The best mattress for heavy people is one that can support body weights of 250lbs or more per person, so their minimum weight capacity is around 500lbs. They also feel firmer than the average mattress as heavier bodies need more support to remain on top of the mattress, where the spine is properly aligned, rather than sinking in too much. Some of this year's best mattresses for all budgets will support sleepers who weigh 250lbs plus, but not all of them can.
From our testing and research, the best mattresses for heavy people have strong edge support, an anti-sag design, and responsive comfort. The top-rated brands in this category are Saatva, Big Fig Mattress, Helix, WinkBed and DreamCloud. All of them come on a trial basis, so you can test them properly at home first to ensure they do support your body in a comfortable way.
Mattresses designed for heavier bodies tend to command a slightly higher price tag, but the good news is that the Black Friday mattress sales are on the horizon and these are likely to deliver the lowest prices of the year on everything from twin size beds to the very best king size mattresses.
Let's now take a look at our recommendations for this year's best mattresses for heavy people...
Best mattress for heavy people
The WinkBed Plus is a version of the original WinkBed – you choose between Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, or PLUS sleep feel when you go to purchase. The makeup is slightly different here; to boost support for heavier bodies, WinkBed has added a 2.5" layer of pure latex and a 2.5" layer of temperature-regulating, pressure-relieving foam. The Plus version skips right over the Euro-pillow top and goes straight in with a layer of anti-sag foam for optimal support. Additionally, the coils on the plus version are banded together and reinforced for extra durability ideal for heavy bodies.
It also includes extra edge support that's ideal for couples who like to spread out across the entire bed while sleeping without having to worry about rolling right off. Plus it’s great if you want to be able to sit on the bed to get dressed, or need something firmer to push on to stand up easily. We rate this bed highly in our best firm mattress guide.
We were very impressed by the regular version in our WinkBed Mattress review, although do be aware the design is different here. Reviews can't be filtered by firmness level, but scrolling through we found several hugely enthusiastic customers, commenting that this mattress delivers the right balance of softness and firm support, and praising the motion isolation. Consult our WinkBed mattress sales guide to make sure you don't miss a price-drop if you do decide to buy one.
Best budget mattress for heavy people
As a rule, the best mattresses for bigger bodies cost a bit more too, which makes the mid-range price tag of the Titan Plus (the plus-size model from popular bed brand Brooklyn Bedding) all the more impressive. This hybrid model includes springs and foams, and based on our experiences with other Brooklyn mattresses, we'd expect a high build quality. At 100 inches tall, the Titan Plus is the shallowest option on our list, so it won't feel as luxurious as other, chunkier models, although it still promises to support up to a total weight of 1,000 pounds.
Assuming Brooklyn's own 8-10 rating is accurate (bear in mind these things are subjective), this is the hardest mattress in our ranking. That's good news if you want an ultra-sturdy bed, for some it may be just too hard. If you're at the lighter end of the 'bigger bodies' spectrum (i.e. close to 250lb), you might want to consider something a little softer. If you want a contouring sleep surface, or you have a partner under 250lb, Brooklyn recommends upgrading to the softer, Luxe version of this mattress, although there are plenty less-firm options in this ranking to choose from if that doesn't appeal.
This mattress has an average of 4.7/5 stars over ~2,500 reviews (July 2023). There's plenty of praise for the high build quality and how supportive it is. In any mattress comments section it's common to find a mix of people who find it too firm and those who find it too soft, and that's true here. There seems to be agreement that it's too solid for lightweight people (who share a bed with a bigger person), and a number of side sleepers commented that it lead to pressure building up in this position. Quite a few people complained about the lacking edge support.
The jury's also out on how good the temperature regulation is. Some customers comment that this mattress sleeps cool, while others complain the opposite is true, and matter is complicated further by the fact that we don't know whether the reviewer opted for the cooling cover upgrade or not. (If you do go for the GlacioTex cover, be aware that it is very slippery.) You would expect there to be some concessions to be made given the lower price.
At full price, this mattress is in the upper mid-range bracket (still relatively affordable), but you'll almost always get 25% off, taking it into mid-range. Allowing for some variation based on mattress sales, it's cheaper than all the other models on our list. If you want a bit of an upgrade, the Helix Plus (#5) is only a bit more expensive, softer and thicker, and bargain-hunters should also check out the Emma (#6), which occasionally is very cheap.
Best luxury mattress for heavy people
Saatva’s HD Mattress features 5-zone natural latex for additional support in the lumbar region of the body. Additionally, it boasts pressure relief properties for tight hips and back pain thanks to its 5-pound memory foam layer that contours and cradles to the body. In our Saatva Classic mattress review we talk about how the hybrid is our favorite mattress, so we can confidently recommend this brand for its quality products.
