10 Best Firm Mattress In Canada | Top Picks For 2023

Most people have the misconception that a mattress needs to feel soft and fluffy like cotton candy for the best comfort. However, the truth is that most experts recommend firm mattresses, especially for back and stomach sleepers, since it provides more support and less sinkage.

Quick Answer: Best Firm Mattresses for Canadians

Beyond that, sleepers who weigh more than 230 lbs might appreciate a firm mattress because it offers proper spinal alignment and pressure point relief without getting compressed faster than you bargained for.

Of course, we understand that going through thousands of products can be exhausting; that’s why we’ve put it upon ourselves to research and come up with a guide on the best firm memory mattresses in Canada.

Let’s go shopping!

Nolan Signature Mattress (Best overall)

Pros	Cons
Provides extra support for your body muscles	It’s not suitable for lightweight sleepers
It’s very durable	Non-removable washable cover
Promotes neutral spinal alignment
It has a stain-resistant cover.
It has excellent edge support.

The Nolan Signature mattress uses a five-layer construction to achieve comfort and support. The first layer is a soft, breathable, moisture-wicking cotton protective cover; if you’re a hot sleeper who sweats a lot, it will keep you dry and fresh throughout the night.

The second layer and fourth layer are lush air foam with a thickness of 2.5 inches; it’s designed with billions of air bubbles that keep you cool and conform to the shape of your body for even weight distribution. Additionally, it cushions the muscles so you won’t experience pain or stiffness in the morning or when you wake up.

The third layer of the mattress is made up of an 11.5-inch support layer. This is most important for side and back sleepers since it encourages neutral spinal alignment, improving posture throughout the day. Apart from that, it provides a healthy responsive bounce, so you can easily transition from one sleeping position to the next without straining.

When you order the mattress, it gets shipped to your doorstep at no extra charge. Best of all, it comes with a 10-year warranty, and if it has an erogenous defect, you can get it replaced at no cost. Similarly, it has a 120-night sleep trial; if you don’t like the firmness level, you can return it and get a refund.

The flip side is that this entire mattress does not have a removable cover, so it might end up accumulating dust. Nonetheless, we’d recommend that you invest in a mattress cover to protect the mattress.

DreamCloud Luxury Mattress (Best for heavyweight sleepers)

Pros	Cons
Extra comfort layer.	It has an off-gassing odour.
It comes with a lifetime warranty.
It has excellent motion isolation.
It provides excellent pressure relief.
It controls body temperature.

This hybrid mattress combines conventional foam, memory foam, and pocketed coils to offset the mushy feeling that comes with sleeping on a foam mattress. If you weigh between 230 lbs and 280 lbs, the DreamCloud will distribute your weight evenly across the mattress to prevent strain on your heavier body parts such as the back, shoulders, and hips.

On top of that, it has a premium quilted cover made of phase-changing cashmere polythene; it will cool you down as you sleep by absorbing excess heat and releasing it to keep you cool so you won’t need to sleep without a blanket because of discomfort and sweat. Underneath the cover, there’s breathable memory foam for added comfort.

If you have a restless sleeper partner, this mattress is designed with pocket springs that absorb motion so you can enjoy peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. Aside from that, it has a layer of gel-infused foam that’s responsible for structural and edges support so you won’t feel as though you’re falling off the bed when you’re pushed to the edge.

The dream cloud mattress stands out from the rest of the mattresses because it has a 365-night trial, while most brands have 100-120 nights. But that’s not all, it also has a lifetime warranty that’s not prorated; this means you can get a replacement if it has a defect in workmanship and materials.

read more about heavy person mattress

Saatva Classic Mattress (Best to prevent back pain)

Pros	Cons
It helps to regulate body temperature	It could be uncomfortable if you weigh less than 130 lbs
It keeps the spine in a natural alignment
It comes with a hypoallergenic cover.
It’s a durable mattress.
It doesn’t sag after long-term use.

