7 Best Firm Mattresses of 2026: Personally Tested

Pros

• Superb pressure relief
• Cradles shoulders to keep spine aligned
• Stellar bounce

Cons

• Traps heat
• Couples may feel each other move

Features

• Materials: Innerspring
• Firmness levels: Medium firm
• Warranty length: Lifetime

Key takeaways from our testing

Near-perfect pressure relief and support. The Luxury Firm model of the Saatva Classic earned some of our highest scores for pressure-relieving capabilities and support. For pressure relief, it was awarded a 4.5 out of 5 across positions and 4.6 out of 5 for spinal alignment. Jerry, a 77-year-old higher-weight tester who prefers to sleep on his side, felt “amazing” while side sleeping and thought his spine felt aligned. “It has enough sinkage, but still feels firm,” he said. The Saatva Classic’s all-around pressure relief earned it a spot in our roundups of the best mattresses for arthritis and the best mattresses for hip pain.

Highly responsive. Innerspring mattresses get their support from a core layer of metal coils. And these types of mattresses — like the Saatva Classic — tend to be quite springy, which can help people move around and change positions more easily. In fact, when we dropped a 15-pound ball on the mattress in our bounce test, the ball rebounded an impressive 28 inches, which was more than the mattress average of 16 inches. This result earned it a perfect rating for bounce. Our 67-year-old tester, Dana, appreciated the springiness in helping her get out of bed. On the other hand, all that responsiveness can disrupt sleepers who are easily awakened. This mattress only earned a 2.5 out of 5 for its ability to dampen motion during our couples’ motion isolation test (in which testers lie blindfolded on one side of the bed while a member of our lab team moves on the other — and the tester rates how much movement they felt).

Poor cooling. Our lab team only rated the Saatva Classic a score of 1 out of 5 for cooling ability. We performed a cooling gun test to measure how well the mattress regulates body temperature. The test measured the difference in surface temperature before and after applying a heating pad. After one minute, the heat sensor recorded the surface temperature at 25.9 degrees hotter than its original temperature. This was the highest change of any mattress in our review. If you tend to sleep hot, you may prefer a mattress with better cooling features, such as the Leesa Sapira Chill. 

Best for Higher-Weight Sleepers: Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus

Score: 9.7 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Excellent pressure relief and support for higher-weight sleepers
• Eases pressure on back
• Durable, high-quality construction

Cons

• Subpar edge support
• Average bounce

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness levels: Medium firm
• Warranty length: Limited lifetime

Key takeaways from our testing

Supportive and pressure-relieving for higher-weight sleepers. Bryan, a higher-weight tester, gave the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus outstanding scores for its spinal support and pressure-relieving features in all sleep positions. “I think this one is up there for my favorite mattress," he said. "I feel like the top is so soft and comfortable, but my body isn't sinking in too much.” 

Top-notch pressure relief on back. Jerry, who experiences back pain, awarded the Nolah Evolution a perfect score of relieving pressure on his back. “My back and body feels hugged,” he said. “It’s very comfortable and my back is straight. I feel lightweight and no pressure is building up.” He also gave the mattress a perfect score for spinal alignment. “Usually my lower back feels pressure but this feels pain free and is keeping my spine straight,” he said.

Average edge support and bounce. Donna, a tester with an average body weight, appreciated the edges of the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus. But Jerry, who has a higher weight, said the edges didn’t provide the support he was hoping for. “The edge feels pretty slippery, partially because of the silky cover," he said. "The edge just makes you slide right off.” Weaker edges could make getting out of bed more difficult if you have pain or mobility concerns. Our testers thought the Helix Dawn offered some of the best reinforced edges of the mattresses we tested. Additionally, the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus earned an average bounce score of 3 out of 5, with a rebound of 17.75 inches. 

Best Cooling: Leesa Sapira Chill

Score: 9.6 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Best cooling performance of any mattress we tested
• Pressure-relieving in every sleep position

Cons

• So-so edge support
• Decent motion isolation

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness levels: Medium firm and firm
• Warranty length: Lifetime

Key takeaways from our testing

Stellar cooling. The Leesa Sapira Chill certainly lived up to its name during testing with its cooling cover, breathable coils and foams, and cooling infusions. During the cooling gun test, the Leesa warmed by only 7.9 degrees after heat was applied, indicating exceptional temperature regulation. Based on its top-notch performance, it’s one of only several beds we’ve tested that have earned a perfect cooling score. 

Comfortable with zoned support. Tester Donna rated the mattress stellar scores for pressure relief in all sleeping positions. She felt well-supported on her side and noted there was a good balance of cushioning and support for her joints. Even on her stomach, Donna said she didn’t think the mattress was overly firm and felt like she was able to sink into the layers while still having her spine supported. ”I feel really amazing on my back," Donna said. "I sink through the pillow top cover, and then my body is evenly supported by the layers underneath."

