Plank Firm Luxe Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. Testing categories include:

Test	Rating
Cooling	Excellent
Sinkage	Moderate
Motion Transfer	Moderate
Response Time	Extremely Fast
Bounce	High
Edge Support	Exceptional
Sex	Excellent
Pressure Relief	Very Good
Off-Gassing	Excellent
Company	Excellent

Testing Note: I tested firmness on both sides, but all performance scores below are based on the firm side only.

The Plank Firm Luxe has excellent cooling performance. In our tests, I felt no significant level of heat retention around my body.

The mattress has a minimal level of foam, uses poly foam instead of memory foam, has a hybrid design, and a floating feel (as opposed to sinking into the mattress). This combination of factors is able to further improve cooling performance.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

The mattress we tested had the standard cotton cover. However, there is an optional cooling cover you can choose if you desire even better cooling performance.

Our heat dissipation data showed that the mattress was able to release the majority of its heat by minute 3.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

Overall, I’m quite pleased with the cooling performance I experienced and measured on the Plank Firm Luxe. I don’t expect heat will be an issue for many sleepers on this mattress.

The Plank Firm Luxe has a moderate level of sinkage. In our sinkage tests, we measured 2.12” of pressure point sinkage. I was actually a little surprised by the sinkage depth.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

Typically, mattresses at this firmness level create far less sinkage. As a result, you can expect heavier portions of your body to sink to a moderate depth on the Plank Firm Luxe.

However, lighter body parts (feet, lower legs, arms, etc.) will float more on top of the mattress due to the high level of firmness. Notably, we tested the firm side, not the very firm side. Without question, the very firm side will have less sinkage and an even more extreme “floating on top of the mattress” feel.

The Plank Firm Luxe has a moderate level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 10.14 m/s² of acceleration range. This is 2.62 m/s² more motion transfer than the average of 7.52 m/s².

The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.

Higher motion transfer is pretty common on firm and very firm mattresses. The firmer feel simply creates more immediate pushback and support, which also means more pushback for motion-generating events.

Our motion transfer chart (which visualizes our accelerometer data) shows the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.14 seconds. It begins to drop off thereafter but still remains moderately high until 0.92 seconds, before finally returning to near-zero levels.

Neither the motion peaks nor the motion duration are great. Mattresses with the lowest levels of motion transfer are able to disperse all energy within 0.3 seconds.

Needless to say, Plank Firm Luxe is far from that mark. In my view, if you need a firm mattress then you’re going to have to deal with a higher level of motion. A natural side effect of the firmer feel is a higher level of motion.

The Plank Firm Luxe has an extremely fast response time. In our tests, we measured 0.3 seconds for the materials to mostly recover and 0.8 seconds for full material recovery.

Both of these measurements are better than the average.

Based on all of our tests to date, we have measured an average mostly recovered response time of 0.47 seconds and an average fully recovered response time of 0.90 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

Firmer mattresses usually don’t compress as deeply and are often able to deliver the speedy response times that we measured here. Higher response helps improve ease of movement and prevent any type of stuck feeling.

At these response levels, I don’t envision any issues. The mattress rebounds to shape quickly, avoids any stuck feelings, and aids in ease of movement.

The Plank Firm Luxe has a high level of bounce. In our tests, we measured 10.32” of total bounce height. This is 0.55” more bounce than the average of 9.77”.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

Higher levels of bounce improve sex and ease of movement. However, too much bounce can create motion transfer issues. Typically, I like to see 8-12” of bounce.

It’s enough to experience the benefits, without being too much. At 10.32” the Plank Firm Luxe is right in the sweet spot. While we did measure higher levels of motion transfer, I suspect most of that is resulting from the firmer feel. Overall, I don’t expect the bounce to be a major issue for sleepers.

The Plank Firm Luxe has exceptionally good edge support. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured 3.0” of sitting sinkage at the edge. This is 1.44” less sinkage than the average of 4.44”.

Subjectively speaking, I felt extremely well supported even when sitting directly on top of the edge. The firm feel creates more than sufficient support over the entirety of the mattress.

Ideally, I like to see 4.0” of sitting sinkage or less. With just 3.0” of edge support sinkage the Plank Firm Luxe is a fantastic performer.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

Lying edge support was equally as impressive. When lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt fully supported in all sleeping positions. I have zero complaints when it comes to edge support on the Plank Firm Luxe.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

Our sex rating formula looks at 5 different factors weighted based on their importance.

All factors are not equal in terms of significance, but each plays an important role.

Three of the most important factors are listed below with the associated testing scores:

In addition to the factors above, there are two other we consider as well, including pressure relief and cooling.

Here’s a look at the breakdown of how these 3 factors rank within the full formula:

We use the scores from all factors, plugged into the formula above, to derive a sex score for each mattress.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score
Bounce	60%	10
Edge Support	20%	10
Noise	10%	10
Pressure Relief	5%	9.0
Cooling	5%	9.5

For the Plank Firm Luxe, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.9. This is a fantastic score and based on the individual scoring factors, we’re not too surprised.

This mattress has high bounce and exceptional edge support. These two factors alone make up 80% of the total sex score. In addition to bounce and edge support, it is also very quiet, and has good cooling and good pressure relief.

