Many companies in the sleep industry advertise that their mattress is the softest and most pressure-relieving. But what about those sleepers wanting the best firm mattress? We’re here to help those prioritizing support above all else. As a result, we’ve created this roundup of our top picks for the best firm mattresses, all of which have been tested by a number of our reviewers, ensuring that we get the most comprehensive idea of how they perform for specific body types and sleep preferences. While a couple of beds on this list aren’t technically firm on the firmness scale (8/10 and up), all 10 beds are firmer than average. So, they have an “on-top-of” feel and offer the support stomach sleepers and some back sleepers need.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Firm Mattress?
Best Firm Mattresses of 2023: Our Top 10 Picks
- Best Overall – Plank
- Best Firm Mattress for Couples – Emma Hybrid Comfort
- Best Firm Hybrid Mattress – WinkBeds
- Best Firm Mattress for Stomach Sleepers – Helix Dawn
- Best Firm Mattress for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
- Best Firm Innerspring Mattress – Saatva
- Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid
- Best Medium-Firm Mattress – Bear
- Best Firm Cooling Mattress – Nolah Evolution
- Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers – Leesa
Video Review: Best Firm Mattresses
Compare the Best Firm Mattresses
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| Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Emma Hybrid Comfort | WinkBed Mattress | Helix Dawn Mattress | Titan Plus | Saatva Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Bear Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Leesa Original Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Firm: 8/10 | Firm: 8/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Firm: 9/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | -- | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- |
| Sleep Position | Back & Stomach | Back & Stomach | Combination | Back & Stomach | Back & Stomach | Back & Stomach | Back | Back & Side | Back & Side | Combination |
How We Chose the Best Firm Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
For our roundup of the best firm mattress, our first parameter was that all products need multiple firmness options or above-average firmness. An effective firm mattress has lots of support and durability, so we chose beds scoring high in both categories. Of the 10 products on this list, eight of them scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in these two areas.
Best Overall – Plank Firm
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re tired of firm mattresses still not being firm enough, then the Plank Firm from Brooklyn Bedding could be a great fit for you. The Plank is one of the best extra-firm mattresses on the market, and it provides a flat sleeping surface. This flippable mattress has a firm side (an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale) and an ultra-firm side (a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale). The Plank is one of the firmest mattresses we’ve ever tested, and that’s why it’s made its way to the top of our list.
What our testers say: “I found the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm to be a bit too firm for back-sleeping, but the firm side was a much better fit because it’s a touch softer. I think stomach sleeping should be great on either side of the mattress, thanks to the bouncy firm foam feel of the mattress.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Plank Firm
- The Plank Firm has a nifty flippable design—one side has a traditional firm feel and the other side has an extra-firm feel. In a nutshell, this basically means that the Plank Firm is two mattresses in one. Talk about bang for your buck.
- Some customers complain that mattresses marketed as ‘firm’ aren’t actually as firm as they need them to be. Having tested it, we can confidently say that the plank is firm. In fact, it’s one of the firmest that we’ve tried in our years of testing mattresses.
What to Keep in Mind About the Plank Firm
- In most cases we wouldn’t recommend a firm mattress for side sleepers, and the Plank is no exception. It simply doesn’t have enough give to allow your hips and shoulders to sink comfortably into the mattress surface—a necessity for side sleepers hoping to get good pressure relief.
- The Plank did not stay cool as we tested it, likely because its all-foam construction absorbs and traps body heat rather than dispersing it.
Other user reviews
Based on 2,720 reviews on the company website, the Plank Firm has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Many customers seemed skeptical over the advertised firmness of the mattress but were pleasantly surprised to find that it met their standards. Some, however, claim that it’s too firm and even causes back pain.
Read our full Plank Firm mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for more great options.
