The best mattresses for heavy people have a higher weight capacity than your average bed, solving the most common mattress woes. After leveraging our editors’ mattress-testing expertise, we chose the Helix Plus as our top pick: It combines a sturdy base with contouring memory foam, providing a medium-firm feel for most heavyweight sleepers. For those with back pain, we recommend the Saatva HD, which offers excellent lumbar support.
We found the best mattresses for heavy people that offer support and comfort, guaranteeing a great … [+] night’s sleep.
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Disclaimer: Since most standard mattresses support around 250 pounds per side, this article was written for individuals who weigh over 250 pounds and need a more supportive mattress. This ensures comfort and contributes to the longevity of the mattress. We chose the term “heavy people” to reflect how consumers are categorized based on mattress weight limits, as well as for the purposes of clarity and brevity.
Heavier sleepers typically deal with five major issues—mattress softening and breakdown, mattress sagging, poor or improper support, lack of edge support and heat trapping. Mattresses that are designed for plus-size and big-and-tall sleepers address all of these concerns. They’re usually thicker and made with sturdier materials, like higher-gauge coils. In most cases, they also feature some type of cooling technology that helps dissipate heat and ensures you stay comfy while you snooze.
All of our top picks fit the bill. While most of them are on the firmer side—it’s necessary for proper support—there are some plusher options too.
Best Mattress For Heavy People Overall: Helix Plus (Queen)
Best Mattress For Heavy Side Sleepers: Dreamcloud Premier (Queen)
Best Pillow Top Mattress For Heavy People: Winkbed Plus (Queen)
Best Firm Mattress For Heavy People: Titan Plus (Queen)
Best Value Mattress For Heavy People: Big Fig (Queen)
Best Mattress For Heavy People With Back Pain: Saatva HD (Queen)
Best Organic Mattress For Heavy People: Avocado Luxury Organic (Queen)
Best Luxury Mattress For Heavy People: Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 11.5 inches | Weight limit: 500 pounds per side (1,000 pounds total) | Firmness: 7 to 8 out of 10 (firm) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Supportive firm feel for back and stomach sleepers
May provide relief from back pain
Cooling, thanks to breathable construction
Cons:
Not a lot of pressure relief for side sleepers
The Helix Plus is a hybrid mattress that combines wrapped coils with several layers of foam. Each foam layer has a different density, strategically chosen to contour your body, while giving you support and added pressure relief.
In between the foam sits a layer of tall coils that are individually wrapped and designed to support heavier weight. These coils, which are reinforced around the perimeter of the mattress, cradle your body and provide extra edge support so the side doesn’t compress if you roll away from the center. The mattress is also wrapped in a breathable Tencel cover that promotes air flow, so you stay cool and comfortable while you sleep.
Note: Helix recently launched an entire line dedicated to heavyweight sleepers. If you’re interested in shopping additional Helix Plus options, check out our Helix Plus launch story.
What the reviews say: “I’m a heavy guy. I needed a mattress that can support me, and this one does not disappoint,” one reviewers says. Another adds, “My back issues have improved significantly and pain is much less. You have to wake up on a Helix to understand its benefits. It is eye-opening.”
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The softest mattress on this list, the Dreamcloud Premier is the best choice for side sleepers. It has two layers of memory foam—one that contours to the shape of your body and another that provides support while isolating motion. This helps relieve pressure on your shoulders and hips if you prefer sleeping on your side, but also provides adequate support to keep your spine aligned should you shift to your back during the night.
On top of the memory foam sits a Euro-top cover that has premium, high-loft memory foam for some additional softness. The Euro-top is also wrapped in cashmere that’s moisture-wicking and cooling. If you tend to sleep on the hotter side, you’ll stay comfortable without overheating. And everything is built on a layer of heavy duty encased coils that are arranged in a double row for superior edge-to-edge support.
What the reviews say: “As a heavy person that’s mostly a side sleeper, the mattress is super comfy and supportive, but still lets me move around. It’s also comfy for those nights when I sleep or wake up on my stomach,” says one reviewer.
