Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Review – The Firmest Ever?

Written by Marten Carlson, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer

Methodology

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief and more.

Learn more.

In This Review

I talk about the firmness of one of the firmest mattress, the Plank Firm, and discuss what types of sleepers it will work for.

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If you’re in the market for the firmest mattress possible, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding. Our team has tested hundreds of mattresses, and we agree that this bed is up there. It’s a flippable mattress that’s designed to offer excellent lumbar support.

I personally tested this mattress so that you can figure out whether it will work well for you. I’ll cover everything you need to know, including a full breakdown of its construction, pros and cons, firmness and feel, motion isolation, edge support and more. If you’re a stomach sleeper, a heavyweight sleeper, or someone just looking for firm with a capital “F,” keep reading my unbiased Plank Firm mattress review for the full scoop.

Who I Recommend The Plank Firm For…

• Stomach sleepers. These sleepers need a firm enough bed to support them and keep their hips from digging in. The Plank Firm should tackle both.
• People who want a truly firm mattress. This isn’t a medium-firm mattress, it’s a firm bed. Consider trying this mattress out if you’ve been dissatisfied with regular old firm beds.
• Some heavyweight sleepers. Folks over 230 pounds experience firmness differently. Usually, their weight wipes away most of a bed’s firmness, leaving them feeling softer than advertised. If you’re someone who struggles to find a firm enough bed for your size, the Plank Firm may be the answer.

Who I Don’t Recommend The Plank Firm For…

• Side sleepers. The Plank Firm isn’t my choice for pressure relief. So, side sleepers who want to sink into their mattress should stay away from this option but should check out our list of best mattresses for side sleepers.
• People who want a medium or soft mattress. We’re going to drive this point home: this is a firm bed. If you want a soft, medium, or medium-firm bed, the Plank is not for you.

How Firm is the Plank Firm Mattress?

I ranked the firm side of the Plank Firm an 8/10 on our firmness scale, and I ranked the extra-firm side a 9/10. The industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5/10, so both sides of this mattress are significantly firmer than average. In fact, the extra-firm side is one of the firmest sleeping surfaces I’ve ever experienced. The bed is specifically designed to create a firm and flat sleeping surface with no loft for sleepers to sink into.

Firmness is a bit subjective, so it’s possible that your assessment might vary a touch. But it’s safe to say that everyone will agree this is a very firm mattress.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Performance: My Overall Rating

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in seven performance categories, alongside other important factors like construction and policies. The Plank Firm really stood out from the competition in terms of support and responsiveness, and its edges are just as strong. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.

Mattress Performance Ratings

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Plank Firm Performance in Our Tests

Support

Both sides of the Plank Firm have a firm, foam feel with some good bounce. I didn’t sink too far into the mattress, so I had no trouble moving around or changing positions. I felt like I was sleeping on top of this bed instead of “in” it. The Plank Firm is a good candidate for one of the best firm mattresses out there.

Not surprisingly, one of my biggest complaints about the Plank Firm was that it doesn’t offer much pressure relief. This might make it tricky for petite sleepers or side sleepers who need a softer mattress that’ll allow them to sink in. But stomach sleepers are all set with how firm and supportive this mattress is.

Edge Support

Edge support is useful if you sleep with a partner or you just like to spread out on your bed. A higher edge support score means the perimeter of the mattress shouldn’t sag while bearing weight. For the Plank Firm, I noticed that the edges were rather robust.

When it came to sitting on the edge of the mattress, it dipped only 2.5″ below while bearing my weight. Comparing it to other mattresses, this is stellar edge support. You should feel as secure as I did laying or sitting near the perimeter.

Cooling

The Plank Firm is an all-foam mattress, so it’s not the most breathable bed around. However, you can opt to purchase a cooling cover for the surface of both sides of the mattress, which helps prevent overheating. Additionally, because the bed is so firm, you’ll sleep on top of it instead of sinking into it. This allows for air to flow around your entire body, which further prevents sleeping hot.

