Mattress Height: Which Height Suits Your Bed and Frame
18 or 25 cm: a practical guide to measuring, calculating and comparing.
Which height suits your bed?
Whether 18 or 25 cm: what counts is not a preferred height but how the mattress fits the frame, slatted frame and entry height. First measure the depth of your bed frame and work out the total height of frame, slatted frame and mattress.
The Premium 7-Zone Comfort Mattress is 25 cm high, the Classic Comfort Mattress 18 cm. Both heights are manufacturer's indications. A higher mattress ends up sitting higher in the bed; a flatter one sits lower and is easier to fit into frames or bunk beds.
According to the manufacturer, both mattresses are delivered compressed in the box and reach their full height 24 to 48 hours after unpacking. So do not re-measure straight after unpacking, but only after this time.
Measuring height: frame, slatted frame and edge height
How to proceed:
- Measure the inner depth of the bed frame: from the slatted frame to the top edge of the frame.
- Check whether the manufacturer of your bed states a maximum mattress height.
- Consider how much frame edge you still want to see. Many beds are built so that the mattress sticks out a little above the edge, others so that it ends almost flush.
- Take bed linen, protector and any topper into account.
Special points:
- Bed frames with a fall guard: here a mattress that is too high can reduce the protection. Follow the bed manufacturer's details.
- Slatted frame: for the Premium mattress, a slat spacing of at most 4 cm applies. Common slatted frames and box spring bases are suitable according to the product information.
- Mattress size: length and width must match the inner dimensions of the frame. Help in the size guide.
Entry height in everyday life
The entry height is the height of the sleeping surface above the floor. It results from frame height, slatted frame and mattress. A higher sleeping surface can make getting in and out easier for some, while others prefer a lower one.
An example (as a calculation example only, your bed may be built differently): if the slatted frame is 30 cm above the floor, the Classic Comfort Mattress gives a sleeping height of 48 cm, the Premium mattress 55 cm. With a 7 cm topper, 7 cm would be added.
Which height is more practical for whom:
- If you value a comfortable entry height, measure the total height and compare it with the seat height of a chair you find comfortable.
- If you have small children in the room, pay attention to fall height and fall guards.
- If you like a low bed frame, you will rather choose a flatter mattress.
We state no preferred height. Decide according to habit and space.
Loft bed, bunk bed, pull-out bed and box spring
Special bed types often set limits:
- Loft bed and bunk bed: the manufacturer usually states a maximum mattress height because of the fall protection. Check this before buying. A 25 cm mattress then does not necessarily fit.
- Pull-out bed or guest bed: the bed system can limit the height. If in doubt, measure the space the mattress goes into.
- Box spring bed: the sleeping height is already high because of base and mattress. An additional topper raises it further. More in the guide Topper on a box spring bed.
- Sofa bed or folding bed: often only a small height is possible; the furniture manufacturer's details apply here.
Weight and handling
Higher mattresses are heavier. The Premium 7-Zone Comfort Mattress weighs 14 to 29 kg depending on size, the Classic Comfort Mattress 12 to 25 kg. You notice this when making the bed and moving the mattress; with larger sizes, a second person is advisable.
Note on the Premium mattress: please do not flip it. The gel memory foam is on top. Whether rotating head and foot ends is intended is stated in the product description.
Height also shows when making the bed: fitted sheets should suit the mattress height. You can read the height in the product description; protectors and toppers add to the total height. More on this in the next section.
Mattress plus topper: working out the total height
If you add a topper, the heights add up. Our Premium Comfort Topper is 7 cm high, the 2-in-1 Comfort Topper and the Dream Topper 5 cm.
| Combination | Total height (manufacturer's indications) |
|---|---|
| Classic Comfort Mattress (18 cm) + 5 cm topper | 23 cm |
| Classic Comfort Mattress (18 cm) + Premium Comfort Topper (7 cm) | 25 cm |
| Premium 7-Zone Comfort (25 cm) + 5 cm topper | 30 cm |
| Premium 7-Zone Comfort (25 cm) + Premium Comfort Topper (7 cm) | 32 cm |
Bear in mind: a mattress with a topper is high and can reduce the edge distance to the frame. If you already have a high mattress, a topper is not strictly necessary; whether it is worthwhile depends on how the bed feels to you. The guide Mattress too hard or too soft offers guidance. Topper firmness explains topper firmness grades; H grades (e.g. H3) are manufacturer's indications and not standardised.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a mattress be: 18 or 25 cm?
There is no preferred height. What counts is what suits the bed frame, slatted frame and your entry height. 25 cm sits higher and is heavier, 18 cm sits lower and is easier to fit into low frames. First re-measure your frame depth.
Does a 25 cm mattress fit a loft bed?
That depends on the bed. Many loft beds and bunk beds have a maximum mattress height because of fall protection. Check this detail from the bed manufacturer before you order. The Premium mattress is 25 cm high; if in doubt, the flatter 18 cm Classic Comfort Mattress is the simpler choice.
How high is a mattress with a topper?
The heights add up. The Premium mattress (25 cm) with our 7 cm topper gives 32 cm, the Classic Comfort Mattress (18 cm) with a 5 cm topper 23 cm. The figures are manufacturer's values; deviations of up to 1 cm in height are possible.
How long does it take for the mattress to reach its full height?
According to the product information, unfolding after unpacking takes 24 to 48 hours, because the mattress is delivered compressed in the box. Only measure after that to see whether it fits your frame, and note that deviations of up to 1 cm in height are possible.
Do I need a different slatted frame with a higher mattress?
That depends on your slatted frame. For the Premium mattress, we state a slat spacing of at most 4 cm as a requirement. Common slatted frames and box spring bases come into question according to the product information. Check your frame before ordering, and with a loft bed also note the bed manufacturer's details.