We purchased the medium firm for my husband 6 years ago, and are still happy with it. We purchased a second mattress last month, this time firm. I honestly don't know if I feel a huge difference between the medium and firm. Firmness is very subjective, so I will just say that it is a good firmness for me and I do not fight to rollover, as can happen with some memory foam mattress. I did not have any issues with smell. There was no damage and it took shape quickly after being unpacked. The price on this mattress has remained consistent for the last 6 years and I think this one was a bit less. I have this mattress on a platform bed and the mattress fits snugly inside the frame. Because the mattress is heavier that a traditional mattress, it's a bit of a struggle lifting it to put a fitted sheet on. This would be my only complaint, but I blame it on the platform frame. :) The other mattress is on a traditional bed frame and I don't struggle with a fitted sheet on that one. Just know that this mattress is a bit heavier than a traditional spring mattress, but sooooooo much better.