Why You Can Trust CNET Best Mattresses for Heavy People for 2024
The best mattresses for heavy people will have a nice balance of support and softness. We tested the top brands on the market to find the best beds for heavier folks.
Finding the best mattress for heavy people isn't as simple as looking online and grabbing the first one you see with decent reviews. Extra considerations are needed to help prevent pain and discomfort throughout the night. You'll need to find a mattress that's firm enough to provide adequate support while still being soft enough to help relieve pressure. It's all about balance.
If you're feeling bombarded by all the mattress options, worry not. We've done the legwork for you. I've tested over 100 mattresses and spent hours researching brands. That's how I pulled together this list of the best mattresses that offer ample support for heavier sleepers. Read on to see our picks for the best mattress for heavy people.
What is the best mattress for heavy people?
The Big Fig mattress is an all-around supportive mattress for heavier body types.
The Big Fig mattress takes the crown as our overall top pick for the best mattress for heavy people. It's an ultradurable and supportive mattress designed at every turn with plus-size sleepers in mind. It's also fairly priced compared to other premium, thick hybrid mattresses. That said, we provided a full list of suitable hybrid mattresses that would also be great additions to your bedroom.
Note that all prices below are for queen-size models before any discounts are applied. If you're looking to upgrade your whole sleeping setup, we also have suggestions regarding pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials. So which is the best mattress for heavy people? Keep reading to see our picks.
Video: Best mattress for heavy people
Watch CNET video producer Owen Poole review the best mattresses for heavy people.
Read more: Best Cheap Mattress for 2023
Best mattresses for heavy people for 2024
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
After studying how heavy sleepers' mattresses commonly break down over time, the creators of the Big Fig put together a plan to address each issue with the components of their brand-new, problem-solving mattress. That's why it earns the title of best overall mattress for heavy people.
Big Fig mattresses only use the highest quality materials, including over 50% more individually wrapped coils than the average innerspring mattress on the market (1,600 of them, to be exact). Add in its hybrid foam construction, cooling technology, and stabilizing tufts, and you have a mattress that caters to heavy people's most important needs. Big Fig is a latex mattress with perforated gel-infused latex foam thatallows air to flow freely, increasing overall comfort for heavy sleepers.
Pros
- Made with high-quality materials
- Extra-firm edge support
- You can add on a durable Big Fig foundation for $299
Cons
- Too firm for petite partners
- Not for people who want a softer mattress
Price: $$$
Big Fig
The best firm mattress for heavy people goes to the Titan from the online bedding brand Brooklyn Bedding. Made in Arizona in the brand's own factory, the Titan mattress offers up maximum support for heavier back and stomach sleepers who seek extra durability and back reinforcements.
The Titan Firm Hybrid first presents a full inch of cooling gel memory foam across its top surface. Woven into place beneath that are 2 inches of the company's proprietary TitanFlex foam, which is infused with another patented cooling gel, called TitaniumGel. We also consider Titan one of the best cooling mattresses for heavy people.
This is followed by a remarkable 6 inches of nearly 1,000 supportive coils, finished on the bottom with a final 2 inches of high-density foam for a sturdy and reinforced foundation. The quality craftsmanship, mattress thickness, and dedicated support structure coupled with the TitaniumGel-infused TitanFlex foam and top panel option truly make it the best mattress for heavy people in terms of cooling and comfort.
Pros
- Great for people who want a really firm bed
- An optional temperature-regulating top panel is available for purchase
- It's a well-designed mattress
Cons
- Might be too firm for side sleepers
Additional details:
- Firmness: Medium-firm to firm
- Feel: Neutral foam
- Temperature: Neutral
- Trial: 120 nights. 10-year warranty
- Price: $$
Specially designed for plus-size as well as tall sleepers, the Helix Plus mattress meets that elusive ideal of support and comfort for heavy people. At 13 inches tall with a five-layer construction, Helix Plus features a blend of pressure-relieving memory foam, the brand's responsive Dynamic foam, and XL pocketed steel coils for maximum support. Enveloping it all is an airy Tencel cover, ensuring maximum breathability and airflow throughout the night.
