Other Firm Beds We Researched
Not vibing with anything here? Here’s a few more firm mattresses that didn’t quite make the list.
- Plank Firm: The Plank Firm mattress is the OG version of the Luxe, which did make it onto our list. But don’t sleep on the original—this flippable, all-foam mattress gives you two different sleep experiences in one, just like the Luxe. The extra-firm side is one of the toughest I’ve tried, rating a solid 9/10. You can dive into more details in our Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm mattress review.
- Bear Elite Hybrid: This high-end hybrid comes in three different firmness levels, including Firm. I’d say this one’s perfect for stomach and back sleepers who tend to overheat, thanks to the coils and cooling tech built into the bed. Hit up our Bear Elite Hybrid review for more info.
- Helix Dusk: The Helix Dusk mattress is marketed as medium-firm, but our testers thought it was a bit firmer than usual. We felt our spine was super aligned while lying on our back, all thanks to the solid support from the coils. Check out the full review of Helix Dusk.
How We Tested the Best Firm Mattresses
Our team of certified sleep science experts has checked out over 600 mattresses, using our own special methods and real-world testing to come up with simple scores.Along with an overall score, we also give scores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.When it comes to firm mattresses, here’s a breakdown of the categories we focused on during our search:
Firmness
We rate the firmness of a mattress on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. Most mattresses fall between 6–8/10, which is considered medium to medium-firm. Anything in the 8–10 range (or sometimes 7–10) is usually a firm or extra-firm mattress. Most of the extra-firm mattresses you’ll find are around a 9/10.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, our Chief Medical Advisor and a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in sleep science, pointed out that firmness can be pretty subjective: “Things like body weight and specific health conditions can also play a role in finding the perfect firmness.” With that in mind, we figure out a mattress’s firmness by lying down on it and then averaging my score with those from the other testers, coming up with a final number out of 10.
Support
Support is key for all mattresses, and this is where firm mattresses really shine. Dr. Shelby Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine, put it simply: “A good mattress will keep your spine aligned while you sleep.”
When testing a mattress for support, our testers lie down in each sleep position to see how stable we feel and check if our spines stay in proper alignment. To break it down, we want our spines to stay in their natural, slightly curved shape, with some lift in the lower back and some give around the shoulders and hips. Based on what we find, we’ll give the mattress a support score out of 5. You might have noticed that most of the firm mattresses we recommend score at least 4/5 in this area—that’s because the firmer layers do a great job of keeping the body lifted and aligned.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is super important for back and side sleepers, so we test it by lying in both of these positions. From there, we check how much tension or discomfort builds up where our bodies make contact with the mattress. Firm mattresses are usually less contouring, which means they tend to offer less pressure relief. Without a soft, cushioned surface, you might start to feel pain in your shoulders, hips, or other spots where your body presses into the mattress. If pressure relief is what you’re after, we’d recommend checking out our list of the best mattresses for pressure relief.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta explained what a mattress with both solid support and good pressure relief should feel like: “A mattress that offers the best of both worlds typically has qualities like medium-firm firmness, contouring materials like memory foam or latex, zoned support, responsive materials, pocketed coils, layered construction, strong edge support, and keeps your spine properly aligned.”
What Else Is Important When Buying a Firm Mattress?
Looking for the perfect firm mattress doesn’t need to feel like a shot in the dark. Here are a few other things you should think about to help make your decision—and score the best new mattress for your sleep situation.
Body Type
- Light sleepers (under 130 lbs): Lighter sleepers might feel like a bed’s firmer than it actually is, so they’ll probably like medium or plush mattresses more. Those types let them sink in a bit and feel less pressure.
- Average-weight sleepers (130 lbs – 230 lbs): These folks usually have a lot of options. They might feel most comfy on a medium-firm bed, which is pretty much the industry standard, but that can change depending on how they sleep or what they personally like.
- Heavy sleepers (over 230 lbs): Firm beds tend to work better for heavier people since they stop them from sinking too deep into the mattress, making it easier to get comfy.
Sleeping Position
Where you sleep will totally affect how firm your mattress should be.
- Stomach sleepers: If you mostly sleep on your stomach, you’ll want a firmer mattress. You need something that’ll give your lower core the right support, or your hips might sink into the mattress, throwing your spine out of whack.
