Best Firm Mattresses

If you are looking for a new mattress on the firmer side, but find yourself unsure which firmness level or bed is right for you this guide can help! The firmness is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best mattress. Everyone has a preference, and for many, a requirement for the level of firmness they desire in a bed.

If you’re a stomach sleeper, a heavy sleeper, or maybe you suffer from back pain—a firm supportive mattress can be a great option for you. Some people may not even realize they prefer a firmer mattress until they try it. Luckily, all of the options we’ll review in this guide offer a generous trial period for customers to fall in love with their bed if they aren’t so sure upon purchase.

Whatever your reasons, if you’re in the market for a firmer mattress, we can help you make the best choice. This article will review what firmness level actually means, several factors to consider, and we’ll share with you the best firm mattresses on the market. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

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Best Firm Mattresses of 2020

• Best Extra Firm Mattress – Plank by Brooklyn Bedding 
• Best Firm Hybrid Mattress – Saatva
• Best Firm Mattress for Couples – Airweave
• Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress – Amerisleep
• Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain – WinkBeds
• Best Firm Mattress for Side Sleepers – Zenhaven
• Best Firm Mattress In a Box – Helix Twilight

Mattress Firmness Scale

Firmness is judged differently from person to person based on your comfort level. But for the purpose of internet shopping, there is a scale that all mattress manufacturers use to help guide customers during their purchase. The scale goes from 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm.

1: Extremely Soft. These are plush mattresses that you can sink into. 

2-3: Soft. Slightly more firm than extremely soft, but still have a “sinking” feeling.

4-6: Medium. These mattresses are not too soft, but not too hard. Many hybrid mattresses are medium firmness. 

7-9: Firm. These are less conforming, stiffer mattresses that you don’t sink into. 

10: Extremely Firm. These are very hard and stiff. There is no sinking or softness. 

The first option on our list is the Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding. It is one of the firmest mattresses on the market. This is a flippable mattress with a ‘Firm’ side (a 7 on the firmness scale) and an ‘Extra Firm’ side (a 9 on the firmness scale). It has foam layers on both sides and a top comfort layer of quilted foam for some cushioning.

It is minimally conforming and is a great option for stomach sleepers and those who weigh over 230 pounds. In addition, it excels at motion isolation and makes no noise while bearing weight, so it’s a great option for couples.  

Brooklyn Bedding mattresses come with free shipping to the United States, a 10-year warranty, and a 120-night trial period so you can send it back if you decide it’s not for you. 

Next is the Saatva mattress. The Saatva is a hybrid innerspring, memory foam mattress that comes in three different firmness levels: ‘Plush Soft’, ‘Luxury Firm’, and ‘Firm’. While they tout the ‘Luxury Firm’ as being their best seller, if you prefer a mattress with a little extra firmness, the ‘Firm’ option is the better choice. 

The construction starts at the top layer with a thin piece of quilted organic cotton foam to cushion your joints and provide pressure point relief. Underneath that is a layer of individually wrapped pocket coils designed to conform to your body and reduce motion transfer. Finally, it contains a layer of gel memory foam that supports the spine. 

Bonus: Saatva mattresses have a 15-year warranty, a 120-night sleep trial period, and complimentary white glove delivery and free removal of your old mattress.

Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more!

As the name suggests, the Airweave was designed to improve airflow. It is made with a proprietary air-fiber, all-plastic, interwoven material. It is great for sleepers who enjoy an extra firm surface or need added support. The support in the center of the bed extends into strong edge support so you no matter where you end up throughout the night, you will have continuous support and comfort.

Lighter sleepers may find that they do not sink deep enough into this mattress and thus do not get the desired relief of their pressure points. Whereas, heavier sleepers may find they sink too much and might put wear on the mattress at a much faster rate. Therefore, this mattress is ideal for those that are average rate. 

Amerisleep has five all-foam beds at different firmness levels available for shoppers. For those who like a firm mattress the AS1, AS2 and AS3 will suit you best. The AS1 mattress is a good fit for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, heavier people and people who love a really firm mattress. The AS2 mattress is a good fit for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, sleepers who like a medium-firm mattress, and those with lower back pain.

