Healthline’s picks for the best extra-firm mattresses include Saatva, Serta, and Avocado Green, among others.
A quick look at the best extra-firm mattresses
- Best flippable: Plank Firm Luxe Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for pressure relief: Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress | Skip to review
- Best cooling: Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for back pain: Beautyrest Harmony Lux Carbon Series Mattress | Skip to review
- Most affordable: Serta Perfect Sleeper Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for stomach sleepers: Helix Dawn Mattress | Skip to review
- Best for couples: The WinkBed Mattress | Skip to review
- Best eco-friendly: Avocado Green Mattress | Skip to review
- Best adjustable: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress | Skip to review
While some people love the feeling of a plush mattress, others prefer the no-nonsense and ultra-supportive feel of an extra-firm mattress.
Extra-firm mattresses made by reputable brands are harder to find than other firmness options. That means it’s especially important to do your research and make sure you’re getting a quality product.
We looked into the truly extra-firm options available and picked the best of the best. Read on to find our top mattress picks, how to shop, and who might benefit from an extra-firm mattress.
Healthline’s picks for the best extra-firm mattresses
Best flippable
Plank Firm Luxe Mattress
4.8 (1.1k+) from Plank
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: 10 years
- Trial period: 120 days
- Price: $1,532.00
*Price may vary.
3.2
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
Brooklyn Bedding says the Plank was created for people who think a firm mattress is never firm enough — and the firmness level is in the name.
This mattress is flippable, with a firm surface on one side and ultra-firm on the other. Reviewers say both sides are comfortable and love that they have two different firmness options to use over the life span of the mattress.
Overall, reviewers rave about their improved sleep and back pain. They also recommend getting the optional cooling panel for temperature control.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for pressure relief
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress
4.9 (590+) from Saatva
- Type: foam
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 365 nights
- Height: 12 in
- Price: $2,395.00
*Price may vary.
4.5
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
The Loom & Leaf firm mattress is only an 8 on the Saatva firmness scale, but the brand says it’s a good option for back and stomach sleepers or anyone whose doctor recommends they switch to an extra-firm mattress.
The foam is designed to offer pressure point relief. It also contains gel, which resists trapping heat, so this is a great option for people who tend to sleep hot, too.
Reviewers say the mattress is super comfy and has great motion isolation. They also mention that Saatva has amazing customer service that goes above and beyond.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best cooling
Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress
4.7 (8.4k+) from Cocoon by Sealy Chill
- Type: foam
- Warranty: 10 years
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Price: $1,079.00
*Price may vary.
3.8
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
The Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress is made of all foam. The cover is made from a material designed to dissipate heat and create a cool-to-touch feeling.
Reviewers say they’re impressed with this mattress’s ability to stay cool, even though it’s made from foam, which is usually known to trap body heat.
Couples also really like this mattress, with many saying it has great motion isolation that prevents tossing and turning partners from waking each other up.
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for back pain
Beautyrest Harmony Lux Carbon Series Mattress
4 (205+) from Beautyrest
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: 10 years
- Trial period: 100 days
- Price: $1,399.00
*Price may vary.
3.8
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
Hybrid mattresses can be great for people with back pain. The coils offer a lot of support, while the foam provides extra comfort.
This option from Beautyrest is made with pocketed coils and gel foam. Pocketed coils move independently and offer more targeted support than innerspring coils, which all move together. Gel foam also traps less heat than traditional memory foam.
Reviewers say this Beautyrest mattress is high quality, built to last, and the answer to their back pain. They love that it sleeps cool and offers substantial support that they haven’t been able to find elsewhere.
Pros & cons
Product details
Most affordable
Serta Perfect Sleeper Mattress
4.7 (469+) from Serta
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: 10 years
- Trial period: 120 nights
- Price: $999.00
*Price may vary.
3.5
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
This Serta hybrid mattress offers an extra-firm feel to provide serious support. It features gel foam and a cooling cover, each designed to help you stay cool at night.
Reviewers say this mattress is comfortable and provides the sturdy sleep surface they were looking for. Some sleepers mention the firmness didn’t hold up for as long as they’d like, though.
