- 365-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty
- Superior motion isolation
- Cooling gel comfort layer
Good question—but is firmness what your body really needs? While supportive, firm mattresses are much harder than you might expect. They also may not help you sleep any better. According to Harvard Health, people with low back pain who slept on hard mattresses had the poorest quality of sleep.
Many sleepers find that a medium-firm mattress like Douglas Original or Logan & Cove Choice provides perfectly balanced comfort and support.
At Mattress Reviews, we recommend mattresses that we think will provide the best quality of sleep. So while you might be shopping for a firm mattress, check out the best medium-firm mattresses, too:
Best Canadian Foam Mattress
Canada’s Best Mattress For a Good Night’s Sleep
Best Canadian Luxury Hybrid Mattress
Hybrid Mattress With Limited Cooling and Constant “Sales”
Expensive Organic Mattress
Firm Latex Mattress
Expensive No-Frills Value Mattress
Foam Mattress With Limited Cooling Features
Overly Firm Mattress Lacking in Cooling Features
Latex and Foam Mattress
Memory Foam Mattress With No Refunds
Budget Costco Mattress with No Sleep Trial
American Foam Mattress With Extra-Short Sleep Trial
You May Prefer Our Top Pick 2024
9.9 /10
The award-winning and Canadian-made Douglas mattresses offer unbeatable value and include: FREE bedding bundle, a 365-night sleep trial, and cooling gel foams for optimal comfort.
Hybrid Mattress With Limited Cooling and Constant “Sales”
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
7.5 /10
Emma Hybrid Comfort is a hybrid mattress with open-cell foam for cooling, zoned support for pressure-point relief, and a machine-washable cover. However, compared to other hybrid mattresses like Logan & Cove Choice, Emma Hybrid Comfort lacks the advanced cooling features we would expect from a mattress that costs $1,487 for a queen size.
The manufacturer has also faced scrutiny for its retail practices, like running continuous “sales.” Consumer reviews on third-party websites like Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot have raised concerns about the company’s customer service practices.
Price
$1,084–$1,889
Firmness
Firm
Type
Hybrid
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
365
Warranty Years
10Emma Hybrid Comfort is 13″ tall. It’s available in one medium-firm option, although third-party engineer testing (commissioned by us) shows that this mattress is much firmer. Emma Hybrid Comfort has good edge support and performs above-average for motion isolation, but this is still a far cry from Emma’s claim of “zero motion transfer.”
Emma Hybrid has 5 layers, four with foam and one with individually pocketed coils. These coils are divided into 7 zones of ergonomic support. Unusually for a hybrid, the coil layer isn’t positioned at the bottom—it sits on top of a stabilizing foam layer.
The mattress cover is removable and machine-washable. It’s made of polyester and a small amount of elastane, and it’s designed to be breathable and moisture-wicking. While Emma calls this a “Pillowtop Cover,” it’s important to know that this is just a name—Hybrid Comfort is a tight-top mattress, not a true pillow-top.
You may notice that Emma Hybrid Comfort, like many Emma mattresses, always seems to be on sale. These “sales” have been investigated by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA determined that these sales, along with other high-pressure retail tactics, were misleading to customers.
Emma Hybrid Comfort retails at $1,487 for a queen size, which is more expensive than comparable hybrids like Logan & Cove. At just $999 for a queen size, Logan & Cove Choice comes with luxury details, better cooling, a longer warranty, and a free bedding bundle.
The Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress might be the right fit if you are a back or stomach sleeper who wants:
Expensive Organic Mattress
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
6.9 /10
The Avocado Green mattress boasts organic materials and sustainable construction. The base model (Standard) has a firm feel and costs $2,799 for a queen size—considerably pricier than other hybrids. You can also buy an optional pillow-top upgrade for a Medium feel for an extra $300–600, depending on the mattress size.
Avocado Green has above-average motion isolation and a higher-than-normal level of bounce compared to similar hybrids. However, it has exceptionally poor edge support, no cooling features, and restrictive sleep trial conditions. This makes competing hybrid mattresses like Logan & Cove Choice more appealing.
Price
$1,999–$3,899
Firmness
Firm
Type
Hybrid
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
365
Warranty Years
25In Canada, the Avocado Green mattress comes in two firmness options: Standard (firm) and Medium. The Medium feel is achieved by adding a pillow-top to the mattress for an extra $300–600, depending on the mattress size.