In the studio, I measured how the bed held onto heat with a heat gun. I took the temperature before I laid down on the mattress (74 F), and then again after laying on it for a few minutes (78.5 F). This 4.5 degree increase is pretty standard. I felt like the mattress did not make me overheat. Since you’re sleeping more on top of the mattress, it’s not like sinking into an oven during the night. While this mattress performed fairly well for our cooling tests, if you’re an exceptionally warm sleeper it would be worth taking a look at our list of best cooling mattresses.

Motion Transfer

Because the Plank Firm has a flat, firm surface without much “give,” it doesn’t do a great job of absorbing motion. I tested the mattress using a glass of water. I placed it on one side of the mattress and pressed into the opposite side, mimicking a disturbance your partner might make at night.

I saw some serious waves in the water, so it’s possible that you could feel the movements of a partner or pet during the night. Keep this in mind if you’re hunting for a mattress for couples.

Response

All-foam doesn’t always translate to good responsiveness, but the Plank Firm is different. Since this bed is on the firmer side, it doesn’t have as much cushioning foams as typical foam mattresses. But these firm foams have some great bounce.

After testing this bed, I gave it a perfect score in the response category. The ball we use to test bounce does so easily on the mattress surface. I myself found it easy to move around and switch positions. This should be helpful for combination sleepers or sexually active folks who need a surface that won’t “swallow” them up.

Durability

The Plank Firm is made with quality foams and should be fairly durable, although it won’t be as durable as some beds (such as an innerspring mattress with steel coils). I expect it to last between 7 and 10 years. 

The actual density and firmness of the foams may lend it an edge against sagging over time, but this will depend on how often the mattress is used and who sleeps on it.

Plank Firm Policy Scores

Trial Period

The Plank Firm comes with a 120-night sleep trial. This is a little bit longer than the typical 100 nights, but some folks may want a whole year to test out their bed.

Brooklyn Bedding offers free shipping. Returning a mattress will cost $99. If the mattress isn’t a good fit, Brooklyn Bedding may exchange it for a different mattress or send you a topper. If that doesn’t work, they will give you a full refund (as long as it’s within the 120-night sleep trial period).

Warranty

Brooklyn Bedding’s Plank Firm mattress comes with a 10-year warranty. It begins the day you purchase the mattress.

The brand will repair or replace your mattress if it has any defects in its construction or egregious sagging (despite proper use and outside the realm of normal wear-and-tear). Make sure to use a mattress foundation with your Plank Firm to ensure your warranty isn’t voided. This is a fairly standard warranty in the mattress industry. But if you aren’t satisfied, some other brands offer 15-year or even lifetime warranties for their mattresses.

Two-hour Nap Test

Napping on the Plank Firm, I preferred the Firm side. I’m a side and back sleeper, and this side of the mattress was best for back sleeping. Even as a bigger guy, I felt no lack of support. I’ll just say this mattress is firm, so side sleeping is pretty much out.

Plank Firm – Other Factors to Consider

Now that we’ve covered the basics, there’s a few other categories, though not necessary, that might help you in making your final decision.

Off-Gassing

Because the Plank Firm contains foams that are CertiPUR-US certified and low in VOCs, I didn’t notice an unpleasant off-gassing smell. If you do notice any off-gassing from this mattress, it should dissipate within a couple of days.

Noise

During testing, I didn’t observe any notable noise from this mattress when I moved around on it. Because it’s all-foam, it doesn’t have any coils that might start squeaking, so it’s unlikely to become noisier over time.

Sex

Since the Plank Firm got a perfect score on our responsiveness test, I’d say that this bed is a great choice when it comes to the best beds for sex. The firm, lifted feeling at the surface should make it easy to move around, and there’s little-to-no chance of feeling “stuck.”

Mattress Height

The Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm is about 10” tall. This is on the lower end of the industry standard, but it should be thick enough to remain comfortable and supportive for most sleepers. If you want a taller, still-firm bed, check out the Plank Firm Luxe.

Price

Before discounts, a queen-size Plank mattress costs $1332.00, which is slightly more affordable than other mattresses. Brooklyn Bedding owns its on factory, so the company can cut out the middlemen and keep costs down. Plus, Brooklyn Bedding often runs promotions and sales. If you purchase at the right time and use Mattress Clarity coupons, you could pay as little as $1,000 for a queen.