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 13.5 inches | Weight limit: 450 pounds per side (900 pounds total) | Firmness: 8 out of 10 (firm) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
More pressure-relieving than other options on this list
Plush, supportive feel; good for a variety of sleep positions
Excels at maintaining spinal alignment
Cons:
Slightly lower weight capacity than others
Although it’s technically a hybrid, those after a traditional innerspring feel could really like the Winkbed Plus. Its sturdy support and pressure-relieving Euro pillow top keeps sleepers lifted on top of the bed, while the gel-infused foam cradles your joints.
For added support, The Winkbed Plus incorporates individually-wrapped pocketed coils with multiple zones. This means you get extra reinforcement where you need it, like the lower back, but more give in areas where you’d want more pressure relief, like the shoulders. The brand’s Extra-Edge Support System also offers a strong foundation throughout the entire mattress, so you don’t feel like you’re going to roll off the sides of the bed.
What our editors say: “I really like how cushioning yet heavy-duty the Winkbed Plus is,” says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “This mattress gives a plush innerspring feel that I think a lot of different sleepers could enjoy.”
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 11 inches | Weight limit: 500 pounds per side (1,000 pounds total) | Firmness: 8 to 10 out of 10 (firm) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Durable with reinforced support
Firm feel; good for back and stomach sleepers
Optional cooling cover for enhanced breathability
Cons:
Too firm for most side sleepers
The firmest mattress on this list, the Titan Plus balances pressure relief with a solid surface that doesn’t buckle under heavier weight. The mattress combines two layers of foam—a gel memory foam that’s cooling and helps resist body impressions and a TitanFlex foam that provides enhanced contouring to relieve your pressure points. These foam layers sit on top of a base layer of individually wrapped coils that provides plenty of support, while also isolating motion.
The mattress is supported by a high-density foam base that sits under the coils. This reinforces the layers above and keeps the mattress from sagging. If you’re a hot sleeper and you want extra cooling support, you can add an optional cooling top panel (for an extra $150) that disperses heat on contact and helps keep you comfortable.
What the reviews say: “The mattress is super supportive, and has a very comfortable top,” one reviewer shares. “I need a very firm bed to support my joints, and this mattress [fits] the bill beautifully.”
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 13 inches | Weight limit: 550 pounds per side (1,100 pounds total) | Firmness: 7 to 8 out of 10 (firm) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: 20 year limited
Pros:
Made to hold 1,100 pounds; highest weight capacity on this list
Good for couples; excels at motion isolation
Perforated foams for advanced cooling
Cons:
Too firm for strict side sleepers
The Big Fig Mattress isn’t the least expensive option, but it’s a great value. The company only makes one mattress, and it’s specifically designed for heavier sleepers. The 13-inch mattress combines three layers of high-density foam with one layer of gel-infused latex foam that’s perforated to allow air to flow through the mattress, ensuring that its breathable and stays cool. The foam layers sit on top of 1,600 individually wrapped coils—50% more than you’d find in a standard innerspring mattress—that support your weight, no matter your sleeping position. Just note that many reviewers report that it feels quite firm.
The quilted mattress topper is treated with ThermoGel cooling technology, which actively cools you down, according to the company. If you start sweating in the middle of the night, the ThermoGel responds to the increase in moisture and creates a cooling sensation.
Big Fig also offers a foundation that supports up 2,000 pounds, five times the amount of standard foundations. It also has 18 slats and two center rails that help evenly distribute weight, preventing your mattress from sagging.
What the reviews say: “The greatest night sleep my husband and I have gotten in so long,” one reviewer reports after upgrading to the Big Fig. “Love the mattress, very sturdy and firm. So glad that we found this mattress company. In my opinion, the best investment we could’ve made.”
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 15.5 inches | Weight limit: 500 pounds per side (1,000 pounds total) | Firmness: 5 t0 7 out of 10 (medium to medium-firm) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Excellent back support
Pressure-relieving; good for shoulder and joint pain
Medium-firm feel appeals to most sleeping positions
Cons:
Doesn’t fit most standard-sized foundations and box springs
If you’re struggling with back pain caused by (or at least exacerbated by) your current mattress, the Saatva HD mattress may be the upgrade you need. The company designed it with two layers of foam that help relieve pressure and improve circulation. There’s also a layer of five-zone Talalay latex, the cream of the crop when it comes to mattress materials. The latex layer has a patented spinal zone technology that creates varying degrees of firmness and softness throughout to give you maximum pressure-point relief and additional lumbar support.
