The 10 Best Rated Mattresses for Heavy People – Our 2023 Picks

Your mattress should always give you the proper amount of support as you sleep. For larger people, finding that support is especially important—it ensures that you snooze comfortably, without sinking too deep into the bed. 

The best mattresses for heavy people will take both your needs and preferences into account. We’ve analyzed several beds in order to find those designed with bigger bodies in mind, and sorted them for your perusal below.

10 Best Mattresses for Heavy People

• Titan Plus – Editor's Pick
• Helix Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy People with Lower Back Pain
• Nectar Premier Copper – Best Value Mattress for Heavy People
• WinkBed Plus – Best Hybrid Mattress for Heavy People
• Saatva HD – Best Innerspring Mattress for Heavy People
• Plank Firm – Best Extra-Firm Mattress for Heavy People
• Emma CliMax – Best Cooling Mattress for Heavy People
• Nolah Evolution – Best Luxury Mattress for Heavy People
• Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Mattress for Heavy People and Muscle Recovery
• Aurora Luxe – Best Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers

Our Video Review of the Best Mattresses for Heavy People

Sleep Advisor's Testing Methodology

At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that allow us to have a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs. We look at features that are valuable to consumers, such as temperature control, bounce, edge support, and motion isolation.

We also evaluate mattress performance for back, side, and stomach sleeping. Lying in different positions lets us know how supportive the bed is and if it’s good at relieving pressure.

We then take all the information we’ve gathered to rate the bed in specific categories. These results allow us to help our readers find the right mattress for their needs.

For this roundup, we prioritized features that are especially important for plus-size people. We paid special attention to components such as mattress thickness, support elements, weight capacity, and cooling.

Although there are general standards that can help anyone choose a new bed, people who weigh more than 200 pounds have a unique set of considerations when it comes to their mattress needs. Addressing these factors can mean the difference between restless slumber and peaceful comfort.

If you’re a larger person, finding mattresses that are constructed with high-quality materials is a must.

What do we mean by high-quality materials? If you’re looking at foam mattresses, make sure the foam is CertiPUR-US® certified and that the support layers have a reasonably high density.

Fans of traditional innerspring mattresses (those constructed with coils) will want a mattress that has a relatively high coil count and a low coil gauge (meaning the springs are thicker).

Those wanting to bring a latex mattress home, should make sure that the manufacturer is able to speak to the sourcing, composition, and longevity of their latex layers.

Cheaper mattresses are usually made with lower-quality materials, and this can result in sagging and discomfort, both of which tend to happen sooner for heavier folks than lightweight ones. When these problems set in, you may have to replace the bed much sooner than you’d like.

Looking into the materials and durability of a given mattress should ensure that you don’t have to repeat the mattress-shopping process too often.

Many mattress manufacturers will list the bed’s weight capacity online as part of its specifications. (For example, Saatva HD mattresses that are full-sized or larger can support 500 pounds on either side of the mattress.)

Larger people should look for a bed that will accommodate their weight and potentially a partner’s. If the bed’s weight capacity is hard to find, you can try contacting the manufacturer to ask about it. We’ve tried to prioritize mattresses on the list above that have inclusive weight limits and proudly market to heavyweight people.

The thickness of your mattress is what keeps you from “bottoming out”—sinking so deeply into it that you feel the foundation or frame below. More layers typically mean more support and a taller, thicker bed.

If you weigh less than 200 pounds, a 10-inch tall bed will likely be sufficient. If you weigh more than this, however, you may want to consider a bed that has a profile of at least 12 inches as well as substantial compression support.

Spring units in particular can add a substantial amount to a bed's height and support components. All-foam beds, on the other hand, tend to be thinner and less robust.

This discrepancy is one reason why we often recommend hybrid beds to heavier folks: they match coils with comfort layers of foam, and tend to have lofty, comfortable profiles.

Although firmness is subjective, there are certain factors that can be used to determine how soft or hard most people will find a given mattress. Generally, heavier people typically find that medium to medium-firm beds serve them best.

