A mattress’s firmness level can be one of its most important qualities in helping you fall asleep. But like so many other mattress features, firmness levels are subjective. One person’s definition of a “really firm” mattress is another’s “not firm enough.” What’s more, manufacturers’ inconsistent labels don’t help us qualify firmness levels. A mattress maker’s “firm” can vary as much as a clothing designer’s Size 8.
In this article
- Best Firm Mattresses: Innerspring Foam
- How CR Picks the Best Firm Mattresses
More on Mattresses and Mattress Toppers
Best Mattresses
Best Mattresses for Hot Sleepers
Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Best Mattress Toppers
To better identify and explain firmness,we measure it by applying a load to the mattresses that gradually increases to 1,000 newtons, or 225 pounds. While that load is increasing, we plot the curve of the mattress’s deflection. The deflection at key points on this curve is then analyzed to determine a value that we then present on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest.
Because we use a consistent scale, you can compare the firmness level of all the mattresses in our ratings and make an informed buying decision. For example, the Serta iComfort Hybrid Firm Mattress receives only 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
If you want a truly firm mattress, you’ll be better off considering mattresses with at least a 7 on our firmness scale, even if they’re not specifically described by the seller as firm. Keep in mind that a mattress’s firmness level, whether a 7 or a 3, doesn’t indicate whether a mattress has a good or bad feel, just how soft or firm it is compared with other mattresses in our ratings.
Chris Regan, who oversees mattress testing at Consumer Reports, recommends that shoppers start browsing at retailers by trying those that land around the middle of our firmness scale. “Then make adjustments from there, moving softer or firmer based on what you feel when lying on the mattress,” he says. (For more mattress-shopping strategies, including answers to frequently asked questions, see our mattress buying guide.)
To see all of CR’s sleep coverage, go to ourGuide to Better Sleep.
Best Firm Mattresses: Innerspring
These are the only two innerspring mattresses that receive a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, based on our latest round of testing. (You’ll have more to choose from if you’re open to exploring mattresses that are medium-firm or softer.) Like most innerspring mattresses without an added pillowtop, the highlighted models below don’t retain heat, so they’re great for hot sleepers.
Best Firm Mattresses: Foam
Foam mattress lovers have many firm foam mattresses to choose from. What’s more, a high-quality foam bed can typically offer some curve-conforming pressure relief, too, despite the stiffer feel. All the mattresses highlighted below earned a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale and come from brands that have near-the-top ratings in owner satisfaction and comfort for their foam mattresses.
How CR Picks the Best Firm Mattresses
To highlight the firmest mattresses, we pored over our most highly rated models. (You can read more about the tests we performed to determine these ratings in our review of the best mattresses of the year.) We then filtered for those with a firmness score of 7 or higher. That means in addition to having a stiffer feel, these mattresses offer the features that you’d want in a high-quality mattress in general, such as solid support and durability.
We also assessed brand comfort ratings for each mattress type (innerspring, foam, and adjustable air). These are based on members’ assessments of comfort. Higher ratings indicate better comfort. Our brand owner satisfaction ratings are based on members’ feelings of overall satisfaction with their mattresses.Results for both are gathered from Consumer Reports’ 2022, 2023, and 2024 Winter Surveys covering almost 61,000 mattresses purchased by CR members between 2014 and 2024.
To see the results for each mattress we tested, check out our comprehensive mattress ratings of more than 260 models, where you can sort according to firmness level as well as price, sleep-position support, and other criteria that are important to you. You can also use our mattress finder tool, which can help you pick the right mattress based on your preferences.
