Best Mattresses for Heavy People of 2023

By Andrea Pisani Babich

Feb 22nd, 2023

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If you weigh more than 230 pounds, there are special features you should look for in a mattress to get the support and comfort you need. Fortunately, some of today’s top-rated brands provide mattresses specially designed with your needs in mind.

We’ve selected a list of the best mattresses for heavy people to help you find the right one for you. Compare our top picks, read our buyer’s guide for plus-size sleepers, and start getting your best rest night after night.

Best Mattress for Heavy People: Our Top Picks

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When we evaluate mattresses for plus-size people, we expand our review process to put additional focus on:

  • Firmness. Mattresses that are medium-firm or higher, or have firmness options in that range
  • Weight capacity. Mattresses that can support one or more people weighing 230 lbs and up
  • Durability. Thicker mattresses made with sturdy materials designed to resist sagging

See our recap to find out how our featured mattresses stack up against these criteria.


Titan Plus

Titan
Titan Plus

Best Extra-Firm Mattress

Best for

  • People who like a firmer surface
  • Couples
  • Value shoppers
customer rating

4.5/5

our score

9.2/10

firmness

Firm: 7/10

trial period

120 days

Supports up to 1,000 lbs

Heavier people need a firmer mattress, and the Titan Plus from Brooklyn Bedding has firmness to spare (8/10). This hybrid’s combination of strong comfort foams and heavy-duty coils create a durable mattress that resists body impressions. Specifically designed for heavier sleepers, the Titan Plus has a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds.

Restless sleepers and combination sleepers are sure to appreciate the near-perfect 9.5/10 Mattress Advisor score for responsiveness. It earns an 8.5/10 score for cooling, and you can even add an optional cooling panel for an additional charge. The Titan Plus also outclasses most of the competition when it comes to spine alignment, where it earns a 9.5/10 score.

Read our full Titan Plus mattress review. Also, see our roundup of best firm mattresses.


WinkBeds Plus

winkbed plus mattress e1583850587659
WinkBeds Plus

Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers

Best for

  • Stomach sleepers
  • Back sleepers
  • Spine alignment
customer rating

4.5/5

our score

8.2/10

firmness

Medium-Firm

trial period

120 nights

Supports up to 900 lbs

The WinkBeds Plus is a luxury hybrid that incorporates a triple-zone pocketed coil support system and high-density latex foam, with a weight capacity of 900 pounds. The design also includes contouring micro-coils and pocketed coils to provide additional durability and support. It earns a solid 8.5/10 Mattress Advisor score for spine alignment, one of the critical performance categories for stomach sleepers.

When you choose the Plus firmness option, the feel should be a 7/10 or 8/10 on the firmness scale. Additional support layers provide a supportive surface for larger stomach sleepers. The foam layers move with the sleeper, so you won’t feel stuck as you move around. The coil construction should prevent the hips from sinking too deeply into the mattress.

Read our full WinkBeds Plus mattress review. You can also check out our roundup of best mattresses for stomach sleepers.


Helix Plus

helix mattress hero2
Helix Plus (Nightfall)

Best Mattress for Back Pain

Best for

  • People with lower back pain
  • Side sleepers
  • People who sleep hot
customer rating

4.6/5

our score

8/10

firmness

Firm: 7-8/10

trial period

100 days

Supports up to 1,000 lbs

With a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, the Helix Plus can provide heavy people with a personalized solution for pain relief. Just take Helix’s Sleep Quiz to get a customized recommendation based on your aches and pains, your sleeping position, and more.

Formerly known as the Helix Nightfall, the Helix Plus is made with high-density materials, including an extra support layer of Helix Dynamic Foam designed to contour your body and memory foam to provide pressure relief. It scores an 8/10 for pressure relief in Mattress Advisor testing, along with an 8.5/10 in spine alignment. Layers of XL wrapped coils and DuraDense foam help provide support and long-lasting durability.

Read our full Helix Plus mattress review. Also, see our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain.


DreamCloud Premier

DreamCloud Premier
DreamCloud Premier

Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Best for

  • People prone to night sweats
  • Couples and co-sleepers
  • People with back pain
customer rating

4.7/5

our score

8.9/10

firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

trial period

365 days

Supports up to 650 lbs (estimated)

The DreamCloud Premier is a five-layer pillow-top hybrid designed to sleep cool, from cover to coils. Although the DreamCloud website doesn’t specify a weight capacity, specifications from parent company Resident Sleep show an estimate of around 650 pounds.

