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(Top 5) Best “Extra-Firm” Mattresses to Buy Online: Firm, Flat & Supportive

If the majority of supposedly “firm” mattresses that you lay on are still not firm enough, then you have come to the right place. The mattresses listed in this post are the firmest of the firm on the market. These mattresses are made for customers who want an extra-firm mattress that still provides them with comfort and proper support. We have listed firm mattresses in a variety of different categories to meet all material and different firm comfort preferences.

QUICK PICKS

  1. BEST OVERALL (EDITOR’S PICK) – Plank
  2. BEST EXTRA FIRM FOR SIDE SLEEPERS – Helix Twilight
  3. BEST EXTRA FIRM MEMORY FOAM OPTION – AS1
  4. BEST EXTRA-FIRM FOR HEAVIER INDIVIDUALS – Titan Firm
  5. BEST LUXURY EXTRA-FIRM – Bear Elite Hybrid

Top 5: Extra Firm Mattresses


1. The Plank

Best Extra-Firm Overall (Editor's Pick)
by Plank Mattress

BEST FIRM MATTRESS

Inspired by the minimalist approach to sleep in the Far East, the firmer, flatter, flippable surface of the Plank mattress creates a neutral spine position that’s better for your back and posture overall. The dual comfort design offers two variations: the top side of the mattress features an ultra-firm sleep experience; the bottom side of the mattress feels like a traditional firm, allowing for a highly customizable sleep. Each Plank mattress is manufactured to order in their own factory in Arizona and shipped directly to your door.

What we love:
  • Built specifically for people who love a firm mattress
  • Flippable (2 sided) - Firm and Extra-firm sleeping option
  • Reputable manufacturer. 1000+ reviews.
Buy Here

What our testers are saying:

The Plank mattress was specifically made for “extra firm” mattress lovers. The Plank calls itself “The Firmest, Flattest, Healthiest way to sleep”. The mattress is 2 sided and allows sleepers to choose from a “firm” or “extra firm” sleeping option. This mattress is made by the Brooklyn Bedding family and is a trusted name in the industry. Brooklyn Bedding has been in the mattress industry since 2008 and makes all of their mattresses in their own factory in Arizona. This allows them to cut out the middleman and sell direct to the customer, saving you money and giving you a great product at an affordable price. The plank uses high density foam for support and a tight knit cover for ultimate firmness. The firmness of the plank mattress is great for offering support and spinal alignment to anyone with back pain

flippable-plank-mattress
The plank mattress is double sided and allows sleepers to choose from a firm or extra firm sleeping surface. Not all “firm” preferences are the same. What feels firm to someone may feel extra firm to someone else. The plank allows you to choose from 2 different firmness levels to meet your unique firmness preference.
cooling plank-cover
The Plank comes with an optional cooling cover that you can add for an additional $100. This cooling cover will help the mattress to sleep even cooler during summer months.

This mattress also comes in a variety of popular odd sizes like olympic queen, RV king, RV queen and three-quarter.

WHAT CUSTOMERS LOVE:
2-sided for firm and extra-firm comfort options. Built specifically for firm-mattress lovers.


2. The Helix Twilight

Best Extra-Firm Option for Side Sleepers
by Helix Sleep

This is the firmest mattress that Helix manufactures. It is specifically formulated to be extra firm while still giving pressure relief to side sleepers. The Twilight does not have any sink or give. You will sit firmly on top of the mattress, keeping your body supported and flat. Helix makes all of their mattresses to order in their own factory in the USA. They are one of the most awarded manufacturers in the industry and highly reviewed, using quality materials that are made to last.

What we love:
  • Extra firm feel
  • Built specifically for side sleepers
  • Luxury pressure relief
  • Highly Reviewed
  • Made in the USA
  • Supportive hybrid design
  • Premium cooling cover
Buy Now

What our testers are saying:

Helix has been around for many years and is a well known and trusted brand in the mattress industry. They are most known for their luxurious mattresses that cater to each type of sleeper and their specific needs. The Twilight is made for firm mattress lovers who sleep on their side. If you sleep on your side a typical firm mattress may not have enough pressure relief for the curves of your body and can leave you with aches and pain. The Twilight provides a firm flat sleeping platform while still offering pressure relief for the natural curves and pressure points when sleeping on ones side. This mattress combines the supportive benefits of a pocketed coil innerspring unit with the pressure relieving benefits of a firm memory foam layer.

inside-the-twilight-firm-mattress
The Twilight utilizes the benefits of pocketed coil innerspring support with the pressure relief and firm nature of memory foam to provide a firm supportive platform that works well at providing relief to hips and shoulders when sleeping on your side.
cooling-breathable-mattress-cover
The cover on the twilight is breathable and sleeps cool even in summer months.
side-sleepers-firm-mattress
The twilight is built specifically for the side sleeper who loves an extra-firm supportive mattress. The mattress keeps you sleeping flat on top without sinking but also give pressure relief to hips and shoulders.

