Best Mattress for Heavy People (2020): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

As you shop for a new bed, it is essential to keep your body weight in mind—this is especially important when selecting mattress firmness. Heavier people weighing more than 230 pounds need a bed with extra support and cushioning for healthy spinal alignment. Without adequate support, the mattress may end up sagging and focusing sleepers to rest in unhealthy sleep positions that leave them sore and stiff in the morning.

Our handy guide outlines the best mattresses for heavy people and provides information on selecting the perfect bed for your sleep position and body type.

Our Top Mattress Recommendation

View on AmerisleepRead AS5 customer reviews

AS5 Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 20-Year Warranty
• Designed for side and plus-size sleepers
• Heat reducing mattress cover
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Split-King

Best Mattresses for Heavy People

1. Amerisleep AS5

The Amerisleep AS5 is our favorite mattress for heavier individuals. Available in both memory foam and hybrid model, this bed is designed to comfortably accommodate sleepers of different body types who enjoy a softer mattress. The AS5 is 14 inches thick and contains 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, 2 inches of Active Flex, 2 inches of Affinity, and 7 inches of Bio-Core®. The cover is made of a lightweight, breathable fabric for excellent cooling.

Bio-Pur® is plant-based memory foam—part of the petroleum is replaced with castor oil during the manufacturing process of this foam. As a result, the AS5 produces little to no off-gassing and is cooler than traditional memory foam.

What makes this mattress great for heavy sleepers is Active Flex, a latex-like poly-foam. Active Flex is responsive and bouncy, so it holds you up in the mattress and prevents uncomfortable sinkage. The AS5 is Amerisleep’s only model with this innovative material, making it their best mattress for plus-size sleepers. While it’s usually tough for heavy sleepers to find a soft, but supportive mattress, the AS5 aims to offer both.

Below the Active Flex, the Affinity layer uses HIVE technology® to create a 5-zone support layer. HIVE® offers softer support to heavier sections of the body like the shoulders and hips and firmer support to the head, back, and legs. The Affinity layer ensures even support to the body, no matter the sleep position.

At the base of the AS5 is a strong support core to accommodate sleepers who carry additional weight. A mattress’s base layer is an important consideration when shopping for heavy sleepers. If the mattress’s core is flimsy or consistent with low-quality materials, the bed won’t last very long.

The Amerisleep AS5 is their softest model— the mattress won’t sag but instead provides consistent support and pressure-relieving comfort for an excellent night’s sleep. The bed comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

2. Zoma Mattress

The Zoma Mattress is another great option for heavy sleepers. With 3 foam layers designed to cushion the joints and keep the body lifted, those over 230 pounds are less likely to experience excess sinkage. The Zoma is 11 inches thick and has a 2 inch top layer, 2-inch transition layer, and 7-inch supportive foam base. The cover is made with AirCloth, a soft, ventilated fabric that won’t retain heat.

The comfort layer of the Zoma features their gel memory foam with Triangulex™ technology. This gel-infused material wicks heat and moisture away from the surface of the bed to reduce overheating. The triangular cutouts provide the perfect level of support to each area of the body, so the joints stay cushioned, and the lumbar spine remains supported.

The Reactiv™ transition layer is a buoyant foam material that keeps the body lifted on the mattress, rather than snuck. This feature reduces sinking and misalignment. When the spine is resting in a neutral position, heavier individuals are less likely to wake with pain and stiffness.

The base of the Zoma is made with their durable foam material, Support+. This foundation prevents premature sagging and indentations that could affect the comfort of the mattress. Zoma also offers their mattress in a hybrid model. Instead of a foam base, the Zoma Hybrid has a pocketed coil system which is zoned to provide the perfect level of comfort and support to each area of the body. The Zoma and Zoma Hybrid have a medium firmness that works well for most sleeper positions, including back, side, and combination sleepers.

With both their memory foam and hybrid mattresses, Zoma offers a 100-night sleep trial that allows you to try out the bed and make sure it’s right for you. They also offer a 10-year warranty that covers sagging greater than .75 inches.

3. Vaya Mattress

The Vaya Mattress has 2 foam layers that work together to create a medium comfort level. Both layers of foam are hypoallergenic and certified by CertiPUR-US® to be free of harmful contaminants. If you are a heavier individual who prefers to rest on your side, this mattress is ideal.

