Once you’ve identified signs that you need a new mattress, there are a lot of factors you need to consider when looking for the perfect mattress upgrade.

One of the main considerations is how thick should your new mattress be. 

By thickness, we mean the mattress height. 

With over one-third of our lives spent in bed, the quality of your mattress, including it’s thickness - too thin or too thick can affect your quality of sleep and ultimately impact your overall health and wellness.

That’s why we’re here to help.

In this mattress thickness guide, we’ll break down the various levels of mattress thickness to help you determine the best choice for you based on your unique sleep needs, including your sleeping position and body weight.

Mattress thickness is the depth of a mattress without a bed frame or foundation. It is measured vertically from the bottom of the mattress to the crown. If you think of your fitted bed sheet or mattress protectors, that’s what encloses your mattress’s depth.

When it comes to thickness, mattresses can be separated into five distinct categories:

• Low profile (2 - 5 inches) — These mattresses range between 2 and 5 inches in height. They’re usually seen in fold-away beds, cribs and air mattresses. Made with Minimal layers in often a firm feel.

• Slim profile (5 - 8 inches) — Between 2 and 8 inches, slim-profile mattresses are typically budget-friendly made of dense foam, providing basic support without adding excess mattress height. These mattresses are ideal for children, hospital beds and sleepers with limited mobility.

• Standard profile (9-12 inches) — These are the most common mattress thickness. They range in height between 8 and 12 inches. May include several layers for support and comfort. Usually have soft to firm feel range.     

In fact, the Elmira snow mattress collection  falls into this standard category. It boasts 11 inches of the proprietary Elmira cooling comfort & relief foam designed to ergonomically align your spine. It also allows air to circulate and keep you cool throughout the night when you’re tucked in between your bed sheets.

• Deep or thick profile (12-15 inches) — These mattresses are between 12 and 16 inches which means they command a higher price point and also more durable - making it an ideal choice for sleepers looking for optimal comfort, support and pressure relief. Can be used in master or guest bedrooms. 

The Elmira Hybrid Medium-firm Mattresses are a perfect example of a thick-profile mattress. It’s 12 inches of support consists of three layers of Elmira™ comfort cooling foam, natural latex and smart wave pocket springs for additional lift and bounce. Thick mattresses like these often balance cushioning and durability thanks to the more quality materials used in making them.

For a more luxurious feel with premium support and comfort, Elmira offers the 14-inches Elmira Hybrid Plush Mattress for side sleepers who need that extra plush feel. An extra-thick mattress like this also may appeal to side sleepers over 100kg. 

• Extra thick profile (16+ inches) — With thicknesses of 16+ inches or more, an extra thick mattress can provide the most amount of comfort and support layers. They’re resistant to sagging, not ideal for those with limited mobility like children or elderly. Extra thick mattresses are the most expensive thickness option, and they’re also extremely heavy, making them difficult to ship and move. 

Understanding how modern mattress structure is engineered and layered is key to choosing the right one for your sleep needs.

Here’s a detailed breakdown from the bottom up:

This is the core layer that provides the fundamental, non-negotiable support for the entire mattress and the sleeper. Without a thick enough mattress foundation, a bed will show signs of wear and tear sooner, such as sagging in the areas where your hips and low back lie.

For optimal performance, your mattress foundation layer should be around 5 to 6 inches thick. In high-quality memory foam mattresses, this layer can make up at least 50% of the overall mattress thickness.

• Purpose: To give the mattress its structural integrity, prevent sagging, and dictate its overall feel (firm, medium, plush).

Common Materials:

• Innerspring/Coils: The traditional base.

• Bonnell Coils: Hourglass-shaped, interconnected. Basic, bouncy feel.

• Offset Coils: Similar to Bonnell but hinged for better contouring.

• Pocketed/Micro Coils: Each coil is individually wrapped in fabric and moves independently. Excellent motion isolation, better contouring.

• Continuous Wire: One long wire formed into coils. Very firm and sturdy.

• High-Density Polyurethane Foam: A solid, supportive block of foam. Used in all-foam and hybrid mattresses. Density (measured in lbs/cubic ft) is critical—higher density (>1.8 lbs) means better durability and support.

• Latex (Dunlop or Talalay): Provides a very responsive, buoyant, and supportive base. Naturally cooling and durable.

The Elmira mattress collection features a combination of materials depending on the model. 

