Best Extra-Firm Mattresses Of 2024 For All Types Of Sleepers (Tested)

While every sleep setup should share a few key similarities to maximize sleep quality—such as minimal light and noise pollution—other factors are personal.

One preference that's likely to vary from person to person? Mattress firmness.

A few factors can affect the right mattress firmness for you, including your sleep position, body weight, and any issues with chronic pain.

So while the thought of snoozing on the best extra-firm mattress may not be for all, it's a fairly popular pick for those who sleep on their stomach or need more support.

And because we understand the importance of a good night's sleep and the pivotal role a quality mattress plays in achieving it, we meticulously selected a range of extra-firm mattresses from top brands renowned for their quality and craftsmanship.

Our team of testers spent countless hours assessing comfort, durability, and support levels, considering various sleep preferences and body types.

Mattress type: Memory foam | Sizes available: Twin, XL-twin, full, queen, king, CA king, split CA king, short full, short queen, olympic queen, short king, RV king | Firmness options: Firm, extra-firm

Plank's name should tip you off to everything you want to know about this flat design. The flippable mattress gives just two options to sleepers: firm and ultra-firm.

According to the brand, achieving anything more firm than the "ultra-firm" side would require you to sleep "directly on the floor."

What that really means? Each side of the memory foam mattress has a different type of cushioning. One side has less than an inch of pillow cushioning, while the other provides twice the cushioning and a 2-inch foam comfort level.

We chose this mattress as our top pick simply because we were impressed by its innovative design offering multiple options within a single mattress.

It's unique flippable design allows sleepers to tailor their sleep experience to their precise needs, whether seeking substantial support or a slightly softer feel.

Mattress type: Latex foam | Sizes available: Twin, twin-XL, full, queen, king, CA king, split CA king | Firmness options: Medium firm

The most eco-friendly mattress in the line-up, this sleek pick is entirely biodegradable.

The 9-inch mattress is primarily composed of GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex, which is harvested from Avocado's personal farms.

Each dense layer of latex is cut into a patented zigzag wave pattern. While this sounds unconventional, it actually creates three pressure-relieving zones throughout the mattress with different levels of responsiveness.

Mattress type: Latex | Sizes available: Twin, twin-XL, full, queen, king, split king, CA king | Firmness options: Features ergonomic firmness zones 

If you’re someone on the search for a sustainable, supportive mattress that’s designed to last, then the Saatva Latex Hybrid could be the perfect fit.

The hybrid model combines the responsive, bouncy feel of latex with the adaptable spring of coils for a firmer option with stand-out support.

A great pick for those who like the feeling of sitting on top of their mattress rather than sinking into it, this Saatva design offers great edge support and solid motion transfer for a partially latex design.

Mattress type: Latex | Sizes available: Twin, twin-XL, full, queen, king, CA king | Firmness options: Medium, firm

Stay sustainable without spending a fortune; this all-natural pick is made with entirely organic materials. The 8-inch latex mattress is broken into two layers—a sturdy base and less dense comfort layer—to offer the optimal amount of pressure relief.

Despite this sturdy construction, you won't need to worry about the mattress overheating thanks to the layer of temperature-regulating wool batting surrounding the exterior.

Prior to testing for this buying guide, our team previously included the Zinus Pressure Relief Extra Firm iCoil® Hybrid Mattress.

Upon further examination, we felt this budget-friendly pick didn't offer the same quality of materials provided by the other options in the guide.

The brand also underwent scrutiny last year for including fiberglass in its mattress, which is used to as a natural flame retardant to prevent the use of chemicals.

Brands typically rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10. A lower number indicates softer cushioning, while higher numbers point to an extra-firm design.

While nearly all mattresses feature a comfort layer made with cushioning or responsive foam, soft mattresses tend to have thicker comfort layers versus the thinner layer on firm designs.

Side sleepers beware—an extra-firm mattress is not for you. Chiropractor Kevin Lees, D.C., of The Joint Corp previously told mbg that "a mattress that is too firm may cause shoulder and hip pain, as well as change the spinal alignment."

That's because side sleepers put pressure on their shoulders and hips, which needs to be counteracted by the mattress. An extra-firm mattress won't provide this responsiveness, making them a hard sell.

However, stomach and back sleepers can find an oasis in this solid construction.

The firm base keeps your spine in a neutral alignment when lying on your stomach or back, preventing your risk of aches and pains.

The extra-sturdy construction is also ideal for those who weigh more than 230 pounds, which is often the max weight considered for many designs.

The firmness of your mattress typically comes down to preference—and from there it's easy to find the right design for you.

Whether you want a hybrid mattress or simply prefer an option made with sustainable materials, we've got the best extra-firm mattresses for every sleeper.