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The best firm mattresses can provide support and comfort for those who are struggling to get a good night’s sleep on a bed that’s just too soft.
Indeed, in some cases, sleeping on a firmer mattress may even be better for you, particularly if you’re on the heavier side or you sleep in a certain position. If you’re sinking too deep into your mattress, then your weight will be spread unevenly and you might not get enough support in all the right places. This, in turn, can lead to back pain.
In order to find only the best mattresses we’ve reviewed over 30 of them here at Expert Reviews, and we’ve picked out a few that stood out as feeling notably firmer in our tests. Our roundup features both foam and hybrid mattresses and covers a range of price points, but if you just want some quick recommendations, see our at a glance list below. And for more advice on buying a firm mattress, including some details on why you might need one, see our buying guide at the bottom of this page.
| Best firm mattress: At a glance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Simba Hybrid Pro (£1,299, king size) | |
| Best value for money | Silentnight Premier Inn 2.0 (£799, king size) | |
| Best budget | Dreams Dream Team Romsey (£579, king size) | |
How we test mattresses
Controlled testing and lab conditions aside, the best way to get an impression of how good (or bad) a mattress is is by sleeping on it. And this is what we do.
That said, there are some important factors we take into account as we do so. How comfortable is it? Does it feel plush and soft or does it offer firmer support? We also consider edge support and motion isolation (if you sleep with a partner, do their movements in the night disturb you?). Temperature control is another very important factor: for instance, some mattresses such as all-foam ones, might be warmer than others – this would make them less suitable for sleepers prone to overheating.
And the base on which your mattress lies – whether it’s a sturdy divan base, springy slatted bed or even the floor – will impact how the mattress feels beneath you. Though we don’t always have access to several base types when reviewing mattresses, we try to test them on the floor as well as on a bed frame.
Lastly, we factor in any potential trial runs being offered – which are very common within the bed-in-a-box market – before finally asking the pressing question, is the mattress good value for money?
The best firm mattresses you can buy in 2025
In the most recent update to our best firm mattress roundup, we have removed the HiGrid Premium Hybrid, the Nectar Premier Hybrid and the Otty Original Hybrid mattresses. They are still all good, solid (pun intended) mattresses – none have earned anything less than four stars, while the Nectar and Otty have also received Recommended awards. However, they don’t quite stand up to the tough and ever-growing competition, particularly compared to some of our most recently reviewed mattresses. The new additions to our roundup are the Silentnight Premier Inn 2.0, the Simba Earth Apex and the Dreams Dream Team Romsey.
1. Simba Hybrid Pro: Best overall
Price when reviewed: £1,249 (king) | Check prices at Simba
- Great for… fantastic, all-round support
- Not so great for… those on a budget
Simba describes the Hybrid Pro mattress as ‘medium firm’ on its website, which we’re inclined to agree with. In our tests, we found it to be very supportive as well as comfortable. To quote our reviewer in his full-length review, “There’s a tautness you don’t find in foam comfort layers and, as such, there’s much less of a sinking feeling, which is definitely a very good thing.”
The Hybrid Pro is constructed from layers of foam alongside two layers of micro-pocket springs. The Pro’s upper wool layer is also effective, not just as a layer of comfort, but also when it comes to temperature regulation. At £1,329 in a king size, it’s not cheap, but this is a great mattress if you can afford it.
Read our full length Simba Hybrid Pro review
Key features – Type: Spring and foam hybrid; Sizes: Single to super king; Trial period: 200 nights
2. Silentnight Premier Inn 2.0: Best value for money
Price when reviewed: £799 (king) | Check price at Premier Inn
- Great for… comfort and support that won’t break the bank
- Not so great for… flipping
The Silentnight Premier Inn 2.0 is almost identical to the mattresses you’ll find in the Premier Inn hotels themselves (with the only exception being that the pillow top cannot be removed). So, if you’ve been on any regional trips recently, there’s a good chance you may have already been able to judge one for yourself.
That aside, I found the Premier Inn 2.0 mattress supportive and definitely on the firmer side – yet still comfortable enough to sleep on my side as well as my back. Edge support didn’t disappoint either, allowing me to sleep comfortably even when lying at the very edge of the mattress.
The pillow top design unfortunately means you cannot flip the Premier Inn 2.0, which isn’t usually a fantastic sign for the mattress’ longevity: all pressure and wear will be limited to this top layer rather than evenly distributed across the mattress. However, in today’s mattress market, a one-way-up mattress isn’t uncommon – and besides, I’ve not tested the Premier Inn 2.0 for long enough to really call into question its shelf life. What I can say is that this is a very comfortable and supportive mattress that feels of high quality, particularly given its substantial 28.5cm depth, and – at £749 for a double and £799 for a king (when not discounted) – it’s sensibly priced too (though be aware there’s no mention of a trial period).
Read our full Silentnight Premier Inn 2.0 mattress review
Key features – Type: Hybrid; Sizes: Single to super king; Trial period: None mentioned
3. Dreams Dream Team Romsey: Best budget mattress
Price when reviewed: From £579 (king) | Check price at Dreams
- Great for… smaller budgets
- Not so great for… lightweight sleepers
The Romsey from Dreams’ Dream Team range is a great option for those who suffer from aches and pains. Our reviewer found the top layers of the mattress offer comfortable pressure relief, while the pocket sprung foundation provides firm support right to the edges. While the most lightweight of people might find the Romsey too firm, our reviewer – a lightweight person herself – found that it helped rid her of her lower back pain.
