When shopping for an extra firm mattress, the design and materials used are some of the most critical variables. Whether you’re a heavier person looking for a more supportive mattress, or a back sleeper in need of pressure relief, finding the best extra firm mattress can make all the difference.

Many times, a firmer mattress means either an innerspring or hybrid mattress. Still, some extra firm foam mattresses live up to the label. With different needs and preferences in mind, we’ve compiled and reviewed some of the best extra firm queen mattresses available. This list includes something for everyone, with six different mattresses and brands, each with its specialty.

Top 6 Extra Firm Mattresses

Compare the Best Extra Firm Mattresses

Best Extra Firm Organic Mattress

Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado Green Mattress
Why it’s Great
The Avocado Green Mattress is the most sought after natural/organic mattress online. It’s supportive, comfortable, and constructed with high quality materials.
Best for
Anyone that wants a natural/organic mattress
Stomach and back sleepers
People that want a firm, responsive mattress
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Firm
Type
Latex Foam
Temp
Breathable

Why Avocado wins as best extra firm organic mattress

The Avocado is made of organic, environmentally friendly materials. Built with hybridization of latex foam atop recycled steel coils, it provides extra firm support, ideal for back and stomach sleepers. These mattresses are handmade in the company factory and are GOTS and GOLS certified.

Avocado’s best features

  • The hybrid use of springs and foam provides extra firm support while maintaining comfort. The design uses over 1,400 coils, arranged ergonomically to maximize support where the body needs it most.
  • Handmade construction using organic, environmentally friendly materials make these mattresses a unique and eco-friendly approach. For the materials used, Avocado mattresses are GOLS, GOTS, and Greenguard Gold certified.

Why we picked this bed

It can be hard to find a mattress that measures up when it comes to environmental friendliness and conscientious construction. The Avocado mattresses meet strenuous standards for quality organic materials while providing extra firm support and comfort. The firmness of this mattress, derived from the arrangement of coils within it, makes it an ideal mattress for back and stomach sleepers.

Best Extra Firm Flippable Mattress

Plank
Plank
Why it’s Great
Plank is one of the best firm mattresses online. It’s made in the USA and is flippable, so you can experience two different profiles on the same bed.
Best for
Stomach and/or back sleepers
People that want a firm mattress
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Firm
Type
Mixed Foam
Temp
Neutral

Why Plank Firm wins as best extra firm flippable mattress

The Plank Firm mattress from Brooklyn Bedding offers different firmness profiles on each side, allowing sleepers to choose between the two at will. Despite being coil-free, this mattress provides support and firmness instead of creating that sinking sensation that often comes with foam beds.

plank mattress back sleeper
The Plank Firm Mattress is ideal for back and stomach sleepers thanks to its firm profile

Plank Firm’s best features

  • One of the most notable features of this mattress is how it offers two different firmnesses, depending on which side of the mattress is up.
  • Pulling off a firm mattress with foam is a tricky endeavor, but one that Plank Firm excels at. The Plank Firm mattress provides the comfort of foam yet delivers the kind of firmness needed for back and stomach sleepers.  

Why we picked this bed

The Plank Firm mattress uses a top layer of proprietary quilted foam for comfort and luxurious support yet doesn’t lay it on so thick that sleepers will sink into the bed. Beneath this quilted comfort is firm support, derived from a layer of TitanFlex support foam atop a thicker layer of high-density polyfoam. The aggregate effect is one of supportive firmness with just the right amount of comfort on top.

Best Extra Firm Value Mattress

Titan Luxe Hybrid
Titan Luxe Hybrid
Why it’s Great
Best for
Array
Array
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Type
Temp

Why Titan wins as best extra firm value mattress

While the Titan mattress isn’t the cheapest, it is constructed with exceptional quality for its price. Built with a hybrid design, the Titan mattress has a 6” section of pocketed cools with three separate layers of specialized foams, each layer utilizing a different type. This construction creates a durable hybrid bed that provides firm support and luxurious comfort.

brooklyn bedding titan review stomach sleeper
Tharon getting comfortable on the Titan mattress

Titan’s best features

  • The design of this mattress is one of the things that places it ahead of the curve. Totaling at 11” inches thick, the Titan mattress is built with four layers; support foam at the bottom, pocketed springs above that, followed by a layer of TitanFlex foam, and topped with 1” of memory foam.
  • Compared to others on the market, the Titan mattress delivers a consistent firmness that leans towards the firmer end of the spectrum. This firmness makes the mattress ideal for heavier sleepers, as well as back and stomach sleepers.

Why we picked this bed

There are many firm mattresses to choose from, but the Titan firm hybrid mattress delivers a high degree of firmness, with quality construction for an affordable price. Thanks to its construction and design, this mattress delivers well on durability, body support, comfort, motion isolation, and responsiveness.  

Best Extra Firm Pillow-Top Mattress

Helix Dawn
Helix Dawn
Why it’s Great
Dawn is a firm mattress from Helix Sleep. It has pocket coils and dense foams such that we think back and stomach sleepers in particular will really like this bed.
Best for
If you like firm mattresses
People that need a supportive bed
If you want a really good value
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Firm
Type
Mixed Foam
Temp
Neutral

Why Helix Dawn wins as best extra firm pillow-top mattress

Many people prefer a firmer mattress to support their weight and keep their spines aligned. This pillow-top mattress provides this while still delivering a plush layer of comfort on top.

Helix Dawn’s best features

  • Affordable but not budget, this mattress offers a high level of firmness beneath a pillow-top layer of comfort, making it one of the best extra firm mattresses in its price range.  
  • Quality for price is another feature of the Helix Dawn. Although the mattress isn’t cheap, it offers exceptional quality for its price range.