The Premier’s cover is made of light, breathable cashmere, and the innerspring and foam layers work are designed to work in unison to dissipate heat. With an 8.5/10 Mattress Advisor score for cooling, the DreamCloud Premier should do a fine job of preventing night sweats and overheating. Also, the pillow-top layer is designed to conform to your body for pressure relief.

Although the regular price of a queen size approaches $1,600, DreamCloud provides a lifetime warranty and a 365-night sleep trial. The Premier also earns a 9/10 score for durability.

Read our full DreamCloud Premier mattress review. Also of interest: our roundup of best mattresses for hot sleepers.


Saatva HD

saatva hd new e1585937238794
Saatva HD

Best Hybrid Mattress

Best for

  • Eco-conscious shoppers
  • Side sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
customer rating

4.9/5

our score

8.5/10

firmness

Medium-Firm: 6/10

trial period

365 days

Supports up to 1,000 pounds

The Saatva HD mattress is a five-layer hybrid mattress with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds, specially designed to meet the needs of heavy people. The bottom coil layer offers a support base for the top layer of individually foam-wrapped steel coils that respond to pressure separately. A high-quality memory foam layer provides additional pressure relief—it earns an 8/10 for pressure relief in our Mattress Advisor testing—and just enough hug to reduce tension and stress in the lower back.

Saatva also prides itself on being eco-friendly using only non-toxic materials. That means no chemical smell and no toxic off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Plus, Saatva offers free white glove delivery, a lifetime warranty, and a 365-night sleep trial.

Read our full Saatva HD mattress review. You can also check out our roundup of best hybrid mattresses.


Emma CliMax Hybrid

Emma CliMax Hybrid Mattress
Emma CliMax Hybrid

Best Mattress for Couples

Best for

  • Plus-size couples (250+ lbs)
  • Intimate partners
  • Back sleepers
customer rating

4.7/5

our score

8.7/10

firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

trial period

365 days

Supports up to 1,000 lbs

The Emma CliMax Hybrid is not just a mattress for plus-sized couples but also a mattress for couple-related activities that don’t involve sleeping. In other words, the CliMax Hybrid is designed as a bed where people who weigh 250 lbs and up can enjoy both sleep and sex.

The Emma CliMax Hybrid has six layers, including a pocketed coil system to provide bouncy responsiveness, and supports up to 1,000 lbs. It earns 9/10 scores for edge support and responsiveness in Mattress Advisor testing and has good firmness for heavier sleepers (7.5/10). Our tester also gives the bed-in-a-box hybrid high marks for easy set-up.

Read our full Emma CliMax Hybrid mattress review. You might also be interested in our roundups of best mattresses for couples and best mattresses for sex.


Puffy Royal Hybrid

edge support 3 2 1
Puffy Royal Hybrid

Best for Lifetime Warranty

Best for

  • People interested in long-term value
  • Side sleepers
  • People who value customer service
customer rating

4.8/5

our score

8.2/10

firmness

Medium: 5/10

trial period

101 days

Supports up to 700 lbs

If a company standing firmly behind its products means a lot to you, think about the vote of confidence received by the Puffy Royal Hybrid. Puffy offers a lifetime warranty on its mattresses, along with a 101-night sleep trial and highly acclaimed customer service. The Royal Hybrid model can support up to 700 pounds (or 350 pounds to a side for couples), putting it well within the range for most heavyweight sleepers.

Most side sleepers should find the Puffy Royal Hybrid’s pressure-relieving qualities agreeable. In the pressure relief testing category, it earns a more than respectable 8.75/10. However, back sleepers and stomach sleepers might need a firmer mattress that provides better spine alignment (the Titan Plus, for example).

Read our full Puffy Royal Hybrid mattress review.


Nectar

nectar original mattress updated
Nectar

Best Budget Mattress

Best for

  • Budget-minded shoppers
  • Side sleepers
  • Hot sleepers
customer rating

4.7/5

our score

8.7/10

firmness

Medium-firm: 5.5-6/10

trial period

365 days

Supports up to 650 lbs

Nectar excels at providing affordable mattresses that match up well with many kinds of sleepers, including people who weigh more than average. The original Nectar mattress has a weight capacity of 650 pounds. The Nectar brand is also known for its value—regular price for a queen size is about $999, not counting the frequent sales and promotions that could shave more dollars off the price tag.

