If you’re looking for a new mattress on the firmer side of the spectrum, you’ll want one that is supportive, comfortable, and long-lasting. We’ve tested dozens of mattresses over hundreds of hours, both in our labs and under real-world conditions with expert at-home testers. Our favorite firm mattress is the Saatva Classic Mattress, which combines a double-layer innerspring design with lumbar-supporting memory foam for a mattress that will holds its firmness for years. Here are the best firm mattresses. The first difference you’ll notice with the Saatva Classic Mattress is that it doesn’t arrive compressed in a box like many other popular online retailer mattresses. This is because the Saatva is primarily an innerspring mattress, with tempered steel base coils topped by individually pocketed coils. However, it also incorporates foam mattress innovations, with a layer of high-density memory foam running through the middle of the mattress to provide targeted lumbar support. Finally, there’s the organic cotton pillow top. The foam components of the Saatva Classic are all certified by CertiPUR-US, a non-profit that verifies that mattress foam exceeds emissions and materials standards, with no fiberglass, formaldehyde, mercury, or other heavy metals. The mattress also has durable edge support to prevent sagging and make it easier to get in and out of bed. “I fell in love with this mattress pretty much immediately,” our tester said. “I would often wake up with lower back pain, but the firmness on this mattress is perfect. In the first few weeks it softened slightly, which is to be expected. But so far it is still providing top notch support and comfort. I haven’t slept this well in a while.” She did note, however, that the Saatva was a little warmer than she expected. Although Saatva has a number of features designed for lower back support, another one of our testers praised the Saatva Classic’s versatility. “It was just as soft and comfortable when I slept on my back as when I slept on my side, as if it knew just how to adapt to my varying sleeping positions,” they said. The Saatva Classic Mattress is a particularly great pick for anyone looking for a firm mattress because it is available in two different firmnesses (plus a third “Plush Soft” option). “Luxury Firm” is more cushioned, and designed to sleep similarly to the bouncy but solid mattresses you’d find in a luxury hotel. “Firm” is less forgiving, and is meant to keep you from sinking into the mattress almost entirely. Saatva recommends it most for people whose doctors advise the purchase of a firm mattress. The mattress also boasts free white glove delivery and setup and a 180-night sleep trial. It’s available in all standard sizes, as well as twin XL and split king, and you can choose from two mattress heights. The Saatva Classic also features a lifetime warranty, which will replace your mattress within the first two years of its lifespan. After two years, repairs and re-coverings are still available for a $149 processing fee. Price at time of publish (Queen): $1,580 Above the innerspring system is a thick layer of high-density foam for support and stability, then an inch of copper-infused memory foam. As a conductive material, copper has a temperature-regulating effect that helps cool you down if you overheat. This all-star hybrid mattress arrives at your doorstep in compressed packaging. Just bear in mind the box will be heavy (the queen size is 90 pounds), and it’ll take about 24 hours to expand. We appreciate the Brick’s reasonable price tag, generous warranty, and free returns. You can also opt to have Allswell remove your old mattress for an additional fee. Price at time of publish (Queen): $699 Since this mattress is 14.5 inches thick, make sure you get an extra-deep fitted sheet. Price at time of publish (Queen): $2,749 The hybrid design also features upwards of 2,000 micro-coils that offer head-to-toe support while isolating movement. (Our tester said the springs sometimes make noise when you climb on.) The mattress is divided into three different zones, ensuring that the upper zone supports your shoulders and the center zone supports your lower back, providing targeted support to encourage the best possible sleeping alignment. Rather than foam, The Mattress also incorporates more natural textiles, including long-staple, 100 percent organic cotton and natural latex. Price at time of publish (Queen): $2,600 The surface features plush quilting and Feran Ice, a patented sweat-wicking textile with a cool-to-the-touch feel. This mattress also has edge support to keep you from rolling off. Since it’s pretty heavy (the queen is over 100 pounds), we recommend unboxing it in the room where it’ll end up. Price at time of publish (Queen): $1,299 On top is gel-infused memory foam that meets CertiPUR-US safety standards and a quilted surface with more gel fibers. The top layers help keep your body cool while relieving pressure points. This mattress does a great job of isolating movement too. Just a heads up, since it’s made to order, it’ll take a few weeks to ship. Price at time of publish (Queen): $697 All foams are CertiPUR-US certified, so you can rest assured they’re free of formaldehyde and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). This mattress doesn’t have edge support, but the firmness helps prevent sinking. Beyond the budget-friendly price and responsive design, we like that it comes in 10 sizes. You can expect it to expand fully just a few hours after unboxing it. It’s a fantastic budget pick as well. Price at time of publish (Queen): $450 All foams are CertiPUR-US certified for chemical safety. While there’s no built-in edge support, the firmness helps prevent you from sinking and rolling off. This affordable bed-in-a-box arrives in compressed packaging, so it might take up to three days to fully expand. Price at time of publish (Queen): $300 This hybrid mattress has a dense foam base, then individually wrapped support coils, followed by ergonomic foam, body-contouring memory foam, and finally, a top layer of the brand’s signature Dynamic Foam (a latex-foam hybrid). The medium-firm Midnight Luxe version was highly rated our tester, who said the firmness description was accurate. Since the Dawn Luxe is 14 inches thick, you’ll need an extra-deep fitted sheet. Price at time of publish (Queen): $1,849 The surface features soft quilting, and there’s edge support around the entire perimeter. This mattress is made to help back sleepers rest soundly without tossing and turning, though it might be slightly too firm for folks to snooze on their sides. Price at time of publish (Queen): $699 The multi-layered design has a wool pad at the base, then pocketed spring coils with varying levels of zoned support for your shoulders, hips, and feet. Just above is an additional wool pad for temperature-regulating insulation, followed by one more layer of fabric-wrapped micro-coils that promise to isolate movement and contour to your unique shape. Then there’s yet another wool pad, and finally, organic cotton quilting on the surface. All things considered, we just wish the price wasn’t so steep. Price at time of publish (Queen): $2,399 The upper layers consist of naturally derived, certified-organic latex rubber, plus humanely sourced wool that’s not just organic but also Oeko-Tex certified. While this model is probably too firm for side sleepers, Avocado has a pillow-top mattress that would likely feel better on the hips. Price at time of publish (Queen): $1,899

