Medium-Firm Mattresses

Best Medium-Firm Mattresses UK (2024)

Last updated: 23.04.2024 Reading time: 5 Min.

Finding the ideal mattress can be challenging, with options often feeling too firm or too soft. 🤔

However, a medium-firm mattress could be the perfect choice for those stuck in this dilemma.

But how do you find the best medium-firm mattress? And who is a medium-firm mattress most suitable for?

Below, we'll explore how to select the best medium-firm mattress. 👇

Medium-firm mattresses

The best medium-firm mattress UK

Sleep Hero Favourite

Nectar Premier Hybrid

The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.
  • Memory foam, micro springs & full-size pocket springs
  • 28 cm (11 inches)
  • Medium-firm support 

Tell me more about the Nectar Premier Hybrid

The Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress is one of Nectar's best-selling medium-firm mattresses, designed for superior comfort and support for all body types. 

This mattress has been designed with enhanced cooling in mind, wicking away moisture and allowing for greater air circulation. ❄️

This helps keep the mattress cooler and more comfortable, making it better suited to hot sleepers or those who sweat easily. 

The combination of up to 2,462  micro springs and full-size pocket springs also aids support and gives you a more stable sleeping surface.

It also comes with a risk-free 365-day trial, giving you the chance to try the product in the comfort of your own home.

Reasons to buy

365-day trial

Lifetime guarantee

Free named-day delivery

Reasons to avoid

Not the best edge support

Runner-Up

Emma NextGen Premium Mattress

The Emma NextGen Premium Mattress offers excellent 7-zone support.
  • Halo memory foam, Airgocell foam & pocket springs
  • 25 cm (9.8 inches)
  • Medium feel

Tell me more about the Emma NextGen Premium mattress

The Emma NextGen Premium mattress includes pocket springs for improved airflow and support, a 7-zone design for adaptive support, and a Halo memory foam that responds to your body's shape. 

While the mattress promotes enhanced airflow, our tester observed that its breathability might not suffice for particularly hot sleepers.

Unfortunately, the foam layers on our test mattress didn't fully expand,  causing some springs to be felt when pressure was applied.

However, Emma's customer service team promptly resolved the issue by sending a new Emma NextGen Premium mattress. 

The mattress also has limited edge support, meaning you may experience a roll-off feel if you sleep on the edge of your bed.

Despite this, the mattress was still comfortable and provided a great night's sleep. 

Reasons to buy

200-night trial period 

10-year guarantee

Machine-washable cover

Reasons to avoid

Limited edge support 

The mattress didn't expand fully during our test 

May be too warm for some sleepers

EXTRA 5% OFF WITH
SLEEPHEROUK5Click to copy code

BUY EMMA NEXTGEN PREMIUM£ 449

Best Trial Period

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.
  • Memory foam & pocket springs
  • 28 cm (11 inches)
  • Medium-firm

Tell me more about the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid is a premium mattress from the same company that makes the Nectar memory foam mattress.

It combines high-quality memory foam with full-size pocket springs (called ActiveEdge coils), each measuring 15 cm (5.9 inches).

This is an orthopaedically designed mattress with medium-firm support to help eliminate back, neck, and shoulder pains.

The mattress offers enhanced breathability to help keep you cool and refreshed all night long. 

It also has low motion transfer and great edge support, making it an excellent choice for couples.

Reasons to buy

365-day trial period

Lifetime warranty

Excellent motion isolation for couples

Reasons to avoid

Extra deep sheets required 

Too firm for lightweight side sleepers

The cover is not removable 

Value For Money

Hypnia Original Hybrid Mattress

The Hypnia Original Hybrid is as comfortable as top-rated competitors.
  • Pocket springs, Cloud-zoned foam layer & memory foam layer
  • 25 cm (10")
  • Medium-firm

Tell me more about the Hypnia Original Hybrid mattress

The standout feature of the Hypnia Original Hybrid mattress is its unique blend of layers, which provide excellent comfort and support.

The mattress is composed of pocket springs with 5 support zones, offering targeted support and effective motion absorption.

It also has a Cloud-zoned and memory foam layer for body-contouring support that adapts to pressure points.

The Hypnia Hybrid is comfortable in most sleeping positions, but particularly for side and back sleepers.

It also offers low-motion transfer, so we'd recommend it to couples and restless sleepers. 

One downside is the non-removable cover, though using a mattress protector can help extend its lifespan and cleanliness.

Reasons to buy

200-night trial period 

15-year guarantee

Just as comfy as pricier competitors 

Reasons to avoid

The cover is not removable 

Not the best delivery experience 

EXTRA 10% OFF WITH
SH10Click to copy code

60% OFF HYPNIA ORIGINAL HYBRID

What is a medium-firm mattress?

A medium-firm mattress has the perfect balance between firm support and a soft, contouring cushion for the body.

In other words, it's the "goldilocks" of the firmnesses available. 👩‍🦱

Stability is also essential in a mattress.

This is determined by the composition of the mattress and refers to how much support the mattress gives you.

Good stability takes into account the optimal alignment of the spine.

spinal alignment graphic
Stability contributes to correct spinal alignment.

It is important not to confuse stability and firmness.

