Everybody needs support, and sometimes, that comes in the form of an extra firm mattress. Unfortunately, these beds are often difficult to find. But don’t fret – we’ve tested hundreds of bedding products and found the best extra firm mattresses on the market.
Keep reading to see our top picks, and don’t forget to check out our buyer’s guide below. We’ll answer all of your questions about supportive mattresses and help you determine which firmness level is right for you. Let’s dive in!
Best Extra Firm Mattresses
- Saatva – Best Overall
- Helix Dawn Luxe – Best Luxury Extra Firm Mattress
- Plank Firm – Firmest Mattress
- Birch – Best Organic Extra Firm Mattress
- Titan Plus – Best Extra Firm Mattress for Heavy Sleepers
How We Chose Our Products
The Mattress Clarity team has tested more than 150 mattresses using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We don’t simply give an overall score; our expert reviewers also test each mattress’s firmness level, edge support, motion isolation, and cooling features.
There are many different types of extra firm mattresses, so we included a range of products that meet different people’s needs.
Best Extra Firm Mattresses: Video Roundup
Want to see these beds in action? Check out our video review below!
Saatva Mattress
The Saatva is an organic mattress that is both comfortable and supportive. This mattress comes in multiple firmness options to fit a variety of sleepers.
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Mattress
The Saatva is an organic mattress that is both comfortable and supportive. This mattress comes in multiple firmness options to fit a variety of sleepers.
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Saatva Mattress
The Saatva is an organic mattress that is both comfortable and supportive. This mattress comes in multiple firmness options to fit a variety of sleepers.
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Saatva Classic mattress is available in three different firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. For this roundup, we’ll focus on the Firm option. This innerspring mattress offers ample lumbar support, and the tufted pillow top adds a touch of luxury.
The Saatva Firm mattress works well for back and stomach sleepers, and it’s firm enough to support heavier people. Best of all, Saatva never compresses its mattresses into cardboard boxes. You can even opt for white glove delivery and get your mattress set up in your bedroom.
What Makes Saatva Stand Out?
- It has a luxurious tufted pillow top.
- It’s never compressed into a cardboard box, so you can rest on your mattress right away.
- The coils are especially supportive and durable.
Read our full Saatva mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses 2022 for more great options.
Helix Dawn Luxe Mattress
The Helix Dawn Luxe is a firm luxury mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Dawn Luxe Mattress
The Helix Dawn Luxe is a firm luxury mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Dawn Luxe Mattress
The Helix Dawn Luxe is a firm luxury mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Sleep sells over a dozen different mattresses, so there’s something for everyone. Fans of luxurious and firm beds, however, should check out the Helix Dawn Luxe. This mattress has a thick foam comfort layer and a responsive coil system.
But what really makes this mattress luxurious is its Tencel cover. This material feels cool-to-the-touch and helps dissipate body heat which is great if you’re a hot sleeper. It also has zoned support, which is great for people who suffer from back pain. And because this mattress contains high-quality materials, it should last for over a decade.
What Makes Helix Stand Out?
- It has zoned support, which is great for folks with back pain.
- The Helix Dawn Luxe has a cooling cover.
- It’s made with durable materials, so it should last a long time.
Read our full Helix Dawn Luxe mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Luxury Mattresses for more great options.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
If you’re looking for the absolute firmest mattress on the market, check out the Plank Firm. This flippable all-foam mattress has two firmness levels in one. The softer side comes in at 8/10 on our firmness scale, and the firm side feels like 9/10. These are some of the highest firmness levels we’ve ever seen.
While it may not work for everybody, the Plank Firm is a great choice for heavier folks, stomach sleepers, and people who need lots of lumbar support.
What Makes The Plank Firm Stand Out?
- It has a flippable design, with two firmness levels in one.
- It’s one of the firmest mattresses on the market.
- The Plank Firm works well for heavier people
Read our full Plank Firm mattress review.
