Hard Time Sleeping? Try One of Our Fave Firm Mattresses

When it comes to choosing a mattress, you might feel like Goldilocks going through your options. This one’s too hard, that one’s too soft, but where’s the one that’s juuuuuust right?

If you’ve got frequent aches and pains, a firmer, more supportive mattress may be just the thing to ease you into a deep sleep so you can wake up relaxed. Not sure how to find the firm mattress of your dreams? That’s where we come in.

The 10 best firm mattresses

• Best for back sleepers: Saatva Classic Mattress
• Best for side sleepers: Tempur-Pedic LuxeAdapt Firm Mattress
• Best for stomach sleepers: Helix Dawn
• Best adjustable: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress
• Best budget: Best Price Memory Foam Mattress
• Best flippable: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
• Best hybrid: Sealy Response Performance Firm Mattress
• Best extra firm: Plank by Brooklyn Bedding
• Best for back pain: WinkBed
• Best organic: Avocado Latex Mattress

How we chose our firm faves

For this list, not only did we look at each mattress’s key traits — like lumbar support, firmness, and type — but we also took other factors into account, including:

• Reputable manufacturers. You can sleep easy knowing that we’ve carefully vetted the brands selected. Because when it comes to quality, only the best will do.
• Consumer reviews. We dug beyond manufacturer claims and snuck a peek at what actual users are saying — the good, the not-so-good, and the OMZzzz’s of it all.
• Manufacturer warranty. All of our choices offer top-notch warranties, so your precious snooze time isn’t compromised years down the line.
• Trial period. Nothing’s worse than getting your new mattress home… and finding out it’s not for you. All of our selections offer risk-free trial periods, giving you ample time to make sure you and your mattress are meant to be.
• Affordability. We get it: the money struggle can be real. This is why we focused on quality products at a variety of price points to give you great, realistic options that fit your budget.

Pricing guide

Mattresses come in many sizes, so prices will vary depending on the size you need. We used the standard queen size as a baseline for our price points. 

• $ = under $1000
• $$ = $1000–$1500
• $$$ = over $1500

The very best firm mattresses

Best firm mattress for back sleepers

Saatva Classic Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Firmness: firm
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king

A classic always has your back — or at least the Saatva Classic mattress does. This hybrid wonder is designed with a special “spinal zone technology,” which is basically an extra layer of memory foam in the center of the mattress that’s supposed to conform to your body and give your back the support it needs. If you’re a back sleeper, this mattress is perfect for keeping you from sinking into the mattress so that your spine stays aligned.

Reviewers share that the Saatva Classic provides the perfect balance of comfort and support. Those with back pain are especially big fans, saying it’s helped banish their back pain almost overnight (pun totally intended). 

Best firm mattress for side sleepers

Tempur-Pedic LuxeAdapt Firm Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Mattress type: foam
• Firmness: firm
• Sizes: twin XL, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king

While the price tag’s a little hefty, those who have bought the LuxeAdapt mattress can’t stop singing its praises — and for good reason. The LuxeAdapt provides max pressure-relieving power to help lull you into a state of pure relaxation. Pressure relief is mega important for side sleepers, who put LOTS of extra pressure on their hips and shoulders while snoozin’.

This mattress also has some much-needed cooling technology (since memory foam mattresses are known for getting pretty dang hot 🥵 ). The foam used in the mattress is “open cell” — which means it allows for better air flow — and the cover is made with a cooling fabric. The cover is also washable, so it can be zipped off and thrown in the wash for easy-peasy cleaning.

Best firm mattress for stomach sleepers

Helix Dawn

• Price: $$
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Firmness: firm
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

The Helix Dawn will have you snoozing from dusk till… well, (Helix) Dawn! This hybrid mattress features individually wrapped pocketed coils for targeted support and a comfort layer made with the brand’s proprietary blend of latex-free foam that’s designed to mimic the pressure relieving (but still bouncy) feel of latex foam. It also has a special soft-touch cover for an extra cozy feel.

Stomach-sleeping users rave about this mattress, saying it provides enough firm support to prevent their spines from sinking in during the night. Some users also share that the Helix Dawn does take some time to adjust to, but that the wait is worth it for the now near-perfect sleep they’re getting. On the flip side, a few reviewers did find this mattress a little softer than they’d like (Helix rates it at an 8 to 9 on the firmness scale).

Best adjustable firm mattress

Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Mattress type: adjustable luxury air mattress
• Firmness: 50 customizable firmness settings
• Sizes: twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king

Looking to customize your firmness level? The Saatva Solaire may be what you’re looking for. This adjustable air mattress offers 50 (yes, 5-0!) firmness options, so you’re guaranteed to get the exact level that’s right for you.