Using eco-friendly, plant-based materials, Amerisleep constructs all their mattresses in the U.S. These hybrid mattresses have the perfect balance of support and comfort for sleepers, making to fall asleep, and decreasing the likelihood that you will wake up with aches and pains. With free shipping in the U.S. and helpful customer support, Amerisleep is a great choice for a hybrid mattress!

Read our full Amerisleep Mattress Review to learn more! 

The WinkBed mattress is a hybrid of traditional innerspring mattresses and memory foam. It includes layers of polyfoam, gel memory foam, triple-tempered support springs, and a lumbar pad. All of these elements work together to eliminate muscle tension and align the spine so you get comfort and pain-free sleep.

WinkBeds offer their mattresses in three different firmness options. They are ‘Medium Soft’ (4.5), ‘Medium Firm’ (6.5), and ‘Firm’ (7.5). So, there is an option for every degree of firmness desired among buyers. See: Best Hybrid Mattresses

Read our full WinkBed Mattress Review to learn more!

ZenHaven, created by Saatva, is our all-latex mattress superstar choice for a firm mattress that offers flexibility because it is flippable. One side is ‘Luxury Plush’ (4-5) and the other side is ‘Firm’ (7-8). The ZenHaven is constructed with four layers of Talalay latex foam and a five-zone lumbar support system. 

Zoned support works by providing firmer support to the head, back, torso and leg areas, while offering softer support in the shoulders and hips that need conforming support. Because of the five-zone support layer system, this mattress offers excellent spinal alignment and that of the neck and shoulders. 

Related: Best organic mattress

Read our full ZenHaven Mattress Review to learn more!

Helix has designed several versions of their mattress, one to suit every type of sleeper. Some of the factors they considered when designing their mattress include weight, body type, and sleeping position; one mattress does not fit all. 

Their firm mattress options include the Helix Twilight and the Helix Dawn. Both offer a layered composition of memory foam and dynamic foam to create the right combination of pressure relief and contouring for the body. Bottom line: they are comfortable, yet solid.

The Twilight is the best mattress for side sleepers and provides excellent pressure point relief. The Dawn is best suited for back and stomach sleepers and conforms well to the body. 

Bonus: Helix mattresses come with free shipping to the United States, a 100-night trial, and a 10-year warranty. Helix is also one of our top picks for the best bed in a box! 

Read our full Helix Mattress Review for more details!

Who Are Firm Mattresses Best For?

It’s no secret that firm beds are not for everyone. However, there are many categories of people who prefer a firm mattress and people who have medical conditions that make a firm mattress necessary. The following are some groups who may benefit from sleeping on a firm bed: 

Sleepers with Back Pain

Firm mattresses can provide support for those who suffer from back pain and other aches and pains. The improved spinal alignment that firm mattresses provide will reduce the likelihood of added soreness because of the mattress. 

Big & Tall Sleepers

Firm mattresses can also help provide support for those who carry more bodyweight and sink too deeply into soft mattresses. It is important to remember that “heavy” is relative and a mattress’s true firmness will likely vary from person to person. See: Best Mattresses for Heavy People

People Who Prefer A Firm Surface

Preference matters. You should judge a mattress by how well you sleep while on it and your comfort level. While many who choose firm mattresses do so because they require the added support, some just prefer to sleep on a stiffer surface as opposed to a more plush environment. 

Is Sleeping On A Firm Mattress Good For You? 

PROS

• Improved spinal alignment – You may have heard from your doctor that proper posture is an important component to reducing chronic back pain. This doesn’t end when you’re sleeping. If the spine is out of alignment for 8 hours every day, you will notice via symptoms, such as aches and pains, that develop. A firmer mattress will reduce the risk of improper spinal alignment.
• Extra support – Your spine is not the only portion of your body that requires support while you sleep. Those who suffer from shoulder, neck, hip and other joint pain will require more support and stabilization from their mattress to reduce or ease the pain.
• Deeper Sleep – At least 20-25% of your sleep should be a deep sleep. To get to this stage in sleep, however, you need to feel comfortable and relaxed. Firm mattresses offer the support to allow your entire body to settle easily into a comfortable sleep position so you can get sufficient time in a deep sleep.
• Even Weight Distribution – If you suffer from joint pain and muscle stiffness, it could be because you aren’t using a firm enough mattress. Improper support will cause sagging in heavier areas on a softer mattress.

