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“When choosing a new mattress, it’s important to find the right level of firmness.”

The level of support is not the same as the mattress firmness. The top layer of the mattress is what you feel when you lie down.

If you want a mattress that strikes a good balance between cushioning comfort and the support you need for a good night’s sleep, a medium-firm mattress can be a good choice. We rounded up 12 of the best options to help you get started.

We chose mattresses that were medium-firm. We considered the following to narrow down the list.

  • Safety and brand reputation. All the medium-firm mattresses on our list comply with federal flammability standards and are made by reputable companies who stand by their products.
  • Materials certifications. We prioritized mattresses with third-party material certifications like CertiPUR-US, Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
  • Free trials and warranties. Each mattress on our list comes with a free in-home trial and competitive warranty.
  • Customer reviews. We read through reviews for each mattress to learn what customers say about them.

What does reputable mean, exactly?

The brand of the mattress company we describe as trustworthy is:

  • A commitment to quality, safety, and customer service is displayed.
  • “hasn’t been involved in lawsuits”
  • Business practices are transparent.

It can be difficult to know if a company is doing things the right way for a big purchase like a mattress.

Pricing guide

The prices are based on a queen-size mattress.

  • $ = under $1,000
  • $$ = $1,000–$1,600
  • $$$ = over $1,600

Firmness ratings

The scale is 1 to 10. One is soft and 10 is firm. A medium-firm mattress can fall between 5 and 7.

“This scale isn’t a universal definition. One brand may feel different from another brand, and so on.”

Best medium-firm mattress for back pain

Saatva Classic Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 or 14.5 inches
  • Best for: back pain relief
  • Materials: memory foam, pocketed coils

The Saatva Classic mattress is available in three levels of firmness, but Saatva says that most of their customers prefer the luxury firm mattress. It is a balance between support and support. You can also add an optional base.

The Saatva mattress is recommended by leading United States chiropractors and earned the Congress of Chiropractic State Association’s seal of approval. It comes with a 365-night home trial and free white glove delivery. It also has a limited lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Three levels and two heights are available.
  • Home trial and warranty.

Cons

  • high price point
  • Customers complain about delivery issues.

Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress online.

Best medium-firm mattress for an adjustable bed

Saatva Solaire Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: adjustable hybrid
  • Height: 13 inches
  • Best for: couples who can’t agree on a firmness level
  • Materials: latex, memory foam, air chambers

The Saatva Solaire has 50 firmness options and six layers of comfort, so you can choose the level of comfort that suits you. An internal air chamber adjusts firmness gradually, while an organic cotton pillow top and memory foam layers provide cooling.

The mattress comes with a limited lifetime warranty, a free white glove delivery and setup, and a trial to help you learn how to use the remote properly. They will also take away your old mattress.

Pros

  • It is entirely possible to make it firmness.
  • Home trial and warranty. period
  • “It’s a great choice for couples who have different preferences.”

Cons

  • Very high price point.
  • “Some customers don’t find it very helpful.”

Buy the Saatva Solaire Mattress online.

Best medium-firm hybrid mattress

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 14 inches
  • Best for: couples trying to strike a compromise on firmness
  • Materials: memory foam, innerspring coils

The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that has a firmness of 6.5.

The gel memory foam and coil are wrapped around your body to support you as you sleep. The quilted foam and Cashmere top helps regulate body temperature. The mattresses are certified by CertiPUR-US.

The DreamCloud comes with a lifetime warranty, free shipping and returns, and a home trial, which reviewers rave about.

Pros

  • Good price point.
  • Home trial and lifetime warranty are very generous.
  • Thousands of happy customers have excellent reviews.

Cons

  • Only one option for firmness.
  • A small number of reviewers found the mattress too firm.

Buy the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress online.

Best organic medium-firm mattress

Naturepedic Chorus Organic Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 10 inches
  • Best for: people who want organic materials at a reasonable price
  • Materials: foam, micro coils

The Naturepedic Chorus is an organic mattress that is made with a universal medium firmness level. It is designed to be just right for everyone.