The only other issue may be the super firm feel. If you’re on the very firm side of the mattress the mattress itself is so firm that some people might find it to be too firm for sexual activities.

The Plank Firm Luxe mattress has good, but not amazing pressure relief. Ultimately, this is a mattress designed to create high firmness and high support. With that firmness and support comes more of a “floating on top” of the mattress feel, as opposed to in.

A byproduct of that feel means pressure relief is going to be far more restrained. For sleepers who like the firmer feel, this comfort dynamic can be perfectly acceptable.

However, sleepers who need a more significant hug, more body contouring, and more immediate softness in the top layers, are likely to be disappointed by the overall pressure relief dynamic of this mattress.

Right out of the box, the Plank Firm Luxe has a moderate amount of smell. The off-gassing period lasted 6 days, which is slightly longer than the average across all mattresses that we’ve tested to date.

To speed up off-gassing, place the unboxed mattress in a well-ventilated room and leave off the bedding for a day or so. This maximizes airflow, which in turn can shorten the off-gassing period.

Plank has a great company score. They offer a 120-night trial period with a 10-year warranty. Shipping is free, but if you decide to return the mattress there are two caveats to consider.

Company Factor
Trial Period	120 nights
Warranty	10 years
Shipping	Free
Returns	$99 return fee
Country of Origin	USA

Break-In Period: There is a 30-night break-in period from the time you take home the mattress. During the first 30 days, you cannot initiate a return, giving sufficient time for your body to adjust to the new mattress.

$99 Return Fee: If after the 30-night break-in period, you still want to return the mattress, it will cost you a $99 return fee. This applies to used mattresses as well as mattresses still in their original packaging.

The Plank Luxe is very firm, one of the firmest mattresses we’ve tested to date. It is a flippable mattress and has a slightly different firmness on each side, although both sides are still considered to be firm and very firm.

One side is an 8 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.

The other side is a 9 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm.

The Plank Firm Luxe has exceptionally good support. The mattress is designed to create high firmness, high pushback, and fantastic support. It absolutely checks all 3 of those boxes.

The firmer feel ensures that sleepers of all body weights receive ample support, especially for the midsection and lower back. It’s a mattress better suited for heavier weighted bodies, in addition to stomach and back sleepers. In general, it’s not a mattress I’d recommend for side sleepers.

Firm (8 out of 10)

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Yes	No	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes

Extra Firm (9 out of 10)

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Yes	No	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	No	Yes

Design

The design of the Plank Firm Luxe mattress is an extra firm hybrid with a total thickness of 13.25″. I will say right off the bat—this mattress is not for everyone.

The extreme firmness of this mattress makes it a tough sell for lightweight sleepers, side sleepers, or just those who don’t enjoy the feeling of a mattress with so much pushback.

That being said, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, or just those who really like a very firm feel may appreciate the Plank Firm Luxe.

Materials

Being a flippable hybrid, there are actually comfort layers on both sides of the mattress with a shared support layer positioned in the core of this mattress.

From top to bottom, the layers on this mattress include:

• 1.5” quilted cover
• 1.0” poly foam (TitanFlex)
• 2.0” poly foam
• 6.0” support coils
• 2.0” poly foam
• 0.75” quilted cover

The Cover

The cover of the Plank Firm Luxe is thin and stretchy, with a breathable feel. This is the standard cover.

On the firm side (8), this layer is 1.5″ thick, for added softness. On the extra firm side (9), this layer is only 0.75″ thick, providing a firmer feel.

If you’re looking for something with more performance benefits, Plank also offers a cooling cover, as an optional add-on.

The cooling cover uses a phase-change material to provide temperature-regulating benefits and improved cooling.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer beneath the cover depends largely on what side of the mattress you’re lying on.

On the firm side (8), this layer is 3.0″ thick and uses a blend of two different types of poly foam. On the extra firm side (9), this layer is only 2.0″ thick, provided with a single layer of poly foam.

The Support Layer

No matter which side of the mattress you’re on, the support core is the same. It is a 6.0″ thick layer of pocketed coils, where hundreds of coils are individually encased in fabric.

Product Evolution

The Plank Firm Luxe was launched in 2020 in an effort to reach growing customer requests for an extra firm hybrid. The original Plank came out 3-4 years prior to this launch, but being an all-foam mattress the Luxe was developed as a hybrid alternative to the all-foam construction.

How is the Plank Firm Luxe Different?

The Plank Firm Luxe is not a one-fits-all type of mattress. It is designed for a very specific class of sleepers.

#1. Very Firm.

As the name suggests, the Plank Firm Luxe is extremely firm—8 or 9 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This firmness is not the right pick for everyone, but if you’re a back or stomach sleeper or a heavier sleeper just looking for extra firmness and support, the Plank Luxe may be for you.

#2. Flippable.

The other feature of this mattress that helps it to stand out from the competition is its flippable nature. This allows the mattress to prove two different firmness levels, within a single mattress.

Plank Firm Luxe vs. Plank Firm

So how does the Plank Luxe compare to the original Plank? Check out the similarities and differences below.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Plank Luxe is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated firm hybrids below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Plank Firm Luxe mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.