The 5 Leading Firm Mattresses Available on the Market

The Big Fig is a hybrid foam, latex and coils mattress. With a remarkable weight capacity of up to 1,100 pounds, it's designed to cater to heavyweight sleepers. Yet, despite being exceptionally supportive, it remains comfortable enough to appeal to those of average weight as well.

The Big Fig is 13'' high. It has a comfort layer of 0.5'' supple latex giving a pleasant bouncy feel and relieving pressure. The mattress' transition layer consists of three 1'' sub-layers of hardened poly foam with density ranging from 1.8 lb to 2.5 lb. This gradual increase in density enables the mattress to both contour sleepers and counter the sinkage caused by the comfort layer.

A support layer of 7'' individually encased low gauge coils generates lift further reducing sinkage helping the mattress carry much greater weights. To reinforce the perimeter and improve edge support, another layer of 3'' dense poly foam encircles the coil system allowing sleepers to lie away from the center and still feel secure.

The Big Fig regulates temperature well making it a great cooling mattress. The latex in its comfort layer has a perforated structure promoting air flow neutralizing body heat. The latex is also infused with gel, which assists in dissipating remaining hot spots under sleepers' body. Lastly, the coils facilitate air circulation intensifying the cooling effect.

The Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid is a foam and coils mattress offering a sound balance of pressure relieving contouring and support. The mattress has three firmness models of soft medium and firm, with the latter being built for heavier sleepers. What is more, both the King and California King sizes can be split to include two firmness levels accommodating couples with differing comfort needs.

The Sparrow is 12'' thick. It has a top comfort layer of 1'' of malleable memory foam, which perfectly molds to the body giving a cozy feel and preventing to accumulation of pressure. Another comfort layer of 3'' flexible poly foam gives pressure relieving bounce while at same time reduces sinkage. The foam in the firm model is much denser (28 ILD versus 20 and 10 ILD in the medium and soft models), and that makes the mattress stiffer.

A combination of 1'' hardened poly foam (30 ILD), 6'' pocketed coils and a base layer of ultra-dense poly foam keep sleepers stable on the mattress.

The hardened poly foam in the second comfort layer of the Sparrow's firm model and the coils system ensure that sleepers aren't trapped in bed and can easily change their positions

The Sparrow is also equipped to prevent over-heating. Its cover contains phase-change materials. These materials pull heat away from the body giving a cooling sensation. The memory foam in the first comfort layer is infused with gel, which also disperses excess heat. The coils, on their part, enable cool air from the outside to penetrate into the mattress reducing temperature.

Lastly, and equally important, the Sparrow is sold with a lifetime warranty, giving you the peace of mind knowing your mattress is covered indefinitely.

The Layla Memory Foam, as its name suggests, is an all foam mattress providing pressure relieving contouring and strong support. The mattress is flippable, featuring a soft and a firm side accommodating sleepers with diverse comfort preferences.

The Layla has a height of 12.5''. Both of its sides share a thick support layer of hardened poly foam. The difference between the sides is that the soft one has a thick comfort layer of 3'' medium-soft (3.5 PCF) body-conforming memory foam and a transition layer of 2'' elastic medium-density (1.65 PCF) poly foam. The firm side lacks a transition layer, which makes it less contouring. Its comfort layer contains the same type of memory foam with the same density, but it's only 1'' thick and much less sinkable while still providing comfort for XL sleepers.

Sleepers lying on the Layla's firm side will be able to reposition themselves without difficulty. The comfort layer, in addition to being thin and not very sinkable, contains copper gel, which makes it more responsive. The copper gel also reduces heat retention enabling sleepers to enjoy a cool and pleasant night's sleep.

The Amerisleep AS2 is an all-foam medium-firm mattress. It's the right mattress choice for heavier sleepers as it delivers strong and advanced zoned support while ensuring pressure-relieving contouring necessary to make these sleepers feel comfortable at night.

The AS2 is 12'' thick. Its comfort layer is crafted from 2'' of ultra-conforming 10 ILD memory foam giving a pleasant melting-into-the-bed sensation. A transition layer of 3'' highly dense 40 ILD poly foam reduces the sinkage caused by the memory foam layer above it preventing a 'quicksand effect'. The poly foam applies Surface Modification Technology, which creates 5 distinct support zones enabling the mattress to target individual areas in the body, the sections of the spine in particular.

A support layer of dense 35 ILD poly foam generates lift assisting the transition layer in curbing sinkage and adding durability to the mattress as a whole.

Despite being an all-foam mattress, the AS2 scores high when it comes to temperature regulation. Its surface remains cool and dry even after prolong sleep owing to a breathable and moisture wicking cotton and polyester cover. The memory foam in the comfort layer has an open cell structure. It promotes better airflow effectively dispersing heat. The poly foam in the transition layer is also aerated thanks to its convoluted design.

The Leesa Original is a medium-firm all-foam mattress which works well for average and heavyweight people thanks to being both contouring and supportive. Moreover, the mattress is sold at an affordable price, and so it'll appeal to buyers on a budget.

The Leesa Original has 3 layers giving it an overall height of 10''. The first layer is made of elastic low-medium density poly foam designed to provide contouring without causing excess sinkage. The second layer contains softer memory foam wrapping the body giving a cozy feel. The third layer consists of super-dense poly foam. Not only does it increase the mattress' durability, but it also enables it to support heavier sleepers.

The Leesa Original promises a quiet and peaceful night's sleep. Its two upper poly foam and memory foam layers absorb much of the energy generated by sleepers' movements reducing motion transfer.

In addition, the mattress doesn't hinder sleepers' mobility. The bounce provided by the responsive upper poly foam layer together with the hardened poly foam bottom layer make sure sleepers won't have to exert too much effort repositioning themselves throughout the night.