Saatva Classic Mattress is specially formulated with a Euro-style antimicrobial treated cotton cover that keeps away bacteria and fungi which trigger allergies and respiratory issues like sleep apnea. Better yet, it’s CertiPur-US certified, which means it’s eco-friendly and has little to no toxins.

If you’ve been having a hard time falling asleep because of back pain, say no more. This mattress has memory foam layers that contour your body’s shape to relieve pressure. Also, its sturdy dual coil provides support to keep your lumbar spine in a natural alignment, preventing back pain and strain when you wake up.

Did we mention it also regulates your body temperature? If you often wake up in the middle of the night because it’s too hot, this mattress can draw away heat from your body, enabling you to have a cool, peaceful night’s sleep. Similarly, its breathable properties eliminate musty odour and keep it smelling fresh like daisies.

In terms of durability, this mattress is specially engineered with a responsive dual coil system made of recycled carbon steel that’s been tampered with three times. You won’t experience sagging after short-term use.

 Helix Twilight Mattress (Best hybrid mattress)

Pros	Cons
It’s a pressure-relieving all-foam mattress	It’s too firm if you weigh less than 130 lbs
Pocket coils that improve perimeter edge support
It has a bouncy effect.
Breathable cover to improve airflow
It absorbs noise

The Helix Twilight mattress is specially formulated for sleepers who need a firm but comfortable surface. For starters, it has two comfort layers: pressure-relieving memory foam and a transitional layer of polyfoam that helps distribute body weight evenly.

Unlike most firm mattresses, Helix’s support core composed of pocket coils has contouring properties that will cushion your hips and shoulders to prevent muscle soreness. What’s more, the coils are zoned along the perimeter of the mattress; if you find yourself sleeping close to the edge of the bed, you won’t feel as though you’re slipping off.

More impressively, the mattress is bouncy, making it easier for couples to transition when sleeping. Moreover, the wrapped pocket coils and memory foam absorbs all the noise. Not to forget, this mattress is responsive, so you won’t have a hard time getting out of bed.

Beyond that, it has a breathable cover that facilitates airflow that disperses hot air from you and your mattress so you can comfortably sail into dreamland without any discomfort.

The downside is that if you enjoy an extremely cradling effect, this mattress might be a bit lacking.

Bear Elite Mattress (Best for temperature regulation)

Pros	Cons
It’s ideal for back sleepers	Its top cover is not removable
Excellent airflow efficiency
Antibacterial-treated mattress cover.
It cradles to the shape of your body.
It has a lifetime warranty.

This mattress is specially designed with hot sleepers in mind since it’s engineered with phase-changing material that’s thermoregulatory; when you’re feeling hot, it will absorb the heat and keep you cool all night long. But it doesn’t stop there; for better efficiency, it’s paired with a breathable client fiber that ensures there’s constant airflow in the mattress to cancel out funky smells.

Speaking of cleanliness, the copper that’s infused in the memory foam has a unique ability to create an antibacterial environment naturally; your mattress won’t be a breeding ground for mould or fungi that can cause respiratory infections and other detrimental conditions.

What’s more, it offers zoned support to areas that are prone to muscle pain and strain like the neck, hips, shoulders, and back. Similarly, it cushions the lumbar spine and sets it in a neutral alignment to prevent chronic back conditions which might affect your posture and productivity.

Lastly, this mattress is made of high-density material that doesn’t sag in or get compressed faster than you bargained for. Not to mention, Its lifetime warranty is a guarantee that the mattress is top-notch.

Casper Wave Mattress (Best for comfort)

Pros	Cons
Designed with gel-infused memory foam	It’s expensive compared to other mattresses
It offers zoned support
It cradles the shape of the body.
It’s designed to prevent sagging.
It relieves back pain.

The Casper Wave mattress is designed to feel like you’re sleeping on a supportive cloud since it’s cooling, supportive,  and comfortable features. To begin with, its 3 layers of open-air-cell memory foam have been linked with a thin coat of cooling gel which absorbs excess heat from your body and mattress to achieve four full levels of sleep.

