Best Firm Mattresses in Canada

Is a Firm Mattress Right for You?

Firm mattresses are not absolute, so they are not inherently right or wrong for you. A suitably firm mattress depends on the amount of pressure (weight) a sleeper can exert on the mattress, and the quality of support they need as per their favorite sleeping position.  

Considering these two factors, you can deduce that  a firm mattress to one person can be too soft to another. However, there are some categories of people that may need to invest in firm mattresses to take advantage of the benefits(1). Here is how it applies:

• Heavy sleepers. Firmer beds are great for larger users. They can distribute the weight around the mattress surface without feeling like a hammock and creating awkward curves in their lower back.
• Individuals with joint pain. If you suffer from arthritis or another joint disease, you know that sometimes it can limit your ability to move freely. A firm mattress doesn’t let you sink too deep, so it can help you move around the mattress surface and shift between different positions more easily.
• Scoliosis sufferers. People with scoliosis or other spine misalignments can opt for a firmer mattress that prevents their back issues from getting worse while still offering support and pressure relief.
• Hot sleepers. Most firmer beds don’t offer too much give, so the area of contact between your body and the mattress is smaller, which prevents you from overheating.
• Back sleepers. The supine position is considered the healthiest for your spine, and you can make the most of it with a firmer mattress. It will easily support proper spine alignment and ensure even distribution of your weight.
• Stomach sleepers. Most health specialists advise strongly against stomach sleeping because it can mess with your spinal health really bad. However, if you find yourself comfortable only in this position — just like my wife — then a firm mattress can work for you. It supports the lower abdomen, preventing your lumbar spine from straining.

If you’re not sure whether a firm or extra firm mattress will work for you, start with trying these tips to make your current bed firmer and see how it goes.

Also read: Best Soft Mattresses

How to Choose a Good Firm Mattress in Canada?

To choose a suitably firm mattress, you need to consider the brand for trust, construction material for effectiveness, and special considerations in the mattress design for back health. 

These three are crucial to picking the right mattress firmness as long as the end goal is improved sleep and health(2). Here are some further explanations on those three factors.

Check the Brand’s History on the Market

Good mattress brands don’t just pop on the market out of nowhere. They gain a reputation by making quality products and being honest with their customers.

So, check the brand’s history on the market. You can find the main milestones in the ‘About Us’ section on the website and then google reviews. I recommend that you search for reviews on the Web instead of reading them from the website, where they might not be written by real users.

Research the Materials

Here’s the deal:

Foam firmness can be calculated by using the parameter called the Indentation Load (Force) Deflection (ILD or IFD). ILD shows how much weight (in pounds) you need to compress a memory foam sample by 25% of its volume. 

ILD of memory foam can range between 15 to 18 points for a comfort layer and more than 50 points for a base layer. Generally, the ILD of 15 points and higher is considered firm.

Polyfoam, in general, is less dense than memory foam, so the firm feel here will start at 12-15 points.

Latex, on the contrary, may feel more rigid than synthetic foam, so if you’re looking for a firm mattress, check for 15-20 points of ILD and higher.

For coils, the main parameter that specifies firmness is steel gauge (the thickness of the wire used for making coils). The gauge is marked in numerics and usually, the lower the number, the thicker the steel wires.

The information above might be specific and not always displayed on the manufacturer’s website. But you can contact customer support directly, via a chat or by phone.

Also read: Best Luxury Mattresses in Canada

Don’t Forget About Back Health

Your mattress should be able to relieve your back problems and provide relaxation regardless of its firmness levels.

But certain brands go further and equip their beds with some features that can improve your back pain situation, such as:

• lumbar pads for the increased lumbar spine support;
• zoned comfort layers for precise cradling;
• pocketed coils for more pronounced pressure relief.

So, if you’re in the market for a good firm mattress for back pain issues, these are the features you should look for.

Also read: Best King Size Mattresses in Canada

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of Canadian brands that can offer you a decent firm mattress. All the models I collected in my selection have great value for money and incredible supportive properties, but don’t feel uncomfortably rigid and won’t provoke any pain and stiffness.

If I had to choose a single model out of the five, I’d go with the Novosbed. This mattress impressed me by all means: it can support the spine in any position, doesn’t sleep hot, and has low motion transfer and pretty strong perimeter, which is good for couples.

What about you? Which of these mattresses can make a great purchase for your bedroom? Share your thoughts below!