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Beautyrest Black Mattress Review: Test Lab Ratings
Sleep Foundation
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The Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm is the most supportive option in the premium Beautyrest Black Series One line. Built for extra support, it’s a good match for stomach and back sleepers. It also offers superior ease of movement and exceptional edge support.
- Balanced support for stomach and back sleepers, especially those over 130 pounds
- Stable, reinforced edge for full surface usability
- Responsive and easy to move on
- Limited pressure relief due to firm feel
- Side sleepers, particularly those under 130 pounds, may find the surface too firm
Simmons Bedding got its start in 1870 and debuted the Beautyrest brand in 1925. As a pioneer in pocketed coil support systems, Beautyrest quickly became a prominent name in the mattress industry. Today, the brand includes over 20 models divided into several mattress collections, including the Beautyrest Hybrid Mattress, the Beautyrest Harmony Mattress, and Beautyrest Series Three XCS.
The Beautyrest Black is a popular premium collection from the brand, and the Beautyrest Black Series One is the most approachably priced option. This Beautyrest Black Mattress comes in four distinct firmness options, including several pillow-top designs. Beautyrest describes the firmest version of the mattress as “Extra Firm,” which we rate as a firm (8) on our 10-point firmness scale. Check out our Beautyrest Black Hybrid Series One Mattress Review for a closer look at the other Series One models.
In this mattress review, we’ll focus on the Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm. To help you decide if this is the best version of the Beautyrest Black for you, we’ll cover its design, dimensions, policies, and performance during our in-house tests.
SMART MATCHING
Is the Beautyrest Black Series One – Extra Firm Right for You?
Use the filters below to see how well the Beautyrest Black Series One – Extra Firm lines up with your unique needs. We'll also give you a couple other recommendations based on your answers.
TEST LAB RATINGS
How the Beautyrest Black Series One – Extra Firm Scored
Motion Isolation6.0/10
Like many firmer mattresses, the Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm may transfer some motion. Its foam comfort system helps muffle vibrations, and minimal movement spreads between coils in the core. However, the bed’s notable bounce and limited contour mean that it can’t isolate motion to the same extent as some softer models, including other designs in the Beautyrest Black Series One line.
We used sensor testing to check the spread of vibrations and detected mild to moderate transfer when we dropped a kettlebell on one side of the bed. Team members also said they could feel some of their testing partner’s movements, but they didn’t think that this level of motion transfer would lead to significant sleep disruptions.
Brad Nehring, Product Testing Manager: “The firmest version of the Beautyrest Black isolates motion to an extent, but not as much as the other models in the line.”
Pressure Relief6.5/10
As the firmest Beautyrest Black Series One mattress, this version doesn’t relieve pressure to the same extent as the other options in the line. That said, its pressure relief compares favorably to many firm (8) models we’ve tested.
The polyfoam and memory foam comfort system helps cushion the surface and add a bit of contouring. Additionally, the pocketed coils compress independently of each other to better accommodate a sleeper’s unique body shape.
With our body-mapping tools, we detected some pressure buildup around the shoulders and hips of side-sleeping team members. Most testers did not find this bed uncomfortable, but some preferred softer versions of the mattress for deeper cradling.
Logan Foley, Executive Product Director: “I got some pressure relief when lying on my side, but not as much as I would have liked. It was more than I’d expect from a model that’s this firm, though.”
Temperature Control8.5/10
Since this version of the Beautyrest Black doesn’t hug as closely as other models in the line, it outperforms them in temperature control. Air can move more freely around a sleeper’s body to help dissipate heat. Additionally, the cover is designed to transfer away their warmth, and airflow through the coil core helps regulate temperatures.
When we removed a heat source from the bed during our analysis, our temperature readings showed minimal lingering heat and fairly rapid dissipation. Team members also reported that the bed seemed to maintain a neutral temperature throughout the testing process.
Mary Fenton, Head of Product Content: “I stayed cool and comfortable on the Beautyrest Black. This firmer option seemed to stay much cooler than the plusher versions of the bed.”
Edge Support9.0/10
The Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm stands out for its supportive edge. Reinforcement along the perimeter helps limit compression to stabilize the edge. This may make it feel more comfortable to sit or lie along the perimeter of the bed, which is often important for couples and anyone else who relies on a secure edge.
Our team members, including those over 230 pounds, felt stable across the full surface of the Beautyrest Black. No testers reported feeling like they might roll off or needing to move closer to the center of the bed.
Brad Nehring, Product Testing Manager: “Lying along the edge of the bed felt completely secure to me, and I could also sit on the side comfortably. That made the bed feel bigger.”
Ease of Movement9.0/10
Thanks to its responsive design and firm (8) feel, the Beautyrest Black excels in ease of movement. The coils give the bed some bounce, making it more responsive for position changes. Additionally, the comfort system does not mold as closely to the sleeper as plusher mattresses, so they’re less likely to feel trapped in their own body impressions.
Throughout our testing, team members noted that it was easy to change positions, move across the surface, and get out of bed. For combination sleepers, active sleepers, and individuals with mobility issues, the Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm may be a strong option for its exceptional ease of movement.
Logan Foley, Executive Product Director: “I felt like the Beautyrest Black actually made moving around and changing positions easier, much more so than other firmness options in the line.”
Durability7.5/10
Due to its sturdy support, the Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm may last slightly longer than the average hybrid mattress life expectancy of 6.5 to 7.5 years. We expect this version of the Beautyrest Black to also last longer than many variations in the Series One line because of its firmer surface.
