by The Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding is one of the few genuinely ultra-firm mattresses in the DTC market, with a Firm side (8/10) and an Ultra-Firm flip side (9.5/10). It suits strict stomach sleepers, heavy-framed back sleepers, and anyone who has tried standard "firm" mattresses and found them still too soft. For sleepers who want coil-on-coil support with a firmer feel but better edge support and a longer trial, the Saatva Classic in Firm is the strongest alternative.
Saatva Classic
9.2/10
- Dual-coil construction with reinforced lumbar zone pad
- Firm option (7/10) still firm but adds natural coil response and zoned lumbar support
- Free white-glove delivery, in-room setup, old mattress removal
- 365-night trial, the longest in the industry, with a lifetime warranty
- Not as aggressively firm as the Plank Ultra-Firm side (9.5/10)
- Heavier than foam mattresses, not roll-packed
For most sleepers drawn to the Plank's firm profile, the Saatva Classic Firm delivers better long-term value: coil-on-coil support with a reinforced lumbar zone, white-glove delivery, and a 365-night trial that allows genuinely thorough testing.
Who the Plank Firm is for
Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding occupies a specific, underserved niche: genuinely ultra-firm mattresses for stomach sleepers, heavy-framed back sleepers, and those with orthopedic conditions where a flat, rigid surface is preferred. Most DTC mattresses labeled "firm" clock in at 6.5 to 7 out of 10 on firmness. Plank's Firm side sits at 8/10 and its flippable Ultra-Firm side reaches 9.5/10, making it categorically different from the crowded mid-range.
Brooklyn Bedding manufactures the Plank in-house at their Phoenix, Arizona facility, which is unusual in a market where most DTC brands outsource production. The all-foam construction is flippable by design, giving sleepers two distinct firmness experiences in one mattress.
Plank Firm: key specs
| Spec | Plank Firm (all-foam) |
|---|---|
| Price (queen) | ~$1,332 (frequent sales, often $200-$300 off) |
| Height | 10.25 inches |
| Firmness | Firm side: 8/10, Ultra-Firm side: 9.5/10 (flippable) |
| Construction | All-foam, dual-sided; Supreme Response Comfort Foam over 6-inch high-density base core |
| Trial | 120 nights (30-night break-in required; $99 return fee) |
| Warranty | 10 years limited |
| Delivery | Free UPS shipping (box), white-glove available for $149 |
| Cooling option | GlacioTex cooling cover upgrade available |
| Made in | Phoenix, Arizona (in-house manufacturing) |
Construction and feel
The Plank Firm uses two foam comfort layers of differing densities above a 6-inch high-density base core. The Firm side adds a small amount of conforming via quilted tack-and-jump stitching, while the Ultra-Firm side uses zero-loft quilting for a board-flat surface. There is no pillow top, no coil system, and no zone differentiation, which is part of the design: the Plank delivers uniform, unyielding support across the entire sleep surface.
This construction has a direct implication for body type. Sleepers under 130 lb may find even the Firm side too rigid, with insufficient load to create natural pressure relief at the hip and shoulder. The mattress works best for sleepers in the 150-250 lb range who prefer minimal contouring and for those above 250 lb who have found standard firm mattresses too soft and supportive enough.
Testing results
Comfort and pressure relief
On the Firm side, the Plank delivers minimal body contouring, deliberately. For strict stomach sleepers, this is the value proposition: the hips stay elevated relative to the chest, maintaining a flat spinal plane. Two stomach-sleeping testers in our Sleep Lab reported no lower back discomfort after 30 nights, versus their previous medium-soft beds where morning stiffness was routine.
Side sleepers will find the Firm side uncomfortable. The shoulder and hip receive no meaningful pressure relief, and at 8/10 firmness, side sleeping on Plank is workable only for very light sleepers. The Ultra-Firm flip side is not a side-sleeping surface for anyone.
Support and spinal alignment
For back sleepers, results vary by lumbar curve. Those with pronounced natural lordosis found the ultra-firm surface created a gap under the lower back, a common problem on very firm all-foam mattresses where the surface cannot fill the lumbar curve. Back sleepers with a flatter lumbar profile rated it highly. A lumbar pillow under the knees materially improves alignment on Plank for back sleepers.
For the tester with confirmed L4-L5 disc issues, the Firm side was therapeutic. That result reflects individual variation rather than a universal recommendation: clinical evidence on mattress firmness and back pain does not uniformly favor ultra-firm surfaces, and medium-firm with zoned support consistently performs better across a general population.
Cooling
The standard Plank Firm uses graphite-infused foam in the comfort layer. Dense foam retains heat, and at testing temperature (70°F ambient), back sleepers reported mild warmth accumulation by midnight. The optional GlacioTex cooling cover upgrade makes a meaningful difference if you run warm. Hot sleepers should budget for that upgrade or consider that coil-based firm mattresses (including the Saatva Classic Firm) run cooler by design, as airflow moves through the coil layer.
Motion isolation
Good. Dense foam absorbs motion effectively. Partner movement rated low-disruption in couple testing, slightly better than a standard innerspring but marginally below a soft foam mattress.
Edge support
Strong. Dense firm foam holds its shape at the perimeter better than softer foam alternatives. The usable sleep surface extends closer to the edge than on medium or soft foam mattresses. This is one of Plank's practical advantages for larger sleepers or couples.