The comfort layer is made with Vaya’s proprietary foam that contours to the body and provides pressure-free support. This foam has a slight bounce that keeps the hips and shoulders from sinking too far into the bed and forcing the spine out of alignment. This feature is perfect for heavier sleepers who tend to sink more on softer surfaces.

The base of the Vaya features a sturdy and supportive poly-foam. This durable foundation is soft enough to prevent pressure points, but it is also strong enough to prevent sagging and indentations. You can place the Vaya Mattress on most modern bed frames, including adjustable bases and slatted foundations.

The Vaya Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Plus, this mattress is incredibly affordable.

4. Avocado Green Mattress

The Avocado Green Mattress is 11 inches tall and contains 2 inches of Dunlop latex, 8 inches of pocketed coils, and 1 inch of Dunlop latex. The mattress cover is made from organic wool and cotton.

Natural Dunlop latex conforms to the body to relieve pressure points and provides a responsive bounce, making it easier to move around on the surface. Dunlop latex prevents overheating because it’s naturally cool.

The pocketed coil layer serves as a zoned support system— higher gauge coils lend softer support to the shoulders and hips, while lower gauge coils provide firmer support to the head, back, and legs. The combination of latex and coils keeps the body on the surface of the mattress and prevents sagging.

The eco-friendly Avocado mattress is made from sustainably-sourced, organic, and recycled materials. Its firm feel makes it ideal for back and stomach sleepers, though for an extra charge the company will add a 2-inch Dunlop latex pillow top to alter the feel to medium-firm. The Avocado Green Mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.

5. Purple® Hybrid Premier

The Purple® Hybrid Premier Mattress is 12.5 inches thick and consists of 4 inches of Purple Grid™, 1 inch of poly-foam, and 7.5 inches of pocketed coils. The cover is made of a special Lycra® viscose polyester blend.

Purple’s® exclusive Purple Grid™ was invented by two engineers and designed to last. Constructed into a grid system, otherwise known as The Purple Grid™, this breathable layer keeps cool and maintains medium-firm support. Pocketed coils enhance comfort while reinforcing support, so sleepers won’t have to worry about bottoming out.

This Purple mattress is a great choice for all types of sleepers. The adaptiveness of Purple’s® Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ adjusts to each sleep position without losing support. The Purple® Hybrid Premier Mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

6. Spindle

The Spindle Mattress is 10 inches tall with 3 inches of medium Dunlop latex and two layers of 3-inch firm Dunlop latex. The organic cotton cover includes 1 inch of eco-wool batting.

This pure latex mattress uses natural Dunlop latex as the comfort, transitional, and support layers. A special feature of the Spindle mattress is its switchable layers— the feel of the mattress can be adjusted by rearranging the latex layers. If customers are struggling to find the perfect feel, Spindle will send an additional layer of latex (either soft or firm) free of charge as long as the mattress is within the sleep trial.

While the Spindle Mattress is only 10 inches tall, the firm feel of Dunlop latex ensures a comfortable and supportive bed without the risk of sagging. This firm mattress is also available in soft, medium, and extra firm. The Spindle Mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

7. Bear Hybrid

The Bear Hybrid Mattress is 14 inches thick and contains 2 inches of Serene® foam, 1 inch of poly-foam, 8 inches of pocketed coils, and 1 inch of high-density support foam. The mattress cover is a quilted gel memory foam with FDA-determined Celliant® technology.

Bear’s Serene® foam adapts to body weight to better align the spine. Serene® foam has four times more pressure relief than traditional memory foam. Pocketed coils reduce motion transfer and offer good edge support— sleepers don’t need to worry about rolling off the bed at night.

The medium-firm feel of this Bear mattress makes it a great choice for side sleepers. The plush sleep surface fills in the wide gaps between the body and the mattress, specifically the midsection, and effectively relieves pressure points in the shoulders and hips. The Bear Hybrid Mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

8. Novosbed

The Novosbed is 11 inches tall and contains 2 inches of memory foam, 2 inches of transitional foam, and 7 inches of support foam. The mattress cover is made from stretch-knit Tencel®.

With the help of open-cell technology, Novosbed is able to alter their memory foam by infusing it with air for better air circulation, without losing the cushioning effect of traditional memory foam. The transitional foam also contours to the body to relieve pressure points and reduce motion transfer. Support foam evenly distributes body weight across the sleep surface for a balanced feel.