Sleeping Position and Weight

 Though it’s dual-sided, the Plank Firm is pretty firm on both sides. When it comes to sleeping positions, it makes sense that this is best for stomach sleepers, who need an uber-firm profile to keep their body properly lifted. Some back sleepers may feel comfortable with the support it provides, too.

However, side sleepers, especially those of a lighter or average body weight, will find the Plank Firm far too firm for their needs. Some heavyweight side sleepers might be able to find enough pressure relief to feel comfortable. For a complete overview, check out the chart below.

Sleeper Weight	Back Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Lightweight (Under 130 lb)	Good	Bad	Excellent
Average (130 – 230 lb)	Good	Bad	Excellent
Heavyweight (Over 230 lb)	Fair	Fair	Fair

Heavyweight Tester – 6’7″, 270 lbs

“Not surprisingly, the extra-firm side is much too firm for side sleeping. There’s no ‘give’ from the mattress, so I experienced a lot of pressure around my shoulder and hip. However, this side of the mattress proved to be a great match for stomach sleeping. It is incredibly supportive and kept my hips fully elevated and aligned with my spine. This makes it one of the best mattresses for stomach sleeping.” – Marten

Average-weight Tester – 5’3″, 150 lbs

“I felt nice and supported while on my stomach, but this bed was way too firm for back and side sleeping. If you really love firm beds, you might enjoy it for back sleeping, but overall, this bed isn’t for me.” – Elisa

Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lbs

The Plank Firm offers ample support for lightweight stomach sleepers. It should help keep the hips elevated and in the correct alignment. Back sleepers who weigh less than 130 lbs should feel supported on this bed, but it lacks the slow-moving feel that many beds have. I don’t recommend the Plank Firm for lightweight side sleepers. If you fall in this category, you probably won’t compress the top layer of the bed very much, which could put pressure on your joints.

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Construction

Now that you know what it feels like to sleep on top of one of the firmest mattresses around, let’s take a peek inside of this bed. I’ll review each layer of this bed’s construction and share how different materials influence performance – including its dual-sided nature.

Cover

The Plank Firm’s “cover” is really its top layer; more on that below. 

But for an added fee, customers can choose to purchase an optional cooling cover. This cover is infused with GlacioTex fibers meant to help dissipate body heat.

Comfort Layers

The extra-firm side of the Plank Firm features a comfort layer made from 0.75” of quilted polyfoam, which offers very minimal softness on top of the bed.

On the firm side of the Plank Firm, the top layer also consists of .075″ of quilted polyfoam. The firm side also features a 2” layer of firm Supreme Response Comfort Foam, a proprietary foam with qualities similar to latex (meaning it’s responsive and bouncy). It also adds a bit more pressure relief to this side of this mattress for a more “traditional” firm feel.

The foams used in this mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, which means they’re more eco-friendly than conventional foams and they’re low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Support Layer

The Plank Firm’s support layer is made from 7” of high-density base foam, which lends firm support and structure to the mattress overall. It acts as a strong foundation for the rest of the mattress, though it may not be as durable as an innerspring mattress. But if you’re looking for a firm bed with coils, read our Plank Firm Luxe mattress review.

How to Try and Buy the Plank Firm Mattress

If you want to try out a Plank Firm mattress, your best bet is to order online and take advantage of the trial period. Brooklyn Bedding does have some showrooms and sellers that they partner with to show off their beds in-person (which you can locate on their site), but stock can be limited.

Simply go to Plank by Brooklyn Bedding’s website and pick your preferred model and size. (Be on the lookout for sales or use any Mattress Clarity coupons to get the best deal.) It’ll ship to your house compressed in a box for easy delivery and setup. You have 120 nights to try out your mattress and decide if it’s right for you, at which point you can either keep it or return it. Keep in mind that returning a mattress will cost $99.

Sizes and Prices of The Plank Firm Mattress

Note: These prices reflect the model without the GlacioTex cooling cover.

