I prefer firm mattresses — 3 I'd buy in Memorial Day sales after sleeping on them
The best mattress for your sleep style will help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed, and that's what firm mattresses do for me. The increased support means I don't have to toss and turn to get comfortable, and once I'm asleep my spine stays lifted and straight, helping to keep back pain at bay.
This year's Memorial Day mattress sales are now underway and if it's a firm bed you want, here are three great options to consider...
1. Helix Dawn: twin was $998.66 now $729.03 at HelixThe Helix Dawn suits those who like firm support. I loved the way it lifted my body, preventing my hips from dipping out of alignment with my spine. As I reported during my Helix Dawn Mattress review the multiple foam layers provide good pressure relief, although not enough for most side sleepers. Using code TOMS27 at checkout you can save 27% on the Dawn in the Helix Memorial Day sale with a queen down to $972.36 (was $1,332). It comes with a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. We saw this same saving during every major holiday sale in the last year, so you're getting the biggest discount possible here.
Our review: ★★★★½User score: ★★★★½ (1,300+ reviews)
2. The Plank Firm: twin was $749 now $524.30 at PlankMattresses rarely come much firmer than the Plank, a double-sided all-foam mattress that claims to be the 'firmest' in the US. While all of this year's top memory foam mattresses are cushioned and contouring the Plank delivers hard support via dense foams. Our tester with back pain praised the lumbar support in our Plank Firm mattress review and as a stomach sleeper, I loved how the Firm side cushioned the hips while maintaining better spinal alignment. There's an evergreen 25% off sale at Plank but that's been bumped to 30% off this week with a queen down to $932.40 (was $1,332).
Our review: ★★★★½User score: ★★★★½ (3,600+ reviews)
3. Siena Memory Foam Mattress: twin $179 at SienaThe Siena is one of the comfiest cheap mattresses we've tested, delivering reliable support and a high quality build at under $400 for a queen ($359, to be precise.) It's firmer than expected and our Siena Memory Foam Mattress review team rated it among our favorite mattresses for stomach sleepers, but there is some pressure relief due to the all-foam build. Siena sales are evergreen but $359 for a queen is great value for money, so this is still a deal worth your time. If you aren't in a rush to buy, keep an eye on the Siena Amazon store as I've seen cheaper prices there lately.
Our review: ★★★★User score: ★★★★½ (2,900+ reviews)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mediobanca shareholders reject bid to acquire Banca Generali
Mediobanca shareholders rejected a roughly €7bn proposal to acquire wealth manager Banca Generali in a pivotal vote on Thursday. The Milanese bank said that 35% of investors accepted the proposal, just shy of the 50% plus one vote needed to pass. 32% of investors abstained, while 10% rejected the proposal. The outcome could threaten Mediobanca's independence as the bank seeks to fend off a takeover by Italian competitor Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS). Mediobanca rejected the bid from its smaller rival in January, warning that it would be 'strongly destructive' and weaken its business model. The proposed acquisition is — however — still on the cards, and Mediobanca investors have until September 8 to accept the offer. Thursday's vote suggests that many investors are not concerned about blocking the MPS deal. Mediobanca's largest shareholder, the Del Vecchio family, abstained from the vote, while the second-largest shareholder, business mogul Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, rejected the proposal to acquire Banca Generali. Related Italy's Monte dei Paschi bank gets ECB nod for Mediobanca takeover Mediobanca launches bid for Banca Generali as M&A flurry intensifies Together, these two investors hold nearly 30% of Mediobanca, but they are also major shareholders in MPS and Banca Generali. Asset manager Amundi, lender UniCredit, and Italian pension funds also abstained on Thursday. Alberto Nagel, CEO of Mediobanca, said in a statement following the vote: 'This is clearly an opportunity, for now, missed for the development of our bank and the Italian financial system.' The Italian state had notably approved of the takeover, hoping that it would strengthen the country's banking sector. Nagel added that the vote's outcome could be attributed to shareholders "who expressed a clear conflict of interest in their engagement activities, putting (their interests) relating to other Italian situations/assets before those of Mediobanca shareholders'. In June, Mediobanca had postponed the shareholder vote at the last minute as the proposal lacked sufficient support. Mediobanca had planned to buy Banca Generali using its 13% stake in Generali, the bank's parent company.