It's rated around a medium-firm, giving it a comfortable balance between supportive and pressure relieving. It'll be best suited for back, stomach, and combination sleepers who need a firmer profile to ensure proper spinal alignment. Read more in our full Helix mattress review.
Pros
- Medium firmness is good for almost anyone
- Provides great support for heavy people
- Good pressure relief
Cons
- Not the firmest mattress
- You don't sink into the Helix plus mattress
Price: $$
Helix Plus
The Saatva HD mattress is designed to support up to 500 pounds and is beneficial for all sleeping positions. The sturdy innersprings maintain support throughout the mattress while patented spinal zone technology backs up the lumbar region. It also has a five-zoned latex foam layer for targeted pressure relief to your shoulders and extra support underneath your lower back.
Finished with strategically placed hand-tufting as well as a blend of memory foam, the Saatva HD integrates bountifully packed foam edges for excellent support for heavier people all the way around. This helps larger folks get in and out of bed easily while providing more useful space across the bed's surface.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic cotton cover with a botanical antimicrobial treatment
- 3-inch Euro Pillow Top that's blissful to sink into
- Provides a lot of support for heavy people
Cons
- $99 transportation fee for returns
- More expensive than other mattresses for heavy people
- Too firm for strict side sleepers
Additional details:
- Firmness: Medium
- Feel: Neutral foam
- Temperature: Neutral
- Trial: 365 nights. Lifetime warranty
- Price: $$$
Saatva HD
The WinkBed Plus is designed so that heavy sleepers can enjoy long-term support and the experience of a luxury mattress. Depending upon your weight, the Winkbed Plus mattress may be experienced differently. For example, according to the company, the WinkBed Plus will feel like a density of 6.5 out of 10 for customers weighing 300 or more pounds, while those weighing 200 will say it feels like an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
Handmade to order in Wisconsin, the Winkbeds Plus mattress is designed to provide heavy sleepers with uniquely blended foams and innersprings, firm edge support, and stellar motion isolation, and it also utilizes sustainably manufactured ingredients, including a chemical-free fire barrier, recycled steel coils, and eucalyptus harvested only from forests certified by the Stewardship Council. That's why it's one of the best mattresses for heavy people, especially if you live with back pain.
Pros
- Great for back and stomach sleepers
- Good for alleviating back pain
- Sleeps cool
Cons
- Doesn't have a ton of extra pressure relief
- A little more expensive than some
Price: $$
WinkBed Plus
The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid is ideal for strict side sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds. Not only does the company use the supportive Active Flex foam to assist with spinal alignment, but the Bio-Pur plant-based, Earth-conscious memory foam is also added for cooling as well as contouring. It gives the mattress a dense, slow-responding feel that feels like a cushiony hug. With memory foam comfort, Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid is the best mattress for heavy people who sleep on their side.
One major highlight of the Amerisleep AS5 mattress is its Celliant-infused cover. Celliant is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a medical device and its purpose is to absorb your body heat and transfer it back into your body as infrared energy. It helps boost circulation, aids in the recovery process, and leaves you feeling more refreshed in the morning when you wake up. Only a handful of beds have this feature, including the Bear mattress. Read more in our full Amerisleep mattress review.
Pros
- You get a ton of pressure relief
- Celliant cover to keep you cool
- Excellent choice for side sleepers
Cons
- Not a budget choice
- Slow responding feel is not for everyone
Additional details:
- Firmness: Medium-soft
- Feel: Dense memory foam
- Temperature: Neutral
- Trial: 100 nights. 20-year warranty
- Price: $$$
Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid
For heavy sleepers who love the hugging and contouring feel of memory foam, the DreamCloud Premier option is a great option. It offers a luxury sleeping experience fit with a supportive pocketed coil base layer, a comfortable memory foam top layer, and a fluffy pillow top for the icing on the cake.
