Different body types have different needs. Higher-weight people on the hunt for a new mattress will want to make sure they’re buying a mattress that’s built to last and can handle heavier weights. It can be helpful to look for a mattress that’s specifically designed to support more weight. They’re made with higher-density foams and higher-gauge steel to resist premature sagging and ensure sufficient comfort and support.
Since sleep is a critical component of your mental and physical health, finding the right mattress can have a significant impact on your well-being. So after extensive research and testing from the HelpGuide Handbook Team, we’ve put together a list of seven of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Best overall mattress for heavy people
We chose the Saatva Classic mattress because it offers customization with three different firmness levels and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Constructed from high-quality materials
Our picks for the best mattresses for heavy people
- Saatva Classic: Best overall
- Helix Plus: Best mattress in a box for heavy people
- Titan Plus: Best firm mattress for heavy people
- The WinkBed Plus: Best mattress for heavy people with back pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best hybrid mattress for heavy people
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: Best mattress for heavy couples
- Nolah Original: Best mattress for heavy side sleepers
Weight Disclaimer
Please note: We aim to provide helpful information for sleepers of all body types. When referring to heavier individuals, defined here as 250 pounds or more, it is for the practical purpose of discussing how mattress components can suit their physical needs. While categories like “average weight” or “overweight” can be ambiguous or insensitive, our goal is to offer guidance on finding the right mattress fit regardless of size. Please note that specific body weights are not strict cut-offs, as individual needs vary. We hope these insights serve all readers in their mattress search, with the understanding that a number on a scale does not define a person.
What you need to know about the best mattresses for heavy people
Here are the five things you need to know about the best mattresses for heavy people:
The Saatva Classic is our pick for the best mattress for higher-weight sleepers.
Heavier people will compress mattresses more than average-to-lightweight sleepers, so firmer mattresses are often better.
Some brands make models that are specifically designed to withstand heavier weights.
Look for mattresses that feature coils, as these are more durable than all-foam mattresses and offer more support.
Edge support, which is the bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter, is especially important.
Compare the best mattresses for heavy people in 2024
| Price | $1,295–$2,790 | $649–$1,449 | $699–$1,499 | $1,149–$2,049 | $665–$1,599 | $812–$1,649 | $1,299–$2,798 |
| Firmness | 6/10 (Plush Soft model) | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | Multiple options | 7.5/10 | 5/10 |
| Material | Innerspring hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 15 years | 10 years | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years | Lifetime |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights |
| Best for | Heavy people who are combination sleepers | Higher-weight people seeking the convenience of a mattress in a box | Heavier people seeking a firm mattress | Heavy people with back pain | Heavy people who prefer a hybrid mattress | Higher-weight couples seeking motion isolation | Higher-weight side sleepers |
The best mattresses for heavy people reviews
Best mattress for heavy people overall: Saatva Classic
With an innerspring design that’s offered in three different firmness levels, the Saatva Classic is our top mattress pick for higher-weight sleepers. While it comes in Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm, we think the Luxury Firm and Firm models are designed to offer ample support for heavier bodies. This model is made with premium materials, including high-density foam rails for enhanced edge support and a base coil unit to resist premature sagging.
Key product features
- Brand score: 9.8/10.
- Material: Innerspring-hybrid.
- Price: $1,295–$2,790
- Warranty: Lifetime.
- Trial period: 365 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping and white glove delivery.
- Firmness: Multiple firmness options available.
- Height: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches. (Note: split king is only offered in 11.5 inches).
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king.
Our final verdict
One of the standout features of the Saatva Classic design is the two sets of coils in the mattress’s support layer. Saatva uses sturdy, pocketed coils at the very bottom of the mattress and a thinner layer of micro coils just underneath the comfort layer. These micro coils have a bit more give and can contour to your body. Together, these features make it easier to move around on the Saatva Classic, so you won’t feel stuck, especially if you’re a combination sleeper People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. .
The Saatva Classic may also help ease back pain for some users. The coils are zoned, meaning they’re designed to feel firmer in the middle of the mattress and softer towards the head and foot. With this design, the Classic offers more support for the lumbar area of your spine.
From our tester
“While I’m more of a petite person, the Luxury Firm Saatva Classic boasts a lot of support. During my tests, I really felt the support for my torso and lower back. It made resting on the Saatva enjoyable. I didn’t sink in too far, and it felt like I was sleeping ‘on top’ of the mattress rather than sinking ‘into’ it.“
We tested the Luxury Firm and found the sturdy coils offered plenty of back and spinal support, so this mattress is less likely to sag in the middle over time. Because of this, the Luxury Firm model is ideal for back sleepers. To keep their spine aligned, stomach sleepers need their hips elevated while they sleep, so we think the Firm model (which is firmer than the Luxury Firm) would offer more support for that position. Side sleepers will probably want to opt for the Plush model to get more cradling and pressure relief along their shoulders and hips.