Elmira Snow Collection mattresses offer a thick 6-inch layer of High density supportive foam as its base.

Elmira Hybrid mattress collection feature up to 8-inches responsive pocket coils with foam caps to support the comfort and transition layers.

This middle layer is crucial for marrying the firm support core with the soft comfort layer.

• Purpose: To cushion the sharper support from the base, prevent the sleeper from "bottoming out," and aid in spinal alignment by gently contouring to the body's curves.

Common Materials:

• Convoluted/"Egg Crate" Foam: A breathable, pressure-relieving foam often used here.

• Softer Polyurethane or Memory Foam: A firmer grade than the top comfort layer.

• Softer Latex: Often a Talalay latex for a plush yet responsive transition.

Transition and base layers combined should account for at least half of the total mattress thickness.

Elmira mattresses uses open cell breathable Airscape foam combined with memory foam.  This works to improve airflow within the mattress, helping release heat and maintain a cooler, more breathable sleep environment. 

The Elmira Hybrid Mattress Collection also features open cell breathable technology, memory foam together with an additional natural latex foam layer as a supportive transition layer.

This is the layer you directly interact with; it dictates the initial feel and pressure relief. Most mattresses’ comfort layers range from 1 to 7 inches thick, though this depends on the materials and model of the bed. Soft mattresses typically have an overall thicker or multiple comfort layer, whereas firm beds have less or thinner comfort layers.

• Purpose: To provide cushioning, pressure point relief (hips, shoulders), and determine the mattress's "feel" (plush, contouring, cool, etc.)

Common Materials:

• Memory Foam: Famous for contouring and pressure relief. Traditional memory foam can sleep hot; gel-infused or open-cell memory foam aims to improve airflow.

• Latex (Natural, Synthetic, or Blend): Offers a buoyant, responsive feel. Naturally cooling and more breathable than traditional memory foam. Talalay is often softer and airier; Dunlop is denser.

• Pillow-Top or Euro-Top: A sewn-on layer of plush material (often fiberfill, foam, or wool) stitched on top. A Euro-top is stitched flush for a more integrated look and feel.

• Gel Pods or Grids: Advanced materials that offer dynamic support and cooling.

• Microfiber or Wool: Natural materials used in organic mattresses for a soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking surface.

This layer of mattress contribute to healthy spine alignment, pressure relief, and motion isolation. When these factors come together, they form a comfort trifecta — a team of sleep superheroes working to save you from nights of discomfort and restlessness.

However, if your comfort layers are too thin, you won’t receive the proper support to keep your spine in alignment and alleviate pressure from your lower back, shoulders, and hips, no matter your go-to sleeping position.

This may even prompt you to research how to fix a sagging mattress if the thin comfort layers of your bed begins to sink.

Similarly, if your comfort layers are too thick, you may experience that oversized marshmallow sensation, which also isn’t ideal for the health and longevity of your spine (or your bed).

The comfort composition of Elmira’s mattresses varies by model between foam and latex, though all Elmira mattresses feature our proprietary comfort layer:

Our proprietary Elmira Cooling comfort foam adapts instantly as you move, reconfiguring itself to support any position you take throughout the night ensuring blissful, uninterrupted rest.. A unique column structure and flexible formula create cradling comfort that relieves pressure while also maintaining support for optimal alignment — it’s a miracle of science.

The fabric encasement that holds everything together.

• Purpose: Protection, aesthetics, and sometimes additional comfort or cooling.

• Features: Often has handles for moving, ventilation panels for cooling, and zippers for easy cleaning (common in some bed-in-a-box models). Materials range from basic polyester to organic cotton, bamboo (cooling), or Tencel (moisture-wicking).

In short, think of the mattress structure as a sandwich: the foundation is the plate, the transition is the bread, and the comfort layer is the filling. All three need to be quality ingredients, balanced correctly, to give you the perfect night's sleep. Always check the detailed layer-by-layer specifications before buying.

When choosing a mattress thickness, you’ll want to consider these factors.

Body weight is just as important as sleep position when choosing a mattress thickness. Sleepers who weigh more sink into a mattress more deeply than lighter individuals and generally need the added support of a thicker mattress.

Sleepers Under 60kg: Thin mattresses often feel too firm for sleepers under 60kg. They are traditionally more comfortable on a model at least 12 inches thick with a generous comfort system that offers significant pressure relief and contouring. However, young children can easily use thinner foam mattresses, such as those commonly found in bunk beds.

