The Best Extra Firm Mattresses – Which One Is Best For You?

Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress

It has a flippable design, so you can easily change its firmness level by turning the mattress over.
It’s the firmest mattress we have tested, so if you need a lot of spinal support, this is a good option.
It works well for stomach sleepers because it helps keep hips elevated and in the correct alignment.

Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress

This mattress is too firm for most side sleepers. If you tend to sleep on your side, you should consider getting one of the best soft mattresses.
Because it’s made entirely out of foam, it tends to trap body heat. If you tend to sleep hot at night, you may want to consider getting one of the best cooling mattresses instead.

The Plank Firm mattress is one of the most supportive mattresses on the market. It has a flippable design, with two firmness levels in one. On our firmness scale, the the softer side feels like a 8/10 and the firmer side feels like a 9/10. Both sides tend to work well for stomach sleepers, but most side sleepers won’t get enough pressure relief on this bed. Watch our video review to learn more.

Pros of the Helix Dusk Mattress

This bed is slightly firmer than average, but the memory foam at the top of the mattress still provides some good cushioning and body contouring that makes it a good match for back sleepers of all body types.
Due to the coils in the support layer, this mattress is springy, responsive, and easy to move around on. If you change positions frequently while you sleep, this is a good choice.

Cons of the Helix Dusk Mattress

In our experience, this wasn’t a great match for side sleeping. The foam might not offer enough pressure relief for side sleepers, so be sure to look at our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

If you want something just a bit firmer than your typical medium-firm mattress, the Helix Dusk is a good choice. Of the brand’s two medium options, this is the mattress that works best for back sleepers. The foam offers some good body contouring, but the coils offer excellent support to keep sleepers from bottoming out of the mattress.

Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress

It works well for people who weigh 230 – 500 lb, thanks to its supportive feel.
This mattress has great edge support.
The Titan Plus mattress is breathable and cool, so it works well for hot sleepers.

Cons of the Titan Plus Mattress

Lightweight people likely won’t get enough pressure relief on this mattress.
It’s too firm for many side sleepers, who will likely need more cushioning along their shoulders and hips. If you want a mattress that’s more plush, you may want to consider getting the Titan Plus Luxe instead.

The Titan Plus mattress works well for many heavyweight back and stomach sleepers. It’s quite firm, coming in at 9/10 on our firmness scale. This means that many side sleepers won’t get the pressure relief they need along their shoulders and hips. Watch our Titan Plus mattress review video to learn more.

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

It has a bouncy, responsive feel. This is great for combination sleepers who benefit from a bed that makes it easy to change positions at night.
The WinkBed features zoned support. With firmer foam at the top and bottom and more cushioning foam in the middle, this bed has excellent lumbar support.
This bed sleeps cool. Thanks to the breathable coils and gel-infused memory foam, hot sleepers can expect a cool night’s rest.

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

This isn’t the best option for motion isolation. Instead, check out our list of the best mattresses for couples.
The WinkBed doesn’t have a traditional “sink-in” memory foam feel. Instead, check out our list of the best memory foam mattresses.

The WinkBed is a versatile mattress that provides zoned support and cooling comfort for a fair price. This bed’s excellent responsiveness makes it a good fit for combination sleeper that want a bed that’s easy to move around on. For couples looking for motion isolation, though, this probably isn’t the best choice. Instead, check out the Nectar Premier Copper. Learn more in our video review.

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

This mattress offers great value. It’s made with high-quality materials and backed by a lifetime warranty, but available at a relatively affordable price point.
It comes with excellent edge support. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s sturdy perimeter is helpful if you need a stable surface to get in and out of bed.
The bed’s cover and foam layers contain cooling materials to help regulate your body temperature. Its coil layer also promotes plenty of airflow to keep you cool.

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

Doesn’t do the best job of isolating motion. For better motion isolation, check out our list of the best mattresses for couples.
Likely not supportive enough for sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs. Instead, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people.

