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Finding a suitable mattress can be an important factor in improving sleep quality. People with heavier bodies will likely require a mattress that can comfortably accommodate and distribute their body weight and offer appropriate spinal support.
A quick look at the 8 best mattresses for heavy people:
- Best for foundation or metal frames: Saatva HD
- Best for taller people: Helix Plus
- Best for staying in place: The Nectar Mattress
- Best for cooling: The WinkBed
- Best for customer service: The DreamCloud
- Best for softness: Purple Hybrid Premier
- Best for a budget: Titan Luxe Hybrid
- Best for side sleepers: Nolah Evolution 15
Sleep plays a
People with heavier bodies usually require a firmer mattress to support their body weight and ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. By purchasing a suitable mattress, a person is more likely to get a good night’s rest.
MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:
- Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
- Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
- Firmness [only applicable to some products]: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
- Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
- Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
- Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products that carry warranties and clear returns policies.
The sections below list eight products for a person to consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All product information presented here is purely research-based.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for foundation or metal frames: Saatva HD
Price: $1,699–3,696
The manufacturer designed the innerspring Saatva HD mattress for people who weigh 300–500 pounds (lb).
Tempered steel coils provide support and reduce motion transfer for co-sleepers, while a zoned comfort layer of latex provides precision support and pressure relief.
It also has hand-tufted finishing that promises to lock all the layers in place, so the mattress does not get wrinkled over time. The brand also says its recycled steel coils are stronger than the industry standard, which can help prevent dipping and sagging.
Although it may be more expensive than other hybrid mattresses, the Saatva HD also comes with a free white glove delivery, a 20-year warranty, and a 180-day trial period.
Trustpilot has many Saatva reviews, and many compliment the company for its customer support.
However, the mattress is not compatible with slatted bed frames, regular foundations, and box springs, which may not suit some people’s needs.
Best for taller people: Helix Plus
Price: $949–2,199
The manufacturer’s design of the Helix Plus mattress is specifically for people who are tall with a heavier body weight.
The 13-inch (in) hybrid mattress uses high-density foam layers, pocketed coils, and memory foam to create a balance of comfort and support.
This mattress may be a good option for co-sleepers, as the presence of coils and edge-to-edge reinforcement suggests that there is little motion transfer from one sleeper to another.
The Helix Plus mattress comes with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty. The limited warranty does not cover accidental damage.
Some customer reviews have mentioned experiencing long shipping times and ineffective cooling features. However, some other reviews say the mattress is comfortable and provides a pain-free sleeping experience.
Best for stability: The Nectar Mattress
Price: $873–2,086
This 12-in memory foam mattress includes a lifetime warranty and a 365-night sleep trial.
The mattress features five layers, including a quilted, cooling mattress cover and an adaptive memory foam layer. The manufacturers say this may help relieve pressure and reduce movement transfer, possibly making it a suitable choice for co-sleeping.
The bottom layer is a shift-resistant cover that the brand says will keep the mattress in place, regardless of how much individuals jump on it.
This is a more affordable mattress and with each purchase, the company adds a cooling pillow, sheet set, and mattress protector at no additional cost.
There are also upgrade options that provide further cooling features and provide a thicker mattress.
This product is carbon neutral and supports all bed frames.
Some reviews speak of a cost-effective, comfortable, pain-free sleeping experience. Others mention some discomfort and slow delivery times.
Negative reviews complain about the feel and slow delivery.
Best for cooling: The WinkBed
Price: $1,349–2,199
The manufacturer has designed the WinkBed hybrid mattress specifically for people with heavier bodies.
The mattress provides medium-to-firm support, featuring a layer of zoned inner springs that target and relieve pressure points, and reinforced support at the outer edges.
Interestingly, the company makes the Tencel cover from a fabric it produces from the plant eucalyptus. The mattress’s foam also contains gel to increase cushioning and ease muscle tension.
Buyers can choose between six different sizes and four types of firmness.