Thickness

Today, mattresses can be anywhere from six to 20+ inches thick. The thickness of a mattress can impact your experience in a few ways. For one, heavier individuals tend to need thicker mattresses to support their bodies and minimize sagging. Further, thick mattresses often need special sheets with “extra deep” pockets—an additional expense on top of your purchase. “The lowest-profile mattresses may measure between 2 to 4 inches, but high-quality mattresses will measure around 14 inches,” says Logan Foley, Managing Editor at the SleepFoundation.Org. “Typically, you should look for a mattress that is at least 12 inches thick.”

Heat Retention

When shopping for a mattress, think about whether you tend to get hot or cold at night. Certain materials, such as memory foam, are better at retaining heat, while others are better for temperature regulation, like latex and gels.

Standout Features

Third-Party Certifications

When choosing a new mattress, you may want one that’s been third-party tested for consumer safety. For example, a foam mattress with CertiPUR-US certification is free of heavy metals, ozone depleters, and other potentially harmful chemicals. If you’re looking for organic products, like a 100 percent organic cotton mattress cover, keep an eye out for Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification.

Motion Transfer

If you sleep next to a partner or a pet, you might want a mattress that reduces motion transfer. With this feature, your sleep is less likely to be disturbed when your partner rolls over or gets out of bed.

Why Trust The Spruce?

For this story, Theresa Holland compiled expert buying tips from a chiropractor and insights from our product testers, then researched today’s best firm mattresses. After considering dozens of options, she ultimately chose models that stood out in terms of support, durability, and comfort features, like temperature regulation, motion isolation, and body-conforming materials. Theresa has been covering mattresses, bedding, furniture, and home decor at The Spruce since 2019. You can read more of her articles on MyDomaine, Travel + Leisure, and People.