What is the difference between mattress firmness and support?#
Firmness is how hard or soft a mattress feels when you first lie on it. Support is how well it holds your body, especially your hips and lower back, in a natural line. They are not the same thing.
A mattress can feel plush on top yet still be supportive underneath, because a soft comfort layer sits over a firm spring or foam core. A very hard mattress can also be unsupportive for some people, because the shoulders and hips can't sink in, so the waist is left unsupported. When testing, ask two questions separately: does the top feel comfortable, and does my body stay level?
How firm should my mattress be?#
The right firmness depends mainly on your sleeping position and body weight. As a starting point, side sleepers often prefer medium to medium-soft, back sleepers medium to medium-firm, and stomach sleepers firmer.
Firmness labels are not standardised. One brand's "medium" can feel firm in another showroom, so trust your body over the label. Heavier people usually sink further and may find a mattress feels softer than its rating, while lighter people often find the same mattress firmer. Lie in your usual position for several minutes before deciding. For back pain, see why firmer is not automatically better.
What does pressure relief mean, and who needs it?#
Pressure relief is how well a mattress spreads your weight so that bony areas such as shoulders and hips don't take too much load. Good pressure relief lets those areas sink in slightly, so you can stay in one position comfortably.
Side sleepers and lighter people tend to notice pressure relief most, because their weight rests on a smaller area. Comfort layers such as memory foam, latex and pillow tops are there mainly to provide it. In a showroom, lie on your side for a few minutes. If your shoulder starts to feel numb or pushed towards your ear, that mattress may not relieve enough pressure for you.
Does my body weight affect which mattress I should choose?#
Yes. Body weight changes how deeply you sink into a mattress, so the same model can feel quite different to two people.
Lighter people may not sink far enough to feel the softer comfort layers, so a mattress described as medium can feel firm to them. Heavier people press further through the comfort layers into the support core, so a strong spring unit, high-density foam and reinforced edges matter more for comfort and long-term support. Couples with a big weight difference should test together and each lie in their own sleeping position, since the lighter partner may also roll towards the heavier one on a softer bed.
What should a side sleeper look for in a mattress?#
Side sleepers should look for a mattress with enough cushioning on top for the shoulder and hip to sink in, on a support core that stops the waist from sagging.
In practice that often means a pillow top or a thicker comfort layer over pocket springs. To test it, lie on your side in your normal position for three to five minutes. Ask someone to look at your back: your spine should look roughly straight from neck to tailbone. Your shoulder should feel cushioned, not jammed. Bring or ask for a pillow similar to yours, because a pillow at the wrong height can make a good mattress feel wrong.
What should a back sleeper look for in a mattress?#
Back sleepers should look for even support under the lower back and hips, with enough softness on top to feel comfortable but not so much that the hips sink lower than the shoulders.
A quick test: lie on your back and slide your hand under your lower back. If there's a large gap, the mattress may be too firm for you. If your hand can't fit at all and your hips feel sunk in, it may be too soft. Zoned spring systems are designed to make the middle of the bed firmer under the hips, which some back sleepers like. Read about zoned springs.
My partner likes a soft mattress and I like a firm one. What can we do?#
Couples with different preferences usually do best with a middle-ground mattress, then fine-tune their own side with pillows or a topper.
Start by testing together. Lie side by side in your normal positions on several medium options, and each rate them out of ten. A pillow-top mattress over a supportive spring core often suits both, because it gives cushioning on top without losing support. Pocket springs also limit how much one person's movement is felt by the other. If one of you needs a much softer feel, a topper on just one side is cheaper than two separate beds. A King size also gives each person more room.
What mattress sizes are common in Singapore?#
The four sizes most commonly sold in Singapore are Single, Super Single, Queen and King. Typical dimensions are about 91 × 190 cm for a Single, 107 × 190 cm for a Super Single, 152 × 190 cm for a Queen and 183 × 190 cm for a King, but exact sizes vary by brand.