A soft mattress can offer as much support as a firm mattress.

But a medium-firm mattress offers a balanced approach.

It is not too soft or too firm, but it still offers the required stability to optimally support your body and keep your spine in healthy alignment.

This ensures that your body remains in a great position, allowing you to get a good night's rest.

Our guide on the best mattress UK has our top recommendations for the best stability and support.

Who is a medium-firm mattress suitable for?

A medium-firm mattress is suitable for people who are looking for the perfect balance between comfort and support. ⚖️

They are a superb option for individuals who sleep on their backs, offering a medium-firm comfort that delicately cradles the hips and shoulders while ensuring ample support for proper spine alignment.

If you’re looking for a medium-firm mattress, we advise you to look at mattresses rated between 5 and 7 out of 10 on the Sleep Hero firmness scale.

firmness scale

Medium-firm mattresses are also suitable for heavier people who sleep on their side and may sink too deeply into a softer mattress.

A lighter-weight stomach sleeper may also feel supported enough on a medium-firm mattress, while we recommend that average to heavier-weight stomach sleepers opt for a firm mattress.

But a medium-firm mattress could really be suitable for most people.

Studies [1] indicate that medium-firm mattresses can improve sleep quality by 55% and decrease back pain in 48% of patients with chronic low back pain.

That's why most manufacturers make mattresses with a medium-firm feel. ✔️

How to choose a medium-firm mattress

Most people think that a firm mattress is better than a soft mattress.

However, a poor-quality firm mattress can cause as much damage as a poor-quality soft mattress.

Below, we'll guide you through key considerations while searching for the top medium-firm mattress.

Supports the body

Ultimately, what’s important is the support a mattress provides. 💪

You need to find a mattress that supports your body and ensures that your spine remains in its optimal alignment without creating unnecessary pressure points in your shoulder and hip areas.

This will allow your body to relax sufficiently and doesn't cause back or neck pain.

A quality medium-firm mattress can also provide orthopaedic support, maintaining your body's ideal alignment throughout your sleep.

spinal alignment
The best medium-firm mattress maintains spinal alignment.

These mattresses often feature a hybrid construction, including layers of supportive pocket springs that evenly distribute your weight and provide consistent body support.

The Emma Luxe Cooling mattress provides excellent support right up to the very edge of the mattress. 📐

EXTRA 5% OFF WITH
SLEEPHEROUK5Click to copy code

40% OFF EMMA LUXE COOLING

Provides pressure relief

Medium-firm mattresses typically include extra soft layers to counterbalance the stiffness of the firmer spring or base foam layer.

These plush layers usually consist of different materials, such as memory foam, latex, or wool. 🐑

hybrid mattress
Hybrid mattresses are made up of firmer and softer layers.

Side sleepers should opt for a mattress with these additional soft layers, enabling the hips and shoulders to mould into the material while the body remains supported by the underlying support layer.

The Hypnia Essential Hybrid is one of the best medium-firm mattresses for side sleepers.

EXTRA 10% OFF WITH
SH10Click to copy code

60% OFF HYPNIA ORIGINAL HYBRID

Low motion transfer

Motion transfer on a mattress refers to how movement on one part of the mattress affects the rest of the surface. ⛵

This is particularly important for those who share a bed, as it can significantly reduce disturbances from a partner's movements throughout the night.

kids jumping on bed
Low motion transfer mattresses reduce disturbance.

A mattress with low motion transfer absorbs movement, allowing one person to toss and turn or get in and out of bed without waking the other. 😴

Medium-firm mattresses designed with memory foam or individually pocketed springs are particularly good at minimising motion transfer.

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid is one of our favourite low motion transfer mattresses for couples.

BUY DREAMCLOUD£ 499

Trial & guarantee

While comfort and support are important, you should also consider other factors.

A sleep trial allows you to experience the mattress over several nights, which is crucial because the comfort of a mattress can only truly be assessed after sleeping on it for consecutive nights. ⏱️

sleep trial graphic
Most online mattress brands include a trial period.

The trial helps you determine if the mattress is the right fit for your body type and sleeping habits without the pressure of a final sale.

Furthermore, a guarantee offers peace of mind, ensuring that you are protected against manufacturing defects and that your investment is secure, making the purchase virtually risk-free.

The Nectar Premier Hybrid includes an unmatched 365-day trial and Forever Warranty.

Should you buy a medium-firm mattress?

By choosing a medium-firm mattress, you will get the perfect mattress that’s neither too soft nor too firm. 🧸

They make an excellent choice for most back sleepers or heavier-weight side sleepers who require more support.

If you're unsure whether you need a medium or firm mattress, then a medium-firm mattress provides a good best-of-both-worlds approach.

However, we recommend taking a look at our article on choosing the right degree of firmness.

A medium-firm mattress is also a great compromise for couples who cannot agree on the desired firmness of their mattress. ⚔️

Here's a reminder of the best medium-firm mattress UK options:

Frequently asked questions

Holly

Holly Matthews

Senior Content Writer

Holly has been a content writer at Sleep Hero UK since 2021. With an MA degree in literature and previous experience working at a leading UK bed retailer, she is committed to using her skills to guide others towards making better sleep choices.

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