Key Takeaways
- Our testing revealed that the Plank Firm mattress is a great option for most average-weight (130–250 pounds) and higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) sleepers.
- The queen-size model costs $1,332, while the queen-size model of the Plank Firm Luxe, a hybrid version of the Plank, costs $1,532.
- The Plank Firm mattress has a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
Ensuring your sleep environment promotes quality rest can help you improve your sleep and minimize disturbances that might keep you awake. After all, getting plenty of restorative sleep is crucial for maintaining energy levels, supporting brain function, and regulating mood. One way to improve your sleeping space is making sure you have a comfortable, supportive mattress.
Our Handbook Team has tested over 100 mattress models, including the Plank Firm, a flippable all-foam mattress offering pressure relief and above-average support. Read on to learn more about this uniquely designed bed and determine whether it’s the best mattress for you.
Our verdict on the Plank Firm mattress
We think the Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding is a good pick for higher-weight (over 250 pounds) sleepers who need additional support, but our testing also revealed the mattress is a good fit for most average-weight (130–250 pounds) sleepers.
The Plank Firm is the brand’s firmest sleep surface and offers plenty of support without impacting pressure relief. The flippable mattress has two sides, one firm and one extra firm. Both sides offer the benefits of high-density, body-cradling foam suitable for a variety of sleepers. Our testers rated the Plank Firm high for firmness Brands rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. , edge support Edge support is the bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter. and cooling.
Average- and higher-weight sleepers who prefer a hard sleep surface will likely appreciate the Plank Firm’s overall firmness—with enough pressure relief to cradle the joints and relieve tension on the shoulders and hips.
People who tend to change positions in their sleep may also like the responsive feel of the Plank Firm, which helps with ease of movement. We also like that the mattress offers a solid blend of support, bounce, and cushioning that should feel comfortable to most sleepers. Our testers say stomach sleepers will likely find the Plank especially supportive.
That said, lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) back and side sleepers may need a softer mattress to get enough pressure relief.
We also found this mattress surprisingly cool for memory foam, with our testers rating it 4 out of 5. Our testers say while testing this mattress, they don’t feel the mattress heat up while lying on it.
Overall, the Plank Firm mattress offers a solid blend of bounce, edge support, and motion isolation The containment of movement on one area of a mattress so it doesn’t impact other areas. , which may make this a great mattress for couples easily disturbed by movement.
Our expert opinion
The Plank Firm is an all-foam mattress featuring a layer of responsive body-contouring foam and high-density foam topped at both ends with a comfortable, quilted material. The middle layer of foam was designed softer to help cushion the body and prevent pressure points The parts of a sleeper’s body that have the hardest contact with the bed surface, such as the shoulder, hips, ribcage, and tailbone. , which are common at the hips and shoulders. The densest foam layer helps provide support and keep the spine in a neutral position A position that allows for the spine to maintain its natural curves at the neck (cervical), middle (thoracic), and lower (lumbar) regions. .
According to our testers, the dense foam extends to the edges of the mattress, delivering great edge support (5 out of 5 from our testers). This form of support helps prevent you from rolling or slipping off the bed when lying near or sitting on the outer edges. Edge support is particularly important for people with mobility issues who need a strong edge to get in and out of bed. This feature can also benefit those who sleep with a partner because good edge support allows you to use more of the mattress’s surface.
Our Handbook Team rated the Plank Firm’s extra-firm side 9 out of 10 for firmness and 7.5 out of 10 for the firm side. Although still firm, we found it a little softer than the brand’s firmness rating. Stomach sleepers may appreciate the support a hard mattress like the Plank provides because they typically need a mattress to keep their hips elevated and spine neutral. People who sleep in more than one position throughout the night may appreciate the foam’s responsive feel, making it easier to get out of bed or change sleep positions.
During testing, the mattress performed well for most average- and higher-weight sleepers, but lighter-weight sleepers may find the surface too firm. Some side sleepers may also feel the firm surface doesn’t offer enough pressure relief. If you are looking for a better bed for side sleepers, read our review of the best mattress for side sleepers.
Keep in mind your body weight can impact the way a mattress feels. For example, some lighter-weight folks may find a firm mattress like the Plank Firm uncomfortably hard, while others with similar body types might still prefer the feel of a hard sleep surface.
That’s why testing a mattress before committing to the long haul can be helpful. Your sleep style and personal preferences play a significant role in determining whether or not a mattress feels comfortable to you.
Overall, we think the Plank Firm is a great pick for sleepers who prefer a firm sleep surface but also want decent pressure relief. If you want more information about firm mattresses, check out our round-up of the best firm mattresses.
From our tester
“I found it easy to move around, and when I lay on it my spine felt neutral and supported.”
