickness is an indicator of quality. Thicker mattresses can actually be of poorer quality. Typically, a mattress less than 20 cm thick offers little comfort or durability. Natural latex, however, may be an exception.
Natural latex mattresses that are 15 cm thick (with a total height of 16 to 18 cm including the cover) can certainly provide adequate comfort. However, we recommend thicker mattresses for better sleep quality (18 to 20 cm of natural latex without the cover).
A mattress height of 20 centimeters or more is considered a "comfort height." As a general rule, the thicker your mattress core, the greater the comfort. In general, an adult should choose a mattress that is at least 15 cm thick. If you weigh more than 80 kg, you should choose a mattress that is at least 18 cm thick.
Mattress height between 20 and 25 cm
High-quality mattresses are generally over 20 cm thick, a thickness that provides optimal support and comfort. However, this is not the only factor to consider; you should also pay attention to the mattress’s construction. A thick mattress with a low-quality core offers poor comfort and a short lifespan. Choose high-quality materials for a comfortable core that will ensure a good night’s sleep.
Mattresses thicker than 25 cm
These are primarily innerspring mattresses. Mattresses made of synthetic foam can be 25 cm thick or thicker, but in such cases, the density of the mattress should be checked. In addition, a mattress of this thickness requires optimal ventilation to prevent the growth of bacteria and moisture inside the mattress. Read more about density here.
Criteria to Be Considered
The Right Mattress Height for Every Age
Depending on our age and height, our needs aren't always the same. These factors must therefore be taken into account when determining the appropriate mattress thickness.
- Babies need a firm baby mattress with a relatively high density for optimal support. However, given their weight, mattresses between 8 and 12 cm thick are ideal.
- As your child grows, you'll need to adjust the mattress. At this stage, a child needs a soft surface but also firm support to ensure proper growth. We recommend a mattress thickness between 12 and 20 cm.
As described above, these mattresses are not suitable for adults. As you read on, you’ll learn what thickness you should choose based on the materials the mattress is made of.
Mattress Material
The materials used to make a mattress also affect its thickness. If the mattress core is of good quality, this also affects the mattress's durability. A core that is thick enough will make the mattress last longer.
Thickness of Natural Latex Mattresses
With some materials, such as natural latex, a thick mattress is usually a guarantee of high comfort. Natural latex mattresses are suitable for all age groups and body types. We recommend a core thickness of at least 18 cm for optimal comfort. At Kipli, for example, we’ve chosen a 20 cm core (15 cm + 5 cm) for our natural latex mattress for adults (22 cm total thickness with cover). For the baby model, the core is 10 cm. These mattresses have a long lifespan (15 years for natural latex, 10 years for synthetic latex).
Natural latex is a premium, natural material derived from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. It is ideal for manufacturing high-quality mattresses. The high elasticity of natural latex gives mattresses made from natural rubber their unparalleled comfort. Another advantage is the durability of natural latex. Even after many years, the material loses only a minimal amount of quality, thickness, and elasticity. Thanks to the latex’s point elasticity, the body sinks in precisely at specific points.
The rest of the body, on the other hand, is optimally supported, and the spine retains its natural shape. For this reason, natural latex mattresses are particularly well-suited for people with back problems, as well as for preventing them.
Whether you choose a thin or thick natural latex mattress depends on your preferred sleeping experience. Generally, thinner mattresses are firmer to prevent you from feeling the surface beneath the latex core and to ensure you receive adequate support from the mattress. Conversely, the thicker the latex core, the greater the comfort tends to be. A thick mattress sometimes also offers you the option of using two built-in firmness levels.
What is the ideal thickness for a memory foam mattress?
When choosing memory foam mattresses, it is advisable to select ones with a minimum thickness of 18 cm. The synthetic foams used in memory foam mattresses are often combined with polyurethane (or high-resilience foam) in multiple layers. However, even a large thickness in these foams does not guarantee a long mattress lifespan, as they tend to sag quickly. The lifespan is often limited to 7 years.
Spring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses are often quite thick—more than 20 cm. They offer good breathability. For better sleep independence, pocket springs are preferable.
The lifespan of an innerspring mattress is quite long. However, the lifespan of these mattresses depends primarily on the foam used in combination with the springs on the mattress surface to support them. This foam is usually synthetic and therefore results in a limited lifespan (approximately 10 years). When natural latex is used instead of synthetic foams, the lifespan of a spring mattress is about 12 years.
Additional factors to consider when buying a mattress
Density
As previously explained, a mattress’s density is important because it serves as an indicator of firmness. It should not be the same for a child as it is for an adult. It is the scale that determines the firmness level of the mattress, ranging from the softest to the firmest. Be careful: a high density in one material does not necessarily mean it is firmer than a lower density in another material.
For example, a polyurethane foam with a density of 30 kg/m³ can be firmer than natural latex with a density of 70 kg/m³. By definition, polyurethane foam is a firm foam because the cells it consists of make the foam less airy. Thus, a polyurethane foam mattress with a density of just 50 kg/m³ can be described as firm. With this type of foam, density is a measure of the mattress’s lifespan. The denser a polyurethane foam mattress is, the slower it will lose its firmness. As you can see, it is important to consider the mattress’s composition when specifying its density.
For those who prefer a high level of support, a high-density mattress is recommended. Note that a natural latex mattress can have a density of up to 90–95 kg/m³. A density of 65 kg/m³ is on the softer side, 75 kg/m³ is medium, and 85 kg/m³ or more provides a medium-firm to firm feel.
To ensure proper support, you should also choose a mattress with a density that matches your weight. If you sleep with a partner, you should also take their weight into account.
The Size
In addition to thickness, you must also consider the correct mattress size. The standard size for a single bed is 90 × 190, and 140 × 190 or 160 × 200 for a double bed. However, we recommend choosing a mattress that is 10 to 15 cm longer than your own height to prevent your feet from hanging off the edge of the bed and to provide you with greater comfort.
When choosing a mattress for children, you shouldn't base your decision on their age. Instead, you should consider their height and growth rate so they don't have to replace the mattress too often.
As for width: The wider your mattress is, the more comfortable you'll feel, especially if you're sleeping with a partner.
The Slatted Bed Base
Your slatted frame affects the firmness of your mattress by up to 40%. Choose flexible slats for a soft feel and rigid slats for a firmer feel.
Sleeping Position
- Sleeping on your stomach is the least recommended sleeping position. In this position, your spine and neck are not properly aligned and are poorly supported. If you sleep in this position, you should avoid sleeping on mattresses that are too soft.
- When you sleep on your side, certain parts of your body—such as your shoulders, hips, and neck—require different levels of support. It is therefore advisable to choose mattresses with comfort zones.
- For back sleepers, body weight is distributed fairly evenly, and the back is the area that requires the most attention. Most mattresses provide good support for this area. Our advice is to choose a mattress that is neither too firm nor too soft—medium-firm is best.
Before buying a new mattress, you should be clear about what needs the mattress is supposed to meet. So choose a mattress height that best suits your needs.