The Best Firm Mattresses, According To Forbes Vetted Sleep Editors (2024)

Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm (8) and extra-firm (10) | Thickness: 9.5 inches | Trial: 120 nights

Pros:

• Flippable; two firmness levels in one
• Built to help ease back pain
• Available in unique sizes like RV and short king

Cons:

• Too firm for most side sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding’s Plank mattress definitely lives up to its name. This flippable all-foam option is firm (8 out of 10) on one side and ultra-firm (10 out of 10) on the other, according to the company. It’s also fitted with a thick layer of high-density base foam that provides plenty of support for your hips and shoulders, making it one of the best extra-firm mattresses available. In fact, the Plank mattress is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). They found that the mattress’s firm feel helps improve lumbar support, reduce spinal stress and alleviate back pain. As an added bonus, the Plank is available in less-popular mattress sizes like Olympic queen and short king.

What our editors say: Vetted contributor and previous sleep editor Lindsey Vickers tested this bed in a showroom and said, “While I haven’t slept on it for a night, I can honestly say it's one of the firmest mattresses I’ve ever felt. It has just a little give in the uppermost layer, making it ever-so-slightly more cushioning than something like the ground. I found it comfortable when lying on my stomach, too. If you want one of the firmest of firm mattresses out there, this is the way to go.”

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Available in plush soft (3), luxury firm (5 to 7) and firm (8) | Thickness: 11.5 or 14.5 inches | Trial: 365 nights (one year)

Pros:

• Cooling
• Great for sleepers with back pain
• Excellent edge support
• Free white glove delivery

Cons:

• Costs $99 to return

A hybrid mattress with both coils and memory foam, the Saatva Classic is designed to keep your spine properly aligned while also reducing pressure on your lower back with its extra supportive “Lumbar Zone.” It’s also built for comfort; this model is topped with a plush, 3-inch Euro pillow top that cushions joints and is made of organic cotton with an antimicrobial cover. Choose from three firmness levels, including luxury firm (a medium-firm combination of cushion and support) and firm (the most supportive option). As a purchase bonus, you’ll also get free white glove delivery, including hauling away your old bed.

What our editors say: According to one Vetted staffer, the Saatva is “bouncy, plush and offers plenty of support, including ample edge support, a feature I didn’t fully understand until I had a mattress with it.” She continues, “It took about a month to get my mattress, so keep that in mind when ordering, but otherwise I found Saatva easy to work with and communicative throughout. The company will also take your old mattress away free of charge—a major boon for anyone who’s ever dealt with mattress disposal before.”

See our full Saatva Classic mattress review for more information.

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (8 to 9) | Thickness: 13.5 inches | Trial: 100 nights

If you’re a regular side sleeper who prefers a firmer mattress, the Helix Dawn Luxe is a solid choice. With zoned lumbar support and enhanced contouring, this hybrid foam-and-coil mattress promotes comfort and ensures stability without causing pressure on side sleepers’ hips and shoulders. It also comes with a plush pillow top that makes it 2 inches taller than the standard mattresses, for a cozier feel. And thanks to its breathable Tencel cover, you’re less likely to overheat in the middle of the night. This is an optimal pick for back and stomach sleepers, as well.

What our editors say: “I love my Helix mattress and would recommend this brand to anyone,” says our updates editor. Although she has a different model (the medium-firm Dusk Luxe), she points out, “Helix mattresses are well-made and affordably-priced; there’s a reason you’ll see them on most of our ‘best’ lists.”

Pros:

• Firm, yet comfortable feel
• Excels at pressure relief
• Breathable

Cons:

• May feel too firm for petite sleepers and some side sleepers

Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5) | Thickness: 10 inches | Trial: 180 nights

On sale regularly for under $500, the Siena Memory Foam Mattress is a great pick if you’re mattress shopping on a budget. It’s also medium-firm, with Siena giving it a firmness rating of 6.5 out of 10. This makes it a good option for back, stomach and combination sleepers, and couples who may have differing sleep preferences. While the bottom layers of the mattress provide firmness and support, the top layer—consisting of two inches of adaptive gel memory foam—adds some softness and pressure point relief.

What our writers say: One Forbes contributor says that the Siena mattress feels “decidedly firm when sleeping on it”—much firmer than its “medium-firm” categorization. The reviewer also notes that it provides “excellent” edge support and has low motion transfer, making it great for couples.

