Best Mattress For Heavy People

Bodyweight does affect the shape and quality of the mattress since it determines how much pressure you exert on it. Naturally, this impacts the comfort level people experience, and what might prove suitable for one person may not appeal to another. 

For instance, a firm mattress doesn’t have the required cushioning, making it unsuitable for light sleepers. But the same product may strike the sweet spot for a heavier individual, providing much-needed support and pressure relief. 

Unsurprisingly, many brands use sleep testers of varying weights to determine how body weight is impacting the mattress firmness. For a better idea, we have divided people into three major weight categories: 

A. 130 Pounds 

These are light sleepers who don’t exert much force on the mattress. Usually, such people enjoy sleeping on a softer memory foam mattress that sinks slightly, resulting in pressure relief and extra cushioning. 

B. 130-230 Pounds 

These people place moderate pressure on the mattress, and medium-firm products would be ideal for helping them get adequate sleep. 

C. 230+ Pounds 

Such people exert maximum pressure, and over time, the innerspring mattress sinks under their weight. Thus, they need an extra firm mattress that can withstand their weight without compromising on pressure relief. 

We also found that sleep positions, in conjunction with bodyweight, equally affect the durability of a mattress. Since heavy people sink deep into the mattress, the level of sinking depends on whether they are side, back, or stomach sleepers. 

People who sleep on their side exert more pressure through one hip and shoulder, creating prominent pressure points. On the other hand, you can tell if a person is a stomach sleeper by checking for sagging in the middle of the bed, due to which their spinal alignment goes for a toss. 

On that note, let’s look at the impact of body weight on different mattress types: 

A. Memory Foam 

For those who don’t know, memory foam is a special type of polyurethane foam, delivering comfort through several transition layers. The best part is that the material changes shape and moulds to the rest of the body, cradling you from all sides almost as if you’re hugging a giant teddy bear. However, this very softness increases the chances of sinkage while supporting heavy sleepers, whereas firmer models might be inconvenient for lightweight individuals. 

B. Latex 

Latex comes from rubber tree sap, and most mattress brands use organic and natural latex to support your core without impacting comfort. Also, it’s bouncier than other options and distributes your weight over a wide area, making it suitable for all weight groups. In a nutshell, lightweight people will enjoy the softness, while heavy people will love the support. 

C. Polyfoam

It is basically polyurethane foam, supporting the core of any gel memory foam mattress. As with other materials, several transitional layers make the mattress bouncy, breathable, and comfortable to sleep on. Thus, it can support most weight groups, but heavy individuals may require added firmness. 

D. Microcoils 

Microcoils are short, individually wrapped coils that are 1-3 mm thick and present in the transitional layers of hybrid mattresses. They enhance breathability, are more responsive, and withstand sagging better than other products, but heavier sleepers may take time to adjust to the thickness. 

So, should you just choose the best material from the above options based on your weight? No! There are other innovative mattresses with stronger support cores that you can try out. Just take a look below:

A. Airbeds 

Airbeds have an air chamber core supported by memory foam, latex, and a polyfoam comfort system. Plus, you can empty the air chambers to add weights and alter the firmness. Some mattresses also have dual chambers, allowing consumers to change the firmness on different sides of the bed. 

But if airbeds are too soft or thin, they will sink under the weight of heavy people (over 230 pounds).
 
B. Innerspring 

These mattresses mostly have coils and feature light padding on the surface, with their gauge and springs supporting most sleepers. That said, they are particularly popular among people weighing more than 230 pounds because they reduce sagging while the edge support allows you to make full use of the entire bed. 

C. All-Foam 

As the name indicates, these products have foam layers inside the comfort system and support core for improved motion isolation and contouring. They are not suitable for heavy individuals but prove comfortable for light and medium-weight persons.  

D. Hybrid 

A hybrid mattress consists of pocketed coil cores with an advanced support system for a diverse feel. Hence, lightweight individuals can use plush mattresses while firmer options with edge support are available for heavier people. Hybrids are especially suitable for side sleepers, reducing pressure and providing added support. 

When looking for the best mattress for heavy people, you would think that all-foam mattresses are your best bet, as their plush materials cushion the body from all sides. However, that’s not the case and it would be best to choose a slightly firm mattress for added support so that it can cradle the pressure points without sagging. 

