Getting a good night’s sleep can make or break your day, so it’s important that your mattress suits your sleeping habits and preferences. And finding the right one can help improve your aches and pains, improve the quality of your sleep, and leave you feeling well-rested when you wake up.
When it’s time to get a new mattress, one of the first things you need to consider is whether you want a soft or firm one. And there are many reasons why a firm mattress might be more ideal.
For one thing, a firm mattress provides plenty of support to keep your body aligned and in a neutral position, so you’ll be less likely to experience back or neck pain. Firm mattresses also keep you cooler than softer ones, since you won’t experience any sinking spots that hold your body’s heat.
People that are on the heavier side benefit from the extra support of a firm mattress, too. This is because a firm mattress evenly distributes weight, so there’s no sagging that can cause aches and pains.
So if you’re ready to upgrade to a fresh new bed, we’ve tracked down some of the best firm mattresses and created this guide to help you choose one that’s the perfect fit for you.
The 5 Best Firm Mattresses for 2020
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Responsive latex-free foam Breathable and cooling | ||
| Double-sided medium and firm Hybrid gel foam and coils | ||
| Cooling cover Bouncy and responsive | ||
| Hybrid memory foam and coils Medium-firm feel | ||
| iCoil pocketed springs 4 inches of foam cushioning |
Tuft & Needle Nod Mattress
About Tuft & Needle Nod Mattress
The first mattress we have is the Nod by Tuft & Needle, an innovative company that set out to create the most comfortable and affordable beds possible.
This mattress is 8 inches tall, and it’s made from a unique responsive foam that provides more support than memory foam, and it’s latex-free.
The foam has an open-cell design to keep you cool and provide more breathability than memory foam. It also localizes bounce to prevent motion transfer, so you don’t have to worry about waking up your partner when you move around.
This mattress is designed to work on a variety of frames, including slatted or adjustable frames and box springs. You can even use it directly on the floor.
You’ll get a 100-night sleep trial period to test out your mattress and make sure it’s the right one for you, and the mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
The Nod is also relatively inexpensive considering the quality of the mattress, and you can find a full size for around $350.
Our Thoughts
This mattress arrives vacuum-sealed, and it’s easy to handle with one person. Once unpacked, it takes anywhere from two hours to two days to fully expand to its final size.
One thing we like about this mattress is that there is very little off-gassing or weird chemical smell that often occurs with new foam mattresses. And what little odor there is dissipates quickly.
This mattress feels quite firm, but it sinks just enough where you need it to and not where you don’t. So there’s no discomfort or pressure points that you might find with some extra-firm mattresses.
It also does feel much cooler than other foam mattresses, so if you sleep hot, this is definitely one of the best foam options out there.
The only drawbacks are that because the top layer of this mattress is made from a more bouncy, responsive foam, it might feel a little too soft for people who want an extra-firm mattress.
It also tends to sink somewhat at the edges, so it’s not the best choice if that’s important to you. However, side sleepers might find this mattress ideal since it does a nice job at conforming to the curves of the hips and shoulders.
For the price, this cooling foam mattress does a great job at balancing support and softness, and the 100-night sleep trial combined with the warranty make it a worthy competitor.
The Pros
- Very cooling
- Affordable price
- Balances support and softness
The Cons
- Not as firm as some
- Limited edge support
Nest Bedding Flip Mattress
About Nest Bedding Flip Mattress
The Flip mattress by Nest Bedding is a hybrid gel foam and coil bed that’s flippable, with one side being firm and the other medium. So you can try both sides and decide which one feels the best.
The cooling Visco Gel foam is designed to provide extra comfort and support, while the 660-gauge caliber coil provides a solid base and support that you need regardless of the side you sleep on. Both sides of the mattress are covered with a soft, breathable fabric.
This mattress is designed to work with any type of sleep system, box springs, or adjustable bed frame. And it comes with a 30-night sleep trial so you can test it out, plus a limited 10-year warranty.
This mattress is on the more affordable side for a hybrid, and costs around $400 for the full size.
Our Thoughts
The Flip mattress is a unique concept, and one that works quite well considering people have been flipping their innerspring mattresses for decades but for entirely different reasons.
This quality of this mattress is evident when you open it up, and there’s no chemical odor at all.
The gel foam does provide a bit of comfortable cushioning, and the firm side provides a lot of support. The medium side feels like a medium-firm, which is still very supportive for any sleeping position.
The cooling gel actually does keep you cool while you’re sleeping, too.
Overall, there’s little to complain about with this mattress. The fact that it provides options definitely makes this a great choice if you’re on the fence about making a purchase.
The Pros
- Hybrid gel foam and coil
- Double-sided
- Cooling and breathable
The Cons
- No cons
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
About Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
If you’re looking for a firm memory foam mattress that’s breathable and will actually keep you cool, check out the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress.
This mattress is made from five layers. These include a breathable base layer, an adaptive high core memory foam layer for bounce and responsiveness, gel memory foam for even weight distribution, quilted gel memory foam for cushion and air circulation, and a cooling Tencel cover.