Birch Mattress
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
25-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Birch Mattress
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
25-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Birch Mattress
Birch is an eco-friendly mattress-in-a-box that’s made with natural latex and organic cotton and wool. It has a base layer of individually wrapped coils and comfort layers made with chemical-free latex foam.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Fans of eco-friendly mattresses will love the Birch. Made with organic cotton, wool, and Talalay latex, this mattress is free from harmful chemicals. It has a layer of strong coils at the bottom, which is both supportive and cooling.
Another perk – latex foam is especially durable. We expect this mattress to last at least 10 years, so it’s a great investment.
What Makes Birch Stand Out?
- It’s made with organic and all-natural materials.
- It sleeps cool, thanks to the breathable latex and coil system.
- The Birch mattress is especially durable.
Read our full Birch mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Organic Mattresses for more great options.
Titan Plus
The Titan Plus is Brooklyn Bedding's mattress for heavy people. It is a firm, supportive mattress that can support heavier weights.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 9/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Titan Plus
The Titan Plus is Brooklyn Bedding's mattress for heavy people. It is a firm, supportive mattress that can support heavier weights.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 9/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Titan Plus
The Titan Plus is Brooklyn Bedding's mattress for heavy people. It is a firm, supportive mattress that can support heavier weights.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 9/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Heavy sleepers over 230 lbs usually need a mattress that offers a ton of support, and they should have no problem finding it in the Titan Plus. This hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding comes equipped with industrial-strength coils that can easily hold up extra weight. There’s even an added layer of high-density foam below the springs for added support, and to prevent the mattress from sagging over time. Above the coils, a comfort layer of patented TitanFlex foam creates a bit of pressure relief and contouring, all while still being more supportive than standard memory foam.
What Makes the Titan Plus Stand Out?
- The Titan Plus was made with plus-size folks in mind, which is why it has so many features that cater to them.
- The polyester cover has been quilted with gel memory foam. The gel infusion helps the mattress keep cool. There’s also plenty of space for air to flow between the coils — another bonus for any hot sleepers out there.
- It clocks in at about a 9 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale.
Read our full Titan Plus mattress review for more information. Or check out our list of Best Mattresses for Heavy People for more great options.
How Firm is an Extra Firm Mattress?
The Mattress Clarity firmness scale ranges from 1-10, with 6.5/10 representing medium-firm. Most firm mattresses range from 7-8 on our firmness scale, but extra firm beds are even more supportive. It’s important to remember, however, that firmness is subjective. Heavier people often think mattresses feel firmer because they compress the top layers and feel more of the support layer underneath.
Who Should Get an Extra Firm Mattress?
Extra firm mattresses don’t work for everyone, but certain sleepers can really benefit from that extra boost of support. Here are the three main groups who may want to consider getting an extra firm bed.
- Stomach Sleepers – In this sleeping position, it’s especially important to make sure your back remains in the correct position. Extra firm beds help support the hips and prevent them from sinking out of alignment. If your bed is too soft, you might develop lower back pain.
- Back Sleepers – When you rest on your back, you need significant lumbar support. Lightweight and average weight people probably won’t need a mattress that feels firmer than 7.5/10, but heavier folks can benefit from an extra firm bed.
- Heavier People – Because heavier folks tend to compress the mattress’s comfort layers, they often need more support. If you sink into the top comfort layers of a mattress, your spine might crane out of its natural alignment. This can cause pain and discomfort over time.
Pros and Cons of Extra Firm Mattresses
| Pros | Cons |
|
Great for stomach sleepers |
Doesn’t provide enough pressure relief for most side sleepers |
|
Ideal for heavier sleepers |
Not always ideal for lightweight sleepers |
|
Often more durable |
|
|
Can be good for back pain |
Types of Extra Firm Mattresses
If you’ve been mattress shopping for a while, chances are you’ve noticed several different makes and models. But what do they all mean? We’ll go over the main types of extra firm mattresses and explain who they’re right for.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses offer lots of body contouring. They tend to work well for side sleepers who need pressure relief, but you can also find all-foam beds that work well for back and stomach sleepers.
