Having a comfortable mattress is crucial for a good night's rest. If you're a back or stomach sleeper, you'll likely want a firmer bed as it offers optimal support and promotes proper spinal alignment. A firm bed can prevent your spine from sagging as you sleep on your back or stomach, which increases comfortability and can help alleviate pain.
It's important to note that just because you need a firmer bed doesn't mean you'll have to sacrifice pressure relief. It all depends on your support needs and personal sleep preferences. To give you an idea, medium-firm mattresses offer some pressure relief, while firm mattresses offer maximum support.
I have tested over 100 different mattresses throughout my career and have slept on the job for hours in honor of curating our CNET best mattress lists. For the best firm mattresses on the market, we compiled a list that includes the most comfortable hybrid mattresses, affordable firm beds, memory foam models and more. Read on to find your ideal firm mattress match.
What is the best firm mattress overall?
The Saatva Classic is a high-end mattress with three different firmness levels and two height profiles to choose from. Since each mattress is made to order, you'll essentially get a customized bed that fits your preferences and needs. Unlike other beds I've tested, it also has an ultra-supportive design. Inside, the Saatva Classic boasts two coil layers and extra lumbar reinforcements.
Note that all prices quoted are the list price for a queen size, not including the frequent deals these brands offer.
Read more: Mattress Firmness Scale Explained
Video: Best firm mattress
Watch CNET senior video producer Owen Poole review the best firm mattresses.
Best firm mattresses of 2024
Our take - The Saatva Classic mattress is a premium mattress worthy of a fancy five-star hotel room. Most of Saatva Classic's firmness options are on the firm end of the spectrum, meaning you can buy a hybrid mattress with a medium-firm or solid-firm profile. Looking for even more support? The Saatva Classic has two different coil layers and a Lumbar Support Spinal Wire for all the added reinforcements you could ask for. I also love its cozy, airy pillow top covered with organic cotton.
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Warranty
lifetime warranty
Our take - Flippable mattresses aren't as common in the mattress market, so this is a unique design that helps set the Plank mattress apart from other beds on our best firm mattress list. It may not be an ideal bed for heavier sleepers because of its foam construction, but Plank is one of the best firm mattress picks for back and stomach sleepers under 230 pounds who want versatility and firmness at an affordable cost.
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Firmness
7 or medium-firm
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Our take - If you’re on a strict budget, you’ll like the Dreamfoam Doze mattress. Retailing for $240 for the thinnest option, this all-foam bed is affordable and comfortable.
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Type
neutral foam mattress
Firmness
medium to medium-firm
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Our take - Nectar is a popular online mattress brand with beds that boast a memory foam feel, similar to the expensive Tempur-Pedic mattresses. The best part? The Nectar bed is a fraction of the cost. After the foam is warmed by your body, the foam slowly conforms to your figure. You don't fall into a middle-of-the-bed sinkhole. Nectar is perfectly supportive for firm-bed lovers under the 230-pound range.
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Type
memory foam mattress
Warranty
forever warranty
Our take - Brooklyn Bedding is known for making quality beds at affordable prices. The Aurora Luxe is no exception. It’s a premium mattress with five layers of comfortable foam, pocketed coils and cooling technology. You have to be careful with cooling sleep products because many don’t actually cool you, but you can rest assured that the CooperFlex foam and Titan Cool cover make this mattress physically cool.
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Firmness
Soft: (3) Medium: (5) Medium firm: (7)
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Our take - Almost as natural as the fruit it's named after, Avocado Green is a certified organic, environmentally friendly mattress. All the materials are either recycled or responsibly sourced from organic farms, which follow strict regulatory guidelines. Its main latex-foam comfort material is perforated, so it also allows for increased airflow and doesn't retain heat like memory foam. The Avocado Green is firm and becomes medium-firm if you add the pillow top.
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Firmness
7 or medium-firm with the pillow top (9 or firm without)
Warranty
25-year limited warranty
Our take - When it comes to back pain, the name of the game is support. The Purple Rejuvenate mattress is ultra-supportive with its edge-to-edge zoned coil system that offers target support under your back.
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Warranty
10-year warranty