Pros and cons
- Genuinely ultra-firm, one of the firmest consumer mattresses available
- Flippable design gives two firmness options in one bed
- Strong edge support and good motion isolation for an all-foam mattress
- In-house manufacturing in Arizona; consistent quality control
- 120-night trial is adequate for firmness adaptation
- Not suitable for side sleepers or those who prefer any body contouring
- Runs warm without the cooling upgrade ($149 extra)
- 10-year warranty is shorter than category competitors (Saatva: lifetime)
- $99 return fee reduces effective trial value
- No coil support, so edge support and breathability lag behind hybrid alternatives
Who should buy the Plank Firm
Buy the Plank Firm if: you are a strict stomach sleeper who has already tried firm mattresses and found them insufficiently supportive, a heavy-framed back sleeper (250 lb+) who bottoms out on standard firm beds, or a back sleeper who knows from experience that an ultra-firm orthopedic surface is what their body needs. The flippable design is a practical advantage: try the Firm side first, and flip to Ultra-Firm only if you need more.
Skip the Plank Firm if: you are primarily a side sleeper, under 150 lb, share the bed with a partner who prefers any softness, or are uncertain whether ultra-firm is right for you. For that last group, the Saatva Classic in Firm option and a 365-night trial to confirm fit is a lower-risk path.
Plank Firm vs Saatva Classic Firm: the key differences
The core trade-off is firmness level versus build architecture. The Plank Firm (8/10) is noticeably firmer than the Saatva Classic in its Firm option (~7/10), but the Saatva brings coil-on-coil construction that adds natural responsiveness, a reinforced lumbar zone, and perimeter coils that produce stronger edge support. The Saatva also includes free white-glove delivery and runs on a 365-night trial with a lifetime warranty, compared to Plank's 120-night trial, $99 return fee, and 10-year warranty.
For most sleepers gravitating toward the Plank because they want "a firm mattress with real support," the Saatva Classic Firm satisfies that requirement while reducing trial risk and adding delivery logistics. For the specific use case of ultra-firm (9.5/10) surface preference, the Plank has no real competitor in its price range.
The Plank Firm is a legitimate ultra-firm option for stomach sleepers and heavy-framed back sleepers who know what they need. Most firm-mattress shoppers, though, will get better long-term value from the Saatva Classic in Firm, coil construction, 365-night trial, and a lifetime warranty at a comparable price point.
Sleep Lab scores
| Axis | Plank Firm | Saatva Classic Firm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Comfort (MCI) | 7.8 | 9.1 | Saatva Euro pillow top with lumbar zoning |
| Motion Isolation (MCS) | 8.0 | 7.8 | Dense foam isolates slightly better than coils |
| Edge Support (MES) | 7.5 | 9.4 | Saatva perimeter coils significantly stronger |
| Cooling (MIC) | 7.2 | 8.6 | Coil airflow gives Saatva a clear edge |
| Composite | 7.6 | 8.7 | Saatva ahead across most axes |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Plank mattress too firm?
Plank's Firm side (8/10) is significantly firmer than most consumer mattresses, which cluster at 6.5-7/10. For strict stomach sleepers and heavy-framed back sleepers, that firmness is the point. For anyone else, including most back sleepers with natural lumbar curves, it is likely too firm. The Ultra-Firm flip side (9.5/10) is extreme and should only be considered by people who have already tested a standard firm mattress and found it still too soft.
Is the Plank Firm good for back pain?
It depends on the type. Stomach sleepers with lower back pain often benefit from a firm surface that prevents the hips from sinking below the spine line. Back sleepers with back pain typically do better on medium-firm mattresses with zoned lumbar support, where the lumbar curve is actively filled rather than left unsupported on a flat hard surface. The Plank is purpose-built for the former, not the latter.
How firm is the Plank mattress compared to other mattresses?
The Firm side at 8/10 puts it well above the 6.5-7/10 range most "firm" DTC mattresses fall into. The Ultra-Firm flip side at 9.5/10 is among the firmest options available from any DTC brand. Hotel mattresses typically measure 5-6/10, and most so-called firm mattresses in stores are 6.5-7/10. Plank is a genuine outlier in firmness.
Does the Plank mattress run hot?
The standard Plank Firm runs warmer than average due to its dense all-foam construction. The optional GlacioTex cooling cover upgrade ($149) makes a meaningful difference. Hot sleepers comparing Plank to a coil hybrid should know that the Saatva Classic Firm's dual-coil construction allows significantly more airflow and generally sleeps cooler without a paid upgrade.
Who makes the Plank mattress?
Plank is manufactured by Brooklyn Bedding, a Phoenix-based company founded in 1995 that produces its mattresses in-house at an Arizona factory. In-house manufacturing is rare in the DTC mattress space and gives Brooklyn Bedding tighter control over material quality and construction consistency.
What is the return process for the Plank Firm?
Brooklyn Bedding requires a 30-night break-in period before any return request can be made. Returns within the 120-night window are processed with a $99 fee to cover pickup and handling. The mattress must be purchased directly (not clearance) and used with an appropriate base. That return fee is a material difference from competitors like Saatva, which covers return logistics at no cost within its 365-night trial.
Related: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review | Best mattresses for back pain 2026 | Best mattresses for stomach sleepers | Saatva Classic review