Memory foam mattresses have a bad rep for trapping body heat, but many of them have cooling features to help combat that issue. If you’re concerned about sleeping hot at night, look for a memory foam mattress made with phase change material. Gel, graphite, and copper infusions also help dissipate heat.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine foam and coils to create a balanced and responsive feel. Thanks to the thick foam comfort layer, sleepers feel relief along pressure points. The supportive innerspring layer helps prevent sleepers from “bottoming out” and offers additional lumbar support.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are similar to hybrids, but their comfort layers aren’t as thick. When you rest on an innerspring mattress, you’ll feel more of the support coils underneath. For this reason, innersprings tend to feel a bit firmer than hybrids. They often have luxurious, tufted pillow tops for additional comfort.
Latex
Latex looks a lot like memory foam, but it’s more responsive and breathable. Sleepers won’t “sink” into a latex mattress. Instead, they’ll feel like they’re sleeping on top of the bed. This also helps with cooling, because the foam layers don’t trap as much body heat.
Latex mattresses tend to be more durable than other models, and many of them are eco-friendly! These beds usually feel firmer than memory foam mattresses, so they’re great picks for folks who need extra lumbar support.
Is an Extra Firm Mattress Good for Back Pain?
If you’re a stomach sleeper or a back sleeper who suffers from back pain, an extra firm mattress is a great match for you. Firm mattresses tend to distribute weight more evenly than softer mattresses, so stomach sleepers and back sleepers who need extra support to keep their spines aligned will benefit from an extra firm mattress.
Keep in mind that firmness is subjective and that the amount of support a mattress provides depends on its construction and materials. Just because a mattress feels very firm does not necessarily mean it will provide the best support for you. An extra firm mattress is only best for back pain if it keeps your spine in good neutral alignment.
How Much Does an Extra Firm Mattress Cost?
Mattress prices run the gamut – some are pricey while others are more affordable. No matter your budget, you should be able to find a bed that suits your needs. The Brooklyn Bedding Plank mattress is a great budget-friendly pick, coming in at $1249.00 for a queen. If you want something more luxurious, opt for the Saatva. This high-end bed costs $1795.00 for a queen.
RELATED: How Much Does a Mattress Cost?
Summary
Again, here are our top picks for the best extra firm mattresses.
| Mattress | Superlative |
| Saatva | Best Overall |
| Helix Dawn Luxe | Best Luxury Extra Firm Mattress |
| Plank Firm | Firmest Mattress |
| Birch | Best Organic Extra Firm Mattress |
| Titan Plus | Best Extra Firm Mattress for Heavy Sleepers |
FAQs
If you still have questions, we’ve got you covered.
What is the firmest mattress called?
The Brooklyn Bedding Plank is the firmest mattress on the market. This flippable bed has two firmness levels in one. The softer side comes in at 8/10 on our firmness scale, and the other side feels like 9/10. It’s a great choice for stomach sleepers and heavier folks.
Who should use an extra firm mattress?
Stomach sleepers can really benefit from extra firm mattresses. The supportive base layer prevents hips from sinking out of alignment and can alleviate lower back pain. Extra firm mattresses also work well for heavier people because they offer ample support.
Is an extra firm mattress good for your back?
They can be, depending on your particular needs. Extra firm mattresses can help stomach sleepers alleviate back pain, but side sleepers will likely develop shoulder and hip pain from sleeping on one of these beds.
How do I know if my bed is too firm?
If you wake up with neck, shoulder, or hip pain, your bed might be too firm. It’s important to make sure your mattress can cushion joints and alleviate pressure. If you find your bed is too firm, don’t stress! You might not have to buy an entirely new mattress. You can also soften your bed with the help of a mattress topper.
