Best Medium-Firm Mattress 2022 – Our Top 10 Picks!

The industry ranks mattress firmness on a scale of 1 (the softest) to 10 (the firmest). Most sleepers wanting a balanced feel should opt for the best medium-firm mattress (6.5/10 on the firmness scale). These beds offer versatility, good lumbar support, and plenty of comfort. Our team at Mattress Clarity reviewed a number of medium-firm mattresses using testing and analysis. From the results, we’ve compiled a roundup for the best medium-firm mattresses.

[Editor’s Note: The information provided should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a medical professional or another medical expert if there are any health-related questions.]

Best Medium-Firm Mattress: Our Top 10 Picks

• Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
• Saatva – Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Back Pain
• Nectar – Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers
• WinkBed – Best Medium-Firm Cooling Mattress
• DreamCloud Premier – Best Medium-Firm Online Mattress
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Medium-Firm Value Mattress
• Leesa Sapira Hybrid – Best Medium-Firm Hybrid Mattress
• Bear Original – Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Birch – Best Medium-Firm Organic Mattress
• Dreamfoam Essential – Best Medium-Firm Budget Mattress

How We Chose Our Products

Our team of sleep specialists have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty. You can read more about our testing methods at the bottom of this roundup.

When we talk about medium-firm mattresses, the first words that come to mind are “comfort” and “support.” Medium-firm mattresses need a combination of these factors to achieve a balanced feel. Out of the 10 selections in this roundup, seven scored at least a 4 out of 5 in support. The rest scored at least an above-average 3 out of 5.

The Helix Midnight is an incredibly well-rounded, medium-firm mattress. This model is made of high-quality materials and sold at a value price. It’s great for those wanting a balanced foam feel, since the hybrid’s durable coils add responsiveness. The Midnight offers nice pressure relief and lots of support to keep sleepers’ spines in proper alignment. The medium-firm feel makes it an excellent fit for back sleepers and anyone needing a fantastic orthopedic mattress. Most side sleepers should appreciate the comfy contouring this bed provides.

Helix Midnight Highlights

• It has good motion isolation, which is good news for couples.
• If you’re wanting a luxury mattress, you can upgrade to the Helix Midnight Luxe model.
• Hot sleepers should like the breathable cover and coils that promote airflow.

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review for more information. Or if you’re looking for more options, take a look at our Best Mattresses of 2022.

Medium-firm mattresses have the ideal firmness for alleviating and preventing back pain. The support offered promotes spinal alignment, and the comfort layers contour to pain points. The Saatva is an excellent example of a mattress that’s great for back pain. Because of its dual set of steel coils and great edge support, premature sagging isn’t a concern. We recommend opting for the Luxury Firm model, but ultimately the right bed for you needs to suit your body type and sleeping position.

Saatva Highlights

• This bed has an “on top of” feel that’s great for combination sleepers.
• With coils to promote airflow and a breathable cotton cover, hot sleepers shouldn’t overheat at night.
• Saatva boasts a lifetime warranty, 365-night trial, and free white glove delivery.

Read our full Saatva mattress review for more information. Or for more options, see our roundup for the best mattresses for back pain.

Medium-firm mattresses offer additional support that can be great for heavier side sleepers, or side sleepers looking for a firmer feel. The Nectar has 3” of gel foam, followed by 2” of a higher-density foam as a transition layer. Its softer foam helps relieve pressure points around the shoulders and the hips. The transition foam keeps the side sleeper from sinking too far into the mattress. This is further supported by Nectar’s sturdy seven inches of base foam.

Nectar Highlights

• It’s a great mattress for those with joint pain or hip pain.
• A breathable cover and gel-infused memory foam should prevent too much heat.
• The Nectar is set at a fantastic value. You can find it for under $1,000 before sales and discounts.

Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more about this mattress. Or if you’re looking for more options, see our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers. 

If you’re a hot sleeper who doesn’t want to wake up stuffy, opt for the WinkBed. The cover incorporates Tencel (a breathable material sourced from eucalyptus trees), and the comfort layer’s foam is gel-infused to further promote cooling. Finally, the support layer of individually wrapped coils allows for lots of additional airflow. The WinkBed comes in three firmnesses, but the Luxury Firm version is ideal for those wanting medium firmness.

