Plank Firm Mattress 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 9 different factors that impact the comfort and feel of the mattress. Testing categories include:

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

Note: The table below shows results for the Plank (firm side), not the Extra Firm. We show testing results for both sides below.

How is Plank Firm Different?

The Plank Firm mattress has better overall performance than average, but also a price point that is below average—a savings of 15% compared to the average foam mattress.

Advantages

Specific advantages for the Plank Firm include slightly better cooling performance, lower levels of motion transfer, and faster off-gassing once unboxed.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has very near-average levels of sinkage and 27% less bounce than average. Both of these factors are considered neutral and rely heavily on a sleeper’s personal preference.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages include a slower material response time, thinner mattress thinner (only 10″ compared to the 12″ average), slightly poorer edge support, and a shorter trial period.

Factor	Plank Firm	Average
Overall	9.61	9.51
Price	$999	$1,168 (Foam only)
Cooling	9.5	9.4
Max Sinkage	2.11″	2.17″
Total Motion Transfer	6.80 m/s²	8.52 m/s²
Response Time	0.5 sec.	0.4 sec.
Total Bounce	8.05″	9.65″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage	4.25″	4.11″
Mattress Thickness	10.0″	12.0″
Sex Overall	9.5	9.6
Comfort Material	3.0″	4.2″
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	3 days	5 days
Trial	120 nights	160 nights
Warranty	10 years	26% have lifetime warranties, average of other 74% of mattresses is 14 years

Overall, the cooling performance on the Plank Firm mattress was excellent. We tested both the firm side and the extra firm side—here is what we found.

9.5

Cooling – Extra Firm Side

Looking at our objective data, it peaked at a maximum temperature of 90.0° F.

This is notably lower than the average max temperature on average, which is 91.2 degrees F. However, I was most impressed by the heat dissipation.

• 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

Within 1-minute after getting off the mattress the surface temperature had declined to 86 degrees F. It continued to gradually decline further to 82° F. That’s a drop of 8° over a 5-minute period.

While the mattress is all foam, the foams used simply retain less heat.

Heat Dissipation Over Time (Extra Firm Side)

Speaking subjectively, I felt no significant heat retention or cooling issues while testing the Plank Firm. It does an excellent job at remaining cool.

9.5

Cooling – Firm Side

Our cooling tests on the firm side were about the same as what we experienced on the extra firm side.

The maximum temperature was higher but still better than average at 90.7° F. Heat dissipation was also similar.

Within 1 minute the maximum surface level temperature had declined from 90.7 to 85.6° F. Heat dissipated continued through the 5-minute mark and ended at a temperature of 83.5° F.

Heat Dissipation Over Time (Firm Side)

During our tests, I did not feel any excessive warmness or heating issues. The firm side, like the extra firm side, did a nice job at breathing well and remaining cool.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

Sinkage – Extra Firm Side

In our pressure point tests, we measured the Plank Firm extra firm side sinkage at 1.05”. This is pretty typical and about what we expected given the extra firm feel.

The Plank’s extra firm side creates a ton of pushback and support, which also means there is very little sinkage going to be allowed by the foams.

Sinkage – Firm Side

There is notably more sinkage on the firm side, especially compared to the extremely minimal sinkage on the extra firm side. In our pressure point sinkage tests we measured a compression of 2.11”.

This is very slightly under the average sinkage across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 2.22”.

Even though the mattress has a firm feel, it still provides a nice level of sinkage, which really goes a long way to providing pressure relief for sleepers.

Levels of motion transfer on the Plank Firm mattress are fairly high on both sides of the mattress because of the firmer feel. A firmer feel means that less energy can be absorbed into the materials so the energy tends to translate further across the surface of the mattress.

8.9

Motion Transfer – Extra Firm Side

Motion transfer was high on the Plank Firm extra firm side. Our accelerometer measured an acceleration range of 9.3 m/s².

This is notably more than the average across all of our tests to date, which is an acceleration range of 5.96 m/s².

The extra firm feel simply has very little room for energy absorption. As a result, that energy must be returned, and in this case, it results in more motion transfer on the mattress. 

9.6

Motion Transfer – Firm Side

Motion transfer on the firm side was notably better than on the extra firm side. Our accelerometer measured the motion transfer at 6.8 m/s².

This is slightly more than the average across all mattresses we’ve tested, which is 5.96 m/s². The top layer of foam on the firm side has a nice degree of sinkage.

As a result, this allows it to better dissipate energy from motion-generating events, which keeps overall motion transfer lower.

Looking at the motion transfer chart, there is a high degree of motion for the first 0.3 seconds, with continuing spikes through 0.6 seconds. However, after that time, motion energy returns to effectively zero.

10

Response Time – Extra Firm Side

Response time was fast on the extra firm side of the Plank Firm. Within 0.2 seconds most of the materials are able to rebound to their original shape.

A full material recovery takes 0.9 seconds, as some materials simply need a little longer to rebound.

Even so, a 0.2 second rebound for most of the materials to bounce back is extremely fast. In fact, it’s tied for the fastest response time we’ve measured to date.

10

Response Time – Firm Side

The response time on the firm side was considerably slower than the extra firm side, but still about average compared to all mattresses we’ve tested to date.

Most of the materials were able to respond within 0.5 seconds and a full rebounding of the materials took 1.2 seconds.

Bounce was low to moderate on both sides of the mattress.

Bounce – Extra Firm Side

In our tests, we measured a bounce range of 7.84”.

