There is no easy answer to this question, and if you have already taken a look at my page on firmness it’s easy to understand how knowing what thickness to buy can be just as confusing. Of course, I’m all about memory foam mattresses because I think they are the way forward if you want the ultimate in comfort overnight. However, there is one rule that everyone should consider even if you don’t think a memory foam mattress is what you need right now. It goes without saying the more you weigh, the more support you will need while you sleep. However, although you will need to find a thicker mattress if you weigh more than average for your build, you still have to take into account how firm you like your bed to be. If you like a really soft mattress beneath you, it’s best to go for the thickest you can find and reduce this depending on how firm you like your bed to be. If you suffer from general aches and pains, the thickness of the mattress you choose can have an effect on this.
But if you’re under medical care for various back, shoulder neck or joint troubles it is best to check with your doctor before you decide to go ahead and buy a new mattress. Of course, the more support you need can determine how thick a mattress you sleep on should be. Basically, as with weight the thicker the mattress, the softer it will be. I would like to clear up one little “niggle” here. Some memory foam mattresses can be as thin as 6 inches or as thick as 13 to 14 inches. However don’t think that just because you buy say, a 12 inch foam mattress, this is the amount of memory foam you have. Whilst some manufacturers are very good at outlining the actual amount of memory foam you have, others are not. How much you wish to spend does come into account because the more memory foam included with a mattress will determine this. Having said that, I have some reviews on mattresses that are very reasonably priced yet offer enough support to help with various aches and pains.
For instance, most mattresses like this will have a layer of base foam which is where most of the support occurs, a layer of memory foam and a layer of high density foam on top. To make it easier, the more memory foam you have, the softer your mattress will be, which (as I have said) is important to know if you’re heavier than average or you need specialist support when you sleep. There are other permeations to think about as well. For instance, some memory foam mattresses will incorporate layers that help keep you cool. The reason for this is this type of mattress is well known for reacting to your body temperature so it can conform to your shape, which in turn can create more heat while you sleep. Knowing that a thicker mattress will generally have a softer feel for most people of an average weight is useful. However, as you can see from the information above just like choosing the right firmness of mattress, the thickness is also to some degree a personal choice. The perfect scenario is to combine how firm you would like your foam mattress to be with a thickness that will also suit your needs.
Look for eco-friendly memory foam mattresses for a healthier night's sleep. Bigger is not always better, especially in memory foam mattresses. A memory foam mattress has multiple layers; when added together, each layer contributes to the overall mattress height. Avoid judging a memory foam mattress by its thickness; rather, look at its density and load-deflection properties, as these characteristics define the quality of the mattress and its performance. Dense Is Best Being dense is typically associated with a lack of smarts, but in memory foam mattresses, being dense is a good thing. Manufacturers measure density by pounds per cubic foot. The density of the mattress determines how well it supports the body, not its thickness. Do not choose a memory foam mattress with a density rating of below 3 pounds per cubic foot for the memory foam layer, as it does not provide the body support needed. Top-name brands have beds that range up to 8 pounds per cubic foot on the memory foam layer. Firm It Is The second component used to determine the quality of a memory foam mattress is how well the bed deflects indentations.
Called indentation-load deflection, this factor determines the hardness or softness of the memory foam mattress. It applies to the weight of pressure measured in pounds that are necessary to indent 4 inches of mattress at least 25 percent over a 50-square-inch area. Look for a mattress that has an ILD of at least 10, up to 14. Most top-brand mattresses weigh in with an ILD measurement ranging from 12 to 14. Multiple Layers Memory foam mattresses do not consist entirely of memory foam. Each manufacturer constructs a memory foam mattresses with multiple layers. Depending on the brand selected, the different layers include memory foam, gel, latex foam layers, quilting and covers. The optimum choice for the thickness of the memory foam layer ranges from 4 to 5 inches thick with a density of at least 5 pounds per cubic foot. The denser and thicker the mattress, the higher the price goes. Mattress Components When you want to buy a memory foam mattress, opt for companies that substitute many of the petrochemicals used to make these mattresses with natural products such as soy, green tea, cotton, bamboo or wool for quilting or batting layers and natural latex for that layer.
Ask pointed questions about the manufacturing process and the chemicals used to expand the foam. One company uses water instead of chemical solvents, which often leaves a lingering and toxic smell on the mattress. References Select Foam: Ultimate Memory Foam Mattress GuidesSelect Foam: Memory Foam Mattress Buying GuideErgoflex: What Does the ILD Rating of a Memory Foam Mattress Mean?Richmond Bedding: 14-inch Memory Foam MattressOprah: Count Sheep, Not Harmful Synthetics –- How to Find an Eco-Friendly Mattress Photo Credits Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Reviews > Best Mattress For Heavier and Lighter People Based on 2,462 Actual Consumer Experiences Large people (230+ pounds) and small people (under 120 pounds) often have special mattress needs and should be aware of and understand the following five factors. The heavier a person is the more thickness they tend to need to support their weight. Sleeping on a mattress that is too thin for one's weight will often result in "bottoming out" and excessive pressure points, especially for side sleepers.
For the internal makeup of a mattress, the support part or bottom portion of the mattress (whether it be springs, foam, latex, or air) should be at least six inches thick and ideally make up the majority (51%+) of overall mattress thickness. The lighter a person is the less mattress thickness they tend to need to support their weight. And because thinner mattresses are often less expensive than thicker ones, buying a thicker mattress than one needs can be a waste of money. In addition, thicker / taller mattresses can be a challenge for smaller / shorter people to get on and off of. The chart shows the suitability of common mattress thicknesses for large and small people. A large person often prefers a mattress with medium-firm to firm firmness. Such a mattress tends to provide the extra support a large person needs especially if they are side or stomach sleepers. Also, a firmer mattress does not often feel overly firm to a large person because the person tends to exert enough pressure on the mattress to have it conform and contour to their body resulting in minimized pressure points.
Learn more about which firmness may be best for your size, body type and sleep position. A small person often prefers a mattress with medium to soft firmness. A small person does not tend to exert enough pressure on a firmer mattress to allow it to conform and contour to their body; the result is often pressure points and discomfort. High-density mattress support is often best suited for a large person. In regard to foam mattresses, this means high-density (1.8 lbs/ft or higher) base / support foam. In regard to innerspring mattresses, having high density mainly means that the coil count is dense or high, specifically 600 or more (queen). Unfortunately, density related specifications are not always provided by the manufacturer. A low-density mattress comfort layer is often best suited for a small person. This means having low-density (3.5 lbs/ft or lower) foam, including memory foam, in the comfort layer. Low-density foam often conforms more easily to a small person's body resulting in more comfort.