The Best Firm Mattress of 2025, Tested and Approved by Our Mattress Smasher 9000 and Sleep Experts You Can Trust

Why we chose the Saatva Classic: The Saatva Classic isn’t the firmest mattress on the list, but it’s a luxury bed that balances firmness and pressure relief. People looking for an extremely firm bed will want to choose the Firm model of this bed. The Luxury Firm option is good for combination and some side sleepers. However, strict side sleepers will want to choose the Plush Soft option.

How it sleeps: The Saatva Classic is one of the nicest beds I’ve ever tested. It has the feel of a classic bed but is upgraded in all the right ways. It’s also one of the most supportive with its base innerspring, additional pocketed coil layer and zoned support system. The 3-inch European pillow top is what you’ll remember about this when it comes to feel. It’s super responsive and springy when I lie on it, as I would expect from an old-school innerspring mattress.

What makes the Saatva Classic a leg up for me is that it’s available in three different firmness levels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm and Firm) and two height profiles (11.5 inches and 14.5 inches). Everyone can sleep on the Saatva classic.

Runner-up: If you’re looking for a luxury-style bed that is a little more affordable, I’d recommend the WinkBed mattress. The Saatva Classic is nicer than WinkBed, but it still feels like a fancy hotel bed.

Why we chose the Plank Firm Luxe: If you want a bed that feels pretty close to how firm the floor is, you’ll like the Plank Firm Luxe mattress. It’s the firmest bed we’ve tested, and I’d recommend it to strict back sleepers and some stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers with sensitive breasts and side sleepers will want to stay far away from this bed.

“I used to be a strict stomach sleeper, and Plank was perfect for that. Its flat, supportive surface kept my spine and neck aligned correctly, and I never woke up feeling sore. I'd probably still be sleeping on Plank today if it weren't for my side-sleeping partner, who needed a much softer bed,” says Aly Lopez, sleep writer. 

How it sleeps: The Plank Firm is a hybrid mattress for firm bed lovers. It has a unique flippable design that offers you two firmness levels: firm or extra-firm. I can say without a doubt that the Plank Firm mattress is the firmest bed I’ve ever tested. But don’t just take it from me; our MS9K objectively rated the firm side a 7.1 and the extra-firm side a 9.5 out of 10. It’s the firmest mattress we've tested to date.

It has a responsive, neutral foam feel that everyone will like. You won’t sink into the Plank Firm Luxe mattress, which is expected from a bed that’s so firm. I recommend it only for people who truly want the firmest bed you can get.

Runner-up: The Plank Firm Luxe isn’t what I would consider a budget bed at just over $1,500 for a queen. The Plank Firm mattress is the basic tier bed from Plank that’s also extremely firm and is around $1,300. Regular sales drop the price to under $1,000.

Why we chose the Dreamfoam Doze: Not everyone wants to spend a ton on their next bed. The Dreamfoam Doze offers a super affordable all-foam option for those on a budget. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles other beds might have, but that’s part of the charm. However, it’s not the best long-term option for heavy people.

How it sleeps: The Dreamfoam Doze mattress surprised many of us on the team during testing. At only $240 for a queen, I was surprised by the quality and comfort of this bed. It’s got an accommodating neutral foam foam feel that appeals to most people. And when I say a neutral feel, I mean foam doesn’t feel thick and syrupy like Tempur-Pedic and not super bouncy like latex foam. It’s the type of feeling that everyone can agree is comfortable.

This all-foam mattress is available in three thicknesses: 7, 9 or 11 inches. The thicker the constructions go, the softer they get. People who want a firm budget bed should stick with either the 7-inch (firm) or the 9-inch (medium-firm).

Runner-up: If you’re on a budget but need the supportive coils of a hybrid mattress, the Dreamfoam Hybrid mattress is an excellent alternative. It’s a little more expensive, but it’s still an insanely affordable bed for the quality.

Why we chose the Nectar Classic: The new Nectar Classic mattress is an affordable memory foam bed that we think is about a medium-firm or 7 out of 10. It’s a good choice for back and stomach sleepers, though it’s probably too firm for most side sleepers.

“We always loved the Nectar Classic, but it got even better with the latest update,” says Wes Ott, senior video producer.

How it sleeps: If you’re familiar with the past version of the Nectar Classic, you know how dense and cradling the bed traditionally was. While I would still describe the new Nectar Classic that way, the team noted during testing that the middle foam layer balances out the dense top layer. It’s still the memory foam feel you love; it’s just a tad less dense than it used to be. I think this makes this bed more widely appealing. 

The new Nectar Classic also has an updated look. The cover is softer and more breathable than the old version. The Nectar Classic mattress isn’t the firmest memory foam bed out there, though I think the medium-firm level makes it a good option for more people.

Runner-up: For people who want an all-foam mattress for less money, the Bear Original is a good second option. It’s a little softer than the Nectar Original, but it’s still a good option for back, stomach and combo sleepers.

Why we chose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Without question, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is the coldest bed I’ve ever tested. Every type of hot sleeper can sleep on this bed because it’s available in three firmness levels. Back and stomach sleepers will want the firmest option.