Avocado Green is made by hand, and its eco-conscious manufacturing process features GOLS-certified organic latex, wool, and cotton. However, some materials are still imported. International transportation will still affect the mattress’s carbon footprint.
This mattress lacks advanced cooling and other features found in many modern hybrid mattresses. It also doesn’t come with a mattress cover. Avocado recommends using its Organic Cotton Mattress Pad Protector, which will add $349–549 to the cost of the mattress, depending on size. This mattress cover is machine-washable.
Avocado Green is available online in sizes ranging from twin to California king, with prices between $1,999 and $3,899 (depending on which size and firmness option you order).
This price point is much higher than many other hybrids, even when taking into account its handmade and eco-conscious construction. In contrast, competing hybrid mattress Logan & Cove Choice costs just $999 for a queen size. Logan & Cove also offers a free bedding bundle with purchase, which Avocado doesn’t provide.
The Avocado Green mattress might be the right fit if you are a stomach or back sleeper who wants:
Firm Latex Mattress
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
6.5 /10
Haven LUX Rejuvenate Classic is a latex mattress with a firm feel, though it also comes in a softer firmness. For an additional cost, sleepers can upgrade to have additional pressure relief and a medium-firm feel. It has good edge support and has features like copper-infused latex and a bamboo blend mattress cover.
Price
$1,000–1750
Firmness
Firm
Type
Latex Foam
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
100
Warranty Years
10Haven LUX Rejuvenate is a firm mattress with a small amount of sinkage, which is great if you enjoy sleeping on your stomach or back. However, if you weigh less than 180 lb or sleep on your side, you might find yourself not sinking far enough into the mattress and feel discomfort from improper spinal alignment.
The mattress also has good edge support, which is ideal for sleepers who have mobility issues or regularly sit on the side of their mattress.
The Haven LUX Rejuvenate Classic mattress might be the right fit if you are a stomach sleeper or back sleeper who wants:
Expensive No-Frills Value Mattress
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
6.1 /10
Casper Dawn is a value foam mattress from Casper, an American bed-in-a-box company. It features a breathable knit cover and three interior foam layers, including one made using Casper Signature foam.
Available at $999, Casper Dawn is considered Casper’s “value” model. That said, it’s considerably more expensive than similar foam mattresses like Douglas Original. It also lacks several basic features that come standard with competing mattresses, like cooling features or a machine-washable top cover.
This overall lack of features means that Casper Dawn might not give you the value or long-term satisfaction you deserve.
Price
$699–$1,299
Firmness
Firm
Type
Foam
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
100
Warranty Years
10Casper Dawn is a 9″ all-foam mattress with 3 layers and a firm feel. It has excellent edge support and very good motion isolation, but a below-average bounce score.
Its cover is made of polyester, polypropylene, and a small amount of spandex. Although the mattress’s law label says that the top part of the cover is machine washable, the Casper website’s FAQ section says not to remove the cover for any reason. Any spots or stains should be spot-cleaned only.
Casper Dawn also lacks cooling features that come standard with many mattresses, like a layer of cooling gel foam. If you’re a hot sleeper, this mattress might not be ideal for you.
In comparison, Douglas Original features a machine-washable cover, a 20-year warranty, and a 365-night sleep trial. It also incorporates more cooling technologies, including moisture-wicking Infinitex™ fibres in the cover, cooling gel foam, and breathable Elastex® foam. At just $799 for a queen size, Douglas offers much more value for a much lower price.
Casper Dawn might be right for you if you’re a back or stomach sleeper who wants:
Foam Mattress With Limited Cooling Features
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
5.7 /10
Leesa Original is an American-made foam mattress from Leesa. It comes with cooling gel foam and a breathable cover, and offers good pressure-point relief. A queen-size Leesa Original mattress costs $1,569.
Compared to competing foam mattress brands like Douglas, Leesa is more expensive and offers less value. Leesa’s 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty are only average. The mattress also lacks additional features that might help to justify its relatively high price.
Overall, although Leesa has some good features, it doesn’t do everything it can to ensure a restful night’s sleep.
Price
$1,099–$1,979
Firmness
Firm
Type
Foam
Shipping Cost
Trial Nights
100
Warranty Years
10Leesa Original stands 10″ tall and is available in a single firmness option. The product page on Leesa’s Canadian website describes it as medium-firm. However, Leesa scored 7.0/10 for firmness in third-party engineer testing (commissioned by us). This places the mattress in the firm category.
