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Choosing the right mattress is an important part of creating a comfortable and supportive sleep environment. While mattress support is essential, the way a mattress feels beneath you – whether plush, medium or firm – can make a significant difference to your overall comfort. Your ideal mattress comfort depends on several factors, including your sleeping position, body shape and personal preference. Some sleepers enjoy the cushioning feel of a plush mattress, while others prefer the stability of a firmer sleep surface. In this guide, we explain the difference between mattress comfort and support, explore Sealy's different comfort options and look at the materials that help create each feel. |
Jump to: Mattress comfort vs mattress support |
Mattress comfort vs mattress support
Although comfort and support work together, they describe different aspects of a mattress.
Support refers to the mattress's inner structure and its ability to resist downward pressure, which is applied when someone lays down on it. In Sealy mattresses, this underlying support system is the spring unit. Its role is to respond to the weight of your body and provide stable support throughout the night, helping to maintain natural spinal alignment.
Comfort refers to the material layers resting on top of the support structure, usually a combination of foams, fibres and other cushioning materials. These layers conform to the body, helping to distribute pressure around areas such as the shoulders and hips. Comfort layers determine whether a mattress feels plush, medium or firm.
A quality mattress should provide the right balance of both. Choosing a softer mattress does not necessarily mean sacrificing support, just as choosing a firm mattress does not automatically mean it provides better support.
Sealy mattress comfort options
Sealy mattresses are available in different comfort levels, allowing you to choose a feel that suits your sleeping position and individual preferences. Remember that the firmest mattress is not automatically the most supportive or the best choice for every sleeper. If you're not sure, try our online Mattress Selector for a personalised recommendation.
Plush mattresses
Plush mattresses offer the highest level of cushioning and conformance around the body. The softer surface can help accommodate areas such as the shoulders and hips, making plush comfort particularly appealing to many side sleepers.
A plush mattress may also suit you if you enjoy a softer, more luxurious sleep surface that feels enveloping while still wanting the underlying support of a quality mattress.
Medium mattresses
Medium mattresses provide a balance between cushioning and firmness. They offer some conformance around the body without the deeper, softer sensation associated with a plush mattress.
This balanced feel makes medium comfort a popular choice for sleepers who find a firm mattress too rigid but do not want the additional cushioning of a plush mattress. It can also be a practical option for couples with slightly different comfort preferences.
Firm mattresses
Firm mattresses provide a more stable sleep surface. This option generally suits back and stomach sleepers, as these positions spread weight more evenly across the sleep surface, minimising the need for deeper cushioning. A firmer feel may also appeal to anyone who simply prefers to feel more on top of the mattress rather than sinking deeply into the comfort layers.
Sealy foams, fibres and special treatments
A mattress's comfort level is influenced by the combination, thickness and construction of the materials above its support system. Sealy uses different foams, fibres and other comfort technologies in various combinations to create a range of sleep surfaces.
ComfortCore Support: An additional layer of foam strengthens the middle part of the mattress, giving extra support where your body needs it the most.
ComfortCore Memory: Like the above, the centre layer is enhanced with foam. However, Comfortcore Memory features Gel-Infused MemorySense, which is superior-quality memory foam that adapts and conforms to your lower back for ultimate comfort and pressure relief.
Luxury foams: Allow the consumer to tailor the bed to their specific comfort needs. All choices offer exceptional pressure relief and long-lasting durability.
Natural latex: Provides exceptional responsive pressure relief and is naturally antibacterial.
Memory foam: Conforms to the body's unique curves. It relieves pressure points and reduces motion transfer to minimize partner disturbance and provide a luxurious comfort.
StayTrue fibres: Offer initial soft-touch conformance and are pre-compressed for long-lasting comfort.
Ice Touch fabric: Cool-to-touch fibres to help the sleeper to fall asleep more quickly. It works to lower the body’s temperature which helps falling asleep.
SmarTex fabric treatment: Draws away moisture to cool and regulate your sleep climate and keep you in a deeper state of sleep through the night.
HealthShield: All Sealy mattresses are treated with sanitizing HealthShield. It protects against mould, bacteria and dust mites, keeping your mattress hygienically clean and fresh.
How to find your mattress comfort preference
Understanding the different comfort levels is useful, but experiencing them in person is one of the best ways to determine which feels right for you.
Step 1: Prepare for your visit
When heading to the store to find your mattress, put on comfortable clothes and consider taking your pillow along so that you’re able to replicate your normal sleeping environment. Make a note of any mattresses you like on your phone. Ensure you know the mattress size you need and think about your typical sleeping position of you and your partner. Keep in mind that side sleepers usually need a softer comfort level, while front and back sleepers are okay with a medium or firm level.
Step 2: Compare every comfort level
Try mattresses across the plush, medium and firm comfort ranges rather than assuming you already know which firmness you need. Lie down in your usual sleeping position and pay attention to how well the mattress cushions your shoulders, hips and other pressure points, as well as how stable and supported your body feels.
Step 3: Narrow down your selection
Once you have identified your preferred comfort level, compare several mattresses within that range. Different constructions and comfort materials mean that two medium mattresses may not feel exactly the same. Identify your favourites and ask the salesman or Sealy sleep consultant for more details about the features and benefits.
Step 4: Take at least 10 minutes
Once you have narrowed down your selection, spend at least 10 minutes lying on each of your preferred mattresses in your normal sleeping position. Rather than simply sitting on the edge or lying down briefly, give your body time to settle into the sleep surface. Consider the overall balance of cushioning, pressure relief and underlying support.
If you share your bed with a partner, test your shortlisted mattresses together. The right choice should provide a comfortable and supportive sleep environment for both of you.
Further questions
There is no single mattress comfort level that suits everyone. Your sleeping position, body shape and individual preferences all influence whether a plush, medium or firm mattress feels best.
If you need any more help deciding which comfort preference to choose, we would love to help. Contact us today, and we will answer any further questions you have so you can find the right fit.