The organic cotton and wool batting is combined with a layer of PLA, a plant-based fiber made of non-GMO sugarcane. The Chorus mattress has glueless support and micro coils.

The mattress is free to ship and has a sleep trial. Naturepedic has a 25-year limited warranty.

Pros

  • organic materials
  • Free shipping and returns.

Cons

  • Only one option for firmness.
  • Reviewers find the mattress too firm.

Buy the Naturepedic Chorus Organic Mattress online.

Best medium-firm mattress under $1,000

Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 10 inches
  • Best for: sleepers on a budget
  • Materials: adaptive foam

The Tuft & Needle Original mattress is a medium-firm, all-foam option priced under $1,000. But you might pay even less if you purchase during one of the company’s frequent sales. The proprietary adaptive foam is CertiPUR-US-certified for pressure relief and support, and it features both graphite and gel for cooling. The mattress is designed to be universally comfortable, no matter how you sleep.

T&N mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial, so you can test the firmness at home for yourself. You’ll also get free shipping and a 10-year warranty.

Pros

  • It is designed for all sleep positions.
  • Thousands of reviews.

Cons

  • Everyone may not be accommodated by the all-foam design.
  • Some reviewers have issues with longevity andDurability.

Buy the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress online.

Best medium-firm foam mattress

Nest Bedding Quail Responsive Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: 10 inches
  • Best for: motion isolation
  • Materials: foam

Formerly known as the Love & Sleep mattress, the Quail is made with high-density, Greenguard Gold-certified foam and a cooling comfort layer. This combination gives this all-foam mattress a nice balance of bounce and support.

The mattress is available in two different firmness levels. Medium is listed at 5 with an optimal blend of adaptive and supportive foam layers. Firm falls between 7 and 8. Both options are made with cooling fabrics.

For a year, try it at home with free shipping, exchanges and returns. You will get a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing flaws and indentations of greater than 1 inch.

Pros

  • The cooling comfort layer adds bounce and reduces the sensation of stuck in the foam.
  • Home trial very generous.

Cons

  • All-foam design may not be appropriate for all sleeping areas.

Buy the Nest Bedding Quail Response Foam Mattress here.

Best medium-firm mattress for multi-position sleepers

Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Best for: multi-position sleepers
  • Materials: memory foam, pocketed coils

The Leesa Original hybrid mattress is rated at a 6 to 8 on the firmness scale, and it offers support no matter how you prefer to sleep.

Premium foams and pocket springs offer pressure relief.

The Leesa hybrid comes with a free delivery and a 10-year warranty.

Pros

  • It is supportive for all sleep styles.
  • The design is pressure-relieving.

Cons

  • higher price point
  • limited reviews

Buy the Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress online.

Best medium-firm mattress with pillow top

Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $$$ (with pillow top)
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 13 inches (with pillow top)
  • Best for: sleepers who prioritize organic materials
  • Materials: latex, wool, cotton, steel coils

The mattress is made with GOLS certified latex and GOTS certified wool and cotton, plus over 1,400 steel coil and over a thousand microfibers.

The extra expense is the pillow top, which adds two layers of organic latex. The pillow top is rated gentle-firm, which is a 6 on the scale.

The organic mattress from Avocado comes with a one-year trial. It comes with a 25-year warranty.

Pros

  • GOLS and GOTS are certified.
  • The trial period is generous.
  • The choice is between a standard or pillow top.

Cons

  • high price point
  • This mattress might be difficult for one person to move.
  • The pillow top is an extra expense.

Buy the Avocado Green Mattress online.

Best medium-firm latex mattress

Nolah Natural 11″ Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11 inches
  • Best for: sleepers looking for temperature-regulating materials
  • Materials: Talalay latex, support coils

The Nolah Natural is made with a supportive, zoned coil system. Nolah added strategic hole punctures to the latex layers for increased cooling and breathability.