Best Firm Mattress for Couples – Emma Hybrid Comfort
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a hybrid mattress that is designed to support all weights while also promoting a cool night of sleep.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a hybrid mattress that is designed to support all weights while also promoting a cool night of sleep.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Emma Hybrid Comfort
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Emma Hybrid Comfort
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Emma Hybrid Comfort
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Our Expert’s Take
The Hybrid Comfort — dreamed up by Emma — is a hybrid mattress made with quality foams and pocketed coils. What we love about this mattress is that it was made with couples and heavy sleepers in mind. With an 8/10 firmness, the bed’s support and durability are primary focuses. With its superior edge support, couples should be able to make full use of the mattress surface. The individually-wrapped coils in the support layer ensure that each partner is properly supported.
What our testers say: “The Emma Hybrid Comfort is on the firmer side, but with that said, I should note that I weigh 270 lbs., and if you’re heavier than me, you could compress the top layers more than I did and find the mattress to be a bit softer. I’m a back sleeper, so when laying on the Emma, I could feel the coils holding my body up and the zoning gave me lumbar support.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Emma Hybrid Comfort
- The Emma Hybrid Comfort has some great, sturdy edges. That might sound like a strange thing to care about but think about how often you find yourself either sitting or lying along the perimeter of the bed. Good edge support ensures that the mattress will remain composed under your weight rather than sagging.
- This mattress offers great support, which is important for all types of sleepers, but especially those who weigh 230 lb or more.
What to Keep in Mind About the Emma Hybrid Comfort
- The Emma Hybrid Comfort is designed with supporting heavier weights in mind, which makes it a good fit for some couples (as its high scores in support and motion transfer indicate) but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a good fit for couples. Remember, you need to keep both parties’ sleep preferences in mind while shopping. The perfect firmness level for you might be too firm for your partner. In instances where your needs differ drastically, we recommend a customizable, split mattress like the Saatva Solaire so that you can both have your needs met.
Other user reviews
The Emma mattress has an average score of 4.7 out of 5 based on 262 customer reviews from the company website. The positive reviews praise the balance of comfort and support that the mattress provides, while the negative reviews largely focus on what they describe as very bad customer service.
Read our full Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Couples for more great options.
Best Firm Hybrid Mattress – WinkBed
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The WinkBed is a mattress that offers an excellent balance of comfort and support.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The WinkBed is a mattress that offers an excellent balance of comfort and support.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Our Expert’s Take
The majority of the mattresses on this roundup are a lot firmer than average, but what about those people who want something just a little firmer-than-average? Well, that’s where the luxury WinkBed mattress comes in. It scored a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, making it slightly higher than medium firm. This makes the WinkBed a fantastic fit for back sleepers and side sleepers, who should find the blend of comfort and support they need to keep the body relaxed and properly aligned. They should also enjoy the bed’s luxurious feel, which is similar to what you’d find in a high-end hotel.
What our testers say: “The zoning in the WinkBed gave me great lumbar support, and the zoning makes this one of the best orthopedic mattresses and best mattresses for lower back pain and sciatica. I also had an easy time moving around on the WinkBed, thanks to its bouncy and responsive innerspring feel.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the WinkBed
- The WinkBed provides wonderful, zoned support across its entire surface, which is great news for people with back pain. Basically, the mattress is constructed in a way that accounts for the shape of the human body, providing different levels of support to different areas. The result is phenomenal spinal alignment, which is necessary in mitigating, or even preventing, back pain.
- This is a very durable mattress that will likely maintain its structural integrity for many years, if properly cared for. So, while it may be a bit pricey you can feel good knowing that your money will go a long way with the WinkBed.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBed
- The WinkBed’s motion isolation is nothing to write home about. During our test, we found movements reverberated from one side of the bed to the other—enough to disturb a light sleeper. Consider the Bear mattress if you’re after a mattress that excels in this field.
- The WinkBed has a bouncy, responsive feel that might be unappealing if you’re after something with a memory-foam feel.
Other user reviews
Based on 8,419 reviews on the company website, the WinkBed earned an average score of 4.8 out of 5. Positive reviews mention the pain relief that the WinkBed provides, as well as the luxurious sleep that the mattress offers. Negative reviews point out that the firmness they selected ended up being either too firm or too soft for them.
