Best Mattress For Heavy People 2023 – Top 6 Compared

Last Updated on January 1, 2023

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Most people can buy any mattress which suits their fancy, but as you probably know already – that’s not the case if you’re overweight. The truth is, heavy people have a particular set of needs when it comes to bedtime. The best mattress for heavy people must provide pressure relief and overall support in equal measure; otherwise, you’ll soon suffer painful joints, back pain, and a generally restless night’s sleep.

If you’re struggling to find the right mattress to support your body weight, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Choose Mattress, we understand how difficult it can be for obese people to find their perfect match, which is why we’ve scoured the market to find the highest-performing sleeping mattresses designed for large people that money can buy.

So, are you ready to snuggle up? Here’s our curated list featuring the best mattresses for heavy people. Read on to see which models are impressive enough to make our list.

Mattress For Heavy People Reviews

Ready to enjoy your best night’s sleep? Check out our favorite mattresses for heavy people below.

WinkBed Plus (Best For Side Sleepers)

If you’re a large side-sleeper who’s sick of uncomfortable pressure points, we recommend you take a look at our pick of the best mattress for heavy side sleepers – the WinkBed Plus.

To sleep comfortably on your side as a heavyweight person, you need a mattress that offers great support to keep your spine aligned without sagging, as well as a high level of cushioning and body conformation to prevent pain in your shoulders, knees, and hips. The WinkBed Plus features all the qualities required to make this a reality, thanks to its clever design and use of intelligent materials.

An 8 on the firmness scale, the WinkBed Plus is designed to be firm enough to support larger frames. The multiple layers of high-density gel polyfoam and 7 cushioning latex layers create an ‘impression-proof’ yet responsive surface for long-lasting comfort, without sinking or sagging around your pressure points.

In addition, this hybrid mattress for heavy people features a specialized ‘LumbarLayer™’ to maintain proper posture and ease back pain, while a 3-zone pocketed coil layer beneath provides optimum joint support and maximum durability. The incredible support system extends all the way to the edge of the mattress, so you can sit or sleep at the sides of the bed without feeling that you’ll fall off.

If you’re concerned that all this foam and latex will result in a hot and sticky night’s sleep, you needn’t worry. Not only does the coil layer encourage air circulation, but the WinkBed Plus also includes a breathable Tencel® lyocell cover that sleeps 30% cooler than cotton or linen. This temperature regulation is further enhanced by the gel-infused Euro-Pillow top that works to draw heat away from your body all night long, no matter how hot it gets.

The WinkBed Plus has clearly been created with large people in mind, but for this reason, it may be less suitable for couples in whom one partner has a lighter build. As it is designed to resist sagging under heavy weight, lightweight people may find that this mattress is too firm to be comfortable and that it creates unwanted pressure on the joints.

If you’d like to try out the WinkBed Plus to see if it’s your perfect match, you can take advantage of their 120-night sleep trial. You’ll have to use it for a minimum of 30 nights before they’ll take it back, though. That said, should you decide to keep it, you can sleep peacefully knowing that this mattress comes with a lifetime warranty.

Further reading: Read more about the Plus in our full WinkBed reviews.

Helix Plus (Best For Overweight Couples)

If you’re looking for a highly supportive mattress that is suitable for both yourself and a heavy partner, we recommend the Helix Plus, our choice for the best mattress for overweight couples.

Helix Sleep supplies a wide range of mattresses, but the Helix Plus is different. This mattress has been carefully designed with overweight users in mind so that it can cater to your specific needs and concerns.

Rated between 8 and 9 on the firmness scale, this mattress is ‘medium-firm, offering great support for larger builds, without being hard and uncomfortable.

At 12”, the Helix Plus is generously thick, which makes it perfect for overweight partners who weigh between 250-300 lbs. The inner construction consists of a mixture of high-density latex, memory foam, and polyfoams on top of a layer of hundreds of strong pocketed coils. The thin 100% polyester cover is breathable, too, so you and your partner can sleep cool, even in the summer months.

If you suffer from joint pains, this hybrid design really ensures great pressure relief, while the responsive coils maintain your posture and prevent sagging and impressions, so you can easily change position throughout the night. The Helix Plus is perfect for back, side, and stomach sleepers, so whatever your preferred position, you can rest assured that it will conform to your body and your joints are well-supported. In addition, the wrapped coils run all the way across the mattress, so you can enjoy fantastic support around its edges.