Why we picked this bed

Many sleepers prefer a firmer mattress but don’t necessarily want to go entirely without the plush comfort so often associated with softer beds. This extra firm mattress blends the two by adding a luxurious pillow-top to the surface of the mattress.

Best Extra Firm Memory Foam Mattress

Saatva Classic
Saatva Classic
Why it’s Great
Saatva Classic is the original innerspring mattress online. It comes in three firmness options, all of which have coils for support and a fluffy pillow top.
Best for
Consumers seeking a supportive innerspring mattress
Individuals who want multiple firmness options to choose from
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
All
Type
Pillow Top
Temp
Neutral

Why Saatva wins as best extra firm luxury innerspring mattress

The Saatva delivers firm support within the trappings of luxury. It combines individually wrapped pocket coils with an innerspring system, memory foam, a Euro-top, and an organic cotton mattress cover.

Saatva’s best features

  • Individually wrapped pocket coils deliver firm support with an added boost to motion isolation.
  • An anti-microbial organic cotton mattress cover, nonremovable, provides a soft and luxurious feel to the bed.
  • A bottom layer of innerspring coils makes sure the foundation of this bed starts with extra firm support.

Why we picked this bed

Sometimes going with a firmer mattress can mean sacrificing that luxurious feel that comes with plusher beds. The Saatva firm mattress balances this out by adding layers of luxury and comfort without diminishing the strength of its firmness.

Best Extra Firm Memory Foam Mattress

Amerisleep AS1
Amerisleep AS1
Why it’s Great
AS1 is a memory foam mattress that measures 10″ thick and has a firmer profile.
Best for
People that want a firmer bed
If you like memory foam
Sleep Positions
Back, Side and Stomach
Product Details
Firmness
Firm
Type
Memory Foam
Temp
Neutral

Why Amerisleep AS1 wins as best extra firm memory foam mattress

Although made of memory foam, this mattress can deliver the type of firmness that usually requires springs and coils. While it has some of that memory foam feel while lying in it, the AS1 is firm enough to make shifting positions in the night relatively easy.  

amerisleep mattress review as1
AS1 is a good pick for back sleepers.

Amerisleep AS1’s best features

  • The memory foam used in this mattress is Bio-Pur memory foam, providing greater support and breathability than traditional memory foam. This modern technology prevents that sinking feeling associated with older forms of memory foam while also helping to keep the bed cool while you sleep.
  • Added to the construction is a machine-washable mattress cover to provide an extra layer of comfort and protection.

Why we picked this bed

Finding an extra firm memory foam mattress can be tricky, especially without breaking the bank. Yet, this mattress manages to deliver on just such a balance. Advanced materials and clever design allow for an extra firm memory foam mattress, that while not cheap, is well priced for what it achieves.

Who Is An Extra Firm Mattress Best For?

Extra firm mattress lovers are a rare breed, but we see why some people really like or need them! Below, we’ve listed the major reasons why you might want to consider an extra firm mattress.

Heavy Sleepers

For people over 230 lbs., it can be difficult to find a bed that’s supportive enough. An extra firm bed, however, will provide the support heavy back and stomach sleepers need for proper spinal alignment. In other words, it ensures their back doesn’t sink into the foam, which can promote back pain. 

Back and stomach sleepers

If you strictly sleep on your back or stomach, a firm bed may be beneficial for you because it can keep your spine in neutral alignment with your neck while you sleep. 

Hot sleepers

Firm beds allow you to sleep more on top of them rather than inside, preventing a bed’s foam from hugging your body. This helps it not retain heat, allowing you to sleep cooler and more comfortably. 

How To Shop For A Firm Mattress Online

Since you can’t try out your mattress when shopping online, here are a few things you can look out for to ensure your shopping experience is smooth sailing. 

  • Keep an eye out for good sleep trials so you can test your bed at home and let your body adjust to the firmness.
  • Opt for a flippable mattress with two firmness levels, so you get two chances to find the right firmness level.
  • Shop from reputable brands or brands you know make good products. 
  • Research on mattress review websites (like ours) to see what they recommend and which firm beds are on their radar. 

Medium Firm vs. Firm

There are a few different types of firm mattresses: firm and medium-firm. Of course, firm is the firmness level we were focused on today. It’s as hard and solid as you can get in a mattress, and it offers an extremely supportive profile.
Medium-firm, on the other hand, offers a bit more pressure relief. This is helpful if you switch positions at night or want a little more plushness on your mattress. Honestly, medium-firm is more popular and liked than firm. But, as we said earlier, extra firm beds are great for the right sleepers!

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Why Trust Us

Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 150 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons and personalized recommendations.


The Review Team

  • reynoso

    Jack Reynoso

    Combo Sleeper

  • Jeff Rizzo

    Jeff Rizzo

    Combo Sleeper

  • kenzie

    McKenzie Dillon

    Combo Sleeper

  • Matt Ross

    Back Sleeper

Frequently Asked Questions
Is an extra firm mattress good for your back?

That depends on the type of sleeper you are. If you sleep on your back or stomach, a firm mattress will be good and will promote proper spinal alignment. If you’re a side sleeper, however, you’ll probably need a softer bed.

Is it better to sleep on a soft or firm mattress?

Firm beds are known to be the best for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and folks with back pain, while side sleepers and those with aching joints tend to like soft mattresses.

What is the difference between a firm and an extra firm mattress?

An extra firm mattress will be the most solid, supportive, hard bed you can buy. Imagine the ground – -that’s what you’re working with. A medium-firm bed will offer more pressure relief and is a good option for combination sleepers.