The wide range of mattresses available on the market today means sleepers have the freedom to choose their preference in size, mattress materials , cooling technology, and, of course, firmness. But tastes are subjective, and without seeing the mattress in person, it can be challenging to know how to choose a firm or soft mattress for your best night’s sleep.
What is the Difference Between a Soft or Firm Mattress?
Are firm or soft mattresses better? Mattress feel (soft vs. firm) is highly subjective and can vary based on a sleeper's size, weight, and sleep position . That said, the Big Fig has a medium firm feel with a bit plus top layer. On a scale of 1-10, where 1 offers no support, and 10 is hard as a rock, we rate it between a 7 and an 8 or medium firm.
You will tend to sleep “on top” of our mattress more than sink into the mattress. An initial softer feel as you lay down will be supported by a firmer, more supportive layer underneath.
Keep in mind that a mattress that is too firm can be softened up with the addition of a mattress topper , but a mattress that is too soft cannot be firmed up. The padding in the comfort layer will soften up during the first few months of use — even in good-quality mattresses.
How is Mattress Firmness Measured?
As mentioned, mattress firmness is measured using a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is ultra-soft, like sinking into a cloud, and 10 is extra-firm, offering maximum support with minimal give. The scale helps simplify a subjective experience, as firmness often depends on factors like body weight and sleeping position. Brands like Big Fig use this system to guide customers toward the perfect fit — whether you love a plush embrace, a sturdy surface, or something in between. Think of it as the Goldilocks approach to sleep: finding what’s “just right” for you!
Pros and Cons of a Firm Mattress
If you’re a plus-size sleeper, finding the right mattress can make all the difference in your comfort and support. A firm mattress might be exactly what you need, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Firm Mattress Pros:
- Better Support for Your Back: A firm mattress keeps your spine aligned, which is key for avoiding back pain — especially if you sleep on your back or stomach.
- No Sinking Feeling: It holds your body up instead of letting you sink in, so you’ll feel supported and stable.
- Even Weight Distribution: By spreading out your weight, you can reduce pressure on sensitive areas like your hips and shoulders.
- Long-Lasting Durability: Firm mattresses tend to hold up better over time, even with added weight.
- Stays Cool: Since you’re not sinking deeply into the material, there’s better airflow to keep you cool at night.
Firm Mattress Cons:
- Takes Getting Used To: If you’re used to a softer mattress, a firm one can feel stiff at first.
- Not Great for Side Sleepers: It can create pressure points on your shoulders and hips if you sleep on your side.
- Less “Cushioning” Comfort: Firm mattresses don’t have that hugging, cradling feel, which might not work if you have joint pain.
Pros and Cons of a Soft Mattress
A soft mattress can feel like sleeping on a cloud, but is it the right fit for plus-size sleepers? Let’s explore the pros and cons so you can make the best choice for your sleep style and comfort needs.
Soft Mattress Pros:
- Cushioning Comfort: Soft mattresses contour to your body, giving you that cozy, cradling feel.
- Great for Side Sleepers: They cushion pressure points, especially around the hips and shoulders, making them ideal if you sleep on your side.
- Motion Isolation: The plush layers absorb movement, so you’re less likely to feel your partner tossing and turning.
- Pressure Relief: Helps ease joint pain by reducing stress on sensitive areas.
Soft Mattress Cons:
- Less Support: A soft mattress can sink too much, especially under heavier weight, leading to poor spinal alignment.
- Durability Concerns: Softer materials may wear out faster, causing sagging over time.
- Can Trap Heat: The body-hugging design can limit airflow, making it warmer to sleep on.
- Harder to Move Around: The mattress's sinking nature might cause you to feel stuck or have trouble repositioning.
Who Should Choose a Firm Mattress?
If you’re someone who loves feeling supported while you sleep, a firm mattress might be the perfect choice. It’s especially great for plus-size sleepers, back and stomach sleepers, and anyone dealing with back pain because it keeps your spine aligned and prevents that sinking feeling.
A firm surface also stays cooler at night, which is a win if you’re a hot sleeper. Plus, if you prefer the sensation of sleeping "on" your mattress rather than "in" it, firm options give you that stable, floating feel.
How to Pick Between a Firm or Soft Mattress
Is your bed too soft? Are you trying to decide between a firm vs. soft mattress? If you’re asking yourself, "Do I need a firm mattress?" Use these seven signs that your mattress may be too soft to help guide your decision-making process.
Sign 1: You Have Back Pain
How to Tell if Your Mattress is Causing Back Pain
The easiest way to tell if your mattress is causing back pain is to note how you feel going to bed compared to waking up.
If you feel fantastic before going to bed but wake up feeling like an elephant spent the night sleeping on your spine when you try to get out of bed, it’s a sign your mattress is likely responsible for the pain. If the back pain goes away within 15-30 minutes of moving around or stretching lightly, you can add that to the pile of evidence.
