Available 
Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress
from £199-£349.
£199-£349
Sizes tracked: Single, Small Double, Double, King Size, Super King
Sleep guide
How to choose the right mattress firmness for your sleep style
A practical firmness guide that uses three firm Bodyshape mattresses from Mattress Online to compare sleep-style fit, construction and price, so you can shop with more confidence.
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Last verified: 2026-09-04
What mattress firmness actually means
Firmness is the feel you notice first when you lie down, but it is not the same as support. The same firm label can feel different from one brand to another, so it is better to use firmness as a starting point rather than a promise of exactly how a mattress will feel. Here, the Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress, Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress and Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress are all marked firm, yet they sit at different price points and use different constructions, which makes them useful comparison examples rather than a single answer.
Best firmness for side, back and front sleepers
Sleep position is one of the quickest ways to narrow down firmness. Side sleepers often look for a little more give around the shoulder and hip area, while back and front sleepers commonly prefer a firmer feel that helps the body lie more evenly. Combination sleepers may want something in the middle if they change position during the night. In this shortlist, the two memory foam Bodyshape mattresses may appeal to shoppers who want a firm feel with foam comfort-layer wording, while the Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress is the pricier firm-support option.
How construction changes the feel of a firm mattress
Construction changes how a firm mattress feels in practice. The Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress and Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress use a reflex foam support system with a memory foam comfort layer, so they combine a firm label with foam-based comfort wording. The Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress uses a pocket spring core with soft white fibres and sits higher in the supplied price range. If you are choosing between firm mattresses, compare whether you want a more contouring foam feel or a spring-based feel, then check the exact size and depth details on the product page.
Common firmness mistakes to avoid
A common mistake is buying by label alone and ignoring practical fit. Because firmness labels are not standardised, two firm mattresses can feel noticeably different, and the better check is whether the mattress suits your sleep position, bed frame and bedding setup. Mattress depth matters too: Mattress Online highlights that depth can affect bedding, mattress toppers and bed frames. The 100-night comfort trial and free delivery to most locations make home testing especially relevant, because the right feel is often clearer after a few nights at home than from the product name alone.
What the wider research and retailer details suggest
The wider guidance is consistent on one point: firmness is subjective and not standardised across brands. That matters here because the Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress starts from £199, the Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress starts from £189, and the Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress starts from £328, yet all three are marked firm. Public guidance also links sleep position to firmness choice, with side sleepers often looking for a little more cushioning, back and stomach sleepers often preferring firmer support, and combination sleepers often needing a middle-ground feel. Visible retailer star ratings are shown for the three Bodyshape examples, but no review counts are supplied, so the safer comparison points are price, construction, size choice and the 100-night comfort trial.
How to turn the comparison into a shortlist
Use the Bodyshape trio as examples to compare, not as a ranking. The two memory foam models, Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress from £189-£359 and Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress from £199-£349, sit below the Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress from £328-£577, so the decision is partly budget and partly construction. All three appear to offer five size variants, a 100-night comfort trial and free delivery to most locations. The guarantees differ, though: 3 years on the memory foam models and 1 year on the pocket sprung model. Prices and availability can change, so it is worth checking the retailer page for the latest details before buying.
Mattresses to use as comparison examples
Available 
Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress
from £189-£359.
£189-£359
Sizes tracked: Single, Small Double, Double, King Size, Super King
Available 
Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress
from £328-£577.
£328-£577
Sizes tracked: Single, Small Double, Double, King Size, Super King
Retailer details used
Last checked 2026-09-04. The source list below is included to help you check the details behind the comparison. Always confirm the latest price, delivery cost, stock status and product details with the retailer before buying.
- Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress | MattressOnlineproduct-page evidence for Bodyshape Ortho Memory Foam Mattress
- Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress | MattressOnlineproduct-page evidence for Bodyshape Vitality Memory Foam Ortho Mattress
- Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress | MattressOnlineproduct-page evidence for Bodyshape Ultra Ortho 1500 Pocket Mattress
- How To Choose a Mattress for Better SleepFirmness is not standardized; start firmer and adjust; testing and return policy advice.
- Mattress Firmness: Finding the Best Firmness for You!Firmness basics; sleep-position and combination-sleeper guidance; pillow loft note.
- How to Choose a Mattress: Finding Your Perfect MatchBody type and sleep-position factors; comfort subjectivity.
Helpful next reads
Use these related mattresses guides and reviews to turn the advice into a practical shortlist.
Firmness questions
Is firmness the same as support?
Not quite. Firmness is the initial feel when you lie down, while support is how the mattress holds your body over time. A mattress can feel firm on the surface and still be built differently underneath, which is why the Bodyshape memory foam models and the pocket sprung model should be compared by construction as well as label.
Which firmness is best for side sleepers?
Many side sleepers prefer a mattress with a bit more give than a very firm feel, because shoulders and hips usually need more cushioning. That said, a firm mattress can still work if the construction suits the sleeper, so it is worth checking whether the product page mentions foam comfort layers or other features that soften the first feel.
Does mattress depth matter for frames, toppers and bedding?
Yes. Mattress Online specifically notes that depth can affect bedding, mattress toppers and bed frames, so this is a practical check before buying. It matters even more when you are choosing between the Bodyshape memory foam options and the pocket sprung model, because the name alone does not tell you whether it will fit your setup well.
What does a 100-night comfort trial change when choosing firmness?
It gives you more room to judge firmness at home, where sleep position and daily use can change how a mattress feels. That is especially useful here because all three Bodyshape examples are marked firm, but the memory foam and pocket sprung constructions may feel different once they are in your own bedroom. Always check the retailer’s latest trial and returns terms before ordering.