Medium Firm Mattresses

What is a medium firm mattress?

A happy middle ground between medium mattresses and firm mattresses, our medium firm bed mattresses offer plentiful support without making any compromise on comfort. The design emphasises cushioning while still providing firmness, suitable for slightly heavier individuals and those who favour a firmer bed.

The density of memory foam mattresses is measured in pounds per cubic square foot or PCF. A medium-firm memory foam mattress will have a PCF of around 5-5.4 PCF. High density foams contour the body well, which is why memory foam mattresses are good mattresses for side sleepers. You’ll find that many medium-firm memory foam mattresses are ‘hybrid’ designs with a sprung core. This provides you with extra support and firmness. For more information, you can read our Memory Foam Thickness and Density Guide.

What does a medium firm mattress feel like?

Those who appreciate plushness and a cushioned feel may lean towards medium firm memory foam mattresses, while medium firm pocket sprung mattresses are better for those who don’t want to sink deeply into their mattress.

For those with more specific needs, it’s best to check out latex mattresses, pillow top mattresses, and specialist orthopaedic mattresses.

What types of medium firm mattress are there?

There is a variety of medium firm mattresses on offer. Choosing the right one will depend on your preferences, how you sleep, and your size. 

Memory foam mattresses

These are ideal for back sleepers, as the memory foam comfort layer moulds to the shape of your body, providing support at all the key spots. They do retain the heat so if you suffer from hot flushes look for a mattress with a ‘CoolGel’ layer.

Pocket Springs

With individually pocketed springs forming the core, these mattresses minimise movement transference for a more restful night’s sleep. They also allow the air to circulate so create a cooler sleeping environment.

Traditional open springs 

These mattresses use an open spring matrix with high-tensile steel springs that provide support. They’re a great budget option but do need to be maintained by regularly flipping and turning.  

Hybrid mattresses 

These combine top layers of memory foam with a sprung core for additional support. Hybrid mattresses are a great choice for all-round comfort and for any budget. 

Is a medium firm mattress good for back pain?

Chronic aches and pains in the joints and in the back can hinder quality of sleep, potentially leading to further health problems down the line. Finding the right mattress for back pain can help alleviate these woes, promoting correct spinal alignment, and moulding the individual's sleeping position to combat the pain.

Our medium firm mattresses for back pain are adept at soothing ailments and providing high levels of support without adding pressure to the back. For additional cushioning, our medium firm memory foam mattresses provide the response needed for pressure points in the body.

Similarly, our medium firm orthopaedic mattresses focus on posture, soothing back and joint pain to aid with a peaceful night’s sleep.

Is a medium firm mattress good for side sleepers?

People who sleep on their side place huge amounts of pressure of their hips and shoulders, particularly if they’re restless in the night. As such, a medium firm mattress is the peak of the firmness scale for side sleepers. Most popular are types which offer additional elasticity, such as latex or memory foam.

Pillows are also incredibly important for side sleepers, as the position places extra pressure on the neck. Our pillow range has a real range of depth. Expect everything from anti-snore to anti-allergy, allowing you to drift off peacefully and pain-free.

Which is best, firm, or medium firm mattress?

Finding the right tension levels for your sleeping needs is a crucial element to consider when searching for the perfect sleeping environment. The difference between firm mattresses and medium firm mattresses boils down to the additional cushion provided by the latter. A firm mattress is perfect for the heavier sleeper, supporting extra weight without providing undue pressure to joints.

A slight step down the firmness scale, a medium firm mattress is the mattress of choice for those who desire a firm yet slightly soft mattress. Consider any specific requirements you have and choose the best mattress from our range to improve your quality of sleep.

How to choose the best medium firm mattress

The sheer range of sizes on offer in our medium firm mattress collection make them suitable for all ages, although firmness level is often geared towards helping with back pain. Lighter individuals may wish to move down to the softer end of the firmness scale.

If you’re looking for the best mattress for back pain, a medium firm choice is often ideal. They offer the right level of support without compromising on comfort. If you want a memory foam mattress without the sprung core, look for a thicker mattress as this will give you a firmer feel.

Our comprehensive range of value and luxury mattresses with medium to firm firmness levels come in a host of sizes. Expect everything from a medium firm single mattress all the way to the luxury and magnificence of medium firm super kings. We also offer medium firmness mattresses in every style imaginable to suit any night time requirement – think memory foam, pocket spring, natural, and plenty more.

Another advantage of medium firm memory foam mattresses is that they often come boxed and rolled, making them easy to transport. No trying to squeeze a full-size mattress around that tricky staircase! Simply unbox, unroll, and allow the mattress around 24-48 hours to ‘relax’ into its final position. If you take advantage of our free mattress delivery service, you can also arrange for your old mattress to be collected by our teams and disposed of ethically.

If you need help choosing the right mattress firmness for you, check out our Mattress Firmness Guide.