CONS

• Lower-pressure point relief – If you’ve been in the market for a new mattress, you’ve likely heard the phrase “pressure point relief.” A pressure point is any part of the body that feels uncomfortable when you lie down because of the “pressure” applied by the mattress to that area. If you don’t have the right mattress, these areas of body tissue will end up squeezed and it can restrict blood flow and cause stiffness. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to avoid mattresses that have low-pressure point relief. This is often the case with discount mattresses and outdated mattress models.
• Longer break-in period – Most mattresses take anywhere from 30 to 90 days to fully “break-in” or adjust to their final shape. This can be especially true for firm mattresses that are denser. Keep this in mind if you select a firm mattress and are initially startled by just how firm it is. Give it some time.
• Firm isn’t for everyone – Is a firm mattress right for you? There’s only one way to be sure. Try it! The companies we’ve reviewed offer the opportunity to try their mattresses for a trial period to make sure it’s a good fit. But remember, while you do need firm support for proper spinal alignment, you risk overcompensation if you choose a mattress that is too firm. This will inhibit proper curvature, make your sleep very uncomfortable, and increase chronic pain.

Types of Firm Mattresses 

Innerspring

What is an Innerspring Mattress? Invented in 1871, the innerspring is what most people think of when they think “traditional mattress.” Think of brands like Serta Simmons, and other long-standing brands available in most brick and mortar stores. They are a mattress constructed with a layer of coils as their support and do not have a lot of material on top of those coils, making them very firm options. 

Are they firm? In short, yes. They tend to be some of the firmest options on the market since they typically do not have a comfort layer overtop the coil base. While there have been many improvements to innerspring mattresses since their creation, they are still not hailed as the most comfortable or pressure-relieving models. See: Best Innerspring Mattresses 

Hybrid 

What is a  Hybrid Mattress? A hybrid mattress is a fusion of an innerspring base with a comfort layer on top of the coils. This comfort layer could be made of latex, various foams, and other cotton and polyester blends. 

How firm are hybrids? Hybrids firmness can vary depending on the thickness of the comfort layer. Where traditional innerspring mattresses can fall short in motion isolation and reliving pressure, a hybrid can combine the firm base of coils with some additional comfort. See: Best Hybrid Mattresses

Foam

What is a foam mattress? While memory foam is possible the most popular of the mattress foams, there are dozens of poly foams, gel foams, and foam blends that are used to create foam mattresses. They range in layers of different types of foams from the dense base layer, to varying comfort top layers. 

Firmness varies: Depending on the density of the foam used in the layers, foam mattresses can range from very soft to relatively firm. Most of these firmness levels will depend on the sleeper’s weight, and how far they sink into the first layer of foam. See: Best Memory Foam Mattresses

Latex 

What is a latex mattress? Latex mattresses are constructed from a combination of latex (a rubbery like substance), foams and/or coils, that results in a bouncy, supportive surface. 

How do they feel? Latex has a unique feeling if you have never slept on it before. They are a very popular choice for those in search of pressure relief and are much more breathable than some memory foam. They range from soft to very firm and have grown in popularity due to their use of natural materials. See: Best Latex Mattresses

Popular Accessories For Firm Beds

Mattress Toppers

There are now more ways than ever to customize your mattress. If you are in need or more support but tend to like a softer surface, consider the addition of a euro or pillow top to your bed. These toppers are made in a variety of materials that give your firm mattress a more plush feel.

Pillows 

If you are shopping for a firm mattress due to neck, back, or hip pain, you may want to consider the addition of a pillow depending on your sleeping position. Pillows come in every shape and size; from wedge to flat and small to large, there are pillows for every pain concern. This can add some focused support to different areas of the body.

Conclusion

We’ve talked about why you might be in the market for a firm mattress and the varying degrees of firmness based on standards used by all the mattress manufacturers. In addition, we’ve covered the best, high-quality, firm mattresses on the market based on our very high standards of comfort and function. Finally, we reviewed the factors to consider and the components to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a firm mattress. 

Whether you require better spinal alignment to combat chronic back pain; you are a heavier sleeper who requires extra support, or you prefer a firmer surface to sleep on, you are now ready to decide with confidence and clarity. Go forth boldly and be on your way to a better night’s sleep!

Recap: Best Rated Firm Mattresses