Business Wire
19 hours ago
- Business Wire
Helix Energy Solutions Awarded Multi-Year Contract in the Gulf of America
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE: HLX) announced today that it has been awarded a multi-year contract with a major operator to provide production enhancement and well abandonment services in the U.S. Gulf of America. The contract, commencing in 2026, includes a minimum commitment of vessel utilization, split over three years. The contract calls for the provision of either the Q5000 or Q4000 riser-based well intervention vessel, a 10k or 15k Intervention Riser System (IRS) and remotely operated vehicles as well as project management and engineering services. Our services cover operations from fully integrated production enhancement to fully integrated plug and abandonment well services. The contract includes equipment and services as part of our Subsea Services Alliance, a strategic partnership between Helix and SLB that combines our collective strengths to deliver industry-leading subsea solutions. Scotty Sparks, Helix's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, 'We are pleased to expand our backlog by successfully executing another multi-year contract for well intervention services. This contract underscores our commitment to delivering safe, cost-effective and efficient production enhancement and abandonment services in the Gulf of America, supported by Helix's advanced vessels, decades of industry-leading experience, and the collaborative capabilities of our Subsea Services Alliance.' About Helix Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an international offshore energy services company that provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry, with a focus on well intervention, robotics and decommissioning operations. Our services are key in supporting a global energy transition by maximizing production of existing oil and gas reserves, decommissioning end-of-life oil and gas fields and supporting renewable energy developments. For more information about Helix, please visit our website at About Subsea Services Alliance For more information about the Subsea Services Alliance, please visit its website at Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, any statements regarding the agreement, the equipment and services thereunder and the parties thereto; the current market or demand for our services; our ability to enter into, renew and/or perform commercial contracts; our current work continuing; and any impact on our financial and operating results and estimates; any statements regarding our strategy; any statements regarding our business model or the global energy transition; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the terms of the agreement and/or any work thereunder or extension thereof; actions by governments, customers, suppliers and partners; market conditions; demand for our services; the performance of contracts by suppliers, customers and partners; actions by governmental and regulatory authorities; operating hazards and delays, which includes delays in delivery, chartering or customer acceptance of assets or terms of their acceptance; our ultimate ability to realize current backlog; employee management issues; complexities of global political and economic developments; geologic risks; volatility of oil and gas prices and other risks described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), including Helix's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Helix's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates, except as required by the securities laws.
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
I'm A Senior Sleep Editor—Here Are The Labor Day Mattress Sales I'd Personally Shop
As a senior sleep editor, I've tested hundreds of mattress models (including over 100 just this year alone) and I closely track their prices. So I'm keenly aware that some brands recycle the same discounts or inflate retail prices to make deals look steeper than they are. That's why I'm sharing the Labor Day mattress sales I'd actually consider shopping this year. For example, the Helix Midnight Luxe, my team's pick for the best mattress of 2025, is a rare 27% off with code FORBES27. Here are the best 2025 Labor Day mattress sales on models our team has tested firsthand. illustration: forbes / photo: forbes Some brands also throw in free or deeply discounted pillows and bedding, which can make a deal worth it if you're doing a full bedroom revamp. DreamCloud, for instance, is discounting its Classic Hybrid Mattress and bundling in a bedding set for under $200. (While DreamCloud is always offering a high percentage off its beds, the actual savings right now are among the strongest I've seen.) Below, find the best Labor Day mattress deals on models my team has tested firsthand. Best Mattress Overall: Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen): Now $1,751, Was $2,399 (27% Off With Code FORBES27 ) Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen): Now $1,751, Was $2,399 (27% Off With Code ) Best Luxury Cooling Mattress: Sleep Number ClimateCool Smart Bed And Base (Queen): Now $4,887, Was $5,749 (18% Off) Sleep Number ClimateCool Smart Bed And Base (Queen): Now $4,887, Was $5,749 (18% Off) Best Value Mattress: DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (Queen): Now $649, Was $1,698 (62% Off) DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (Queen): Now $649, Was $1,698 (62% Off) Best Mattress For Couples: Bear Elite Hybrid (Queen): Now $1,456, Was $2,427 (40% Off With Code FORBES40 ) Bear Elite Hybrid (Queen): Now $1,456, Was $2,427 (40% Off With