There are so many mattresses that claim to be the softest or the most comfortable, but what if someone is seeking something on the opposite end of the spectrum? If someone wants the firmest mattress possible, it is definitely worth taking a look at the Plank Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding. It is a flippable mattress that’s designed to offer very firm support and also be as firm as a mattress possibly could be.
This review will cover everything consumers should know about this mattress, including a full breakdown of the construction, the pros and cons, breathability, durability, comfort, support, motion isolation, edge support, and much more.
The Plank is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Who Might Want To Pick The Plank…
- Those who want a very firm mattress- Making our list of the best firm mattresses, the Plank is designed to be extremely firm, and it is perhaps the firmest mattress ever reviewed on this website. So if people want something that doesn’t really let them sink in, the Plank should be right for them.
- Stomach sleepers- If someone sleeps primarily on their stomach, a firm mattress is always a good option to get the proper support. People need extra support when you’re stomach sleeping, and they don’t want their hips to sink in. Both sides of the Plank are firmer-than-average, and the firm side is very firm and supportive, so stomach sleepers should find the support they need on this mattress.
- Back sleepers- While the firm side might not be the best match for back sleepers, the less firm side could possibly be. The top layers are a bit softer, so they should allow one’s hips to sink in just a fair amount, and back sleepers should get the support they need with just the right amount of comfort.
Who Might Not Want To Pick The Plank…
- Side sleepers- If someone sleeps on their side, they usually want to look for a softer mattress, because they want to ensure they get enough pressure relief on their shoulders and hips. Both sides of the Plank are quite firm and are not really designed with side sleepers in mind, so side sleepers will most likely want to find a softer mattress.
- Those who want a medium-firm mattress- Even if people want a supportive mattress, the Plank might be too firm for them. If people want a mattress that is firm and supportive but still has some give, the Plank is not their best bet.
- People who switch positions at night- Both sides of the Plank are firm, so if people change positions while they sleep, the Plank might not work for them. Both sides are too firm for side sleeping, and the firm side is too firm for back sleeping.
Construction Overview
- The mattress is 11.5” tall and consists of a flippable construction with multiple foam layers.
- Starting on the ultra-firm side, there first is a 0.75” layer of quilted polyfoam to give the mattress some softness and pressure relief.
- Then there is 2” of firm TitanFlex foam, which is a proprietary foam that resembles the qualities of latex.
- This is followed by 7” of high-density base foam, which is a fairly standard base layer for an all-foam mattress in the industry.
- Finally, there is 1.5” of quilted polyfoam, which is also the top layer of the less-firm side.
Construction Takeaways
- People can opt to add a cooling panel to the top of your Plank mattress, so hot sleepers should definitely consider this extra feature.
- The Plank is flippable, so it has two firmnesses in one mattress where one side is extremely firm and the other side is just a little less firm. On the firm side, people can’t really sink in at all, and on the softer side, sleepers will sink in a bit more.
- The firm side of the mattress is designed to be, well, firm. Sleepers can barely press into the mattress, so they will feel like they’re sleeping on top rather than being enveloped by the mattress. This means it could be a good option for stomach sleeping because of how supportive it is.
- The less firm side lets the hips sink in somewhat, so it could be a decent match for back sleeping.
The Plank is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Firmness And Feel
In terms of firmness, I thought the less firm side was an 8/10 and the ultra-firm side was close to a 9/10, definitely very firm. Both sides are firmer-than-average, but the ultra-firm side is the firmest sleeping mattress surface I have experienced, as I feel like I barely sink into the mattress at all.
Here is how it felt while sleeping on the ultra-firm side of the mattress:
- Starting on my back, the mattress is too firm for me. I do feel supported, but my hips aren’t allowed to sink in much, so I don’t feel like this side is a good fit for back sleeping.
- Moving to my side, the mattress is much too firm, and most side sleepers should agree this side is too firm for side sleeping.
- On my stomach, this side is a great match, because it is definitely supportive enough and prevents my hips from sinking in too far.
Here is how it felt while sleeping on the less firm side of the mattress:
- While lying on my back, the less firm side is a better fit, because it is a bit softer and lets my hips sink in somewhat. It might still be too firm for some back sleepers, but it is more fitting for back sleeping than the ultra-firm side.
- Again, when I am side sleeping, the mattress is too firm for me without question. Even though this side is not quite so firm, it is not soft enough to provide good pressure relief.
