Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Review – The Firmest Ever?

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If you’re in the market for the firmest mattress possible, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding. It’s a flippable mattress that’s designed to offer excellent lumbar support.

I personally tested this mattress so that I can help you figure out whether it will work well for you. I’ll cover everything you need to know, including a full breakdown of its construction, pros and cons, firmness and feel, motion isolation, edge support and more. Keep reading my unbiased Plank Firm mattress review for the full scoop.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress

The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.

Clarity Score 4.2/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

120 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Warranty

10-year warranty

Price Range

$749 - $1532

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress

The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.

Clarity Score 4.2/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

10-year warranty

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

120 nights

Price Range

$749 - $1532

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress

The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.

Clarity Score 4.2/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Trial Period

120 nights

Warranty

10-year warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$749 - $1532

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

Plank Firm Mattress Video Review

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Overview

Brooklyn Bedding is a popular brand known for selling quality mattresses at affordable prices. Brooklyn Bedding makes its mattresses in its own factory in the USA, which allows the brand to price beds much more competitively. The brand has a wide range of models meant to accommodate different types of sleepers, such as the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora and Brooklyn Bedding Signature.

The Plank Firm is an all-foam, flippable bed that allows sleepers to choose between two different firmness options. It’s one of the firmest mattresses from Brooklyn Bedding, and it’s also one of the firmest mattresses I’ve ever reviewed. That means this bed will appeal to specific types of sleepers, and it won’t be a match for everyone. Here’s a quick peek at who might enjoy this extra-firm bed.

Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress

  • It’s one of the firmest mattresses on the market. The firmest side of the mattress feels like a 9/10 on our firmness scale, so if you like to sleep on a particularly supportive surface, this could be a good option.
  • This mattress works well for stomach sleepers, because it helps prevent the hips from sinking out of alignment.
  • It has a flippable design, so you get two firmness levels in one mattress.

Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress

  • Side sleepers won’t get enough pressure relief on this mattress. The Plank Firm could cause some side sleepers to feel pain along their shoulders and hips.
  • People who want a medium-firm or soft mattress should look elsewhere. Even the softer side of the Plank Firm mattress comes in at 8/10 on our firmness scale. For reference, 6.5/10 is considered medium-firm.

Overall Rating

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.

Mattress Performance Ratings

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4.2
Overall Rating
5
Support
5
Edge Support
3.5
Cooling
3
Motion Transfer
4
Durability
5
Trial Period
4
Warranty

Note: Looking for a mattress that sleeps cooler? Check out our Best Cooling Mattresses for options with cooling features and great airflow.

Note: Motion transfer is beneficial for those who share the bed and don’t want to be woken up by another’s movements. Looking for a mattress that better absorbs motion? Check out our Best Mattresses for Couples.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Firmness And Feel

When you’re shopping for a new mattress, it helps to consider firmness and feel. These factors will have a big impact on whether a bed is well-suited to your preferred sleep position(s) and other sleep needs. So let’s dive in: Here’s a look at the Plank Firm’s firmness and feel.

How Firm Is The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm?

I ranked the firm side of the Plank Firm an 8/10 on our firmness scale, and I ranked the extra-firm side a 9/10. The industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5/10, so both sides of this mattress are significantly firmer than average. In fact, the extra-firm side is one of the firmest sleeping surfaces I’ve ever experienced. The bed is specifically designed to create a firm and flat sleeping surface with no loft for sleepers to sink into.

Firmness is a bit subjective, so it’s possible that your assessment might vary a touch. But it’s safe to say that everyone will agree this is a very firm mattress.

Sleeping On The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm

Now, let’s talk about what it feels like to sleep on both sides of the Plank mattress.

Extra-firm Side

I found the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm to be a bit too firm for back sleeping. Because the mattress is so firm and so flat, it didn’t allow my hips to sink in enough. I felt like my hips were being pushed out of the mattress, and this was pretty uncomfortable.

Not surprisingly, this side is much too firm for side sleeping. There’s no “give” from the mattress, so I experienced a lot of pressure around my shoulder and hip.

However, this side of the mattress proved to be a great match for stomach sleeping. It is incredibly supportive and kept my hips fully elevated and aligned with my spine. This makes it one of the best mattresses for stomach sleeping.

A man sleeps near the edge of the Plank

Firm Side

I found this side to be a much better fit for back sleeping. Because it’s a touch softer, my hips were able to sink into to the top layer and I felt a little bit of pressure relief. Some back sleepers might prefer a mattress that offers even more give, but this could be a good match for back sleepers who like a firm feel.

As with the extra-firm side, the firm side was much too firm for side sleeping. I simply didn’t get anywhere near enough pressure relief around my shoulder and hip. Side sleepers will definitely want to seek out a dedicated mattress for side sleeping.

The firm side was a great match for stomach sleeping. It was supportive and helped me maintain the proper spinal alignment. This means it could be one of the best mattresses for back pain relief.