Overall, the Helix Plus is the best choice for heavyweight partners, but there are a couple of things to be aware of before you purchase this model. The highly responsive materials may disappoint you if you like the ‘wrap-around’, hugging sensation of memory foam mattresses, and the high firmness level may be too hard if you’re a side-sleeper at the lighter end of the spectrum.

If you and your partner would like to give this mattress for overweight couple a try, the Helix Plus comes with a generous 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.

Titan Hybrid (Best Value)

After a great value mattress that’s supportive enough for your heavy frame? The Titan mattress by Brooklyn Bedding is our pick of the best mattress for large people on a budget.

Rated an 8 on the firmness scale, this hybrid mattress is supportive enough for your weight and provides adequate cushioning to prevent soreness at your pressure points. Suitable for all sleeping positions, its multiple layers of foam and 952 individually wrapped coils conform gently to your body, keeping you evenly supported and responding to your movements all night long. You won’t need to worry about disturbing your sleeping partner, either, as these specialized coils and foam layers are designed to minimize motion transfer incredibly well.

Alongside its impressive posture support and pressure-relieving properties, the Titan Mattress also helps maintain a healthy sleeping temperature. The quilted gel memory foam upper layer works with the cool air flowing through the coils, to dissipate heat buildup throughout the night, so you stay cool and comfortable.

In spite of its modest price, this Brooklyn Bedding Titan mattress also performs well in terms of edge support. A 2’’ thick foam base layer reinforces from the bottom up; so you’ll feel secure even if you like to sit or sleep close to the side of the bed.

In line with other manufacturers, Titan by Brooklyn Bedding offers a sleep trial of 120 nights. However, you must keep it for at least 30 days before they’ll take it back. Should you fall in love with it and decide to purchase it, you’ll be protected by a 10-year warranty.

Saatva HD (Luxury Choice)

Are you on the hunt for a sumptuous, supportive mattress for heavy people that offers a luxury feel? If so, you should check out the Saatva HD – our top luxury choice.

The best beds for heavy people have a common theme – a hybrid design. The Saatva HD mattress is no exception. This 15.5” thick mattress features multiple layers of Talalay latex, memory foam, and strong tempered coils, which are cleverly grouped into ‘zones’ to support and cushion large sleepers who weigh between 300 pounds and 500 pounds.

Boasting a firm feel, this mattress won’t sag beneath you, even at your heaviest areas. If you like to sleep on your side or back, the high-density materials ‘prop you up’, gently contouring around your shoulders, hips, and knees for excellent pressure relief and a reduction in joint pain. Heavy stomach sleepers may find this level of support uncomfortable, though, as the surface will not give way enough to maintain proper spinal alignment.

Not only does this mattress perform well at cushioning your achy joints, but the responsive coils work hard to keep an even sleeping surface if you like to move around during the night. This means you’ll never struggle to change positions or experience any stubborn impressions, and the edges of the mattress offer just as much comfort and support as the center. Motion transfer is minimized, too – so you won’t wake your partner.

Furthermore, these impressive coils help to enhance airflow; which, when coupled with the breathable organic cotton pillow top cover and Talalay latex layers, ensures you stay cool and cozy until morning.

All in all, this model is our best mattress for plus-size users who are looking for a luxury feel. Sure, it is a little pricey, but that’s to be expected considering this mattress’ use of high-quality materials and cleverly constructed design.

You can try the Saatva mattress out at home for 120 nights risk-free, and also enjoy a 20-year warranty on your purchase if you decide to keep it.

Bear Hybrid (Best For Hot Sleepers)

If you’re of a heavy build but also have an active, athletic lifestyle, then the Bear Mattress Hybrid is our top choice. With features that enhance circulation and muscle recovery, the mattress is specially designed for those who are always on the go.

Also one of the best mattresses for heavy people, this unique mattress features a specialized Celliant cover, which absorbs your body heat and transforms it into infra-red energy. This energy is then redirected back at your skin, improving circulation to your tired muscles, reducing pain and increasing recovery rates after exercise. This technologically advanced, cutting-edge process also helps to keep you cool throughout the night, thus making this mattress a fabulous option if you tend to sleep hot.

Great for heavier people who struggle with hip or back pain on standard mattresses; the Bear hybrid mattress boasts a variety of layers that cushion and support your joints to maintain correct alignment all night long. A combination of 5-layers of high-density foams gently conforms to your contours, offering pressure relief for tired muscles and joints, while the quantum edge coils keep your back and neck aligned to prevent discomfort.