It also features a dual chamber air system, which means you and your partner can each customize your side of the bed to your firmness level liking.

Users are big fans of the Solaire, touting its supportive structure and comfort. They enjoy Saatva’s use of top-notch materials — including CertiPUR-US foam and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton — as well as the company’s friendly customer service. While they do find the price point to be steep, most users find it to be worth the investment.

Best budget firm mattress

Best Price Memory Foam Firm Mattress

• Price: $
• Mattress type: foam
• Firmness: firm
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

This 100 percent foam mattress may be firm, but it’s soft to the touch. It’s designed to react to your body temperature to mold itself to your shape and provides pressure point relief for a deeper night’s sleep (or nap!).

Its breathable, ventilated foam has a cooling effect, and the soft fabric cover gives you added comfort. 

Some reviewers say this mattress has worked wonders for their achy breaky backs, while others find it to be a little too soft for their needs. 

Best flippable firm mattress

Layla Memory Foam Mattress

• Price: $$
• Mattress type: foam
• Firmness: flippable (soft and firm)
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

What has us flipping out over the Layla Memory Foam mattress? You get two levels of firmness for the price of one! This mattress features a soft side and a firm side, so you can choose your preferred comfort level — and switch it up whenever you feel like it. 😍

Layla’s mattresses also use copper-infused gel memory foam, which the company claims is cooler, more supportive, and has antimicrobial properties.

Reviews show that users also flippin’ love this mattress. They say it’s great for keeping their cool throughout the night and find both sides to be comfortable and supportive. Some users say that they wish the firm side was even firmer, but are overall satisfied with the mattress.

Best hybrid firm mattress

Sealy Response Performance

• Price: $
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Firmness: firm
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

This hybrid mattress is, well, responsive. The key is in its spring coil base, which features barrel-shaped coils that are individually wrapped, so they move independently from each other. That means it provides support where you need it most — like in the heavier areas of your body (ahem, dat ass).

It has a foam top layer for comfort (complete with air foam for airflow) and a plush cover. Unlike many of its all-foam cousins, it has durable edges, so you won’t feel like you’ll slip off if you sit on or roll towards the edge.

Most reviewers describe this mattress as firm but comfy, providing a good balance of the two. Side sleepers may find it a bit too firm for their needs, so if that’s you, you might want to explore other options.

Best extra firm mattress

Plank by Brooklyn Bedding

• Price: $$
• Mattress type: foam
• Firmness: flippable (firm and ultra-firm)
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, short full, queen, short queen, Olympic queen, king, short king, California king, split California king, RV king

What’s firmer than being firm? Ultra-firm! The Plank by Brooklyn Bedding offers you the option of switching from firm to ultra-firm with the flip of the mattress (yep, it’s flippable!), so you can get your comfort level just right.

Both sides of the Plank provide wooden plank-like stability with superior sleeping comfort, which is especially great for stomach and black sleepers.

For an additional cost, hot sleepers can add cooling panels to both sides of the mattress (how “cool” is that?).

Most reviewers are especially fond of the Plank’s ultra-firm side, saying it’s exactly what they were looking for a good night’s rest. Even those who found the Plank to be too firm for their liking were impressed by its high quality. 

Best firm mattress for back pain

The WinkBed

• Price: $$$
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Firmness: firmer
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

The WinkBed offers everything you love about a hybrid mattress and more. Its individually wrapped coil base provides heavy-duty back and pressure point support, while its gel-infused Euro-pillowtop ensures your back, hips, and shoulders are cushioned and supported. It also has a Tencel cover, so it’s soft AF.

WinkBeds also claims this mattress has top-notch motion isolation and edge support, so it’s a great option if you share a bed with a partner or pet.

Reviewers who opted for the “Firmer” firmness level say it’s helped immensely with back and even sciatica pain. A few reviewers also say the temperature stays neutral throughout the night — fewer night sweats is always a good thing!

Best organic firm mattress

Avocado Latex Mattress

• Price: $$$
• Mattress type: latex foam
• Firmness: firm
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split California king

The Avocado Latex is 100 percent organic, has a low profile, and is biodegradable, making it a top choice for those looking for an eco-friendly option. 

Made with 9 inches of organic latex, the Avocado Latex foam mattress is Avocado’s firmest available mattress, providing cool comfort and serious support. This sustainable mattress also features a patent-pending design that promotes comfort, helps isolate motion, and offers three targeted zones to contour your body in juuuust the right way — all while keeping your spine aligned and pressure points cradled.