The memory foam and latex layers sit on top of steel coils that are 25% stronger than those of other standard spring mattresses, and the coils are threaded with steel wire to reinforce the mattress and help reduce motion transfer. Unlike other mattresses that come rolled in a box, all Saatva mattresses are handmade to order and delivered right to your bedroom with free white glove delivery.
What the reviews say: “‘I’m a bigger guy and have [suffered from an achy] back for almost a year,” says one reviewer. “I no longer have an aching back. I’ve never bought a mattress online, but I did my research, and so glad I did. Saatva has made a great and comfortable mattress.”
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 15 inches | Weight limit: 350 pounds per side (700 pounds total) | Firmness: Medium soft | Trial: 365 nights (1 year) | Warranty: 25 years
Pros:
Made with premium organic materials
Highly durable, thanks to latex construction
Breathable and cooling
Cons:
Plush and ultra-plush comfort levels cost extra
Avocado makes some of the only mattresses that carry both Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifications. These third-party certifications ensure that all materials used in the mattress are truly organic and are made in socially and environmentally responsible ways.
The Luxury Organic Mattress, specifically, is thicker than other models, and stacks 17 layers of organic materials like latex, alpaca, wool and mohair. It has more than 3,000 coils so sleepers of all types feel supported in areas like the neck and back, which is especially important for heavier people.
Avocado mattresses are also made with a needle-tufting technique which pulls ribbons through the mattress and binds the layers together for a heavy-duty construction that’s under warranty for 25 years. For more cushioning, you can opt for the plush version of this bed, but it’ll set you back another $1,600 for a queen size.
What the reviews say: “[I] slept better the first night [on the Avocado Luxury] than I have in a long time and woke up without back pain,” one reviewer says. “[I] no longer need five pillows to support my body. The mattress is soft but very supportive. In addition, no smell, no off-gassing to think about.”
Type: Hybrid | Thickness: 14 inches | Weight limit: 500 pounds per side (1,000 pounds total) | Firmness: 6 to 7 out of 10 (medium-firm) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Contains thick comfort layers for extra pressure relief
Medium-firm feel; good for back and side sleepers
Luxurious feel that’s on par with a hotel mattress
Cons:
Likely too soft for most stomach sleepers
If you want sturdy support but don’t like the feeling of a firm bed, the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus is a good option. The quilted Euro-top and two foam comfort layers on top of the coils give this bed more of a medium-firm yet plush feel. It’s 14 inches thick, which makes it extremely supportive but also softer than others. Heavy-gauge coils distribute weight evenly, also providing stability and enhanced lumbar support to help promote a neutral spine.
This bed is built with cooling materials, including organic cotton, Nolah’s proprietary heat-dissipating fibers and a border gusset that promotes airflow and allows more heat to escape. Hot sleepers should feel comfy, supported and cool.
What our editors say: “The Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus reminds me of a bed you’d find in a 5-star hotel,” says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “It offers a nice cushioning feel and high-quality materials that are built to last.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has a large library of mattress guides that covers mattresses designed for different comfort preferences and sleep needs. Each of our guides is rooted in hands-on testing and in-depth research. We also stay up to date on the latest developments with the top mattress brands as they release new models and discontinue old ones.
This story and its iterations are overseen by in-house mattress experts and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, who are both certified sleep science coaches and expert mattress testers. Together, they’ve reviewed over 100 mattresses, including many of the ones listed above.
Co-author and executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers is also a certified sleep science coach with a background in mattress testing. She has slept on dozens of today’s top mattresses, including the best mattresses under $1,000.
We also consulted Chapman for feedback on some of the picks in our list. She provided expert insight based on her experience testing the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus and Winkbed Plus.
We regularly update this roundup to reevaluate our recommendations. This article was last updated in December 2024 by Boyers.
How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Heavy People
To find the best mattresses for heavy people across a variety of categories, we examined top-rated mattress brands, identified models with sturdy constructions and compared key features like support, durability and cooling. We also consulted our in-house mattress experts for guidance and feedback on each of our recommendations.
Our sleep and mattress team first sought out mattresses designed specifically for heavy people. These are mattresses with a sturdy construction (usually a hybrid with a combination of coils and dense foam) and a weight limit of at least 300 pounds per side.
We examined each mattress’s features, paying close attention to support, pressure relief, firmness level and breathability.
