Best Firm Mattresses
Your guide to the best firm mattresses!
Mattress Nerd consulted Dr. Max Cohen, DC, CCEP to ensure that this article met our editorial standards
Written by Livvi DiCicco, Certified Sleep Science Coach
If you are looking for a new mattress on the firmer side but are unsure which firmness level or bed is right for you, this guide can help! Firmness is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best mattress, so you’ll want to do your due diligence.
If you’re a stomach sleeper, a heavy sleeper, or maybe you suffer from back pain, a firm 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 the options we’ll review in this guide offer a generous trial period so customers can fall in love with their bed if they aren’t sure about their purchase.
But we’ve taken the guesswork out of finding the cream of the crop; below, you’ll find a list of the best firm mattresses that will give you the support you need.
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Firm Mattress?
According to our testing processes, the best firm mattress is the Plank Firm because each side offers a different firmness level, so it can be flipped depending on which one best suits your needs. It also excelled in our support, ease of movement, and edge support evaluations.
The Best Firm Mattresses
- Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress – Nerd’s Pick
- Helix Dawn Mattress – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Best Firm Mattress for Couples
- DreamCloud Original Mattress – Best Cooling Firm Mattress
- WinkBed Mattress – Best Firm Hybrid Mattress
- Titan Plus Core – Best Firm Mattress for Heavy People
- Bear Original Mattress – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress
- Saatva Classic – Best Firm Innerspring Mattress
- Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress – Best Firm Luxury Mattress
- BB Kids – Best Firm Mattress for Kids
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- DreamCloud Original Mattress – Save Up to 60% Off Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- WinkBed Mattress – 30% Off All Mattresses
Best Firm Mattresses: Video Review
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed hundreds of mattresses and sleep products over the past 8 years through hands-on testing. A great firm mattress must be supportive yet comfortable.
We put all types of mattresses through our rigorous tests to judge not just their firmness, but other important factors like temperature regulation or responsiveness, for our hot or restless sleepers (respectively).
If you’re a stomach or back sleeper, or someone who suffers from back pain, or you just hate the feeling of a mattress that “hugs” you, these are the mattresses for you.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm – Nerd’s Pick
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
As its name suggests, the Plank Firm mattress is one of the firmest mattresses on the market. This is a flippable mattress with a firm side (7 out of 10 on our firmness scale) and an extra-firm side (9 out of 10). It has foam layers on both sides and a top comfort layer of quilted foam for some cushioning.
The Plank is minimally contouring, so it’s a great option for stomach sleepers, those who weigh over 230 pounds, and anyone looking for a bed with extra lift. This bed also feels extremely responsive for an all-foam option, thanks to its lack of sinkage.
If your posture is a concern, this mattress promises to keep it in check while you sleep. The Plank increases blood flow to all areas of the body while keeping sleepers cool and giving them a customizable sleeping experience.
What our testers say: “The extra-firm side is one of the firmest mattresses we’ve tested, with just a bit more cushion than lying on the floor. This firmness level is best for back and stomach sleepers who find most firm mattresses too soft. The firm side is a tad firmer than the typical medium-firm mattress, and works well for people who enjoy some pressure relief alongside firm support.” —Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Plank Firm
- Sleepers over 230 pounds – The firmer feel of the Plank Firm should provide extra support for bigger bodies, ensuring they don’t sink too far into the mattress.
- Those who rest on their stomach – Similarly, stomach sleepers will enjoy the lift they feel in their hips on this mattress.
Who Might Not Like the Plank Firm
- Most side sleepers – The Plank Firm doesn’t offer much contouring around the hips and shoulders, which could cause pain in these areas.
- Lightweight sleepers – Sleepers under 130 pounds may find they don’t sink as far into this mattress, which could compromise pressure relief.
What users say:
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.7 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews often say the bed is either too firm or softer than expected. But, overall, many people seem satisfied and are finding relief from chronic pain.
Read our full Plank Mattress Review to learn more.
Helix Dawn – Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers
Helix Dawn Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Helix has designed several versions of its mattress, one for every type of sleeper. Some of the factors they considered include weight, body type, and sleeping position, as one mattress does not fit all. Their firmer 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 balance of pressure relief and body contouring — perfect for those who rest on their back.
