Best Firm Mattress

Brooklyn Bedding’s Titan Plus combines above-average durability and edge support, making it a good choice for sleepers over 230 pounds. It also has an attractive price-point, so shoppers on a budget can still take advantage of its benefits.

How Does It Feel?

The Titan Plus has an 11-inch profile and a firm (8) feel. The stomach and back sleepers on our testing team found that the solid surface helped encourage proper spinal alignment, but those under 130 pounds and our side sleepers reported that it felt a little too firm.

The pocketed coils are designed to stabilize the top layers while encouraging a spinal alignment. Two inches of high-density polyfoam reinforce the base. The Titan Plus uses gel infusions and pocketed coils designed to help remove excess heat, and people who tend to sleep hot can opt for an additional cooling top panel.

Why We Like It

The cover contains gel-infused memory foam designed to provide subtle pressure relief while drawing heat away from the sleeper. During our temperature control tests, thermal mapping tools detected very little heat buildup on the surface.

The rest of the hybrid structure integrates foam comfort layers with a robust pocketed coil core. Our testers noted that the layer of TitanFlex polyfoam adapted to their bodies without conforming too closely.

The mattress ships free of charge for customers in the contiguous U.S. Purchases include a 120-night sleep trial, but customers must keep the mattress for at least 30 days before making a return. The Titan Plus also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Comfort is a subjective mattress quality, but some models come closer to universal comfort than others. The Lytton Signature Comfort Firm is one example of a mattress that should appeal to a wide range of sleepers. While this luxury hybrid is considered firm (7), a thick, foam-based comfort system ensures ample cushioning and contouring. We also appreciated the targeted support of the zoned coil system.

How Does It Feel?

Adaptive polyfoam quilted into the cover gives the Signature Comfort Firm an invitingly plush feel when you get into bed. Beneath this layer rests 3 inches of proprietary Serene foam that conforms to your body’s unique curves while also pushing back against your weight and keeping you on an even plane. The top layer is infused with cooling gel, so the foam layers shouldn’t sleep uncomfortably warm, either.

The coils resting beneath your midsection are thicker than those under your head and legs. This creates balanced support for your entire body, even if you carry extra weight in your chest, stomach, or hips. High-density base foam rounds out the 13-inch design. Air flows freely through the coils to ensure a comfortable interior temperature, and the cover is made from a breathable blend of organic cotton and polyester for added cooling.

Why We Like It

Firm mattresses can be somewhat polarizing, but most of our testing team awarded the Signature Comfort Firm a rating of good or better. The mattress was particularly popular among our side sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds, and our back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds.

The thick foam layers also allows the Signature Comfort Firm to alleviate pressure well. In our experience, this is a performance area where hybrids tend to struggle. Temperature control is another strength we observed during our tests, as thermal mapping imagery revealed little to no heat buildup on the Comfort Firm’s surface.

The Signature Comfort Firm’s sticker price is on par with other hybrids sold today, and standard ground delivery is free for customers in the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a sleep trial with your order that runs for 100 nights. If you decide to keep the mattress after the trial ends, Lytton further backs your purchase with a 20-year warranty against structural defects.

Made with high-quality materials, the Helix Dawn Luxe has a firm (8) feel designed with stomach and back sleepers in mind. Not only is this one of the firmest mattresses we’ve tested, it also features three foam layers in the comfort system to alleviate pressure points.

How Does It Feel?

The Dawn Luxe features a breathable Tencel cover and a pillow-top cushioned with dense memory foam. Our testers reported that the foam interior gently contoured the body, and the cover kept the surface cool. Beneath the pillow-top, there’s also a layer of gel-infused memory foam that is engineered to alleviate pressure points and promote proper spinal alignment.

Two layers of polyfoam complete the comfort system. We found that the thicker top layer provided a good balance of adaptive support and subtle bounce. The transitional polyfoam layer provided even contouring while absorbing shock from the steel springs.