It’s important to note that while the Saatva Classic mattress provides impressive support and firmness for sleepers of all sizes, the Saatva HD is specifically designed for heavier sleepers weighing over 250 pounds. The Saatva HD features a unique combination of natural latex, memory foam, poly foam, and steel coils designed for pressure relief, durability, and comfort.
The interior of the Saatva Classic in our testing facility
Pros and cons of the Saatva Classic
Best mattress in a box for heavy people: Helix Plus
The Helix Plus is a hybrid A type of mattress made with both foam layers and spring layers. mattress that combines dense, responsive foam with tall, sturdy coils that make for a durable mattress. It’s designed specifically to accommodate heavier bodies and prevent the feeling of bottoming out. Best of all, it arrives on your doorstep in a box.
Key product features
- Brand score: 9.2/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Price: $649–$1,449
- Warranty: 15 years.
- Trial period: 100 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping.
- Firmness: 8/10.
- Height: 11.5 inches.
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king.
Our final verdict
As a brand, Helix works to give customers plenty of options to choose from. Helix offers six base models that range from soft to firm. And if you’re looking to splurge, you can opt for the Luxe or Elite models of these mattresses, which are upgraded and more luxurious than the brand’s base models. Helix offers a quiz to help you find the right match, but the Helix Plus mattress is the brand’s model designed to accommodate heavier bodies. All of these options are beds-in-a-box, so the convenience factor is high for customers.
From our tester
“One of the things I noticed about this bed was how firm it was and how bouncy it felt when I was lying on it. Repositioning was very easy because of this. I felt really supported while I was sleeping on my stomach.”
During our testing, we found the Helix Plus was a great match for back and stomach sleepers. The coils at the bottom of the mattress provide a good amount of support. And while the foam felt dense, it still added some comfort to the top. The combination of foam and coils in the Helix Plus makes the bed responsive Good responsiveness means the mattress has a bouncier surface that responds to pressure or the sleeper’s movements, making it easier to move around and switch positions. . Our testers found it easy to move around on, so combination sleepers should be able to change positions comfortably.
“We naturally move our bodies throughout the night, causing relief from pressure points. It’s important to shift your body weight throughout the night to help with this. It’s rare that we sleep in one position all night. However, if you do, most likely, you will wake up with some sort of stiffness or pain.”
Samantha Smith,physical therapist and owner of Succeed Courses
The Helix Plus has a mix of cooling materials worked into the cover. And since the mattress is designed for you to sleep more “on top” of it rather than sink into it, the bed won’t absorb as much body heat, making it easier for hot sleepers to stay cool while they sleep. During our tests, we found that the bed’s temperature stayed around 74–78 degrees after we were in the bed for several minutes.
Our testers used a 10-pound weight to test responsiveness
Pros and cons of the Helix Plus mattress
Best firm mattress for heavy people: Titan Plus
Firm mattresses offer more support, making them better for heavier bodies, but some people prefer the plush feel that a softer mattress provides. Higher-weight people tend to compress standard mattresses more than people who are lighter-weight, making the inner support essential for mattress longevity. The Titan Plus hybrid mattress is a great option for both heavy people and those who prefer to sleep on a firm mattress.
Key product features
- Brand rating: 9.2/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Price: $699–$1,499
- Warranty: 10 years.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping.
- Firmness: 7.5/10.
- Height: 11.5 inches.
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king.
Our final verdict
The Titan Plus is another mattress designed to support heavier bodies. Our testers found this mattress was a good deal firmer than your typical medium-firm mattress. As the Titan Plus is a hybrid mattress, it blends memory foam and coils to provide a good balance of comfort and support. The Titan Plus uses a proprietary memory foam called TitanFlex foam, which feels different than traditional memory foam. It springs back into place much faster, so it’s still able to provide pressure relief, but sleepers won’t feel like they’re trapped inside of the mattress.
From our tester
“Because the Titan Plus is designed for heavier bodies, it offers a good amount of support, thanks to 6 inches of sturdy steel coils in the support layer. But for some comfort, there’s a layer of TitanFlex foam on the top of this mattress that emphasizes the bouncy feeling. For a firm mattress with coils, this bed does a great job at absorbing motion and has exceptional edge support, too.”