We’ve tested hundreds of mattresses and used that knowledge to narrow our list down even further. Senior mattress editor Bridget Chapman gave feedback on two of our selections, the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus and Winkbed Plus, based on her testing experience.
To make the final cut, each mattress needed to have high ratings from reviewers as well as a generous sleep trial and warranty policy.
What To Consider When Buying Mattresses For Heavy People
When searching for a new mattress, you’ll want to take certain features, like weight limit, mattress type and durability, into consideration. It’s also a good idea to check the retailer’s sleep trial and warranty policies to make sure you’re covered if the mattress isn’t what you expected.
Weight Limit
Single sleeper mattresses typically support one person up to 250 pounds. For two-sleeper sizes, such as queens and kings, this limit is per side for a total of 500 pounds. Mattresses designed for heavier people are constructed with more intentional weight limits. For instance, the total weight limits of the mattresses on this list range from 700 pounds (the Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress) to 1,100 pounds (the Big Fig Mattress). As a final note, weight limits are relative to mattress size; the bigger the mattress, the more weight it can typically support.
Mattress Type
Ultimately, this depends on your comfort level, but some mattress types are better suited for heavyweight sleepers than others.
Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses offer the best of both worlds with a supportive coil base and cushy upper foam layers, but they may feel slightly springier than their all-foam counterparts. This type is a great choice for heavyweight sleepers because it hits that sweet spot of sturdiness and pressure relief.
Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are made almost entirely of coils with a thin comfort layer on top. They are excellent at providing support, but may be lacking in pressure relief for those who want a body-contouring mattress.
Latex: Latex is the most durable mattress material, making it a great choice for heavyweight sleepers. Just make sure the latex is naturally derived, as synthetic latex can sleep hot and doesn’t offer the same level of support as Dunlop or Talalay latex.
Memory foam: Foam mattresses offer a body-molding “sink-in” feel and are superior at minimizing motion transfer. However, they aren’t the best choice for heavyweight sleepers as they are more prone to sagging and buckling under heavier weight.
Support And Durability
When there is more weight pressing into a mattress, you need a sturdier construction to prevent sagging and promote mattress longevity. When searching for a mattress, look for high-density foams, thick coils and superior edge support—all of which work together to create a reinforced support system.
Mattress Thickness
Take a look at the overall thickness of a mattress and its comfort layers before buying. A thicker mattress will almost always offer more comfort and support than a thinner one. As a general rule of thumb, heavyweight sleepers should look for a mattress that is at least 11 inches thick.
Firmness
Generally speaking, a medium-firm or firm mattress is the best choice for sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds. Firmer mattresses offer ample support, encouraging proper spinal alignment and resisting sagging over time. That said, the best mattress for an individual (or couple) will always come down to their specific needs and preferences.
Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleeping position plays a role in which mattress suits you best. Heavyweight side sleepers generally benefit from a medium to medium-firm mattress that relieves pressure around the hips and shoulders. Heavyweight stomach sleepers, on the other hand, tend to find the most comfort on a firm to extra-firm bed that prevents sinking around the midsection. For heavyweight back sleepers, a medium-firm to firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned is a safe choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Kind Of Mattress Should A Heavy Person Use?
The best kind of mattress for heavy people is typically either an innerspring or hybrid mattress. As for general features to look for, heavier sleepers are usually more comfortable on medium-firm or firm mattresses, which provide extra support than softer beds.
Is A Memory Foam Mattress Good For a Heavy Person?
While we’d recommend a hybrid-style mattress for most heavy people, foam mattresses can be good for sleepers of all sizes as long as they provide adequate support. Memory foam mattresses excel at providing pressure point relief and minimizing motion transfer, but they can trap heat (though plenty of high-end models feature cooling technology with air pockets and infused foams).
If you have your sights set on an all-foam bed and you’re a heavier person, we recommend opting for a firmer model built to provide adequate support—and be sure to check with the brand to see if there’s a weight limit.
What Is The Maximum Weight For A Mattress?
Most standard mattresses are built to support around 230 to 250 pounds per side, or about 500 pounds total. Sleepers who weigh more than that may notice premature sagging, breakdown and lack of edge support. The mattresses on this list are specifically constructed to support weights over 250 pounds per side, with the Big Fig offering one of the highest capacities on the market at 550 pounds per side.