Why We Like It

Testers felt they got a good balance of support and contouring from the zoned support core, which focused its support on the back and hips while contouring the shoulders and legs. Our tests also showed that the thicker gauge coils reinforced the perimeter and reduced sagging along the edges. The high-density polyfoam that forms the mattress’ base helps ensure that the upper layers function optimally.

We recommend the Helix Dawn Luxe for sleepers who want a higher-end firm mattress designed to provide good support. However, while back and stomach sleepers over 130 pounds are likely to enjoy this mattress, side sleepers may need something that provides a little more contouring.

The Helix Dawn Luxe comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty. Shipping is free to all 50 states.

A firm mattress sometimes comes at the expense of pressure relief, but the WinkBed manages to merge support with comfort. With four different firmness options — medium soft (4), medium (6), firm (7), and Plus (8) — this mattress can accommodate a range of sleep positions and body sizes.

How Does It Feel?

The WinkBed integrates contouring and bounce by combining polyfoam comfort layers with different-sized coils. The comfort system for standard models consists of a Euro-top with a eucalyptus-derived Tencel cover designed to wick away heat while gently cushioning pressure points. This is followed by a layer of adaptive polyfoam. In the Plus model, the comfort layer is composed of latex for added support and responsiveness.

Zoned coils make up the support core. Thicker coils rest beneath your midsection to push back against extra weight in your torso and hips, while thinner coils cradle the head and legs. The perimeter is also reinforced to limit sinkage when you sleep near the edges or get in and out of bed.

Why We Like It

Our testers reported that the coils provide robust support. This quality was most evident with the firm and Plus models. Steady airflow through the coils and the moisture-wicking Tencel cover also helped the WinkBed perform well during our temperature control tests.

We also found that the mattress does a great job of providing pressure relief at a variety of firmness levels. This makes the WinkBed a good choice for sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress but still need solid support at pressure points. We recommend either of these models to anyone looking for a balance of firmness or pressure relief.

Customers have 120 nights to test the mattress and determine if it’s a good fit. One free exchange is permitted during this time if you aren’t satisfied with your initial firmness selection. WinkBed backs your order with a lifetime warranty that covers certain flaws in materials or craftsmanship. The company also offers free shipping on orders delivered to the contiguous U.S.

The Tuft & Needle Hybrid is designed for hot sleepers who enjoy a supportive but not overly firm feel. The mattress uses different cooling technologies to help minimize heat retention, including pocketed coils, carbon fibers, and graphite infusions.

How Does It Feel?

The Hybrid features three comfort layers and a sturdy coiled core in a 12-inch profile. Our testers found that the stretchy polyamide-polyester cover added a plush feel to the surface. Beneath that, the carbon fibers and graphite infusions in the memory foam interior are formulated to draw heat away from sleepers. A thicker polyfoam layer supports spinal alignment, while microcoils allow the mattress to lightly hug the body. The transitional polyfoam layer below prevents deep impressions from forming.

Tempered steel coils form the support core, lending the mattress stability and above-average edge support. The springs add what our testers felt was a moderate degree of bounce, which makes changing positions easier. The pocketed coils also promote airflow, helping to keep you cool.

Why We Like It

While sleepers under 130 pounds typically benefit from extra cushioning, not everyone enjoys an extra-plush feel. The Tuft & Needle Hybrid’s medium (5) feel is suitable for lighter-weight sleepers who want a solid surface that isn’t too firm. During our tests, the mattress also performed well for people between 130 and 230 pounds across different sleep positions.

Our testers reported that the mattress’ above-average responsiveness helped keep their bodies upright, which can also prevent overheating. The solid edge support also makes it a good fit for anyone needing a bit more stability when getting in and out of bed.

The Tuft & Needle Hybrid includes a 100-night sleep trial, and shipping is free for customers in the contiguous U.S. The company stands behind the mattress with a 10-year warranty.