Designed to suit all sleeping positions, the Bear Mattress has an even and highly responsive sleeping surface that will not become indented over time. The surface reacts to your movements quickly, so if you change positions during the night, it immediately adapts to keep you supported and comfortable. Motion isolation is also very good, but support around the edges isn’t as effective as we would have liked. Therefore, this mattress may not be well-suited to heavier people who like to sit or sleep close to the bed’s perimeter.

Overall, though, this mattress is a great option for athletic people who are on the heavier side. If you’d like to try it, it comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year limited warranty for peace of mind.

Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid

The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid mattress is a good choice for those who are overweight or have a large frame. This mattress is a combination of a number of high-quality materials that provide a comfortable sleep to all user sizes.

As a heavy person, you tend to sink into the bed a little too much and not get enough support where it’s needed most. This situation can lead to back pain and poor circulation, which makes your body ache in places you didn’t know existed before.

Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid comes with a three-layered construction including a cool-to-the-touch cover made from breathable knitted fabric, dense foam core with gel foam top layer for temperature regulation and additional support, and a base consisting of thousands of individual pocket coils. The gel foam top layer provides a cooling effect and a little extra bounce to the mattress which is a good thing when you share a bed with a person of a different weight too. The coils work to support the body regardless of your weight and, as many overweight people sleep on their sides, they will provide a necessary spinal alignment.

It’s also worth noting that Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid comes with a 20-year warranty and a 100-night risk-free trial.

Further reading: Learn more about the AS5, and others similar to this in our Amerisleep reviews.

How To Choose The Best Mattress For Heavy People

Your body weight is perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing a mattress. If you fail to bear this crucial aspect in mind, when you lay down on a mattress, you’ll have a very different experience compared to someone lighter than yourself.

People who weigh over 230 pounds are unlikely to feel comfortable on a standard mattress and risk suffering from painful pressure points, and back and neck pain as a result. Therefore, the best mattresses for heavier people must feature particular qualities, to support the user correctly for optimum health.

In this section, we take a look at the most important features to consider when choosing the best bed for overweight person.

Find Out The Weight Limit

It may sound obvious, but when choosing a mattress, be sure to check its weight limit. Standard mattresses are often rated to support body weights of up to 250 lbs. However, if you weigh more than this or sleep with a heavy partner, they will not provide adequate support for your body type.

Speciality mattresses that are designed for heavier people will offer higher bodyweight limits, but not all are created equal. Bariatric mattresses for morbidly obese people usually support weights of up to 1000 lbs, but other mattresses for heavy people may be rated at around 600 lbs.

Its thickness doesn’t simply define the weight limit for any mattress. The inner construction materials and layering structure play an important role in the level of healthy support they can provide. For example, the best mattress for obese stomach sleepers will usually feature a softer comfort layer coupled with reinforced base layers to support their weight, while maintaining correct posture. Therefore, do not assume that a thicker mattress automatically means a heavier weight limit.

Most mattresses designed for overweight or obese sleepers will clearly state any weight limit in the product description. However, if you’re unsure, give the manufacturer a call to find out before making a purchasing decision.

Choose The Right Thickness

In general terms, mattress thickness can vary between around 6 inches to 16 inches thick. Most commonly, all-foam mattresses will be thinner than hybrid models or traditional innerspring mattresses.

For overweight people who weigh more than 230 pounds, a thicker mattress is the best choice. This is simply because your increased body weight will compress the mattress much more than an average-weight individual and increase the pressure on your joints.

Therefore, we recommend that the ideal mattress thickness for heavy people or overweight couples should be at least 10”. Of course, this 10’’ thickness can be split into two or more layers.

Ideally, you should look for upper comfort layers of high-density foam that will cushion your joints, followed by thicker layers of foam or coils that will support your frame and maintain your posture.

Explore Firmness Options

When it comes to firmness, mattresses are either soft, medium, firm or somewhere in-between.

All mattresses sold today are rated on a scale of 1 to 10 for firmness – 1 being the softest, plush option and 10 being the hardest choice. It is rare to find a mattress that lands at either extreme of this scale, however. Most mattresses will be rated somewhere between 3 and 8.

It is important to recognize that heavier sleepers who weigh 230 pounds and above will compress their mattress several inches more than lighter people. As the mattress is more compressed, it will feel like a soft mattress to an obese person, but a relatively firm mattress to a light person.