WHAT CUSTOMERS LOVE:
Affordably priced. An extra-firm mattress made specifically for side sleepers.


3. The AS1 by Amerisleep

Best Extra-Firm Memory Foam Option
by Amerisleep

FIRM MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS

The AS1 is the firmest mattress that Amerisleep offers. It is a simple memory foam style construction with a luxury breathable cover. The base layer is made with high density support foam for ultimate firm support. The thin layer of memory style foam on top offers just enough comfort while not being to “soft”. if you prefer the feel of a memory foam mattress but want a firmer feel then this is a great mattress for you. 

Buy Here

What our testers are saying:

The AS1 is the firmest mattress that Amerisleep offers. It is a simple memory foam style construction with a luxury breathable cover. The base layer is made with high density support foam for ultimate firm support. The thin layer of memory style foam on top offers just enough comfort while not being too “soft. If you prefer the feel of a memory foam mattress but want an extra-firm feel then this is a great mattress for you. 

as1-pressure-relief-firm-mattress
The AS1 provides a firm feel with very little sinking into the mattress. This mattress will give you the feel of memory foam while providing enough firm support that you sit firmly on top of the mattress.
as1-angle-cooling-cover
The AS1 has a breathable tight knit cover that sleeps cool even in the hotter summer months. The tight knit cover doesn’t provide any soft cushy feeling and keeps the mattress feeling firm and flat.

WHAT CUSTOMERS LOVE:
Extra-firm memory foam feel. Breathable and sleeps cool.


4. The Titan Firm Hybrid

Best for Heavier Weights
by Titan Sleep

BUILT FOR HEAVIER WEIGHT LOADS

SUPPORTIVE AND DURABLE CONSTRUCTION

The Titan Hybrid by Brooklyn Bedding was created specifically as a plus-size solution for plus-size sleep. It is designed with substantial support for heavier sleepers, the Titan Hybrid pairs two layers of the highest quality foam with heavy duty, premium coils—delivering extra lift and extra durability for the life of your mattress.

What we love:
  • Built specifically for heavier weight loads
  • Made in the USA
  • Firm supportive feel
  • Great value
Buy Now

What our testers are saying:

The Titan mattress is one of the only mattresses built specifically with heavier sleepers in mind. Many firm mattresses claim to be firm but when a heavier sleeper lays on them the layers aren’t able to keep their intended support functions. The Titan stays firm and supportive for heavier sleepers. Titan makes a pillow top and firm option and if you prefer a firm bed then this is a great pick for you. The Titan is backed by Brooklyn Bedding and has the trust and factory direct savings that Brooklyn Bedding has become known for. 

titan-mattress-angled
The titan firm is built with a heavy duty pocketed coil system in order to hold more weight without compromising its feel and comfort.
titan-texture-cooling-cover
The Titan firm has an optional upgraded cooling cover to keep you sleeping even cooler during summer months.

WHAT CUSTOMERS LOVE: Firm feel and heavy duty support. Build specifically for heavier individuals.


5. The Bear Elite Hybrid “Extra-Firm”

Best Luxury Extra-Firm Option
by Bear Mattress

The Bear Elite Hybrid is a luxury hybrid mattress with a supportive wrapped coil innerspring unit and pressure relieving comfort layers. This mattress is available in a variety of firmness levels from luxury-plush to Extra-Firm. Bear is known for their memory foam mattresses and this mattress combines their memory foam design with the support of a traditional mattress. The mattress sleeps very cool and is built to last for years.

What we love:
  • Luxury materials and build
  • Choose firmness level: Luxury-Plush to Extra-Firm
  • Made in the USA
  • Sleeps Cool
  • Supportive Wrapped Coils System
Buy Now

What our testers are saying:

Bear has taken their original memory foam mattress to the next level and provided a luxury Hybrid mattress that incorporates heavy duty pocketed coils for a traditional mattress feel with extra support. Their extra-firm option is the most luxurious and high end extra-firm mattress in the industry. If you want a well made luxury mattress with an extra-firm feel then you can’t go wrong with the Bear Elite Hybrid.

supportive-firm-bear-elite-mattress
The Elite Hybrid uses heavy duty pocketed coils for a supportive and firm base. The extra-firm option uses minimal comfort layers to provide pressure relief while keeping you flat and supported.
side-view-elite-hybrid-mattress
Elite Hybrid has a luxury cover that you find in only the most high end mattresses. It is naturally breathable and sleeps very cool.