Reviewers are super impressed with the Avocado Latex’s combo of comfort and support, as well as it’s clean, organic makeup, and cooling abilities. Allergy sufferers claim they breathe a little easier thanks to this mattress, and many appreciate that the mattress arrives odor-free (with no off-gassing).

Who should sleep on a firm mattress?

Wondering if a firm mattress will be your best bedfellow? Consider these factors when deciding:

Your sleeping position

Knowing whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper is super important when mattress shopping. While a firmer mattress may do wonders if you enjoy sleeping on your back or tummy by preventing your body from sinking, side sleepers may find them too stiff for comfort. If side sleeping is your sleep jam, research suggests opting for a softer mattress for all your sweet Zzz’s.

Your body type

Not all bodies are the same, and neither are all mattresses. Because different body types require different forms of support, it’s important to think about how a mattress can meet your body’s needs.

For folks with a higher body weight, for instance, choosing a firm mattress can provide more overall support and less of a “sinking” feeling while you sleep.

If you have pain

If “Achy Breaky Back” is a song you want to get off repeat, firm may not be the mattress feel you’re looking for.

Instead, studies suggest that those with back pain choose a medium-firm or customizable inflatable (like the Saatva Solaire) mattress for peak comfort and spinal alignment.

Hard time choosing? Here are some firm mattress shopping tips

Ready to buy? Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop.

Firmness level

When it comes to firmness levels, companies typically rate their mattresses on a scale of 1 (softest) to 10 (firmest). Firm mattresses are generally rated at an 8 or above.

Keep in mind that — much like clothing sizes — mattress firmness levels aren’t universal. One company’s firm mattress may feel more medium-firm, or vice versa. This is why it’s important to go with options that offer a trial run, so you can make sure the firmness level is to your liking.

Buyer beware: If you’re on the hunt for a truly firm mattress, don’t be fooled by those labeled as “luxury firm” — this is often just a fancy term for medium-firm.

Mattress type

You’ll also want to consider the type of mattress you’re choosing. Different mattress types provide different forms and levels of support to meet a variety of needs.

• Innerspring. The old school mattress type, innerspring mattresses rely on a set of coils for structure and support. While often on the cheaper side, this type doesn’t usually offer targeted support or motion isolation — particularly if they’re made with traditional, single-unit, interconnected coils (we’ll get into coil differences in a moment).
• Foam. A budget-friendly alternative to hybrids, foam mattresses get their name from — you guessed it — the foam they’re made of. There are a few diff kinds of foams out there that you can choose from, like memory foam (known for that sinking-in feeling) or latex foam (known for being a bit bouncier). They conform well to your body and offer terrific motion isolation. Foam mattresses are better for those with a lower body weight (generally under 230 pounds), since they don’t have coils for extra support.
• Hybrid. The best of both worlds, hybrids are made of a coiled core base and a foam top. Because they have coils and foam, they’re usually great for any body type or need. They’re often a pricier option, so you may want to stick with one of the other mattress types if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly.

Materials

Now that you know the basic mattress types, you may be wondering what the heck materials they’re actually made of.

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are structured with a set of either interconnected or individually wrapped (also sometimes called pocketed) coils.

Interconnected coils are the OG: traditional, hourglass shaped, and all connected to each other. This interconnectivity causes the coils to move as a unit, making targeted support nonexistent. Individually wrapped coils, on the other hand, are cylindrical and not interconnected, which can help with motion isolation (we’ll get to that in a sec) and provide some targeted support to heavier areas of your bod.

Foam mattresses offer a bit more variety in the types available. Options include:

• Memory foam. Soft, squishy, and designed to contour to your body, memory foam takes its time returning to its original shape once your imprint is made. Memory foam does retain heat, so hot sleepers may want to avoid this material. 
• Gel memory foam. The cool kid on the block, gel memory foam is essentially memory foam that’s been infused with gel. This helps pull the heat away from your body to keep you cool.
• Latex foam. Bouncy, breathable, and pressure relieving, latex foam is most often found in organic mattresses. Latex mattresses are generally long lasting, but they’re also often pretty pricey.
• Proprietary foam. Some companies make their own foam style or blend. Because they’re unique to a specific brand, make sure to check out user reviews for an idea of how they feel or hold up. 

Price

Real talk: If you’re looking for a good quality mattress from a well-known and established brand, you might find yourself facing a fairly hefty price tag.

But if you’re strapped for cash, don’t despair: cost isn’t the only indicator of quality. For every mattress on the market that runs upward of $1,500 — or even $2,000 — there’s an equally high quality mattress available for considerably less. In fact, it’s totally possible to find a mattress that meets all of your needs for under $600 (bargain-hunters and budgeters rejoice!).

