How Thick Should A Mattress Be For Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions

Buying a new mattress is all about striking the right balance between your unique needs, preferences, and cost. While it’s common for most of us to check the material, firmness, and the price, some of us may neglect to consider mattress thickness, or its height.

The best thickness for mattresses do not always translate to getting the deepest possible option. It is more about remembering to factor in your body type, sleeping position, and whether or not you’re sharing the bed with someone.

To help you discern the best mattress thickness, you can take a short sleep test and refer to our simple mattress thickness guide discussed in this article.

Importance of Mattress Thickness

Mattress thickness is important because it affects the quality of our sleep. And we all know, how a good night’s rest is necessary for our well-being. The mattress thickness contributes to how comfortable and supported you feel while you sleep.

The standard mattress thickness for the average adult is somewhere in the 10 to 12-inch range. It’ll most likely provide enough cushioning for your body’s pressure points and adequate support to absorb your body weight.

The ideal mattress thickness is neither to soft to the point you’re sinking into the bed, nor too thick to restrict your mobility. As much as possible, purchase a mattress that will allow your spine to remain in neutral alignment.

Mattresses are typically constructed with a base layer and one or more comfort layers. The base makes up majority of the mattress and designed to provide foundational support while the comfort layers are meant to conform to your body’s shape. Mattresses can also have transition layers in between the base and comfort layers to help balance bodyweight.

5 Considerations When Choosing the Best Thickness for A Mattress

1. Body Types

Aim for a mattress thickness that can evenly distribute your bodyweight as much as possible.

People weighing less than 130 pounds are recommended to get a 12-inch mattress with multiple comfort layers that enable them to ease into the bed.

People with an average weight of 130 to 230 pounds can opt for the standard mattress thickness which is anywhere around 10 to 12 inches.

People over 230 pounds will be able to appreciate loftier comfort layers combined with a sturdy support core of extra-thick mattresses that range from 12 to 14 inches thick.

2. Sleeping Positions

How you sleep matters because it determines the which part’s of your body need more cushioning.

Side sleepers experience more pressure along their shoulders and hips. Mattresses with a thickness of 12 to 14-inches will allow them to gently sink into the comfort layers and avoid the discomfort of these joints bumping into the furm base layer.

Stomach sleepers are prone to back pain if their abdomen sinks and curves their spine into a U-shape. A 10-inch thick mattress should be enough to prop up their midsection.

Back sleepers need to mind their lumbar area. The standard thickness of 10 to 12 inches will be able to alleviate tension with enough cushioning to fill the gap between the lower spine and the mattress.

Combination sleepers refer to individuals who change positions. Mattresses as thick as the Armonia Dual 12 offer a fair amount of cradling and support with the option to customise the top layers.

3. Age

Kids and senior citizens or people with mobility issues will be alright with a low-profile (4 to 8-inch thickness) or slim mattress (8 to 10-inch thickness). Mattresses in this range of thickness requires less effort to get out of the bed and provides more stability to decrease risk of falling.

10 to 12 inches is the standard mattress thickness for most adults of average weight to experience plush comfort along with proper spine alignment. This range of thickness is also popular because it allows ample maneuverability for most sleep styles.

4. Height of Bed Base

The height of your bed base and the thickness of your mattress should enable you to sit up with your feet flat on the floor. You knees should also be able to maintain a 90-degree angle from the edge of your bed.

Keep in mind that the right mattress thickness will not give you a hard time climbing onto your bed. If your bed frame is low on the ground, you can also achieve the ideal bed height with a mattress topper.

5. Sleeping Arrangements

The number of people sleeping on the bed is another factor to consider when buying a new mattress and determining its thickness. People sleeping beside their partner would need a mattress that can accommodate both their weight and height.

Again, the standard mattress thickness of 10 to 12 inches would be advisable to prevent sagging and durable enough to carry your weight combined with your partner, child, or pet.

Take the room size into consideration as well. Slim to low-profile mattresses would fit better in small bedrooms with murphy beds or bunk beds.

Pros and Cons of Mattress Thickness

Pros of Thick Mattresses

• Provides more comfort and support with more layers to prevent sagging.

• Advisable for side sleepers and individuals who weigh over 230 pounds

• Higher weight capacity and ability to absorb motion make it great for people sharing beds

• Increased lifespan with thicker bases

Cons of Thick Mattresses

• More expensive in comparison to thinner mattresses

• High-density materials make it harder to ship or transport

• People with mobility issues or who are shorter in height may find it difficult to get in and out of bed

• Does not suit form and aesthetics of smaller spaces.

Takeaways on How Thick Should A Mattress Be

The thickness of your mattress can influence your sleeping comfort. Remember to consider your body type, sleeping position, age, bed height, and sleeping arrangements when choosing the mattress thickness.

Thicker mattresses offer more versatility in terms of comfort and support since they are constructed with more layers. Magniflex offers mattresses of varying thickness with the option to customise top layers. The standard mattress thickness of 10 to 12 inches is advisable for most adults and their sleep styles.

Slim to low-profile mattresses can provide more stability and accessibility for children and people with mobility issues. This mattress thickness tend to be more affordable and better fit for small spaces.