Performance-wise, the Nectar’s pressure-relieving qualities and medium firmness should match up well with most side sleepers. It scores a very respectable 8.5/10 for pressure relief in our testing lab. If you have chronic neck pain or back pain, however, consider a mattress that offers better spine alignment.

Read our full Nectar mattress review. You can also see our roundup of best budget mattresses.


Nolah Signature 12″

Nolah NEW
Nolah Signature 12''

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Best for

  • Side sleeping position
  • Restless sleepers
  • Pressure relief
customer rating

4.8/5

our score

8.6/10

firmness

Medium-Soft

trial period

120 days

Supports up to 700 lbs

Heavier side sleepers should find a lot to like about the Nolah Signature 12” mattress, starting with its outstanding pressure relief. In Mattress Advisor testing, this mattress went above and beyond with a 9.25/10 score. Pressure relief is a key performance category for side sleepers, whose sleeping position tends to put extra pressure on the shoulders and hips.

Thanks to its design, the Nolah Signature 12” is one of the rare all-foam beds we would recommend for heavier people. The main reason is the 7-inch high-density core foundation layer. The Nolah Signature 12” can support up to 700 pounds, or 350 pounds per side for two people sharing a queen size or above. The limited lifetime warranty is worth a vote of confidence in its durability.

Read our full Nolah Signature 12″ mattress review. To see similar beds, check out our roundup of best mattresses for side sleepers.


Bear Star Hybrid

Bear Star Hybrid
Bear Star Hybrid

Best for Back Sleepers

Best for

  • Back sleepers
  • Athletes
  • Hot sleepers
customer rating

4.7/5

our score

9/10

firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

trial period

120 days

Supports up to 700 lbs (estimated)

When it comes to heavy sleepers and back sleepers alike, a sufficiently firm and durable mattress is crucial. The Bear Star Hybrid has both a medium-firm firmness level (6/10) and a 9.5/10 durability score. The overall support provided by this memory foam/innerspring hybrid helps prevent sleepers from sinking too far into the material, keeping the hips up and properly aligned with the rest of the spine. In fact, the Star Hybrid has an exceptional 9.5/10 score for spine alignment

Bear makes their mattresses with athletes in mind, and the Star Hybrid’s features include a Celliant fiber cover designed to promote recovery. Although Bear doesn’t list a weight capacity for its mattresses, a well-made hybrid of this caliber should support up to 700 pounds comfortably.

Read our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review. Also of interest: our roundup of best mattresses for back sleepers.


Buyer’s Guide to Mattresses for Heavy People

Larger sleepers need a mattress that provides plenty of support and durability to help them get a restful and restorative sleep every night. Since any mattress can claim to be supportive and durable, how do you read between the lines to see which products can actually make a difference?

That’s where Mattress Advisor comes in. Use this guide to navigate your way through the jargon and the sales pitches and find the right mattress for you.

What’s the Best Type of Mattress for Heavier People?

The best type of mattress for a heavier person—generally defined as 230 lbs or more—is often an innerspring mattress or a layered hybrid that combines innersprings with latex or foam. These designs and materials tend to offer the most support and durability. Here’s how different mattress types rate for compatibility with heavier people:

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses have the most pushback of all the mattress surfaces so they are able to hold up under deep compression night after night. We recommend innerspring mattresses with high-density, individually wrapped coils or springs for maximum support and durability. Since all-coil mattresses aren’t as common as they used to be, a hybrid bed that combines innersprings with high-density foam or latex is a viable alternative.

Hybrid Mattresses

The beauty of the best hybrid mattresses is the marriage of great support with superior pressure relief. The support typically comes from the combination of an innerspring core topped with memory foam or latex layers for comfort. Hybrid mattresses are ideal for heavy people who need that extra support but don’t want to give up the contouring cushion of a memory foam or latex comfort layer.

What About Memory Foam and Latex?

Any analysis of memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses for heavy people should include a few conditions. Each type of foam mattress could be a good match, but be on the lookout for characteristics such as:

  • Firmness. The mattress should have a firmness rating of medium-firm or higher.
  • Density (or ILD rating). The memory foam or latex should be high-density, to prevent your body from sinking in too deeply.
  • Design. Hybrids pair layers of foam with layers of denser polyfoam and/or coils, adding overall support.
  • Type of latex. Latex processed using the Dunlop method typically results in firmer and denser foam.

When in doubt, check the mattress’s weight capacity to see how much weight it’s designed to support. Memory foam and latex offer several benefits, including pressure relief and responsiveness. Just make sure these materials meet the conditions listed above if you need a mattress with the firmness and stability to accommodate a larger person.

