We often associate thick mattresses with comfort, luxury, and better sleep. Everyone wants to sleep well at night. Therefore, when buying a new mattress, you must consider the height of the mattress as a feature of luxury. It will help you figure out how comfortable the mattress is.
The thickness of the mattress can affect your sleep as sleeping in a very thick or even a very thin mattress can impact your health. The mattress thickness is also acknowledged as the depth or height of the mattress. Extra tall or extra deep mattresses have a thickness of more than 16 inches.
The mattress thickness will alter the height of your bed. Ideally, the distance from the floor to the top of the mattress should be 25 inches. This enables getting in and out of bed easier as your legs can easily reach the floor when you are seated at the edge of the bed.
Further in the article, we will discuss the features which affect the mattress thickness and the things which you should consider when buying a mattress in case of the thickness.
Mattress Thickness Chart (Thickness Types)
As we mentioned earlier, you can find different thickness options when it comes to mattresses. These are the range of thicknesses offered by different brands. You can simply categorize the mattresses based on their thickness in a manner specified below:
1. Low Profile Mattresses (2 to 5 inches)
These are the slimmest mattresses that you can find in the market. The main advantage of having such a thin mattress on your bed is that it takes very low space. Thus, it is generally preferred for folding beds and air mattresses. Also, this mattress can be a decent choice for a children’s bed as there are fewer chances of foam getting damaged over time.
But, it is certainly not an ideal pick for adults as it will not provide you a fulfilling comfort and might introduce back problems down the line. Also, these mattresses tend to lose form quickly.
2. Slim Mattresses (5 to 8 inches)
Within this range, you will find different types of foams with the mattresses. While these options are still much slimmer in comparison with others, it offers a great variety of options. The 5 to 8 inches range creates a dense and supportive structure and does not require any added thickness whatsoever.
These can be an ideal pick for kids, teenagers, and selective adults. You will also find twin mattresses within this category that are widely popular.
3. Standard Mattresses (8 to 12 inches)
Coming to the most common range of mattress thickness, the 8 to 12 inches range mattresses fall under the standard category. Generally, you will find most mattresses at 10 inches in thickness as it is a universally accepted standard. These options are also included with king-size beds as they can provide equal comfort as thicker options while being comparatively affordable.
As brands get a lot of space to work within this range of mattresses, you can find a great variety of choices for mattresses. For example, you can observe an extra 2 inches of memory foam added on top of the standard size that extends the comfort level by a lot.
4. Medium to Thick Mattresses (12 to 20 inches)
Going further than the standard 12 inches size makes a mattress a bit thicker and suitable for a selective audience. These mattresses are called medium to thick mattresses and you should only prefer one if you have already tried other options and did not find your comfort zone.
Due to the added thickness and extra material used within these mattresses, the medium to thick mattresses come at quite an expensive price tag. But, if a perfect comfort level is what you are searching for and cannot find in any other options, this might be worth the purchase.
5. Thick Mattresses (20 inches or more)
The mattresses that have more than 20 inches of thickness are considered to be thick and only serve a dedicated purpose. Using such a thick mattress for conventional use would not make sense as it will increase the sleeping height to an uncomfortable level.
Also, these mattresses are quite heavy and cannot be moved whether it is for cleaning or any other purpose. And as you must have guessed, these are the most expensive options irrespective of the brand you prefer.
Factors Determining Mattress Thickness
There are many attributes on a mattress that determines its final thickness. You should take a look at these features so that you will know what to expect from a certain size mattress before buying it. There is generally two-layer available on mattresses above the standard size that are as follows:
1. Comfort Layer
The comfort layer generally contributes 2 inches of extra thickness to the mattress over the base layer. This comfort layer is the most important part of the mattress as this directly relates to the comfort user will get while using the mattress.
To provide a soft and relaxing cushioning, these layers are generally made out of cotton, wool, or polyfoam materials. In the case of memory foam mattresses, the comfort layer is quite thick and includes a special memory foam material.
2. Base Layer
The base layer of a mattress is generally responsible for its durability and stability. It also creates a perfect platform for the comfort layer so that it can work as expected. The base layer is generally 50% thickness of the mattress itself.
To get the best results possible, make sure the base layer on the mattress you are buying satisfies the 50% criteria. A thicker base layer will surely make the mattress durable and makes sure it will last you at least a couple of years without any problem.
What to Consider When Deciding on Mattress Thickness
Sleeping habits change from person to person. Every individual prefers a different sleeping position or softness of the mattress. Thus, there cannot be a single mattress that can be labeled as the perfect option. While buying a mattress, you need to consider the following factors to get the best option regarding your comfort zone.
1. Sleeping Position
The varying thicknesses of a mattress will affect your sleeping position as well. While a thicker mattress provides more cushion for different sleeping positions, a slimmer option only allows a few sleeping positions with the best comfort. Here are the mattresses that you should prefer according to your sleeping position:
- Side Sleeping: 10 to 12 inches
- Back Sleeping: 10 inches or less
- Combination Sleeping: 12 inches at least
- Stomach Sleeping: Standard 10 inches
2. Weight
The thickness of a mattress also determines how effective it is considering your body type and shape. For best results, you need to select an option that is larger than your body size and also has a considerable amount of comfort layer and base layer.
- For Lightweight individuals: 12 inches or taller
- Average Body Size: Between 10 to 12 inches
- Plus Size Sleepers: 12 to 14 inches
3. Sleeping Alone or Sharing Bed With a Partner
It is quite obvious that a larger mattress will be needed if it is going to be used for 2 sleepers instead of one. This is especially the case for king-sized beds that are covered with a single mattress.
But, it also affects the required thickness of the mattress as there is going to be almost double pressure on the mattress as compared to ideal condition. Thus, it is always preferable to get at least a 10 inches thick mattress for a larger bed.
4. Health & Medical Conditions
As time passes, various disorders can come up due to wrong sleeping habits or even sitting and standing. While you can avoid the disorders due to sleeping habits by getting a perfect mattress, you need to carefully choose one that delivers firm support to your body.
If you are already diagnosed with a certain condition or feeling discomfort on a daily basis, it is necessary to consult a physiotherapist and take suggestions for the mattress and other sleeping parameters.
5. Height of Your Bed Base
As we mentioned earlier, a thicker mattress adds up the overall sleeping height of the bed which is already quite tall. Thus, it is necessary to check the bed that you own and it’s various parameters such as the foundation, platform height, and adjustability before buying a mattress. For ideal sleeping conditions, the size of your bed needs to be 25 inches at most including the mattress.
Benefits & Drawbacks
As you must have noticed by now, each mattress features its own range of advantages and limitations regarding its size. Here are some common benefits and drawbacks observed in thicker mattresses.
Benefits of Thick Mattresses
- You will be getting a much softer and enjoyable surface.
- An ideal choice if more than one person is going to use the mattress.
- The Comfort layer is taller and durability is also great.
Drawbacks of Thick Mattresses
- Comes in an expensive price range.
- Heavier in nature. Thus, it is difficult to move a thick mattress around.
- Not suitable for taller beds.
Conclusion
We hope that today, you have acknowledged a lot of new things about a mattress. In this article, we have provided you thorough information about different types of mattresses and the reasons behind the increased or decreased thickness. This shall help you choose better when you decide to buy a new one for your home.
In most cases, it seems to be ideal to buy 10 inches to 12 inches thickness mattress as you have seen the advantages of this thickness range on mattresses. While these mattresses do not cost a fortune, they offer a heightened experience and a completely relaxing comfort zone that is offered by the premium range of mattresses.
