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Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Finding a good mattress with the right firmness can be challenging, especially online. Nolah, Tuft & Needle, and DreamCloud all make our list of best medium-firm mattresses.
Comfort is key when choosing a new mattress, and that means finding the right level of firmness.
The firmness of a mattress doesn’t refer to its level of support. Instead, mattress firmness refers to the top layer of the mattress — it’s what you feel when you lie down.
If you want a mattress that balances cushioning comfort and the support you need for a good night’s sleep, a medium-firm mattress may be a good choice. We rounded up 10 of the best options to help you get started.
(Queen size)
• innerspring coils
• 365-night trial
• wool
• cotton
• pocketed support coils
• 1-year trial
• coils
• 365-night trial
• memory foam
• air chambers
• 365-night trial
• 100-night trial
• 365-night trial
• pocketed coils
• 100-night trial
• support coils
• 120-night trial
• support coils
• 120-night trial
• wool
• latex
• pocketed coils
• 100-night trial
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate materials, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the mattresses that passed our vetting process. Then, we scored each mattress to narrow down our list even further.
We chose mattresses rated medium firm by each brand. To narrow the list, we considered:
- Safety and brand reputation: All the medium-firm mattresses on our list comply with federal flammability standards and are made by reputable companies that stand by their products.
- Materials certifications: We prioritized mattresses with third-party material certifications like CertiPUR-US, GOLS, and GOTS.
- Free trials and warranties: Each mattress on our list comes with a free in-home trial and competitive warranty.
- Customer reviews: We read reviews for each mattress to see what customers say about them.
What does reputable mean exactly?
When we describe a mattress company as reputable, we mean the brand:
- displays a commitment to quality, safety, and customer service
- hasn’t been involved in recent lawsuits
- has transparent business practices
Knowing a company is doing things the right way, especially for a big-ticket purchase like a mattress can make a difference.
Many people prefer medium-firm mattresses because they offer a combination of comfort and support. But this firmness can have other benefits, too. Some
Other research suggests self-adjusted, medium-firm mattresses may help improve comfort and the quality of your sleep if you live with back pain.
Medium-firm mattresses can also be a good choice if your preferred sleeping position varies. They’ll give you the support and cushion you need as you move from your side to your back to your belly.
Medium-firm mattresses work well for people with low to moderate body weights. They’re also a good compromise if you share your bed with someone who prefers a firmer sleeping surface than you do (or vice versa).
If you’re searching for a medium-firm option, it helps to keep a few things in mind:
- Mattress ratings: They will vary from brand to brand, but they can offer a good starting point. Opt for a mattress in the range of 5–7 on the scale.
- Mattress type and materials: You can find medium-firm mattresses lots of different materials, including latex and memory foam. Make a point of shopping for mattresses with materials that have third-party certifications. That way, you’ll know the company has met stringent quality standards for safety.
- In-home trials and warranties: Most firmness scales are different by brand. But, in general 1 is typically the softest, while 10 is the firmest. Medium-firm mattresses typically fall between a 5 and 7. Remember that one brand’s 5 may feel different from another brand’s, so it’s important to consider one with a generous in-home trial and easy returns or exchanges. Also, look for a brand that offers a warranty.
If upgrading your mattress isn’t an option at the moment, you still have other ways to make your bed more comfortable. Think new pillows, sheets, and comforters; a supportive mattress topper; or bedroom ambiance.
You can also make your room more snooze-friendly by:
- blocking exterior light with room-darkening curtains or shades
- replacing bright bulbs with dimmer lights
- making your bedroom a device-free sanctuary
Finally, you might even consider painting your bedroom walls or reducing any source of noise or light for a better night’s sleep.
Our pick for best medium-firm mattress is DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress.
However, there’s no single best medium-firm mattress because everyone has unique sleeping preferences and needs. Some sleepers prefer the balanced feel of a hybrid mattress, while others enjoy the plush feel of a pillow top.
Some sleepers need a mattress to relieve back pain, while others want one that will work nicely on an adjustable frame.
Being clear about your personal wants and needs can help you find the best medium-firmness mattress for you.
Medium-firm mattresses can accommodate a wide range of sleepers. They’re supportive and cushioning enough for most sleeping positions, particularly for people who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds.
People under 130 pounds may find softer mattresses more comfortable.
Sleepers with more body weight may want to consider mattresses specifically designed for long-term comfort and quality to get better rest.
Medium-firm mattresses can also be a good choice if you need to compromise with a partner who has a different opinion of comfort. They may also be beneficial for people with back pain.
Research from 2022 suggests that self-adjusted, medium-firm mattresses can help improve sleep quality in people with back pain.
Yes, luxury firm is typically used by manufacturers to describe medium-firm mattresses.
Medium-firm mattresses are designed to have a softer, more cushiony feel than firm mattresses, which are usually around an 8 on the firmness scale.
Soft mattresses, typically between 2 and 3 on the scale, tend to compress faster and more easily than medium-firm mattresses when you lie down. You’ll notice more of a “sinking in” sensation, too.
No. Firmness refers to how a mattress feels when you lie down on it. Things like body weight and preferred sleeping position will affect how a mattress feels to you, and it could be quite different from what someone else is feeling, even if they’re right next to you!
While firmness ratings vary from one mattress manufacturer to the next, most medium-firm mattresses fall between 5 and 7.
Medium-firm mattresses are a popular choice for a reason. Designed to provide plenty of support and a comforting feel, they work well for people with low to moderate body weight, those who switch positions during the night, or people who share their bed with a partner.