Saatva vs Big Fig: Which mattress for heavy people is best for you?

If you're of a heavier build, you'll know how important it is to invest in a mattress that can adequately support your frame. In this Saatva HD vs Big Fig Classic mattress comparison, we're looking at two top mattresses that support bigger bodies. But which one is best suited to you?

Like many of this year's best mattresses we've tried and tested, these are both hybrid beds made from a combination of foams and coils. But what makes them two of the best mattresses for heavy people is that they can support far more weight. The Saatva will support 500lbs and the Big Fig 550lbs per sleeper. The extra support on offer will help to stop sleepers from sinking too far into the mattress which could cause dips in their spine and pain in the long term.

With mattress sales live from both brands, now is a great time to invest in either the Saatva or the Big Fig. Read on for a more in-depth look at both mattresses...

Saatva vs Big Fig mattress: Prices & Trial

  • Saatva discounts range from 12-15% off or you'll sometimes find tiered money-off offers
  • Big Fig currently has a 25% discount on the Big Fig Classic
  • Saatva offers a lifetime warranty; Big Fig offers 20 years

Frequent Saatva mattress sales mean you shouldn't have to pay MSRP for the Saatva HD but it's worth noting that this is still a premium mattress, even with discounts.

Normal discounts range from 12-15% or the tiered money-off deals that are currently live with the mattress. This means you can get between $200 and $400 off, with a queen currently reduced to $3,049 (MSRP $3,399) with a $350 discount.

Big Fig always has some sort of sale on and there's currently 25% off the Big Fig Classic, taking a queen down to $1,424 (MSRP $1,899). This is considerably cheaper than the Saatva HD but as we know that price isn't necessarily everything.

In addition to price we also need to look at the length of mattress trials, mattress warranties and the type of shipping. Saatva comes out on top here, with a 365-night trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery. However, there is a $99 to return or exchange the mattress.

Big Fig has a 120-night trial and a 20-year warranty. Shipping is free via Fed-Ex, although there is the option to upgrade to white glove delivery for an additional $199.

Saatva HD Mattress: $1,999$1,799 at Saatva

Saatva HD Mattress: from $1,999 $1,799 at Saatva
Made with a combination of latex, memory foam and coils, the Saatva HD is specifically designed to support larger bodies without sagging. Currently a queen is reduced to $3,049 and you'll get a 365-night trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery.

Big Fig Mattress: $1,499$1,124 at Big Fig

Big Fig Mattress: from $1,499 $1,124 at Big Fig
Supporting an impressive 550lbs per sleeper, the Big Fig offers impressive support. A queen is currently reduced to $1,424 and you'll get a 120-night trial, 20-year warranty and free shipping.

Saatva vs Big Fig mattress: Materials & Design

  • Both mattresses are hybrids
  • The Saatva HD is a 15.5” high mattress made up of seven layers
  • The Big Fig also has seven layers and is 13” high

The Saatva HD is of a similar design to Saatva's best mattress the Saatva Classic. Starting with a 3” thick Euro pillow top made with naturally breathable cotton, underneath you’ll find a 5-zone layer of natural latex for enhanced support in the lumbar region.

Next up is a 1.5” layer of CertiPUR-US certified memory foam to relieve pressure points, followed by 2” of comfort foam for durable support.

Like the best hybrid mattresses, the foams sit on top of 12.5-gauge tempered recycle steel coils, with a reinforced layer of 6” high-density foam rails around the edge for superior edge support. The mattress sits on a 2” layer of high-density hard foam to provide structure and support.

The Saatva HD mattress in a beige decorated bedroom

(Image credit: Saatva)

The Big Fig mattress starts with a soft quilted top made with ThermoGel heat-wicking technology to regulate temperature. Underneath is a perforated layer of gel-infused latex for breathability, followed by a layer of comfort foam to provide pressure relief.

Next up are two firmer layers of responsive polyurethane foam for a firmer support. The mattress is support by a layer of individually wrapped coil springs, made from 15-gauge spring steel.

The coils rest on a layer of polyfoam for durability and stability. And the entire mattress is hand-tufted in 16 places to prevent the foams from slipping over time.