- Even though this side is not as firm, it is still firm enough for stomach sleeping, so stomach sleepers of many sizes should get the support they need on this side of the mattress.
Both sides of the mattress have a firm, foam feel with some good bounce. People don’t sink in too far on either side, so it should be very easy to move around on the Plank and also switch positions.
Motion Transfer
If someone sleeps with a partner, they definitely will want to think about how well their mattress handles motion transfer. If they lie down on one side of the mattress and their partner moves around on the other side, will these movements disturb them?
To test out the motion isolation capabilities of the Plank, I first placed a glass of water on the mattress. When I pushed into the surrounding area, I did see some disturbance in the water. Also, when I laid down and asked Marten to move around on the other side of the mattress, I did feel his movements.
This mattress is very firm, no matter which side people choose. The foams contained in the mattress are very firm and, unlike a soft memory foam, are not the best at absorbing motion.
If people want a mattress for couples, it is just worth noting that they might see some motion transfer on the Plank.
Edge Support
If someone sleeps with a partner, they also want to think about how much of the mattress they can use. Can they sit or lie down near the edge securely, or will they feel like they are falling off the mattress?
While sitting near the edge of the Plank, the mattress collapses quite a bit. I feel like I might fall off the mattress. In addition, when I lie down near the edge, I feel like I might roll off.
The edge support is pretty much the same on both sides of the mattress, so neither side features the best edge support.
Marten’s Take
Marten is a staff writer for us and has a much different body type: He is 6’7″ and weighs about 230 lb; I am 5’9″ and 160 lb. Here is what he thought about the mattress and how appropriate it is for heavier sleepers:
I thought the Plank was close to an 8 or 8.5/10 on the softer side and a 9/10 on the firm side.
Here is how it felt on the less firm side:
- On my back, my hips sink in a bit more than they do on the firmer side. I am supported overall, but I would like my hips to sink in a little farther.
- Moving to my side, I am feeling pressure on my shoulders and my hips, so it is not a great match for side sleeping.
- On my stomach, I am well supported. My hips don’t sink in too far, so this side is a good match for stomach sleeping.
And here is how it felt on the ultra-firm side:
- While lying on my back, the mattress is much too firm for me. My hips don’t sink in at all, so I don’t think it is the best match for back sleeping.
- While side sleeping, I am feeling even more pressure on the firm side, so it is not a good match for side sleeping.
- When I move to my stomach, I feel great overall support. My hips don’t sink in at all, and the mattress completely holds me up.
Heavier back sleepers should probably lean toward the softer side. Heavier side sleepers should look elsewhere. Both sides should work for heavier stomach sleepers.
It seems like Marten and I had very similar experiences on the Plank. We both found the Plank to be a very firm mattress and a good match for stomach sleeping. However, Marten didn’t like either side for back sleeping. This lets me know that some people who sleep primarily on their back might want to look for a different mattress.
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Unboxing This Mattress
The Plank is a bed-in-a-box mattress, which means it will come compressed and be shipped straight to you.
People will want to begin by removing the rolled up Plank mattress from its box, and then, preferably with another person’s assistance, position the roll on your bed.
People can then carefully cut away the first layers of plastic until the still-compact mattress can be laid down flat. Then, they should pierce through the final layer of plastic and the Plank will expand.
Lastly, people can simply clear away the excess plastic and allow their mattress to breathe and fully expand.
What Makes The Plank Stand Out?
- It is the firmest mattress I have ever reviewed, which is the intention of the construction.
- The Plank is flippable, so people get two firmnesses in one mattress, maximizing the chances consumers will get the right firmness level for them.
- The mattress should be a great match for stomach sleepers because of how firm and supportive the mattress is.
- The less firm side could be a good choice for some back sleepers.
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Overall
In the end, the Plank is pretty much the firmest mattress I have ever laid on, and it should be a good option for stomach sleepers and those who want something very firm. However, side sleepers and those who don’t want something so firm should look elsewhere without question.
The Plank comes with a 120-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty, and free shipping and returns. Financing is available, and Brooklyn Bedding offers other mattress models as well as accessories. Consumers should read through this article multiple times, assess their own needs and preferences, and then make a more informed decision.
Joe Auer
Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site.
He likes things simple and take a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications.
Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.
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