The Bear Elite Hybrid is Bear’s most high-end mattress. It offers luxury features, like zoned support and extra height, while still offering the temperature regulation Bear mattresses are known for. Based on our testing results, we’d recommend this mattress to average-weight side and back sleepers, as well as hot sleepers. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out the Bear Star Hybrid. Learn more in our video review.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is a budget-friendly mattress. It’s a good fit for shoppers looking for an affordable, versatile bed.
Combination sleepers will find it easy to change positions on this bed. Thanks to its bouncy coil construction, the Signature offers a very responsive surface.
Back and side sleepers under 230 lbs can expect great pressure relief and support on this bed.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress

This bed doesn’t provide much motion isolation. If you’re looking for a mattress that will absorb more motion, check out our list of the best mattresses for couples.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature isn’t a luxury mattress. If you want something that’s got more bells and whistles, check out our list of the best luxury mattresses.

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is an affordable, no-frills bed with a medium-firm feel that should work for a wide variety of sleepers. While it’s made with durable materials and should last up to 10 years, it isn’t the most luxurious option. If you’re looking for a premium bed, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe. Learn more in our video review.

Pros of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

It has great cooling features, such as graphite-infused foam and airflow-promoting coils.
Even though it has coils, it isolates motion well. This makes it a great mattress for couples.
It’s available in three firmness levels, so it works for a variety of people.

Cons of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

It lacks a slow-moving feel. If that’s what you are looking for, you may want to get one of the best memory foam mattresses instead.
It’s not supportive enough for most people who weigh more than 300 lb. If you fall in this category, you may want to consider getting the Nolah Evolution Comfort+ instead.
Because it’s a luxurious mattress, it might be too pricey for some people.

The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels. The Luxury Firm model works well for many back and side sleepers. This mattress has many cooling features, and it isolates motion well. It’s not a great option for most people who weigh over 300 lb, though. If you fall in this category, you may need more lumbar support. Watch our Nolah Evolution mattress review video to learn more.

Pros of the Birch Mattress

The Birch Natural is made with sustainable materials that have earned certifications from multiple third-party organizations, including GOTS and GREENGUARD.
Thanks to the latex layer, this bed is a bouncy, responsive mattress. Combination sleepers will appreciate how easy it is to change positions on it.
Ventilated latex and individually wrapped coils make for a breathable, cool night’s rest on this bed. Hot sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about this mattress trapping heat.

Cons of the Birch Mattress

This bed is likely too firm to provide the cushioning most side sleepers need. Instead, check out our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
With such a responsive surface, this mattress won’t offer much motion isolation. For beds with better motion isolation, check out our list of the best mattresses for couples.

The Birch Natural is a great option if you’re looking for a sustainable, responsive bed. It features natural latex and individually wrapped coils for comfort and support. Its firmness is best suited to back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs, though, so side sleeepers should opt for a softer bed, like the Helix Midnight. Learn more in our video review.

Pros of the Emma Comfort Hybrid Mattress

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a great choice for back sleepers who want a firm mattress that can support heavier weights. Back sleepers should get a good amount of comfort and support here.
This bed is good for budget shoppers, as it can be discounted up to 50% during major holidays.
Hot sleepers shouldn’t worry about overheating because the coils allow for airflow, the cover is breathable, and you don’t sink into the bed, which means it won’t trap heat.

Cons of the Emma Comfort Hybrid Mattress

It’s far too firm for side sleepers. Check out our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers for the best options.
The foam doesn’t offer a lot of contouring. If you want a mattress with a more slow-moving foam feel, look at our list of the best memory foam mattresses.

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is an affordable mattress that’s very firm and offers great support for stomach and back sleepers. It can also handle heavier weights, so it’s a great choice for heavyweight individuals who need a supportive mattress. Couples should sleep soundly without worrying about noticing their partner move around during the night and it won’t trap too much heat. Learn more in our video review.