However, to help extend the lifespan of your Beautyrest Black Mattress, follow manufacturer care instructions and recommendations, including rotating your mattress every 6 months or so and using a mattress protector to prevent stains and spills.
HANDS-ON TESTING
Testing Team Takeaways
To test the Beautyrest Black Mattress, we had three people on our testing team each take the bed home with them for one week. Here are their initial observations.
Brad Nehring
Product Testing Manager · Side sleeper · 215 lbs.
Side sleeper · 215 lbs.
“The level of support was close to ideal for me when I was lying on my back or stomach. But as a side sleeper, I could generally use a little more cushioning and contouring than this mattress provides.”
Logan Foley
Executive Product Director · Side sleeper · 140 lbs.
Side sleeper · 140 lbs.
“The Beautyrest Black felt firmer than I usually prefer, but I really liked how it maintained a neutral temperature and felt supportive right up to the edge.”
Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content · Combo sleeper · 150 lbs.
Combo sleeper · 150 lbs.
“What really stood out to me was how simple it was to change positions on the Beautyrest Black. I didn’t sink in deeply enough to feel restricted, and the strong bounce seemed to make movement even easier.”
Who it Fits
Fit by Sleep Position and Body Weight
Sizes, dimensions and weights
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers typically benefit from the level of contouring more common in softer mattress models. The Beautyrest Black – Extra Firm may fit the bill for some who favor this position. Some side sleepers are likely to prefer a softer option from the Beautyrest Black line, but this version’s polyfoam and memory foam comfort system provide more conforming and pressure relief than many firm (8) models from other brands.
During our tests, side sleepers on our team weighing more than 230 pounds found the surface quite comfortable, though some preferred a slightly softer feel. Testers up to 230 pounds thought the surface was adequately supportive but not plush enough for side sleeping, with some noting hot spots around their hips and shoulders.
Back Sleepers
The Beautyrest Black’s firm (8) feel was built with back sleepers in mind. While the polyfoam and memory foam comfort system helps cradle the spine, sturdy support limits sinkage around the hips that could otherwise contribute to lower back strain.
Across weight groups, our back-sleeping testers gave the Beautyrest Black high marks. The level of support was ideal for many over 230 pounds, but all of our back sleepers found the mattress comfortable.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers often benefit from enhanced support, so the firm (8) version of the Beautyrest Black is a strong match for many. Polyfoam and memory foam layers cushion the surface, but at the same time, the design doesn’t let a stomach sleeper sink in very deeply. This may help prevent their midsection from sagging too far and pulling their spine out of alignment.
Stomach-sleeping team members weighing 130 pounds or more were the most enthusiastic about the firmness level. Those under 130 pounds also found the mattress comfortable and sufficiently supportive, but they would have preferred more cushioning.
Construction
Inside the Beautyrest Black Series One – Extra Firm
Cover
Stretch-knit blend
Comfort Layers
Polyfoam, polyfoam, memory foam (gel-infused)
Support Core
Pocketed coils (perimeter reinforcement)
Other Hybrid Mattresses You Might Like
Saatva Classic
9.5/109.5/10 · $934 – $2,518
Innerspring · Soft (3), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Helix Midnight
9.1/109.1/10 · $749 – $1,358
Hybrid · Medium Firm (6)
WinkBed
9.4/109.4/10 · $999 – $1,999
Innerspring · Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)
Buying It
Trial, Warranty, and Delivery
Availability
Beautyrest Black Mattresses are sold through the Beautyrest website. These beds are also available through select third-party retailers, including Mattress Firm, Home Depot, Macy’s, and JC Penney. The Beautyrest Store-Finder page is available to help you find the locations closest to you.
Be aware that policies vary between retailers, and the mattress may not be available at all brick-and-mortar partner locations.
Shipping
The Beautyrest Black Mattress includes free White Glove delivery within the contiguous U.S. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is not available at this time.
Orders generally ship within 2 to 4 weeks. For select locations and certain sizes of the Beautyrest Black Mattress, Quick Ship is available. This means the mattress may arrive sooner.
The company’s third-party courier service will reach out to schedule a delivery date about a week after you place your order, and you’ll receive a call on delivery day with a more specific 4-hour window.
A team will set up the mattress in your room of choice and remove the packaging. They can also remove your old mattress upon request, provided it is in sanitary condition.
Additional Services
Free White Glove delivery to the contiguous U.S. is standard with the purchase of a Beautyrest Black Mattress. Old mattress removal is also included at your request for free.
Sleep Trial
When purchased through the Beautyrest website, the Beautyrest Black Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial. The company encourages trying the mattress for at least a month to adjust.
If the bed isn’t right, you can reach out to Beautyrest to start the return process. Beautyrest will coordinate with its shipping partner, RXO, to remove the unwanted mattress. RXO will reach out to schedule a pickup window. Within a couple business days, Beautyrest typically receives notification that the pickup is complete and begins issuing a full refund.
Beautyrest’s policy allows one return per household per 12-month period.
Warranty
When purchased from the Beautyrest website, the Beautyrest Black Mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects, cover defects, and flaws in the foam.
The policy does not cover normal increases in softness or wear and tear. Retail partners typically handle the warranties for mattresses purchased at a brick-and-mortar store.
Brad is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest who holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Western Washington University. As someone who has lived with sleep problems throughout his adult life, Brad is passionate about helping others get the rest they need. He’s professionally tested and reviewed sleep products for nearly a decade.