WinkBed Highlights

• Its zoned construction makes it one of our favorite orthopedic mattresses and one of the best mattresses for back pain.
• The WinkBed has a bouncy innerspring feel.
• With great edge support and quality materials, the WinkBed is durable.

Read our full WinkBed mattress review to learn more. Or if you’re looking for more options, take a look at our list of the best cooling mattresses.

These days, it’s easier to purchase a mattress online than in-store. If you’re looking for a convenient shopping experience and an excellent medium-firm mattress, check out the DreamCloud Premier. Its combination of a plush comfort layer and supportive coils give it a plush, sinking feel. This makes it great for back and side sleepers. When you purchase the mattress, you’ll sleep well knowing it’s got a lifetime warranty, 365-night trial, and free shipping.

DreamCloud Premier Highlights

• This is a fantastic value mattress with luxury features.
• With good motion isolation, cooling, and durability, it’s a nice choice for couples.
• It’s a great orthopedic mattress.

Read our full DreamCloud Premier mattress review for more information. Or if you’re looking for other options, see our list of best online mattresses. 

Mattresses can be quite the investment, but with the Brooklyn Bedding Signature, you can get a high-quality mattress for a reasonable price. This is because Brooklyn Bedding has their own factory and cuts out the middleman, so they can then pass the savings onto the customer. Both the comfort and transition layers provide responsiveness, so the Signature has a bouncy feel. Its six inches of Ascension coils give it plenty of support. This “on top of” feel is great for combination sleepers.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Highlights

• This bed has multiple firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. The Medium version has the medium-firm feel.
• Most back and side sleepers should be happy on this mattress.
• It boasts a 10-year warranty and 120-night trial.

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress review to learn more. Not sold on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature, take a look at our best mattress for the money to see more recommendations.

If an innerspring mattress is too firm or if you get stuck in the layers of a memory foam mattress, try a hybrid. Hybrid beds combine strong coils with foam comfort layers. A medium-firm model like the Leesa Sapira Hybrid creates a balanced feel. This bed places its responsive foam over its slow-moving memory foam for bounce. A layer of pocketed coils provides support. This construction accommodates back sleepers of most body types, and most side sleepers.

Leesa Sapira Hybrid Highlights

• With its breathable cover, ventilated foam, and coils, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid sleeps cool.
• It’s bouncy nature makes it great for sex.
• This mattress should last between 7–10 years.

Read our full Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress review. Looking for more recommendations, take a look at our best hybrid mattresses for other great options.

Medium-firm beds are ideal for back sleepers (especially average-weight back sleepers) because they blend comfort and support. With the Bear, sleepers should sink into the foam as it contours to their body. Its high-density foundation foam supports sleepers well, promoting neutral spine alignment. For an all-foam mattress, the quality materials add durability, so premature sagging shouldn’t be a concern.

Bear Highlights

• The Bear Original should be a great mattress for athletes.
• Side sleepers should find proper contouring from slow-sinking memory foam.
• Its foams are CertiPUR-US certified.

Read the full Bear Original mattress review. For more options, see our best mattresses for back sleepers. 

If you’re worried about toxins and chemicals in your mattress, then you can rest assured on the Birch. It’s a medium-firm, eco-friendly mattress. On top of the bed, there’s an organic cotton cover. Talalay latex acts as the comfort layer above individually wrapped coils. This mattress is GREENGUARD and GOTS certified, meaning it passes rigorous emissions tests.

Birch Highlights

• With a breathable cover, ventilated Talalay latex, and coils for airflow, this mattress sleeps super cool. 
• This mattress is supportive enough for heavier back and side sleepers.
• It’s great for average-weight stomach sleepers.

Read our full Birch mattress review. For more options, see our best organic mattresses. 

The Dreamfoam Essential is a fantastic option for a budget mattress. It even appears on our roundup for the best mattresses under $500. Overall, this bed has a slower-moving memory foam feel, but you shouldn’t sink too far in the material. It includes a breathable cover and gel-infused memory foam for cooling. Because medium-firm mattresses accommodate many sleepers, this cheaper mattress could be great for a guest room or vacation home.