Overall, it's a hefty 14-inch thick mattress that isn't designed specifically for plus-size sleepers, but it sure does fill that role. I rate it around a medium to medium-firm on the mattress scale, or a 6 to 7 out of 10 with 10 being the firmest, but heavier sleepers over 230 pounds may find it to be a little softer. So, this one might be a better mattress for heavy side and combination sleepers. The DreamCloud Premier is really an inviting bed and gives you that "ahhh" feel just as you lay down.
Pros
- One of the most affordable mattresses for heavy people
- Soft cashmere is woven throughout the cover
- Great for side sleepers
Cons
- Some off-gassing can be expected
- Not a cooling mattress
- Potentially too soft for strict back and stomach sleepers
Additional details:
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Feel: Memory foam
- Temperature: Neutral
- Trial: 365 nights. Lifetime warranty
- Price: $$
DreamCloud Premier
Brooklyn Bedding Signature is one of the most affordable, quality hybrid mattresses for heavy people you can buy on the internet. It's 11 inches thick, and a majority of the bed is made up of its 8-inch thick coil system made up of almost 1,000 individually pocketed coils. In the comfort layer, you can find the brand's "Titan Flex" foam which feels like responsive, soft neutral foam that quickly bounces back to normal. Compare this to the feel of memory foam, which nestles around your body and slowly responds to pressure. This makes Brooklyn Bedding Signature very easy to switch positions on.
This bed for heavy people is offered in three different firmness levels, so any sleeping position from stomach sleepers to side sleepers can find a mattress they like. However, I recommend the firm model to most heavy sleepers unless you strictly sleep on your side. It will feel around a medium or a 5 on the firmness scale, meaning it offers a nice balance of support and pressure relief. Read more about this mattress in our full-length Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress review.
Pros
- Three firmness levels
- Great for every body type
- Neutral foam feel
Cons
- The firmest option is still softer than other mattresses
- Not for people who want a memory foam feel
Additional details:
- Firmness: Firm
- Feel: Neutral foam
- Temperature: Neutral
- Trial: 120 nights. 10-year warranty
- Price: $$
What to consider when buying a mattress for heavy sleepers
When you're shopping for the best mattress for heavy people, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
People over the 230 pound range might find that a lot of beds have a softer feel than advertised. Firmer, more supportive options are typically the best beds for heavy sleepers.
Firmness
Firmness is one of the most important factors when choosing a mattress. However, you should remember that your body type influences how you perceive a bed's firmness. A petite person will put less pressure on the bed, making it feel firmer. A heavier sleeper will put more pressure, making the mattress feel softer.
Durability
You want a mattress that will stand the test of time. The reality is that not all types of material will hold up. It's a good idea to look for mattresses with reinforced materials like coils and high-density foam.
Support
When you're sleeping on a mattress that isn't supportive enough, you'll likely wake up with a sore back or neck. Most heavy sleepers should opt for something that guarantees support, like a hybrid or innerspring mattress.
Edge support
Edge support is the strength of the bed's perimeter. An easy way to test a bed's edge support is by sitting on the edge; if you feel like you're going to slip off because the edge gives way to your weight, then the edge support could be better. This matters for people who need access to the whole sleeping surface.
How we test mattresses for heavy people
For this in-depth mattress review list, I considered factors like mattress type, mattress materials and mattress firmness, and how they suit the needs of heavy sleepers. Purchasing elements were also taken into account, like price, shipping, warranty and trial period.
CNET editors choose the goods and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you purchase using our links, we may get a commission. Learn more about how we test mattresses.
Firmness and feel
There are tons of mattresses out there. This means there's a lot for you to sort through to find your ideal match. While testing, we approach mattresses from a consumer perspective, homing in on who will or won't like a particular mattress. We do this with two main criteria: firmness and feel.
Firmness describes how hard or soft the mattress is. Mostly, this comes down to your preference, but your firmness needs also relate to your sleep position. Generally, back and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to keep their spine aligned. In contrast, side or combination sleepers need a softer mattress with plenty of pressure relief for their shoulders, hips and knees.