The Novosbed comes in three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. This review is for the firm option, but if customers find it too soft or too firm within the sleep trial, Novosbed will send either a firm layer or a soft layer free of charge. By unzipping the mattress cover and placing the new layer on top of the mattress, the feel of the sleep surface is easily altered. The Novosbed comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty.

9. DynastyMattress CoolBreeze

The DynastyMattress CoolBreeze is 12 inches tall and consists of 3 inches of high-density gel memory foam, two layers of 2-inch airflow foam, and 5 inches of high-density base foam. The white cover with brown suede is both removable and machine-washable.

The gel beads infused into memory foam absorb and disperse body heat to regulate temperature. For better air circulation and cooling, the egg crate construction of the foam layers allows air to pass through the mattress more freely. The high-density construction of both the comfort layer and the support base provides a denser, more durable mattress without risk of sagging.

Perfect for back sleepers, the medium-firm feel of the DynastyMattress CoolBreeze mattress evenly supports the body while allowing a slight sinking of the hips to align the spine. The DynastyMattress CoolBreeze comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 30-year warranty.

10. Olee Sleep Galaxy

The Olee Sleep Galaxy Mattress is 13 inches tall and contains a layer of high-density foam, a layer of gel foam, a layer of high-density foam, a layer of pocketed coils, and a layer of high-density base foam. The mattress also contains a fiber padding and is encased in a polyester jacquard cover. Olee Sleep hasn’t released the thickness of each layer and the order.

By using high-density foams as comfort layers, the Olee Sleep Galaxy Mattress provides a firm sleep surface with a slight bounce. The top layers also evenly distribute body weight. Pocketed coils reduce motion transfer and support the body.

The Olee Sleep Galaxy Mattress is a good option for those wanting to transition from an innerspring mattress. As a hybrid, this mattress combines thick comfort foam layers with an innerspring support system. We couldn’t find any mention of a sleep trial, but the Olee Sleep Galaxy Mattress does come with a 10-year warranty.

11. Live & Sleep

The Live & Sleep Mattress is 12 inches tall and contains 3 inches of high-density, air-infused memory foam, 1 inch of gel memory foam, and 8 inches of high-density foam. The soft-flex linen mattress cover is both removable and machine-washable.

This all-foam bed hugs the body without the sleeper feeling stuck inside the mattress— allowing you to sleep on top of the surface rather than sinking inside it. Foam adjusts to body weight and temperature, relieving pressure points and reducing pain. The reinforced edges prevent sleepers from rolling off the bed.

The medium-firm feel of the Live & Sleep Mattress makes it a good choice for side and back sleepers. The surface of the mattress aligns the spine and relieves pressure points in the shoulders and hips for side sleepers, while back sleepers are consistently supported with a slight sinking of the hips for spinal alignment and support to the lower back. The Live & Sleep Mattress comes with a 30-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide

What to Look For in a Mattress

Larger people, or those weighing more than 230 pounds, need a thick, durable mattress that won’t bottom out. They should look for a mattress that provides extra support and comfort night after night. The best mattress should be based on your favorite sleep position to keep the spine in alignment.

Thickness

Heavyweight sleepers should look for a mattress 12 inches or thicker for deep compression support without the risk of sagging. More weight produces more pressure. Thinner mattresses tend to bottom out for sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds because thinner mattresses aren’t built to handle that type of pressure. This leads to misaligning of the spine and increased aches and pains.

Heavyweight sleepers may be able to find comfort on a thinner, 10-inch bed if they use a special type of foam-like high-density foam or latex or an extra-thick comfort layer to improve deep compression support. It all depends on firmness preferences and preferred sleep position. Thicker mattresses are still a good idea— ideally the heavier the body, the thicker the mattress.

Firmness

The type of firmness you choose depends on your preferred sleep position. Heavier sleepers should look for a mattress with a firmness between medium to firm for best comfort and support. Before committing to a bed, always consider your weight— the heavier the weight, the more deeply you’ll sink into a mattress.

Larger sleepers tend to sink 1 to 2 inches deeper than average weight sleepers (those who weigh between 130 to 230 pounds). A firmer mattress will feel more comfortable than softer mattresses because there’s less risk of sagging, and the spine remains in neutral alignment.

Edge Support

Heavy sleepers need to utilize the sleep surface as much as possible because of their larger bodies, especially when sharing the bed with a sleep partner. A mattress with reinforced edges can prevent sleepers from feeling like rolling off the bed and provide support when sitting on the edge of the bed. Edge support can prevent sagging and edge collapse, making the mattress more durable.