Most impressively, this mattress is formulated with 86 supportive gel pods, which are placed around the waist areas and lower back to prevent sinking that will throw off your spinal alignment. Because of that, it enables you to enjoy deep pain-free sleep so that you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

The top cover is made with a variety of materials, including cotton, rayon, lycra, and recycled polyester, which plays a huge role in conserving the environment since it’s made from several recycled bottles that are converted into fabric. Although the cover cannot be machine washed, you can spot-clean it with a mild detergent.

Its 7 inches pocket coils play an important role in giving the mattress bounce, edge support, and breathability. Moreover, it also isolates motion; if you have a restless sleeper partner, you won’t be woken up by their movements.

Brunswick Mattress (Best for combined sleepers)

Pros	Cons
It’s designed with sleep cooler pocket coils	It could gradually sag if you’re heavy
It’s ideal for combined sleepers
It distributes weight evenly.
It helps to regulate body temperature.
It puts the spine in a neutral alignment.

This mattress offers an awesome balance between comfort and support for back sleepers since it has a firmness level of 6.5. Therefore, it prevents your torso from sinking in too far and tugging the lumbar spine out of alignment. Although most stomach sleepers have similar mattress needs as back sleepers, Brunswick is a bit too soft for the liking of stomach sleepers who weigh more than 230 lbs.

In terms of pressure relief, Brunswick has two memory foam layers in its comfort system to offer special cushioning to the heavier body parts which create pressure when you sleep. On top of that, its zoned polyfoam and coil layers allow them to work together for better weight distribution; this helps to reduce the strain that causes fatigue.

The feature that sells this mattress is that it’s bouncy since it’s made with a combination of materials like polyfoam and pocketed coils. Combined sleepers can easily transition from one sleeping position to the next without straining.  It’s also worth mentioning that the pocket coils are singular to help reduce motion transfer; if you have a pet that jumps on the bed while you’re sleeping, you won’t be woken up.

Did we mention it regulates body temperature? If you sleep on this mattress, its gel-infused layer will absorb your body heat. Another thing, its pocket coils facilitate airflow in the mattress to keep you cool and comfortable so that you can enjoy restorative sleep, which is important for your overall well-being.

Avocado Green Mattress (Best organic mattress)

Pros	Cons
It’s a durable latex mattress	Not ideal if you’re allergic to latex and wool.
Ideal for combination sleepers
It’s made of 100 percent organic materials.
It offers excellent zoned support.
It’s designed to isolate motion.

How does an organic mattress free from toxins sound? Given the rise of cancer, you can never go wrong with products that are made with organic materials. The Avocado mattress is specially formulated with wool, cotton, and a latex layer that is 100 percent organic.

Its certified eco-conscious latex harvested from rubber trees offers the mattress durability; it won’t get compressed as fast as other poly foams. It’s also resilient, it bounces back to shape very fast, enabling you to spring out of bed without struggling. Also, it aids in temperature regulation that’s far much better than synthetic blends or polyurethane foams.

The organic wool in the mattress does an excellent job of wicking away moisture, if you sleep hot and sweat a lot, you’re sure to remain dry and cool throughout the night. Better yet, combined with latex they’re natural antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites.

In terms of support, this mattress has a firmness level of 7 which makes it ideal for back, stomach sleepers, and average to large/ tall side sleepers. Its pillow top has a luxurious, plush feel that will relieve pressure for a combination sleeper; you’re less likely to wake up feeling stiff and with muscle pain.

Lucid Mattress (Best value mattress)

Pros	Cons
Excellent firm support	It can cause lower back pain if you weigh less than 130 lbs
It’s designed with a cooling foam
Ideal for stomach and back sleepers
It improves spinal alignment.
It reduces odour build-up.

Who said you need to break the bank to get quality sleep? The lucid mattress is a budget-friendly mattress featuring a 10-inch firm bed that offers exemplary support to back and stomach sleepers without sinking in and throwing off your spinal alignment. On top of that, it has a 2.5-inch ventilated cooling gel memory foam that draws heat from your body so you can sweat without breaking a sweat.