When we consulted higher-weight testers to ensure an accurate representation of the Titan Plus, we found that the Titan Plus works well for back sleepers. The foam offers a good amount of body contouring while the coils keep you supported on your back. Some side sleepers may be able to find good pressure relief on the Titan Plus, but it is a firm mattress, and firm mattresses aren’t always ideal for side sleepers. But if you’re a stomach sleeper, your hips should stay elevated, keeping your spine in a neutral position and making it a great choice.
The Titan Plus is the base model, and it’s a good value pick for those shopping on a budget. However, if you can splurge a little, the Titan Plus Luxe has a few more features, like a pillow top, making it a bit softer than the Titan Plus.
A tester pushing down on the Titan Plus to test edge support
Pros and cons of the Titan Plus mattress
Best mattress for heavy people with back pain: The WinkBed Plus
From our experience and research, we’ve found mattresses that are several years old or don’t feature durable materials are prone to wear and tear, which can cause back pain. The WinkBed Plus mattress is a great choice for heavier people dealing with back pain because it has a unique coil structure called zoned coils, which adds additional lumbar support for those dealing with back issues.
Key product features
- Brand rating: 9.3/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Price: $1,149–$2,049
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping.
- Firmness: 7.5/10.
- Height: 13.5 inches.
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king.
Our final verdict
The WinkBed Plus mattress is designed specifically for heavier sleepers. When it comes to support for back sleeping and looking for back pain relief, it really doesn’t get much better than the WinkBed Plus mattress. It’s a tall bed with sturdy coils, and as mentioned, the coils are zoned. The zoned coils allow the middle of this mattress to feel much firmer than the head and the foot. As a result, the bed provides more lumbar support for your back, which can help alleviate back pain.
From our tester
“Back sleepers are looking for a mattress that offers both comfort and support. The WinkBed Plus is excellent at this. It’s going to feel nice and comfy for a wide range of back sleepers. Our pressure map tests also show that there’s not a lot of pressure build-up for our heavier tester. Because of this, back sleepers with back pain should find comfort, support, and pain relief.”
The WinkBed Plus mattress has excellent edge support thanks to a proprietary “anti-sag” foam. Beds that sag can often lead to back pain, which is especially great news for those who want pain relief from their mattress.
“Sleeping positions have an impact on pain. For example: Back sleeping is generally considered one of the best positions for maintaining neutral spinal alignment. It can help reduce the risk of developing new back or neck pain. Placing a pillow under your knees can help support the natural curve of your lower back and alleviate lower back pain. But, it can also worsen snoring or sleep apnea.”
Dr. Steve Smiley doctor of chiropractic, co-founder of Smiley Family Chiropractic
The flagship WinkBed mattress comes in various sizes, but The WinkBed Plus is the firmest option offered by the brand. Not only is the bed’s firmness a great choice for back sleepers, but our testers found few pressure points on the pressure map A mat rolled across a mattress that uses color-coded thermal imaging to show how much pressure someone puts on the bed when they lie down on it. for stomach sleeping. The lack of pressure points means The WinkBed Plus mattress can keep your hips elevated and your spine in a neutral position while sleeping on your stomach.
Our testers used a 10-pound weight to test the responsiveness of The WinkBed.
Pros and cons of the WinkBeds Plus mattress
Best hybrid mattress for heavy people: Brooklyn Bedding Signature
Hybrid mattresses are great for those who enjoy the soft, slow-moving qualities of memory foam but still want their mattress to have a bit of bounce and support. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress offers sleepers of all sizes that exact balance, with the top featuring two layers of memory foam to provide comfort and the coils at the bottom providing good bounce and support.
Key product features
- Brand rating: 9.2/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Price: $665–$1,599
- Warranty: 10 years.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping.
- Firmness: Multiple firmnesses.
- Height: 11 inches.
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king.
Our final verdict
One reason we named the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress our best hybrid option is due to its three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. Our testers tried the medium model and found it a comfortable mattress for heavier side sleepers. But the firm model may provide more support for back and stomach sleepers.
From our tester
“Even though there’s memory foam in the top layers of this mattress, the foam pops back right away. But when I really lay down on top, I sunk just a bit into the top layer, but the coils helped me from bottoming out. That’s one of the best things about hybrid mattresses. They really are the best of both innerspring and all-foam mattresses.”
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is also a good hybrid mattress for those who change positions frequently during the night. During our tests, we found it easy to move around and change positions.
One of our testers pushes down on the edge of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature to test edge support.