Keep in mind, the type of mattress you choose will affect the price. Hybrid and adjustable air mattresses tend to be more expensive than their foam or innerspring siblings.

Motion isolation

Pet or partner toss and turn in their sleep? The struggle to keep their movements from keeping you up is real. If you don’t want all the literal feels all night long, choose a mattress with primo motion isolation. Motion isolation prevents movement from transferring from one part of the bed to another, so you can sleep bother-free.

If this sounds like the key to your sweet mattress dreams, consider a foam mattress or a hybrid mattress with individually wrapped coils, as these usually provide the best motion isolation.

Pressure relief

Got pain? A mattress with good pressure relief can help turn those aches and pains to “ooo’s” and “aahh’s.” Pressure relief is also ideal for side sleepers, since it helps prevent your hips and shoulders from digging into the mattress.

According to a 2017 study, mattresses made of latex foam are best for pressure relief. This can be found in both all-foam and hybrid mattresses, giving you a wide variety of pressure relieving options.

Edge support

Edge support can be found on many mattresses to help them maintain their shape — and keep you from sliding off the bed. If you sleep with others (of the two- or four-legged variety), you likely know how easily you can find yourself forced to the edge of your mattress. This is why strong edge support is important.

So, how do you know whether or not a mattress has good edge support? While “good” can often depend on your personal preference, consider peeping the reviews to get a better idea of a mattress’s edging. This’ll give you insight from actual users who may have similar nighttime needs. 

Temperature control

It doesn’t matter if you sleep too hot, too cold, or juuuust right, there’s a mattress out there waiting to provide you with the temperature you need.

Take a look at the mattress makeup when considering your options. Gel foam can help keep you cool all through the night, while memory foam can help you stay a bit heated. Some manufacturers also add in their own special temperature-regulating ingredients by infusing their foam with special materials or using their own proprietary cooling technology.

As always, check out what actual users have to say to get the skinny on how the mattress actually feels.

Accessories to pair with your new firm mattress

Yay! You’ve found the perfect mattress! Now what? Time to accessorize.

When it comes to your new space, there are tons of smart (and often stylish) additions you can make to jazz up your new sleep space, including: 

• Mattress covers. A quality mattress cover not only helps protect your new investment from wear, tear, and stains, but it can also prevent common allergens (like dust mites and dander) from building up. Some heavy duty vinyl covers also help protect against bed bugs.
• Mattress toppers. Adding a topper can put a little lux to your firm mattress (and create a bit of softness if your mattress ends up being too firm). 
• Pillows. Whether they’re functional or fashionable (or even fashionably functional!), you truly can never have too many pillows.
• Sheets. There’s nothing like sleeping on a fresh set of sheets. From cotton to linen to bamboo, there are seemingly limitless sheet options to cozy up your bed with.
• Bed frames. Unless you’re planning to leave your mattress on the floor, you’ll need to invest in a bed frame. Depending on the mattress you chose, you can buy a traditional frame or go with an adjustable option.

Firm mattress FAQs

What’s the firmest mattress level? 

Most companies rate the firmness level of their mattresses from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. If it’s a firm mattress that you seek, look for a mattress rated 8 or higher.

Some brands may also offer an “ultra-firm” option. Just how firm this level is depends on the company’s scale.

But remember, these ratings aren’t universal. A mattress rated 8 at one company may feel like a 6 at another. To find what’s best for you, check out reviews to see what actual users have to say. When you find one that meets your needs, make sure it allows a risk-free trial period, so you can ensure the firmness level is exactly to your liking.

Are firmness and support the same thing? 

Firmness and support may seem similar, but they’re actually two different traits a mattress can have. Firmness refers to how soft or hard your mattress is, while support is all about how well the mattress supports your spine while you’re sleeping.

Firm foam mattresses usually get their support from firmer foam, while hybrid and innerspring mattresses get their support from their spring coils.

I’ve got back pain. Is a firm mattress good for me? 

If you’re plagued by back pain, a firm mattress might not be for you. Research suggests that a medium-firm mattress is your best bet for pain relief, since it helps keep your spine aligned.

The bottom line

Ready to get matched with the right mattress? There are hundreds of options to choose from and several factors to consider when deciding which one’s right for you, but this list is a great place to start.

Whether you need more firm support or crave a slightly cushier sleep space, there are lots of quality mattresses available to meet your needs. We know it’s a *hard* choice, but we trust you’ll make the right decision.