In addition to your weight, your preferred sleeping position is one of the main factors that can help you determine your ideal firmness level. A higher weight tends to create more sinkage and hug. By sinking too far into a bed, your spine may not be aligned properly and this can cause pain. If a mattress hugs you too much it may make you feel stuck, and it can cause pressure to build up.

Expect an additional 1-2 inches of sinkage if you are over 230-250 pounds. You can help to compensate for the extra sinkage by choosing a mattress that is 7-8 out of 10 on the Sleep Advisor mattress firmness scale.

To find the mattress that best meets your needs, you'll need to consider more than just your size and shape. Weight is distributed differently depending on how you like to sleep, and you’ll need particular support and comfort options depending on the sleep position you prefer.

For side sleepers, pressure relief is key because in this position your full body weight is pressing into the mattress along a narrower surface area. For many sleepers in this position, a plusher bed is a better match because the softness allows all their weight to sink in and conform to their curves to minimize pressure.

Heavier folks, however, should ensure that their weight will not cause them to push through the softer materials too quickly. Although firmer beds can cause pressure build-up, it still may be better suited for larger side sleepers.

Find out more: Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

The kind of mattresses that are best for heavier back sleepers will likely largely depend on where they carry their weight. Some back sleepers like a firmer bed that puts a greater emphasis on support, but a firmer bed may not be as comfortable for some, especially those with pain points to consider. You’ll want to look for the right balance to cradle your shape while also supporting your lumbar and spine alignment.

Our in-depth guide: Beds For Back Sleepers

Heavier folks in particular need to be mindful of stomach sleeping as beds that are not firm enough can leave their hips uncomfortably dipped inside the mattress. This can make it difficult for the spine to remain in a neutral position. If you are a person who carries most of your weight in your hips and abdomen, you’ll likely want to steer towards firmer beds.

Read more: Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers

If you like to mix up your sleep positions, you’ll want to consider beds that are aimed at versatility. Additionally, you'll want to take a mattress's bounce and reactivity into account—mattresses that have high bounce and good reactivity make it easier to reposition through the night.

Combo sleepers may not enjoy softer beds or those with deep cradling, as these properties may make you feel “stuck” in the bed.

Learn more: Mattresses for Combination Sleepers

One of the most common complaints from larger folks is that they get too hot during sleep. It usually happens when your mattress doesn’t have enough room to breathe and to provide enough air circulation.

In most cases, foam material “sleeps hot” when compared to latex, innerspring, and hybrids. These days, this problem can usually be solved by seeking out mattresses that are constructed with more premium products.

Many mattress companies implement cooling properties, such as gel infusion, breathable covers, and perforated foam that will help keep sleepers cool during their slumber. Considering that sleeping hot is a common complaint even amongst lighter and average-weight sleepers, many manufacturers now offer specialized “cooling” beds to improve airflow properties and heat distribution.

See Our In-depth Guide: Top Rated Cooling Mattresses

Beds that are supportive from edge to edge are often favorable for heavier people because it allows them to utilize the whole bed without fear of rolling off. This can be especially good for people who co-sleep or just toss and turn across the bed. It is also beneficial if you sit on the edge of the bed when you are getting dressed.

Solid edge support generally indicates improved durability and quality construction. Hybrid and coil-on-coil construction have historically provided great mattress edge support.

Different body sizes require different blends of comfort and support, and a bed with enough support for a heavier person may feel like a rock for someone who is much lighter. Couples who are very different may consider a brand that offers dual-sided firmness so that each partner may select what works best for them.

If both you and your partner are substantially heavier than average, you do have a handful of options out there. In recent years, the online market has introduced beds designed specifically for heavier folks with enhanced support systems and durability.

Read Our Full Guide: Best Mattresses for Couples

There are many types and materials on the market today, each of which has their pros and cons. In this section, we’ll break down the major bed types (memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid) and how they can affect sleep for heavy people.