Pros:

• Regularly on sale for less than $500
• Good edge support and minimal motion transfer
• 180-night in-home trial

Cons:

• May feel firmer than a medium-firm to some people

Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5) | Thickness: 12 inches | Trial: 365 nights

This five-layer mattress is constructed with gel-infused memory foam, responsive foam and sturdy base foam to offer comfort and support to stomach sleepers, back sleepers and side sleepers alike. The 3-inch transition layer minimizes motion transfer so you can sleep soundly even if your partner moves, while the 2 inches of contouring memory foam help relieve pressure points at the shoulders, hips and legs. Plus, while foam mattresses have a reputation for sleeping hot, this one features a breathable cooling cover to wick away heat and promote airflow while you rest. Right now, take 41% off this mattress and up to 40% off all other Nectar memory foam and hybrid models during the brand’s Memorial Day sale.

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 12 inches | Trial: 100 nights

The aptly named The Brick mattress from Allswell is a hybrid option that will feel firm to some sleepers and medium-firm to others. It gets its structure from 2 inches of high-density memory foam and a firm top layer that offers pressure relief without too much sinking. There’s a gel-infused middle layer that provides some cushion for your back but doesn’t feel so soft that it knocks your spine out of alignment. This gel layer also helps regulate body temperature.

What the reviews say: “It’s very supportive for my bad back,” writes one happy buyer of the Allswell Brick. “The aches after sleeping with a purely foam bed were terrible. The Brick Hybrid allows me to wake up with no additional pain.”

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Responsive, supportive feel

Cons:

• Some side and lightweight sleepers might find it too firm

Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Available in soft (4), medium (5), firm (7) | Thickness: 11 inches | Trial: 120 nights

The WinkBeds GravityLux comes with an AirCell foam and gel-infused memory foam for breathability and airflow, ideal for anyone who’s not sleeping alone. Because it doesn’t have coils, it has great motion isolation (which means you won’t wake up every time your partner moves). The firm AirCell foam with a zoned poly foam layer beneath also contours to each individual’s body to stabilize the sleeper’s spine and support the shoulders and hips.

What the reviews say: One positive review says, “My husband used to keep me awake at night with all of his tossing and turning. Thanks to the technology in the Winkbed memory foam, though, we both sleep much sounder and more comfortably. It helps prevent his motion from transferring to my side of the bed. The contouring to our bodies also helps him toss and turn much less.”

Pros:

• Supportive and pressure-relieving
• Great motion isolation
• Cooler than other memory foam mattresses

Cons:

• Some reviewers found it difficult to find the right firmness level for couples with different sleeping positions

Stearns & Foster Estate Extra Firm Mattress (Queen)

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (9) | Thickness: 13.5 inches | Trial period: 90 nights

The Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress is a top pick for anyone seeking the firmest of the firm. Innerspring construction creates a base of support, and although it’s dense, an upper layer of Indulge Memory Foam ensures there’s enough plushness to get cozy. While it’s more similar to a traditional mattress than some others on this list, the Estate offers modern comfort features: A breathable design and sweat-wicking cover keep you cool at night, while the patented IntelliCoil system reduces motion transfer to ensure there isn’t too much bounce. All in all, Stearns & Foster has a reputation for quality (and if you’re searching for something slightly cushier, check out the Estate Firm Pillow Top model, instead).

What the reviews say: “This is an amazing mattress. It is very firm and so comfortable. I sleep wonderfully and don’t wake up through the night due to discomfort like before,” writes one reviewer.

Pros:

• Firm, but still feels plush thanks to thick memory foam layer
• Complimentary white glove delivery
• Luxurious feel

Cons:

• More expensive than most other beds on this list

Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Available in soft, medium and firm | Thickness: 12 inches | Trial: 90 nights

Pros:

• Good for a variety of sleepers; available in three firmness levels
• Free white glove delivery included
• Additional pressure relief to reduce aches and pains

Cons:

• Memory foam tends to sleep warm
• Short trial period

While memory foam and plush are often synonymous, the Tempur-Pro Adapt mattress offers a firm option using its proprietary material, which specializes in pressure relief. ThisTempur-materialis designedto respond to your body temperature, weight and shape throughout the night to always offer the ideal support. Described as the company's most adaptive mattress, it features five ergonomic support layers that work together to ease pressure points and reduce aches and pains.You can also get itin soft, medium and medium hybrid versions.

What the reviews say: With over 10,000 reviews, the Tempur-Pro Adapt is a popular choice. One 5-star review says, “The first time I tried this mattress, I couldn't believe howfirmit was. My wife had the same reaction. We both like afirmmattress, and I especially need one because of lower back problems, but this was a new level offirm. Yet sleeping and watching TV on this mattress is as comfortable as I've been on a mattress. It'sfirmbut not hard, if that makes sense.”

