Mattress Care

Support Versus Comfort

Support is a function of the innerspring and depends on the quality of the coil system in the bed. Support is delivered to your back through the innerspring's ability to resist downward pressure from the weight of your body. A good innerspring will sense the weight that is applied from various parts of your body and respond with the proper upward resistance and level of support.

Comfort is provided by the materials layered on top of the innerspring and is entirely a matter of personal preference.

Firming pads and harder, high-density foam are just a few of the mattress-top components that help vary the levels of hardness (firmness) that can be obtained. Conversely, if an innerspring is layered with soft materials like convoluted foam, low-density foam and fiber materials like Dacron, wool, silk or cashmere, then varying levels of softness (plush) can be obtained. What feels comfortable to one person may feel uncomfortable to another.

Because people often confuse support with comfort, they may also believe a second mattress myth: that firmer is better. Most consumers mistakenly think that a firm mattress provides better back support than a plush or pillow top mattress. This is simply not the case. In fact, most manufacturers use the very same innerspring in firm, plush and pillow top mattresses. In other words, the hardest mattress would provide the exact same support for your back as the softest mattress.

Savvy consumers know that individual body type usually determines which comfort level is best. If you don't know your preferred comfort level, use our easy, helpful comfort rating scale.

If you know your preferred comfort level, use our convenient rating system to select the mattress that's right for you.