This hybrid also offers plenty of bounce for folks who want ease of movement on their mattress. Its strong edge support also means you can spread out to your heart’s content without slipping or sliding off. All 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.
What our testers say: “When you lie down, you’ll experience a firm, supportive feel, but lightweight sleepers and even some average-weight sleepers may find it too firm. Its firmness level and overall feel is best for strict stomach and back sleepers who are average-weight or heavyweight and prefer a firm, supportive mattress.” —Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Helix Dawn
- Combination sleepers – The bouncy, firmer feel of this mattress is great for sleepers who switch positions.
- Stomach sleepers – Aside from back sleepers, most stomach sleepers should also benefit from the Dawn’s firmer, supportive feel, which should keep them in proper alignment.
Who Might Not Like the Helix Dawn
- Those with sensitive joints – This mattress didn’t offer the most pressure-relieving surface, which can cause issues for those who are dealing with arthritis or pain in their joints.
- Light sleepers – We could feel quite a lot of motion transferring across the bed’s surface, which could spell trouble for couples that include a light sleeper.
What users say:
The Helix Dawn has an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Helix website. Negative reviews say that the mattress seems to get softer over time, but the majority of positive reviews claim the bed is comfortable and has helped with aches and pains.
Read more in our Helix Dawn mattress review.
Nectar – Best Firm Mattress for Couples
Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Nectar, with a firmness of 6.5 out of 10, just barely qualifies for our list of the best firm mattresses, but we included it for its more supportive, “on top” feel than many other foam beds. Moreover, this mattress scored a near-perfect 4.7/5 on our motion isolation test, meaning your partner can be tossing, turning, shifting, and squirming on their side of the bed and you won’t feel much of anything on your side.
If your two top priorities in shopping for a mattress are firmness and accommodation for couples, then the Nectar should be at the top of your list. Plus, it goes for the relatively affordable price of around $600 for a Queen, alongside a lifetime warranty and year-long sleep trial.
What our testers say: “I noticed only a slight movement transferring across the mattress when I got on or off the bed. The movement isn’t significant enough to wake most people up, so I think the Nectar is a great mattress for couples concerned about motion transfer.” —Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Nectar
- Back sleepers – This was the preferred position for our pressure relief testers, who found this bed’s boosted support and gentle contouring a perfectly suited combination.
- Hot sleepers – Couples prone to overheating will appreciate this bed’s cooling cover, which surprisingly held its weight in our temperature test.
Who Might Not Like the Nectar
- You like a deep hug from your mattress – You don’t sink very far into this mattress, which may deter couples who like an extreme contour.
- Strong edge support is a must – As expected of a foam bed, we found the edges of this mattress collapsed quite a bit beneath our weight.
What users say:
With thousands of reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average 4.7 out of 5 stars. The majority of negative reviews found the bed too firm, too soft, or thought it started to sink too quickly. But positive reviews praise its comfort and cushioning ability.
Read more in our full Nectar mattress review.
DreamCloud – Best Cooling Firm Mattress
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
If you are a hot sleeper looking for a firm mattress, the DreamCloud OG is your perfect match. A lot of mattresses claim to have “cooling features” and promise not to trap body heat, but how many of them have cashmere in the cover along with their gel foam and breathable coils? To have as many added features and the proven ability to perform like a cooling mattress, DreamCloud sells at a very reasonable price.
This bed scored well overall, excelling in our ease-of-movement, motion-isolation, and pain-relief tests. We found it was a better fit for stomach and back sleepers, but some of our testers enjoyed the bed’s firmer feel on their side.
What our testers say: “Hybrid mattresses like the DreamCloud are great for hot sleepers because the coils allow for more airflow in the mattress than foam. The DreamCloud adds another cooling element with gel memory foam, which doesn’t retain as much heat as other memory foams.” —Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the DreamCloud
- Couples – The pillow top absorbs most movement before it can travel across the surface, so you shouldn’t be shaken around by a restless sleeper.
- Combination sleepers – Some combination sleepers complain that they feel “stuck” in memory foam and find it hard to move around on, but the coils in this bed make movement easy.
Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud
- Some side sleepers – While we gleaned quite a lot of pressure relief from this bed, it wasn’t as noticeable when resting on our sides.
