Plank Mattress Review

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Plank Mattress Review – Truly The Firmest All Foam Mattress You Can Buy

Plank Mattress Review: This name says it all, really. This is the firmest memory foam mattress you can find. The Plank by Brooklyn Bedding is a unique mattress that’s not going to suit everyone, and is designed specifically for those seeking out or needing a very firm mattress. Plank isn’t here to sell you on a “most comfortable mattress you’ve ever tried” marketing line, it’s here with a strong mission to be the best firm mattress there is.

Plank Mattress Review - Cover Image

So, what makes Plank so firm? What does it feel like to lie on? Who will love it and who will hate it? Find all the answers to these questions (and more) in this Plank mattress review. 
Plank Mattress Review: What’s Inside:

  • Plank Mattress Features
  • What Does The Plank Mattress Mattress Feel Like To Lie On?
  • Is Plank The Right Mattress For You?
  • What Are People Saying Who Love Theirs? (Reviews From Real People)
  • Final Opinion

Plank Mattress Features

Not only does Plank aim to set itself apart from the market by being the firmest mattress you can buy, it’s also flippable. This means it has different firmness levels on each side, a really cool feature if you’re not sure just HOW firm you like your firm mattress to be (your options in your Plank mattress are “firm” on one side and “very firm” on the other). It’s one of the best true firm mattresses out there.

Plank Mattress Review - Cross Section

The Plank is an all foam mattress that stands at around 11 – 11.5 inches tall. In the picture above, we’re looking at Plank with the “Firm” side at the top and the “Very Firm” side at the bottom. Here’s an breakdown of the layers:

  1. This first layer in the image above is an optional cooling panel. This is a layer of cool to the touch fabric (I’ve touched these in other brands, they literally feel cold against your skin) that you can choose to pay extra for when you buy your Plank. The cost to add this cooling panel is around $200.
  2. 1.5 inch Quilted top layer. This layer is made from a fabric which is soft to touch, and has been patterned with continuous stitching to ensure there is zero loft (or pillowing) effect. The layer of quilting on this side of the mattress is part of how it is softer (when I say soft here, remember I’m talking about firm vs very firm).
  3. 2 Inches of proprietary Brooklyn Bedding Titan Flex foam. This is a highly durable and resilient foam, and acts as a transition between the quilted top and the foam core. The Titan Flex foam found inside the Plank mattress has a higher density than the Titan Flex that Brooklyn Bedding use in some of their other mattresses, so it’s really firm.
  4. 7 Inches of high density base foam – this is a polyfoam (every all foam mattress on the market has a polyfoam core).
  5. At the bottom, there is 0.75 inches of quilting. If you were to flip the mattress over so this layer was at the top, this would be the “Very Firm” setting. The “Very Firm” setting is achieved through less quilting, and no transitional foam layers between the quilted top and the mattress core.
  6. This is another optional cooling panel. Since these panels are quite expensive at $200 a pop, I’ve asked Brooklyn Bedding how you’re supposed to know which side you put it on, or if the cost covers the insertion of cooling panels into both sides of your Plank mattress.

If you want to check out something similar but with a coil core instead of foam, Brooklyn Bedding also make the Titan mattress, which has similar foams (and the option of a cooling panel) but has a pocket coil support system. Read more about Titan here.

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What Does The Plank Mattress Mattress Feel Like To Lie On? 

As I explained above, Plank is flippable for two firmness options, but they’re both firmer than pretty much every other mattress in a box out there. The two Plank options are Firm (which testers agree is 8 – 8.5 on the mattress firmness scale) OR Very firm (which comes in at about a 9 or 9.5).

The quilting on both sides of the mattress is soft to touch, but be under no illusion that this makes it a soft mattress.

The Plank has been designed to give a flat sleep surface. There are no memory foams in use here, and there is no conforming hug from the foams in Plank. I suppose it’s been designed to feel like, well, a Plank! If you love a very firm mattress and the feel of floating on top of your bed rather than sinking into it, Plank will deliver exactly what you’re looking for.