User ratings4.7
Quality of materials4
Size availability5
Additional features3
Shipping5
Warranty2
Trial period4
Affordability5
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for stomach sleepers
Helix Dawn Mattress
4.5 (1.1k+) from Helix
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: 10 years
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Price: $1,332.00
Use code “SLUMBER150” for $150 off.
*Price may vary.
3.6
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
The Helix Dawn is the firmest mattress that Helix currently offers. Reviewers say that it’s firm enough to feel like you’re on top of the mattress (as opposed to sinking into it), and they give the mattress high marks for edge support and motion isolation.
The mattress is firm enough that stomach sleepers will feel supported. But if you prefer to sleep on your side, you may feel like this bed doesn’t offer enough contouring to your liking.
User ratings4.5
Quality of materials2
Size availability5
Additional features3
Shipping4
Warranty2
Trial period3
Affordability5
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for couples
The WinkBed Mattress
4.8 (8.1k+) from WinkBeds
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 120 nights
- Price: $1,799.00
*Price may vary.
4.4
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
The WinkBed is known for its breathability and pressure relief. The firmer option earns great reviews from people with more weight and from couples, who love the motion isolation it provides. Couples who left reviews say the mattress works well for a variety of body types and sleeping styles.
If the firmer option still isn’t firm enough, consider the “plus” option, which offers additional firmness.
User ratings4.8
Quality of materials4
Size availability5
Additional features3
Shipping4
Warranty5
Trial period4
Affordability5
Pros & cons
Product details
Best eco-friendly
Avocado Green Mattress
4.7 (17.8k+) from Avocado
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: 25 years
- Trial period: 1 year
- Price: $1,999.00
Use code “SAVE10” for 10% off.
*Price may vary.
4.5
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
Avocado prioritizes their materials, using organic latex, and their mattresses are dye- and formaldehyde-free. They also offer you an entire year to try out the mattress.
Most online reviewers are happy with their Avocado Green purchase, though some say it takes time to get used to it.
User ratings4.7
Quality of materials5
Size availability5
Additional features3
Shipping4.5
Warranty4
Trial period5
Affordability5
Pros & cons
Product details
Best adjustable
Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress
4.7 (122+) from Saatva
- Type: hybrid
- Warranty: lifetime
- Trial period: 365 days
- Price: $4,495.00
*Price may vary.
4.2
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
This mattress can be as firm or plush as you want, and you can adjust it according to your preferences. If you get a queen size or bigger, each side of the bed can be set to a different firmness.
There are no coils in the mattress. Instead, there are air chambers underneath the layers of memory foam that can be adjusted to your preferences. This bed is quite expensive, but some couples with different firmness preferences say they couldn’t be happier.
User ratings4.7
Quality of materials5
Size availability5
Additional features3
Shipping2
Warranty5
Trial period5
Affordability4
Pros & cons
Product details
Comparing the best extra-firm mattresses
–
Price (queen size)
Healthline score
Trial length
Warranty length
$1,532
3.2/5
120 nights
10 years
$2,395
4.5/5
365 nights
lifetime
Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress
$1,079
3.8/5
100 nights
10 years
Beautyrest Harmony Lux Carbon Series Mattress
$1,399
3.8/5
100 nights
10 years
Serta Perfect Sleeper Mattress
$999
3.5/5
120 nights
10 years
$1,332
3.6/5
100 nights
10 years
$1,799
4.4/5
120 nights
lifetime
$1,999
4.5/5
365 nights
25 years
Saatva Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress
$4,495
4.3/5
365 nights
lifetime
How we chose the best extra-firm mattresses
We zeroed in on the best products made by reputable brands. Here are the criteria we used:
- Firmness rating: Many brands use a number scale to determine firmness level, with 9 to 10 being the firmest. Otherwise, they use terms like “ultra firm,” “extra firm,” or “very firm.” Our picks are the firmest you can find.
- Trial period: Our picks include at least a 100-night trial, either directly from the manufacturer or from a third-party retailer.
- Warranty: Our picks have at least a 10-year warranty to give you peace of mind, just in case your mattress has a defect or wears out too quickly. Double-check the warranty before you buy, as not all warranties cover the same things.
- Customer reviews: We considered customer reviews in our picks to find the best-rated and most-loved mattresses.
We also gave each mattress a score based on what we think are key indicators of a quality mattress. Read more about our scoring process.
