When shopping for a new mattress, too many people don’t pay as much attention to mattress thickness as they do other factors. 

These include softness versus firmness, size, brand, and type. Mattresses actually have certain standards of thickness they have to abide by and these thicknesses can apply in a variety of ways to a variety of people.

In fact, just as important as the type of mattress or size is the thickness. 

Most people have no idea what sort of thickness they require in their beds when they go shopping. Because of this, they also don’t usually know to ask about it when they speak with the sales reps.

 But never fear, because if you’re planning on bed shopping at all in the near future, we’ve got you covered. We’ll tell you all you need to know about the thickness of mattresses to help you figure out which best suits your personal needs. 

Be smart about your shopping so you can be sure to find precisely what you need. We intend to help you do just that.

 

Affecting Factors for Thickness

Because there are so many thicknesses for mattresses, you’re probably wondering why this factor is important to your decision. 

The reason is simple; it all depends on your personal body structure. If you’re going mattress shopping, chances are high that you’re considering one of several factors:

  • Bodyweight
  • Health and medical conditions
  • Height
  • Mobility

Naturally, your own personal preferences come into play regarding your choice. 

Some people like a firmer mattress, others like a softer one. Each of these listed factors plays a huge role in the selection of mattresses for most people, and in regards to mattress thickness, they all attribute in some fashion. 

When shopping, you’ll want to be sure to take everything into account regarding your personal requirements and to ask as many questions as possible. If you’re still unsure, shop around. Get all your ducks in a row, first.

Body Weight in Relation to Mattress Thickness

You probably didn’t know that how much you weigh should play a direct role in the selection of your mattress. Specifically speaking, in how thick your mattress is.

 If you weigh less than 225 pounds, for instance, your best bet at a comfortable mattress is somewhere around nine inches. Any more than 225 should look for a mattress ranging from ten to twelve inches. 

Mattresses can easily range into the fifteen to sixteen-inch range, but it’s honestly hard to find arguments in favor of such enormous mattresses. Some, however, add on inches by introducing an extra layer of comfort to them, such as PlushBeds mattresses. 

These models often come with natural latex mattress toppers which can pack on an extra two or three inches in some cases. 

If you’re looking for more height, this might appeal to you. However, if you’re seeking comfort as your primary goal, you should consider a wool topper for comfort without the extra height.

 

Health and Medical

Some people require certain kinds of mattresses for health issues. If you’re someone who suffers from chronic back pain, then a firmer mattress might very well be for you. 

It would provide better support and alignment of your spine, thus lessening the pain. All kinds of pain afflictions exist and they all call for different mattress thicknesses. 

 

Softer mattresses, for instance, help to alleviate pain in the shoulders and hips, which is a tremendous boon for side sleepers in particular. This means you’ll also have to pay attention to mattress height for optimum comfort.

 

Mattress Height

If you’re erring on the short side of life, you’ll probably be ill-advised to get a mattress that’s taller than you are while sitting on it. If your feet can’t touch the ground while seated, you’ve got a mattress that’s too big for you.

 This also applies to short mattresses. And while you might be paying attention to the height of the mattress, be sure to take the height of your bed into account as well. 

 

Your mattress thickness might not be incredibly tall, but the height of the bed frame can actually make a whole lot of difference. Thankfully, this is easily adjusted and allowed for once you know what sort of height you’re dealing with.

Mobility Concerns

This is a big one since many people are affected by their mobility. If someone buying a mattress is confined to a wheelchair, or else relies on one for ease of movement, they’ll want a mattress that’s easy for them to climb in and out of. 

This is especially true for anyone with limited mobility living on their own. The less chance of them falling and requiring help, the better. You don’t even need to be confined to a wheelchair. 

 

Even if you rely on a cane or walker, your mobility is still compromised, requiring you to pay special attention to your mattress needs. 

You’ll want a bed that requires the least amount of effort to climb into and out of every day. It’s a lot of balancing and good coordination, but fortunately, the variety of mattress heights is extremely versatile nowadays.

 

The Most Popular Thickness

By far the most frequently purchased thickness of mattresses is definitely within the ten to twelve-inch range. This is the most versatile of mattress thickness, applying widely to the greatest variety of people and their personal needs. 

Of course, it also depends on the makeup of the mattress. For instance, in a typical memory foam bed, there’s a crucial minimum thickness before you start cutting the bed’s lifespan down. 

 

It’s typically a good idea to avoid memory foam beds with six to eight-inch ranges for this reason. They’re usually too thin to provide proper support and comfort and will wear out very quickly. This makes the ten-inch mattresses nearly perfect in the spectrum of thickness.

Low Profile Mattresses (2-5”)

These are an interesting brand of mattress. These are among the smallest that mattresses get and are typically found in the form of guest floor mattresses and air beds. 

While they’re not well suited to full bed frames, they’re perfect for people with a small amount of space they’re trying to maximize. They’re also a good fit for those who like a mattress lower to the ground. 

Of course, since they’re not in heavy demand, the prices will be a little cheaper. But keep in mind that you’re sacrificing a lot of comforts to buy one of these things. We also can’t guarantee it’ll last very long since the lack of internal structure means that it takes wear and tear far more easily than a normal mattress.

Thin Mattresses (5-8”)

These are the conventional mattresses on the skinny side of life. They’re usually made of dense foam since spring versions of this thickness are now quite rare. 

Very budget-friendly, you’ll often find these in guest bedrooms or hanging out at campsites. And they’re commonly found in children’s sets and crib sets. 

 

Oddly enough, these mattresses might be a good fit for the light sleeper crowd who don’t need the sort of heavy-duty comfort a heavy sleeper would. They’re also a good fit for anyone working with more old-fashioned furniture, upon which a gigantic modern mattress would probably look a bit wonky.

 

Standard Mattresses (8-12”)

They’re called standard because these ones fit the bill the best in most cases. This is the bed most commonly purchased in everyday homes with ordinary bed frames. 

It fits well with most heights and weights and you can find them in just about any make. These include spring and memory foam, and their versatile designs make finding your specific need relatively easy. 

 

They’re a bit more expensive than thinner mattresses due to the number of layers they’ve got inside them. However, they have a relatively long lifespan if purchased properly and provide a great deal of comfort.

Medium to Thick Mattresses (12-20”)

These are the pricey beds, the sheer number of layers absolutely unbelievable.

 Hans Christian Andersen had something of this idea in mind when he created his classic princess and her veggie-based insomnia. They can be composed of any number of materials positioned together or separately, and the heights and levels of comfort vary wildly.

 

Thick Beds (20” and above)

These are proper monsters. Often found in places featuring more old-timey furniture hailing from days when enormous mattresses were more or less the norm, these things possess complex structure. 

There’s something somewhat luxurious about a bed this thick, filled with more layers than a chocolate torte. 

You won’t find these very often in typical showrooms and they’re very expensive. And since they can’t be rolled like typical mattresses, they’re nearly impossible to ship conventionally.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the size and thickness of the mattress you choose is entirely dependent on your own personal needs and desires.

You should take the size of your furniture into account, your height, weight, comfort preferences and of course, budget.

With the extensive variety available to you on the market, you're bound to find something you can live with an enjoy.