Best Firm Mattress: Ultimate Review Guide
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If you’re anything like me, you’ll be pretty fussy about your mattress. I like a nice, firm mattress coupled with a huge pile of soft, downy pillows.
Many people assume hard mattresses are better for your back and neck, as well as your respiratory system and quality of sleep, but the research says otherwise.
In a randomized trial of 313 adults with chronic low back pain, people given a medium-firm mattress had less pain and disability after 90 days than people given a firm one. A review of 39 studies also found medium-firm mattresses best for comfort, sleep quality and spinal alignment.
Still, firmness is partly personal preference. In fact, many cultures, like the Japanese, don’t go in for the mattress thing at all, but sleep on tatami mats with extremely thin ‘futons’ on top. But there’s no need to go quite that far.
I’ve been on the hunt for the best firm mattress to ensure that from here on out my nights are restful and I drink less coffee!
So what makes a good mattress and how are you meant to know what to look for?
Follow my firm mattress reviews below and let me lead you to a world of wonder, springs and well-deserved rest.
Zinus 12 Inch Performance Plus
This little miracle from the geniuses at Zinus was the first to hit my top five list of best firm mattresses, and for good reason. If a mattress claims to be ‘extra firm’, I’m bound to love it, and this bad boy is definitely worth of its title.
Zinus’ advanced spring technology means that this mattress is packed out to the perfect level of hardness. It’s still comfy to sleep on and supports your body while you move around.
No sinkage means you can sleep in any position, anywhere on the bed. Unlike squishy mattresses, this one won’t cave or dent – it stays strong for as long as you slumber.
Zinus Sleep Master Ultima Comfort 8 Inch Spring Mattress
Now on to my best value firm mattress for anyone in need of a decent night’s sleep, as well as a healthy wallet. The springs in this mattress are designed to provide a firm sleep surface. It uses the latest tech to isolate sleep movements. Basically, you can toss and turn all you like (unlikely given the high comfort level this provides!) and your partner won’t be disturbed.
It has a soft comfort layer on top of the springs, which adds some cushioning for pressure points. If you have back pain, remember that research favors medium-firm over very firm.
Sealy Posturepedic Drakesboro Firm Tight Top Mattress
This mattress is at the top end of my list in terms of quality.
Sealy markets this firm mattress for people who want strong back support, and it may suit you if a soft bed leaves you stiff.
Sealy promise a firm mattress combined with ultimate comfort. Your back and neck are supported while you sleep.
This mattress is designed to hold its shape while cushioning your body, easing pressure points. It also has a secret gel layer to add an extra dimension of comfort. This makes this the best firm mattress out there for any princesses disturbed by peas (or Lego pieces, small children and loose springs!)
Tuft & Needle Mattress
I do have to add this one to my top five.
Tuft and Needle know exactly what they’re doing, so this is a solid long-term buy.
They describe this mattress as being ‘universally comfortable’, and it’s easy to see why.
Perhaps not the firmest of the mattresses on my list, this still provides a great level of hardness combined with comfort. It’s great for side and stomach sleepers who want something supportive that still has a little give. Plush, comfy and luxe – I love it!
LUCID 6 Inch Memory Foam Mattress
Next up is this pick from Lucid.
This mattress has a firm foundation, meaning it’s perfect for those of you who are on the hunt for something a little harder.
It pairs a firm foam base with a memory foam comfort layer, so your body is cushioned while you sleep.
Again, good for stomach and side sleepers – the layer of foam cushions your body and molds to your shape while you sleep. It’s also got great ventilation, so will keep you cool and comfy!
So, there you have it – the best firm mattresses on the market. From memory foam firmness to supportive spring technology, there are lot of aspects to consider when updating your bedroom furniture.
Choosing a mattress can seem overwhelming, but mattress designers know what we like, and they have the experience and technology to give it to us.
You will find your dream mattress, it just takes a little bit of research sometimes, and I, for one, am more than happy to sleep my way through a day of shopping.
If you have ongoing back or neck pain, talk to a doctor or physical therapist, since a mattress alone rarely fixes it, and consider a medium-firm model.
Hopefully this review of the best firm mattresses on the market will help you on your way. Happy napping!
Sources
- Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial, The Lancet (PubMed)
- What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature, Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (PMC)
