- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- Trial Period
120 Days
- Warranty Period
10 Years
- Return Fee
Free
- Shipping Fee
Free
Plank Firm Mattress Review
The Plank Firm is an affordable all foam mattress tailored for sleepers looking for one of the firmest mattresses sold online. Its innovative design includes a flippable feature offering two firmness levels. On one side, a medium-firm feel provides a blend of solid support and gentle contouring, ideal for those who are looking for stability side by side with pleasant cushioning. The other side, designed with a firmer feel, meets the needs of plus-size people ensuring their sleep experience is, first and foremost, supportive.
* Buyers can opt for a GlacioTex Cooling cover for better heat dissipation at an additional price of $100-$200 depending on mattress size.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sold at a budget-friendly price
- Has flippable design with 2 different firmnesses
- Available in 9 sizes
- Offers strong edge to edge support
- Enables ease of movement
- Effectively regulates temperature
Cons
- Mediocre capacity for motion isolation
- No white glove delivery
Plank Firm Mattress Video Review
Mattress Construction
The Plank Firm is 10.25'' thick. It consists of four layers of foam at different density levels. The medium-firm side has an additional transition layer, which provides bounce and extra cushioning. The Plank Firm is among the mattresses with multiple firmness levels, making it a fine option for sleepers wanting a firmness selection in one mattress.
The mattress is available in nine different sizes including Short Full, Short Queen and Short King as well as three RV King sizes for people who love to travel and desire comfortable sleep while being on the road.
Cover: (Optional with an additional payment) 0.75'' polyester and polyethylene fiber GlacioTex Cooling fabric aimed at dissipating excess heat. This fabric is also hypoallergenic, waterproof and highly durable.
Support Layer: 6'' dense 1.8 PCF poly foam elevating the body and reducing sinkage.
Medium-Firm Side
Comfort Layer: 0.75'' of medium-density 1.5 PCF quilted poly-foam which gives mild cushioning with minimum sinkage.
Transition layer: 2'' of responsive medium density TitanFlex foam with latex-like properties providing pressure reliving bounce.
Firm Side
Comfort layer: 0.75'' of medium-density 1.5 PCF quilted poly-foam. Unlike the poly foam in the comfort layer on the medium-firm side, this poly foam features continuous stitching, ensuring no loft for an ultra-firm feel.
Feel
The GlacioTex Cooling cover, if chosen to be included in the mattress, disperses heat that is accumulated in the inner layers reducing the temperature on the surface giving a cooler sensation.
The manufacturer refers to the two sides of the Plank Firm as Firm and Extra Firm. Practically speaking, the firm side gives a medium-firm feel. The TitanFlex foam in its transition layer is less dense than poly foam. It can better respond to body weight and, therefore, offers cushioning and greater comfort. The Extra Firm side provides a sleep experience similar to firm mattresses of other brands. It focuses on keeping sleepers stable on the mattress minimizing sagging.
Pressure Relief
Side sleepers require a mattress which is contouring enough to avert pressure in their hips and shoulders. Those who weigh less than 250 pounds may find the Plank Firm to be excessively stiff.
Their counterparts who are heavier than 250 pounds will feel comfortable on the medium-firm side. The medium density poly foam in the comfort layer and the elastic transition layer will provide them with sufficient bounce to mitigate pressure in the sensitive areas in their body. The resilient support layer will lift their back preserving the spine's natural curvature.
Lightweight back sleepers may find the Plank to be too firm. They'll prefer a softer and more conforming mattress. Average back sleepers will get along well with the medium-firm side of the mattress. The medium density poly foam in the comfort layer will pad their lumbar back while the supple TitanFlex foam in the transition layer will reduce spinal stress enabling them to enjoy restful sleep. The support layer will ensure they won't sag too deeply into the mattress.
The Plank's firm side is more suitable for XL back sleepers. These heavier people need a more solid sleep surface which will keep them stable and ensure their spine remains properly aligned.
