In the evening, your bed should provide a sense of calm support, and in the morning, it should allow you to get up without tension in your shoulders or lower back. Choose the mattress firmness primarily based on your body weight, sleeping position, and your perceived need for support: H2 is usually suitable for lighter people and side sleepers, while H3 is more often appropriate for those with a higher body weight or for those who sleep on their back or stomach.
The H1–H4 designations are a guideline, not a universal measurement. The same level can be perceived differently by two people, as body build, core flexibility, and whether you sleep alone or with a partner of a significantly different weight also matter.
If you wake up feeling like you are sinking, or conversely, toss and turn looking for a comfortable position, start by assessing your support. See IWC HOME mattresses and toppers to compare options tailored for daily rest.
What do H1–H4 mean?
The H scale describes how much force is required to compress a mattress. The higher the symbol, the firmer the feeling of support. However, this does not mean a firmer mattress is always better. A surface that is too firm can put pressure on the shoulders and hips, especially when sleeping on your side.
| Designation | Feeling of support | Most common use | What to pay attention to? |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Soft | Mostly for very light individuals | With a higher body weight, it may not provide stable support for the pelvis and spine. |
| H2 | Medium soft | Usually for people of lower or average weight, especially side sleepers | It should allow the shoulder and hip to sink in slightly without a sinking feeling. |
| H3 | Medium firm | Often for people of average or higher weight and back sleepers | Check that the support is not too firm in the shoulder area. |
| H4 | Firm | Mostly for people of high weight or those preferring a very stable surface | This option will not work if you sleep mainly on your side and are sensitive to pressure. |
Treat the provided ranges as a starting point, not a rigid rule. A person weighing 70 kg might feel comfortable on an H2 if they sleep on their side and have a slighter build, but they might choose an H3 if they sleep mainly on their back and prefer a more stable surface.
The difference between the softness of initial contact and real support is also important. The surface may pleasantly wrap around the body while the deeper layers effectively keep the spine in a neutral position. Therefore, do not judge a mattress solely by hand or after sitting on the edge for a few seconds.
H2 or H3 mattress according to weight and sleep
The simplest way to start is by observing how your body aligns in your favorite position. When lying on your side, your spine should form as straight a line as possible from your neck to your pelvis. When sleeping on your back, the lumbar area needs stable, but not aggressive, support.
| User weight | Side sleep | Back sleep | Stomach sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to approx. 60 kg | Usually H1 or H2 | Usually H2 | Usually H2, if you don't sink at the hips |
| Approx. 60-80 kg | Usually H2 | H2 or H3 | More often H3 |
| Approx. 80-100 kg | H2 or H3, depending on shoulders and hips | Usually H3 | Usually H3 |
| Over approx. 100 kg | More often H3 or H4 | H3 or H4 | H3 or H4 |
Sleeping on your side. Choose a level that allows your shoulder and hip to sink into the mattress enough so that your neck does not bend upward. For many people, this will be H2. If you have a higher weight, H3 can provide the necessary stability, but check that it does not cause arm numbness.
Sleeping on your back. Look for even support for your pelvis and lumbar region. H3 is often a good reference point for weights above approx. 70-80 kg, while lighter individuals usually feel comfortable on H2.
Sleeping on your stomach. Hips should not sink deeper than the chest, as this increases tension in the lower back. Therefore, it is more often worth considering H3. This position itself can strain the neck, especially with a high pillow, so match both elements together.
Sleeping in various positions. Choose a firmness that corresponds to the position in which you spend the most time. If you fall asleep on your side but regularly wake up on your back, H2 or H3, chosen primarily according to weight, is usually a reasonable compromise.
Support for two people
In a bedroom shared with a partner, the weight difference matters more than the H2 or H3 label itself. If one person weighs significantly less and the other significantly more, a single firmness level may result in a compromise that does not provide full comfort for either party.
Consider two mattresses of different firmness in one bed. This is a practical solution when the weight difference is about 20 kg or more, or when one person sleeps on their side and the other on their stomach. You gain individual support without sacrificing a shared sleeping surface.
In the morning, when one person gets up earlier, limiting the sensation of movement on the other side also counts. Ask your advisor about the construction of the core and how the individual layers work, rather than relying solely on the firmness designation.
When planning your bedroom, leave at least 60 cm of clear passage along the longer side of the bed if the room layout allows. This makes it easier to make the bed, open your nightstand, and comfortably move around each morning. See the beds and mattresses category if you want to pair a mattress with a Lazy or Slim bed.
When will a topper help?
A topper can gently change the feel of the surface, but it will not replace a mattress that is clearly ill-fitted. If your mattress still supports your body stably but feels too firm in the shoulder and hip area, an extra layer can increase comfort when sleeping on your side.
However, do not expect a thin topper to fix a mattress that is sagging in the middle or one that does not support the pelvis. In such a situation, the problem lies in the core support. A mattress that is too soft may provide a momentary feeling of comfort, but after a few nights, it can manifest as lower back pain and difficulty changing positions.
In the offer of IWC HOME mattresses and toppers, compare the description of firmness with the construction of the product. The construction, type of filling, and height of the layers affect how the mattress reacts to pressure. Do not attribute the same characteristics to all models labeled H2 or H3.
Lazy and Slim beds create a calm base for the bedroom, but the mattress is directly responsible for body support. The upholstery fabric, the shape of the headboard, and the color of the wooden legs affect the look of the interior, not the felt firmness of the mattress. Therefore, choose sleep comfort first, and then refine the bed's composition.
If you are furnishing your bedroom from scratch, it is good to look at upholstery materials in your own daylight and evening light. Free fabric samples help you match the bed with curtains, flooring, and wall colors without guessing the shade on a screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is H3 always firmer than H2?
Yes, within a given manufacturer's scale, H3 means higher firmness than H2. However, do not automatically compare these designations between different products, as construction and filling can change the perception of support.
What mattress firmness will be good for a person weighing 80 kg?
At a weight of about 80 kg, the starting point is usually H3, especially when sleeping on your back or stomach. If you sleep mainly on your side and feel strong pressure on your shoulders, H2 may be a more comfortable choice.
How do you know if a mattress is too soft?
A mattress that is too soft can cause the pelvis to drop, lower back pain, and difficulty changing positions. Pay attention to whether you feel tension in your lower back in the morning and whether you feel like you are sleeping "inside" the mattress instead of on it.
Will a topper change the firmness of a mattress?
A topper can soften the feel of the top layer and improve comfort, especially on a surface that is too firm. However, it will not increase the stability of a worn or sagging mattress; therefore, consider replacing the primary core for such an issue.
See Lazy and Slim beds, as well as IWC HOME mattresses and toppers and compare variants, starting with your weight and sleeping position. Visit one of seven showrooms in Wrocław, Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Katowice, Gliwice, or Łódź to calmly check the feeling of support; you can also talk to an advisor at +48 530 457 457 from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 and 20:00.