The latex layers give the mattress a medium-firm feel. The company rates it as 5 to 6. The material is used for pressure relief.

Nolah has a 120-night home trial with free shipping and a lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Pressure relief.
  • lifetime warranty
  • It is made with eco-friendly materials.

Cons

  • higher price point
  • This mattress may be difficult for one person to move.

Buy the Nolah Natural 11″ Mattress online.

Best cooling medium-firm mattress

Nolah Evolution 15″ Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 15 inches
  • Best for: hot sleepers
  • Materials: foam, support coils

Nolah made our list again with the Evolution mattress. The hybrid mattress is designed to be comfortable and cool.

Customers can choose from three levels of firmness. The luxury firm is a good choice for the widest range of sleepers, as it is a 6 to 7 on the scale.

The Evolution mattress has been praised for its comfort. Nolah gets high praise for her customer service.

Pros

  • cooling technology
  • The levels of firmness are chosen.

Cons

  • high price point
  • This mattress is heavy to move.

Buy the Nolah Evolution 15″ Mattress online.

Most eco-friendly medium-firm mattress

Birch Luxe Natural Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11.5 inches
  • Best for: all sleeping positions
  • Materials: cashmere, wool, latex, pocketed coils

The Birch Luxe Natural mattress is made with a variety of materials. It has a full support layer along the edges of the mattress.

The mattress was designed to fit all sleeping positions. It comes with certifications from both GOTS and Greenguard Gold.

Birch has a 25-year warranty.

Pros

  • Eco-friendly and nontoxic.
  • generous warranty

Cons

  • high price point
  • “Real customers don’t have reviews available for feedback.”

Buy the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress online.

Pros

  • It is appropriate for a wide range of sleeping areas.
  • “It’s a good option for alleviating back pain.”
  • It helps maintain proper spine alignment.
  • The weight is distributed evenly for a better sleep.
  • “If you share a bed with someone who prefers a softer or more firm sleep surface, it’s a good compromise.”

Cons

  • Petite sleepers prefer a soft sleep surface.
  • It may not be supportive for those with more weight.

Mattress Price Type Height Best for Materials
Saatva Classic Mattress $$$ hybrid 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches back pain relief memory foam, coils
Saatva Solaire Mattress $$$ adjustable hybrid 13 inches couples who can’t agree on a firmness level latex, memory foam, air chambers
Dreamcloud Luxury Premier Mattress $$ hybrid 14 inches couples trying to compromise on firmness memory foam, innerspring coils
Naturepedic Chorus Organic Mattress $$ hybrid 10 inches those who want organic materials at a reasonable price foam, micro coils
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress $ foam 10 inches sleepers on a budget adaptive foam
Nest Bedding Quail Responsive Foam Mattress $$ foam 10 inches motion isolation foam
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress $$ hybrid 11 inches multi-position sleepers memory foam, pocketed coils
Avocado Green Mattress $$$ (with optional pillow top) hybrid 13 inches (with optional pillow top) sleepers who prioritize organic materials latex, wool, cotton, pocketed support coils
Nolah Natural 11″ Mattress $$$ latex hybrid 11 inches sleepers looking for temperature-regulating materials Talalay latex, support coils
Nolah Evolution 15″ Mattress $$$ hybrid 15 inches hot sleepers foam, support coils
Birch Luxe Mattress $$$ hybrid 11.5 inches all sleeping positions cashmere, wool, latex, pocketed coils

Medium-firm mattresses offer a combination of comfort and support. This firmness can have other benefits.

Some evidence suggests that medium-firm mattresses can improve sleep comfort and quality.

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 sleep position varies. They’ll give you the support and cushion you need as you move from your side to your back to your belly.

People with low to moderate body weights can find medium-firm mattresses good. If you share your bed with someone who prefers a softer surface than you do, it is a good compromise.

It helps to keep a few things in mind when searching for a medium-firm option.