Read our full WinkBeds mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Hybrid Mattresses for more great options.
Best Firm Mattress for Stomach Sleepers – Helix Dawn
Helix Dawn Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Dawn Mattress
The Helix Dawn is one of the company's firmest models. Because of this, it should be a supportive option for stomach sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Dawn Mattress
The Helix Dawn is one of the company's firmest models. Because of this, it should be a supportive option for stomach sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
As a brand, Helix focuses on customization and flexibility, and they created the Helix Dawn as their firmest model (7.5/10 on the firmness scale). This bed has a hybrid composition of Helix Dynamic Foam, Helix Responsive Foam and individually wrapped coils, all of which work together to provide a responsive and supportive feel. Stomach sleepers will enjoy how this mattress elevates their hips and keeps their spine aligned. This makes the Helix one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, who need extra support.
What our testers say: “The firm nature of this mattress kept my spine well supported and aligned when sleeping on my back but it didn’t offer much pressure relief though. On my side, my hip and shoulder felt jammed up, and I wasn’t too comfortable in this position, but for sleeping on my stomach, I thought this was a great fit.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Helix Dawn
- We love that Helix mattresses are upgradeable. The Helix Dawn, for example, can be upgraded to the Helix Dawn Luxe or Helix Dawn Elite, which provide more robust cooling features and zoned support (great for heavy people). That said, the standard model of the Helix Dawn is great in its own right and is more affordable than the Luxe and Elite versions.
- The Helix Dawn scored a 4 out of 5 on all our seven performance tests, which measure such factors as edge support, motion transfer, and cooling. This indicates a well-rounded mattress that didn’t blow us away on any metric but performs very well across the board.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Dawn
- While most would consider the Helix Dawn to be a very firm mattress, we understand that there are some people out there who would consider it too soft. It comes in at a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale—if you want something a little bit stiffer than that (which might especially be true for heavyweight stomach sleepers) we suggest you check out the Plank Firm instead.
Other user reviews
This mattress has an average score of 4.4 out of 5 based on 1,232 reviews from the Helix website. Users respond well to the support the mattress provides, stating that the construction allows them to sink in all the right places. Negative reviews point out that the Helix Dawn begins to lose its structural integrity, and even fall apart, soon after unboxing.
Read our full Helix Dawn mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers for more great options.
Best Firm Mattress for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Titan Plus is Brooklyn Bedding's mattress for heavy people. It is a firm, supportive mattress that can support heavier weights.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Titan Plus is Brooklyn Bedding's mattress for heavy people. It is a firm, supportive mattress that can support heavier weights.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Titan Plus
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 9/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Titan Plus
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 9/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Titan Plus
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 9/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Our Expert’s Take
Brooklyn Bedding has a variety of models for all types of sleepers, from the extravagant Aurora Luxe to the more streamlined design of their Signature Hybrid mattress. The Titan Plus is the brand’s mattress that caters to heavy people, with features such as industrial-strength coils and responsive TitanFlex foam. It’s also one of the firmest beds around, clocking in at a 9 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale.
What our testers say: “I got plenty of spinal support on the Titan Plus, but my hips didn’t sink in enough for pressure relief. If you’re not a fan of firm mattresses, I think the Titan may not be the best choice, since this one is fairly firm for me as a heavier sleeper, and would probably feel even firmer for someone lighter than me.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Titan Plus
- Because the Titan Plus was designed specifically for heavyweight people it offers plenty of support across the mattress surface (including the perimeter). The level of support, in addition to the 9/10 firmness rating, helps ensure that larger sleepers won’t sink uncomfortably into the mattress surface.
- We were impressed with the cooling ability of this mattress, which boasts a breathable coil layer as well as gel infusions to help promote airflow. If you sleep hot, you should find the Titan Plus relieves this problem to some extent.