Durability

The durability of a mattress depends on thickness, edge support, and quality of mattress materials. Before buying a new bed, look at the listed lifespan and then the materials. A high-quality mattress should last at least 7 years. Low-quality materials will break down quicker, usually within 2 to 3 years due to deeper sagging.

Cooling Features

More weight tends to generate more heat— to combat this, choose a mattress with some type of cooling feature that regulates temperature and prevents overheating. Cooling features can be found inside the mattress or incorporated into the mattress cover.

Mattress

• Cooling Foam: Traditional memory foam retains heat and could cause sleepers to overheat. Foam with advanced open-cell technology or infusions like gel, copper, or graphite pulls heat away from the body and improves airflow.
• Innerspring & Hybrid: Innersprings and hybrid mattresses are ventilated due to the coil system’s open structure.
• Latex: Latex foam naturally sleeps cool and is not as close-conforming as memory foam, allowing for more air exposure.

Cover

Mattress covers are made from a variety of materials, each with its own unique features. Cotton, Tencel™, and bamboo are naturally breathable and wick away moisture. Phase-changing materials also pull heat away from the body and transform heat into infrared light.

Weight Limit

Every mattress has a weight limit—before deciding on a mattress, consider your weight, and if you have a sleep partner, your combined weight. Exceeding the weight limit could damage the mattress because of wear and tear through consistent use and a large amount of pressure on the sleep surface. Weight limit varies by model and brand, but most queen and king size mattresses can support at least 600 pounds.

If one sleep partner is heavier than the other, the mattress could sag. Mattresses that offer dual firmness options are a great option for constant, durable support for both sides.

Best Mattress Types for Heavy People

Mattresses come in various materials—some combine different materials to create a unique feel, like a hybrid mattress. Each mattress type offers its own benefits and drawbacks—the type of bed you choose depends on your personal preferences.

Memory Foam

A memory foam mattress contains layers of foam to contour to the body and relieve pressure. Foam has excellent motion isolation while providing consistent support. A typical memory foam mattress contains a memory foam or poly-foam comfort layer and high-density foam for support. Memory foam mattresses range in firmness from soft to medium-firm and can last between 6 to 7 years.

A memory foam mattress is an excellent option for heavy sleepers. Memory foam relieves built-up pressure points while maintaining a high level of support.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses contain coil-on-coil construction with good edge support and better cooling because of the open structure. These mattresses contain a thin comfort layer of foam or microcoils and a coiled support system. Some innerspring mattresses may include a pillow top or Euro-style topper. Innerspring mattress firmness ranges from medium to firm and can last between 5 to 6 years.

Innerspring mattresses can be a good option for heavy sleepers in regards to support, but because of the thinner comfort layer, these beds could also create pressure points that cause morning aches and pains. Before purchasing an innerspring bed, look at the comfort layer to see what it’s made of and how thick it is.

Latex

Latex mattresses come in two different forms: synthetic and natural. Synthetic latex is made through a chemical process, while natural latex is extracted from rubber trees and whipped up. There are two types of natural latex— Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex is denser and more durable, while Talalay latex contains strategically-placed holes for zoned support.

Latex is similar in feel to memory foam, except it has a slight bounce, sleeps cooler, and has a firmer feel. A latex mattress contains a latex comfort layer and a high-density foam or latex support layer. Latex mattresses range from medium-soft to medium-firm and they can last 8 years or longer.

Latex mattresses are a good option for heavy sleepers because they sleep cooler. Latex doesn’t absorb as much heat as memory foam and doesn’t contour as sharply to the body. Rounded contouring with a slight bounce enables heavy sleepers to move around easier and reduces overheating.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is the combination of memory foam and innerspring coils into one perfect mattress. Hybrid mattresses have the same benefits of memory foam and innersprings, including better cooling and body contouring. However, they also have the same drawbacks, like less pressure relief and more motion transfer. Hybrid mattresses are also more expensive because of the number of materials they contain.

A hybrid mattress contains a memory foam or latex comfort layer, at least 2 inches thick, and a pocketed coil support layer. Hybrid mattresses range in firmness from medium to medium-firm and last between 6 to 7 years.

Hybrid mattresses are another excellent option for heavy sleepers. Hybrids lend extra support from pocketed coils to the body plus contouring memory foam to relieve pressure points.