Always check the exact dimensions against your bed frame before buying, as a few centimetres can matter. A Super Single is popular for teenagers and adults who sleep alone. Couples usually choose a Queen or King. Not every model comes in every size. For example, HASVANN Comfort comes in Single and Super Single only, while the other HASVANN models come in all four sizes.
How do I choose the right mattress size for my room?#
Measure the room first. Choose the largest size that still leaves comfortable walking space around the bed and lets doors and wardrobes open fully.
Mark the mattress outline on the floor with masking tape to see how the room will feel. In many HDB common bedrooms, a Super Single or Queen leaves more usable space than a King. Measure your bed frame inside its edges, not outside, since the mattress needs to sit within it. Before delivery day, also check the width of the lift, corridor and doorway, especially for a King.
How should I test a mattress in a showroom?#
Spend at least five minutes on each mattress you shortlist, lying in the position you actually sleep in, not sitting on the edge pressing with your hand.
Wear comfortable clothes and remove bulky items from your pockets. Lie on your back, then each side, then your usual position. Notice your shoulders, hips and lower back. Test the edge by sitting on it, as you will every morning. If you share a bed, test together and take turns rolling over to check motion transfer. Narrow it down to two, then go back to each one. Booking a time with HASVANN's Try it out service lets you test without rushing.
Should I buy a mattress online or try it in a showroom first?#
If you can, try it in a showroom first. Lying on a mattress is the only reliable way to judge firmness and pressure relief, because labels and reviews describe someone else's body.
Buying online can be convenient, especially if you already know the exact model you like. But check the return or exchange policy carefully, since many brands, including HASVANN, do not treat personal comfort preference as a defect. A good compromise is to shortlist online using cross-section diagrams, sizes and prices, then test your top two in person. You can compare HASVANN models and then book a showroom visit.
How much should I spend on a mattress in Singapore?#
There is no right amount, but it helps to think in cost per night. A mattress used for ten years costs well under a dollar a night even at higher price points, so it's worth buying the one that suits your body rather than the cheapest.
Prices in Singapore range widely, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Higher prices often reflect more layers, zoned or double spring units, latex and thicker comfort tops, but price alone doesn't guarantee a better fit for you. Set a range, test within it, and only stretch if a pricier option is clearly more comfortable. As an example, HASVANN models range from $499 to $2,899 depending on model and size.
Why do mattresses that look similar have very different prices?#
Two mattresses can look alike on the outside but differ inside in the number and thickness of layers, the type of foam, the spring unit and the cover fabric. These differences affect both price and feel.
Ask to see a cross-section diagram, which shows every layer from top to bottom. Compare the spring height and whether it is zoned, whether there is latex or memory foam, how thick the comfort top is, and how the edges are built. Then compare the warranty: its length, what it covers and how claims work. A higher price is worth paying for features you actually notice when you lie down, not for a long list of features you don't.
When should I replace my mattress?#
Replace your mattress when it no longer supports you evenly or comfortably, rather than at a fixed age. Mattresses wear at different rates depending on construction, use and care.
Common signs include a visible dip where you sleep, springs you can feel through the top, waking up stiffer than when you went to bed, sleeping better on other beds, and noisy springs. Some softening is normal in the first months, as comfort layers settle. If your mattress is still under warranty and you see deep sagging, check the terms first. For example, the HASVANN warranty covers sagging deeper than 38 mm caused by a manufacturing defect.
Does my pillow matter as much as my mattress?#
Your pillow matters a lot, because it supports your head and neck, while the mattress supports everything else. The two work together, so the right pillow height depends on your mattress.
On a softer mattress your shoulder sinks further, so a side sleeper may need a slightly lower pillow than on a firm one. Side sleepers generally need the highest pillow, back sleepers a medium one and stomach sleepers a thin one or none. When you test mattresses, use a pillow similar to your own, or bring it along. Otherwise a neck ache from the wrong pillow can put you off a mattress that actually suits you.
This information is general education, not medical advice. No mattress treats a medical condition. If sleep problems or pain continue, please see a doctor.