So-so edge support and decent motion isolation. A mattress with strong edges helps with your stability, especially if you have mobility concerns when getting in and out of bed. Donna thought she felt some sinkage when sitting at the edge of the mattress but still didn’t feel like she would slide off. “The edge feels better lying down with my weight more evenly distributed," she said. "I can feel my body slightly tilting over the edge, but it doesn't feel like I am going to fall off.” She gave the Leesa Sapira Chill a 3 out of 5 for edge support. This bed also earned a passable motion isolation score of 3 out of 5. Our testers reported feeling motion across the bed, so it may not be an ideal option for couples in which one person (or both) is a light sleeper.

Best Medium-Firm: DreamCloud Premier Hybrid

Score: 9.8 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Contours the spine in every position
• Excellent motion isolation for a hybrid

Cons

• Middling bounce
• Passable adjustable base compatibility 

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness levels: Medium firm
• Warranty length: Lifetime

Key takeaways from our testing

Impressive pressure relief. Testers liked the balanced support and coziness in every sleeping position. While Donna took away a point for side sleeping because she preferred more cushion, she rated the mattress a 4.5 out of 5 for back sleeping and gave a flawless score for stomach sleeping. “I’m not a stomach sleeper, so this is not how I would choose to sleep, but if I had to, I would want it on this mattress," she said. She thought the mattress conformed well to her body without pressure building up anywhere.

Excellent motion isolation and edge support. The DreamCloud was highly rated among testers for its ability to dampen movement, acing our couples’ motion isolation test. "I felt very little movement overall,” Donna said. She also gave the bed a stellar score for edge support. This means couples can have more room to spread out across the mattress undisturbed. 

A so-so bounce rating. While this hybrid earned the respect of our testers when it came to isolating motion, the same couldn’t be said about its bounce. The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid earned a 3 out of 5 in our bounce test. This score surprised our testers since hybrid mattresses tend to be bouncier due to their coil base layer. This lack of springiness could make it more challenging to switch positions or get out of bed. If you want extra bounce, the Helix Dawn earned a high score in that area. The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid may also not be the best choice to use with adjustable bases, as our testers noted that the fabric bunched when the bed bent. There also was some gapping between the bed and the base. It earned a 3 out of 5 on this measure.

Best Adjustable Bed: WinkBed 

Score: 9 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Firm yet flexible when paired with an adjustable base
• Near-perfect motion isolation

Cons

• Below-average support for stomach sleepers
• Subpar temperature regulation

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness levels: Medium firm, firm
• Warranty length: Lifetime

Key takeaways from our testing

Works well with an adjustable base. We tested the the Luxury Firm model of the WinkBed. Even though this model is considered a firm mattress, it’s still flexible enough to bend with the movements of an adjustable base. When our lab team placed the WinkBed on an adjustable base and tried different positions like raising the head of the bed, the mattress conformed to the base, leaving just a slight gap. If you need a mattress for an adjustable base, we recommend a mattress like the WinkBed that’s no thicker than 13 inches so it’s easier to bend.

Good choice for couples. Tester Dana was impressed with the motion isolation of the WinkBed, and the bed earned a perfect score on this measure. “I could not feel any of the movement whatsoever," she said. "The cover remained very still, and there was no bouncing or disturbance on my side at all.” During the ripple test, our lab team placed a beaker of liquid on one side of the bed and moved around on the other side while Dana watched how much the glass and liquid moved. They both barely moved, which earned the bed a score of 4 on this test. Dana also scored the Winkbed a 4 out of 5 for edge support, meaning couples have more space to spread out — even up to the edges. 

However, the mattress earned a low score for its cooling ability, which may be another factor of interest to couples. The WinkBed earned a lackluster score of just 2 out of 5 for our cooling gun test. If you want more temperature regulation, especially if you have a bed partner, the Leesa Sapira and Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus earned higher cooling scores. 

Below-average support for stomach sleepers. While combination sleeper Dana rated the WinkBed model a 4 out of 5 for back sleeping and 3 out of 5 for side sleeping, she only gave the WinkBed a 2.5 for stomach sleeping. “It's not as comfortable in this position because my lower back is curved a bit and feels less aligned with my spine," she said. "I need a mattress with a little more forgiveness." Since this bed is available in four firmness levels — Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer and Plus — stomach sleepers who want a more supportive bed for spinal alignment may prefer the WinkBed's Firm option. 

How we tested the best firm mattresses

We started our process by researching the market. Which mattresses are popular and why? Who has the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate? After talking with medical experts, we narrowed our list from 50 mattresses to the more than 30 we tested in our lab. 

To identify their strengths and weaknesses, we used controlled tests to assess characteristics like edge support, bounce and pressure relief. Then we recruited more than 15 testers ages 50 and older to give us their unbiased feedback.