You can use this mattress on any type of bed frame, box spring, or base. And it comes with two free pillows as a courtesy gift.
This mattress is more expensive than some of the others in this guide at around $700 for a full, but it comes with a 180-day sleep trial so you can make sure you’ve made the right choice.
Not only that, this mattress comes with a lifetime warranty, so you’re covered for as long as you own the mattress.
Our Thoughts
The Nectar mattress comes vacuum-packed in a duffel bag with a handle to make it easier to carry, but it’s very heavy.
Upon opening, there is a chemical odor that does fade over time with good ventilation. The mattress takes anywhere from two hours to a day to fully expand.
The most noticeable thing about the Nectar mattress is that it feels much firmer and bouncier than most memory foam mattresses, but it adapts to your body shape within minutes.
It provides enough contour for comfort without too much sinking, and it does a much better job at temperature regulation than most memory foam mattresses. It’s most ideal for side sleepers who need a little more cushioning for shoulders and hips.
This mattress also does an excellent job at isolating movement, so It’s great if you toss and turn a lot or get up frequently throughout the night.
Overall, this is a very good option if you’re looking for a supportive and very cooling memory foam mattress, and don’t mind paying a little more for it.
You can see an unboxing and review of the mattress in the video below:
The Pros
- Very supportive and bouncy
- Lifetime warranty
- Breathable and cooling
- Perfect for side sleepers
The Cons
- Initial chemical smell
Linenspa 8-Inch Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress
About Linenspa 8-Inch Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress
If you’re on a tight budget but want a comfortable mattress that combines the cushion of memory foam with the support of coils, the Linenspa 8-Inch Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress is a great option.
This mattress has a low profile and a medium-firm feel, with a base of 6-inch supportive springs topped with two inches of plush, cushioning memory foam layer to help reduce pressure points.
This mattress works on any base, frame, or box spring. You can find this mattress for around $180 for a queen, and it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Our Thoughts
This Linenspa mattress comes compressed and rolled up, and it takes a few hours for it to fully expand to its final size.
It feels very supportive and has the contouring qualities of memory foam, but there’s more breathability and it can help keep you cool while you’re sleeping.
One thing to note about this mattress is that it doesn’t offer quite as much relief for pressure points as the other options in this guide, and this is especially true for those over 200 lbs. and people with joint problems.
For the price, this mattress is just right for a guest bedroom or a kids’ bedroom, but it’s definitely adequate for a master bedroom, as well. It’s also one of the firmest mattresses we’ve looked at so far.
Check out this video to see a more detailed review of the mattress:
The Pros
- Hybrid gel foam and coil
- Low price
- Very firm
- Ideal for guest or kids’ bedroom
The Cons
- Limited pressure point relief
Zinus Extra Firm iCoil 12-Inch Support Plus Mattress
Zinus Extra Firm iCoil 12-Inch Support Plus Mattress
The Zinus Extra Firm iCoil 12-Inch Support Plus Mattress is designed with individually wrapped coils to eliminate motion transfer and provide maximum support.
The coils are 7.5 inches tall, and this mattress contains 10% more of them than their other mattress options.
There’s also a 2.5-inch high density foam support layer topped with a 1.5-inch comfort foam layer for extra cushioning. The mattress also contains green tea and ActivCharcoal to keep it fresh, dry, and odor-free over time.
This mattress is very affordable considering its quality and thickness. You can find the full size for less than $300, and each mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.
Our Thoughts
This mattress comes compressed and requires about two days to expand completely. There isn’t much of a chemical smell, and it does fade quickly if you have proper ventilation.
This mattress is one of the firmest options that we’ve reviewed so far, with a plush top that reduces pressure points and offers plenty of support for people of any size.
There’s no sinking-in feeling, and this mattress is great for stomach or back sleepers who want a very firm mattress with just enough cushion for comfort.
The only drawback is that this mattress doesn’t provide a lot of breathability, so if you sleep hot, this might not be the best choice for you.
The Pros
- Extra firm support
- Cushioned foam top
- Low price
The Cons
- Not very cooling
Best Firm Mattress for 2020
Everyone has their own preferences for their ideal mattress, but we’ve found that the Nest Bedding Flip Mattress is definitely the best overall in terms of versatility and price. It has a nice balance of support, cushioning, breathability, and bounce.
If you’re looking for a more premium memory foam mattress, the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is a great choice that’s bouncier and sleeps much cooler than most memory foam options.
On the other hand, if you’re in need of a quality firm mattress that doesn’t cost a small fortune, the Zinus Extra Firm iCoil 12-Inch Support Plus Mattress is an excellent affordable option.
While these are our favorites, you can’t really go wrong with any of these mattresses.
Writer and Product Researcher
Spending the last 10 years researching and writing about various home, garden and electronics topics, Shelley is more than qualified to write for Meccano Home. Her work has been featured on eBay, Pottery Barn, SFGate, TheKnot, Williams-Sonoma and various other blogs and websites.