- Fans of memory foam – This hybrid does contain foam, but it’s not enough to provide deep sinkage and contouring, as you might expect from other, softer foam beds.
What users say:
The DreamCloud mattress scores a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars among customers on its site. Reviews are mixed on the firmness of the bed, but users are overall satisfied with the comfort and say that their sleep has improved.
Read more in our DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress review.
WinkBed – Best Firm Hybrid Mattress
WinkBed Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
How firm would you like your hybrid mattress to feel? With the WinkBed, you get four firmness options: Soft, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus, with the Luxury Firm being the most popular (and pretty firm on its own). All this support adds up to a mattress that can handle any sleep position. It’s good for side, back, and stomach sleepers, as well as combination sleepers, thanks to its hybrid design with both innerspring layers and multiple layers of foam.
Handmade to order in the USA, this hybrid also features a natural eucalyptus-derived TENCEL cover (think cooling) and a Euro-pillow top with gel-infused foam (even more cooling). It’s a plush yet sturdy combination of contouring foam and steel coils, making it a long-lasting, durable mattress at a nicer price point than other luxury beds with similar features.
What our testers say: “The WinkBed mattress has four different firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus. There’s a WinkBed for everyone, but for your purposes we recommend the Firmer option, which should feel around 7.5/10 on our firmness scale.” –Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the WinkBed
- Hot sleepers – The cooling on this mattress is excellent, as the inner spring layer and breathable foams keep air flowing through the mattress.
- Heavyweight sleepers – We thought the Luxury Firm was a good match for most sleepers, including those over 230 pounds, but the Firm and Plus — the latter designed specifically for this group — should also be great fits.
Who Might Not Like the WinkBed
- Fans of a bouncy mattress – For a hybrid, we were surprised that the WinkBed wasn’t too bouncy; the pillow top proved difficult to navigate when switching positions.
- Lightweight side sleepers – These folks may find the Luxury Firm model of the WinkBed too firm to offer the sinkage they need.
What users say:
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most negative reviews focus on problems with delivery and removal. Overall, people seem satisfied and find the bed supportive and sturdy.
Read more in our WinkBed mattress review.
Titan Plus Core – Best Firm Mattress for Heavy People
Titan Plus Core
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Titan Plus Core mattress was designed specifically for heavy people. This hybrid design consists of a gel memory foam top, foam comfort layer, and individually wrapped coils. The mattress provides targeted pressure relief and optimal support for heavy back and side sleepers.
The Titan Plus has a firmness rating of 7.5 out of 10, but it may feel slightly softer or firmer depending on your weight. It has good responsiveness, meaning you’re more likely to sleep on top of the mattress than sink deeply into it. This mattress provides excellent temperature regulation with cooling gel memory foam and over a thousand coils for lots of airflow. On top of that, the Titan is a great budget-friendly option, especially for a plus-size mattress.
What our testers say: “Because this mattress combines heavy-duty premium pocketed coils with high-quality memory foam, it creates one of the best hybrid mattresses that is responsive, promotes spinal alignment, and delivers a great night’s sleep for heavier back, stomach, and side sleepers.” —Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Titan Plus Core
- Shoppers who want a good mattress for sex – The Titan Plus Core’s solid edge support, firmer feel, and excellent responsiveness make it a great bed for intimacy.
- Couples – Surprisingly, this mattress offers great motion absorption despite its firm, bouncy nature.
Who Might Not Like the Titan Plus Core
- Lightweight sleepers – Some lightweight sleepers may find this mattress too unyielding — I recommend it if you sleep on your back or stomach in this category and prefer an extra-firm feel.
- Some side sleepers – While we found this mattress offered excellent pressure relief, some side sleepers, especially those with sensitive hips and shoulders, may want a softer bed.
What users say:
Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus line a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers say that overall, the bed’s firmness holds up. A few complained about the lack of edge support and that their sheets sometimes slide off. Many negative reviews suggest not buying the bedframe that comes in some bundles, but the mattress itself works great for them.
Read more in our Titan Plus Core mattress review.
Bear Original – Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress
Bear Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Bear Original is a great place to start if you’re looking for a firm, comfortable, and high-quality memory foam mattress. In fact, it was designed for athletes who will benefit from its Celliant cover that promotes healthy blood flow and cooling for faster recovery times. At a more firm level of 7 out of 10, the Bear Original features four foam layers to ease pressure on key areas of the body (hips, back, and shoulders).