What Does The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Feel Like?

Both sides of the Plank Firm have a firm, foam feel with some good bounce. I didn’t sink too far into the mattress, so I had no trouble moving around or changing positions. I felt like I was sleeping on top of this bed instead of “in” it.

Sleeper WeightBack SleepersSide SleepersStomach Sleepers
Lightweight (Under 130 lb)GoodBadExcellent
Average (130 – 230 lb)GoodBadExcellent
Heavyweight (Over 230 lb)FairFairFair

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Construction

Now that you know what it feels like to sleep on top of one of the firmest mattresses around, let’s take a peek inside of this bed. I’ll review each layer of this bed’s construction and share how different materials influence performance.

Cover

The Plank Firm’s “cover” is really its top layer; more on that below. Customers can choose to purchase an optional GlacioTex cooling cover, which is infused with cooling materials and meant to help dissipate body heat.

Comfort Layers

The extra-firm side of the Plank Firm features a comfort layer made from 0.75” of quilted polyfoam, which offers very minimal softness on top of the bed.

A man presses into the Plank mattress

On the firm side of the Plank Firm, the top layer also consists of .075″ of quilted polyfoam. The firm side also features a 2” layer of firm Supreme Response Comfort Foam, a proprietary foam with qualities similar to latex (meaning it’s responsive and bouncy). It also adds a bit more pressure relief to this side of this mattress.

The foams used in this mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, which means they’re more eco-friendly than conventional foams and they’re low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Support Layer

The Plank Firm’s support layer is made from 7” of high-density base foam, which lends firm support and structure to the mattress overall. Read our Plank Firm Luxe mattress review if you prefer a mattress with coils.

Mattress Height

The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm mattress is 11.5” tall.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Size Options And Price

Considering the Plank Firm mattress? Then you’ll want to know the different size and pricing options on offer. Just take a look at the chart below for the most up-to-date info.

Note: These prices reflect the model without the GlacioTex cooling cover.

SizeDimensionsPrice
Twin38" x 75"$749.00
Twin XL38" x 80"$849.00
Full53" x 75"$999.00
Queen60" x 80"$1332.00
King76" x 80"$1532.00
California King72" x 84"$1532.00

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Performance

If you’ve read this far, you know a lot about the Plank Firm mattress. But there are still a few key factors to consider. I put this mattress through a barrage of tests with regard to temperature regulation, motion transfer, edge support and more. Let’s see how it performed.

Sleeping Hot Or Cold

The Plank Firm is an all-foam mattress, so it’s not the most breathable bed around. However, you can opt to purchase a cooling cover for the surface of both sides of the mattress, which helps prevent overheating. Additionally, because the bed is so firm, you’ll sleep on top of it instead of sinking into it. This allows for air to flow around your entire body, which further prevents sleeping hot.

In my experience, the mattress did not make me overheat. Sleeping more on top of the mattress, I did not feel like I was sinking into an oven during the night.

Motion Transfer

Because the Plank Firm has a flat, firm surface without much “give,” it doesn’t do a great job of absorbing motion. I tested the mattress using a glass of water. I placed it on one side of the mattress and pressed into the opposite side, mimicking a disturbance your partner might make at night.

I saw some serious waves in the water, so it’s possible that you could feel the movements of a partner or pet during the night. Keep this in mind if you’re hunting for a mattress for couples.

Edge Support

Even though this is a very supportive mattress overall, the Plank Firm doesn’t feature great edge support. The edge collapsed quite a bit when I sat and lied down near it, and I felt a bit like I might roll off the bed.

A man sits near the edge of the Plank mattress

Durability

The Plank Firm is made with quality foams and should be fairly durable, although it won’t be as durable as some beds (such as an innerspring mattress with steel coils). I expect it to last between seven and 10 years.

Off-Gassing

Because the Plank Firm contains foams that are CertiPUR-US certified and low in VOCs, I didn’t notice an unpleasant off-gassing smell. If you do notice any off-gassing from this mattress, it should dissipate within a couple of days.

Noise

I didn’t observe any notable noise from this mattress. Because it’s all-foam, it’s unlikely to become noisier over time.

Sex

The best mattress for sex allows partners to change positions easily. Because the Plank Firm has a very firm, flat and bouncy surface, it should be a great match. Partners won’t feel stuck in this bed, and it’s easy to move around on top of the mattress.

Company Policies

If you choose to purchase the Plank Firm, here’s a quick look at the company policies that you can expect to encounter.

Warranty Info

Brooklyn Bedding’s Plank Firm mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.

Sleep Trial

The Plank Firm comes with a 120-night sleep trial.

Return Policy

Brooklyn Bedding offers free shipping and returns. If the mattress doesn’t work for you, Brooklyn Bedding may exchange it for a different mattress or send you a topper. If that does not work, they will give you a full refund (as long as its within the 120-night sleep trial period).