According to many large sleepers, memory foam is one of the best bed types out there. Why?

Memory foam mattresses, whether they are on the hard or soft side, are designed to even out pressure points. One of the biggest complaints that heavier sleepers have is that certain areas of their body end up hurting (i.e., their back or hips). Memory foam works to provide balanced support that contours the body.

Despite the numerous benefits, this mattress style can cause people to feel hot due to the lack of breathability in the material. Worry not, there are some great cooling memory foam options on the market today.

For bigger people, latex mattresses are a solid option. Latex is made from the sap of rubber trees and this process creates a mattress that promotes breathability as well as bounce and support. Unlike many traditional foam mattresses, latex’s breathability helps keep you cool through the night. Latex mattresses are also known to be durable and more responsive than other foams which could be helpful for combination sleepers and sexually-active couples.

Innerspring mattresses often work well for heavier people because the coils provide solid, balanced support. Furthermore, the coils also often offer solutions to many of the common mattress complaints echoed by larger sleepers – including an unsupported mid-section and a lack of edge support.

The coils also allow for air to move freely through the mattress which addresses another common problem of larger sleepers – overheating through the night

As the name suggests, a hybrid mattress is simply the combination of two or more types of material. Hybrid mattresses are often a good choice for heavyweight sleepers because they provide the soft contouring of foam with the support and bounce of innerspring mattresses.

Additionally, the best hybrid mattresses won't run nearly as hot as traditional all-foam beds because of the breathability that the coils provide.

Heavy people typically feel most comfortable on a firm or medium-firm mattress. These firmness levels provide the level of support that a larger body needs, whereas a softer bed may result in too much sinkage and the sensation of being “stuck” in the mattress.

If you like soft mattresses or you sleep on your side, you can opt for a mattress that provides cushioning top layers as well as a supportive foundation. You can also look into mattress toppers that will up the initial plushness of your bed.

Currently, a few of our favorite mattresses for heavy people include the Titan Plus and the Helix Plus. The best mattress for a large person will prioritize supportive features, which usually consist of high-density or latex foams and pocketed coils. Many modern hybrid mattresses have both of these elements in addition to cooling technology.

If you’re shopping for a mattress as a heavy person, we recommend looking at hybrids first, as well as checking the weight capacity of each bed you’re considering.

Heavy people with back pain should likely look at mattresses that combine robust support with a top layer that provides excellent pressure relief. Hybrid mattresses with a high coil count and a foam comfort layer that contours to the body are good bets.

Perhaps counterintuitively, you don’t want your mattress to be too soft if you’re experiencing back pain. Firm and medium-firm mattresses that can support your spine are best.

Those who weigh in at 200 pounds or more, will likely want to consider a taller mattress. Generally mattresses with a profile of 12 inches or more are better fits for heavy people because the height is indicative of more or thicker layers of support. This helps those on the larger side transition through the layers at a proper weight instead of crashing through too quickly.

Yes, bigger people certainly can sleep on and enjoy a bed-in-a-box, as long as the mattress has the proper support and comfort components. Many online mattress brands have designed models that cater specifically to plus-size customers, and they still ship these beds by first compressing them into boxes.

Just as you would with any mattress purchase, you should investigate the quality and durability of the materials in your bed-in-a-box order. But just because a mattress comes in a box does not mean it's lower quality than a bed purchased from a brick-and-mortar store; in fact, these mattresses are often some of the most modern and advanced available.

According to research, having a larger body can put one at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea [1]. This is because the softer tissues in your mouth and throat can obstruct your breathing, which affects your oxygen levels and sleep.

One of the most common suggestions for reducing the symptoms of OSA is weight loss. Unfortunately, it all creates a frustrating cycle because insufficient sleep can cause you to gain weight and the added weight can make your condition worse. Intervention by a doctor for one or both of these conditions should put you on the road to recovery.

Learn more: Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea