The 7 Best Extra-Firm Mattresses That Promote Better Spinal Alignment
The Plank Firm Mattress is two extra-firm mattresses in one, thanks to its flippable design. It's ... More our choice as one of the best firm mattresses next to Titan Plus, Avocado, WinkBed and more.
If you're angling for an ultra-firm bed that's a notch softer than the ground, consider the Plank Firm or read on to learn more about the six other options that our mattress and sleep editors have selected. Alternatively, check out our recommendations of the best firm mattresses or medium-firm mattresses if you suspect a softer feel is a better match for your body.
Brooklyn Bedding
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm and extra-firm | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years
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The Plank Firm Mattress is easily one of the firmest beds that the Forbes Vetted editors and I have tested—the extra-firm side specifically. But that's the beauty of the Plank Firm; its double-sided design lets you choose between the average firm feel and an ultra-firm profile. If one side feels too firm or too soft, flip it over for a noticeably different profile. The mattress is made with dense foam layers that keep you lifted and supported, including a 2-inch layer on the soft side for added contouring, and a quilted topper for the slightest touch of cushion on both sides. Hot sleepers can also upgrade to a cool-to-the-touch GlacioTex cover for around $113 (for a queen size).
Since it's made entirely with foam materials, we primarily recommend it for sleepers under 250 pounds. If you want ultra-firm support with the extra longevity and durability of steel coils, opt for the Plank Firm Luxe. I've tried the Plank Firm myself and thought my spine stayed in a straight alignment without sagging. I felt like the firmness helped open the space in between my shoulders, which provided a bit of pressure relief, kind of like when you lie on the ground and your back cracks because it's all in alignment.
Tempur-Pedic
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 90 nights | Warranty: 10 years
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Tempur-Pedic is a well-known bedding brand that was among the first to incorporate modern memory foam—created by NASA scientists to help cushion rocket seats during test flights—into its mattresses. The ProAdapt is the mid-level mattress in the brand's Adapt collection. This 12-inch foam mattress comes with a removable, washable and cool-to-the-touch cover and three firmness options. The firm option is the best pick for a lifted feel, as the bed's dense foams contour to your curves without letting you sink into the bed. And for couples who share a mattress, the ProAdapt is top-notch at deadening movement across the mattress, which means fewer nighttime disruptions from your tossing-and-turning partner.
One thing to keep in mind is that memory foam has a tendency to trap heat. The cooling cover in the ProAdapt goes some distance in combating that, but hot sleepers may find that memory foam, which responds to heat and pressure to closely contour around the body, just isn't the best option. You should also consider another mattress if you weigh around 250 pounds (or more) since it isn't offered in a firm hybrid, which is a more supportive option. See how this bed stacks up against other models from the brand in our best Tempur-Pedic mattresses list.
Walmart
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Extra-firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
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The most affordable crown goes to the king of value, Walmart's bed-in-a-box the Allswell Luxe Mattress in an extra firm profile. Previously known as the Allswell Brick, its outside cover is woven with a brick-like pattern and is a proper indication of what's to come. This 12-inch hybrid mattress contains pocketed steel coils and multiple CertiPUR-US certified foam layers, including a dense, 1-inch slab of copper-infused foam for temperature regulation.
It has a pretty simple construction, but for the price, it's a good pick for those who want an ultra-supportive and lifted feel. Since you sit more on top of the bed rather than inside its foam layers it's pretty easy to switch positions, a bonus for combination sleepers. I tested the Allswell Luxe in extra firm and felt there was no resistance or deep memory foam feel when I lay down. And as a stomach sleeper I felt most comfortable in this position, as there was no dip in my back and it kept my spine in proper alignment. Most queen-size hybrid mattresses retail for at least $1,000 or more, but you can purchase a queen-size Allswell Luxe extra firm mattress for less than $500.
Avocado
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 365 days | Warranty: 25 years
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The Avocado Green is a quality hybrid mattress with three firmness profiles to choose from and a lengthy list of certifications, from Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) to Oeko-Tex, Made Safe and Fair Trade. To achieve an organic certification, a mattress must meet strict environmental and safety standards throughout the entire supply chain, and it serves as a testament to the bed's quality and a brand's commitment to going above and beyond.
Aside from being made with sustainably sourced materials, the mattress is just flat out comfortable. The firm model has three inches of organic Dunlop latex for a light and airy feel that's quite bouncy. Layers of organic wool and organic cotton add ample cushion while a seven-zone pocketed coil layer offers targeted support under the spine and pressure relief under the hips and shoulders. The brand claims its firm model lands around a seven on the firmness scale, but five out of six members of our team who tested the mattress say it feels like a truly firm bed. The thick latex layer gives the mattress a gentle buoyancy that responds quickly to pressure, an ideal feature for combination sleepers who move around often in bed. But its bouncy nature may not be ideal for couples with completely different sleep schedules, as you can feel the movement from your partner when they get in and out of bed. See more in our full Avocado Mattress review.
WinkBeds
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft, luxury firm, firm and plus | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
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The WinkBed is one of those accommodating beds that appeal to a wide variety of people, partially because of its undeniably comfortable and balanced feel. The firm profile falls around a 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, according to WinkBeds, and we agree with the brand after me and four other team members tested the bed. We think this model is best for individuals under 250 pounds who want a firm feel with the added cushion of a fluffy Euro top.
