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Blog > How to Test a Mattress for Firmness In-Store – Complete Testing Guide
Shopping for a mattress in-store? You've got a huge advantage - you can actually test before you buy! But most people get it wrong. They spend 30 seconds sitting on the edge and call it "testing."
This complete guide reveals the proven techniques sleep experts use to properly test mattress firmness. We'll show you exactly what to look for when testing firm, medium, or soft mattresses. At SleePare showrooms across the US, we've helped thousands find their perfect sleep solution using these same methods.
Mattress firmness affects your comfort, sleep posture, and long-term back support. Understanding firmness helps you:
Many shoppers confuse these two important qualities:
Firmness: How soft or hard the bed feels when you first lie down
Support: How well a mattress holds your body in proper alignment
Understanding this difference helps you make better mattress decisions.
Memory Foam Mattresses:
Hybrid Mattresses:
Latex Mattresses:
Testing mattresses in-store is your best chance to find the right firmness level. Follow these proven steps to feel the true firmness and decide which mattress type works best for your sleep needs.
Wear clothes similar to what you sleep in - loose, non-restrictive clothing. That way, you'll get an accurate feel for how the mattress firmness affects your comfort. Avoid stiff jackets, heels, or tight jeans when testing mattresses. Comfortable clothing helps you focus on mattress comfort rather than clothing restrictions.
Don't just sit on the edge or do a quick firmness test. Follow this proper testing checklist:
✓ Mattress Testing Checklist:
Many shoppers rush through mattress testing, but taking time ensures you understand how each firmness level affects your body. At SleePare locations, we encourage customers to spend adequate time testing mattresses to make informed decisions.
The Hand Test: Press your palm firmly into the center of the mattress. A soft mattress compresses easily under pressure. A firm mattress resists your hand pressure and pushes back quickly. This simple firmness test helps you gauge initial firmness ratings.
The Ball Test: Bring a small weighted object (like a 2–3 lb medicine ball or water bottle) and drop it from a short height onto the mattress surface. Watch how much the mattress sinks and how quickly it bounces back. Softer mattresses compress deeply and recover slowly. Firmer mattresses absorb less impact and return to shape faster.
These mattress testing methods help measure firmness without specialized tools and give you objective data about mattress performance.
Understanding firmness ratings helps you make better decisions:
Note: For detailed firmness explanations, see our comprehensive Mattress Firmness Scale Guide.
What to Ask Store Associates:
At SleePare, our mattress experts provide detailed firmness ratings and help customers understand how different mattresses perform across the firmness scale.
Foam Mattresses: Memory foam mattresses tend to feel softer initially and contour more to your body shape. They provide pressure relief but may feel too soft for stomach sleepers who need firm support.
Hybrid Mattresses: Hybrid mattresses offer firmer initial support with coil springs, combined with foam comfort layers. They provide excellent support for back sleepers and heavier sleepers who need firm mattresses with some cushioning.
Latex Mattresses: Latex feels bouncy and naturally firm but still adapts to your body shape. Latex mattresses offer responsive firmness that works well for combination sleepers.
Testing different mattress types side by side helps you understand your firmness preferences and how different materials affect mattress comfort.
During your firmness test, watch for these warning signs:
❌ Uncomfortable pressure on shoulders or hips
❌ Lower back feels lifted unnaturally high
❌ Difficulty turning over without fighting resistance
❌ Joint stiffness after lying down briefly
❌ Feeling like you're "sleeping on top" of the mattress
Stomach Sleepers: Can usually handle firmer mattresses
Back Sleepers: Need firm support but some contouring
Side Sleepers: Typically require softer mattresses for pressure relief
Soft mattresses can also cause problems if they don't provide adequate support:
❌ Body sinks too deeply into the mattress
❌ Feeling "stuck" with difficulty changing positions
❌ Spine curves unnaturally, especially for back sleepers
❌ Lower back pain or stiffness upon waking
❌ Partner movement causes excessive motion transfer
The Goldilocks Rule: The right firmness level supports your body while allowing comfortable pressure relief at key points.
Your testing approach should match your personal sleep profile:
Side Sleepers - Start Here:
Back Sleepers - Start Here:
Stomach Sleepers - Start Here:
Combination Sleepers - Start Here:
For complete firmness recommendations by body type and sleep position, reference our Mattress Firmness Scale Guide.
Follow these pro tips for better mattress testing results:
✅ Bring Your Own Pillow: Test with your actual pillow for realistic sleep alignment
✅ Wear Comfortable Clothes: Dress like you sleep for accurate comfort assessment
✅ Plan Adequate Time: Allow 2-3 hours for thorough testing
✅ Bring Your Sleep Partner: Both should test mattresses together
What to Request:
What to Pay Attention To:
The Reset Test: Walk around the store, then return to re-test your top choices. This confirms your initial comfort impressions.
The Comparison Method: Test similar firmness levels back-to-back to identify subtle differences in feel and support.
The Partner Test: If sharing your bed, test mattresses together to ensure the firmness works for different body weights and sleep positions.
Many shoppers confuse these concepts, but they're completely different:
|
Title |
Firmness |
Support |
|
What It Is |
How soft/hard the surface feels |
How well it maintains spinal alignment |
|
When You Notice |
Immediately upon lying down |
After several minutes of testing |
|
What It Affects |
Initial comfort and pressure relief |
Long-term back health and sleep quality |
|
Can You Have Both? |
Yes! Soft firmness with firm support |
Or firm firmness with poor support |
The best mattresses provide:
Yes! Mattress toppers significantly change how firmness feels.
Firm Mattress Toppers:
Soft/Plush Mattress Toppers:
When testing mattresses:
✓ Ask About Topper Options: Many stores let you test combinations
✓ Consider Final Setup: Think about your planned topper use at home
✓ Test Realistic Combinations: Try mattress + topper together if possible
✓ Factor in Costs: Budget for both mattress and topper
Some stores allow you to test mattresses with toppers to simulate your final home setup.
At SleePare, we understand that finding the right mattress firmness is crucial for quality sleep. Our trained sleep specialists help customers throughout the US navigate firmness testing and find their ideal mattress comfort level.
We offer:
Our customers appreciate our no-pressure approach to mattress testing and our commitment to finding the perfect firmness match for every sleeper.
Use a combination of the hand test, ball test, and extended lying test. Pay close attention to pressure points and overall comfort. Some sleepers do well with a medium mattress and an adjustable base or mattress topper for customized firmness.
No. A mattress can be soft but supportive, or firm but unsupportive. Look for mattresses that maintain spinal alignment without causing tension in your joints. Focus on both firmness comfort and underlying support quality.
It depends entirely on your sleep style and body type. Side sleepers typically prefer soft mattresses. Back sleepers often need medium to firm mattresses. Stomach sleepers usually require firm mattresses. Test different firmness levels to find your personal preference.
Yes, all mattresses soften somewhat with use. Foam mattresses may soften more noticeably than hybrid or latex mattresses. Consider this when choosing initial firmness—you might prefer starting slightly firmer than ideal.
Spend at least 10-15 minutes testing each mattress you're seriously considering. This allows your body to settle and gives you a better sense of pressure points and overall comfort.
Understanding how to test mattress firmness in-store helps you avoid buyer's regret and find the perfect mattress for your body and sleep habits. Take time to lie down for at least 10 minutes, try different mattress types, and ask about firmness ratings and materials like foam, hybrid, or latex options.
Visit SleePare locations nationwide to experience our comprehensive mattress selection and expert guidance. Remember to bring your pillow, dress comfortably, and don't rush the testing process - your perfect mattress is waiting!
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Meet The Author:
Shanir Kol
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.