For this reason, it is recommended that heavier people opt for medium-firm to firm mattresses, or those rated between 6 and 8 on the firmness scale. A high firmness level is very important for side sleepers or if you prefer to sleep on your stomach so that your weight is evenly distributed and the correct posture is maintained.

A firm mattress is also great for heavier people who suffer from back problems, such as a slipped disk or tightness or weakness in the lumbar region of the lower back.

Consider Your Sleeping Position

When choosing your new mattress, be sure to consider your preferred sleeping position before making your decision. Some mattresses are better at providing pressure relief for a particular position over others – in this section, we break down what you should look for.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers prefer the supine position because it helps align the spine and distribute body weight evenly. Aside from your hips, which can distribute weight quite well, there are limited pressure points in this position.

As a result, heavier sleepers who prefer to lie on their backs will feel most comfortable and supported on medium-firm to firm mattresses, which will cradle the body and not sag beneath the hips.

Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is one of the most popular sleeping positions, but this position doesn’t naturally align the spine. Because of this, the best mattress for obese side sleeper supports your body in the right places, to avoid pressure points in your neck, shoulders, hips, and back.

Heavyweight side sleepers should opt for mattresses that are rated as medium-firm, as these are more likely to conform to, and cushion, your contours – providing pressure relief while still supporting spinal alignment.

We also recommend choosing a mattress that has a high durability rating and a good warranty, as side sleepers are more prone to experiencing impressions and sagging in their mattresses over time.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping is the least recommended position, especially if you carry much of your weight around your midsection. Not only does this position place undue strain on your spine, but you’ll be sleeping with your head turned to one side, which also pressures the neck.

Regardless, if you feel most comfortable sleeping on your stomach, the right mattress for heavier sleepers like you is one that offers a high firmness level to ensure support and pressure relief. This will prevent your stomach from sinking into the mattress and throwing your posture too far out of alignment.

Consider The Level Of Edge Support

Do you like to sleep close to the perimeter of your bed? Perhaps you spend some time sitting at the edge when putting your slippers on in the morning? If this sounds like you, then you need to look for a mattress that offers great edge support.

Heavyweight people often struggle to get in and out of bed if their mattress is too soft. The edges compress too far under the increased weight, which can lead to falls and unnecessary strain on the body. Furthermore, if you sleep close to the rim, a lack of support around a mattress’ edges can make you feel like you’re about to roll over the side – as well as increasing the risk of that actually happening.

The best mattresses for obese people are those that feature reinforced edges to support and stabilize this area of the mattress. Mattresses that include a coil layer, such as innerspring and hybrid mattresses, will offer the strongest edge support, while foam options usually struggle in this area.

All of our mattresses for heavy people reviews above feature hybrid models with good to excellent edge support.

Ensure Breathability

Few people like sleeping hot, but this issue is more common if you’re an obese sleeper. Your increased body mass means that you give off more body heat than a lighter individual and are, therefore, more likely to feel uncomfortably warm during the night.

Memory foam mattresses have a bad reputation for sleeping hot, but this isn’t always the case. Newer models often include more efficient cooling gels that can counteract heat build-up more effectively, thus helping you to sleep without sweating.

That said, firm mattresses that have little sinkage and those which have pocketed coils are better options for a hot sleeper. Airflow is more easily distributed through a coiled mattress, which naturally helps to wick away heat. To ensure your joints feel well-cushioned, it’s best to opt for a mattress that uses cooling materials in the upper comfort layers, too, to help resist temperature buildup.

Organic cotton or synthetic breathable toppers, cooling gel-infused layers close to the surface, and a coiled spring support layer will enable you to get the best of both worlds.

Make Use Of Sleep Trials

Purchasing a new mattress is a big decision, and as comfort is subjective, it is difficult to determine whether a mattress will suit you based solely on customer reviews or product descriptions.

This is especially true for obese people, who require certain attributes from a mattress for adequate support and comfort. Thankfully, most manufacturers recognize this fact and offer sleep trials so you can try out their mattress in your own home.

Most sleep trials will be at least 100 nights, but some brands will allow you to try out their mattress for a whole year. Sleeping on a new bed is always a bit odd, so It is important you give the mattress some time to be ‘broken in’ once you receive it, before making your final decision.

Some manufacturers will not take their mattress back for the first 30 days of the trial so that you are forced to use it for a minimum time frame. Therefore, if you live in a small one-bed apartment, it may be wise to check out the trial conditions before taking up the offer.

