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Guide
Mattress Firmness Levels in Switzerland: Understanding H2, H3, and H4
H2, H3, and H4 look like a fixed scale. But they aren’t: The labels aren’t assigned consistently across manufacturers. This guide shows you how to interpret firmness ratings for a specific model, what role weight specifications play, and when trying out a mattress is more helpful than another chart.
- H2 through H4 are not universal
- Compare models rather than numbers
- Trying Out a Mattress and Testing It Out
The Most Important Points in 30 Seconds
Four rules that are more helpful than just another H-table.
01
H2, H3, and H4 are not on the same scale.
The labels are not assigned uniformly across manufacturers.
02
Compare episodes within the series.
The number classifies the variants of a model, not the mattresses from all manufacturers.
03
Refer to the weight ranges for each model.
They apply to the mattress being released now, not to the next series.
04
Base your decisions on the actual product.
Trying out a mattress and documenting a test sleep say more than any other statistic.
Basic Rule
Compare the mattress, not just the number.
Firmness ratings such as H2, H3, and H4 are not a universal scale that applies across all manufacturers and models. Therefore, an H3 in one mattress line may not be as firm as an H3 in another.
While EN 1957 does provide a standardized testing procedure for mattress firmness and a so-called firmness rating, this laboratory evaluation is not the same as the H2/H3/H4 designations found in stores. The standard explicitly states that the measured firmness is not an indication of comfort or quality and that a test result applies only to the specific item tested.
Stiftung Warentest also measures mattress firmness in its own laboratory and reports in its latest tests that manufacturers' claims regarding firmness often do not match the measured firmness.
A clear explanation of firmness levels, therefore, doesn’t just say, “You weigh X, so you need H3.” It explains which selection criteria apply to the specific mattress and where the uncertainty begins.
H2, H3, H4
What the labels can tell us.
The number is primarily a guide within a product family. It only becomes problematic when a model-specific label is treated as a general weight rule for every mattress.
H2
Typical classificationa softer version within a series
ImportantOnly use the weight ranges specified in the description of the specific model
H3
Typical classificationmedium or medium-firm variant within a series
ImportantAn H3 setting is not automatically the same across different manufacturers
H4
Typical classificationa sturdier version within a series
Important"firmer" is not a general measure of quality or comfort
You can find the "Ränder" series in the store as very soft mattresses and extra-firm mattresses.
A concrete example
Boxspring Comfort: Weight specifications apply to this model.
For the current Boxspring Comfort model, Mara Vital offers three firmness levels with model-specific weight ranges. These figures are specific to this mattress. They do not constitute a general H2/H3/H4 chart for other models.
| Hardness | Weight range | Comfort while lying down |
|---|---|---|
| H2 | up to about 75 kg | soft |
| H3 | approx. 76 to 95 kg | medium |
| H4 | approx. 96 to 135 kg | firm |
When you compare another mattress later, be sure to read its firmness rating description carefully and don't apply the Boxspring Comfort limits to another series.
Procedure
Here's how to select the firmness level in four steps.
1
Start with a specific model
First, choose two or three mattresses that fit your bed. Only then should you compare their firmness levels.
2
Read the manufacturer's specifications for your specific model
Published weight ranges narrow down your choices, as long as they refer to the same model.
3
Compare similar variants
If you're close to a limit or want a softer feel, compare the two options.
4
Decisions Based on the Actual Product
You can try out the mattress in the showroom; at home, the documented trial conditions specified in the offer apply.
Choose the exact model first, then the firmness level.
Couples
Two people do not have to choose the same level of firmness.
For couples, having a single firmness rating is not the goal. What matters is what options the specific mattress system offers: With the Mara Vital Partner mattress, you can choose from different H2/H3/H4 combinations for each side of the bed, and each side is configured according to the options of the selected system.
For two firmness levels in one bed, check out the partner mattresses with a customizable combination for each side.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Mattress Firmness.
Is the firmness of H3 the same for every mattress?
No. H2, H3, and H4 are not a universal, cross-brand scale. Therefore, compare the label within the specific model and read the corresponding manufacturer's description.
Is a firmer mattress automatically better?
No. Even the standardized strength rating according to EN 1957 is explicitly not a measure of comfort or quality. “Stronger” describes a property, not a general quality level.
Can I choose the firmness level based solely on my body weight?
Body weight can serve as a useful guide if the manufacturer provides weight ranges for a specific model. However, these values cannot be reliably applied to other mattresses.
Does "H3" mean the same thing for cold foam as it does for pocket spring mattresses?
Not automatically. Because the H-labels do not form a universal scale, an identical strength cannot be inferred from the same number alone when comparing different models or manufacturers.
Consulting
Not sure which firmness level is right for you?
Bring your shortlist with you: In Volketswil and Dagmersellen, you can try out different versions of a model side by side, and we'll narrow down your choice together based on the actual product.
Sources
- DIN EN 1957:2013-01, Furniture: Beds and Mattresses, Test Methods for Determining Functional Characteristics (DIN Media). The standardized test method behind specifications for firmness and durability—and the reason why an “H3” rating does not mean the same thing across different manufacturers.
- Stiftung Warentest: Mattresses Put to the Test. Independent test results on firmness and comfort across different manufacturers.
- Mara Vital: Boxspring Comfort, selection guide on the product page. The weight specifications in the table above apply to this model and are taken from there.
- Mara Vital: Couple's Mattress, Configuration Options. The options covered in the section on two people sharing a bed.