Its 6.5-inch bamboo charcoal-infused support foam provides extra stability; when you sleep, it will cradle to the shape of your body and cushion your pressure points. Aside from that, it has antibacterial properties that help to minimize odor build-up;  you won’t have a hard time falling asleep due to funky smells.

In terms of shipping, it’s compressed, rolled, and shipped in an easy-to-manage box for a simple setup. Furthermore, it’s wrapped in a polythene bag to prevent bedbugs and other critters. When it gets delivered, all you need to do is just open the mattress and set it on your frame and in less than 24 hours, it will spring to its original intended thickness.

This mattress is almost perfect. However, if you weigh less than 130 lbs, this mattress might end up throwing off your spinal alignment and cause you pain.

Who Can Use a Firm Mattress?

Research shows that firm mattresses are good for people with back issues and back sleepers since it encourages back support and a neutral spinal alignment. What’s more, it allows both your muscles and blood vessels to relax, ultimately leading to better blood circulation and lowering the risk of blood clots.

If you have respiratory issues, an extra firm mattress will keep your torso from sinking like a plush mattress; this way, your airways will remain open, allowing for more oxygen intake. Not to mention, this also minimizes your chances of snoring or blocked sinuses resulting from sleep apnea.

Sleepers who are sick and can’t get out of bed usually sleep on their backs, so firm mattresses offer them awesome support. Also, since it distributes weight evenly, this prevents bedsores since less pressure is applied to your body.

Also, if you weigh more than  230 lbs, you might find the support provided by firm mattresses better than a softer mattress that cradles your body like a hammock. This makes it difficult to move around the bed.

Who Can’t Use a Firm mattress?

Mattresses aren’t a one fits all type of product. For starters, if you’re a side sleeper, you should probably stay away from a firm mattress. This is because it places a lot of pressure on the shoulders and hips, causing muscle soreness and stiffness.

In addition to that, if you weigh less than 130 lbs, there’s a high chance you’ll feel as though you’re sleeping on a plank of wood since it will offer zero sinkage.

If you have lower back issues like rheumatism, scoliosis, or arthritis, research suggests that a firm mattress could cause more pain, so we recommend you consult your doctor before buying one.

It’s rather obvious that if you find a comfortable mattress with some sinkage, you probably won’t enjoy sleeping on a firm mattress. However, if you still need the support of a firm mattress, you could invest in a firm mattress with an adjustable firmness level.

Benefits of a Firm Mattress

Extra support and weight distribution

Most people think softer mattresses offer the best comfort. However, the truth is that mattresses with little to no support can be problematic for your back. Firmer mattresses on the other hand, mean more support, especially for older sleepers or people with joint, back, and neck problems.

Additionally, most firm mattresses use heat to contour to the shape of your body, distributing your body weight evenly across it to relieve pressure so that you won’t wake up with a stiff neck or sore muscles.

Improves the quality of your sleep

Since firm mattresses help to distribute your body weight evenly, that means there is less pressure on your arteries, veins, and muscles. This improves air circulation so you won’t toss and turn trying to find a comfortable sleep position.

The best firm mattress will offer you comfort that will facilitate the sleep hormones that will enable you to fall asleep within the first hour of getting into bed. That way, you’re able to enjoy deep sleep, which is essential for body repair and improved cognitive skills.

Promotes proper spinal alignment

According to most physiotherapists and chiropractors, a firm mattress reduces spinal stress. This is because a firm mattress doesn’t sink in, so it establishes support for the spine, allowing it to set into a natural alignment. Not to forget, it also helps to offset pain since the viscoelastic material cradles the natural shape of your body, promoting lumbar support.

Regulates body temperature

Firm mattresses are great at regulating temperatures for people who sleep hot because they don’t sink in trap heat like a soft mattress. Instead, it promotes airflow around your body, so you won’t wake up uncomfortable and sweaty.