This product has thousands of positive reviews, saying that while it took them a while to adjust to the mattress, it helped reduce their joint, shoulder, and back pain.
However, not everyone liked this mattress. Some buyers complain they found it too firm. Some side sleepers say they woke up with back pain and found it difficult to switch positions or move during sleep.
The mattress has a lifetime warranty, free shipping, and a 120-night sleep trial.
Best for customer service: The DreamCloud
Price: $599–1,299
The DreamCloud luxury hybrid mattress is one of the deeper options available, at 15 in.
It has six layers — including low motion transfer support foam, innerspring coils, and a pressure-relieving gel memory foam — and a cashmere blend cover for wicking away sweat and cooling hot sleepers.
This mattress supports all bed frames, from traditional to adjustable and box springs.
The brand also adds a cooling pillow, a set of sheets, and a mattress protector with each mattress.
Some reviews state the mattress was too soft, while others found it perfect for their body and sleep position.
The DreamCloud mattress includes a lifetime warranty and a 365-night sleep trial.
Best for softness: Purple Hybrid Premier
Price: $2,499–4,998
According to the manufacturer, the Purple Hybrid Premier mattress can suit people of any shape and size, and its design allows flexibility under pressure.
The company also claims that the mattress cradles the shoulders and hips while fully supporting the back to relieve pressure. A grid-like inner structure allows air to circulate, thereby neutralizing body heat, while a base layer of coils provides comfort and durability.
The proprietary grid of flexible gel inside should improve air circulation and the ability for the coils to reshape to the body while providing cushioning support.
The website states this mattress is hypoallergenic, nontoxic, and made in the United States.
It is available in six different sizes and comes with free shipping, a 10-year warranty, and a 100-night sleep trial.
Most reviews state they are happy with the Purple mattress and find it comfortable.
However, others state it is too soft, and the price is too high.
Best for a budget: Titan Luxe Hybrid
Price: $899–1,799
This mattress by Titan is available in seven different sizes. Individuals can choose to add a cooling top panel, which the company says can moderate temperature and provide immediate cooling.
The company claims this medium-firm mattress can provide pressure point relief with a quilted, cooling gel and memory foam layer and a transition layer for contouring and deeper compression support. It also has a coil core for body support and a foam base to reinforce the coils and improve durability.
Due to the layers, individuals can rotate but not flip the mattress.
This product comes with a 10-year warranty and a 120-night sleep trial.
The mattress has mainly positive reviews, with less favorable comments mentioning discomfort due to softness.
Best for side sleepers: Nolah Evolution 15
Price: $1,599–3,598
In 2022, this 15-in mattress received an award for its cooling properties and help with spinal alignment.
It has a seven-layer structure that includes comforting, cushioned layers at the top and individually wrapped coils underneath to help with movement support and weight distribution. It has a maximum user weight of 350 lb.
This mattress is available with three different firmness options that an individual can select when ordering, including:
- firm
- luxury firm
- plush
The cooling feature traps moisture and heat and disbands it downward, effectively keeping the body cool.
This mattress also has a patented coil system that relieves targeted pressure points, microscopic air bubbles that release heat and pressure, and a high-density foam grid, which improves durability and overall support.
It is available in various sizes, has a lifetime warranty, and supports all sleep types.
Here is how the above products compare to each other.
| Saatva HD | Helix Plus | The Nectar Mattress | The WinkBed | The DreamCloud | Purple Hybrid Premier | Titan Luxe Hybrid | Nolah Evolution 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firmness | medium-firm | medium-firm | medium-firm | soft, luxury firm, firm, plus | luxury firm | adaptive | medium | plush, luxury firm, firm |
| Height | 15.5 in | 13 in | 12 in | 14 in | 14 in | 12 in | 13 in | 15 in |
| Cooling effect | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Maximum weight support | 500 lb | 1,000 lb | 600 lb | 350 lb | unspecified | 600 lb | 1,000 lb | 350 lb |
| Warranty | 20 years | 10– 15 years | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | 10 years | 10 years | lifetime |
| Trial | 180 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Price | $1,699–3,696 | $949–2,199 | $873–2,086 | $1,349–2,199 | $599–1,299 | $2,499–4,998 | $899–1,799 | $1,599–3,598 |
All companies offer free delivery and payment plans, and all mattresses come in various sizes.