Dreamfoam Essential Highlights

• The Dreamfoam Essential is made in the USA.
• It has multiple height options: ​​6″, 8″, 10″, 12″, and 14″.
• It’s great for lightweight sleepers, such as children and teens.

Read our full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review. For more options, see our list of recommended best budget mattresses. 

Benefits of Medium-Firm Mattresses

Assists with Back Pain Relief

If you’re unsure of what bed to select for back pain relief, opt for a medium-firm bed. A mattress that’s too soft lets the hips sink too far into the mattress, throwing the spine out of alignment. If you have a bed that’s too firm, you may not receive enough contouring and pressure relief for pain points. Regardless of your sleeping position, medium-firm mattresses are most likely to provide the proper balance of comfort and support for back pain.

Accommodates Many Different Sleepers

Medium-firm mattresses are centered on the firmness scale and have a balanced feel. Because of this, they fit many different sleeping positions. This versatility makes them great for guest rooms or vacation rentals. They’re also a solid option for those who are unsure of what firmness to choose.

Ideal for Back Sleepers

Medium-firm mattresses are good for back sleepers, similar to how they are good for back pain. Side sleepers generally need a softer mattress to cradle the hips and shoulders, while stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to keep the body elevated. On the other hand, back sleepers need pressure relief but also support to keep the hips lifted. For these sleepers, the right medium-firm mattress can prevent any stiffness or pain overnight.

Disadvantages of Medium-Firm Mattresses

Doesn’t Accommodate to Super-Soft or Firm Preferences

You might want a mattress on either side of the mattress firmness scale for a few reasons. Side sleepers, those with joint pain, and couples often enjoy softer mattresses. Stomach sleepers, heavier sleepers, and those with mobility issues normally go for firmer options. There are plenty of medium-firm mattresses that can accommodate the sleepers mentioned above. However, if you find yourself wanting a really soft or really firm feel, then a medium-firm mattress may not be for you.

RELATED: Firm vs Soft Mattresses

May Not Support Heavy Sleepers

Several medium-firm models include quality materials and boast constructions that do support heavier sleepers. However, the general rule is that heavy sleepers over 230 lbs need a larger amount of support. So, their safest bet is to find a firmer, more supportive mattress.

Important Medium-Firm Mattress Considerations

Firmness, Body Type, and Sleeping Position

Medium-firm mattresses are versatile and great for many different kinds of sleepers. However, the most important rule is that a mattress suits your individual needs and preferences.

Before selecting a medium-firm mattress, consider your body type and sleeping position.

For selecting the right mattress in relation to one’s body type, we use three categories: lightweight sleepers (under 130 lbs), average-weight sleepers (130-230 lbs), and heavyweight sleepers (over 230 lbs). Lightweight sleepers will probably want to look for a softer mattress, while heavier sleepers will want a firmer mattress and more support. Average-weight sleepers are often somewhere in between.

For finding a mattress that fits one’s sleeping position, folks should be able to fit under one of these three main categories: side-sleeping, back-sleeping, stomach-sleeping.

• Side sleepers often need a softer mattress that provides pressure relief to the hips and shoulders. 
• Back sleepers require a balance of comfort and support. 
• Stomach sleepers should opt for a firmer mattress to keep the hips elevated. 

While those are general guidelines, it’s important that your body type and sleeping position are considered in tandem. For instance, a lightweight stomach sleeper is going to want a firmer feel than a lightweight side sleeper, who needs additional contouring and cushioning.

For more information on selecting the right mattress, check out our mattress buying guide.

Materials

The construction of a mattress dictates its firmness and feel. Some materials tend to provide more support than others, and some are primarily used for comfort. Companies make medium-firm mattresses with varying materials and constructions. Read on to find the best construction for you.

Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses are known for their hug-like feel. They’re great at providing pressure relief, which is great for side sleepers or those with joint pain. Often, memory foam mattresses fall short in durability and cooling. Look for memory foam mattresses with high-density foundation foam for increased support and durability. Many models break memory foam stereotypes by including cooling technology such as Phase Change Material (PCM) or gel-infused foam.

Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses include springs and a thinner comfort layer. Because of the construction, these beds excel at durability, support, and cooling. This makes them great for stomach sleepers, heavy sleepers, and hot sleepers. Though they fall short in pressure relief, many people add a mattress topper or mattress pad to make things a bit softer.

Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses are a combination of pressure-relieving memory foam mattresses and supportive innersprings. The construction makes them suitable for a wider range of sleepers. Hybrid mattresses may not be for those who especially favor the traditional feel of an innerspring or the slow-moving feel of memory foam.

Latex: Latex mattresses are known for their responsive (bouncy) feel and eco-friendliness. The material makes incredibly durable mattresses, and latex itself is naturally cooling, too. Because the material is so high-quality, they’re often one of the more expensive options out there.

Cooling

If you tend to wake up sweaty and stuffy, you might want to take cooling mattresses into consideration. Each mattress is constructed differently. Some are naturally cooling, such as latex beds (the material itself is cooling) or innerspring beds (the coils allow for airflow). Many foam cooling beds include graphite, copper, or cooling-gel infusions within the foam.

Motion Transfer

If you sleep with a partner or pet, this is an essential consideration. A mattress with good motion isolation prevents you from feeling your partner or pet’s movements at night. Memory foam mattresses or beds with thicker comfort layers are great at trapping movement and ensuring light sleepers rest well. Adding a mattress topper can help with motion isolation as well.

Buying Your Medium-Firm Mattress

Average Cost

Some prices out there are too good to be true; you might save a few hundred dollars, but the cheap mattress you buy may have low-quality materials that give it a short lifespan. An over-the-top expensive mattress may not offer you any more special features than a mattress a few hundred dollars less.

A good medium-firm mattress is going to cost around $1,500. Cheaper mattresses often cost $1,000 or less, and luxury mattresses often cost at least $2,000. Keep in mind that mattress materials and construction have an impact on price. So, memory foam mattresses — which have a simpler design — are going to cost less than hybrids and innersprings. Special features are also going to increase mattress prices.

Best Time to Buy

Many companies slash prices around major holidays. We’ve found the best deals to center around one of the following five months:

• February (President’s Day)
• May (Memorial Day)
• September (Labor Day)
• November (Cyber 5 / Thanksgiving)
• December (Christmas)

Coupons and Deals

Aside from holiday sales, shoppers can find discounts online. A great place to look is our Best Mattress Deals & Coupons page, which offers many exclusive discount coupons.

Warranty / Sleep Trial

Warranties protect the customer; they bind a company to replacing a mattress if it arrives with defects and damages. Sleep trials are a set period of time where the customer can test out the mattress before fully committing to it. Longer warranties and sleep trials reflect a company’s confidence in their product. Above all else, it’s important to read the fine print. This is because every company has different policies and conditions.

How to Make Your Medium-Firm Bed More Comfortable

Mattress Topper or Mattress Pad

Either of these accessories can make your medium-firm bed a better place to lay at night. Mattress toppers are one to four-inch thick layers of padding meant to change the feel of a mattress. They can make a bed softer or firmer depending on the material. Mattress pads have thinner comfort layers than toppers, so they don’t change the mattress feel as drastically. Some are similar to mattress pads in that they can protect your bed from contaminants, like spills and stains.

RELATED: Mattress Pad vs Mattress Topper

Pillows

Pillows tend to be good for a couple of years, but we often use them for much longer than that. These accessories are prone to sagging, and the wrong pillow can cause extreme discomfort. It can also affect spinal alignment. That’s why we recommend investing in one of the best pillows on the market.

Sheets

When you finally crawl into bed after a long day, the last thing you want is to get your foot caught in a hole in your sheets. Consider purchasing one of our favorite sheet sets. Whether you opt for a smooth silk or a crisp cotton, it’s important you’re feeling cozy and comfortable at night.

Summary

Mattress	Superlative
Helix Midnight	Editor’s Pick
Saatva	Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Back Pain
Nectar	Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers
WinkBed	Best Medium-Firm Cooling Mattress
DreamCloud Premier	Best Medium-Firm Online Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Signature	Best Medium-Firm Value Mattress
Leesa Sapira Hybrid	Best Medium-Firm Hybrid Mattress
Bear Original	Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
Birch	Best Medium-Firm Organic Mattress
Dreamfoam Essential	Best Medium-Firm Budget Mattress

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