Code ) Best Soft Mattress: Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid (Queen): Now $1,456, $1,995 (27% Off) Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid (Queen): Now $1,456, $1,995 (27% Off) Best Luxury Mattress For Couples: Beautyrest Black Hybrid Series Four (Queen): Now $4,399, Was $4,999 (12% Off) Beautyrest Black Hybrid Series Four (Queen): Now $4,399, Was $4,999 (12% Off) Best Mattress For Side Sleepers: Nolah Evolution (Queen): Now $1,439, Was $2,127 (32% Off With Code FORBES50OFF ) Nolah Evolution (Queen): Now $1,439, Was $2,127 (32% Off With Code ) Best Hybrid Mattress: Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid (Queen): Now $1,584, Was $2,264 (30% Off) Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid (Queen): Now $1,584, Was $2,264 (30% Off) Best Mattress For Back Pain: Saatva Classic (Queen): Now $1,739, Was $2,139 (19% Off) Saatva Classic (Queen): Now $1,739, Was $2,139 (19% Off) Best Organic Mattress: Avocado Green (Queen): Now $1,784, Was $2,099 (18% Off) Avocado Green (Queen): Now $1,784, Was $2,099 (18% Off) (SPONSORED) You May Also Like: Naturepedic: Get 20% off sitewide during the Naturepedic Labor Day Sale. If you're looking for some guidance as to which mattress is right for you, I've highlighted the defining features of some of my favorite mattresses below. I named the Helix Midnight Luxe the best mattress overall this year because its balanced firmness (not too firm, not too soft) can cater to a wide range of people, including back, side and lightweight stomach sleepers. Between its lofty 13.5-inch height, cozy pillow top, optional cooling upgrades and superior motion isolation, the mattress is a true crowd-pleaser. Why I think it's a good deal: Helix offered 30% off over a holiday weekend earlier this year, but this 27% discount matches the best offer we've seen from the brand since then. Sleep Number's ClimateCool model is packed with features to help hot sleepers. You can adjust the temperature on both sides of the bed thanks to an active cooling system within. Mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon currently sleeps on it with her husband and especially appreciates the customizable firmness levels for each side of the bed and personalized sleep insights it provides. Why I think it's a good deal: You can save up to $1,575 on this smart bed right now, depending on size, compared to up to $1,200 during Sleep Number's Memorial Day sale. DreamCloud recently upgraded this hybrid mattress to be more supportive and cooling. I found it offers a lifted, cushiony feel that's especially ideal for back and stomach sleepers. It's also a great pick for couples thanks to its edge-to-edge support, medium-firm feel and ability to dampen movement. If you want a value mattress that incorporates more memory foam, check out the Nectar Classic Memory Foam from DreamCloud's sister brand. Why I think it's a good deal: Though the advertised percentage off is regularly escalated, this price is about $50 less than the one offered during DreamCloud's most recent sale. This Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress comes in soft, medium, and firm variations and offers excellent motion isolation and edge support, all factors that led my team to recommend it as the best mattress for couples . If you tend to sleep hot, consider adding the Celliant-infused cover for an additional $195—the material can help regulate your body temperature during the night. Why I think it's a good deal: This matches the best price we've seen for the Bear Elite Hybrid. If you're searching for the best soft mattress, the T&N Mint Hybrid is a marshmallowy, dreamy option that somehow doesn't lack support. I scored it a perfect 10 for side sleeping and found it to be exceptionally comfortable while back sleeping as well. You sink into the upper foams enough to get deep pressure relief, but you don't sink in so far that you feel stuck. Why I think it's a good deal: Tuft & Needle doesn't offer sales as frequently as other brands, and when it does, the deal is usually 20% off the Mint Hybrid. The Beautyrest Black Hybrid Series Four is one of the nicest, most luxurious mattresses I've ever tested. In fact, it was a runner-up to the Stearns & Foster Reserve for the best luxury mattress overall. The reason I love it for couples is because you can choose a soft or firm model, and it's sturdy from side to side with excellent motion isolation and responsiveness. Despite being the firmer of the two, I still scored the firm model a 9 out of 10 for pressure relief and found it accommodates all positions. Why I think it's a good deal: This is the highest discount Beautyrest typically offers, which is only available a handful of times throughout the year. At 15 inches tall, the Nolah Evolution has a luxurious construction and stellar support. It comes in plush, luxury firm and firm options, so you can choose the best firmness level for your sleeping position. All models feature a cushy Euro topper, cooling materials and zoned coils that offer targeted support for different areas of your body. I slept on the plush model for several months and found it offered fantastic pressure relief for my hip and shoulder while side sleeping, but those heavier in weight or who sleep in different positions may prefer the luxury firm option. Why I think it's a good deal: This is close to the highest discount the brand typically offers—35% off. Hybrid mattresses are popular because they're an accommodating blend of memory foam and innerspring mattresses. I've been sleeping on the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid for over a year now; its four layers