The Plank isn't ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers, even when it comes to the less solid medium-firm side. These sleepers need a more contouring mattress to wrap their abdomen and relieve pressure.
On the contrary, average weight stomach sleepers will find the Plank's medium-firm side to be highly comfortable. The medium density poly foam in the comfort layer and the responsive TitanFlex foam in the transition layer will target the area under their rib cage preventing the accumulation of pressure without causing too much sagging. These two layers will also create a buffer between their body and the hardened support layer making sure the mattress doesn't feel too rigid.
The Plank's firm side will appeal to plus-size stomach sleepers as it's supportive enough to prevent their midsection from plunging into the bed and their spine from being thrown out of its natural alignment.
Motion Isolation
The Plank Firm doesn't have a coil system, which means less vibrations and less motion transfer. However, the medium density poly foam its comfort layer contains allows only moderate sinkage and so it doesn't absorb much of the kinetic energy generated by sleepers' movements on the surface of the mattress. Moreover, the TitanFlex foam in the transition layer on the medium-firm side is more bouncy than contouring and, therefore, doesn't do a great job reducing motion transfer. Plainly, the Plank's capacity to isolate motion is mediocre at best. For most sleepers it'll suffice, but light sleepers who are disturbed every time their partner makes a sudden movement might have a problem.
Repositioning
Repositioning is the Plank Firm's forte. Its two firmness levels of medium-firm and firm keep sleepers 'on' the mattress instead of 'in' it allowing them to easily maneuver on the surface. The medium density poly foam in both sides' comfort layer doesn't cause much sinkage to the extent of making sleepers stuck in bed. The bouncy TitanFlex foam in the transition layer of the medium-firm side and the hardened support layer on both sides elevate sleepers' body increasing mobility. The ease of movement the Plank enables make it among the most ideal mattresses for couples engaging in intimate activity. These couple won't have to exert too much effort changing their positions.
Edge Support
Even though the Plank Firm's perimeter isn't reinforced, its edges are fairly stable. It's not surprising in light of the mattress' supportive nature. The Lack of malleable memory foam in its comfort layer and the hardened poly foam in the support layer let sleepers lie away from the center without being afraid of falling out of bed.
Heat Retention
Despite not having special features for heat dissipation, like gel, graphite, open-cell structure or phase-change materials — the Plank Firm remains cool even after prolonged sleep, which makes it a suitable mattress for hot climates. Since it doesn't cause much sinkage, a sleepers' body isn't swallowed by the bed, therefore it doesn't trap much heat. The TitanFlex foam in the transition layer on the medium-firm side is less dense than poly foam. It lets some fresh air penetrate into the mattress.
The GlacioTex Cooling fabric, in case it's added to the mattress, significantly increases the Plank's ability to regulate temperature. This fabric is highly breathable facilitating moisture wicking augmenting the cooling effect.
Frame & Foundation
The Plank Firm works well with most types of foundations, frames and adjustable bases sold on the market as long as they're solid enough with minimal to no flex. If a slat bed is used, buyers must make sure the gap between the slat doesn't exceed 4''.
Plank manufactures and sells its on platforms including adjustable bases. The most advanced adjustable base is the Ascension Ultra. It enables head and foot tilt and features preset positions as well as programmable memory positions, a wireless remote control, two USB charging ports, adjustable Power Base, Android and Apple App support and under the bed LED lighting. It can support up to 850 pounds. The base is shipped for free and is backed by a 10-year warranty.
Additional Details
Plank is a division of Brooklyn Bedding, an Arizona-based mattress company which was established in 1995. It started selling mattresses and bedroom accessories online in 2010. All its mattresses and other products are American made.
The Plank Firm, much like the rest of Brooklyn Bedding mattresses, is CertiPUR-US certified indicating it contains no ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates, heavy metals and any other materials which may risk human health or threaten the environment. Moreover, the company has adopted strict measures to minimize harmful chemical emissions, volatile organic compounds in particular.