Why Firmness Matters for Larger Sleepers

Often confused with support, mattress firmness refers to how soft or firm the mattress feels. The firmness of your mattress affects the sensation of “hug” or contouring as you sink into the surface, as well as the overall comfort.

Heavy people should aim for mattresses in the medium-firm to firm range on the firmness scale. That translates to a firmness rating of 6 to 8 on a 10-point scale, with 10 being the firmest. Anything softer and you will sink too far into the mattress to maintain proper spinal alignment.

Since firmness ratings are calibrated for average-weight people, they’ll typically feel softer to bigger people. Plus-sized sleepers can expect to sink 1 to 2 inches more than lighter people depending on their weight and the mattress type. So, a mattress rated an 8 on the firmness scale may feel more like a 7 for a sleeper over 230 pounds.

In other words: When in doubt, go firmer.

Related: Best Firm Mattresses and Best Medium-Firm Mattresses

What Other Mattress Features Should Heavy Sleepers Consider?

Keep an eye out for each of these factors when you’re shopping for a mattress that matches your body type:

Weight Capacity

Check the weight capacity recommended by the manufacturer for any mattress you consider. Many bed-in-a-box manufacturers design their beds to support single sleepers weighing 300 pounds, but some go as high as 550 pounds per sleeper.

For couples sharing a mattress, simply divide the total weight capacity by two. For example, a mattress with a capacity of 1,000 pounds should be able to accommodate up to 500 pounds on each side.

You can usually find the weight capacity for a specific mattress in the product description or FAQ section on the company’s website. To help save you time, we’ve included the weight capacity for each mattress featured on this page.

Sleeping Position

  • Side sleepers: Heavy side sleepers need a mattress with great pressure relief, to ease the pressure on their hips and shoulders, and solid spine alignment. A hybrid with high-density latex or high-density memory foam in the top layer supported by an innerspring core would be a strong choice.
  • Back sleepers: Back sleepers 230 pounds and up need a bed soft enough to contour to the shape of the spine but firm enough to keep it supported. Since back sleeping is the healthiest position, your mattress doesn’t have to work as hard to address pressure and alignment.
  • Stomach sleepers: Heavy stomach sleepers should look for a firm mattress (about 7/10 on the firmness scale) with a top layer that allows the hips and shoulders to sink in slightly. An innerspring hybrid with a pillow top layer would be your top option.
  • Combination sleepers: Plus-size combination sleepers need a highly responsive mattress that makes it easier to shift positions during sleep. Consider a latex-innerspring hybrid that uses high-density latex.

Related: What is the Best Sleeping Position?

Mattress Thickness

Heavy people should consider mattresses that are at least 11 inches deep. Some 10-inch foam mattresses could work for heavy people, but only if:

  • The foam is high-density
  • It’s firmer than average (7/10 on the firmness scale)
  • There’s a comfort layer to provide deep compression support, meaning it relieves pressure points while keeping you from sinking in too deep

In general, heavy people should look for a thicker mattress. That’s because larger sleepers need more support to keep their spines in a neutral position no matter what sleep position they choose.

Support (Including Edge Support)

The ideal mattress for a heavier person has a certain amount of responsive bounce—one of the trademarks of latex and coils—to keep you from sinking too far into the bed and potentially throwing off your spine alignment. Some foam mattresses and foam hybrids compensate for memory foam’s “hug” feel by increasing thickness and density.

Don’t overlook edge support, which helps prevent your mattress from sagging when you sleep near the edge of the bed. Sturdiness across the entire surface, not just the center, can improve the overall durability of the mattress and its ability to resist sagging.

Cooling

Sleeping hot is not unique to heavy people, but it is more of an issue for larger people. Larger bodies generate more heat that can be trapped in bedding and mattresses.

Mattress materials and design play a big part in temperature regulation. Lower-quality foam mattresses tend to retain body heat more than latex or innerspring mattresses. If you prefer a foam mattress, be sure to look for one that uses gel-infused foam or similar cooling features. Hybrid mattresses that include one or more innerspring layers are generally good for cooling, since the innerspring layer leads to improved airflow and breathability.

Spine Alignment (and Snoring)

A mattress that keeps your spine in a healthy, neutral alignment can help sleepers of any size avoid waking up with pain in their back, neck, or hips. An additional factor that makes spine alignment important for heavier people is everyone’s least favorite overnight guest, snoring.