of memory foam provide pressure relief, while a layer of zoned coils offer bounce and support. This results in an on-top-of-the-bed, gentle hugging feel. You can also choose from plush, medium-firm or firm for your preferred comfort level. Why I think it's a good deal: Leesa's standard holiday discount is 25% off. That said, it offered 30% off select beds over July 4th, so this isn't far off. From top to bottom, the Saatva Classic features materials designed for enhanced lumbar support and pressure point relief, making it a standout mattress for back pain. You can choose between two heights (11.5 and 14.5 inches) and three firmness levels (plush soft, luxury firm and firm) to best suit your needs. I think it's one of the highest-quality options in the online space today, with some of the best perimeter support I've ever tested. Why I think it's a good deal: Though this is $40 more than Saatva's usual holiday discount, the brand recently raised this mattress's retail price. It's difficult to compete with the number of third-party certifications and sustainability features Avocado offers. Along with being the best organic mattress for this reason, the Avocado Green comes in three different firmness levels that I found to be bouncy and breathable. However, if you don't want to pay more for a softer model, I also recommend the Amerisleep Organica, which features cotton, wool, latex and coils and is competitively priced right now (just keep in mind it's not backed by the same organic certifications). Why I think it's a good deal: This is the steepest discount Avocado typically runs for the holidays on this mattress. Just keep in mind the full retail price has recently changed. Forbes Vetted's mattress and sleep buying guides are based on expert medical advice, hundreds of hours of research and extensive firsthand testing. Bridget Chapman, author of this story, is Forbes Vetted's senior mattress and sleep editor. She's tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products over the past four years and has a sleep science coach certification. Supervising deals and coupons editor Kara Cuzzone edited this story. She has over five years of experience reporting on the best sales across the internet, and her team regularly monitors the prices of Forbes Vetted editors' top recommended products—including mattresses. In addition to navigating the sales, the sheer variety of mattress types out there can make it tough to identify the best one for you. Here are my top tips for shopping Labor Day mattress deals. For more details, be sure to check out my full mattress shopping guide. Determine The Right Firmness And Feel For You When picking a mattress, two of the most important factors to consider are your sleeping position(s) and body type. These determine the firmness and support levels you need. In general, side sleepers benefit from a soft to medium-firm mattress that cushions pressure points, while back and stomach sleepers need a medium-firm to firm pick for proper spinal alignment. Body weight also plays a role. If you're lighter in weight (less than 150 pounds), a mattress will likely feel firmer to you, so a softer option may be better. If you're heavier in weight (more than 250 pounds), look for a firmer, more supportive model—like the Titan Plus Luxe, our top pick for heavy sleepers. Decide If You Need Any Extra Features Evaluate your sleep needs and preferences. Do you sleep hot, share the bed with a partner or have mobility challenges? If so, it's essential to choose a mattress that addresses these concerns with features like cooling materials, reinforced edges, the ability to absorb motion and/or good ease of movement. Look For Solid Trial Periods And Warranties Mattresses are a major investment—not just financially, but also in terms of your sleep quality. Choosing one with a generous sleep trial and a solid warranty can boost your confidence in the purchase. A sleep trial lets you try out the mattress at home for a certain amount of time and then return it if it's not a good fit. Aim for a trial period of at least 90 nights, and read the fine print to ensure the return process is hassle-free. A warranty, on the other hand, protects you against manufacturing or material defects. Most brands will replace or repair your mattress free of charge, or for a shipping fee, within the warranty window. Look for a warranty of at least ten years, and review the coverage details carefully, including any conditions that might void it. What Month Has The Best Deals On Mattresses? In general, most holiday weekends offer similar mattress sales. (That includes Labor Day weekend.) That said, Black Friday and Cyber Monday typically bring about the absolute lowest prices of the year. If you don't mind waiting, you can often save an extra 5 to 10% around those holidays. How Do I Know Which Mattress Is Right For Me? The right mattress for you depends on a variety of factors, including your sleep style and your budget. Certain mattresses are designed to accommodate specific sleep positions, and some materials cost more than others. If you're looking for a middle-of-the-road option that can appeal to many people, our sleep editors named the Helix Midnight Luxe the best mattress overall after testing over 200 models. Is Labor Day The Best Time To Buy A Mattress? Labor Day is one of the best times of the year to buy a new mattress. Many top-rated mattress brands mark down their best-selling models over the holiday weekend (and most extend their sales beyond the holiday as well). After Labor Day, you likely won't see discounts as steep until Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