Size	Dimensions	Price
Twin	38″ x 75″	$749.00
Twin XL	38″ x 80″	$849.00
Full	53″ x 75″	$999.00
Queen	60″ x 80″	$1332.00
King	76″ x 80″	$1532.00
California King	72″ x 84″	$1532.00

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress

The Plank Firm is a very firm mattress that is a great match for stomach sleepers and those who need extra support.

Check Price

Mattress Clarity Score

4.20 / 5.0

How the Plank Firm Compares

If you’re considering the Plank Firm mattress, then you’re probably interested in other firm mattresses. So let’s do a little comparison shopping. We’ve pitted the Plank Firm against the upgraded Plank Firm Luxe model, as well as two of its competitors, the Birch and the Big Fig.

Product

Type

Score

Product

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress

Type

Foam

Score

4.2 / 5

Check Price

Read Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress Review

Product

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Luxe Mattress

Type

Hybrid

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Luxe Mattress Review

Product

Birch Natural Mattress

Type

Hybrid

Score

4.5 / 5

Check Price

Read Birch Natural Mattress Review

Product

Big Fig Mattress

Type

Hybrid

Score

4.6 / 5

Check Price

Read Big Fig Mattress Review

Plank Firm vs Plank Luxe

The Plank Firm Luxe is the more “luxurious” model of the Plank Firm. Both beds have a flippable construction that features a firm side and an extra-firm side. However, the Plank Firm Luxe is a hybrid mattress, meaning the support core is made up of springs, rather than foam like the Plank Firm’s. The Plank Firm Luxe is also a few inches thicker than the Plank Firm.

Both beds have a super-firm feel, but when it comes down to splitting hairs, we found the Plank Firm Luxe to be just a tiny bit softer. Neither bed is good for side sleeping, and both should work for back and stomach sleepers. We scored the Plank Firm Luxe a little higher for cooling, so if you’re a hot sleeper, you may want to go with the Luxe. It also has better motion isolation, which could help out light sleepers with a restless partner.

Plank Firm vs Birch Mattress

The Plank Firm is a flippable, all-foam bed-in-a-box that’s designed to offer a flat sleeping surface and be incredibly firm. The Birch, on the other hand, is a hybrid bed-in-a-box with an eco-friendly construction: it layers an organic cotton cover over wool and Talalay latex comfort layers. 

Not surprisingly, both the Plank Firm and the Birch are firm beds. But the Plank Firm is significantly firmer than the Birch. I ranked the Birch around 7/10, while the firm side of the Plank Firm is around 8/10 and the extra-firm side of the Plank Firm is an incredibly firm 9/10. Even though these beds vary when it comes to construction and firmness, they feel fairly similar. These are both bouncy, responsive mattresses that are easy to move around on top of. The Birch is much more expensive than the Plank Firm, thanks to its organic and natural construction.

Plank Firm vs Big Fig

While the Plank Firm is designed to be a super firm, all-foam bed, the Big Fig is a hybrid mattress that’s specifically engineered for heavier people. It layers a latex foam comfort layer over a polyfoam transition layer, and it has a support layer made from individually-wrapped coils.

Even though they have very different constructions, these beds are pretty similar in terms of firmness. I ranked the firm side of the Plank Firm around 8/10 and the extra-firm side around 9/10. Meanwhile, I ranked the Big Fig’s firmness around 8/10. (Note that average-weight sleepers might rank the Big Fig even firmer, because it’s expressly designed for heavier folks.) These mattresses differ a bit when it comes to feel. The Plank Firm has a bouncy and responsive foam feel, while the Big Fig has a balanced hybrid feel with some bounce.

FAQs

Is the Plank Firm a good mattress?

If you’re looking for a super-firm bed, the Plank Firm should be a great mattress for your needs. It should provide necessary support and durability.

Can you flip a Plank Firm mattress?

Yes! The Plank Firm is a flippable mattress. It features a “traditional” firm side and an extra-firm side that you can switch between as you please.

Is the Plank Firm made in the USA?

Yes, per Brooklyn Bedding, the Plank Firm mattress is made in the USA with a mix of domestic and foreign components.

Plank Firm Mattress Video Review