- Back sleepers: If you're a back sleeper, you’ll probably need something firm, but not too much. The mattress should let your hips and lower back sink just a little, while still offering enough support to stop you from sinking in too far.
- Side sleepers: In general, firm mattresses aren’t great for side sleepers since they don’t really give enough pressure relief where your shoulders and hips press into the bed. If you’re a side sleeper, you’d want something medium-firm or softer. That said, sometimes a firm mattress can actually work for side sleepers (like the Bear Original), especially if you’re on the heavier side.
- Combination sleepers: If you move around a lot while you sleep, you’ll want a mattress that lets you switch positions easily. Most firm mattresses are a good match since they’re more responsive and don’t have that soft foam that makes you feel like you're stuck.
When you’re picking out your mattress, it’s key to think about what could be too firm. Dr. Raj Dasgupta points out what to watch for: “A mattress might be too firm if you’re feeling pressure points, discomfort, no spinal alignment, restlessness, numbness, pain in certain positions, no sinkage, or if your mattress is just getting too old. Personal preference plays a big part, so if needed, you can always add a topper or a softer comfort layer. If you’re still uncomfortable, you might want to go with a mattress that’s a little softer but still gives you good support.”
Mattress Type
The materials that make up a mattress play a big role in how it feels. So, some types of mattresses just naturally end up firmer than others.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are among the firmest types because they’re built with layers of coils.Some innersprings have more bounce, but generally, their surfaces are pretty solid.Check out our innerspring mattress reviews for more details.
Latex
Foam mattresses are usually on the softer side.Examples include memory foam, gel foam, foam blends, and polyfoam.Some of these mattresses are denser and can feel more medium-firm.For more info, take a look at our best firm memory foam mattresses.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses mix materials, like an innerspring base with a top layer of foam, latex, or wool. These mattresses can vary in firmness, but they’re usually somewhere in the medium to medium-firm range. Check out our best hybrid mattresses for more info.
Instead of getting a brand-new mattress, you can also adjust the firmness and feel of your bed with a mattress topper. These are made from similar materials, and some even have a micro-coil unit inside, almost like putting a mini-mattress on top of your mattress. If you’re looking for a firmer bed without breaking the bank, we’ve got a list of recommended firm mattress toppers.
Durability
Firm mattresses might last longer because they tend to use denser materials, whether it’s foam or coils. Dr. Raj Dasgupta suggests looking for these things in durable mattresses: “high-quality materials, a strong support core, edge support, resilience, motion isolation, minimal sagging, a solid warranty, good brand reputation/reviews, and regular upkeep.”
On average, a mattress should last about 10 years, so it’s something to keep in mind when considering other factors, especially price. To figure out how durable a mattress is, we look at the materials, the quality of the construction, and the edge support, since these are all good signs of how long the mattress will hold up before it starts showing signs of wear.
Dr. Harris shared some tips on when it’s time to replace your mattress: “Each mattress is different depending on its materials and how durable it is, but generally, you should think about replacing your mattress every 5-10 years. If your mattress starts to sag in the middle or shows other signs of wear and tear, it’s probably time to get a new one.”
Company Policies
Buying a mattress online is about more than just the bed itself. Companies will often throw in perks like trial periods, warranties, or free shipping to sweeten the deal. Most online mattresses come compressed in a box, making them super easy to transport. Some brands even offer free white glove delivery, where a team will bring the mattress to your place, set it up, and sometimes even take away your old one.
Sleep trials let you test out your mattress before committing to the purchase, without needing to visit a physical store. Most sleep trials last around 100 days, but some companies offer up to a year. Usually, they’ll ask you to try the mattress for at least a month before returning it, and if you’re not happy, you can typically get a full refund.
Warranties are agreements that cover your mattress if it’s defective, though the terms often get less generous over time as the bed ages. They’re also a good way to get a sense of how long your mattress should last. Most warranties are around 10 years, which lines up with a mattress’s typical lifespan. Longer warranties could mean a higher-quality product, since the company is willing to replace or refund your mattress even after several years. Some companies even offer lifetime warranties, so you’re covered (to some extent) for as long as you have the bed.
