Your favorite ringtone | Soft (comfortable) vs. medium (balance) vs. firm (sporty)
Your favorite suspension tune - Soft (comfortable), medium (balance), firm (sporty)
A car's suspension ultimately determines the way it drives and handles: factors that help determine the purchase for enthusiasts. The suspensions can be adjusted for a smooth ride (soft) or a very sharp ride (firm). Some can be tuned with a balance of ride and handling in mind.
So what's your kind of hang-up tune?
soft (comfortable)
A soft suspension is not stiff. Overall, this ensures that the vehicle drives comfortably at low speeds. Even if the road becomes bumpy, residents will not feel uncomfortable. This type of suspension is ideal for commuting because the comfort of the passengers comes first.
The disadvantage is that a soft suspension causes a car to roll. Such a suspension is not suitable if the driver becomes enthusiastic when cornering. Here too, a soft suspension causes the car to tip over at high speeds. This setup is not for enthusiastic drivers.
Examples of cars with soft suspension:
MG Hector
Skoda Octavia
Kia Carnival
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
Average (balance)
A medium suspension setup is somewhere between soft and firm. It provides a good balance between ride and handling. In such cases, the car will usually run smoothly and have acceptable handling for an enthusiastic driver. Such a setup is ideal for those who use their car for commuting from Monday to Friday and like to drive along a winding country road on Sunday morning.
Negatives? It is neither here nor there. Sometimes you just feel like he could use a few more trips or, if the roads in the area are really good, buy a car with a firmer suspension. While the ride isn't bad for a car with mediocre suspension, it won't be as sharp as a car with firm suspension.
Examples of cars with medium suspension:
Skoda Kushaq
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
BMW 3 series
Citroen C5 Aircross
Fixed (sporty)
A fixed suspension is stiffer than the other two setups. With most solid suspension systems, passengers will feel all the bumps and irregularities in the road, which translates into a choppy ride at low speeds.
But a solid suspension gives a vehicle superior handling. There is less body roll and corners can be taken at higher speeds. The suspension quickly recovers from bumps and undulations in the road surface, which also results in better stability at high speeds. Ride comfort on the highway at 100+ km/h is generally better with a firmer suspension (more plant feel). Those looking for performance and handling are more likely to enjoy a firm suspension.
Examples of cars with fixed suspension:
Kia Seltos
Ford EcoSport
Volkswagen Tiguan
Tata Nexon
Nissan Magnet
Special mention = Adjustable suspensions
The adjustable suspension clearly gives you the best of both worlds and comes with a 'soft' setting that significantly improves comfort by providing a softer ride. Press the magic button on public roads and things are firm, meaning the suspension is now more dynamically oriented. The Kodiaq is the first car in its segment with adjustable dampers and we hope that other brands/cars will follow suit. This dual personality is a MUST HAVE for India, thanks to our varying road conditions.
FAQs
Soft mattresses are often recommended for people who sleep on their side or have back pain, while hard mattresses are better for stomach and back sleepers or people who are heavier. Ultimately, the best way to decide which firmness is right for you is to your own personal preference.
Is medium-firm comfy? ›
People who sleep on their stomachs or backs are more inclined to find medium-firm mattresses a better fit for their sleep needs. These mattresses provide abundant support without sacrificing the comfort the average person seeks in a mattress. It offers more firmness than the medium without being too firm for comfort.
How do you know how firm your mattress should be? ›
Sleeping position
Back sleepers: A medium-firm to firm mattress (or 5-7/10) is ideal for back sleepers, as they need more push-back for even support. Stomach sleepers: When you sleep on your stomach you need extra lift around the hips, so a medium-firm to firm mattress (or 7-10/10) is perfect.
What are the softest mattress toppers? ›
Pillow-top mattress toppers tend to be the softest, but bedding companies can also formulate memory foam and polyfoam materials to be quite soft. Commonly featured in pillow-top mattress toppers, fibrous materials such as down and down alternative create a lofty sleep surface that feels similar to a pillow.
Who should not sleep on a firm mattress? ›
Simmons says side sleepers need a plush surface to help with pressure relief in the shoulder and hip areas of the body that can often feel squished while sleeping on your side. A mattress that's too firm for a side sleeper could cause shoulder or hip pain.
Is it better to sleep on firm or medium-firm mattress? ›
A firm mattress provides more support and is ideal for stomach and back sleepers as it keeps your spine aligned. On the other hand, a medium-firm mattress offers more cushioning and is better for side sleepers or those with pressure points.
Do hotels use medium firm mattresses? ›
Most hotels use medium-firm mattresses to suit the needs of as many different guests as possible. Furthermore, firm mattresses tend to provide better longevity than soft ones and hoteliers must choose mattresses that will last.
Who is a medium firm mattress best for? ›
If you are a back sleeper, a medium-firm mattress will be a good fit. Medium-firm mattresses are designed to provide the perfect balance between contouring comfort and pushback support. If you are a stomach sleeper, a firm mattress is your best bet.
What is the most popular mattress firmness? ›
Medium-firm is the most popular mattress firmness. Most mattress brands place medium-firm at a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm. 80% of sleepers prefer a firmness in the 5-7 firmness range. Very few sleepers need a very soft or very firm mattress.
What firmness of mattress do hotels use? ›
Typically, the mattresses used in hotel rooms are medium-firm. This is because medium-firm mattresses can accommodate all three sleep positions. Back, side, and stomach sleepers will feel supported with proper spine, neck, and hip alignment.
Waking up with back, neck, or shoulder pain, are common mattress too firm symptoms. Overly firm mattresses can cause pressure points on various parts of the body leading to discomfort and poor quality sleep.
Is a firm mattress good for side sleepers? ›
Side sleepers typically need a soft mattress or one with medium firmness. If it's too firm, you'll be putting pressure on areas like your hips and shoulders, which may cause you to wake up with pain.
What is the number one mattress topper? ›
Best Overall
The Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper impressed us in testing. This unique topper is actually made up of two layers: It has a 2-inch gel memory foam layer, as well as a 2-inch pillow topper that has a built-in skirt similar to a mattress pad.
Should I get a medium or firm mattress topper? ›
As a side note, The Cleveland Clinic suggests that body shape can also determine which firmness level to select. People with hips wider than their waist should go with a softer firmness level, while those with narrower hips will find better support by choosing a firmer sleep surface.
Is a firm bed better for your body? ›
Firm and Ultra-Firm: If you carry weight, sleep on your back, or sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress may help alleviate lower back pain by distributing your body weight more evenly across the mattress. This way, your back isn't curving as much while you sleep.
Do side sleepers need firm or soft? ›
Most dedicated side-sleepers will sleep best on a medium-soft to medium mattress. If you shift to your back or stomach, you may prefer a firmer bed. You shouldn't be stuck with the wrong mattress. We considered options with at least 90-day trials.
Is a softer mattress better for you? ›
Yes, sleeping on a soft mattress can be beneficial for those who prefer a plush feel. Soft mattresses often provide enhanced pressure relief and comfort, particularly suitable for individuals with joint pain or those who enjoy a gentle, cradling sensation while sleeping.
Why do firm beds feel better? ›
Supports the Body: A firm mattress provides support to the body, especially to the hips and shoulders, which are the heaviest parts of the body. This helps distribute weight evenly, reducing pressure points and preventing discomfort.