As is typical for most foam mattresses, Leesa has good edge support and motion isolation scores, but a relatively low bounce score. This seems to be the mattress’s main benefit. At a higher-than-average $1,569 for a queen size, Leesa’s only other notable attributes are a layer of cooling gel foam in its comfort layer and its breathable mattress cover.
The exterior cover on Leesa Original is 60% polyester and 40% rayon, while the interior is 100% cotton. According to the company’s website, Leesa mattresses are made without fiberglass. The cover uses chemical-free rayon instead to meet fire safety regulations.
Like most online mattress retailers, Leesa ships its mattresses rolled and compressed in a cardboard box. The box for the mattress used in this review arrived heavily damaged and torn in several places, although the mattress itself was intact.
Leesa Original might be the right fit if you are a back or stomach sleeper who wants:
Overly Firm Mattress Lacking in Cooling Features
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
5.5 /10
DreamCloud Premier is a hybrid mattress with a firm feel made by DreamCloud Sleep, a subsidiary of Resident Home LLC. It’s available in Canada on DreamCloud’s website, or in-store at Leon’s or The Brick locations. This mattress features a Euro-top construction, good edge support, and good motion isolation.
DreamCloud Premier is available at $1,199 for a queen size. However, Premier lacks features often found in other hybrid mattresses, such as advanced cooling technologies and multi-zone support. It’s also much firmer than advertised, which may make it uncomfortable to sleep on.
In comparison, competing mattress Logan & Cove Frontier offers zoned support and more cooling capabilities for only slightly more at $1,299 for a queen size. Logan & Cove’s parent company also has better online reviews than DreamCloud, who is rated “Poor” on Trustpilot and has almost 300 complaints filed through the Better Business Bureau.
Price
$699–$1,499
Firmness
Firm
Type
Hybrid
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
365
Warranty Years
LifetimeDreamCloud Premier is a 14″ hybrid mattress with a firm feel, and is the mid-level offering in DreamCloud’s product line. It has good edge support and motion isolation, but has relatively few cooling features for a hybrid mattress.
Unlike The DreamCloud, the entry-level hybrid mattress in the DreamCloud line, Premier contains no cooling gel foam. Instead, it uses regular memory foam, which is known to trap heat. DreamCloud claims that Premier’s cashmere Euro-top cover helps increase breathability and regulates temperatures, but this material makes up just 0.5% of the top cover.
The cover isn’t removable or machine washable and should be spot-cleaned only. Removing the mattress cover will void the warranty.
Some reviews on the DreamCloud website mention the mattress feeling too firm or too hot. If you sleep on your side at all, you’ll need a mattress that’s ideal for all sleeping styles, like Logan & Cove Frontier. Its medium-firm feel adapts well to all bodies, while also offering advanced cooling features for a comfortable sleep.
The DreamCloud Hybrid mattress might be the right fit if you are a back or stomach sleeper who wants:
Latex and Foam Mattress
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
5.2 /10
GhostBed Classic is a foam and latex mattress with a firm feel. Although the mattress comes with a 101-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty, you could very well have difficulty initiating a return or filing a warranty claim.
Many negative customer reviews on third-party sites like Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau report problems getting GhostBed to honour returns and warranty claims. In 2022, GhostBed earned negative media attention when a customer brought their “extremely frustrating experience” with GhostBed’s return policy to CBC Go Public.
GhostBed Classic is much more expensive than its competitors at $2,195 for a queen size, despite the fact that the company offers permanent discounts for its mattresses. However, customers have reported that when they tried initiating a return, customer service informed them they’d have to pay for the discounts applied to their order.
In comparison, competitor brand Douglas comes with a more generous 365-night sleep trial, a 20-year warranty, and hassle-free returns—all for a much lower price of $799 for a queen size.
Price
$1,650–$2,595
Firmness
Firm
Type
Latex/Foam
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
101
Warranty Years
20The GhostBed Classic is an 11″ latex and foam mattress with a firm feel. While this level of firmness can be comfortable for back and stomach sleepers, side sleepers may find that a firm mattress can trigger pressure points by putting too much pressure on their shoulders, hips, and knees.
GhostBed features a layer of aerated latex foam and cooling gel foam to provide cushioning when you lie down without sacrificing breathability for heat regulation. The mattress’s cover is made from viscose for breathability and polyester for durability. Unfortunately, the cover isn’t machine washable, so you’ll have to spot-clean it.