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Pros and cons of an extra-firm mattress
Pros
- might not sag as quickly as softer mattresses
- good for back and stomach sleepers
- compared with a plush mattress, an extra-firm mattress may provide better spinal alignment
Cons
- may feel uncomfortable at first if you’re used to a soft mattress
- might not be comfortable for people with back pain
- might not provide enough pressure relief for side sleepers
What are the benefits of an extra-firm mattress?
An extra-firm mattress is a great choice for back and stomach sleepers who may need extra support along their spine. It can be a good option for people seeking relief from back and joint pain.
Other potential good candidates for an extra-firm mattress are:
- Heavier sleepers: For people with more weight, an extra-firm mattress may provide the support needed.
- Back sleepers: Back sleepers generally need to maintain a good posture as they sleep, so a firm mattress may help keep their spine lifted and supported.
- Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers also typically need a firmer bed, which can help prevent the back from curving into a painful or unnatural position.
How is firmness measured?
It might be tempting to assume that a firmer mattress means a more supportive mattress, but that isn’t really the case. Firmness doesn’t refer to overall support. Rather, it refers to how the top layer of the mattress feels.
Mattress firmness is generally rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. But not every company rates their mattresses the same way, meaning one company’s level 5 may feel different from another company’s.
The firmness of a mattress is ultimately measured by the amount of “give” it has when someone lies down on it. The firmest mattresses have the least amount of give. In contrast, the least firm mattresses feel soft and plush, and they sink when someone lies on top of them.
How to shop for an extra-firm mattress
Firmness is just one factor that can add to the comfort level of your mattress. Here are some others to keep in mind as you shop:
- Mattress type: Whether you choose an innerspring, foam, or hybrid mattress is based on preference. If you’re not sure what you like best, hybrid mattresses can be a great option since they incorporate elements from both innerspring and foam mattresses.
- Motion isolation: Motion isolation refers to a mattress’s ability to absorb motion. If you share a bed with a partner, a mattress with good motion isolation can ensure no one’s awakened by any tossing and turning.
- Pressure relief: Mattresses with pressure relief allow for some contouring near areas that bear the most weight at night, like the hips or shoulders. Extra-firm mattresses don’t allow a ton of sinking, making pressure relief harder to find. If you need pressure relief, look for mattresses made with foam on top for some added comfort and contouring.
- Temperature control: Some mattresses use specific materials to prevent body heat from trapping or create a cool-to-touch feel. If you tend to sleep hot, try looking for mattresses that incorporate this technology.
- Edge support: A mattress without good edge support will sink if you sit on the edge of it. This can cause sagging over time or make your bed less comfortable if you’re sharing with a partner.
Trying your mattress in a store before you buy might be helpful, but the true test for any mattress is sleeping on it.
Whether you’re buying online or in a store, make sure your mattress has an in-home trial with a return option if it doesn’t work for you.
How else can you make your bed more comfortable?
Purchasing a new mattress is a fantastic start to creating a more comfortable bed, but there are other considerations as well:
- Mattress topper: A mattress topper will keep the support of a firm mattress while adding a more cushioned sleep surface.
- New pillow: Generally speaking, pillows should be replaced every 1 to 2 years, or, if your pillow isn’t comfortable, sooner than that.
- Fresh sheets: A new set of sheets can freshen up your sleep space. For those who run hot, there are sheets designed to help keep you cool as you sleep.
- A new comforter: Whether you prefer some weight to your comforter or a light, airy alternative, make sure your comforter meets your needs so you can get a great night’s rest.
Frequently asked questions about extra-firm mattresses
Who should sleep on an extra-firm mattress?
What sleeping position is best for extra-firm mattresses?
Is it better to sleep on an extra-firm mattress? Is an extra-firm mattress good for back pain?
Would a doctor recommend sleeping on an extra firm mattress?
Takeaway
Extra-firm mattresses are less common than firm, medium-firm, or plush mattresses. Not every major mattress manufacturer offers an extra-firm option.
Whether an extra-firm mattress is right for you largely depends on your personal firmness preferences. People with back pain might not find relief from a super-hard mattress.
If you decide to purchase an extra-firm mattress, make sure your purchase comes with a solid in-home trial period to make sure the firmness is really what you’re looking for.
