The Best Firm Mattresses For Supported Sleep In 2024
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When our alarm goes off in the morning, the last feeling we want is stiffness and soreness — unfortunately, that is often the case. Many mattresses aren’t optimized for the way we sleep; after all, side sleepers need different support than stomach or back sleepers.
If you’re a stomach or back sleeper hoping for some relief and a bed you don’t drop into night after night, consider a firm mattress. Firm and medium-to-firm mattresses are specially crafted to provide comfort along your spine, hips, and joints and to ease stress on muscles and veins; they’re also a better fit for heavy sleepers, hot sleepers prone to overheating, and stuffy sleepers who prefer breathability.
And, of course, not all mattresses are made equally — many use poor or low-quality materials so they can enjoy the highest profit. For example, you may often wake up with a stuffy nose due to dust mites in your bed or have worse back pain because your mattress is too firm. There’s also worry about chemical flame retardants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that come with a funky smell right out of the packaging.
Needless to say, it can be hard to find the Goldilocks bed of our dreams — but it is possible! We’ve rounded up seven outstanding brands to try. We prioritized sustainable and toxin-free materials below like organic latex and rubber, firmness above a five (out of a scale of ten), and exceptional customer service as you find what you need. Plus, we found options that offer flippable or adjustable firmness, split firmness for each side of the bed, and mattresses starting under $750. (If budget is a concern, consider bookmarking this page to come back to around major sale holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday.)
Wishing you supported sleep and even sweeter dreams. 💤
1. Plank
Best For | The firmest mattress available
Firmness Rating | 10/10
Features | Made in USA, ACA-endorsed, flippable (firm/firmest), optional cooling cover, 10-year warranty, 120-night trial, financing available, gives back to local organizations
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King, Cal King, Olympic Queen, Short King, RV King, Split Cal King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $1,482
Plank by Brooklyn Bedding is often touted as the “firmest mattress available on the market.” Rated a 10 out of 10 on the firmness scale, the mattress comes in two options: Plank Firm or Plank Luxe (with either four or six foam layers, respectively). And if you’re not sure if medium-firm or firmest is the right fit for you, you don’t have to choose—they’re flippable so you can experience the best of both worlds with the varying firmness on each side. Though its focus is on firmness, it’s not lacking in support either; the design still helps spinal alignment as well as soothing support for hips and shoulders. (Hot sleepers can also add a cooling cover!)
With a whopping 11 sizes available, a 120-night trial, monthly payment plan options, and a 10-year warranty, you’ll enjoy this mattress you can lay on top of — instead of sinking into.
Plank Mattress Review | “Love the quality of the construction and materials used. Having two choices of firmness (one on each side) was fantastic and the deciding factor to purchase from Plank. We’ve loved the firmest side but for the guest room, we know we can accommodate visiting relatives/friends if they prefer something softer. Really appreciate that feature.” —Susan D. (Read all reviews)
2. Plushbeds
Best For | Sustainability
Firmness Rating | 8/10
Features | Made in USA, GOLS & GOTS certified organic materials, GREENGUARD Gold certified, 100-night trial, lifetime warranty, financing available
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Queen, Split Cal King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $1,699
Would you rather prioritize support or sustainability? With Plushbeds’ Botanical Bliss® Organic Latex Mattress, you don’t have to choose at all! Handcrafted in California, this organic mattress (so earth-friendly, it’s biodegradable!) is recommended from sustainability pros and chiropractors alike. Materials include an organic cotton cover, organic wool, natural Talalay latex, and Dunlop latex — all of which offer relief and restful sleep for your entire body.
Choose from the medium (5.5/10) or med-firm (8/10) option, three heights (9-12 inches), and nine total sizes ranging from Twin to Split Cal King; the medium-firm option is our pick for back and stomach sleepers especially. Protect your joints and your health simultaneously with this chemical- and toxin-free mattress, made to support all your curves.
Plushbeds Mattress Review | “Best bed I’ve had in 81 years!! A superb mattress with just the right amount of firmness yet cozy/cushy! Wish I would have found my chemical free adjustable bed years ago!” —Sarah V. (Read all reviews)
3. Saatva
Best For | Customer service
Firmness Rating | 5–8/10
Features | Made in USA, CertiPUR-US certified foam & organic materials, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty, financing available, gives back to community organizations
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Cal King, Split Cal King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $1,695
First launched in 2010, Saatva has been crafting eco-friendly mattresses here in the US of A for nearly 15 years and they have no intentions of slowing down. Every luxury mattress here is made-to-order, and then shipped straight from their factory and set up in your home (without any shipping cost!). Plus, the team’s excellent customer service includes 24/7 support, a lifetime warranty, and a full-year trial.
And as for the mattress? The Saatva Classic — its best-seller — offers three comfort levels including Luxury Firm (5-7 firmness) or Firm (8 firmness); the Luxury Firm is a balance of support and comfort while the Firm is better for those who need or want a very firm foundation to sleep atop of. Whichever you choose also comes with a thoughtful design, including 3” plush top layer, organic cotton cover, CertiPUR-US certified high-density memory foam, and hundreds of responsive coils derived from recycled steel. Durable, restorative, and firm — it’s the mattress you’ll keep and love for years to come.
Saatva Mattress Review | “We tried another company but the ‘firm’ mattress ended up being too soft. We ordered the firm mattress from here and the firmness level is what we expected 8 out of 10. The first time I slept on it I slept through my alarm I was in such a deep sleep! Definitely worth the price for us. I look forward to sleeping in it every night and my back feels very supported.” —Mina (Read all reviews)
4. Bear
Best For | Affordability
Firmness Rating | 7.1/10
Features | Made in USA, Certi-PUR US & GREENGUARD Gold certified, 120-night trial, lifetime warranty, financing available, gives back to community organizations
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split Cal King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $998
It can be hard to balance affordability and quality, but Bear’s Original Mattress makes it possible. Prices start at $748 for a twin, and with sales, can drop below $500 — and don’t worry, there are payment plans available too if you need them. Because good sleep shouldn’t be inaccessible.
