Bear's Mattress Firmness Guide
We hear it a lot: “How firm are your mattresses? I need a soft mattress that won’t hurt my back.” It’s easy to get hung up on firmness level when looking for a new mattress, but what most people actually need is the right combination of comfort and support —something we’re calling the Sweet Spot.
3 Most Common Firmness Levels
So, what is mattress firmness and why is it important? Very simply, firmness is how much a mattress pushes back on your body when you lay on it. Firm mattresses push back the most, while soft mattresses barely do, and in some cases just plain cave in. A firm mattress does not always mean a supportive mattress.
Firm
- Expect a less-hugging or contouring feeling
- Feels more “on top of” the mattress than “sinking in”
- The most stable and even surface
Medium
- The most universally liked
- Balanced, with just the right amount of sinkage, hug, and contour
- Preferred by those who change positions at night
- Best for couples
Soft
- The most returned type of mattress
- Plush, sinking-in feel
- Tends to sag quickly
- More likely to cause pain over time
Bear's Universal Comfort
The Sweet Spot
The Elite Hybrid, Star Hybrid, Pro Hybrid, and Original mattresses all span the firmness range of medium to medium-firm feel—or a rating between 5 and 7.5 on a scale of 10. Why?
- The Goldilocks effect; the firmness is not too hard, not too soft, and is juuuust right.
- 4 out of 5 sleepers prefer this firmness.
- It’s the perfect blend of comfort and support.
- Provides proper spinal alignment without putting pressure on your hips and shoulders.
The Sweet Spot is based on over 18,000 reviews
Firmness is Subjective
Firmness has a different meaning for each of us. What is perfect for one person could seem rock-solid, or far too squishy to someone else. Your age, gender, body type, weight, previous mattress experience, and other factors all play a role in your perception of firmness. That’s why Bear makes mattresses in the sweet spot. Still unsure about which mattress is best for you? Take our sleep quiz for more help.
Take the Sleep Quiz
All The Feels
Aside from the firmness of a mattress, the materials it is made of change how the mattress feels to you. An all-foam mattress such as the Bear Original will contour to your body in a way that feels more like a contouring hug with durable support. While Hybrid mattresses that combine foam and coils like our Elite Hybrid, Star Hybrid, and Pro Hybrid models will provide a more luxurious feel with greater edge support.
All Foam
Relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders while filling in the nooks and crannies of your back and body. We’ve heard people say that an all-foam mattress has reduced their back pain, morning aches and helped them sleep better through the night.
Hybrid
Giving you the best of both worlds, a Hybrid mattress combines the comforts of an all-foam mattress with the bounciness and durability of a traditional spring mattress. The coils are individually encased, so you won’t feel if your partner or pet moves around at night.
Cover
The topmost part of the mattress, the cover, plays a role in the feel of the mattress. The Original and the Pro Hybrid both have a smooth, uninterrupted surface, allowing the memory foam to evenly contour to your body. The Elite Hybrid and Star Hybrid have traditional-style tufted tops, giving them a pillowy and cloud-like feeling.
Sleep On It
Just like new running sneakers or a fresh pair of jeans, a mattress has a break-in period. The materials of the mattress need some time to conform to your body. Plus your body is used to sleeping on your old mattress, even if it wasn’t treating you right. So you may need a bit of time to get used to your new one. We suggest you give it a solid 30 nights. If you’re still not in love, no worries. Our returns are hassle-free.
Over 10,000 Five-Star Reviews
With Bear’s preferred firmness level plus feel and cover options, there is the perfect Bear waiting for you. But, you don’t have to take our word for it. See what our verified buyers have to say.
"The Hybrid has surpassed all of my (extremely high) expectations. I travel for work and sleep in a lot of different mattresses...and have yet to find one that achieves that perfect balance of comfort and support. Bear hybrid does just that.”
- Zach S.., Verified Star Hybrid Buyer“6months ago I was waking up in pools of sweat in the middle of winter! We have had multiple 100+ degree temps this summer and We haven’t had to have our thermostat set below 75 since sleeping on the Bear Hybrid. I have been impressed with the comfort and the breathable material."
- Shelby M., Verified Elite Buyer“The Bear is my first foam mattress, and I am very happy with our choice. It provides support in all the right places and we always wake up feeling well-rested.”
- Shalimar M., Verified Bear Original BuyerWhat Team Bear Athletes Sleep On
TL;DR
The feel of a mattress is subjective, based on your individual physical factors and previous experiences. Firmness, materials, and construction all contribute to the overall feel of a mattress. So, which one is right for you?
- Bear offers a range of mattresses between Medium and Medium-Firm, the most commonly preferred feel
- If you prefer the luxurious, innerspring hotel mattress or are just unsure, go with the Elite Hybrid or Star Hybrid mattress
- If you like a contouring and cradling feel, we suggest the Pro Hybrid or Bear Original mattress
Now, want to wake up refreshed?
Find the mattress that's right for you