At $2,195 for a queen size, GhostBed Classic is notably more expensive than comparable foam mattresses like Douglas Original. We have also noticed GhostBed increasing their usual prices for sales (see August 2023 vs December 2023). This makes it look like they’re offering more significant discounts, when in fact they’re raising prices. GhostBed also requires customers to pay back any discounts before issuing returns
In comparison, Douglas Original offers a medium-firm feel that fits all sleep styles. It comes with a moisture-wicking top cover that draws moisture away to keep you dry at night, a layer of cooling gel foam for heat dissipation, and a layer of responsive latex-like Elastex®—all for just $799 for a queen size.
The GhostBed Classic mattress might be the right fit if you are a side or back sleeper who wants:
Memory Foam Mattress With No Refunds
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
5.2 /10
Bloom Air is a memory foam mattress with a firm feel that’s only available through Sleep Country. It features a breathable machine-washable cooling cover, a layer of cooling gel foam, and a layer of aerated charcoal-infused foam.
At $999 for a queen size, Bloom Air is relatively expensive for what it offers. Its 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty are only industry standard. Returning the mattress after purchase also means dealing with Sleep Country’s exchange-only policy.
In comparison, competing mattress Douglas Original offers similar features, but has better edge support and motion isolation. At just $799 for a queen size, Douglas provides more value with its 365-night sleep trial, 20-year warranty, and a free bedding bundle—and the option to return your mattress for a full refund if you aren’t completely satisfied.
Price
$799–$1,199
Firmness
Firm
Type
Memory Foam
Shipping Cost
Free for orders over $75
Trial Nights
100
Warranty Years
10Bloom Air stands 9.5″ tall and has 3 foam layers. The mattress has a firm feel, despite the medium firmness level advertised on Sleep Country’s website. Bloom Air also has excellent edge support and above-average motion isolation, as well as relatively low bounce.
The mattress’s comfort layer contains cooling gel foam, and its support layer contains bamboo charcoal-infused aerated foam. Sleep Country claims the charcoal infusion makes the mattress antimicrobial, and the aeration adds breathability. The machine-washable mattress cover is made with copper-infused organic cotton.
Competing mattress Douglas Original offers similar features and greater value for a lower price. At just $799 for a queen size, Douglas has a much longer 365-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty, as well as no-hassle returns with a full refund. Your purchase also comes with a free bedding bundle that includes a mattress protector, pillow(s), sheets, and pillow protector(s).
The Bloom Air mattress might be the right fit if you are a back or stomach sleeper who wants:
Budget Costco Mattress with No Sleep Trial
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
4.6 /10
Simmons Gel Memory Foam is an all-foam mattress made by Simmons, a subsidiary of Serta Simmons Bedding. It’s available in Canada through Costco, Amazon, and a few other third-party retailers. For this review, we purchased the queen-size mattress for $349 from Costco.
Although it’s affordably priced, Simmons Gel Memory Foam doesn’t come with an at-home sleep trial and only has an industry-standard 10-year warranty. Purchasing the mattress through Costco requires a paid membership, and there are several restrictions around shipping and returns.
Competitor mattress Juno, on the other hand, gives you more value with your purchase. Juno comes with a 120-night sleep trial, 15-year warranty, free shipping and returns, and a free build-your-own bedding bundle—all for just $499 for a queen size.
Price
$229–$349
Firmness
Firm
Type
Foam
Shipping Cost
Free
Trial Nights
N/A
Warranty Years
10Simmons Gel Memory Foam is an 8″ foam mattress with a firm feel. It features 3 layers of foam, including a support layer that is relatively thin compared to other foam mattresses. This means that the mattress may offer minimal plushness and sink, limiting the amount of pressure-point relief and comfort.
It has excellent edge support and very good motion isolation, but very low bounce. Simmons Gel Memory Foam also lacks advanced cooling features and is only available in twin to queen size.
The mattress cover is made from a blend of 72% polyester and 28% micro-polyamide, a polymer-like microfiber that’s blended with elastane. The cover has a zipper, but the law label does not state whether or not the cover is machine washable. To avoid damaging the mattress cover, we recommend spot-cleaning it only.
In Canada, the mattress is available online via Costco and retailers like Amazon. If purchased from Costco, brand availability and pricing can vary depending on which Costco you shop at. Shipping time is longer than average for a bed-in-a-box mattress, which can be inconvenient if you need a new mattress quickly. You also need a paid Costco membership to buy a mattress there.
