When investing in a new mattress, it's important that you take the time to consider all the options available to you. Having a decent mattress has many benefits, such as preventing back pain, correcting spinal alignment, and reducing your stress levels.
Different types of mattresses have different qualities, each appealing to various individuals based on their needs and preferences. Examples of the most common mattress firmness types include soft, medium and firm. The firmness of a mattress can determine whether or not you get a good nights rest; therefore, it is recommended that you do as much research as possible before making a purchase.
Many retailers offer a range of medium firm mattresses varying in price.
(Important Facts, Studies, Advice, Considerations & FAQs In Conclusion).
| MATTRESS | TYPE | FIRMNESS | TRIAL & WARRANTY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Original mattress | Memory Foam | Medium | 200 Nights 10 Years | £449 |
| Nectar Memory Foam mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 365 Nights Forever Years | £549 |
| Simba Hybrid mattress | Hybrid | Medium | 200 Nights 10 Years | £649 |
| Brook + Wilde Lux mattress | Hybrid | Medium | 100 Nights 10 Years | £699 |
| Silentnight Mattress-Now 3 Zone | Memory Foam | Medium | 60 Nights exchange 3 Years | £189 |
| Egoflex 5G mattress | Memory Foam | Medium | 30 Nights 10 Years | £499 |
1. Emma Medium Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • HRX foam • Airgocell foam • 200-night trial | • Sleepers who enjoy foam mattresses • Those seeking pressure relief • Couples |
The Emma Original Medium Firm mattress is one of the UK’s most awarded mattresses with consistent high ratings among customers.
One of the key features of the Emma mattress is the foam layering. The base layer consists of HRX foam which can aid spinal alignment, help support your back and add stability. The central layer of the Emma mattress is made from visco-elastic memory foam, which is designed to contour to your body. This can also help with weight distribution and pressure relief. The final layer consists of Airgocell foam, which was added to absorb moisture and help regulate your temperature throughout the night.
Another feature worth noting is the Emma cover, which is both temperature-regulating and breathable. Additionally, the mattress includes handles on either side, making it easier to move and handle.
The Emma Original mattress comes with a 200-night trial, free returns and a 10-year guarantee. All in all, the Emma mattress aims to deliver adequate support and pressure relief.
2. Nectar Medium Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Dynamic support foam • Gel memory foam • Forever warranty | • Those looking for an extended trial period • Sleepers seeking spinal alignment • Individuals who value bed in a box delivery |
With many five-star reviews, the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is a great option if you are looking for a medium firm mattress. Moreover, the bed-in-a-box delivery service means that it can also offer ease and convenience.
Nectar’s 25cm thick mattress includes 2 inches of dynamic support foam and 3 inches of gel memory foam. These layers can help the mattress mould to your body and add extra comfort. Additionally, memory foam may help aid spinal alignment and target your main pressure points – particularly the shoulders, hips and legs.
The base of the mattress features a shift-resistant lower cover, which reduces and slip and slide. The Nectar mattress is finished off with a quilted cooling cover which includes cooling technology.
Aside from the mattress design, other benefits include a 365-night home trial, meaning you can sleep on the mattress for a full year and return it if you’re not 100% happy. The mattress also comes with a forever warranty.
3. Simba Medium Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Aerocoil spring layer • Open-cell foam • Zoned support base | • Those with a bigger budget • Sleepers who enjoy a hybrid mattress • Eco-conscious individuals |
The Simba Medium Firm Mattress comes at a higher price point when compared to some other mattress competitors; however, it has many appealing features and highly rated reviews.
This hybrid mattress has a 25cm depth consisting of five layers. The layers include a breathable sleep surface, an open-cell foam layer, an Aerocoil spring-comfort layer, high definition foam and a zoned support base. The sleep surface and open-cell foam can help to promote airflow and keep you cool throughout the night. The spring layer and the high definition foam are designed to give extra stability and edge support.
Additionally, the mattress has been CertiPur certified, which means it doesn't include any harmful heavy metals or dyes. Simba mattresses are also 100% recyclable, as well as the packaging being up to 60% recyclable.
Regarding payment, there are options to pay in full or over the course of 12 months. They also have a 200-night sleep trial whereby Simba will pick up your mattress for free and give you 100% of your money back.
4. Brook + Wilde Lux Medium Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Wave technology system • Six-layered structure • 10-year guarantee | • Hot sleepers • Sleepers seeking lumbar support • Those looking for added stability |
Brook and Wilde offer their Lux Medium Firm mattress, which is valued slightly higher than other competitors. However, you also have the option to pay monthly instalments at a 0% interest rate. Brook and Wilde also include free premium delivery, a 100-night comfort trial and a 10-year guarantee.