The feel is the other essential factor to consider when testing a mattress. All brands aim to make comfortable mattresses, though they do this differently. Some beds will have the traditional sinking memory foam feel, while others will have a neutral foam feel more like a cloud. Both firmness and the feel of each bed are highlighted in our reviews.
Performance
We also test mattresses in key performance categories like edge support, motion isolation and temperature regulation. Edge support is how stable the perimeter of the mattress is. Motion isolation matters if you have a partner who moves around at night and you don't want to be woken up by their movement. Finally, temperature regulation describes how well the mattress disperses body heat. Many mattresses claim to be cooling, though very few actually are.
Price and warranty information
Mattresses are a big investment. It's important to us that our lists include all budgets and price points. We also consider warranty information for each mattress so you know exactly what you get when you buy. Most companies offer robust trial periods and free returns, so you never have to worry if you don't love the mattress you select.
Other mattresses we've tested
The CNET Sleep editors test out mattresses for the purpose of writing honest mattress reviews and best lists. They've had their hands on hundreds of different beds and have valuable insight on the best and worst mattresses on the market.
Purple Hybrid Premier mattress: The Purple Hybrid Premier is a durable, quality mattress that sleeps cool, thanks to the Purple Grid. This proprietary flexible gel-like material makes you feel like you're floating. For heavier sleepers, Purple Hybrid Premier will feel like medium to medium-soft, so it would be best for those who favor their side.
Loom & Leaf mattress: Loom & Leaf is a memory foam bed with special cooling tech. It doesn't retain heat like traditional memory foam beds. It has two firmness levels to choose from, both on the firmer end. For a heavy sleeper, the firmness would be either a medium or medium-firm.
Nectar Premier and Copper mattresses: The Nectar Premier mattress boasts 3 inches of pressure-relieving foam and an all-foam construction. The Nectar Premier is a good pick for stomach, back and combo sleepers, but not the best choice for heavier sleepers. It has no coils, so heavier body types may compress the mattress too much.
Nolah Original 10 mattress: This mattress is plush, airy, and pressure-relieving thanks to its neutral foam feel. It's a medium to a medium-soft on the firmness scale, making it ideal for side sleepers and some combination sleepers. It's still a good, affordable foam mattress that won't break the bank.
Best mattress construction for heavy people
If you're a heavier sleeper, you should buy an innerspring or a hybrid mattress. All-foam bases just won't be able to match the support and durability of coils. That's not to say you can't enjoy the feel of memory foam. Many hybrid mattresses have layers of memory foam on top of their coils.
Best mattresses for heavy people FAQ
Technically, yes mattresses have a weight limit. Most mattresses support around 500 pounds (250 pounds on each side) due to the materials used. Certain brands like Casper claim to have no weight limits. And others, like Big Fig, make mattresses with materials that support more weight and advertise that. Big Fig mattresses support 1,100 pounds.
The best mattress for heavy people is anything that is comfortable and gives them the support they need while sleeping. Those mattresses tend to include coils and fall at the firmer end of the scale. We think Big Fig is the best overall mattress for heavy people because of its high-quality materials and thick, 3-inch Euro pillow top.
Without a doubt, the best kind of mattress for heavy people would be a hybrid that combines pocketed coils or innersprings with some kind of foam, whether it be memory foam, latex foam, poly foam or some kind of blend. Hybrid mattresses offer more support than foam beds because steel coils are more durable and supportive than foam.
It primarily depends on your favorite sleeping position, but in general, firmer mattresses are better because they offer more support. Also, the heavier you are, the softer you typically think mattresses are. For example, a bed that feels like a medium to someone who weighs 175 pounds might feel more like a soft mattress to someone who weighs 230 pounds.
Yes, memory foam mattresses offer contouring pressure relief that can be helpful for any person of any size. However, try to find a memory foam hybrid mattress that contains steel coils in the foundation layer to ensure your bed remains durable, supportive and comfortable throughout its lifetime.
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