The Bear Original lands at just over a 7 on the firmness scale, making it a great option for every kind of sleeper — the blend of gel memory foam, innerspring coils, and breathable quilted cover feels firm but not too hard like you’re sleeping on the floor. (Sleepers who prefer a cooler bed can also upgrade to the Pro Hybrid model that offers the same firmness but with individually encased coils.) Safe, sustainable, and supportive, we love this cost-friendly mattress for everyone in your home — and they will, too — or your money back.
Bear Mattress Review | “I’m so glad I chose a Bear classic! It is super firm, but it doesn’t have a hard surface. Before this I had been sleeping on a very hard spring mattress that would hurt my hip or shoulder bones when I slept on my side. The Bear has a top layer that is gentle to my bones, while being also super supportive.” —Maria P. (Read all reviews)
5. Spindle
Best For | Customizable firmness
Firmness Rating | 5–7.5/10
Features | Made in USA, OEKO-TEX & GOLS/GOTS certified organic materials, 365-night trial, 10-year limited warranty, 25-year comfort program, financing available, gives back to community organizations
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $1,600
It’s hard to know your ideal firmness without trying a bed out in person, right? But with Spindle’s Choose Your Firmness option, you can rest easy (pun intended) because each mattress comes with three layers — and you get to choose the firmness of each. A soft layer measures at a 5/10 and a firm is a 7.5/10 on the firmness scale. Prefer one soft, one medium, and one firm? Or maybe you want all three layers to be firm? Mix and match to your heart’s extent (or your back’s, if we’re being honest), and even swap single layers out as your needs change.
Each bed is also thoughtfully crafted with sustainable materials like organic Dunlop latex from Sri Lanka, organic wool sourced from New Zealand, and organic cotton. Available in five standard sizes, it’s like creating your own dream bed with the best materials you can imagine. (And let’s say, after five years, your top layer is not as firm as you’d prefer — Spindle will give you 30 percent off another layer to add in.) That’s guaranteed comfort for life.
Spindle Mattress Review | “When I first found your website I was so impressed with the idea of being able to adjust this mattress by leaving the layers separate…That said, do we love it? Yeeees!!! Just right for our backs that have seen lots of manual labor.” —Jim B. (Read all reviews)
6. Earthfoam
Best For | Organic mattresses
Firmness Rating | 5–7.5/10
Features | Made in USA, GOLS/GOTS, OEKO-TEX, & Fair Trade certified organic materials, 100-day trial, free shipping & returns, 10-year warranty, financing available
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $999
Earthfoam really does look to the earth for its organic mattresses — from natural foam rubber (sourced via farmers in Sri Lanka) to certified organic cotton from India to New Zealand wool, Mother Nature can make your best night of sleep possible. And while the idea of rubber may seem artificial, natural rubber is durable, breathable, and an exceptional remedy for those with back pain. In fact, the company’s approach to natural foam rubber is so popular that other businesses can buy Earthfoam for their own products, too!
Choose from one of six sizes and either “medium” or “firm” firmness — the medium is a better fit for side sleepers while stomach and back sleepers will prefer the firm one. The five layers come together to keep your spine neutral while also cushioning your body’s pressure points, all without that sinking feeling you might find in other beds. As a small business, Earthfoam is happy to chat through any questions before purchase and if you’re still not loving it, you can leverage free shipping and returns along with a decade-long warranty.
Earthfoam Mattress Review | “I ordered a firm mattress. It’s firm but not [sic] rockhardsolid! It’s perfect! Between my Earthfoam mattress and pillow, my sleep quality has improved significantly.” —Karen B (Read all reviews)
7. Naturepedic
Best For | Split firmness
Firmness Rating | 3–10/10
Features | Made in USA, GOTS, MADE SAFE, & GREENGUARD Gold certified organic materials, 100-night trial, free shipping & returns, 25-year warranty, financing available, gives back via 1% for the Planet
Sizes Available | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Price | Queen mattresses starting at $3,999
Sleep next to a partner who wants a plush bed while you prefer a rock-solid mattress? Naturepedic’s EOS Trilux mattress may be the answer to both of your dreams (or maybe…the lack thereof if you’ve been sleeping unsoundly!). This customizable mattress offers split firmness for each side, with five firmness options to choose from: Plush, medium, cushion-firm, firm, and extra-firm. Similar to the Spindle, there are three interchangeable layers so you can change layers in the first 100 nights for free. (If you’re not sure what that means, here’s a video that might help!)
Beyond its customized comfort, there are some pretty impressive materials here too, including organic wool, organic latex, organic cotton, and sugarcane PLA — all of which earn numerous safety and sustainability certifications. Naturepedic cares about environmental sustainability outside of production too, donating to eco-friendly initiatives via 1% for the Planet. Personalized to you and your partner, and better for the planet? This is what true luxury feels like.
Naturepedic Mattress Review | “I no longer wake with back pain. I no longer sink uncomfortably into the bed. I will no longer purchase any other bed in the future…it’s firm like a mat but has a good amount of give. As someone who’s had a spring, memory foam, and bamboo mattress I can honestly say I like this one the best.” —Asia (Read all reviews)
Featured image is from Saatva
Henah Velez (she/her) is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade as well as the Executive Producer and Operations Lead of Money with Katie at Morning Brew, a personal finance brand for women. She’s also the co-founder of Departure, a quiet travel newsletter for women. Say hi on Instagram!