Pros and cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress
Best Mattress for heavy couples: Emma Hybrid Comfort
Couples searching for a mattress need to consider a few different factors. The mattress has to handle their combined weight, absorb motion well, and be responsive and easy to move on. The Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress ticks all those boxes for couples.
Key product features
- Brand rating: 8.7/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Price: $812–$1,649
- Warranty: 10 years.
- Trial period: 365 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping.
- Firmness: 7.5/10.
- Height: 13 inches.
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king.
Our final verdict
The Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress is a firm mattress designed with motion isolation The containment of movement on one area of a mattress so it doesn’t impact other areas. in mind. For a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines coils and memory foam, it handles motion isolation well. If you or your partner shift positions frequently during the night, the Emma Hybrid Comfort is designed to absorb those little shifts. As a result, you’ll be less likely to notice your partner moving around, leading to a better night’s sleep.
From our tester
“Our motion transfer score is determined through a series of tests. The first test is the one that mimics real life the most, having a colleague get in on one side of the bed while one person was already on it. With the Emma Hybrid Comfort, this test showed that very little motion made its way across the bed. Because this is the case for most couples during the night, this is easily the most important test for motion isolation.”
For couples who prefer to use the full surface of the bed, the Emma Hybrid Comfort also offers great edge support. If you tend to sleep toward the edge of the mattress, you should feel fairly secure there and not feel like you have to move toward the middle of the bed for support.
We love that even though this mattress isolates motion well, the coils found in the support layer also made this mattress easy for our testers to move around on.
Our testers used a 10-pound weight to test the responsiveness of the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
Pros and cons of the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress
Best mattress for heavy side sleepers: Nolah Original
When it comes to sleeping on your side, heavier people put more pressure on their hips and shoulders than lighter people. Because of this, they need a mattress that’s on the softer side but has enough support to prevent them from sinking into the mattress. The Nolah Original Hybrid mattress is our pick of the top mattress for side sleepers.
Key product features
- Brand rating: 9.3/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Price: $1,299–$2,798
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
- Shipping: Free shipping.
- Firmness: 5/10.
- Height: 11 inches.
- Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king.
Our final verdict
During our testing, we found that this mattress was on the softer end of the spectrum. We typically suggest firmer mattresses for heavy individuals, but the Nolah Original shines here because it offers layers of softness while still offering a good amount of support. The coils in the support layer ensure side sleepers don’t bottom out of the mattress.
From our tester
“When I rested on the Nolah Original Hybrid on my side, I felt myself sink in, but in a healthy way. It was like the bed was accommodating my weight rather than immediately compressing. The top comfort layers did a good job offloading the pressure along my shoulders and hips.”
Both the comfort layer and the coils are zoned. Zoning the coils means the foam and coils feel firmer in the middle of the mattress while feeling softer towards the head and the foot of the mattress. With the bed feeling firmer in the center, side sleepers can rest easy knowing their spines are supported.
A glimpse of the Nolah Original’s interior
Pros and cons of the Nolah Original Hybrid Mattress
Our testing experience
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “sex” and “family” scores.
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of 2 feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only 7 percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’ score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, a mattress that feels comfortable to one person may not to feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130 to 250 pounds), and heavy (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
Frequently asked questions
Generally, firmer mattresses work better for heavier people. While firmness preferences are subjective, firmer mattresses are better equipped to handle heavier weights. Heavier people are more likely than lighter people to compress the top layers of a mattress. Because of this, we don’t often recommend soft mattresses to prevent people from sinking too far into a mattress. But again, firmness preferences are subjective, so make sure you go with a mattress firmness that works best for you.
Of the mattresses on our list, the Helix Plus and The WinkBed Plus mattresses are best for hot sleepers. Because you’ll sleep more “on top” of these mattresses, the bed shouldn’t absorb too much heat. As an added bonus, both beds featured TENCEL on the outer cover. It’s a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric designed so sleepers won’t feel hot and sweaty on these mattresses.
As a general note, hybrid mattresses allow for airflow in the support layers as well. Because coils are not a solid material like memory foam, air can pass through hybrid mattresses much easier than their all-foam counterparts.
There are mattresses that can handle up to 1,000 pounds of weight. Mattresses like the Helix Plus, The WinkBed Plus, and the Titan Plus are designed for heavier bodies and can accommodate 900–1,000 pounds. Heavier people should find both comfort and support on these beds.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, June 17). Effect of inadequate sleep on frequent mental distress. Link
- Scott, A.J., Webb, T.L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. Link