The gel infused into the first layer of memory foam adds another cooling effect, which also boosts recovery times. In sum, we recommend this mattress for all back-sleepers and lightweight to average-weight side sleepers. It has a bouncier, more responsive feel than classic memory foam, which should also appeal to combination sleepers who change sleep positions through the night.
What our testers say: “The memory foam layers offer pressure relief and balanced support and create a stable and even surface. Because the Bear is a firmer mattress, you won’t feel like you are sinking into the mattress, but stay on top without the traditional hugging feeling of memory foam.” —Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Bear Original
- Budget shoppers – You can get this mattress for as low as $650 for a queen, which is an incredible deal for the level of quality and comfort you’ll receive.
- Back sleepers – If this is your primary sleeping position, you’re set with this mattress; it offers the ideal blend of softness and support to keep the spine aligned.
Who Might Not Like the Bear Original
- Side sleepers – We weren’t impressed with the level of pressure relief in this position; you probably won’t sink in enough around the hips and shoulders.
- Heavyweight sleepers – The Bear’s all-foam construction and thinner profile may not be enough to support heavyweight sleepers, who will sink further into the mattress than those with a smaller frame.
What users say:
According to Bear’s website, the Bear Original scores about 4.7 out of 5 stars. The majority of reviewers praise the bed’s comfort and construction after upgrading from an old mattress. Negative reviews tend to focus on the bed being too firm or too soft, indicating personal preference issues.
Read more in our Bear Original mattress review.
Saatva Classic – Best Firm Innerspring Mattress
Saatva Classic
Product Details
Our Recommendation
The Saatva Classic is a luxury mattress that aims to create that classic innerspring feel, hence its name. It comes in three different firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm. While the Luxury Firm is their best-seller, and also comes in at 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, if you prefer a mattress with a little extra firmness, the Firm option is a solid choice.
This mattress features two coil units for zoned support and extra bouncy. On top is a thick pillow top for cushioning and pressure relief. Saatva’s goal was to make a reasonably priced luxury product with excellent customer experience, so it comes with white glove delivery, free removal of your old mattress, a 365-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty.
What our testers say: “If you’re looking for a cooling hybrid with a balanced feel of comfort, support, and hotel-like quality, the Nolah Evolution 15” mattress could be a great option for you. While not cheap, you’ll get all the bells and whistles that you’d expect with a luxury mattress.” —Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Saatva
- Seniors – Saatva’s strong edge support means older adults and those with mobility concerns will have added stability when transferring in and out of bed.
- Restless sleepers – This mattress has an extremely bouncy profile, which means that switching positions during the night will fell seamless and hassle-free.
Who Might Not Like the Saatva
- Light sleepers – The Saatva doesn’t offer much in the way of motion isolation, so you’ll likely feel your partner’s movements.
- Shoppers on a budget – While it’s certainly worth its weight in gold, many shoppers may not be able to justify the $2,000 price point for a queen-size Saatva mattress.
What users say:
According to Saatva’s website, the Classic comes in at 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviews are generally positive, praising the bed’s high-quality construction and comfort. Some customers complained about issues with delivery or felt the bed didn’t hold up as long as they would’ve liked.
Read more in our Saatva mattress review.
Nolah Evolution – Best Firm Luxury Mattress
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
With three different firmness options, including a Luxury Firm, which we had the pleasure of testing, the Nolah Evolution is a great pick for shoppers with a bigger budget. Its combination of super-contouring foams and support coils lends it a luxurious feel, one that’s only bolstered by the bed’s excellent cooling, strong edge support, and excellent motion absorption.
We recommend the firmer options of this mattress for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and heavyweight side sleepers. It also offers excellent pressure relief, which should benefit sleepers dealing with back pain, sensitive joints, or other concerns that require extra care and a touch of plushness.
What our testers say: “If you’re looking for a cooling hybrid with a balanced feel of comfort, support, and hotel-like quality, the Nolah Evolution mattress could be a great option for you. While not cheap, you’ll get all the bells and whistles that you’d expect with a luxury mattress.” —Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Nolah Evolution
- Light sleepers who share the bed – We found this bed’s upper foam layers did an excellent job of absorbing motion, allowing couples to sleep side-by-side completely undisturbed.
