Hi Daniela,

Thanks for getting in touch.

The Healthopaedic mattress you have now is a mix of a firm spring unit and memory foam top layer. I can’t see any detail on the density of the memory foam but one can assume it’s softer than a spring unit. I can also see from the price of it that’s I’m almost certain it will be an open coil spring unit. These are the cheapest support units used in mattresses and can give that spongy roll together feeling after a while which also may add to the soft complaint.

From your complaint it would seem that it’s the memory foam ‘softer’ top layer that’s causing your boyfriend issue. I’m guessing due to your light frame it is this softer top layer that’s keeping you comfortable. Unless you like a punishingly firm sleep surface at your weight we would never recommend a firm. This brings you to the issue that you’re struggling to find a mattress that meets both your needs.

Having too firm a mattress can mean that the support unit is only doing a minimal amount of work whilst your poor body is having to contort around it. This sometimes leads to the complaint about stiffness. The opposite is also true if the mattress is too soft, and you start to have to readjust throughout the night to get comfortable.

Fear not though with split tension mattresses this can be overcome.

The John Lewis mattress you have tried has a pocket spring unit which is far more advanced than a open coil. That said its a firm spring unit which wouldn’t be suitable for your weight. The mattress is primarily synthetic fibres, which one would expect at this price point. The wool layer on the top, seen in the cutaway on their site, is the softer part of the mattress as it’s the top comfort layer. It would seem from your feedback that this simply isn’t soft enough for your light frame. Also given the firm spring unit this mattress will feel incredibly solid for you with very little sink.

The ikea Hovag is another firm mattress but this time only one sided. One sided mattresses mean you can only rotate and not turn the mattress giving you only one side to play with. This can reduce the lifespan of a mattress. This mattress is entirely synthetic and uses high density foam for the top comfort layer. I doubt this would be suitable for you either given your weight and feedback.

What I would recommend is you go for a split tension mattress with one side on a soft spring tension for yourself and the other a firm spring tension for your partner. I would advise this in a zip and link, meaning you each have your own side which is both fully turnable.

Have a look at our Origins Pocket 1500 with the zip and link option, which can be tailored in a 1500 spring tension and a 2000 spring tension on each side meaning one sides firmer than the other. This will give an overall medium feel for you but a definite firm feel for your partner.

Given the weight difference and preference difference you have Daniella it’s unlikely that you’re ever going to get the perfect match without a super bespoke mattress construction method. We’ve recommended the Origins Pocket 1500 as this is closest to your budget and provides a slit tension, which would give a firmer and softer side for you.

Please get back in touch if you have any further questions on 0161 437 4419 between 8 am and 8 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am and 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Kind Regards

Michaela