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Best Firm Mattresses

If you’re tired of waking up with back pain, then you’ve come to the right place. We aim to ease your decision-making process by sharing reviews of the top-rated firm mattresses to get you started on that better night’s sleep now.

Last updated: November 2024

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  • Mattresses starting from $359
  • Buy now, pay later with Affirm financing
  • 365 Night trial & free shipping 1-3 days
Pros
  • prosComfortable for all average-weight sleeper types
  • prosClassic memory foam feel, with deep sinkage and contouring
  • pros365-Day sleep trial and warranty
  • prosFree shipping and delivery
  • prosAbsorbs motion, making it ideal for couples
Cons
  • consStomach sleepers might not get the best support
  • consDoesn’t support sleepers over 250 pounds
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  • Buy now, pay later with Affirm Financing
  • 365 Night trial & lifetime warranty
  • Free shipping & easy returns
Pros
  • prosFree shipping in 1-2 business days
  • pros3 premium mattress to choose from
Cons
  • consNot all mattresses are ideal for coil or spring lovers
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  • 5 Layers of pure comfort for combo-sleepers
  • Pay over time with Affirm financing
  • Free shipping & returns + 180-night trial
Pros
  • prosBudget friendly
  • pros180-night sleep trial
  • prosFree shipping & returns
  • prosQuality construction
Cons
  • consNot ideal for light sleepers
Our Top Choice
*Featured prices and terms can be updated. Free offers may include additional terms.

Everything You Need To Know About Firm Mattresses

A firm mattress is a mattress that provides additional support for your body while sleeping. For those that suffer from back pain or other types of pain, a firm mattress can be extremely helpful as it can assist in keeping your spine aligned in a neutral position.  For those that are stomach or back sleepers, firm mattresses can also be a great choice, as they can be helpful in preventing the hips and shoulders from sinking into the mattress.  In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of sleeping on a firm mattress, as well as how to choose the right firmness for your needs. 

Our top picks for November 2024

The Benefits of Firm Mattresses 

Firm mattresses offer a wide variety of benefits while sleeping. One of the most common is to improve back pain relief, as it can help your spine stay aligned in a neutral position.  Firm mattresses also provide increased support, which can help improve your posture.  As for pressure points, firm mattresses can also reduce them throughout your body, preventing pain or discomfort.  Overall, firm mattresses are known to encourage better quality of sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed and energized. 

Sleep Positions 

The ideal firmness for a mattress varies, and depends greatly on your specific sleep position. If you are a back sleeper for example, you’ll want to opt for a mattress that provides sufficient support for your lower back. If you are a side sleeper, however, you’ll need a mattress that gives you the support needed for your shoulders and hips.  And if you’re a stomach sleeper? You’ll need to ensure that the mattress you choose is firm enough to prevent your hips from sinking into your mattress.

Excellent Support
Dreamcloud
Benefits
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
Couples
Edge Support
More details
Overview
In this review, we explore why DreamCloud is one of the top mattress choices in the US. Read as we unravel what the DreamCloud Hybrid is made of layer by layer and why it is the perfect mattress for hot sleepers.
Pros & Cons
pros iconGreat for back- and side sleepers
pros iconSuitable for couples & heavier builds
pros iconPremium edge support for people with limited mobility
pros icon365-night trial
pros iconLifetime defect warranty
pros iconCombines comfort & support
cons iconLimited sinking
cons iconHeavy & difficult to move
Helix
Benefits
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
Couples
Motion Isolation
Edge Support
More details
Overview
Helix believes that everybody has different sleep needs and preferences, and therefore, it makes sense for everyone to have their own custom-built mattress. Depending on the feel, support, point elasticity and temperature of your liking, Helix can build the perfect mattress specifically for your body. In addition to the standard Helix, you’ll also find the Helix LUXE option on their website.  The Helix LUXE features upgrades such as body zoning, a premium quilted pillow top, and an extra 2 inches of height
Pros & Cons
pros iconFully customizable mattress
pros icon3 levels of firmness
pros iconUSA made
cons iconLacks custom memory foam option
cons iconNot the cheapest option

Understanding Firmness 

It’s become a standard practice in the mattress world to measure firmness on a 1 to 10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest.  You can determine if the firmness is right for you by going to a store and laying down on the mattress to get a feel of what sleeping the night on it would be like – ideally feeling supported without being too compressed.  If you decide to order online however, for a more efficient and sometimes even cost-effective option, you should opt to read reviews from other users that sleep in a similar position to you. If you are really worried, do keep in mind that most brands do offer generous trials with free returns.  

When choosing the right firmness level for you, you’ll need to take your weight, body type, sleep positions and individual preferences into account. Heavier builds need a more firm mattress for additional support, and as for soft or firm being more comfortable – that’s something that can be rather subjective. 

Types of Firm Mattresses 

There are a wide variety of firm mattresses on the market, including innerspring mattresses, foam mattresses and latex mattresses. Innerspring are the most common and are made from a series of springs to provide support while sleeping. Foam mattresses are constructed from a single piece of foam that also provides support while sleeping and come in a variety of firmness levels. And Latex mattresses, unsurprisingly made from latex, which also provides support and is best known for its comfort and durability.  

Pricing of Firm Mattresses

Similar to all mattresses, firm mattresses range in price, anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars – it really depends on the specific mattress and brand.  Firm mattresses are however in general more pricey than soft mattresses since they are made with more costly materials. The investment is likely to be worth it for a better night’s sleep, as well as the fact that they can help prevent health problems down the line. 

In Summary 

Firm mattresses have no shortage of benefits, including improved back pain relief, better sleep quality, reduced pressure points and increased support while sleeping. If you’re looking for a new mattress, a firm mattress might be the right choice for you – just be sure to consider your budget and read reviews.

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