The CNET mattress testers have tested over 200 mattresses, and only a handful are designed with an extra firm profile. These are the best extra firm mattresses that stood out to be as firm as the floor without sacrificing comfort.
What’s the best extra firm mattress overall?
The Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding is one of the firmest mattresses I’ve tested; but it also manages to offer some pressure relief at the same time. How is that possible? The Plank mattress is flippable, with a firm (10 out of 10 on the firmness scale) profile on one side, and medium-firm (seven out of 10 on the firmness scale) on the other. It also offers a really great value.
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
Best extra firm mattresses for 2023
How firm a mattress is depends on its construction. While there are memory foam layers that can deliver a solid firmness, the firmest mattresses tend to either have an innerspring or pocketed coil system found in hybrid mattresses.
Firm and extremely firm mattresses support those who sleep on their stomach and back. By not allowing you to sink far into the bed, your spine stays aligned all night, which minimizes back and neck pain. They are not the best option for people who sleep on their side as the firm profile will likely cause pressure points on the shoulders, hips and knees.
Firm mattresses are an excellent choice for back pain because they promote neutral spine alignment at night. However, it’s really only best for people who sleep on their stomach or back.
Whether a side sleeper should sleep on a firm mattress depends on their body type. The more you weigh, the more pressure you put on the bed and the more you sink in. This influences how firm a mattress feels to you. If you weigh more than 230 pounds, a mattress will feel softer than you than someone who weighs less. I wouldn’t recommend an extra firm mattress to any side sleeper weighing less than 230 pounds.