Heavier people, particularly those carrying extra weight in the neck area, are more likely to snore. The good news is that proper alignment of your neck helps keep your airways unobstructed. Likewise, a mattress that provides good spine alignment could help mitigate the effects of sleep apnea, another disorder that disproportionately affects people who are overweight.

Related: How to Stop Snoring Permanently

Pillows, Mattress Toppers, and Bed Support

Since heavier sleepers put more weight on their mattress and tend to generate more body heat, they need extra support and cooling to get their best night’s sleep. Accessories like pillows, mattress toppers, and bed frames/platforms can give your mattress a boost in support and cooling.

Cooling Pillows

A cool pillow goes a long way in guaranteeing a good night’s rest. The best cooling pillows typically have covers made out of breathable fibers such as cotton or bamboo and use gel-infused foam as fill material.

Mattress Toppers

Similarly, firm mattress toppers with cooling gel can provide extra support while also helping you avoid getting overheated. Naturally breathable latex is also an effective material for a mattress topper, with the added advantage of being generally firmer than foam.

Foundations and Frames

A well-designed foundation can be supportive and a source of cooling at the same time. One example is a metal or wooden platform bed with a slatted design, in which the space between the slats provides an outlet for heat to escape. A similar principle applies to box springs, which allow for airflow because of the empty space within and around the coils.

Tips on Choosing a Foundation

Before you buy a new foundation or frame, keep a couple of tips in mind:

  • Check to see if the product lists a maximum weight recommendation. You’ll need to make sure that number is higher than the weight of your mattress plus your weight (and the weight of your sleep partner).
  • Check your mattress warranty to see which types of foundations the manufacturer recommends. The recommendations can not only help you get the best sleep experience but possibly prevent you from voiding your warranty too.

Related: Mattress Foundation Guide

A Closer Look at Our Selections

In choosing our best mattresses for heavy people, we looked at each product’s firmness, weight capacity, and Mattress Advisor score for durability. Here’s a look at how our picks stack up:

MATTRESS AVERAGE (OUT OF 10) FOR FIRMNESS, WEIGHT CAPACITY, AND DURABILITY
Titan Plus 9.2
WinkBeds Plus 9.0
Helix Plus 8.8
DreamCloud Premier 8.5
Saatva HD 9.0
Emma CliMax Hybrid 8.7
Puffy Royal Hybrid 7.8
Nectar 8.2
Nolah Signature 12” 8.3
Bear Star Hybrid 8.5

Note: The testing categories we focus on in this chart don’t reflect overall performance. Depending on your needs and preferences, you might put more or less value on certain qualities.

Best Mattresses for Heavy People FAQs

Weight capacity is a more accurate term—but yes, many mattresses have an estimate of how many pounds they can support. High-quality mattresses typically support at least 300 pounds per side for a queen size, or 600 pounds total, but mattresses made specially for people with larger bodies usually have higher weight capacities.

First, look for a mattress with a weight capacity of at least 600 pounds, which translates to 300 pounds per side for two people sharing the mattress. If you’re sharing your mattress, make sure to take your sleep partner’s size into consideration when looking at capacity. Other things to look for include:

  • A thickness of 12 inches or more
  • A design that includes durable materials such as steel coils and high-density foam or latex
  • Medium-firm or firm on the firmness scale (somewhere around 6/10 to 8/10)

The mattresses highlighted on this page fit the general profile, and most of them are designed with heavier people in mind.

Heavier sleepers need extra pressure relief and support around their hips to prevent lower back pain. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses with zoned support coils usually do a good job of providing firmer support underneath the back. The Helix Plus is a great example of a pressure-relieving mattress designed specifically for heavier people.

Mattresses with springs, latex, or additional cooling elements can help prevent a heavy sleeper (or anyone else) from overheating. We recommend hybrid mattresses with some combination of innerspring layers (for airflow) and layers of gel-infused foam or latex. A good example of this type of cooling design is the Saatva HD, a foam/innerspring hybrid that has a 9/10 Mattress Advisor cooling score.

The firmer, the better is a good rule of thumb. People who over 230 pounds will probably get the best results from mattresses rated 6/10 or higher on the firmness scale so that they don’t sink too far into the mattress and lose support.

Sleeping position factors in too. Generally, heavier side sleepers benefit from a 6/10 to 7/10 firmness since they actually need their hips and shoulder to sink in slightly to prevent pressure buildup in those sensitive areas. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers should aim for 7/10 to 8/10.

Finding the right mattress can improve not only your nights but also your days.

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