This luxury mattress has been engineered with six layers that aim to provide the benefits you should be looking for in a medium firm mattress. The design seeks to promote back support and aid spinal alignment by using approximately 3,000 pocket springs.
Moreover, The Brook + Wilde Lux Mattress features a ‘wave technology’ system designed to aid support across the whole surface area. The wave technology consists of four zones concentrating on your neck, shoulders, hips and legs. Whilst providing lumbar support, the mattress can also help keep your spine aligned and relieve pressure.
Brook and Wilde have been approved by several third party publications and manufactures all their products in the UK.
5. Silentnight 3-Zone Medium Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • 18cm depth • Purotex treated • Memory foam comfort layer | • Those on a budget • Individuals with allergies • Sleepers seeking shoulder support |
One of the United Kingdom’s leading mattress brands, Silentnight, has created something affordable and comfortable for their customers, who have highly rated the mattress.
The 3 Zone Memory Mattress is 18cm in depth and consists of 3 zones that aim to promote a high comfort level. The memory foam has been created to mould to your entire body and provide cushioning. Silentnight has also utilized its materials to provide pressure-relieving support, with added soft support at various points of the mattress. This allows the material to provide that extra stability where it’s needed, in areas such as the hips and lower back.
The mattress is also Purotex treated, meaning that the mattress will stay drier, fresher and healthier as Purotex helps reduce moisture and allergens.
Silentnight also allows you to choose different packages as your order, meaning you can opt-in for an extra mattress protector, a set of pillows and a duvet, all of which are anti-allergy.
6. Ergoflex Medium Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Visco-elastic memory foam • Airflow system • Hypoallergenic | • Sleepers seeking reduced motion transfer • Those looking for an orthopaedic mattress • Individuals wanting pressure relief |
Ergoflex has created an award-winning medium feel mattress with many different qualities and features to help you get a good nights rest. Despite perhaps being one of the lesser-known mattresses on the market, Ergoflex has received many five-star reviews online.
The Ergoflex 5G mattress consists of five layers and has a 23cm depth. Within the layers, the mattress includes 9cm of visco-elastic memory foam, which helps the mattress contour to the body and provide pressure relief. . The core consists of a 5cm airflow system that seeks to regulate the sleeper’s temperature throughout the whole night. The Ergoflex mattress also includes open-cell memory foam for extra support and reduced motion transfer.
In addition, the mattress claims to have orthopaedic qualities and is recommended by a medical back expert. Ergoflex also states that their mattress is hypoallergenic and asthma-friendly.
Medium Firm Mattress Considerations
The firmness of a mattress may be one of the most important factors when making a purchase. This can determine whether you get a good nights sleep and how you wake up feeling. That being said, mattress firmness is often subjective and may be based on factors such as body weight, preferences and age. Here are some points to consider when determining if a medium-firm mattress is the right choice for you.
Back And Stomach Sleepers
For individuals who sleep on their back or stomach, it’s essential to know what firmness level will help keep the spine in alignment. Back sleepers may find that if a mattress is too firm, it could cause the hips and pelvis to push upwards and cause an unnatural curve in the spine.
For side sleepers, a too-soft mattress may cause their back to sink, which could lead to spinal misalignment. The key is finding a mattress with good enough support and sufficient cushioning to relieve pressure - therefore, a medium-firm mattress can provide a good balance.
Side Sleepers
For side sleepers, a medium-firm mattress can be a suitable option as the softness should provide cushioning for the hips and shoulders, whilst the firmness offers a decent level of support. As many medium-firm mattresses contain memory foam, this can also allow the mattress to contour to the body and relieve pressure points.
Body Weight
Medium-firm mattresses that are more on the firmer side could be suitable for heavier people as the solid structure can prevent the mattress from sagging over time. On the other hand, lighter individuals may prefer a softer, medium mattress as those with a lower body weight tend to feel the firmness more, which may be uncomfortable.
Couples
Selecting a mattress for couples can be a difficult task if there are different preferences to consider. However, a medium-firm mattress offers a good middle-ground and is also one of the most popular mattress types, making it suitable for a wide range of sleepers. If the mattress includes memory foam, this could also mean reduced motion transfer.