Shipping & Delivery
The Plank Firm is shipped within 5-7 days, though there may be delays. The mattress will arrive at your doorstep rolled, wrapped in plastic and compressed in a box. The set up process is easy and intuitive and requires no technical expertise. Plank does not offer white glove delivery.
The plank is shipped to any destination within the 48 lower states via FedEx free of charge. Those living outside the contiguous USA will be happy to know that the mattress is shipped to Hawaii and Alaska for an additional fee of $125. Shipping to Canada is also available and it will cost you $250. These charges are non-refundable.
Trial & warranty
The Plank Firm comes with a 120-night trial and a break-in period of 30 nights. In other words, if you're not satisfied with the mattress, you can return it and get a full refund minus a $99 return fee 30 nights after it was delivered to you and no later than 120 nights. Returned mattresses are usually donated to charity.
The Plank is backed by a 10-year warranty. The warranty extends to the original buyer only and it covers sagging and/or defects in the cell structure of the foam resulting in splitting and cracking despite proper usage of the mattress and indentations on the surface deeper than 1.5''. In case one or more defects occur during the warranty period, the company will either repair or replace your mattress in a reasonable amount of time.
The warranty doesn't cover normal increase in softness and recovery properties of the mattress after a reasonable break-in period, normal wear and tear, stains, bed height and loose threads. The warranty will be voided if the mattress remains compress in its box for more than 60 days and if it's placed on an improper or insufficiently supportive foundation.
Our Mattress Reviewer's Comment
This Plank Firm mattress was gifted to a real family, in return for photos, videos, and a personal account. You have seen the media, and now here is how they experienced the mattress, in their own words:
Without a doubt this is the most firm mattress we have ever slept on. If you have kids that like to jump on your mattress, then they are not going like this one.
Because this is a flippable mattress, we loved having the option to test out both sides and then deciding on which side we preferred the most.
Plank promises a firm mattress, and they deliver.
~ David from Minnesota
The Bottom Line
The Plank Firm serves as an excellent choice for individuals weighing more than 150 pounds. Its unique flippable design with two firmnesses accommodates those seeking a mix of supportive and cushioning comfort while also providing the necessary robust support and stability for heavier individuals. Equally important, the mattress exhibits excellent performance in other areas which are essential for a high-quality sleep, and all at a wallet-friendly price.
Where is the Plank Firm manufactured?
Similar to all of Brooklyn Bedding's mattresses, the Plank is 100% American made promising you top quality.
How do I set up the Plank Firm?
The Plank Firm is delivered wrapped in plastic, rolled and compressed in a box. Carry the box to the room where you plan to put the mattress (big size mattresses require two people to lift). Take the mattress out of the box and place it on its foundation. Unroll it and carefully unwrap it. It'll start to expand. After several hours it'll reach its maximum size.
Does the Plank Firm have to be off-gassed?
Once the mattress is taken out of its box and the plastic wrap is removed, its foam will release gas containing volatile organic compounds. The amount of these compounds is low since the mattress is CertiPUR-US certified. You may discern a faint odor, but you don't need to worry. The gas is non-toxic and it'll disperse completely in 24-48 hours. Keeping your room window open will speed up off-gassing.
How much support does the Plank Firm provide?
The Plank Firm is a robust mattress capable of carrying up to 950 pounds of sleepers' weight
Does the Plank Firm require a special foundation?
The mattress fits most sleeping platforms you'll find on the market provided that they're adequately supportive. According to the manufacturer's guidelines, any platform you'll use must have minimal or no flex. When it comes to a slat bad, the slats shouldn't be more than 5'' apart.
How can I distinguish between the medium-firm and firm sides of the mattress?
When the logo is upright, the firmer side is facing you. Additionally, once you lie on each side of the mattress, the difference in firmness between the two sides will be immediately noticeable.
Are there any financing options for buying the Plank Firm?
Brooklyn Bedding works with Affirm. The latter is a financer which puts at buyers' disposal a program based on fixed monthly payments at low or zero APR. For more details, go to the mattress company's website.