Sleeping Position

Your favorite sleeping position can have a huge impact on the type of mattress you choose. Each sleep position needs targeted support to certain areas of the body to keep the spine in neutral alignment— misaligning the spine results in lower back pain, leading to back problems later on.

Side Sleeping

In the side sleeping position, heavy side sleepers place their full weight along a narrower surface area, and their mattresses are more sensitive to sagging.

Medium-firm and firm mattresses for side sleeping are comfortable because they conform to the spine and alleviate pressure points without risk of bottoming out.

Back Sleeping

Heavy back sleepers find it easier to align the spine while lying on their backs— weight is evenly distributed, with the back closer to the surface.

Back sleepers need a medium to firm bed to conform to the body and allow a slight sinking of the hips to support the lower back and reduce back pain.

Read More: Best Mattress for Back Pain

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping carries the most health risks and is one of the least common sleep positions. In the midsection, weight is pulled down through gravity, forcing the spine to straighten, causing back pain. Also, when stomach sleepers twist their heads to the side to breathe better, they’re setting their spine at an awkward angle, holding it in position for hours at night, resulting in neck strain.

Heavy stomach sleepers need a firm bed to prevent deep hip sinkage and to keep the body on top of the sleep surface.

Sleep Trials, Warranties, and Return Policies

Mattresses are a big investment, and by including sleep trials, warranties, and some form of return policy, mattress companies reassure customers of a sound purchase that will last.

Sleep Trial

A sleep trial is a period of time manufacturers give the customer to try out a new bed in the comfort of their own home. This trial period usually lasts between 90 to 120 nights. The longer the trial period, the better since it takes about 30 days for the body to adjust to a new mattress. If customers are not happy with their new bed, most companies will arrange to have the mattress picked up and donated before issuing a full refund.

Warranty

Warranties protect against premature sagging, usually greater than 1 inch (it varies depending on the company), and other manufacturing defects. Read the fine print to see what fees customers need to pay should a defect occur. Customers may need to cover shipping and handling costs for any repairs or mattress replacements.

Read through the warranty to see what sections are non-prorated and prorated. Non-prorated means customers won’t have to pay any fees to repair or replace a bed. Prorated warranties give a specific amount customers will need to pay based on the bed’s original price tag and how long the customer has owned the mattress. This amount increases each year and can cost as much as 90 to 95% of the original cost.

Return Policy

If a sleep trial isn’t available, the next best option is a return policy. Return policies last for 30 days— the same amount of time it takes for the body to break in a new bed. If unsatisfied with their new bed, customers can arrange a return for a full or partial refund.

If the customer wants to exchange for a different model, the customer will either need to pay the difference if the new bed comes at a higher cost, or the customer will receive a partial refund if the new model costs less than the original bed.

Other Things to Consider

When is the best month to buy a mattress?

Mattress retailers offer steep discounts to make room for new models between February and May. Other prime times to buy a mattress include three-day weekends like Black Friday, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. Online companies offer ongoing discounts for their mattresses.

What’s a good price for a mattress?

You can expect to pay an average of $1500 for a quality queen size mattress with a standard 10-year warranty.

Do mattresses have weight limits?

Both mattresses and bed frames have weight limits, so it’s important to determine how much weight each can hold before making a purchase. More often than not, mattresses can hold 350 to 400 pounds on each side of the bed. Bed frames usually hold a lot more, since they have to support both a mattress and sleeper.

Does sitting up in bed ruin the mattress?

Sitting up in bed shouldn’t cause too much damage to your mattress. That said, if you’re sitting up in bed for hours each day, that one spot in the bed will sag and deteriorate faster than other parts of the bed. To avoid this, we recommend rotating the mattress frequently to even wear.

What type of mattress is best for heavy people?

Typically, heavier sleepers prefer beds with springs for their bouncy responsiveness. That’s not to say all-foam beds can’t support heavier sleepers, but most sleepers above 230 pounds find foam beds feel uncomfortable and hot. Hybrid mattresses contain foam layers to offer cushion, and pocketed coils to promote airflow and keep plus-size sleepers lifted.

Conclusion

As a larger person, it’s vital to find a quality mattress with excellent support and comforting pressure relief for a good night’s sleep. This type of mattress will align the spine and won’t sag. Finding the right mattress for heavy people can be challenging, but it is possible as long as you do your research and know what to look for.