What to Keep in Mind About the Titan Plus
- The Titan Plus, like many hybrid mattresses, doesn’t do a good job of isolating motion. What this means for you is that if you share your bed with a partner or pet, you’re likely to feel their movements as they toss and turn throughout the night. This is bad news for light sleepers. If good motion isolation is important to you, we suggest you check out the Bear.
Other user reviews
The Titan Plus has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 2,475 reviews on the company website. Some users appreciate how truly firm the mattress is, while those who were unhappy with the product point out that it didn’t help as much with their back pain as they expected it to.
Learn more in our full Titan Plus mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Heavy People for more great options.
Best Firm Innerspring Mattress – Saatva
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva is an organic mattress that is both comfortable and supportive. This mattress comes in multiple firmness options to fit a variety of sleepers.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva is an organic mattress that is both comfortable and supportive. This mattress comes in multiple firmness options to fit a variety of sleepers.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Our Expert’s Take
The Saatva is available in three different firmnesses. For purposes of this roundup, we have to recommend the Firm model. It features memory foam, a cushy pillow-top, and two sets of coils. The construction gives this mattress a supportive and traditional innerspring feel. In addition, the mattress is zoned so that it feels firmer toward the center, contouring to sensitive areas. The result is a firm mattress excellent for stomach-sleeping and back-sleeping.
What our testers say: “As a back sleeper, I experienced a nice balance of comfort and support and my hips sank right into the pillow-top. On the comfort levels, the coils were comfortable and supportive to sleep on, and offered me some contouring. I also got some great lumbar support, and I think it’s one of the best mattresses for lower back pain.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Saatva
- The Saatva’s hybrid construction gives it a nice bounciness that makes it quite easy to move around on. This is an essential factor for combination sleepers, who switch sleeping positions throughout the night. Rather than making it difficult to get from your back to your side to your stomach, the Saatva almost makes it feel like it’s propelling you from one position to the next.
What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva
- Like the Titan Plus, the Saatva mattress didn’t impress us with its ability to isolate motion. In fact, what makes the Saatva so good for combination sleepers is also what leads to the prevalence of motion transfer in the mattress. If you sleep with a partner and this is a concern of yours, we again suggest that you check out the Bear mattress.
Other user reviews
Based on 2,983 customer reviews on the Saatva website, this mattress has an average score of 4.8 out of 5. While not every review focuses on the firm version of the Saatva, there seems to be consensus among the positive reviews that the customer service and overall quality of the mattress are fantastic. That said, some people have had problems with the mattress sagging after a short period of time.
Read our full Saatva mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Innerspring Mattresses for more great options.
Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The DreamCloud is a high-quality hybrid mattress that is sold for a value price.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The DreamCloud is a high-quality hybrid mattress that is sold for a value price.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
Our Expert’s Take
Back pain can disrupt your life, and sometimes this discomfort is exacerbated by an uncomfortable mattress. If you’re searching for a firm bed that will also help ease the pain, check out the DreamCloud. It creates both comfort and support, and this balanced feel is essential for maintaining proper alignment. This hybrid mattress is made with high-quality materials, so it’s especially durable.
What our testers say: “The DreamCloud mattress provides me with a nice balance of comfort and support, especially when sleeping on my back. My hips sink into the top foam layers but don’t sink in too far. The coils on the bottom layer of the mattress help hold me up while I lay on it.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the DreamCloud
- The DreamCloud’s construction includes temperature-regulating materials, such as a breathable cashmere-blend cover, cooling gel infusions, and individually-wrapped coils. As a result, the DreamCloud does a good job of dissipating heat and staying cool even as you rest on it.
- Unlike other firm mattresses, we found the DreamCloud performer quite well for lightweight sleepers. This is likely because of the tufted pillow-top which provides just enough softness for even smaller people to feel plenty of comfort.
- The DreamCloud mattress comes with a generous one-year sleep trial, which is much longer than the standard 120-night trial that many companies provide.