Reduces motion transfer

Do you have pets or a restless partner who keeps you up all night? Luckily, a firm mattress is specially designed to absorb motion, reducing it to almost nothing thanks to its high-density design. This means you will be able to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep without interruptions and wake up feeling rejuvenated.

Easily accommodates accessories

Firm mattresses can easily get customized to suit sleepers who enjoy medium-firm mattresses that are at a 7.5 on the firmness scale by adding a plush pillow top cover.  Also, if you’re a stomach sleeper who needs support around the stomach, you could use a pillow to support your torso area.

Things To Consider When Purchasing a Firm Mattress

Mattress type

Most people think that all mattresses are the same, but there are various types of mattresses with different compositions and benefits.

Traditional memory foam

This is the best option if you’re looking for a mattress that can relieve pressure points and increase circulation since it contours to the shape of your body. Then again, if you sleep hot, a traditional memory foam mattress will only make it worse since its viscoelastic material traps heat in the core.

Gel memory foam

This type of mattress is made using polyurethane and gel beads. Most shoe companies use it to bring it close to home to create insoles that reduce pressure by evenly distributing your weight. Similarly,  gel memory foam mattresses are designed to offer zoned support. Also, it increases airflow throughout the mattresses and draws away heat from your body if you sleep hot.

Latex foam

A latex foam mattress would be ideal if you have dust allergies that make it difficult to sleep. This is because latex is specially made using rubber which is antimicrobial. Besides that, it also prevents the growth of mold, especially if you live in a humid environment. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for an extremely foam firmness, latex leans more on the plusher side, so you might not find it sufficient.

In-spring mattress

This type of mattress is made of thousands of tightly packed metal coils and layers of cushioning material to keep you safe from the coils. Moreover, in-spring coils adjust to the shape of your body and weight to offer pressure relief; you won’t wake up with muscle, hip, shoulder, and neck pain.

Hybrid mattress

As the name suggests, hybrid mattresses are a combination of traditional pocket spring coils and multiple layers of foam, latex, or gel to achieve both comfort and support for a variety of sleepers;  preventing muscle and joint pain. What’s more, they prevent motion transfer between you and your partner.

Thickness

When choosing a firm mattress, bear in mind that mattresses that are 8 inches and above tend to be softer than those that are 6 inches or less. However, if you weigh above 250 lbs, we recommend choosing a firm foam mattress with a thickness of 10 inches or more so that it doesn’t get compressed and start to sag within a short period.

But if you’re bedridden, thick mattresses might be hard to get on and get off.

Therefore, to get the best comfort, and support and to prevent falling off the bed, it’s best to invest in a mattress that’s not so thick.

Density

Firm mattresses come in low, medium, and high-density options. The best indicator of density is the weight of the mattress; the heavier the mattress, the higher the density. Low-density mattresses easily break in. Therefore your body will adjust faster to the new mattress. The only issue is that low-density mattresses don’t last long since most of them have an average lifespan of 6 years.

On the other hand, medium-firm density mattresses provide excellent motion isolation; if you have a partner who is always tossing and turning, you won’t be woken up by the movement. High-density mattresses are considered the most durable; if you weigh more than 250 lbs and you’re tired of replacing your mattress frequently, consider investing in a high-density mattress.

It should be hypoallergenic.

Most mattresses in the market are hypoallergenic, but the difference is that some are more effective than others when it comes to keeping allergens like dust mites and mold away.  Additionally, gel-infused memory foam mattresses have great resistance when it comes to dust mites.

However, the most effective hypoallergenic mattresses are those that are made from latex, which will protect you from allergens that lead to sleep apnea and snoring. If you have latex allergies, you should avoid latex mattresses.

Price

Buying a mattress is like buying quality sleep in a way. That’s why digging a little deeper in your pockets won’t hurt to get a quality mattress. Then again, if you can’t afford to spend a lot on a mattress, it doesn’t mean you won’t come by a good mattress; you’ll notice in this guide we’ve reviewed budget-friendly firm memory foam mattresses that are designed to offer you excellent comfort and support.