What Type Of Mattress Should Heavy People Use?

With so many materials available, it can be tough to decide which mattress is best for you.  In this section, we take a look at each of the different types so you can make the right choice.

Memory Foam

As the name suggests, memory foam mattresses are constructed from 100% foam. This is usually split into a number of different layers, with lower-density foam in the comfort layers and a higher-density, support foam in the base to reinforce and maintain the structure of the mattress.

Memory foam is fairly popular with average and lightweight sleepers, as it creates a pressure-relieving, ‘hugging’ sensation around the body that makes you feel like you’re floating. For heavy or obese people, however, pure memory foam mattresses are not generally recommended. This is because many 100% foam mattresses struggle to adequately support hefty body weights and large sleepers often sink too deeply into the mattress to feel comfortable.

There are some exceptions to this rule, though. Side or back sleepers at the lower end of the overweight spectrum, say around 230 pounds, will find that a memory foam mattress for heavy people with predominantly high-density foam could be a good choice. Foam density is measured in pounds per cubic foot, so the higher the density, the more weight the mattress can support.

Therefore, if you like the sensation of being hugged by your mattress, those which feature high-density foams may be suitable for you. But make sure to check out the actual density rating in pounds per cubic foot before you buy, as the term ‘high-density’ can mean different things to different people. You should be able to find out this information by calling the manufacturer directly.

Latex

Latex mattresses are known for their durability and good ventilation. These two attributes are a necessity for overweight people, who often feel overheated during the night.

Additionally, the springy nature of latex makes moving around and changing sleeping positions quite easy for those who have a larger body type, although they are best paired with a pocketing spring core for maximum support.

Latex mattresses are also a good choice if you are sensitive to allergens, as they’re often made from 100% natural materials, hypoallergenic, and resistant to mold.

Innerspring

The traditional innerspring mattress is another feasible option for heavy people.

An innerspring mattress can be made of various coil arrangements, but each type is a good choice to support heavier individuals. Moreover, spring mattresses are often the best when it comes to edge support and usually provide good ventilation for heavier sleepers who tend to sleep hot.

If you’re buying for both yourself and a heavy partner, you should check that the pocket springs are designed for minimal motion isolation. This feature is most often seen with individually encased and functioning coils, and will make sure that you don’t disturb your partner during the night.

However, there are issues with these mattresses which obese people need to consider. Innerspring mattresses tend to be less durable than other options, and with time, they may sag and become squeaky.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses are the best all-round choice for overweight sleepers. This kind of mattress combines foam layers, usually a mix of memory foam and latex foams in the comfort layers, with a pocketed spring layer in the sore for maximum support.

Larger people often prefer this type of mattress, as they offer both pressure relief and overall support in one. Their multiple layers create a thicker mattress, often as thick as 15”, which copes well with the high body mass of larger individuals.

Aside from this, the comfort layers cushion joints while the coil layer offers a responsive surface and maintains proper spinal alignment in almost all positions. This kind of mattress is much more breathable than memory foam choices, as the coils help to circulate air throughout the core, wicking away heat from the body.

All of the mattresses we have reviewed above are hybrid models, which goes to show that they are the leading kind of mattress for larger people on the market today.

Conclusion

If you’re a heavyweight sleeper, having the right mattress is crucial to your health and well-being. With your increased bulk and the potential for strain on your joints, sleeping on the wrong kind of mattress can lead to discomfort, painful pressure points and an all-around rotten night’s rest.

While each of the mattresses we have reviewed makes excellent choices in their own right we think the best mattress for heavy people is the WinkBed Plus.

We love this mattress because everything about it is designed with the obese sleeper in mind – right down to its name, which plays on the words ‘plus’ for the bigger individual.

Painful pressure points at your shoulders, knees, and hips are reduced thanks to the multiple foam comfort layers, that cushion your body from head to toe without sagging. Rated at 6-7 on the firmness scale, this mattress is firm enough to support your weight, but not so firm that you feel like you’re sleeping on the floor. The pocketed coil layer responds to your every move, filling in the gaps along your contours to keep your spine in proper alignment all night long.

This mattress offers great cooling properties to prevent uncomfortable night sweats, and features outstanding support on the mattress’ edges, so you won’t feel unstable at the perimeter of the bed. And to top it all off, the WinkBed Plus comes complete with its own extra-strong foundation as standard, so you can enjoy sleeping on it from the very first day of the generous 120-night trial.