Medium Firm Vs Firm Mattresses
While mattress firmness is mainly subjective, many mattress companies tend to use a firmness scale as a preference. Medium-firm is often placed between 7 - 8, while firm often lies between 9 - 10. Despite being so close on the scale, some differences should be worth noting.
| Medium Firm | Firm |
|---|---|
| ○ Medium-firm mattress types are typically foam or hybrid, with many including memory foam. | ◻ Firm mattresses often include pocket springs but can be combined with thin layers of foam for added comfort. |
| ○ Due to the materials, medium-firm mattresses tend to have a softer feel which can provide pressure relief. | ◻ The inclusion of pocket springs can give the mattress a more stable and supportive feel. |
| ○ The use of foam and softer materials may make the sleeper more prone to sinking. | ◻ Firm mattresses tend to be more durable due to their solid structure. |
| ○ As many medium-firm mattresses contain memory foam, this may result in the individual sleeping hotter. | ◻ The use of springs often found in firm mattresses offers more airflow and breathability. |
| ○ Medium-firm mattresses are often a good option for most sleeping positions and body types, although heavy sleepers may experience sagging. | ◻ Firm mattresses can be suitable for front and back sleepers but may not be suited for lighter individuals who tend to feel the firmness more. |
Mattress Firmness For Back Pain
Many believe that firm mattresses are more beneficial for solving issues related to back pain. This belief is further perpetuated by many mattress companies who state that their firm or extra firm mattresses have orthopaedic qualities. In fact, there is little medical or scientific evidence that supports the idea that firm mattresses are the best for back pain. The term ‘orthopaedic mattress’ was first introduced in the 1970s by orthopaedic surgeons, yet research✓ has since stated that these types of mattresses often have no medical meaning or defined standard.
Fun Fact!
A 2016 study in the Physiotherapy Journal found that 3 million mattresses and beds are sold in the UK every year, of which 30% of those are to target back pain.
Despite the claims of mattress companies, several studies have supported the idea that medium-firm mattresses may be more beneficial for back pain. A study✓ involving 313 adults suffering from chronic lower back pain found that those who slept on a medium-firm mattress has less back pain throughout the day and night than those who slept on a firm mattress. In addition, another study✓ with people over the age of 60 found a significant reduction in musculoskeletal pain when sleeping on a medium-firm mattress.
Considering all the research, if you are seeking a mattress for back pain, it may be worth considering a medium-firm mattress and questioning the claims surrounding particular ‘orthopaedic’ mattresses.
Medium Firm Mattress Types
When searching for a medium-firm mattress, the mattress type can play an important type as it can alter the level of firmness. Here are some of the most popular mattress materials in the UK and what level of firmness you can expect.
- Memory foam: This popular mattress material typically falls between the soft and medium-firm range, depending on the construction and layering. Generally, memory foam can provide the support expected from a medium-firm mattress due to its body contouring features. The cushioning found in many memory foam mattresses can also offer pressure relief.
- Pocket Sprung: As the name suggests, pocket sprung mattresses consist of layers of springs, and therefore tend to be firmer on the scale. The firmness can be balanced out slightly by adding thin layers of foam. Pocket sprung mattresses tend to be suitable for heavier individuals or those looking for extra support.
- Hybrid: Unlike pocket sprung mattresses, hybrid mattresses tend to have a more even balance of springs, foam and other materials. Due to this combination, many hybrid mattresses claim to have a medium-firm feel. Although, this can depend on how much foam is used within the layers, with more foam creating a softer feel.
- Latex: This naturally sourced material originates from the sap of rubber trees. Due to this, latex is known for its elasticity and bounce. Latex mattresses typically offer both the firmness and comfort that can make them ideal as a medium-firm mattress.
Accessories For A Medium Firm Mattress
Mattress accessories are a good investment for many reasons. If your mattress is too firm, or vice versa, the right accessory could make the necessary adjustments. You may also only want to target specific body areas rather than purchasing a whole new mattress. Whatever the reason, accessories can be an affordable and convenient option to improve your sleep quality.
- Pillows: If you’re happy with the firmness of the mattress but want more support for the neck and shoulders, you could invest in a new pillow. A medium-firm pillow can give enough extra support for the neck and shoulders while providing comfort. A memory foam pillow can also contour around pressure points and offer a medium-firm feel.
- Mattress Topper: If you want to adjust the firmness of your mattress, a mattress topper is an affordable solution. Firm mattress toppers can be made from memory foam or even springs. Soft mattress toppers often contain synthetic materials, such as polyester.
- Knee Pillow: A medium-firm knee pillow may appeal to side-sleepers who are looking to cushion the knees whilst providing enough support. Medium-firm leg pillows can also be helpful for those with back pain or pregnant women.
What is a medium firm mattress?
A medium mattress falls between medium and firm on the mattress scale. The firmness of a mattress is often subjective; however, many mattress companies place medium-firm between 7 -8 on the firmness scale as a reference.
How soft is a medium firm mattress?
This can largely depend on the materials used and body weight. Memory foam mattresses tend to be softer, whereas mattresses containing springs tend to be on the firmer side. In addition, lighter individuals tend to feel the firmness of a mattress more than heavier people.
What is the best medium firm mattress to buy?
This is entirely down to personal needs and preferences. It is important to consider factors such as body weight, sleeping position and materials when purchasing a mattress. That being said, popular medium-firm mattresses tend to be hybrid or constructed using memory foam.