Size

It’s important to consider the size when purchasing the best firm mattresses. For instance, if you need a queen size but you get a twin instead, it probably won’t suit your needs.

Another thing; it’s important to consider is the size of the space you’re going to place it in. The last thing you want is to purchase a mattress that fills up your room space, leaving little room for movement.

Of course, if you have kids that love joining you in bed, you’d want a larger-sized mattress like a twin XL full Queen or King size. You’d want to choose a split option if you have an adjustable bed frame. Here’s a list of the six main sizes and their dimensions:

• Twin: 38″×75″
• Twin XL:  38″ ×80
• Full: 54″×74″
• Queen: 60″×80″
• King: 76″ ×80″
• California King: 72″×84″

Lastly, the seventh size, the split king, is available from some retailers.

Edge support

If you’re a restless sleeper, you might find yourself sleeping close to the edge of the bed, and if your mattress lacks edge support, you’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night in shock because of slipping off the bed. To prevent this, choose a firmer mattress with zoned edge support; so it won’t sag at the sides while you’re sleeping on the edge.

Easy to clean

Since firm mattresses are a large investment, maintaining them is important to get value for money. Therefore, when purchasing your mattress, ensure that the cover is spill-resistant, especially if you sweat a lot or you have pets or kids that might wet or spill liquids on the mattress.

Not to forget,  ensure that you pick a mattress that has a removable cover; when it gets dirty, you can just place it in a washing machine and your mattress is good as new; preventing allergies that cause sleep apnea.

Warranty

When purchasing the best firm mattresses, it’s important to check if it provides a warranty. This way, if the mattress gets delivered with a defect you can return it to the manufacturer and get it fixed, an exchange, or a refund. However, remember that most warranties don’t cover anticipated wear and tear such as spills.

Another thing, most mattresses have a warranty of 10 years while those made with premium materials come with warranties ranging from 15 years to a lifetime warranty. However, it’s not always automatic that the mattress company will repair the mattress at no cost since some mattress companies will require you to pay half the amount depending on how long you’ve used the mattress.

Shipping

Most firm mattresses in Canada deliver mattresses at no additional cost. The best part is, that the mattress is delivered straight to your doorstep. Moreover, the mattresses are wrapped in a polythene bag and compressed in a box for easier movement into your house and to prevent bedbugs in transit.

Once it’s delivered to your doorstep, you might need extra hands to carry it inside since an average queen’s mattress weighs at least 75 lbs. After that, you can open it and wait for at least 72 hours before it springs to its intended size. Alternatively, you can find companies that offer White glove delivery so that they can carry it for you into the house and set it up for you, then take out the old mattress.

Sleep Trial

You no longer have to worry when shopping online for a firm mattress since most companies have trial periods of not less than 100 nights. More succinctly, this allows you to return the mattress and get a full refund or exchange if you don’t find a mattress comfortable or supportive enough.

Before some companies can give you a refund or a new mattress, they’ll require you to keep it for an extra 30-night break-in period. We bet you’re wondering what happens to the mattress once you’ve returned it; most companies like Puffy donate them to charities.

Common Q&A

Conclusion

If we were to purchase the best firm mattress in Canada, it would be the Nolah Signature Mattress since it offers top-notch comfort, support, and temperature regulation for a peaceful night’s sleep and pain-free mornings.

Then again, all the firm mattresses we’ve reviewed in this guide are of high quality and will ensure that you enjoy the full stages of sleep without feeling uncomfortable.

Medical Disclaimer: By accessing the higheye.ca website and/or purchasing any products or services through it, you acknowledge and agree to this Disclaimer. You also confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted its terms. Please note that the information and other content provided on this website, or in any linked references, are not intended to be professional medical advice and should not be treated as such. They are intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional. If you have any medical questions or concerns, we recommend consulting with a physician or other medical expert.