- Hot sleepers – This bed felt cool throughout testing, meaning it should keep temperatures low throughout the night for sleepers prone to overheating.
Who Might Not Like the Nolah Evolution
- Shoppers who want a bed under $1,000 – A queen-size Nolah Evolution will run you closer to $1,500, and that’s often with sales or coupons.
- Fans of a bouncy mattress – Because of its thick comfort layers, we noticed some resistance when we tried to move around on the surface — nothing that would make it unbearable, but something to keep in mind if you like a springy feel.
What users say:
Earning a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website, the Nolah Evolution seems to be a hit. Negative reviews tend to focus on personal preference or regrets about ordering the wrong firmness. Overall, customers are satisfied with the feel and comfort. Many reported their aches and pains disappearing after making the switch to Nolah Evolution.
Read more in our Nolah Evolution mattress review.
Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids – Best Firm Mattress for Kids
BB Kids
The BB Kids mattress features a stain-resistant cover and a true medium-firm feel for excellent support and spinal alignment.
Product Details
Our Recommendation
For the most part, we recommend firmer mattresses for kids, as this ensures stability as they grow and supports their spine. We’ve considered a number of kids’ mattresses, but none were so firm as the BB Kids mattress by Brooklyn Bedding. This all-foam mattress came in at a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
It’s an extremely affordable option, perfect for a transitional period in your child’s life, because — let’s face it — they’ll likely grow out of their bed eventually. But the BB Kids should last you years to come, and may even work as a guest room or bunk bed mattress. Its strong edge support and ease of movement are something all sleepers might enjoy.
What our testers say: “I’m not the target demographic for this bed, but even as a lightweight sleeper, this bed is extra-firm, so kids will likely have the same experience. You’ll feel more ‘on top’ of this mattress, which could benefit young sleepers who rest on their back or stomach.” –In-House Tester
Who Might Like the BB Kids
- Parents on a budget – You’ll never pay more than $300 for a BB Kids mattress, regardless of which size you choose; just be aware it only comes in twin, twin XL, and full sizes.
- Young stomach and back sleepers – If your child sleeps on their stomach or back, the BB Kids’ super-supportive feel will be a good fit.
Who Might Not Like the BB Kids
- Your child frequently complains of feeling hot – While this bed didn’t feel sweltering, there weren’t enough cooling additions to create a significant change in temperature.
- Kids who want a softer mattress – Many kids’ beds are flippable, offering both a firm and a soft side for shifting preferences. As children age, they may express a desire for a softer bed, which the BB Kids can’t accommodate.
What users say:
On Brooklyn Bedding’s site, the BB Kids mattress has a 4.5 out of 5 stars based on hundreds of customer reviews. Negative reviews of this mattress are mostly from parents saying their child finds the bed too firm. But most are overwhelmingly positive, with some adults even saying they find the mattress supportive and comfortable, too — though we wouldn’t recommend these folks sleep on it long-term, due to its weight capacity.
Our BB Kids mattress review is in the works.
Mattress Firmness Scale
Firmness is judged differently from person to person based on your comfort level. But for internet shopping, there is a scale that all mattress manufacturers use to guide customers during their purchase. The scale goes from 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm.
- 1-3: Extremely Soft. These are plush mattresses that you can sink into.
- 4–5: Soft. Slightly more firm than extremely soft, but still have a “sinking” feeling.
- 6-7: Medium. These mattresses are not too soft, but not too hard. Many hybrid mattresses are medium or medium-firm.
- 8–9: 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.
It’s rare to find beds that fall at the extreme ends of the spectrum. We typically see beds in the 5 to 8 range. For a more comprehensive breakdown, head over to our mattress firmness guide.
What to Look For in the Best Firm Beds
When shopping for any type of mattress, not just the best firm mattresses, there are some factors that should always be top of mind. These attributes are the ones that we look at when testing a mattress in our lab; they give us a sense of the product’s overall quality, and allow us to make thoughtful recommendations based on your specific needs and preferences.