WHAT CUSTOMERS LOVE: Luxury firm feel and heavy duty support.

What is an “extra-firm” mattress?

The typical scale of mattress firmness goes from 1-10. One being the softest and 10 being the firmest. A. extra-firm mattress typically ranges between 8-10 on the firmness scale. An extra firm style mattress is the firmest mattress you can get while still providing enough pressure relief and contouring for your body to sleep comfortably and healthily. The “extra-firm” realm of mattresses is perfect for those who lay on a standard firm mattress and believe it is not firm enough for them. 

What is the hardest mattress available?

The hardest or “firmest” mattress on the market is probably the Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding. The Plank is 2 sided and offer sleepers a firm and extra firm sleeping option. This mattress is built specifically for sleepers who prefer and ultra firm mattress. 

Is an extra firm mattress good for your back?

An extra firm mattress is suggested to be better for you back due to its supportive nature and proper alignment of the spine. However, if you are a side sleeper you pay opt for something a little less firm in order to allow for the proper curvature of your spine. 

What are the different types of extra firm mattresses?

Extra firm mattresses are available in a variety of different materials and styles. This allows for customers to still be able to choose a mattress that meets their comfort and material preferences even with the customized size specs.

  • Hybrid : A hybrid mattress is a fancy way of specifying that the mattress utilizes innersprings as well as foam. This gives the sleeper the traditional bounce and support of a spring mattress while also providing pressure relief and comfort properties of a foam mattress. 
  • Latex: Latex is known as the most “natural” option when is comes to mattress materials. Latex is poured form the rubber tree and is made without the use of harsh chemicals or additives that other products are made with. It is important to note that there are strict guidelines for mattresses in terms of chemical additives these days and many of the chemicals used in the past (such as Flame Retardant sprays) are no longer used on any mattresses.
  • Memory Foam: Memory foam has recently become very popular in the bedding market. The material was originally made for use by NASA and was ultimately used in mattresses due to its unique pressure relief and cradling properties. Memory foam has a very unique feel that some people love and others hate. If you have never tried sleeping on a memory foam mattress before it is important to note that the feeling it very different from a traditional spring mattress.

Extra-Firm Mattress Pricing

In general an extra-firm mattress utilizes less materials than a plush or softer pillow top mattress, therefore they tend to be slightly less expensive. The majority of quality extra-firm mattress builds will be around $700-$1200.  Latex mattresses are generally more expensive due to the higher natural material costs. 

Things to consider before choosing an extra firm mattress.

There are a variety of options when it comes to extra firm mattresses on the market and it is important to think about your specific needs when choosing which may be best.

  • Usage: How often will you be sleeping on this mattress? How long will it need to last? If you plan to sleep on this mattress for multiple nights in a row or want it to last for many years we recommend staying away from the entry level affordable mattresses. These entry level mattresses are intended for occasional use and won’t hold up as well as some of the higher end mattresses.
  • Sleeping style: Are you a back or stomach sleeper or a side sleeper. While an extra-0fi4m mattress may be great for a stomach or back sleeper you may want to opt for something slightly softer if you sleep on your side. 
  • Material: There are a variety of different mattress materials thart you can choose form when it comes to extra-firm mattresses. Latex is natural and will give more of a bounce feel. Memory foam conforms to your body and is great at offering pressure relief for joints. A hybrid mattress will feel most like a traditional innerspring mattress and will give amazing support while also conforming to the curves and movements of your body.

Should I use a mattress topper with an extra firm mattress?:

A mattress topper will make an extra firm mattress feel softer. We only recommend a mattress topper if you intend to make your mattress feel softer, not for making it firmer

Alternative options for purchasing an extra firm mattress?

If you prefer not to purchase your mattress online you can look for custom mattress factories in your area to build you a mattress you can test out before buying and build to your specific firmness level. A couple custom mattress manufacturers you can check out in person are:

What to do with your old custom mattress?

When you purchase a mattress online you are left to find a way to get rid of your old one. Luckily “A Bedder World” has mattress disposal services throughout the country. We work with mattress recycling centers to make sure your old mattress gets disposed of in the most eco-friendly manner possible. To date we have recycled over 500K mattresses. Book a pick up here. Or try recycling it yourself!

Conclusion

Extra firm mattresses are common in the industry, however, there are only a few retailers who provide them. All of the companies listed in this post are companies that we trust and that have great reputations within the sleep community. You can feel confident placing an order with any of them.