We also use pressure maps to evaluate how much pressure heavyweight sleepers experience when lying on their backs and sides on a given mattress.
Durability
No matter your size, it’s important to think about a mattress’s durability. Knowing how long your mattress should last can help you figure out if the price is worth the value. Durability is especially key for heavier people, who might notice their mattress sagging sooner than they’d like.
To test this, we cut a cross-section into each mattress to make sure all the top picks for heavy sleepers use high-quality materials made to handle higher body weights, like high-density foams and reinforced coils. These materials help prevent sagging and counteract the wear and tear that heavier weights can cause.
As Dr. Dasgupta puts it, 'A durable mattress is built with high-quality materials, sturdy support, strong edge support, and resilience. It gives long-lasting comfort and support, holding up over time while maintaining its structure.'
We also recommend that mattress shoppers carefully read the sleep trial and warranty details. You’ll want to know exactly what’s covered if your mattress doesn’t last as long as you expected.
Firmness and Support
Mattresses designed for larger people use high-density foams and thicker coils to provide extra support. These materials help prevent heavier sleepers from sinking too deep and 'bottoming out.'
To measure support and firmness, we have testers of various weights lie on the mattress and give detailed feedback about how it feels. Long-time mattress tester Marten Carlson shared, 'When I test a soft mattress, my size makes me sink in more than the average person, which leads to discomfort and even pain. For this reason, people with similar body types will want a firmer mattress—at least a 7/10 on the firmness scale.'
Even though firmer mattresses tend to be more supportive, some heavyweight sleepers may find that a supportive soft bed works better for their preferred sleep position. When we assess support, we look at more than just the mattress's firmness. We also evaluate how well it supports the hips and keeps the spine aligned. Our team also notes if the support is balanced, meaning the mattress provides even support across the body without being too weak or too strong in certain areas.
Edge Support
Edge support is all about how well a mattress holds you up when you’re sitting or lying near the edge. Does it collapse, or does it provide enough structure and lift? It also affects how close to the edge you can lie without feeling like you’re about to roll off.
This feature is especially important for larger people. If you’re taller, heavier, or sleep with a partner, you’ll want to make use of as much of the mattress’s surface as possible. Heavier people can compress a mattress more than lighter people, so it’s important to be able to sit and lie down near the edge comfortably. As Dr. Dasgupta puts it, 'A top mattress for heavier sleepers should have strong support throughout, including reinforced edges to prevent sagging and keep sleepers secure.'
To test edge support, we have lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight testers sit and lie on the edge of the bed. When sitting, they check how much they sink in and how easy it is to get up. When lying on their sides and backs, they evaluate how secure they feel along the perimeter of the bed.
What Else Is Important When Buying a Mattress for Heavy People?
While we focus on weight capacity, durability, firmness, and support for larger sleepers, it’s important to also consider factors like cooling, size, and your preferred sleep position when buying a mattress. These features play a big role in making sure your sleep is comfortable and secure.
Cooling
If you’ve ever kicked off the covers or flipped your pillow to the cooler side to try and cool down at night, you know how tough it can be to sleep when you’re too hot. In fact, studies have shown that when your core temperature drops, it’s easier to fall asleep. Cooling down helps you get into that restful sleep state.
Your mattress’s construction has a big impact on how it feels temperature-wise. Innerspring or hybrid mattresses tend to sleep cooler than memory foam ones because the coils allow for better airflow, while memory foam can trap heat. That said, many memory foam brands have addressed this issue by perforating their foam layers to create airflow channels. Some even infuse their foams with cooling gels or copper to help with temperature regulation.
Body weight also plays a role in how hot or cool you sleep. Heavier sleepers tend to sink deeper into memory foam, which can block the airflow and expose less of the body to cooling air. So, larger sleepers who are concerned about sleeping hot might want to consider a firmer mattress. Sleeping more "on" the mattress instead of sinking into it could help them stay cooler at night.
Size
A queen is the most popular mattress size, but for heavier and taller sleepers, like Marten, who’s over 6’5” and weighs 270 pounds, these 60” x 80” beds might not give enough surface area. Marten said, 'Since my weight is spread across a larger surface, I prefer a mattress that offers support throughout. I also like the extra length of a California king mattress.'
Larger sleepers should also think about the overall height of a mattress. Mattresses usually range from 8 to 14 inches tall, and the thicker ones tend to offer more support. Heavier people, though, might press through the comfort layers of an 8-inch mattress, a phenomenon called 'bottoming out.' This happens when the sleeper bypasses the pressure-relieving layers and is only supported by the firm base layer.
If you feel your bed isn’t thick enough for good support, a quick and budget-friendly fix is adding a mattress topper. It’s an affordable way to boost comfort and support for a mattress that’s lacking in those areas. Check out our list of the best mattress toppers for heavy people for some great options.
Sleeping Position
Back sleepers experience mattresses a bit differently than side and stomach sleepers. While there are some general features all heavy sleepers should look for, these will likely need to be adjusted depending on how you sleep.
We generally recommend firmer-than-average beds for most heavyweight sleepers. But since side sleepers often need pressure relief for their shoulders and hips, they should look for a supportive mattress that keeps their hips elevated, spine aligned, and provides some contouring for their sensitive joints. Heavyweight stomach sleepers usually prefer a firm mattress that helps keep their midsection elevated, so they should have no trouble finding a good fit.
Back sleepers are trying to find the sweet spot between the firmness and support needed by side and stomach sleepers. If you’re a heavier combination sleeper, you’ll want a mattress that offers a balance of comfort and support, plus some responsiveness to make it easier to move around.
Best Firmness Levels by Sleeping Position for Heavyweight People
- Side sleepers: Medium-firm (6.5)
- Back sleepers: Medium-firm to firm (6.5-8)
- Stomach sleepers: Firm to extra-firm (7-9)
- Combination sleepers: Medium-firm to extra-firm (6.5-9)
Mattress Type
Hybrid mattresses are usually a great choice for heavier people. They have coils for support but also feature comfort foams on top, making them a good fit for those who want a softer feel that contours around their joints.
Traditional innerspring mattresses have coils with only a thin comfort layer on top. While they tend to be more supportive than all-foam mattresses, they’re not as durable or comfortable as hybrids, and they can sag unevenly over time.
Memory foam mattresses can be a bit hit-or-miss for heavier folks. Many all-foam beds are softer, which we generally recommend avoiding for bigger sleepers. However, there are firm foam options that provide enough support for larger people to stay comfortable, like the Plank Firm.
At the end of the day, plus-sized sleepers need a bed that’s comfortable and provides reliable support night after night. The overall durability, weight capacity, and feel are more important than the type of mattress.