Brooklyn Bedding Complaints

Not surprisingly, one of the biggest complaints about the Plank Firm is that it doesn’t offer much pressure relief, and as a result, side sleepers won’t be satisfied with this mattress. Additionally, some people report that the surface of the Plank Firm feels a bit slippery.

How Does The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Compare To Other Mattresses?

If you’re considering the Plank Firm mattress, then you’re probably interested in other firm mattresses. So let’s do a little comparison shopping. We’ve pitted the Plank Firm against two of its competitors, the Birch and the Big Fig.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm vs Birch Mattress

Product
Firmness
Score
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Firm: 8/10
4.2/5
Birch mattress
Birch Natural Mattress
Medium-firm: 7/10
4.5/5
Product
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Score
4.2/5
Birch mattress
Product
Birch Natural Mattress
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Score
4.5/5

The Plank Firm is a flippable bed-in-a-box that’s designed to offer a flat sleeping surface and be incredibly firm. Its all-foam construction is made with CertiPUR-US-certified foams and includes a thin comfort layer on both sides, a firm transition layer on the extra-firm side and a support layer made from high-density base foam.

The Birch is a hybrid bed-in-a-box with an eco-friendly construction: It layers an organic cotton cover over wool and Talalay latex comfort layers. It has a support layer made from individually-wrapped coils.

Birch Mattress - Construction

Not surprisingly, both the Plank Firm and the Birch are firm beds. But the Plank Firm is significantly firmer than the Birch. I ranked the Birch around 7/10, while the firm side of the Plank Firm is around 8/10 and the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm is an incredibly firm 9/10.

Even though these beds vary when it comes to construction and firmness, they feel fairly similar. These are both bouncy, responsive mattress that are easy to move around on top of.

Who Should Get the Plank Firm?Who Should Get The Birch?
People who want an extra-firm mattressPeople who want an eco-friendly, organic mattress
Stomach sleepersPeople who want a supportive mattress that balances firmness and pressure relief
People who want a flippable mattressHot sleepers who need a mattress that sleeps cool

Learn more about the Birch in our comprehensive Birch mattress review.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm vs Big Fig

Product
Firmness
Score
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Firm: 8/10
4.2/5
Big Fig Mattress
Firm: 8/10
4.6/5
Product
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Score
4.2/5
Product
Big Fig Mattress
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Score
4.6/5

As I’ve noted, the Plank Firm is an all-foam bed with a flippable construction. The Big Fig is a hybrid mattress that’s specifically designed for heavier people. It layers a latex foam comfort layer over a polyfoam transition layer, and it has a support layer made from individually-wrapped coils.

Big Fig - Construction

Even though they have very different constructions, these beds are pretty similar in terms of firmness. I ranked the firm side of the Plank Firm around 8/10 and the extra-firm side around 9/10. Meanwhile, I ranked the Big Fig’s firmness around 8/10. (Note that average-weight sleepers might rank the Big Fig even firmer, because it’s expressly designed for heavier folks.)

These mattresses differ a bit when it comes to feel. The Plank Firm has a bouncy and responsive foam feel, while the Big Fig has a balanced hybrid feel with some bounce.

Who Should Get the Plank Firm?Who Should Get the Big Fig?
Stomach sleepersHeavyweight sleepers
People who like a mattress without much “give”Hot sleepers who want a supportive mattress that sleeps cool
People who want a flat sleeping surface

Read our Big Fig mattress review to learn more.

Final Thoughts

The Plank Firm mattress is a flippable, all-foam bed that has two firmness levels in one. The Firm side feels like an 8/10 on our firmness scale, while the extra-firm side feels like a 9/10. Both sides of the Plank Firm are much firmer than most mattresses on the market, which makes this bed a good option for stomach sleepers. Most back and side sleepers won’t get the pressure relief they need on the Plank Firm mattress.

FAQs

What is the Plank mattress?

The Plank mattress is a flippable, all-foam mattress that’s made by Brooklyn Bedding and is designed to be very firm. In fact, it’s one of the firmest mattresses we’ve ever reviewed.

Which side of the Plank mattress is harder?

The extra-firm side of the Plank has a thinner comfort layer than the less-firm layer. This is a useful way to tell the sides apart: The comfort layer on the less-firm layer is 1.5” thick, while the harder side’s comfort layer is only 0.75” thick.

How do you return a Plank mattress?

To initiate the return process, contact Brooklyn Bedding’s customer service by emailing support@brooklynbedding.com. In most cases, the brand will ask you to donate the mattress in question. Once you’ve donated or returned the bed, call 1-888-210-8751 to expedite your refund.

Marten Carlson

Marten is the Lead Reviewer at Mattress Clarity. He is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and covers the mattress industry as well as sleep science news. He is specifically interested in the connection between sleep and overall health. Marten has written for media publications like Consequence of Sound and received a master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University. He comes from Franklin, Indiana, and spends all the time he can writing, directing, and acting in films.