Motion Isolation
One of the most important factors for couples, good motion isolation helps to keep your partner’s movements from disturbing your sleep. For a firm mattress that excels in this field, make sure you look for something with dense foam layers.
Pressure Relief
Our pressure relief tests measure how well a mattress supports and comforts sensitive areas of your body, such as the hips and shoulders. Firm mattresses tend to do a better job of relieving pressure in heavyweight sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Ease of Movement
If you tend to toss and turn in your sleep, you’ll want a mattress with a high ease-of-movement score, as it will make it much easier for you to switch from your side to back to stomach. Thankfully, firm mattresses usually do a great job of this because they don’t allow you to sink too far below the surface.
Edge Support
Good edge support in a mattress means there’s a strong perimeter, so you can sit or lie on the far edges of the bed without it sagging underneath your weight. Firm mattresses usually excel when it comes to this.
Temperature Control
If you sleep hot at night, you’ll definitely want a mattress that does a good job of regulating temperature. Something that has good breathability (like a hybrid) or contains cooling materials (like copper infusions or gel foam) will help keep you from overheating as you sleep.
Durability
Finally, durability measures how well a mattress will maintain its structural integrity over the years. If you’re looking to purchase a mattress that will last you up to a decade then high durability is essential.
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 are likely to prefer and/or benefit from a firm mattress:
Sleepers with Back Pain
We often find firm mattresses to be some of the best mattresses for back pain, as they can keep your spine better aligned by supporting the hips and shoulders . The improved spinal alignment that firm mattresses provide can 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. If you’re heavier than average (around 230 lbs) there’s a good chance that a firm mattress will feel perfectly soft to you, while still supporting sensitive areas. Check out our Best Mattresses for Heavy People for more options.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers of average or heavy weight tend to do well on a firm mattress. The reason being that if the mattress is too soft, then the front of their hips will sink deep into the mattress, throwing their spine out of alignment and possibly leading to soreness. Lightweight stomach sleepers, however, can likely get by with a medium-firm mattress.
Combination Sleepers
If you find yourself sleeping on your side, stomach, and back throughout the night then you’re a combination sleepers. You’ll need a mattress that does an adequate job of supporting all three sleeping positions, and makes it easy to switch from one position to another. You don’t want to go too firm if you’re a combo sleeper, but something in the medium-firm range (6.5 or 7 out of 10) should do well for you. If you want to learn more, check out our list of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Who Might Not Like a Firm Mattress?
Lightweight Sleepers
If you’re less than 130 lbs and you lie down on a firm mattress, there’s a chance it’ll feel like lying on the floor. That’s because your body does not have enough weight to push you into the surface of the mattress. This is especially the case for lightweight side and back sleepers, who need a decent amount of sinkage around their hips and shoulders to relieve the pressure in those areas. We suggest you hop over to our best plush mattresses page for some great suggestions for lighter folks.
Side Sleepers
As we alluded to above, the best mattresses for side sleepers offer a good amount of give. Of course, there should be some support provided, but it’s very important for the hips and shoulders to be properly cushioned by the bed. If your mattress is too firm, it can push against your shoulder and cause stress on the area. If this is something you’re experiencing as a side sleeper, it could be that your mattress is too firm.
Back Sleepers
Most back sleepers should look for a mattress right in the middle of the firmness scale, either medium-soft or medium firm. That’s because if you sleep on your back, your hips need to sink into the mattress just a little bit—enough to be cushioned but not so much that your spine gets thrown out of alignment. With a firm mattress, you run the risk of resting on top of the mattress rather than slightly in the mattress.
What Mattress Type is the Firmest?
Any mattress can be firm, regardless of construction. Even memory foam mattresses, which are typically assumed to be very soft, can feel firmer. If a company has a firm mattress for sale, they’ll likely take every opportunity to tell you, as there is a large market for them.
Innerspring
The innerspring is what most people think of when they think of a “traditional mattress,” most coming from long-standing brands available in most brick-and-mortar stores. They’re 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.
Innerspring mattresses tend to be some of the firmest options on the market since they typically do not have a comfort layer — or a very thin one, at that — over the coil base. While there have been many improvements since their creation, innerspring beds are still not hailed as the most comfortable or pressure-relieving models.
Hybrid
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.