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (7) | Thickness: 11 inches | Trial: 365 nights (one year)

If you're looking for an eco-friendly firm mattress, the Avocado Green is one of the best organic mattresses (and the best latex mattresses) you can buy. It’s made with organic wool, organic cotton and GOLS-certified organic latex which come from the company’s own farms in India and Guatemala. It’s also Fair Trade, Greenguard Gold and Made Safe Certified, meaning that all the materials used to make the mattresses are free from ingredients that harm you or the environment. As for its firmness, the Avocado Green scores a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, thanks to its more than 1,000 individually-wrapped coils. These are arranged to provide five zones of targeted support, resulting in excellent spine alignment.

What our editors say: “I'm thrilled to report that it's still just as durable and supportive as the day we got it,” says home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala, who has been sleeping on an Avocado Green mattress for two years. “After having a baby, my body has taken a real hit and I appreciate the natural cushioning and medium support it offers. I'm also a fan of the organic, natural and non-toxic materials used, especially since my husband suffers from allergies.”

Pros:

• Eco-friendly and made with sustainable materials
• Naturally more hypoallergenic than other mattresses; great for sleepers with allergies

Cons:

• Pillow top costs extra

See our full Avocado Green mattress review for more info.

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft (3), medium (5) or firm (7) | Thickness: 13.25 inches | Trial: 120 nights

The Aurora Luxe is engineered from top to bottom to promote cooling, and it’s available in your choice of soft, medium or firm. Brooklyn Bedding recommends their firm mattress for stomach and back sleepers and people who need additional lumbar support.

The Aurora Luxe’s hybrid construction also combines airflow-promoting inner coils with breathable, gel-infused memory foam. Both the top foam layer and the GlacioTex cover are made of temperature-regulating materials that feel cool and help draw heat away from the body.

What our tester says: Editor Bridget Chapman has tried the medium support version of this mattress. She says, thanks to its GlacioTex cover, the mattress “literally felt cool to the touch.” She adds that the mattress provides a good degree of edge support and limits motion transfer well. Still, some reviewers of the firm Aurora Luxe say it’s not as firm as they hoped it would be.

Pros:

• Available in soft, medium or firm
• Each layer is designed to optimize cooling
• Ideal for back or stomach sleepers

Cons:

• Some reviewers say the firm Aurora Luxe doesn’t feel as firm as they’d like

See our Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review for more info.

Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (9) | Thickness: 11.25 inches | Trial: 120 nights

The Titan Plus mattress is made for people who weigh over 250 pounds, but it can support up to 1,000 pounds–one of the most heavy-duty beds on the market. The mattress is extremely firm, rated between eight and 10 (out of 10) on Titan’s firmness scale. This high degree of firmness provides maximum support for larger people and helps ensure the mattress doesn’t sag or degrade prematurely. Additionally, the one-inch quilted top infused with gel foam still provides some pressure relief and softness.

However, if you’re a larger person and you share a bed with someone who weighs less than 250 pounds (or vice versa), you can consider upgrading to the Titan Plus Luxe for the same level of support in a medium feel.

What the reviewers say: Reviewers say this mattress is comfortably firm, and supports sleep in all positions (side, stomach or back) for larger sleepers. One reviewer says, “It gives plenty of support and yet is so comfortable for big people.” However, some reviewers say they had to add a softer mattress topper because they found the mattress too firm.

Pros:

• Ideal for back and stomach sleepers
• Can support up to 1,000 pounds
• Optional upgrade for a softer feel

Cons:

• Too firm for heavy side sleepers

Type: Latex | Firmness: Soft, medium or firm | Thickness: Adjustable | Trial: 365 nights

Pros:

• Organic materials
• Adjustable firmness

Cons:

• Might take time to find your ideal firmness level

Ifyou want to try a firm mattress but are unsure if you'll love it, this is the ideal choice.It's a bed in a box, and you'll actually receive several boxes, each with a unique latex insert. The three layers include a soft, medium and firm optionso you canfeel for yourself and decide which comfort level suits you best. What's more, there are many ways to position the layers, allowing you more chances to find your ideal firmness. The company notes that the firmness level varies between 5 and 7.5.It's madeusing GOLS-certifiedorganic latex,GOTS-certifiedorganic wool andGOTS-certifiedorganic cotton to ensure it's free of harmful chemicals.

What the reviews say: "Afterfourmonths, we love this mattress even more than when we first laid down on it,” notes a customer. “The fact that you can configure the mattress by rearranging the layers is genius.It is a littlebit of work to do the rearranging, but you can get it ‘just so,’ and the payoff is amazing.We sink into it just the right amount, and then it's just nice, even support. We can't feel each other turn over, and there are no weird pressure spots."