Testers answered questions like: Did the mattresses provide good pressure relief on joints like the hips and shoulders? Is your lower back supported in every sleeping position? Is there pressure building up in a certain area of the body while lying on the mattress? Beds that excelled in our tests made our list of the best firm mattresses. 

You can learn more about our research, testing and review process for mattresses and sleep accessories in this article on our testing methodology. 

What is the mattress firmness scale?

Firmness is typically rated on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 being the firmest. These ratings are based on industry standards and are determined by the manufacturers themselves.

Since comfort is subjective, the right firmness can be different for everyone. The materials can determine how hard or soft a mattress feels. For instance, memory foam mattresses are typically thought of as softer and more contouring than innerspring or hybrid beds. However, it all comes down to the density of the foam — an all-foam mattress can be equally firm or firmer than a hybrid if the mattress uses higher-density memory foam with a thinner comfort layer. 

In general, mattresses have the following firmness levels: 

• Soft: About 1 to 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale
• Medium firm: About 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale
• Firm: About 7 to 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale
• Extra firm: About 9 to 10 out of 10 on the firmness scale

Although research shows medium-firm mattresses may offer more advantages for people with non-specific low back pain, individual preferences vary based on body type and sleep position.

How to choose the best firm mattress 

Almost half of our survey participants (48 percent) said they wanted a new mattress because their current mattress wasn’t comfortable anymore. 

If you think your mattress might be contributing to pain or discomfort, you may want to share any questions or concerns with your health care provider so they can best advise on your next steps. For instance, it might be time to consider upgrading to a mattress that is more supportive. Based on our testing, conversations with medical experts and our survey results, here are the most important factors to consider when looking for a firm mattress.

Mattress type

Firm mattresses can be made of foam, innerspring or hybrid. 

All-foam mattresses, such as those made with memory foam, are built with dense layers of foam. High-density foams may feel firmer and more supportive than low-density foams. Some people find this added firmness more comfortable to help support their back. More dense foams also help you move more easily to change position or get in and out of bed. 

Innerspring mattresses are made up of mostly coils, which are bouncy. These mattresses tend to be on the firm side, but since they lack foam layers, they may put too much pressure on joints. If you like the idea of springy coils to help with movement, you may want to try one with thick foam layers at the top, like the Saatva Classic. 

Hybrid mattresses combine the bounce of coils with the comfort and support of memory foam. Since hybrid mattresses differ in their materials and construction, they also differ in their firmness levels. 

Firmness

There is no one perfect firmness level. What is important is how supportive and comfortable the mattress feels to you. 

A mattress that’s too soft can cause too much sinking and flatten out your spine while you’re on your back, creating sort of a hammock effect, says Dr. Casey Slattery, an orthopedic spine surgeon with Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Orange, California.

But a mattress that’s too firm can create pressure. For example, lying on your side can put pressure on your hip joint, which can cause pain that’s often mistaken for sciatica, Slattery says. “Firm mattresses can also prevent the shoulders from sinking adequately, leading to pain and stiffness," he says.

Your sleeping position plays a role in which firmness level you prefer in a mattress. For example, if you’re a side sleeper, you may prefer a bed on the softer side to relieve pressure on your hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers may need a medium-firm to firm mattress to support the spine. While side sleeping, you can place a pillow between your knees to keep your hips and knees aligned, which can help provide relief if you are experiencing hip or back strain, according to Slattery.

Your body type also may affect which firmness level you choose. Lighter-weight sleepers may need a softer mattress for extra cushioning, while higher-weight people may need a firmer sleeping surface so they don't sink in too deeply for optimal comfort and support. 

Pressure relief

A mattress with good pressure relief helps distribute body weight evenly and cushion joints. Some firm mattresses may not have the pressure relief you need. All of the mattresses on this list scored a 3.5 out of 5 or higher for pressure relief.

If your current mattress isn’t giving you the pressure relief you desire, you also may consider buying a mattress topper, particularly one made of memory foam, says Dr. Hossein Aziz, a board-certified spine surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center in Ventura, California. A mattress topper may help ease pressure while still preserving the firmness you may need, he says. 

Spinal alignment 

Spinal alignment refers to maintaining a comfortable posture and the natural curve of your spine. All of the mattresses we reviewed scored at least a 3.5 out of 5 in our spinal alignment assessments. “A mattress with adequate firmness helps prevent excessive sagging, which can place the spine in a flexed or misaligned position,” says Aziz. 

For example, one of the models we reviewed, the Leesa Sapira Chill, included zoned lumbar support, which reinforced the middle third of the mattress where your lower back rests. Zoned lumbar support is designed to provide varying firmness across the surface. Meanwhile, all-foam mattresses like the Bear Original use high-density foam layers to provide spinal support. 

How much do the best firm mattresses cost?

The mattresses on our list ranged from about $1,374 to $2,570 for a queen, depending on the brand and model. The most affordable option was the Helix Dawn at $1,374. The WinkBed was the most expensive option at $2,570.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.