Sleepers Between 60kg and 100kg: This weight range encompasses most average-sized adults. A mattress that is 10 to 12 inches thick is usually sufficient. However, your sleeping position and the mattress materials may also influence the ideal thickness.

Sleepers Over 100kg: Because they sink in more deeply, sleepers over 100kg generally favor a mattress at least 12 to 14 inches thick. They typically need a thicker comfort system and a sturdy support core to contour to their bodies without sagging.

If you sleep with a partner or a child, finding a mattress thickness that suits both of you is a bit more tricky. Couples need a mattress that’s thick enough to support their combined weights and durable enough to last.

You should also consider your preferred sleeping positions. Anyone sharing a bed should look for a mattress at least 11 inches thick but ideally 11 -14 inches. Thinner models are more likely to sag under your combined weight. 

Sleep partners who both collectively weigh over 100kg often need an extra-thick mattress to evenly distribute weight over the mattress for sufficient support and spinal alignment.

If you are a single sleeper, you may choose a more traditional 10 to 11-inch mattress. These mattresses can typically support the weight of one to two people comfortably, depending on size.

Consider the height of your bed frame when shopping for a mattress. If you’re using a bed frame, an extra-thick mattress may be challenging to climb into. At the same time, a thin mattress paired with a low-rise platform bed may seem too close to the ground. 

You should be able to sit comfortably on the edge of the bed with your feet resting on the ground. This makes getting in and out of bed much easier, especially for those with limited mobility.

As we age, our mobility declines, making it more difficult to get in and out of bed. A mattress that’s too low or too high doesn’t make it any easier. Older individuals should consider a thinner or standard mattress thickness paired with an average bed frame height or one with adjustable legs that a family member can assist in lowering.

Similarly, those with physical mobility concerns outside of age should consider a thin, firmer mattress that’s easy to move around in.

Beyond age and mobility, your body’s physical health should also be a consideration. For example, if you suffer from nightly hip or shoulder pain, a mattress with thick comfort layers may help alleviate some of that pain.

Depending on your needs and preferences, a thick mattress could make or break your quality of sleep. Here are the pros and cons:

• More cushioning: Thick mattresses are made with more layers, which means they could provide additional comfort. This is a huge plus if you prefer a softer bed, have sore joints, or sleep on your side. 

• Durability: The extra layers in thicker beds provide extra support. This extra reinforcement helps keep your body from sinking into an unhealthy posture and can help prevent the mattress from sagging over time. 

• Support: The additional support from added layers in a mattress makes them a good pick for couples and heavy sleepers. 

• Give an image of luxury, comfort and good rest.

• More expensive: Since thicker beds are made with more materials, they often cost more than thinner models. 

• Heavier: Thicker beds are heavier and bulkier than their thin counterparts, which can make them more difficult to move. 

• Height: A thick mattress may be too thick for your bed base. If you opt for a thick bed, you may need to buy a new bed or foundation. 

Thin beds typically aren’t the best choice for the average person, but they could be great picks for certain types of sleepers. 

• Less expensive: A thinner bed is a good pick if you’re on a budget — since these beds are made with less layers, they’re typically also less expensive. 

• Easy to move: Thin beds are smaller and lighter than the average mattress which makes them easy to maneuver and move around. 

• More stability: Since thin beds are closer to the ground, they make it easier to get in and out of bed. 

• Durability: Thin beds tend to break down faster than thicker mattresses, so while they’re less expensive — you have to replace them sooner. 

• Less support: Thin mattresses don’t provide the same level of support as thicker models, which can cause discomfort. 

• Sagging: Since thin beds are less durable and supportive, they’ll start sagging faster which can cause back pain. 

Each Elmira mattress has key features that set them apart from one another — one being thickness. Learn more about some of our most popular Elmira mattresses and what their level of thickness can offer you.

No matter whether you’re in the market for a softer mattress or a more firm mattress, with a Elmira mattress, you can cozy up to pressure point relief, ideal spinal alignment, and long-lasting durability to achieve the sleep you’ve been dreaming of.

We’re sure you’ll find the mattress that’s just right for your individual sleep needs. To make the most out of your sleep and find the mattress that’s just right for you, choose Elmira.