A simple trick for heavier people is to choose a high-density foam mattress with springs that don’t cushion the body too much. Otherwise, people over 230 pounds will sink into the mattress, leading to discomfort. 

Another thing to note is that heavyweight consumers exert most of the force from their hips and core. Hence, the core of the mattress has to be stronger, which isn’t the case with all-foam mattresses. Thicker all-foam mattresses comprising springs and providing firmer support are more suitable since they act on the joints to reduce aches. 

The mattress material and construction should also be breathable as heavier people tend to get warm while sleeping. So, choose a product that regulates temperature and keeps you cool throughout the night while being a tad firm. 

For instance, latex all-foam mattresses have a supportive core and might be the best option for heavy people. You can also try bonded all-foam mattresses, known as rebound mattresses, consisting of high-density materials packed together. These are dual comfort mattresses and ably support heavyweight people, thanks to their ultra-firm construction and superior spring system, helping distribute your body weight evenly. 

A firm mattress is definitely better for a heavy person, but you’ll have to choose a suitable level of firmness for the best results. Usually, firm, medium-firm and ultra-firm products can provide the necessary support to people weighing more than 230 pounds without sagging

You can tell if a particular mattress will prove suitable by checking its support and core system. Moreover, it’s possible to use mattress toppers for adjusting the firmness based on your sleep style. 

We prefer ultra-firm mattresses because of their full-body support system despite the comfort layers being present on top. However, a mattress with an inner-spring coil system has a softer configuration so that you feel cushioning from all sides without the material sagging. 

It would be best to purchase a product that offers the perfect balance between support and cushioning, comprising durable comfort layers. Additionally, extra-firm models are perfect for people who want a non-conforming sleep surface. In other words, the mattress won’t contour to your body or change shape like foam mattresses even after regular use. 

Rather it delivers a plush feel, but you also need to think about your sleep pattern. This is because side sleepers will require more cushioning for proper spinal alignment, as they exert most of the pressure from one side. And that’s where the toppers come in handy. 

On the other hand, stomach and back sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds won’t need much padding for reducing hip and lower back pain. 

To find the best mattresses for heavy people, you need to consider whether it offers full-body or focused support. If you don’t know which one to choose, ask yourself if the mattress supports the body and improves posture. 

On that note, check out the following mattress types: 

A. Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses include the best bits from other mattresses to support heavier people and provide much-needed balance. For instance, you may find latex foam mattresses comprising an inner-spring coil or an ortho-care core, delivering long-lasting comfort and support for health benefits. 

B. Pocket Coil 

One of the best mattresses in terms of comfort and support for heavy people is pocket-coil units. Most overweight people wouldn’t think of choosing a contouring mattress, but such models are slightly different. 

The contouring helps distribute your weight evenly while providing the necessary support to improve your posture. As a result, the individual spring coils conform to your body shape and are usually found in firmer mattresses. 

C. Bonded Foam

The bonded foam option consists of shreds of high-density materials packed together tightly to support people with body weights greater than 230 pounds. In most cases, you can find them in conjunction with an ortho-foam or dual-comfort mattress. This supports people’s body weight, reducing discomfort and guaranteeing a firm or extra-firm experience while sleeping. 

D. Latex 

As you know by now, the Australian market has latex foam mattresses which are medium-firm products specifically designed for overweight people. The best part is that this material is bouncier, and people can change its density based on their preference due to the Adaptive Comfort technology. 

What’s more, it helps promote proper body alignment, thanks to its combination of a supportive core and a latex foam comfort layer. It is also hypoallergenic and reduces the chances of health issues or the need for regular sanitisation. 

Another crucial aspect is that these mattresses are natural temperature regulators, and hot sleepers (a common problem with heavier people) can use high-density latex foam for a comfortable experience. 

An often overlooked component in mattresses is the bed frame, but it acts as the foundation on which the mattress rests without creating any disturbance. If you purchase a mattress with a low-quality bed frame, the chances are you’ll wake up to a sliding, squeaking, or creaking bed. 

Long story short, a bed frame does help and holds the mattress in place, preventing it from sliding off, especially when you toss and turn.