At 22cm, it’s also not as deep as some of its rivals, but nor is it as pricey. The Romsey starts at £429 in a single and rises no higher than £629 for a super king size. As such, it’s our budget pick for this roundup. You also get a 100-night trial period during which you can exchange your mattress if you don’t like it (though you can’t return it for a refund).
Read our full Dreams Dream Team Romsey mattress review
Key features – Type: Hybrid; Sizes: Single to super king (including small double); Trial period: 100 nights (exchange only)
4. Emma Hybrid Premium Mattress: Best for hot sleepers
Price when reviewed: From £359 (single) | Check price at Emma
- Great for… value for money and motion isolation
- Not so great for… those who want a bit more bounce
We found the Emma NextGen to be one of the most comfortable bed-in-a-box mattresses we’ve slept on. On the firmer side of medium-firm, it’s well-suited to both back and side sleepers and also offers great motion isolation – making it a good choice if you share your bed with a partner.
Like many hybrid mattresses, the NextGen Premium is made up of layers of foam and pocket springs. The latter are Emma’s ‘extra tall’ 18.5cm springs, which our reviewer noted make the mattress “feel properly structured and supportive” while also promoting airflow, making for a cool and comfortable sleep.
If you prefer something softer or, more specifically, with a bit more “bounce”, then the Emma NextGen Premium is perhaps not for you. But if a firm mattress is what you’re after, it’s a great all round choice. And at £799 in a king size, it’s pretty good value for money too. Plus, you’ll get Emma’s 200-night trial, during which you can decide for yourself whether it’s the right mattress for you.
Read our full Emma NextGen Premium review
Key features – Type: Spring and foam hybrid; Sizes: Single to super king; Trial period: 200 nights; Warranty: 10 years
5. Simba Earth Apex: Best all-natural mattress
Price when reviewed: From £2,099 (king) | Check price at Simba
- Great for… avoiders of synthetic materials
- Not so great for… anyone on a budget
Let’s ignore the eye-watering RRP for the time being. With its Earth range, Simba has departed from the usual spring-and-foam hybrid model in favour of a more au naturel construction. Our tester found the Apex, made from pocket springs and layers of wool, firmer than its “medium-firm” label yet still very comfortable in a range of sleeping positions. Motion isolation is also supremely impressive, perhaps making the Apex a good choice if you sleep alongside a restless partner.
The Apex is the most expensive of Simba’s Earth range. It’s also the most expensive mattress on this roundup and one of the most expensive mattresses we’ve ever reviewed. Natural fillings are always going to be more expensive than their synthetic counterparts and, at £2,099 in a king size, the Apex simply won’t figure in some people’s budgets. However, if you can afford it, it’s an excellent mattress. At the very least, a 200-night trial period (alongside Simba’s occasional online sales) should take some of the pressure off the investment.
Read our full Simba Earth Apex mattress review
Key features – Type: Hybrid; Sizes: Single to super king; Trial period: 200 nights
6. Otty Original Hybrid mattress: Best for a range of sleep positions
Price when reviewed: £745 (king) | Check prices at Otty
- Great for… a firm, thick design
- Not so great for... corner support
If you prefer a firmer feel, the Otty Original Hybrid is a fantastic choice. Constructed from 2,000 full-size pocket springs (140mm) alongside several layers of foam, the brand rates it as a 7/10 on their own “firmness scale”. While we did find it to be on the firmer side in our tests, it’s not actually the firmest on the list – though we still think this model is the best for most people. It’s comfortable and supportive (even if edge support could be improved). Our reviewer, who prefers to sleep on their back and side, said: “it provided excellent pressure relief in all the key areas, supporting my hips and lower back nicely.”
The Otty Original Hybrid has been subject to a few price increases and decreases over the years: it will now cost you £800 king size, which is pretty great value if you’re after a hybrid mattress without a four-figure price tag.
Read our full Otty Original Hybrid review
Key features – Type: Spring and foam hybrid; Sizes: Single to Emperor (also EU sizes); Trial period: 100 nights
How to choose the best firm mattress for you
How do I know if I need a firmer mattress?
If you find your current mattress too soft, this is an obvious indication that you might need a firmer one. Other indicators, as we’ve touched on above, include your body sinking too deep into your mattress, which can result in back pain.
As we said in our introduction, you might need a firmer mattress to support your weight if you’re on the heavier side. Another factor that will play a part in whether you need a firm or soft mattress is the position you sleep in. If you sleep mainly on your side, a mattress that’s too firm won’t be able to accommodate the contours of your body. On the other hand, if you sleep on your back and you’re trying to curb back pain, a firmer mattress may be the better option. Ultimately, you want a mattress that will be able to accommodate your sleeping position while also being firm enough to provide decent levels of support.
How firm is “firm”?
The answer to this, of course, is far from straightforward. We’ve tested a lot of mattresses here at Expert Reviews, and the ones that have made it onto our roundup above are the few that we feel stand out as being notably firmer than the rest.
However, as with anything mattress and bedding related, a degree of subjectivity is involved, and different people can have very different experiences with the same mattress. What we consider a relatively firm mattress, therefore, might still not be firm enough for you. With this said, our expert mattress testing aims to take into account different types of sleepers and we understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when recommending a mattress.
In any case, thanks to the bed-in-a-box market, you can avoid taking any financial risks when buying your new mattress. All of the brands we’ve featured in our roundup above come with a trial period at the end of which you can return your mattress for a full refund if you find that it’s not the right one for you.