This is slightly lower than the average bounce height across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 9.65”.

Having more bounce isn’t necessarily better or worse. It really is more of a preferential factor. However, more bounce is always preferable for ‘the dance with no pants‘.

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

Bounce – Firm Side

Bounce on the firm side was effectively the same as what we measured on the extra firm side. The total bounce height was 8.05”.

This is just slightly lower than the average bounce height of 9.65” that we’ve measured across all mattresses to date.

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

For edge support, the firmness of this mattress was a positive attribute and edge support was fantastic.

There was minimal compression and I felt supported when seated and when lying down. Here’s a breakdown of how each side performed.

9.3

Edge Support – Extra Firm Side

In our tests, we measured a maximum compression of 4.5” of sinkage while sitting directly on the edge of the Extra Firm side.

This is slightly poorer edge support than the average, which across all the mattresses we’ve tested to date is 4.11”.

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

Edge support while lying directly on the edge was just as good as sitting edge support. The firmer feel really does a nice job at creating excellent support whether you’re sitting or lying.

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

9.4

Edge Support – Firm Side

Edge support on the firm side was excellent as well. Both sitting and lying edge support mirrored the excellent support that we measured on the extra firm side. See images above.

While sitting we measured a maximum compression of 4.25”. And while lying I felt fully supported despite the increased sinkage afforded by the top layer of foam.

The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.

These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	60%	9.5	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	9.4	Very Good
Noise	10%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.5	Excellent
Cooling	5%	9.5	Excellent

For the Plank Firm mattress, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.5.

Sex on the Plank Firm is a bit of a mixed bag—bounce isn’t great, but edge support is, however, the lack of softness could really be a downer for sex.

I cannot imagine having sex on this would be super fun. It’s not that far from having sex on the floor.

Both sides of the mattress had very similar scores for all factors except for pressure relief. When it comes to pressure relief, the extra firm side may be a bit too firm for most people.

The regular firm side provides a bit more sinkage which could be a benefit during sex.

The bounce was fantastic and edge support was sufficient. Cooling was great as well and this mattress did not have a problem with heat retention.

Regarding noise, the Plank Firm uses 100% foam materials, so there was basically no sound coming off the mattress.

8.5

Pressure Relief – Extra Firm Side

Pressure relief was good, but not great. In my view, an extra firm mattress just isn’t going to provide pressure relief. But that’s sort of the point.

You would only buy an extra firm mattress if you need that level of support. Most sleepers don’t need that level or type of support.

9.5

Plank – Firm Side

I found pressure relief to be excellent on the firm side. This mattress design strikes a perfect balance of being able to provide pressure relief, while still having a firm feel.

The Plank Firm firm side creates around 2” of sinkage, which relieves pressure, allows for body contouring, and creates some gentle softness. However, the support and feel is still overall firm.

After the mattress had time to air out for a couple of days, there was no longer a strong smell.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	25%	9	120 nights
Warranty	25%	10	10 years
Shipping	25%	10	$0
Returns	25%	10	$99
Country of Origin	0%		USA

The Plank Firm mattress is manufactured by Brooklyn Bedding and they follow the same company policies. This mattress comes with a 120-night trial period, a 10-year warranty, and free shipping. Returns have a $99 fee if the mattress ends up not working out.

A couple of conditions to remember… Brooklyn Bedding requires a 30-night “break-in period” before you can initiate a return (if you decide that the mattress isn’t a good fit for you).

Both sides of the Plank Firm mattress have a very firm feel, one side slightly firmer than the other.

The firm side feels like an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.

The extra firm side feels more like a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.

Because of the firmness of this mattress, there’s just no way to sugarcoat it and pretend like it’s for everyone. It’s not.

But there are absolutely sleepers who could benefit from this much firmness.

For example, back sleepers and stomach sleepers especially typically need more firmness than a side sleeper.

You can use the charts below to see which side might be the best fit for you.

Extra Firm Side

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

Firm Side

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

Design

The Plank Firm has an extremely firm feel with very little sinkage, high motion transfer, fast response, moderate bounce, and good cooling.

The story with this mattress is its firmness. You absolutely must not only like, but need an extra firm mattress for this to be a good fit.

Materials

As mentioned above, the Plank Firm mattress is a flippable mattress. It has a 9″ thick profile and depending on what feel you prefer, you can flip the mattress back and forth.

The image below shows the extra firm side.

For the firm side you simply flip the entire mattress, so that the 2.0″ of latex-like poly foam is the top layer.

The Cover

The cover of the Plank Firm mattress is thin and stretchy, much like most covers on other Brooklyn Bedding mattresses as well.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer of the firm side is a 2.0″ thick layer of latex-like poly foam and uses cut convoluted channels to provide airflow and a touch of softness.

If you’re sleeping on the extra firm side, the “comfort layer” will actually just be the support layer, since the mattress is flippable.

The Support Layer

The support foam layer is 7.0″ thick and sits below the comfort layer (when used on the firm side). When on the extra firm side, the support layer is the comfort layer, as mentioned above.

Product Evolution

The Plank Firm mattress was originally launched in 2017, although as a company, Brooklyn Bedding has been around since 1995.

There have been minimal changes to the original flippable Plank Firm, but about two years after the launch of the first Plank Firm, Brooklyn Bedding introduced the Plank Firm Luxe.

The Luxe is a hybrid that uses foam and coils combined.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure that the Plank Firm is the best firm mattress for you? Here are three other options for quality mattresses that may be better suited to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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