  • Mattress ratings: Mattress ratings will vary from brand to brand, but they can offer a good starting point. Opt for a mattress in the range of 5 to 7 on the scale.
  • Mattress type and materials: You can find medium-firm mattresses in hybrid, memory foam, or innerspring options. Innerspring mattresses use coils for support, while hybrid mattresses feature a mix of coils and foam. There are a few types of foam mattresses, including memory and latex.
  • Material certifications: 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.
  • Performance: Beyond firmness level, consider the importance of features like motion isolation, temperature regulation, edge support, and off-gassing. If you share your bed with a partner or tend to sleep hot, you’ll want to find a medium-firm option that suits your needs.
  • In-home trials and warranties: Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, opt for a mattress with a generous in-home trial and easy returns or exchanges. Also, look for a brand that offers a warranty in case you run into issues.

“You can still make your bed more comfortable if you don’t upgrade your mattress at the moment. Think of new pillows, sheets, and comforters.”

Pillows and bedding

The right pillow can make a world of difference in the quality of your sleep. If you regularly wake up with pain in your neck and upper back, try swapping your pillow for one designed to accommodate your preferred sleep position.

If you tend to overheat during the night, consider a cooling pillowcase and comforter to stay comfortable.

Scratchy sheets or heavy comforters that keep you overly warm can also stand between you and a good night’s sleep. Consider new sheets in classic cotton, silky-soft bamboo, breathable linen, or luxurious silk — they might be worth the upgrade.

It can also help to switch your comforter to match the season instead of using the same one year-round. You may sleep better with a lightweight summer option in the warmer months and a sturdier one to stay warm and toasty when it’s cooler.

Mattress toppers

A mattress topper can be a smart and economical way to instantly refresh your bed. Depending on what you buy, you can:

  • Add support or softness.
  • Make your bed more comfortable.
  • accommodate your preferred sleeping position
  • top your bed with different materials like memory foam and latex

Bedroom ambiance

It’s easy to fixate on the bed itself if you have trouble sleeping, but don’t forget to consider your sleep environment as a whole. A study from 2012 found that room temperature is one of the most important factors for high quality sleep.

If you want to keep warm in cooler months, try setting the thermostat to 65F and using bed linens that will keep you cool in warmer months.

You can make your room more sleepy by:

  • blocking exterior lighting with curtains or shades
  • Replacing bright bulbs with dimmer lights.
  • Making your bedroom a place of refuge.

Finally, you might even consider painting your bedroom walls. Pale shades of blue, green, and even yellow can help calm and relax you. Opt for a matte finish to keep light from reflecting, which may be too stimulating when trying to wind down for sleep.

Get more tips to make your bedroom your own.

All mattresses have a firmness rating of 1 to 10, with 1 being the most firm and 10 the lightest. Medium-firm mattresses fall between 5 and 7 on the scale.

Even when mattresses have the same rating, expect a little deviation in feel among different brands.

How do medium-firm mattresses compare with soft and 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.

Are medium-firm mattresses good or bad for back pain?

Research from 2015 suggests that self-adjusted, medium-firm mattresses can help improve sleep quality in people with back pain.

Who are medium-firm mattresses best for?

Medium-firm mattresses can accommodate a wide range of people. They are supportive and cushion enough for people who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. People under 130 pounds tend to prefer softer mattresses.

Sleepers with more body weight may want to consider mattresses specifically designed for long-term comfort and quality to get better rest.

If you need to compromise with a partner who has a different opinion of comfort, they are a good choice. A medium-firm mattress can help with back pain.

Does ‘medium-firm’ mean the same thing to everyone?

No. When you lie down on a mattress, it is called firmness. It could be different for someone next to you if they feel the same as you do, because body weight and preferred sleeping position can affect how a mattress feels to you.

Medium-firm mattresses are popular. They work well for people with low to moderate body weight, those who switch positions during the night, and people who share their bed.

Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, standup paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.