What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud
- While the DreamCloud does technically fall on the firm side of our scale, some sleepers may find it a little bit softer than they would prefer. This could especially be true for heavyweight people, who tend to do best with a mattress that doesn’t allow them to sink into the comfort layers. In this case, we would suggest you consider the Titan Plus.
- The perimeter of the DreamCloud is not as supportive as we would like. This means that you may notice some sagging as you rest on the edge of the mattress.
Other user reviews
The DreamCloud mattress has an average score of 4.6 out of 5 based on 11,486 user reviews on the company website. Some users are impressed with the quality of the product despite the relatively low price. Others, however, say that the mattress begins to slump in the middle after sleeping on it for a few months.
Read our full DreamCloud mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Back Pain for more great options.
Best Medium-Firm Mattress – Bear
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It's a particularly good option for athletes.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Bear Original mattress sleeps cool and is quite comfortable. It's a particularly good option for athletes.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Our Expert’s Take
For a memory foam mattress, the Bear is truly unique. For one, it’s firmer and more supportive than your typical all-foam bed, classified as medium firm, as opposed to soft. This means it offers some responsiveness, as well as a blend of comfort and support that’s a good fit for back sleepers. The Bear also has a cover made of something called Celliant — a material than research suggests assists with blood flow and circulation. For that reason, the Bear is a popular choice among athletes and those with an active lifestyle.
What our testers say: “I sank comfortably into this mattress and felt great lumbar support. It’s all foam, so it helped with proper spinal alignment, and the top foam layer also conformed to the shape of my body when I slept on my back.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Bear
- We’ve mentioned it several times in this article, but the Bear mattress is very good at isolating motion. Its all-foam construction creates a mattress surface that doesn’t bounce with each movement, so when you toss and turn on your side of the bed your partner likely won’t feel it on theirs.
- The Bear is quite affordable, coming in at under $1,000 for a queen. For a mattress of this quality, it’s hard to beat that price point.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear
- This mattress is on the softer side of firm. For this reason, we can’t recommend it for stomach sleepers, especially heavyweight stomach sleepers. Instead, you’ll want to seek out a mattress that will do a better job of propping your hips up, thereby keeping your spine properly aligned. If this sounds like you, consider the Plank Firm.
- Because of its all-foam construction, the Bear isn’t all that bouncy. This might make it difficult for you to change sleeping positions, and also means it isn’t the best mattress for sex.
Other user reviews
The Bear mattress has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 10,132 customer reviews from the company website. Some positive reviews point out the medium firmness of the mattress providing the perfect balance of comfort and support. Negative reviews point out that the Bear mattress sleeps hotter than they would like.
Learn more in our full Bear mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Medium-Firm Mattresses for more great options.
Best Firm Cooling Mattress – Nolah Evolution
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
The Nolah Evolution is a high-end hybrid mattress that features great support, comfort, and cooling.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
The Nolah Evolution is a high-end hybrid mattress that features great support, comfort, and cooling.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Our Expert’s Take
The Nolah Evolution is a mattress with options, as it comes in three different firmness levels, but for this roundup, we’ll be focusing on the firm model. It’s a luxury mattress equipped with zoned construction, which makes it firmer in the center. It also features supportive coils, and is topped with memory foam layers that contain heat dissipation materials like graphite, as well as an AirBreath heat escape gusset that helps with cooling in the comfort layers.
What our testers say: “The Nolah is one of the more luxurious mattresses that I’ve tested, and the mattress materials really felt cool to the touch. The mattress is infused with graphite, so along with feeling cool, I also got some great pressure relief!” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Nolah Evolution
- The Nolah Evolution earned a perfect score on our cooling test. All the usual suspects are present here—graphite infused foam to help dissipate heat, an innerspring system that promotes airflow, and a breathable cover. What the Nolah Evolution has that sets it apart from other cooling mattresses is a gusset that provides a channel specifically for heat to escape. This addition takes it over the top and earns it a place amongst the best cooling mattresses we’ve ever tested.