The Big Fig mattress for heavy people shown on a wooden bedframe next to white bedside cabinets

(Image credit: Big Fig)

Saatva vs Big Fig Mattress: Comfort & Support

  • The Saatva HD is a medium firm mattress, rated 7/10 on the firmness scale
  • The Big Fig is a medium firm rated at 7-8 out of 10 on the firmness scale
  • Both mattresses are highly supportive so you shouldn’t sink too far in

The Saatva HD is a great choice for heavy sleepers, offering plenty of support for bodies up to a combined weight of 1,000lbs (up to 500lbs each). But it’s also a good option for those looking for firm lumbar support.

Stomach sleepers in particular should love this mattress, as it does a great job of keeping the hips in line with the shoulders for excellent spinal alignment.

There’s a good combination of pressure relief and support for back sleepers, whilst combination sleepers will find it easy to change positions – you sleep more on top of the Saatva, rather than sleeping in.

Side sleepers will also find plenty of padding and support at the shoulders and hips, although lighter weight side sleepers will probably find it too firm. If that's the case, you should check out our best mattresses for side sleepers recommendations instead.

A blonde haired woman in pink pajamas lies on top of the Saatva HD mattress

(Image credit: Saatva)

Rated to support up to 1,100lbs, the Big Fig is an excellent choice for couples, who will appreciate the strong edge support and motion isolation. This is a firmer mattress than the Saatva and while it’s ideally suited to heavier sleepers due to its superior support, we do think that side sleepers may find it too firm.

Again though, the fact that you sleep ‘on’ this mattress rather than sinking into it makes it an excellent choice for back and stomach sleepers – both of whom will appreciate the lumbar support and good spinal alignment provided by the mattress.

The Big Fig has the highest maximum weight capacity of all the mattresses rated by us for heavy sleepers and is undoubtedly another excellent choice for those weighing over 250lbs.

Big Fig

(Image credit: Big Fig)

Saatva vs Big Fig Mattress: Temperature control

  • Both mattresses offer good temperature regulation
  • The Saatva has a breathable cover and naturally breathable Talalay latex
  • The Big Fig uses ThermoGel fabric and gel-infused latex to keep sleepers cool

Saatva’s mattresses are well-designed when it comes to temperature regulation. Like the best cooling mattresses, they don’t use a lot of foam, plus the HD is made with well-spaced steel coils to promote airflow.

The cover is made from breathable organic cotton and there’s a layer of naturally cooling Talalay latex directly underneath to help regulate temperature.

The Big Fig also has some clever features to help keep sleepers cool. The cover is a ThermoGel knit blend, which is a fabric blended with a gel material.

This helps to regulate temperature by dissipating body heat. Up next is a layer of gel-infused latex that’s aerated for airflow, and the mattress also contains well-spaced coils to further aid with temperature regulation.

A man in a blue t-shirt relaxes on the Big Fig hybrid mattress

(Image credit: Big Fig)

Saatva vs Big Fig mattress: Which should you buy?

Buy the Saatva HD mattress if…

You experience back aches and pains: The Saatva HD does an excellent job of keeping the spine perfectly aligned and there’s zoned support from the latex layer.

You want a great all-rounder: Sleepers will feel comfortable in all sleeping positions on the Saatva, with plenty of support and cushioning at pressure points.

You want a traditional feel: As you sleep on top of the Saatva it feels more like a traditional innerspring mattress.

Buy the Big Fig mattress if…

You share your bed with a restless sleeper: Motion isolation and edge support on the Big Fig are excellent, meaning you shouldn’t feel any movement by your partner during the night.

You sleep hot: With its ThermoGel cover and gel-infused aerated latex foam, the Big Fig both sleeps cool and feels cool to the touch.

You want a mattress with a higher weight capacity: With the ability to support sleepers with a combined weight of 1,100lbs the Big Fig really is designed to support heavier sleepers.

Jo Plumridge
Mattress tester and sleep writer

Jo Plumridge is an experienced mattress reviewer with several years' experience covering all things mattresses and sleep, and who tests memory foam, hybrid and organic mattresses. What Jo doesn't know about a boxed mattress isn't worth knowing, so naturally we tasked her with producing a series of features for Tom's Guide looking at all aspects of mattresses, from how to pick between latex and memory foam (it's a tricky one), to the seven mistakes people make when buying a mattress for the first time. When testing the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid for Tom's Guide, Jo said: "I loved the back support and pressure relief it offered. Plus, it looks far more expensive than it is." When she isn’t writing about sleep, Jo also writes extensively on interior design, home products and photography.