{"title":"Firm mattresses","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat is a firm mattress?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA firm mattress is one with very little give at the surface, graded 9 to 10 on our 1 to 10 firmness scale, so your body rests on top of it instead of sinking in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe feel comes from a strong support core with thin or firm comfort layers above it: pocket or open coil springs under a firm top, or dense reflex foam. Mattresses sold as extra firm sit at the top of this band. Some people call a firm mattress a hard mattress, but it usually still has a thin layer of cushioning on top; it just won't let you sink into it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrands grade firmness differently, so one maker's firm can feel like another's medium-firm. Go by our number rather than the label on your old mattress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho should sleep on a firm mattress?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirm mattresses (9 to 10) suit front sleepers and heavier people, who both need a surface that stops the hips sinking, and anyone who simply prefers lying on top of a mattress rather than in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSleeper\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMedium-firm (7 to 8)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFirm (9 to 10)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFront sleeper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood fit, especially if lighter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood fit, especially if heavier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBack sleeper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood fit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuits heavier back sleepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSide sleeper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCan suit heavier side sleepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUsually too firm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeavier build\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood fit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood fit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighter adult or child\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCan feel firm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften feels hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFront sleepers need their hips held level so the lower back doesn't arch, which is why our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mattresses-for-front-sleepers\"\u003emattresses for front sleepers\u003c\/a\u003e starts at medium-firm. Heavier people press further into any mattress, so as well as firmness they usually need more depth, strong springs and firm edges; see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mattresses-for-heavier-people\"\u003emattresses for heavier people\u003c\/a\u003e. Others simply like the feel: on a firm surface it's easy to change position, and the mattress doesn't close around you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIs a firm mattress better for your back?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA firm mattress isn't automatically better for your back: when Kovacs and colleagues compared firm and medium-firm mattresses in a 2003 trial published in The Lancet, people with chronic lower back pain did better on medium-firm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat matters more is whether the mattress keeps your spine in line for the way you sleep. For a front sleeper or a heavier person that may well be firm; for a lighter side sleeper it rarely is. If you have back pain that doesn't go away, see a GP or physiotherapist rather than reaching for a firmer mattress, and read our page on \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mattresses-for-back-pain\"\u003emattresses for back pain\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFirm or orthopaedic: what's the difference?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirm describes how a mattress feels, while orthopaedic is a label with no legal or medical definition in the UK that usually means a firmer, more supportive build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn orthopaedic mattress might be firm (9 to 10) or medium-firm (7 to 8), and the name doesn't mean it has been medically approved. Judge any mattress by its firmness number and construction rather than its name. Our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/orthopaedic-mattresses\"\u003eorthopaedic mattresses\u003c\/a\u003e page explains the label in more detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCan a mattress be too firm?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mattress is too firm when it won't let your shoulders and hips sink in enough for your spine to stay level, which happens most often to side sleepers, lighter adults and children on a firm (9 to 10) mattress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigns include pressure building at the shoulder or hip when you lie on your side, a gap under your waist or the small of your back, and shifting position through the night to get comfortable. If the mattress is otherwise in good condition, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mattress-toppers\"\u003emattress topper\u003c\/a\u003e can soften the surface. If it's simply the wrong firmness for how you sleep, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/medium-firm-mattresses\"\u003emedium-firm mattress\u003c\/a\u003e keeps most of the support with a little more give.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot sure whether you need firm or medium-firm? \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eAsk us\u003c\/a\u003e, with a note of how you sleep and what you're replacing, and we'll point you to the right band.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"orthosupport-orthopaedic-mattress","title":"OrthoSupport Orthopaedic Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe OrthoSupport is a firm, double-sided coil sprung mattress for people who prefer to lie on a mattress rather than sink into it. It suits teenagers' and adults' beds and guest rooms, in five sizes from single to super king.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts support comes from 12.5-gauge coil springs. The lower the gauge, the thicker the spring wire, so these give a firm, stable base. On top sit 1100 g of polyester fillings under a tufted damask cover, with air vents around the border and handles to make turning easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrthopaedic has no legal definition in the UK; here it means a firm, supportive build, 9 on our 1 to 10 scale. At 23 cm deep it's for beds at standard height and divans, not bunk beds or high sleepers. Turn it over and rotate it regularly so it wears evenly. It arrives flat and wrapped, ready to use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bedmaster","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55002224623954,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP30","price":219.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55002224656722,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP40","price":299.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55002224689490,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP46","price":299.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55002224722258,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP50","price":329.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55002224755026,"sku":"MJORTHOSUP60","price":399.