Sleepers around the 250-pound range and up or those who want an even firmer mattress should consider the WinkBed Plus. It falls around an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, and even testers under the 150-pound range found they liked the firm feel because it was neutralized by the pillowy Euro top. Beneath the cozy topper is several layers of foam, including gel-infused foam to help draw body heat away from your body, and a layer of zoned pocketed coils. They are denser under the spine for increased spinal support and softer underneath the shoulders and hips for pressure relief. Its blend of foam materials contribute to a lifted, responsive feel that doesn't make you feel 'stuck' like some memory foam does.
What our testers say: 'This bed is firm yet cushioned. The first thing I noticed was how plush and pillowy the very top layer of the mattress was, which makes it seem more luxurious. I feel very lifted when lying on this bed, which is ideal for those looking for a firm mattress,' says Garrett.
Saatva
Type: Innerspring | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm or firm | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
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The Saatva Classic is a premium mattress that rivals top-rated competitors because of its ergonomic design that's intended for comfort. To ease back pain, most layers of the Saatva Classic are designed to promote spinal alignment. It has two layers of coils: zoned coils near the bottom that are more supportive in the center third of the mattress and microcoils near the top for added support. It also includes both a high-density memory foam lumbar crown and a patented spinal wire. Together, they help relieve pressure and support a neutral spine. Even the cushioned pillow top is zoned to be more firm under the lumbar region and softer underneath the trunk and shoulders.
Those looking for a truly firm mattress should opt for the firm model, which Saatva rates an 8 out of 10. To learn more about this bed's highlights and drawbacks, see our full Saatva mattress review.
What our testers say: 'I feel supported and elongated while laying on my back on this mattress, similar to the Plank Firm. It also provides a nice touch of cushioning around my hips, which I appreciate since I typically prefer a medium to medium-firm bed,' says updates writer Alex Garrett.
Titan
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years
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For plus-size people over the 250-pound mark, finding a firm mattress can be difficult. Because they have more weight, they tend to sink in more deeply, which can make a mattress feel softer. But the Titan Plus is specifically designed to support more weight without softening its firm feel. That includes high-density foams and a layer of up to 900 8-inch coils constructed in-house to ensure quality and provide targeted support and motion isolation. The hybrid construction promotes breathability, but especially hot sleepers can also upgrade to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover, which is woven with heat-wicking fibers.
According to Titan, the mattress is a 9 on the firmness scale, so it's one of the firmer beds in our roundup next to the Plank Firm.
What our testers say: A heavyweight team member over 250 pounds tested the mattress and says, 'I'd say this mattress feels cushiony and firm at the same time. That is something I enjoy about this mattress. It feels soft but has a lot of support at the same time.' And although it has a firm profile, he still found it accommodating for his side. 'This mattress is firm but feels very comfortable. My spine feels great as I lie on my side, and it's not out of alignment,' he says.
Here at Forbes Vetted, we've published an extensive library of sleep and mattress guides based on our team's expertise and research. From the best soft mattresses to firm models, we have mattress recommendations for every comfort preference.
Our sleep and mattress editors oversee all best lists and their picks and have extensive experience testing mattresses from top brands. To put together our roundup for the best extra firm mattresses, there are certain factors we accounted for.
As you shop for an extra-firm mattress, keep a few things in mind. Beyond your preferred sleep position, material choice and mattress construction both play important roles in how a particular mattress feels. Warranties, trial windows and special features—like cooling layers if you're a hot sleeper or pressure relief if you're routinely waking up with aches and pains—are also worth considering.
Some mattress constructions are inherently firmer than others, so being mindful of the properties of different materials can help steer you toward an extra-firm bed that meets your needs.
Every mattress has a firmness rating—a 1 to 10 score that indicates how soft or firm a mattress feels. While all the mattresses on this list are 'extra-firm,' they fall on different spots of this scale. Some can have a softer, luxury firm feel with a rating of 5 to 7, and others with a rating of 9 or 10 have an ultra-firm feel. While these ratings are generally unscientific, they still give you an idea of what to expect.
Back and stomach sleepers tend to do best on extra-firm mattresses. Both positions require a firm surface to keep the hips elevated, which helps ensure proper spinal alignment. An extra-firm mattress cab also keep body weight more evenly distributed, reducing the risk of pressure-point pain.
Your weight and body type should be taken into consideration when choosing an extra-firm mattress. In general, the heavier you are, the softer a mattress is going to feel. Conversely, the less you weigh, the firmer a bed feels. With the exception of the Titan Plus, our extra-firm mattress picks may feel ultra-firm to a petite or average sleeper, but more like a medium-firm bed for individuals over 230 pounds. For an extra-supportive mattress made specifically for plus-sized sleepers, check out our guide to the best mattresses for heavy people.
Since so many mattresses are purchased online these days instead of in a showroom, a trial window is particularly important. Most brands offer trials ranging from 100 to 365 days, which is plenty of time to decide if a certain mattress is a fit for your needs. Keep in mind that it can take up to a month or so to adjust to a new mattress, so most brands ask that you test a mattress for at least 30 days before initiating a return. Policies vary depending on the mattress company, so review the fine print before making a purchase.
According to our testing, we think the Plank Firm Mattress is the best extra-firm bed you can buy. It has a flippable design with two firm sides to choose from and the option to upgrade to a cooling cover if you tend to sleep warm at night.
An extra-firm mattress is good for your spinal alignment if you sleep on your back or stomach because it keeps your back from sagging into the bed. However, it can cause aggravation to your joints and lead to back pain if you're a side sleeper on an extra-firm mattress.
The right mattress firmness depends on your sleeping position. Extra-firm mattresses are best for people who weigh over 250 pounds and/or sleep on their back or stomach. Side sleepers should opt for a soft mattress that cradles their joints, while back and stomach sleepers should consider a medium-firm to firm mattress that promotes spinal alignment.
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