How we test and choose the best mattresses
The Handbook Team has researched hundreds of mattresses online and in person and hand-selected about 130 (and counting) of the best models to test. We’ve also surveyed 1,200 total shoppers (in two 600-people surveys) and interviewed recent mattress customers to understand the buying process and how their new bed has impacted their sleep quality, physical health, and mental wellness.
According to one survey
According to one survey of 600 mattress shoppers, about 80 percent of all respondents say their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent report improved mental health.
Our mattress testing process
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite scores.
First-hand testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
Mattress surveys and interviews
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 total people. These include price, features, and the setup process. We also interview real people to understand better the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress and the benefits of purchasing one.
Objective and honest ratings
We use information from our surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews to determine the most important features in our brand and mattress testing scorecards.
We also weigh the following factors to determine an overall rating for each brand we recommend.
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 15 percent | Customer care center hours, support options |
| Brand Reputation | 10 percent | Years in business, lawsuits, class actions against this company |
| Features | 20 percent | Size options, firmness options, weight capacity, included add-ons (free sleep accessories) |
| User Experience | 35 percent | White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials |
| Affordability | 20 percent | Price, warranty, promotions |
Learn more about our mattress testing and review methodology.
Plank Firm mattress firmness and feel
Our testers scored the firm side 7.5 out of 10 and the extra-firm side 9 out of 10, saying they felt more “on top” of the mattress when lying on it. The Plank Firm is one of the firmest models our testers have slept on, but the quilted top and responsive foam layer help deliver good pressure relief. Plus, the mattress’s flippable functionality lets you decide if you like a firm or extra-firm sleep surface.
It’s important to remember that body weight can impact how firm a mattress feels. People with different body types and sleep styles may also have different firmness preferences.
If you’re looking for the traditional body-contouring feel of memory foam, this mattress is probably not for you. For more information about memory foam mattresses, check out our top picks for best memory foam mattresses.
From our tester
“I think this is definitely the firmest mattress I’ve slept on.”
Plank Firm mattress performance
In the sections below, we discuss how the Plank Firm might feel and perform for different types of sleepers.
Sleep position and body weight
Overall, our testers find the Plank Firm one of the best mattresses for heavy people due to its firmness. Most average-weight sleepers may feel supported by the Plank Firm, although some may not all receive adequate pressure relief. We think lighter-weight back and side sleepers will likely find the mattress too firm, but lighter-weight stomach sleepers may appreciate this firm, supportive surface for good spinal alignment.
Compare the Plank Firm mattress for different sleeper types
| Lower weight (less than 130 pounds) | Average weight (130–250 pounds) | Higher weight (more than 250 pounds) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back sleepers | Poor | Good | Ideal |
| Side sleepers | Poor | Good | Ideal |
| Stomach sleepers | Good | Good | Ideal |
While we mainly recommend the Plank Firm mattress for higher-weight sleepers, sleepers who change positions at night across the weight spectrum will likely appreciate the model’s comfortable blend of support, bounce, and pressure relief.
From our tester
“My body didn’t sink into the foam in a way that would make it hard to switch positions or move around. I found it very easy to switch positions.”
Plank Firm mattress pain relief performance
Many foam mattresses offer excellent pressure relief, but foam can sometimes feel too soft, causing support to suffer. Lack of support from a too-soft mattress can trigger body aches and pains.
The Plank Firm is an all-foam model with a firm feel that balances support and pressure relief. While it may not offer enough pressure relief for lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) sleepers or people with chronic shoulder or hip pain due to arthritis, the mattress might be the firmness sweet spot for higher-weight (over 250 pounds) and some average-weight (130–250 pounds) sleepers. Our testers rated it 4.5 out of 5 for back pressure relief, but they felt some pressure buildup in the side position and rated it 3 out of 5.
If you’re interested in softer mattresses for pressure relief and pain relief, check out our picks for the best soft mattresses and the best mattress for back pain.
Our overall thoughts about the Plank Firm
Our Handbook Team thinks the Plank Firm is a quality mattress ideal for higher-weight sleepers due to its blend of support, bounce, motion isolation, and pressure relief. Sleepers who change positions at night or people with mobility issues who prefer a firmer sleep surface may also appreciate the responsive foam construction.
Our favorite things about the Plank Firm
The two-sided design of this mattress makes it easy to switch firmness levels as needed. The Plank also delivers great edge support, which expands the usable sleep surface and may help extend the mattress’s lifespan. We also love that the mattress performs so well for sleepers who need extra bounce to help with mobility or movement.
Our Plank Firm mattress complaints
The Plank is a poor choice for most lighter-weight sleepers who will likely find the mattress too firm.
Frequently asked questions
The Plank Firm is made of memory foam. Brooklyn Bedding also sells the Plank Firm Luxe, a hybrid model containing innersprings in addition to foam.
A queen-size Plank Firm mattress costs $1,332 before discounts.
You can try out the Plank Firm for 120 nights before you decide to commit.