- This mattress is impressively constructed, as reflected by the perfect score it earned on our durability test. If properly cared for, you can expect it to last for upwards of ten years.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah Evolution
- The Nolah Evolution is quite expensive. While we think the quality of the product justifies the high price, we also think there are plenty of other great mattresses out there that can be purchased for cheaper. For some of our favorite options, check out the best affordable mattress page.
Other user reviews
The Nolah Evolution has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5, based on 810 user reviews from the company website. Positive reviews reflect the cooling capabilities that we also highlighted in our review of the mattress, while some negative reviews point out that the mattress is quite high, making it difficult to get in and out of bed.
Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Cooling Mattresses for more great options.
Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers – Leesa
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress
The Leesa Original Hybrid is a comfortable, affordable mattress that should work for hot sleepers and back sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress
The Leesa Original Hybrid is a comfortable, affordable mattress that should work for hot sleepers and back sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Our Expert’s Take
When you lay on the Leesa, the comfortable and contouring proprietary LSA200 foams give the top layer of the mattress a slow-moving memory foam feel, while the support layers give a bit more bounce and responsiveness, allowing for an overall balanced foam feel. The pillow-top layer allows the spine to sink in and stay aligned, making this a great fit for back sleepers.
What our testers say: “As a back sleeper, the Leesa felt great for me to sleep on. It was supportive and kept my hips and body aligned properly throughout the night, and the balanced foam feel gave a nice bit of comfort without the mattress feeling difficult to move around on.” –Marten, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Leesa
- The Leesa is right on the line between medium-firm and firm, which makes it a very good option for heavyweight side sleepers, as they tend to require more pressure relief than stomach and back sleepers.
- This mattress does a good job of isolating motion. As we’ve mentioned, this is a very important factor for couples, particularly if one or both are parties easily disturb,
What to Keep in Mind About the Leesa
- If you sleep hot then the Leesa will likely exacerbate that issue, as it does a better job of trapping heat than dispersing it. If you’re after a cooling sleep experience, then we highly recommend the Nolah Evolution.
- The edges of this mattress sag quite a bit under pressure. So, if you tend to sleep along the far reaches of the bed you might experience some discomfort on the Leesa.
Other user reviews
The Leesa has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5, based on 52 customer reviews from the company website. Those who are happy with the mattress praise it for helping mitigate their back pain. Unhappy customers, on the other hand, found that the advertised firmness is not an accurate reflection of the actual firmness.
Read our full Leesa mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses For Back Sleepers for more great options.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230 lb
Keep in mind that firmness is subjective, depending on one’s preferences and body type. A mattress that feels firm to one person might not feel the same to someone else.
For example, heavier people put more pressure on a mattress, sinking further into the layers and usually feeling the more firm base layer. Those who are around 230 lb or more typically experience a firmness around 1 to 1.5 points higher than average-weight people.
To rest comfortably on a mattress, heavy people should look for firmer mattresses with a dense comfort layer on top that prevents them from sinking too far into the sleep surface. We think the following firm mattresses fit this description and should be a good fit for larger sleepers.
Big Fig
While we didn’t include it on this roundup, the Big Fig mattress is made specifically for larger people. It’s a very firm bed offering the support larger stomach sleepers need. Much larger back sleepers should also find this to be a fantastic match.
Plank Firm
The Plank Firm mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is the absolute firmest one we’ve slept on. Both sides are supportive, and the firm side is a fantastic fit for heavier stomach sleepers. The less firm side should be a better option for much heavier back sleepers.
Awara
This latex hybrid mattress provides the support heavier people need. The Awara is a particularly good choice for heavier back sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Helix
As a brand, Helix stands out because they’ll customize a mattress to meet sleepers’ specific needs. While we talked about the Helix Dawn in the above roundup, there’s also the Helix Plus, which is designed specifically for larger people.
RELATED: Best Mattresses for Heavy People
How to Choose a Firm Mattress
When you’re shopping for a firm mattress, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind, from the mattress construction to your own needs and preferences. Let’s dive into each of these factors in detail!