Sign 2. You Have Neck &/or Shoulder Pain
Shoulder and neck pain , especially for stomach sleepers, can indicate that your hips are sinking into your softer mattress. Sleeping on your stomach strains your neck and shoulders from your head’s position, and a mattress that’s too soft does nothing to help alleviate this strain.
A soft mattress can also curve the spine and leave critical pressure points in the hips unsupported, meaning your neck is under stress and your spine is out of alignment for hours. Yikes!
Sign 3. You're Getting Uncomfortable Sleep
Passive resistance foams that don’t respond to changes in pressure or body movements can cause discomfort. Perhaps you’re wondering whether afirm or soft mattress for side sleepers is better for a good night’s sleep.
Everyone has those nights where they toss and turn a bit before drifting off, but if the inability to get comfortable becomes a regular thing, it could be a sign that your mattress is not supportive enough. Sound familiar? Check out our post on Why Insomnia Happens.
Having a mattress with both coils and firmer, high-density foams can help. The coils prevent the “stuck in the mud” feeling an all-foam mattress causes, and the high-density foams keep your sleep surface firm, supportive and comfortable.
Sign 4. Your Mattress is Lumpy
After hours of sleeping on the same surface night after night, the materials enclosed in a traditional mattress (especially an innerspring one) tend to shift around, creating lumps you can feel on your sleeping surface.
The chance of uneven surfaces and further discomfort only increases with use. Even worse, getting comfortable on a mattress with shifted materials often means sleeping in between the lumps, meaning your body is sleeping with hardly any support.
A firmer mattress with securely packed materials and high-quality construction , especially one with mattress tufts , can prevent this from happening. Tufts, especially, can secure the mattress layers in place and virtually eliminate the shifting of materials that can lead to reduced comfort, lumpiness, and/or sagging.
Sign 5. You Suffer from Sleep Disorders
If you also have insomnia, sleep apnea, or other disorders, a firmer mattress may relieve some of these symptoms. Firmer mattresses keep you supported and lifted, resisting sagging and sinking over time.
Staying on top of a mattress rather than in it helps keep the airways open and relieves sleep apnea symptoms. A more supportive mattress without lumps or sinking can also increase comfort levels and help prevent insomnia.
Sign 6. Your Mattress Sags
There are few things worse than a sagging mattress . While lumps are small and can be few and far between, those uncomfortable holes or impressions that develop on the surface of the mattress over time can seriously disrupt sleep. Mattress sag and collapsing mattress edge support problems are especially prevalent among bigger-figured sleepers.
The cause of mattress sag lies in the quality and density of the foam layers. A soft mattress can sag faster, allowing your body to sink in and putting your spine out of alignment. That sinking feeling (even good edge support can’t save!) means you may benefit from a firmer mattress that actively prevents sagging.
Big Fig has the best selection of mattresses that won't sag!
Sign 7: You Have Trouble Getting Out of Bed
This common problem is often overlooked or dismissed as an inconvenience, but we take it very seriously. Getting up off the bed is critical to a good quality of life. There’s nothing more discouraging than sinking into the edge of a mattress or struggling to get up. Add back or neck pain into the mix, and you’re starting your day off entirely on the wrong foot.
Soft mattresses simply do not have the edge support a firm mattress can provide. Even when some support is provided around the edge, the body’s tendency to sink into the middle makes it a struggle to get over the edge and out of bed anyway.
A firm bed provides a more extensive, fully supportive sleeping surface, making getting in and out of bed easier without struggling or disturbing your partner.
Big Fig Classic Mattress
- Medium-Firm Support
- Best for Multi-Position Sleepers
- THERMOGEL COOLING® Technology
Who Needs Firmer Mattresses Most?
Firmer mattresses are most appropriate for three groups of sleepers:
Bigger-Figured Sleepers
In general, bigger-figured sleepers prefer and benefit from firmer mattresses. According toSleepopolis, “Though they can seem more comfortable and luxurious, a soft mattress can actually cause back problems for back and stomach sleepers and those of a heavier weight.” (We’re highly tuned into this demographic, seeing as recognizingsleep issues specific to heavier sleepersand providing solutions is our whole thing.)
The Elderly
The body becomes more sensitive to joint and muscle aches and pains with age. Stomach sleepers may find their back feels fine for years but wake up after 40, only to discover that years of stress on the neck and spine has led to pain while sleeping. Some degenerative changes in the spine and discs also tend to increase the need for a firmer mattress that provides more support while staying comfortable.
Chronic Pain Patients
Chronic pain is something we, unfortunately, hear all too often from our customers. Bigger figured or not, many people suffer from issues like nerve pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and more, symptoms of which can be exacerbated without proper sleep support.
We recently had a conversation on our social media channels asking our audience for one thing they wish more people knew about chronic pain. Some of the answers we received include:
- “How exhausting it is."
- “That it ruins the quality of life.”
- “How debilitating it is, but we keep going.”
- “My back and hips are so stiff in the mornings that it almost takes my breath away.”
Chronic pain is something we take extremely seriously. If you’re one of the many sleepers who suffer from chronic pain issues, our hearts go out to you today and always.