This Simmons mattress might be the right fit if you are a stomach sleeper, or back sleeper who wants:
American Foam Mattress With Extra-Short Sleep Trial
Informed by third-party engineer testing commissioned by GoodMorning.com.
Learn more >
4.1 /10
Bear Original is an all-foam mattress made by Bear Mattress. It’s distributed in Canada by Bed Bath & Beyond. This mattress features a layer of cooling gel foam, excellent edge support, and very good motion isolation.
However, Bear Original lacks features that other foam mattresses have as standard. It only comes with a 30-night sleep trial through Bed Bath & Beyond. And at $1,590 for a queen size, this mattress has a higher-than-average asking price while offering less value.
In comparison, competitor mattress Douglas Original offers a longer 365-night sleep trial and several features that only add to its long-term value. At $799 for a queen size, Douglas is much more accessibly priced—especially since the mattress also comes with a free bedding bundle.
Price
$1,105–$1,808
Firmness
Firm
Type
Foam
Shipping Cost
Shipping fees may apply
Trial Nights
30
Warranty Years
LifetimeBear Original is a 10″ all-foam mattress with a firm feel. It has outstanding edge support, very good motion isolation, and average bounce. It features open-cell foam construction, although Bear doesn’t specify which of its 3 interior foam layers have this feature. Its top layer contains cooling gel foam, and its bottom layer uses high-density support foam.
Bear Original’s breathable cover may be optionally upgraded to a “Celliant-infused” cover for additional cooling. The mattress we purchased for this review did not have this upgrade, which costs an extra $200–300 CAD, depending on which size you buy.
The mattress is designed to rest on any hard and flat surface, and the law label indicates it may be used with or without a foundation. It’s also compatible with adjustable bases. However, the company recommends that you don’t use a traditional coil box spring because it doesn’t provide enough support for all-foam mattresses.
The Bear Original mattress might be the right fit if you are a stomach or back sleeper who wants:
This allows us to accurately rate and compare the performance of the mattresses reviewed on this website. Engineer independence and operating standards help ensure their results remain unbiased, valid, and reliable. Each mattress was evaluated using the same strict mattress testing methodology to protect the overall integrity of the results. The full report has been given the official stamp of approval from an APEGA-certified engineer operating under a strict ethical code of conduct.
Mattress testing conducted outside of this professional standard poses a greater risk of validity errors or reviewer bias.
On a 1–10 firmness scale, any mattress scoring a 7 or higher would be considered firm. This is a hard sleeping surface that you may not find comfortable. If you’re looking for a mattress that feels both supportive and comfortable, you might prefer medium-firm, which scores roughly 5.5–6.9.
A firm mattress might sound tempting if you know soft mattresses don’t work for you. A firm mattress does keep your spine aligned, and some sleepers feel that a firm mattress provides lots of support and can improve circulation. However, even the best extra-firm mattress could worsen any back, neck, or joint problems, and may still leave you waking up stiff and sore.
Generally, a medium-firm mattress is best for your back. There are always exceptions, but you may find a medium-firm mattress has the appropriate level of firmness you’re looking for.
Firm mattresses are best if you sleep exclusively on your back or stomach. You may also find a firm mattress more comfortable if you are a heavier person or don’t suffer from back pain. This is because a firmer mattress allows you to lie on top of the sleep surface without sinking into it.
If you sleep on your side, a firm mattress might put too much pressure on certain parts of your body. (Check out our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers instead.)
If you have back pain, too much support could be uncomfortable. Consider a medium-firm mattress like Douglas or Logan & Cove to get the right balance of comfort and support.
Foam mattresses tend to provide a higher level of firmness, but you can also find firm latex, latex-foam hybrid, and even innerspring hybrid mattresses.
Mattresses fall into many different categories. Each has different characteristics that are a good fit for a variety of sleep styles. Here are just a few types of mattresses:
When you’re choosing a mattress, it’s important to consider more than just how comfortable it is. There are a whole range of factors to keep in mind, which we list below. (And when you’re ready to buy, make sure you buy a mattress online vs. in store.)
You May Prefer Our Top Pick 2024
9.9 /10
The award-winning and Canadian-made Douglas mattresses offer unbeatable value and include: FREE bedding bundle, a 365-night sleep trial, and cooling gel foams for optimal comfort.
Top Pick 2024
Best Canadian Foam Mattress
EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Buy any Douglas mattress today and get a FREE Comfort Sleep Bundle, 50% off Bamboo Sheets, and 15% off all bed frames and bedding.
Sale ends November 22nd. See website for details >
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