Mattress Firmness Scale
Most people who talk about mattresses score their firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. The majority of mattresses tend to fall between 6–8 out of 10 with a medium to medium-firm firmness.
Anything in the 8–10 range (or sometimes the 7–10 range) can be considered a firm or extra-firm mattress. Most extra-firm mattresses you see (such as the Plank mattress) are a 9 out of 10.
RELATED: 2023 Mattress Buying Guide
Mattress Type
Innerspring mattresses are some of the firmest mattress types since they are made with layers of coils. Some innersprings are bouncier than others, but their surfaces are usually pretty firm. See our best innerspring mattresses to learn more.
Foam mattresses are some of the softest mattresses. Memory foam, gel foam, foam blend, and polyfoam mattresses are examples of this. Some of these beds are denser than others and can lean toward the medium-firm side. See our best memory foam mattresses to learn more.
Latex mattresses have a similar feel to foam beds, but they’re bouncier and more breathable. These beds can range from soft to firm depending on the indentation load deflection (ILD) ratings, a measurement similar to density. See our best latex mattresses to learn more.
Hybrid mattresses combine materials, using an innerspring base layer with a comfort layer or top made of materials like foam, latex, or wool. These beds can fall anywhere on the firmness spectrum, though they tend to be medium to medium-firm. See our best hybrid mattresses to learn more.
RELATED: How Is Natural Latex Made?
Benefits of a Firm Mattress
- Firm mattresses often support a neutral spine alignment and have great edge support.
- Firm mattresses isolate motion well. This is great for couples who want to avoid feeling their partner moving around on the bed.
- You won’t sink in too far. If you like sleeping on the bed rather than in the bed, this will appeal to you.
- Firm beds are better at supporting heavyweight people, allowing them to sleep comfortably.
Downsides to a Firm Mattress
- Firm mattresses are less pressure-relieving. Without a soft, contouring surface, you may develop pain in the shoulders, hips, and other pressure areas.
- It takes a more particular sleeper to be comfortable on a firm mattress. Most sleepers like a soft to medium mattress.
- Firm mattresses take longer to fully break in and adjust to. You may need to use more of your sleep trial period to determine if it’s the right type of bed for you.
RELATED: Firm vs Soft Mattress
Who Should Get a Firm Mattress?
- Stomach sleepers: Those who sleep primarily on their stomachs should consider a firm mattress. They want to ensure that
they’re getting enough support on their hips because, if not, they can bow into the mattress and cause the spine to get out of neutral alignment. - Back sleepers: Those who need the best mattress for back sleepers will also want something firmer, but not extremely firm. The bed should let their hips sink in just a bit while having enough support to prevent excessive sinkage.
- People who like to sleep on top of their mattress: For those who prefer not to sink into their mattress, a firm mattress is a safe bet. Firmer mattresses don’t have the “give” that one finds on softer mattresses, so most should be sleeping on top of the mattress as opposed to “in” it.
- Hot sleepers. When someone sleeps “on top” of a mattress, they have less of a chance of sleeping hot. In contrast, if someone sinks into a softer mattress (especially something with memory foam), they could feel overheated. That’s because memory foam can trap heat and direct it back at sleepers. Check out our best cooling mattress guide for more recommendations.
Who Shouldn’t Get a Firm Mattress?
- Side sleepers: In general, firm mattresses aren’t the best for side sleepers because they require a mattress that provides pressure relief for their shoulders and hips. Firm mattresses are not exceptional when it comes to pressure relief, so side sleepers should look for something softer. That being said, every now and then, a firm mattress can work for side sleepers. For example, take the Layla, which we mentioned in this article. Check out the best mattresses for side sleepers.
- Those who like to sink into their mattresses: These folks might not like a firm mattress. They’ll want to look for something softer, such as a mattress containing memory foam.