Comfort, nighttime temperature, support, and whether or not a person co-sleeps are all factors to consider when purchasing a mattress.
One 2015 review suggests that a medium-firm, self-adjusted mattress may be the best option for promoting sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment.
The following elements are some other key factors in choosing the most suitable mattress:
- size
- durability
- construction
- warranty
A 2019 study suggests that due to people’s increasing weight and height, manufacturers should make beds and mattresses capable of offering suitable support.
Many mattress manufacturers suggest that people weighing roughly 230 lb or more should try to look for a hybrid mattress that is medium-firm to firm.
However, individuals and couples with higher weights may wish to consider some specific mattress qualities when exploring their options. These may include:
- Structure: A durable structure, such as steel coils, may help ensure a long lasting product that can also provide support and minimal motion transfer when co-sleeping.
- Temperature control: Those with heavier bodies may experience
increased heat stress . Choosing a mattress that has more airflow or cooling gel infusions may help a person’s body better regulate heat. - Repositioning space: Allowing enough space for a person to comfortably reposition themselves may help them avoid unnecessary prolonged pressure on the shoulders, back, and hips during sleep.
Regular inadequate sleep can raise the risk of serious medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Both of these conditions are associated with carrying more body weight.
Using a mattress that improves sleep duration and quality may help reduce the risk of developing either condition.
Being overweight can also increase the likelihood of excessive sweating. One
Choosing a mattress with wicking properties or a thermal cooling layer may help increase comfort and improve overall sleep quality.
People who are overweight are also more likely to experience sleep apnea. According to a
Therefore, using a mattress that allows people to comfortably sleep on their side or an adjustable one that allows a person to sleep with their head slightly elevated may help reduce symptoms of sleep apnea.
A 2018 review suggests that there may be a link between obesity and sleep deprivation. A
According to the
If a person co-sleeps, they may benefit from using a mattress with motion isolation. This means that when they move during their sleep, they are unlikely to disturb whoever they are sharing the bed with.
If changing a mattress has not helped with a sleep problem or if poor sleep is beginning to affect day-to-day activities, those with heavier bodies may wish to seek guidance from a doctor, who can investigate and treat any underlying causes.
The sections below look at some common questions about mattresses for those with heavier bodies.
What is the best type of mattress for people with heavier bodies?
Choosing a strong, durable mattress is important for heavier people. Some mattresses offer reinforced edges that can help prevent mattress sagging and offer greater stability.
Hybrid mattresses have a combination of materials, such as steel coils and latex, which some manufacturers claim to be both long lasting and supportive for individuals and couples with heavier bodies.
What are the best mattresses for hot sleepers?
Regardless of body shape and size, many people run hot during sleep.
Mattresses that are made from foam can retain a person’s body heat. Opting for a material that is often aerated, such as latex, or a gel-infused material may help cool the body. According to a paper in the journal
Do some mattresses have a weight limit?
Mattresses typically have a single-user weight limit of around 250 lb, and most companies will show maximum user weight details under a mattress’s specifications.
Some mattresses, such as the Big Fig mattress, can hold a combined weight of up to 1,100 lb.
People with heavier bodies may be more likely to experience poor sleep. In addition to any potential underlying health conditions they may have, this could be due to using an unsuitable mattress.
Medium-firm or firm mattresses that accommodate higher weight capacities may benefit people with heavier bodies. Additionally, features such as thermal cooling or heat-wicking zoned pressure-relieving support, and adjustability may also help improve sleep.
If a person has persistent sleep problems, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible.