#1 in Sleep Product Research Millions Served Since 2008 Ratings > Mattresses and Bad Back Problems Unbiased Comparisons Based on 22,478 Owner Experiences Some mattresses perform significantly better than others in preventing / relieving pain, including back, hip and shoulder pain. Before discussing which are best, three interrelated terms are important to understand: support, conforming ability, and firmness. Support refers to how well a mattress keeps the sleeper's body on a flat and level plane. Owner experience data shows that support is a key factor in preventing and alleviating pain, especially back pain. Support can be undermined by excessive softness and excessive firmness – but it is most often undermined by sagging of the mattress. Sagging is the top complaint of mattress owners overall with at least 30% reporting a significant problem. Sagging occurs when part of a mattress, usually the middle, becomes compressed and lower than the rest.
Sagging often puts a person's spine into an unnatural position – especially for side and stomach sleepers. Consequently, mattress owner experience data shows a clear connection between sagging and pain, especially back pain. The greater the sagging depth the more likely it is that sagging will cause a person to have discomfort or pain in bed and possibly out of bed. * especially for side and / or stomach sleepers. It should be noted that despite the fact that back pain for many people may occur with less than 1.5 inches of sagging depth, many mattress warranties cover sagging only if it has a depth greater than 1.5 inches. Conforming ability refers to how well a mattress conforms or molds to the contours and curves of a person's body. A mattress has good conforming ability if all of one's body is supported equally by the mattress. A lack of conforming ability means there are gaps in support. The result can be that at least one part of the body – such as the lower back – is placed in an unsupported, unnatural and therefore stressed position which can cause pain.
A lack of conforming ability also often results in some parts of the body – namely shoulders and hips of side sleepers – feeling more pressure than other parts because of unequal support. Such pressure can be a source of significant discomfort. Having the right firmness is an important factor in preventing / relieving pain. Learn more: Mattress Firmness Guide & Comparison. The graph below shows the pain-relieving ability of the different mattress types based on actual owner experiences. The types that are better at reducing (back, hip and shoulder) pain are more supportive, less likely to sag and more likely to have effective conforming ability. Keep in mind that the chart represents what is often but not always the case; model or individual mattress may go against these findings somewhat. Sagging and loss of support (barring mechanical breakdown) is usually less of a problem with airbeds compared to most other bed types. And the air chambers inside an airbed provide at least fair conforming ability and allow for adjustable firmness / support to suit personal preference and sleep position.
Airbeds, however, with little or no comfort layer can be too firm on hips and or shoulders of small- to average-sized side sleepers. While memory foam mattresses can develop problems (sagging, excessive softness, and loss of support) these problems tend to not be as common or serious as they can be with innerspring-based mattresses (memory foam's main competition). Memory foam also provides good conforming ability for average- to large-sized people. Firmness levels tend to be mostly medium to medium-firm. Smaller-sized people may experience excessive pressure points as they tend to not exert adequate pressure on the mattress to benefit from the foam's conforming ability. Latex can develop body impressions and soften to some extent, but these problems tend to not cause widespread pain problems. Latex often conforms moderately to the body. Firmness tends to be medium to firm (but soft varieties are available). Hybrid mattresses often provide above-average support, but such support breaks down for at least 18% of owners within three years due to sagging.
Conforming ability tends to be good if at least two inches of memory foam is present. A variety of firmnesses are available. While waterbeds are often highly conforming, their support is questionable. At least 15% of owners claim that their waterbed causes back pain because of poor support. Firmness can be adjusted somewhat by adding or removing water. Innerspring mattresses often provide at least fair support, but such support breaks down for at least 20% of owners within three years due to sagging. Models with a significant comfort layer often provide fair conforming ability, while models with a minimal comfort layer often provide poor conforming ability especially for small- to average-sized people. Futon mattresses offer mostly fair support and conforming ability. Futons tend to be more firm than soft. While mattress support, mattress conforming ability, and mattress firmness are crucial factors for preventing / relieving pain, they are not the only factors. One's choice of pillow is important as well.
If your pillow – specifically its loft or height – is not compatible with your mattress – specifically its firmness level – then neck, upper spine, head and shoulder discomfort or pain are possible. See our pillow loft guide and calculators to learn how much loft may be best for you. So you already know what kind of sleeper you are; now it’s time to shop around for the best firm mattress on the market. Firm mattresses are commonly preferred by back sleepers, stomach sleepers, or people who are on the heavier side. In addition to knowing who these mattresses are best for, it also helps to know what factors are key- because as product reviews have shown, not all firm mattresses are created equal. The best firm mattress has a nice balance of support and firmness. It addresses sagging potential, edge support, air flow, and provides great support to your core- that includes the spine, hips, and neck. A rock hard mattress isn’t necessarily a good mattress. Look for mattresses that call attention to pressure points and natural support of the core muscles.