How to Make a Mattress Firmer
If you’re unhappy with your mattress’ current feel, there are some steps you can take to make your soft mattress firmer:
Check the Sleep Trial
If a mattress is within its sleep trial period, you can often return it and buy a firmer one.
Add Plywood
Adding a piece of plywood between the mattress and the foundation can give the mattress a firmer feel. It adds an additional layer of support and helps prevent the mattress from sagging.
Replace the Box Spring
Box springs can lose their support over time, so replacing your box spring with a newer, stronger foundation can create a firmer mattress feel. Box springs can last up to 10 years, so if you’ve had yours longer than that, consider getting a new one.
Get a Firmer Mattress Topper
Purchasing a firm mattress topper, such as the Avocado Mattress Topper, can add a new feel to your bed and provide additional support.
Flip Your Mattress
While not all mattresses are meant to be flipped, older mattresses and some innerspring mattresses should be flipped. The springs can wear out over time when someone sleeps in the same spot each night, so flipping your mattress can more evenly spread the wear and help prevent sagging.
Overall
In the end, a firm mattress can be a great fit for stomach sleepers, back sleepers, larger sleepers, and those who want extra support. As a reminder, here are our top picks for the best firm mattresses:
| Mattress | Best For |
| Plank Firm | Best Firm Mattress for Stomach Sleepers |
| Emma Hybrid Comfort | Best Firm Mattress for Couples |
| WinkBed | Best Hybrid Mattress |
| Helix Dawn | Best for Stomach Sleepers |
| Titan Plus | Best Firm Mattress for Heavy Sleepers |
| Saatva | Best Firm Innerspring Mattress |
| DreamCloud | Best Firm Mattress for Back Pain |
| Bear | Best Medium-Firm Mattress |
| Nolah Evolution | Best Cooling Firm Mattress |
| Leesa | Best Firm Mattress for Back Sleepers |
Best Firm Mattress FAQs
Is an extra-firm mattress better for your back?
Those who sleep on their back or deal with back pain usually want to find a mattress that is approximately medium-firm. If a mattress is too firm, it could push the hips out of the bed and the spine out of proper neutral alignment. This could lead to significant issues with back pain.
Is a firm mattress good?
It really depends on what people are looking for. For instance, a firmer mattress might not be good for side-sleeping because it won’t offer enough pressure relief. It could be good for people who require more support, such as back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and larger people.
Do firm mattresses get softer?
All mattresses, no matter how firm, will get softer over time. Materials such as memory foam and even coils will start to weaken after they’ve been in use for a few years. Some materials, such as latex foam, won’t soften quite as quickly, however.
Can a firm mattress cause back pain?
While we wish we could get a straight answer, whether or not a firm mattress causes back pain is entirely dependent on your sleeping position and body type. If you do have a mattress that fits your individual needs, chances are it’s not going to cause back pain. Stomach sleepers often need a firmer mattress to lift up the hips and keep the spine in neutral alignment. Side sleepers and lightweight sleepers, however, will likely find that a firm mattress doesn’t provide enough cushion to sink into. This can result in back pain overtime.
What firmness is best for back pain?
In general, medical professionals recommend medium-firm mattresses (about a 6.5/10 on the industry firmness scale) for back pain. These mattresses often have a nice balance of comfort and support and fit a wider variety of sleepers. However, it’s important that you utilize sleep trials offered by companies or even consult a medical professional so you can make the best decision for your own needs.
Can a mattress be too firm?
Just as a mattress can be too soft, a mattress can also be too firm. One of the best indicators of excessive firmness is a tense feeling in your body, or more obviously pain. That’s why it’s so important to consider your sleeping position and body type when selecting a mattress. For example, it’s very likely a mattress made for stomach sleepers is going to be way too firm for a side sleeper!
What mattress firmness is best for stomach sleepers?
We would recommend a 7/10 or 8/10 on the firmness scale for most stomach sleepers. It’s crucial these sleepers have enough support to lift the hips into alignment, and enough cushioning to prevent too much pressure build-up.