Since the foams in Plank are ultra responsive and firm, Plank actually has a bit more bounce to it than most other all foam mattresses. It’s not as springy as a hybrid mattress, but it certainly has more bounce than you’d usually expect, and better edge support, too. The trade off here though, because of the lack of conforming foams, is a bit of a loss of motion isolation.

Here’s a short video from Brooklyn Bedding which explains more about how the Plank feels:

Is Plank The Right Mattress For You?

Plank is a very niche mattress that is NOT going to work for everyone. Based on customer reviews and reports from people who have comfort tested the Plank, here are my guidelines for who will love it:

  • Stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers of most weights will find themselves very well supported with Plank. The firmness and resilience of the foam is exactly what you need to keep your hips from dipping, and protects your spine. Lighter or average weight stomach sleepers will enjoy the “Firm” side, while higher weight stomach sleepers will enjoy the “Very Firm side.
  • Back sleepers: if you’re an average to heavy weight back sleeper, you’ll find the “Firm” setting of the Plank can offer a good amount of back support and feel very comfortable.
  • If you just really love a very firm mattress that doesn’t have any contouring
  • If you’re a heavier person who is wanting to try out an all foam mattress

On the flip side, there are people who definitely will NOT enjoy Plank. Look for something else if:

  • You’re a side sleeper of any weight. The absolute lack of any pressure relieving foam means that the Plank will start to feel pretty uncomfortable on your shoulder, where you need some cradling. If you’re a heavier side sleeper, then the Titan could be a good option for you, or if you’re lighter check out Nolah instead.
  • If you’re a light person, you probably won’t enjoy sleeping on the Plank. Unless you’re a dedicated stomach sleeper who loves a very firm sleep surface, this is not the mattress for you.

If you’re sold on the idea of a very firm mattress but are feeling unsure about the all foam design of the Plank, check out Idle Sleep (click here). They make the firmest hybrid mattress, and it comes with an unmatched 18 month sleep trial.

What Are People Saying Who Love Theirs? Reviews From Real People

You’ll find no shortage of happy customers leaving reviews about the Plank living up to its name, and I couldn’t find anyone complaining that it was too soft. If you want a firm memory foam mattress this is the one for you.

“This is the best firm mattress we have ever had!”

“I was concerned that this mattress was going to be TOO firm, but it’s not. I showed it to my chiropractor dad and hes’ impressed.”

“It is difficult to find a good mattress for those of us who like it truly firm. This one is firm and exactly as we hoped it would be.”

“This is a solidly built mattress that looks and feels like it will last a lifetime.”

“Very happy with my purchase. I’m a stomach sleeper and Plank immediately helped with my morning back pains.”

Final Opinion

The Plank mattress is filling an important gap in the online mattress market: it provides a real solution for those seeking a firm and flat all foam mattress.

I think that with pricing from $699, Plank is excellent value for money. It’s made from sturdy materials and is going to be high quality and durable. Even if you spend an extra $200 for the cooling panel (which really does feel cold to touch) you’re still getting excellent value for money.

The option to flip this mattress for two firmness options is extremely rare, and a massive bonus if you’re unsure just how “firm” you want your “firm” mattress to be.

If I were looking to buy a very firm foam mattress for myself, I would not hesitate to buy Plank. It’s awesome.

Plank Mattress

From $699 - Check For Discounts
4.5

Quality Of Materials

4.8/5

Value For Money

4.8/5

Customer Service

4.0/5

Pros

  • Truly Very Firm
  • High Quality Construction Featuring Flippable Design
  • Excellent Value For Money

Cons

  • Not Great For Side Sleepers
  • Optional Cooling Panel Is Expensive

AUTHOR

Emily Johnstone

Emily is the creator and owner of bestmattressforyou.com. Emily's scientific background gives her an analytical, critical, and discerning eye to bring unbiased, thorough, and helpful content to the site. Your good sleep is her top priority. Find out more about Emily and bestmattressforyou.com here.