Hybrid beds’ firmness can vary depending on the thickness of the comfort layer. Where traditional innerspring mattresses can fall short in motion isolation and relieving pressure, a hybrid can combine the firm base of coils with some additional comfort.
Foam
While memory foam is possibly the most popular of the mattress foams, there are dozens of polyfoams, 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.
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.
Latex
Latex mattresses are constructed from a combination of latex (a rubbery like substance), foams and/or coils, that results in a bouncy, supportive surface.
These mattresses have a unique feeling that may take some getting used to. 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.
Popular Mattress Accessories For Firm Beds
Mattress Toppers
There are now more ways than ever to customize your mattress. If you are in need of 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. Our best mattress toppers guide should help you find what you’re looking for. Or, if you’re a side sleeper who feels that your mattress is too firm, our specific best mattress toppers for side sleepers can help add some softness to the equation.
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 a wedge pillow to flat and from small to large. There are pillows for every pain concern. This can add some focused support to different areas of the body. Take a peek at our best pillows roundup for suggestions that pertain to every sleeping situation.
Recap of the Top-Rated Firm Mattresses
| Mattress | Award | Mattress Type |
| Plank Firm | Nerd’s Pick | Hybrid |
| Helix Dawn | Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers | Hybrid |
| Nectar | Best Firm Mattress for Couples | Foam |
| DreamCloud | Best Cooling Firm Mattress | Foam |
| WinkBeds | Best Firm Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid |
| Titan Plus Core | Best Firm Mattress for Heavy People | Hybrid |
| Bear | Best Firm Memory Foam Mattress | Foam |
| Saatva | Best Firm Innerspring Mattress | Innerspring |
| Nolah Evolution | Best Firm Luxury Mattress | Foam |
| BB Kids | Best Firm Mattress for Kids | Hybrid |
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for spine-aligning support and to feel like you’re lifted on top of your mattress, firm mattresses should work well for you. There are hundreds of firm-feeling beds out there, but I hope you found your match among our favorites. A good place to start is always the aptly named Plank Firm, but any of the options outside our top pick should fit the bill.
FAQs
Does weight affect how firm a mattress feels?
Your weight is the number one thing that will determine how firm, or how soft, a mattress feels to you. Mattresses are constructed of multiple layers, most of which become denser (firmer) as you get closer to the base of the mattress.
On some mattresses, if you are a heavier person (over 230 pounds), you will sink into the mattress more, meaning you will feel more of the firmer materials deeper in the mattress. If you are a heavier person who likes a firmer mattress, you want to make sure you are feeling a comfortable firm. Look for beds that have a firm, or more dense, top/comfort layer. This means you will be feeling the firmness intended for the sleeper to feel, not the inner layers.
Which sleeping positions are firm mattresses best for?
Technically, all sleeping positions can sleep and find comfort on a firm mattress. However, if you are a side sleeper, you are the one sleeping position I would caution. Side sleepers have to find a delicate balance of supporting their spine, as well as avoiding jamming their hips and shoulders.
For stomach and back sleepers, a firmer mattress is typically best. If a mattress is too soft, it can cause the hips to sink down in these positions, throwing the spine out of alignment and increasing the risk for aches and pains. Combination sleepers will find that firmer mattresses are easier to move around on, but may not provide that contouring feeling once you get into your next comfortable position, so it is more about personal preference.
Is a firm mattress good for your back?
While the effects may differ depending on your weight and preferred sleeping position, firm mattresses tend to provide more support than soft mattresses, which can result in better spinal alignment and less back pain. For a more detailed breakdown of how you can avoid aches and pain, check out our article on sleep and back pain.
Will a firm mattress soften over time?
Regardless of how well you take care of your mattress, it will soften as you sleep on it and break it in. If you want to keep your mattress firm, there are some steps you can take to slow down the softening process.
First, consider purchasing a mattress topper. While they can make your sleeping surface soften because of the added cushion, the extra layer will protect the integrity of your actual mattress and aid in preserving its firmness. Also, make sure you rotate your mattress a couple of times per year, This will ensure that no single part of the bed has too much stress on it for a prolonged period of time.
What is the best firm mattress topper?
If you’d like an added layer of cushion on your mattress but don’t want to sacrifice too much firmness, check out our TEMPUR-Adapt Topper review.