So, first off- what type of sleeper might benefit from a good firm mattress? Back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and heavy sleepers are all potentially in the market for a great firm mattress. For people who sleep on their back, a firm mattress keeps your spine in alignment and prevents excessive sag into the contours of a soft mattress. Stomach sleepers benefit from a firm mattress for similar reasons. Stomach sleepers keep a very flat profile, which results in fewer gaps between your body and the mattress. The best firm mattress for stomach sleepers will be firm enough to keep your back from arching, while also preventing your pelvis from sinking down into a soft mattress. For overweight sleepers, soft mattresses lead to unnecessary sagging, and in the end may result in back pain or neck stiffness. It’s important to note that your weight, body type, sleeping position, and feel preferences all factor in to the ideal firmness and support you need. For example, a 130 pound stomach sleepers most likely won’t need as firm of a mattress as a 200 pound stomach sleeper.
Consider your weight and body type when determining the firmness you need. Also, check out our mattress firmness guide for more information on selecting the feel and firmness that’s most appropriate to your. Sagging in a firm mattress can be a big problem for sleepers. In some cases, excessive sag is due to inferior material quality and in other cases it’s just due to the actual material properties. Many mattress warranties will cover sagging the exceeds 1.5″, but you’ll want to make certain of the warranty details before purchase. Mattress sagging and foam indentation can occur gradually over time. Mattresses that are very old may simply no longer have the structural or material integrity to provide an appropriate level of support. 8 to 10 years is a good lifespan for most mattresses, however, weight, usage, body type, and firmness requirements may increase or decrease the total performing lifespan of your mattress. Edge Support is another factor to look for in the best firm mattress.
This is especially true for overweight sleepers. For many people, the bed plays multiple roles during the day, and many people find themselves sitting on the edge to do a variety of activities. If you fall into this category, it’s especially true for you! Mattresses that claim to be firm, yet are lacking in edge support could eventually become a problem. Poor edge support can lead to mattress sagging as you sleep regularly on it. For sleepers who share a bed (with a spouse, pet or child), you may find yourself sleeping on the edge more often than you’d like. That means the qualities of the edge of the bed need to be as consistently firm as the center of the mattress, not a weak point for inevitable failure. If you utilize a Split King you will also want to make a point to ensure you’re looking at mattresses with great edge support. Poor edge support in a Split King setup will yield a virtual no-mans land in the middle of the mattress. Lastly, amorous activities are a final consideration you’ll want to consider when determining edge support.
Many couples enjoy utilizes the edge of the mattress for sex. Your weight and amorous preferences can guide you on the level of edge support and push back that you need. See our best mattress for sex for more information. Unhappy sleepers typically look for firmer mattresses when they are struggling with back pain, neck pain, or hip pain- all core muscles that, if irritated, can begin to affect how the rest of your body feels. Support of the spine, hips, and neck while you sleep will leave you feeling more energized, well-rested and ready to tackle the day. Over time, inconsistent support on any of these areas may activate certain pressure points and begin to cause discomfort or pain. Proper support maintains that core alignment and prevents excess pressure and strain on those muscles. So you’ve found a great firm mattress, but here’s a question you may not have considered yet. Does it breathe well? Air flow is especially important in firm mattresses because they are typically much denser than softer mattresses.
This density is great when providing your body with the support it needs, but it’s less than ideal when trying not to overheat yourself during the night. As a general rule, inexpensive foam mattresses are not going to have the air flow your mattress needs to help keep you cool at night. Due to their construction, innerspring and hybrid mattresses naturally have better air flow and retain less heat while you sleep. But what these mattresses have in air flow, they might lack in body support so be sure to look for that critical core support in the construction. So you know what factors are important in the best firm mattress. You know who benefits from firm mattresses, what to look for, and why it’s good for your body. But now here’s the million dollar question- what one is the BEST firm mattress? Because every body is different, there are actually a few different ones I’d recommend. The best firm mattresses are:Natural materials, balanced hug, great feel. Available in firm & relaxed firm.$1,099
Traditional cover with deeper hug.. Available in firm, medium, & soft.$1,099 Hybrid design with coil-on-coil construction. Great edge support, bounce, and cooling. Available in firm, medium, and soft.$999Built from latex, microcoils, & polyfoam, Customization makes it great for couples & varying firmnesses. All latex comfort layers. Great bounce, response, and cooling. Available in firm, medium, & soft.$712 High density memory foam. Comparable to Tempur-pedic Contour line of mattresses. All of these mattresses have a couple key factors in common. They have minimal foam indentation over time, have a material construction that allows for efficient core support, and even pressure point distribution. Additionally, all of these mattresses have good to very good edge support. Side sleepers would most likely not be satisfied with these choices, due the excessive firmness that a side sleeper doesn’t require (or typically benefit from, see here if you’re a side sleeper) While all sleepers are different, there is one thing we can be certain of.