Who Should Choose a Soft Mattress?
A soft mattress is a great choice if you love a plush, cozy feel and enjoy the sensation of sinking into your bed. It’s especially helpful for side sleepers, as it cushions pressure points like your hips and shoulders, making it easier to stay comfortable through the night.
For plus-size sleepers, though, a soft mattress might not provide enough support to keep your spine aligned or prevent sagging over time. The deeper sinking can also make it harder to move around or stay cool at night. If you’re plus-size but still want some softness, a medium-firm or hybrid mattress with a plush top layer can offer the best of both worlds: gentle cushioning with the sturdy support you need for a comfortable, long-lasting sleep surface.
A soft mattress can be ideal for certain sleepers, especially those with specific needs like plus-size individuals. Here’s why:
Pressure Relief
Soft mattresses can provide enhanced pressure relief for heavier individuals, distributing body weight more evenly. This helps to reduce pressure points, particularly on the hips, shoulders, and lower back.
Contouring Support
A soft mattress offers more contouring, allowing the body to sink in slightly, which can be beneficial for those with larger frames who might experience discomfort with firmer surfaces.
Joint Pain
Plus-size sleepers with joint pain or arthritis may find softer mattresses more comfortable. They provide a cushioned feel that reduces stress on sensitive areas.
How to Make a Firm Bed Softer
If your bed feels too firm, here are several ways to make it softer:
Break It In
New mattresses can feel firmer initially. Sleeping on it consistently for a few weeks can help it conform to your body and soften over time.
Layer With Soft Bedding
Opt for sheets made of eco-friendly fibers, such as the Big Fig Premium Cooling Sheets. Add a fluffy comforter to enhance softness while turning up the cozy vibes.
Rotate or Flip the Mattress
If your mattress is flippable or reversible, try rotating or flipping it. Sometimes one side is softer or less worn.
Adjust the Bed Base
If your mattress is on a solid or slatted base, consider switching to a box spring or adjustable base, like the Big Fig, that can provide a more cushioned feel.
What to Do if Mattress Too Soft
A memory foam mattress topper, such as the Big Fig Premium Plush Micro-Coil Topper, can add plushness and adjust the firmness level while supporting bigger bodies. The supportive micro-coils allow you to get the supportive sleep that bigger figures deserve
How Firm is a Big Fig Mattress?
The Big Fig Mattress is neither a memory foam nor an innerspring mattress. Instead, it’s a hybrid construction mattress made of high-quality individually wrapped coils and high-density foams that provide the ultimate mix of support and comfort.
Our mattress provides the ideal combination of comfort and support that most sleepers prefer. If you want an incredibly soft mattress that you sink deeply into or an exceptionally hard mattress that feels more like sleeping on the floor, the Big Fig is probably not the best for you.
How Big Fig Stacks Up to Competitors
Are you currently in the research phase trying to figure out which mattress is best for you? Luckily we have done extensive research for you. Head on over to our competitor comparison to see why the Big Fig mattress is the best choice. We are also available to chat with any questions you may have!
Many customers tell us that their back pain disappears gradually and sometimes even overnight after sleeping on a Big Fig. Here are just some of the many reviews we receive almost daily from sleepers that have benefited from switching to a firmer mattress.
★★★★★
Excellent firm mattress
Exactly what I was looking for in terms of construction and anatomical support. I would recommend this sleep system to anyone no matter what their size, weight , or age be. This mattress is firm, supporting and forming, not hard. Two people can sleep close together and there is no feeling or perception of sleeping in hammock as most other brands of mattresses deform at this point and compromise spinal alignment while lying down. Not this mattress. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy three more if I was outfitting the family. Big Fig needs to make a couch and if they did, I’d buy that without hesitation as well. Probably one of the best purchases I’ve made in my lifetime.
- James L.
★★★★★
Life changing Purchase
“I used to wake up to pain in my back, legs and shoulders due to a bed that was worn out and could not support my weight. The bed and foundation support me completely and do not buckle under me. I lay comfortably near the edge without sliding toward the edge (that used to cause my shoulder pain). I can lay on my back without sinking (that used to cause my back pain). I can lay on my stomach, so I don't have my legs crossed (that caused my knee pain). I am able to sleep all night for the first time in years. I wake up refreshed and able to move immediately, instead of needing almost an hour to get out of bed due to all my aches and pains. The bed is perfect for me, but my partner wanted a plush feel. This was easily solved with a 4" bed topper. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase and would recommend Big Fig to anyone needing additional support.”
- Robert M.
★★★★★
The best mattress ever made
“I went through years of having back pain every morning. After only one night on the Big Fig, the back pain was gone. Months later, it hasn't returned!”
- Kiel F.
If you’re experiencing one of the signs we mentioned in this article, or just curious to learn more about the Big Fig Mattress, the only mattress designed from the ground up to meet the needs of bigger figured sleepers, you’re in the right place.
Ready to build your own Big Fig sleep system? Find your perfect fit with our Bed Builder quiz.