How it sleeps: I’m a huge fan of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress. It’s the best firm mattress for hot sleepers because it’s one of the only beds that actually cools you. It’s also super comfortable. It has a neutral foam feel that you can sink a little bit into, but it’s nothing like the slow-moving foam of Tempur-Pedic. You can also add a pillow top if you want more of that feel.

Like the Saatva Classic, you also have three firmness choices with the Aurora Luxe. The firmest option is around a medium-firm or 7 out of 10 on our scale, giving it a nice balance of support and pressure relief. It’s not the cheapest bed out there, but the high-quality construction and cooling technology make it a must-have for hot sleepers.

Runner-up: If you’re looking for a budget cooling option, I’d suggest the Cocoon Chill mattress. You can also feel the cooling cover when you lie on this bed. Stomach and back sleepers should choose the firmest option of this bed.

Why we chose the Avocado Green: Those who want a certified organic and environmentally friendly mattress will love the Avocado Green mattress. It’s a firm bed, though the optional pillow top can give you a little cushion.

How it sleeps: The Avocado Green mattress sets the bar for organic beds. Everything in the bed is either recycled or responsibly sourced from organic farms, which follow strict regulatory guidelines. Because it has natural latex layers, the Avocado mattress has a bouncy, responsive feel. When I say that, I don’t mean you’ll bounce around on it, but rather that the latex foam snaps back into place quickly, so it’s easy to move around and switch positions on this bed. 

Latex foam tends to be a little firmer, so stomach and back sleepers will be happy to know that this bed is indeed on the firmer side. You can add a pillow top for a little extra cushion. With the pillow top, this bed scores a 6.4 out of 10 according to our Mattress Smasher 9000.

Runner-up: If you want to spend a little less, the My Green Mattress Natural Escape bed is our budget-friendly organic mattress pick. It’s not quite as supportive as Avocado, but it’s on the firmer side.

Why we chose the Purple Rejuvenate: The Purple Rejuvenate is a hefty, hybrid bed that has a zoned coil system that makes it great for people with back pain. However, it’s also one of the most expensive beds I’ve ever tested.

How it sleeps: The Purple Rejuvenate mattress is one of my favorites. It has a super comfortable pillow top that feels like a dream, though you still get the hint of Purple’s unique comfort when lying on it since the GelFlex Grid is deeper in the bed. You can feel the luxury construction and design each time you touch it.

The Purple Rejuvenate scores a 6.25 when objectively tested by our MS9K, so it’s not the firmest best out there. However, it does lean firm and has a really impressive construction that people with back pain will love. This bed has a targeted coil system that is slightly firmer under the back. 

Runner-up: The Purple Rejuvenate is a very expensive bed. If you’re on a budget, I’d suggest the DreamCloud hybrid mattress. It’s a hefty hybrid bed with a comfy pillow top. Not to mention, DreamCloud does some of the most generous sales out there.

Why we chose the Winkbed: For those who want a supportive bed but don’t want to give up on pressure relief, the WinkBed mattress is for you. It’s a premium mattress with a firm option that screams sturdiness. However, if you want a foam-feeling bed, this isn’t for you. 

"I’m not the biggest fan of firm mattresses. Instead, I lean toward something softer, like a medium-firm to medium mattress. The WinkBed is great for those who sleep on their sides and then switch to their stomach or back, like me. The pillow top gives me enough cushion when I’m on my side, but the bed still gives me enough support when I’m on my stomach,” says Caroline Igo, sleep editor. 

How it sleeps: I’m a huge fan of pillow tops, and WinkBed has one of the most comfortable options out there. When you lie on it, you sink ever so slightly into the pillow top, though not too far in since it’s a firmer bed. It’s one of the best options for both support and comfort.

WinkBed comes in four firmness options, though if you’re looking for a firmer bed, you probably want to stick to the Luxury Firm or Firmer options. Our MS9K gave us an exact firmness of 5.8 of the Luxury Firm model. However, if you want even firmer, you have that option.

Runner-up: I think WinkBed is a good value for the money. However, budget-brand Allwell offers a pillow-top bed called the Allswell Supreme mattress for only $487. This bed has more of a distinct memory foam feel.

Why we chose the Helix Plus Luxe: The Helix Plus Luxe mattress was built for burly bodies who want a firm bed. It’s a great choice if you want a traditional memory foam feel, though it might be overkill for average or petite body types.

“As a heavier individual, I seek out beds that are marketed to support larger people. This new mattress from Helix is an upgrade to its original Helix Plus mattress. Not only will it support heavy people, but it will also be a great option to those who weigh less and are looking for a bed slightly on the firmer side,” says Dillon Payne, director of video production. 

How it sleeps: When we were testing the Helix Plus Luxe mattress, we first noticed the cloud-like pillow top. It made me think of what you’d find in a fancy hotel. The Helix Plus Luxe mattress strikes a nice balance between being supportive and comfortable.

We found it to be a medium-firm while testing, though heavier people will probably experience it as more like a medium. That might make it a little too soft for those looking for a super firm bed, but the average person will be happy with the Helix Plus Luxe.

Runner-up: If you’re looking to save a little money and get a firmer bed, you can snag the Helix Plus instead. It’s a supportive option, though it doesn’t have as thick of a construction as the Luxe model. But it costs only $1,499 before.