Box spring bed firmness: H2, H3 or H4? How to find the right firmness
Teilen
The firmness level determines more than any other detail whether you sleep well in your box spring bed. If the mattress is too soft, the pelvis sinks in. If it is too firm, it presses against the shoulder and hip. But which firmness level is right? In this article, we explain what H2, H3, and H4 mean, what role weight and sleeping position play, and why the firmness level alone is often not enough. And if none of the standard firmness levels really fit, we plan your mattress individually, according to your body and your sleeping comfort.
The most important things in brief
- H2 is rather soft, H3 medium, H4 firm. H3 is the most common choice.
- Weight is only a guideline. Sleeping position, body build, and personal perception matter just as much.
- Firmness levels are not standardized. An H3 can differ significantly between two manufacturers.
- Couples often need two firmness levels. We offer H2/H3 and H3/H4, one for each side.
- If no standard fits, an individually planned mattress is worth it.
What does the firmness level of a mattress mean?
The firmness level describes how much a mattress gives under load. A scale from H1 (very soft) to H5 (very firm) is common. In box spring beds, H2, H3, and H4 are the most common, and these are exactly the three we offer in our box spring beds:
- H2, rather soft: The body sinks in noticeably. Good for lighter people and side sleepers.
- H3, medium: Balanced between giving way and support. Suitable for many body weights and sleeping positions.
- H4, firm: Firmer, more stable support. Good for heavier people and stomach sleepers.
Important to know: There is no binding standard for firmness levels. Every manufacturer determines for themselves what they mean by H2, H3, or H4. A firmness level therefore only says something about its classification within a brand, not about all mattresses on the market.
Firmness level by weight: Table for orientation
Most manufacturers roughly orient themselves to the following weight ranges. Understand the table as a starting point, not a fixed rule:
| Body weight | Usual recommendation |
|---|---|
| up to approx. 60 kg | H1 to H2 |
| approx. 60 to 80 kg | H2 |
| approx. 80 to 100 kg | H3 |
| approx. 100 to 130 kg | H4 |
| over 130 kg | H5 or individual solution |
Why only a starting point? Two people weighing 80 kg can be built very differently. Someone with broad shoulders who sleeps on their side needs more give at the shoulder than someone of the same weight who sleeps on their back. Body size also plays a role: At the same weight, the load is distributed over a longer area in tall people.
Quickly to the right mattress: Our mattress advisor asks your height and weight, sleeping position, desired lying comfort, and your pressure sensitivity at the shoulder and hip in four short steps. After that, it recommends the model from our collection that best suits you. If none really fits, we plan your mattress individually.
Firmness level by sleeping position
The goal of every mattress is that the spine retains its natural shape while lying down. Depending on the sleeping position, different parts of the body need support:
- Side sleepers: The shoulder and hip must sink in deep enough so that the spine remains straight. Rather soft, with a flexible shoulder zone.
- Back sleepers: The lumbar spine needs support, the pelvis should not sag. Mostly medium.
- Stomach sleepers: Here the pelvis sags most easily, which leads to a hollow back. Rather firm.
- Changing sleeping position: A medium firmness level with good zoning is usually the best compromise.
Mattresses with zones help with this. A 7-zone pocket spring provides more give at the shoulder and pelvis and supports the lumbar vertebrae and neck more strongly. This way, the mattress adapts better than a uniform firmness level alone could. Our mattress Royal, for example, has a particularly pressure-relieving shoulder zone and is the choice of many side sleepers.
In the box spring bed, the whole system counts
In the box spring bed, the mattress does not lie on a rigid slatted frame, but on a sprung box. Box, mattress, and topper work together. The same mattress can therefore feel slightly different on a box than on a slatted frame. The topper changes above all the surface: It makes the lying comfort softer, but the supporting effect comes from the mattress and box. A firmness level that is too firm can therefore be softened with a topper, but one that is too soft cannot be compensated.
Therefore, it is worth it to select the box, mattress, and topper together. Read more about the construction in our box spring bed guide.
Different firmness levels for couples
You weigh 60 kg and sleep on your side, your partner weighs 95 kg and sleeps on their stomach? Then a shared firmness level does not really fit either of you. For such cases, there are two solutions:
- Two firmness levels in one bed: In our box spring beds, you choose H2/H3 or H3/H4. Each side gets its own firmness level.
- An individually planned mattress: We determine the lying comfort for each person separately, according to weight, size, sleeping position, and what is important to you, such as pressure relief, support, or climate. Plan a mattress for two people now.
How you recognize a wrong firmness level
Your body shows you whether the mattress fits. Typical signs:
- Too soft: You wake up with pain in your lower back, lie like in a hollow, or find it difficult to get out of bed.
- Too firm: Your shoulder, hip, or arm falls asleep, you turn around often because pressure points are created.
- Fitting: You lie relaxed, turn around without effort, and wake up without tension.
Nevertheless, give your body a few weeks after the change. A new mattress often feels unusual at first, even if it is right. That is why you can test your new mattress with us for 100 nights and exchange it once if necessary.
When is an individual mattress worth it?
Standard firmness levels cover most people well, but not all. An individually planned mattress makes sense if:
- Your weight is at the edges of the usual ranges, so very light or significantly over 120 kg.
- You and your partner have very different needs.
- You fluctuate between two firmness levels and none feels right.
- You need a special size or a certain mattress height, for example for an old building bedroom or an existing bed.
- Materials are important to you, for example natural materials, an allergy-friendly or removable cover.
This is how it works: In six short steps, you describe to us who the mattress is for, how heavy and tall you are, on what sleeping system it lies (box spring bed, slatted frame, or adjustable slatted frame), how it should feel, and what size you need. In addition, you choose the direction in the construction, so pocket spring, foam, or hybrid, or get advice. We personally check your information and get back to you with a recommendation for your mattress.
This is how you test the firmness level correctly
- Take your time: Lie on each mattress for at least ten minutes, not just a few seconds.
- In your sleeping position: Lie down as you sleep at night, and turn around a couple of times.
- Test together: If you share the bed, lie down together for a trial.
- On the right base: Test the mattress on the base it will later lie on if possible.
- Compare: Try the firmness level above and below, then you will notice the difference.
In our showroom at Uhlandstraße 65 in Berlin, you can try all mattresses and firmness levels on our box spring beds. If you cannot come to Berlin, our mattress advisor will help you in a few steps with the selection.
Frequently asked questions about the firmness level
Which firmness level is the most popular?
H3. It is balanced and suitable for many body weights and sleeping positions. Whether it is also right for you depends on weight, body build, and sleeping position.
Is a firm mattress better for the back?
Not automatically. The deciding factor is that the spine lies straight. For side sleepers, a firmness level that is too firm is even unfavorable, because the shoulder and hip cannot sink in.
Can I change the firmness level with a topper?
Only to a limited extent. A topper makes the surface softer, but the supporting effect comes from the mattress and box. A mattress that is too soft will not become firmer with a topper.
What to do if my partner and I need different firmness levels?
Choose two firmness levels in one bed, with us H2/H3 or H3/H4, or have your mattress planned individually for both.
What if the firmness level does not fit at home after all?
You can test your new mattress for 100 nights and exchange it once against another model if necessary. You can find the conditions in our exchange guarantee.
Conclusion
The firmness level is a good first guideline, but not a verdict. Weight, body build, sleeping position, and your personal perception decide together. Test in peace, choose two firmness levels for two sleepers if necessary, and if no standard solution fits, we plan your mattress individually. You can find all models under Mattresses and Box spring beds.