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/OrthoSupport-24-Mattress-2.jpg?v=1791555608"},{"product_id":"memorysupport-memory-sprung-mattress","title":"MemorySupport Memory Sprung Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe MemorySupport is a firm sprung mattress with a thin layer of memory foam on top, for people who like a solid, supportive bed with a little cushioning. It suits teenagers' and adults' beds and spare rooms, in five sizes from single to super king.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 12.5-gauge coil spring unit gives it a firm base. Above the springs sit 700 g of polyester filling and a 10 mm layer of memory foam, which moulds to the body, all under a quilted soft-knit jersey cover with air vents and built-in handles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 25 cm deep it's made for beds at standard height, divans and guest beds, and it's too deep for bunk beds, high sleepers, mid sleepers and cabin beds. It's one-sided, so it doesn't need flipping: just turn it head to foot every so often so it wears evenly. It arrives flat and wrapped, ready to use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bedmaster","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55002225410386,"sku":"MJMEMSUP30","price":249.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55002225443154,"sku":"MJMEMSUP40","price":349.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55002225475922,"sku":"MJMEMSUP46","price":349.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55002225508690,"sku":"MJMEMSUP50","price":399.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55002225541458,"sku":"MJMEMSUP60","price":449.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/MemorySupport-25-Mattress-2.jpg?v=1791555617"},{"product_id":"kayflex-silver-memory-foam-mattress","title":"Kayflex Silver Memory Foam Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Kayflex Silver is a firm memory foam mattress for people who like the closeness of memory foam but want solid support underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has 15 cm of reflex foam with 5 cm of visco memory foam on top, which softens with body warmth and follows your shape. The cover is a knitted SilverActive fabric that zips off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's 20 cm deep and has no springs. It arrives rolled and vacuum packed. Unroll it within three months of delivery and give it a day or two to reach its full shape. Kayflex makes its mattresses in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKayflex's 5-year warranty gives free repair or replacement in the first year, then covers the foam for years two to five, where you pay a share of the price that rises each year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kayflex","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55003871805778,"sku":"KF-SILVER-30","price":269.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55003871838546,"sku":"KF-SILVER-40","price":339.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55003871871314,"sku":"KF-SILVER-46","price":339.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55003871904082,"sku":"KF-SILVER-50","price":399.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55003871936850,"sku":"KF-SILVER-60","price":484.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small single","offer_id":55003871969618,"sku":"KF-SILVER-26","price":269.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/Kayflex-Sumptuous-Silver.jpg?v=1791566348"},{"product_id":"kayflex-ecoflex-15cm-firm-foam-mattress","title":"Kayflex Ecoflex 15 cm Firm Foam Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Kayflex Ecoflex 15 cm Firm is a simple, hard-wearing foam mattress. At 15 cm deep it suits bunk beds, high sleepers and guest beds, where a slimmer mattress keeps the guard rail height right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a single 15 cm piece of Kayflex reflex foam in the firm version, covered in a quilted damask fabric with a taped edge for strength. Kayflex makes it in a soft version too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has no springs. It arrives rolled and vacuum packed. Unroll it within three months of delivery and give it a day or two to reach its full shape. Kayflex makes its mattresses in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKayflex's 5-year warranty gives free repair or replacement in the first year, then covers the foam for years two to five, where you pay a share of the price that rises each year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kayflex","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55003873673554,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-15-FIRM-30","price":164.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55003873706322,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-15-FIRM-40","price":234.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55003873739090,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-15-FIRM-46","price":234.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55003873771858,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-15-FIRM-50","price":289.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55003873804626,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-15-FIRM-60","price":354.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small single","offer_id":55003873837394,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-15-FIRM-26","price":164.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/Kayflex-Eco-Flex.jpg?v=1791566387"},{"product_id":"kayflex-ecoflex-20cm-firm-foam-mattress","title":"Kayflex Ecoflex 20 cm Firm Foam Mattress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Kayflex Ecoflex 20 cm Firm is a deeper version of Kayflex's simple foam mattress, for a standard bed where you want a firm, even surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a 20 cm piece of Kayflex reflex foam in the firm version, covered in a quilted damask fabric with a taped edge for strength. Kayflex makes it in a soft version too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has no springs. It arrives rolled and vacuum packed. Unroll it within three months of delivery and give it a day or two to reach its full shape. Kayflex makes its mattresses in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKayflex's 5-year warranty gives free repair or replacement in the first year, then covers the foam for years two to five, where you pay a share of the price that rises each year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kayflex","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":55003874787666,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-20-FIRM-30","price":224.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small double","offer_id":55003874820434,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-20-FIRM-40","price":284.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Double","offer_id":55003874853202,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-20-FIRM-46","price":284.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"King","offer_id":55003874885970,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-20-FIRM-50","price":364.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super king","offer_id":55003874918738,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-20-FIRM-60","price":424.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small single","offer_id":55003874951506,"sku":"KF-ECOFLEX-20-FIRM-26","price":224.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1118\/1768\/7378\/files\/Kayflex-Eco-Flex_8dc90103-67b3-4bd6-9131-b6a8bf68b869.jpg?v=1791566405"}],"url":"https:\/\/mattresstown.co.uk\/collections\/firm-mattresses.oembed","provider":"Mattress Town","version":"1.0","type":"link"}