Differences Between Firm & Soft Mattresses

Coil Count

• According to some bedding industry experts, the coil count on a mattress has become a less important number to know when buying a mattress. Essentially, the quality of a mattress can no longer be defined only by the number of coils. With that said, the softest mattresses contain approximately 250 coils, and the stiffest contain up to 1,000 coils depending on the mattress size.

  If you have a bad back or become overheated during the night, a firm mattress will be ideal. The firmness will resist sag, improving lumbar support and reducing the amount of material that comes in contact with your skin--making for a cooler sleep. On the other hand, if you need to feel like you're lying on a layer of feathers in order to fall asleep, a soft mattress will suit you well.

Pillowtops

• If you're looking to up the "soft factor" on your mattress, getting a mattress with a pillowtop will be your best bet. The pillowtop adds a layer of foam between the mattress and your sheets that provides more cushioning.

  Many people purchase a firm mattress and add a pillowtop on top to soften the feel of the mattress while maintaining good support. This combination of firm support with added padding may be useful for persons with back ailments. However, if you want to save some money, just purchase a medium-firmness mattress and forgo the pillowtop altogether.

  It's important to note that pillowtops come in different thread counts, like sheets. Buy 250 thread count if the padding is all you care about. If you want a silky soft feel as well, buy one with an 800 thread count.

Contouring

• The softer a mattress is, the more it will contour to your body and sleeping position. Firm mattresses have a core that pushes back against your body weight with more force than softer cores. This firmness is achieved through higher coil count or thicker coils.

  Foam mattresses are said to have a superior ability to contour to your body and sleeping position without sacrificing lumbar support. Many people swear by these mattresses both for their support and reduction of allergen-producing dust mites.

  If you want to avoid the $1,500-$3,000 price tag (or more) of a foam mattress, but also want a better-performing mattress than a regular coil spring, purchase a mattress with pocketed coils. The coils are sheathed in cloth that isolates each spring. This achieves better contouring and reduces the amount of flex of the mattress when your partner moves during the night.

Coil Gauge

• The thickness of a coil is known as the coil "gauge." The thicker the gauge, the more resilient the springs will be, resulting in a firmer mattress. Heavier or thicker 12.5-gauge springs are installed in firm mattresses, while the lighter, springier 16.5-gauge springs are found in soft mattresses.