Best Firm Mattress Reviews

Firmness is one of the fundamental features to consider as you shop for a mattress. Everyone has their own preferences. We’re all Goldilocks when it comes to mattress shopping, forever in search of that sleep surface that’s “just right.” Those who weigh less or sleep on their backs or sides are typically better off with a plusher mattress while the majority of people can find what they’re looking for in a medium product. However, for those who weigh more or prefer to sleep on their stomachs, a firmer bed is more likely to offer the accommodation you seek.

It’s all about what you need. On paper, a firm mattress might not sound ideal. When you think about mattresses, you think about adjectives like plush and comfort. However, it’s not as if a firm mattress is made out of cement. These are still incredibly comfortable. It’s more about the level of support that your mattress provides. Sometimes you need that more than cradling. It all comes down to how you sleep and all sleepers are different.

If you’re in the market for a firmer mattress, there are a variety of products on the market to suit your needs. First, let’s get a peak at the five best firm mattresses that our experts have tried at The Sleep Judge. Then if any of those sound appealing, keep reading for a exploration of why firm mattresses could be right for you. In other words, by the end of this article you’ll know everything that you could possibly want to know about firm mattresses and will be prepared to purchase that mattress of your dreams.

Best Firm Mattresses

At The Sleep Judge, we’ve had the chance to check out some of the best firm mattresses on the market. After careful consideration, we consider these to be the best option for anyone who prefers their sleep solutions to be firm. If there are any finer firm mattresses out there, we certainly haven’t found them and wouldn’t believe anyone who claims that they exist!

Benefits of Firm Mattresses

Many people never realize that they enjoy a firmer mattress until they actually try one. It’s an easy mistake to make. “Firm” isn’t exactly a word that conjures up mattress comfort. However, we’re not talking about those thin and flea-infested mattresses that you remember from summer camp. We are talking about carefully constructed sleep solutions that offer support in addition to comfort. If you’re considering buying one after using a medium or plush product, you may be surprised at some of the often overlooked benefits that you could take advantage of. These are remarkable mattresses. All you need to do is lay on one to understand the undeniable benefits.

— Extra support and weight distribution

Too little support can be highly problematic for any sleeping type. Firmer mattresses mean more support, and this is especially true if you’re older and/or suffer with neck, joint, and back problems. A firm mattress could be the cure to back pain that you didn’t ever realize you needed.

If you suffer with misaligned joints or muscles, there’s a chance the catalyst lies in your mattress. The wrong amount of support will cause sagging in heavier areas. A firmer product can add the support you need.

— Promotes spinal alignment and reduces back pain

A firm mattress is often the number one recommendation for adults suffering from chronic back pain and other back issues that can often occur due to bad posture, injuries, etc. The firmness and lack of sinking in a firm mattress works wonders for your back and gives you that needed support that can really help you feel brand new over time as a natural spinal alignment is established. This solution is often recommended by specialists as an efficient and natural way to once more regain the good health of your back.

— Deeper sleep

You want to enjoy 18-25% of your rest in a period of deep sleep. This is when the body temperature lowers slightly and most dreaming takes place. Firm products are able to offer the support you need to allow your spine, neck, and limbs to settle easily into a comfortable position. This is especially true if your current mattress has developed sagging.

— Reduces motion transfer

Soft mattresses and traditional designs are often very poor motion transfer isolators. When sleeping with a partner, any movement can be felt as it is transferred across the soft surface. And for people with light sleep, this can be a big issue. Luckily, firm mattresses come to the rescue. With high-density surfaces and hybrid designs, motion transfer is reduced to almost nothing. The firm surface absorbs the motion and thus isolates all the movements of individual sleepers. This way your sound sleep is preserved- no matter how much your loved one is fidgety during the night.

– Easily facilitates props

If you’re like me, you use your pillow for areas of the body other than the head. I find it very uncomfortable when lying on my side for my knees to lay on top of each other, so I’ll often place a pillow between them. Some of you may be big fans of body pillows that can be used for similar purposes.

Even if you don’t weigh much, sleep on your stomach, or suffer with aches and pains, you could still benefit from a firm product if you’d like to more effectively utilize your props. Firm mattresses offer more support for their effective use. Your body can adapt to a firm mattress and find it comfortable if you’re not used to it, although it can take a few weeks for these adaptations to take place if you’re used to a plush mattress.

Beyond Innerspring

Mattress trends and technologies are always changing. In the 70’s and 80’s, many were drawn to the idea of the waterbed, riding a wave night after night. Today, most have returned to the attraction to a tried-and-tested firm product for the support they need.

If you haven’t been mattress shopping in a while, you’ll be pleased to know that you aren’t restricted to innerspring products to get the firmness level you desire. Yes, you can still shop among a variety of quality innerspring products, but new technologies have allowed manufacturers to get more creative with materials and layer placements to allow you many more options. Just some include:

• Memory foam
• Latex
• Hybrid mattresses

Note: Our Top Five list included at least one mattress from each of these material types.

Is a Firm Mattress Right for You?

There are many companies out there that offer the opportunity for you to make firmness adjustments after your purchase. Ideally, though, you want to start enjoying the right mattress sooner rather than later.

If you’re not yet quite sure if a firmer product will work well for you, it’s a good idea to do a self-analysis before you get too deep into shopping. While you do need adequate support to avoid misalignment of the spine, when you go too firm, you risk overcompensation that prevents the proper curvature you need to maintain comfort in your heels, buttocks, shoulder, and head.

Experts in sleep have reported that less cushioning has shown to encourage a neutral spine while in bed. This is because your bones take on the majority of the pressure. This allows both your muscles and blood vessels to relax, ultimately leading to better circulation and a higher quality of sleep. Furthermore, since your lower back won’t be as prone to sinking as a plusher product can cause, your airway is more open, allowing you to inhale more oxygen with every breath.

Who Shouldn’t Use a Firm Mattress

As mentioned, firm products aren’t for everyone. If you’re reading, you likely already have reason to believe firm is good for you. If you’re still not quite sure, consider the following to ensure firm is best for your needs:

• Have you suffered with lower back problems like arthritis, rheumatism, or scoliosis? Studies have suggested that firm products could cause more pain. Consult with your doctor before making a purchase.
• Do you have a body mass index under 25? If so, you may find more comfort in a plush or medium product.
• Do you like to sink a little bit into your mattress? You may not find the level of comfort in a firmer product that you’d like.

How to Gauge Firmness Shopping Online

As you shop online, there is a key piece of knowledge to keep in mind to get a good idea of firmness. Most companies will broadly categorize their products as plush, medium, and firm. The trouble is that these terms aren’t standardized. Comparing one mattress loosely categorized as firm to another may very likely result in finding one’s much firmer than the other.

The information you want to look for is the indentation load deflection. In a nutshell, 12 is very soft and 50 is very firm. You’ll typically find lower ILD’s in the comfort layer with much higher ILD’s nearer to the support base. A combined overall ILD of 31 or higher would be indicative of a firm product. The closer you get to 50, the firmer you can expect the product to be.

The Sleep Judge Firmness Test

We’ve hand-tested a number of quality firm products, and we offer a test on each that gives you a look into firmness. I apply my 130 pounds of body weight into an area of around nine by seven inches. Medium products usually sink between 6 ½ to 6 ¾ inches. Those that sink less are firmer. As you browse our top picks, you can access our full firm mattress reviews and see these tests for yourself to get a better idea of firmness. Here, we also share ILD’s when they’re available. (Some companies choose to keep this information under the radar to protect their formulas).

Conclusion

The majority of the population prefers a medium mattress. Unfortunately, that can make shopping a little bit difficult for those who prefer something more on the firm side. Whether your current mattress is sagging and ready to be replaced or you just can’t handle sleeping on a plush product that doesn’t offer adequate support, the investment in the right mattress can make a world of difference.

By utilizing the online business model, you put the power in your own hands in finding one that will best meet your needs. You don’t have to worry about pushy salesmen, and you can really take your time in finding what will work best for you.

Recent Updates

October 15, 2021: Three new products have been added to this roundup due to increased popularity: the Signature Design 12″ Medium Firm Mattress, Signature Sleep Contour 8″ Reversible Mattress and the LUCID 10″ Memory Foam Mattress.