Extra Firm Mattresses

What is an extra hard mattress?

The sturdiest of the available UK mattress firmness ratings, extra hard mattresses offer enhanced levels of support that go above and beyond the kind found in a standard firm mattress or softer.

With an exclusive focus on lumbar and neck support to help you drift off into a peaceful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed, these sorts of beds are the pinnacle of mattress orthopaedics. They're generally recommended for specialist support and might be recommended by your doctor if you suffer from chronic back pain.

Why choose an extra hard mattress?

While a cushy and bouncy mattress can be just what’s needed after a hard day’s work when you're younger, as you get older, you might find that you need a mattress with additional support to minimise back, neck, and shoulder pain upon waking.

Alternatively, you might find that, as a heavier individual, a standard mattress doesn’t provide nearly enough support for your frame, making an extra firm mattress the perfect option for giving your body the support it needs in bed.

Either way, if you're looking for specialist support with an extremely firm feel, then an extra firm mattress is the way to go!

Is an extra firm mattress good for back pain?

When it comes to back support in bed, the general rule of thumb is the firmer the mattress the better. This is because the extra support offered by a firmer mattress can improve the posture of your body while sleeping, aligning your spine and neck to reduce aches and pains upon waking.

However, it’s best not to assume that a firmer mattress is going to be better for your back in all scenarios. For example, if you weigh under 150 lbs or 10½ stone, you may need the cushioning of a softer mattress. Likewise, if you weigh over 230lbs or 16½ stone and sleep on your front or back, a mattress that is too firm may actually aggravate pressure points.

Therefore, if you want to find the best mattress for back pain, you need to test your chosen mattress before committing to ensure it provides the comfort you’re after—our Sleep Trial can help with this!

What are the different types of extra-firm mattresses?

Despite their super firm rating, extra firm mattresses are available in a variety of common mattress types, including classic pocket-sprung models, hybrid mattresses, foam varieties, and dedicated reflex memory foam options for extra material density.

However, because of their supportive focus, extra-firm mattresses also come in a variety of orthopaedic mattress options, including those made with medical-grade foam for a blend of cushioned support.

How firm is too firm for a mattress?

Although the whole point of a very hard mattress is to increase the degree of support provided when sleeping, if you’re waking up on one with backache, bodily discomfort, or just generally feeling worse after a night’s sleep, then your mattress may be too firm.

However, it’s worth noting that firm and extra-firm mattresses take some time to ‘break in’ and may start to feel softer after a couple of months or so. But if you still feel uncomfortable after this period, then you’re best buying a new mattress.

Extra firm mattresses are much firmer than regular firm mattresses, and just because you might prefer a firmer feel doesn't mean your body is ready for the kind of hardness this type of mattress provides. These extra firm mattresses are usually reserved for people who need specialist support for their back and joints or have other medical issues that require this level of support.

Will a firm mattress get softer?

Yes, while designed with an enhanced lifespan in mind, even the hardest of mattresses will soften over time, though you can expect a very firm mattress to retain its rigidity far longer than a standard soft or medium mattress.

How much does an extra firm mattress cost?

How much an extra firm mattress will cost comes down largely to your mattress and bed size. For example, in the MattressNextDay range, you can find extra firm mattresses costing as little as £250, while our high-end models may cost £1,000+, it all depends on size, quality, and brand.