Side and stomach sleepers will enjoy this bed the most since it’s pretty firm and you won’t sink too much under your own weight, which makes it great for heavy bodies. And if you run hot, you’ll enjoy the cooling properties of this mattress thanks to its steel coils that allow for optimal airflow. Saatva promises no sagging edges, whick will make getting up and out of bed nice and easy.
At time of writing, there's only 26 reviews on the Saatva website, but this bed scores an impressive 4.9 star average. There's praise for the amount of firmness, luxurious feel, motion isolation and customer service.
Best specialist mattress for very heavy people
The Big Fig Mattress markets itself as being 'the mattress for a bigger figure'. With high density poly foam and over 1,600 individually wrapped coils, the promises a completely sag-free sleep surface, designed to remain sturdily supportive for many years.
Although firm, this mattress it’s still comfortable and soft enough for a restful sleep you’ll look forward to each night. And because with two people in the bed it can get a bit hot, especially as the night progresses, this hybrid mattress features Thermogel-treated fabric that actively works to lower body temperature and ward off unwanted night sweats. The mattress is tufted together in 16 places to keep the layers in place for 20+ years.
This mattress has earned a 4.7 star average over 5k reviews. While the vast majority are very positive, the thing that crops up repeatedly is that is really quite firm. We'd recommend a firmer mattress for heavier people in any case, and it's also the best option for back or stomach sleepers who want to ensure their back is properly supported. However, personal preference comes into it too, and if you know you don't get on with firmer beds, check out the Helix Plus (#5) or DreamCloud Premier Hybrid (#7).
Best mattress for heavy people who overheat
Those on a tighter budget should check out the Helix Plus. A queen size will typically set you back $1,199, which puts it on the cusp between mid and upper-mid price brackets. While it's not quite as cheap as the Titan (#2) or (if you buy at the right time) the Emma (#6), it's far more affordable than most options in this part of the market.
The Helix Plus boasts medium-firm foam that contours the body for optimal support throughout the night. To be precise, the mattress has four pounds of foam, which is great not only for those with larger bodies, but it’s also designed to provide comfort for all sleep positions – side, back, and front.
The mattress’s individually wrapped springs limit motion transfer, making it an ideal option for couples with different sleep habits and wake patterns. And the edge support is next-level thanks to its reinforced sides that’ll keep bodies sturdy while asleep and upright. That means no slipping and sliding when putting on your socks or getting up in the morning.
The Helix Plus can hold up to 1,000 pounds total, which is enough for two 500-pound individuals. And to keep cool, sleepers can opt to purchase a GlacioTex Cooling Cover which is designed to pull heat away from the body while you sleep for a more comfortable temperature (although do note that this will make your bed slippery!).
Best mattress for heavy people who struggle to sleep
Although the DreamCloud Hybrid Premier Mattress isn't specifically made for heavier people, reviews suggest it's a good choice for heavy bodies, with its cashmere layer, gel memory foam, and innerspring coils. The cashmere layer works to keep you cool as it allows for maximum airflow making it a great mattress for not only heavy bodies, but also hot bodies.
Around the perimeter of the bed, the coils are even thicker to provide more durable edge support making it a sturdy place to sleep and even sit when working or watching television. Plus, you can sleep soundly knowing that your partner will barely feel your tosses and turns, thanks to its minimal motion transfer.
Still not sold? The seven-layer mattress is ideal for side, back, and front sleepers, so whichever position you are used to, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid will deliver a comfortable night’s sleep. See how we got on with the cheaper model in the lineup in our DreamCloud mattress review, and don't forget to check our DreamCloud mattress sales page for discounts before you hit Buy.
What is the best type of mattress for heavy people?
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The best mattress type for heavy people is a hybrid that features durable innerspring coils and soft memory foam. The coils will help provide the firmness and support that help to alleviate back and joint pain while the memory foam aids in pressure relief that feels great after a long day. The mattress should contour to the individual's body to provide support in every region while refraining from sagging over time.
A strictly memory foam mattress may be too soft for heavier people who might want more support and stability for the mattress – sometimes the 'sinking in' feeling isn’t always the best kind depending on the person. A mattress that can be slept on, rather than in, is typically more ideal for heavy bodies, and a hybrid provides just the right balance between the two for a restful night's sleep. It’s all about finding the happy medium between comfort and support when looking for the best mattress for heavy people.
Do heavy people need a soft or firm mattress?
A majority of heavy people prefer a firm mattress that they can sleep on when it’s time to hit the sack. This provides ample support for the body without any unwanted sagging that may cause pain over time.
For front and back sleepers, we typically recommend a firm mattress to promote optimal alignment and a softer mattress for side sleepers who may require a bit more wiggle room. However, in general, heavy bodies will benefit most from a firm mattress that can not only support their weight, but also remain durable and intact over time without losing its stability and strength.
