Choosing between a soft and a firm mattress is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your sleep health — and it's one that trips up a lot of Australians. Walk into any mattress store (or browse online) and you're suddenly faced with labels like ultra firm, plush, medium, and everything in between. So how do you actually know which one is right for your body? This guide cuts through the confusion. We'll walk you through the real differences between soft and firm mattresses, who tends to sleep best on each, and what to consider if you share a bed with a partner whose preferences don't quite match yours.
When we talk about mattress firmness, we're referring to how the surface of a mattress feels when you lie down — essentially, how much give or resistance there is. It's worth noting that firmness and support are not the same thing. A mattress can be firm on the surface while still providing excellent support for your spine. Conversely, a soft mattress can cradle your body without letting your lower back sag.
Most mattresses are rated on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is like sleeping on a cloud and 10 is as hard as the floor. In practice, what most people call "soft" falls around a 3–4 on that scale, "medium" sits at 5–6, and "firm" ranges from 7 onwards. At Bedworld, you can browse mattresses by feel — including plush, firm, and ultra firm — so it's easier to narrow down what suits you.
Soft mattresses are designed to contour closely to your body. When you lie down, the surface gently compresses beneath your heaviest pressure points — your hips, shoulders, and knees — allowing them to sink in rather than being pushed back.
Side sleepers: This is the biggest one. If you sleep on your side, a softer surface allows your shoulder and hip to sink in just enough to keep your spine neutral. On a firm mattress, those pressure points can create discomfort and even affect circulation.
Lighter body types: People under roughly 65–70 kg often don't have enough weight to properly compress a firmer mattress, meaning they end up sleeping more "on top" of the surface rather than being properly supported.
Those with joint or shoulder pain: Soft mattresses can relieve pressure on sensitive joints, making them a popular choice for people managing arthritis or chronic shoulder and hip pain.
People who prefer that "hugged" feeling: Some sleepers just love the enveloping, cosy sensation of sinking into a plush surface. There's nothing wrong with comfort preference being a deciding factor.
💡 Bedworld Tip: If you love the feel of a soft surface but worry about long-term support, a quality pocket spring mattress with a plush top layer gives you the best of both worlds — gentle cushioning with a responsive spring core underneath.
Firm mattresses push back against your body weight rather than conforming to it. This resistance can help maintain a neutral spinal alignment and prevent the "hammocking" effect where your midsection sinks lower than your head and feet.
Back and stomach sleepers: Both positions benefit from a flatter, more stable surface. Back sleepers need even lumbar support, while stomach sleepers need their hips kept level to avoid lower back strain.
Heavier body types: People over 90–100 kg often find that softer mattresses compress too deeply over time, which undermines support. A firmer mattress maintains its structure under greater pressure.
Hot sleepers: Firm mattresses generally allow more airflow because you sleep more "on" the surface rather than sinking into it. If you tend to run warm at night, this can make a meaningful difference. Pairing a firm mattress with a cooling gel-infused option takes this even further.
Combination sleepers who change positions: Firmer surfaces are easier to move around on, which is ideal if you shift between positions throughout the night.
💡 Bedworld Tip: If you're a back sleeper dealing with lower back issues, consider exploring our range of A.H. Beard mattresses — an Australian brand renowned for orthopaedic-style support.
|
Feature |
Soft Mattress |
Firm Mattress |
|
Best sleep position |
Side sleepers |
Back & stomach sleepers |
|
Ideal body weight |
Under ~70 kg |
Over ~90 kg |
|
Pressure relief |
Excellent |
Moderate |
|
Spinal alignment |
Good for side sleepers |
Good for back sleepers |
|
Heat retention |
Can sleep warmer |
Cooler airflow |
|
Motion isolation |
High (absorbs movement) |
Lower (transfers more motion) |
|
Ease of movement |
Harder to reposition |
Easy to move on surface |
|
Durability over time |
May soften further |
Holds shape longer |
This is one of the most common challenges in mattress shopping. One partner wants firm, the other prefers plush — and nobody wants to compromise their sleep quality for years to come.
A few practical solutions worth considering:
Medium or medium-firm mattresses: These sit comfortably in the middle of the spectrum and work reasonably well for a wide range of sleep positions and body types. It won't be the perfect answer for either partner, but it's a sensible compromise.
Mattress toppers: If you already have a firm mattress and one partner wants more cushioning, a quality mattress topper can add a soft layer on one side of the bed without replacing the whole mattress.
Split king setup: If budget allows, two single mattresses placed side by side in a king bed frame is actually a popular solution. Each partner gets their perfect firmness. You can explore a wide range of options in the king mattress and super king mattress categories.
The type of mattress plays a significant role in how firmness actually feels in practice. A firm latex mattress feels quite different from a firm innerspring, even if they score similarly on a firmness scale. For example:
Latex mattresses tend to feel more responsive and "springy" — they push back without feeling hard. Browse our latex mattress range if you want a natural, durable option.
Pocket spring mattresses offer targeted support and reduce motion transfer, making them a popular choice for both firm and soft preferences.
Memory foam or gel-infused foam mattresses contour to your body shape and are often available in softer comfort levels. See our cooling gel-infused memory foam range for options that also tackle heat retention.
You don't need to spend a fortune to find a quality mattress in your preferred comfort level. Whether you're looking for a mattress under $500 or are ready to invest in a premium mattress under $2,000, there are good options across the entire firmness spectrum. Prioritise spending more on the comfort level and materials you genuinely need — it's the one purchase in your bedroom that directly affects your health every single night.
Keep in mind that mattresses change over time. A mattress that was once medium-firm can become noticeably softer after several years of use as internal materials compress. If your current mattress is 8–10 years old and no longer feels right, it may not be a firmness problem — it may simply be time for a replacement. → Future Content: "How to Know When It's Time to Replace Your Mattress"
Run through these quick questions before you decide:
Browse Bedworld's full mattress range — filtered by feel, size, brand, and budget.
There's no universal "best" mattress firmness — it's deeply personal, and it depends on how you sleep, your body, and what your body needs. The good news is that once you know what to look for, narrowing it down becomes a lot more straightforward.
Whether you're drawn to the pressure-relieving cushion of a plush surface or the stable, supportive feel of a firm mattress, Bedworld has a range to suit every sleeper across every budget. And if you're still weighing up the options, don't hesitate to reach out — getting your mattress right is worth taking the time to get it right.
