The 5 Best Rated Beds for Heavy People – 2020 Top Picks (Updated)

Unlocking the best mattress for heavy people can be tricky especially if you are shopping online and do not know what to look for. In general, you should find one that has great pressure relief, offers proper alignment and support and is made of durable materials of your preference.

Although the various things to consider when choosing  a mattress are well known,  overweight people requires beds with distinct features that cannot be ignored. 

Typically, the heavier you are, the thicker the mattress you should use. Those who weigh less than 200 pounds will find that 10” ones are good enough while heavier people should consider those of 12” thickness. Thicker mattresses provide greater compression support and maintain their shape for a longer period while thinner ones tend to sink through due to the pressure.

Mattresses are made up of layers, the base and middle layer for support and a thin top layer that is usually soft for comfort. In case you prefer something a little thinner, you can find a 10” mattress with deep compression support enhancement design features made of advanced foam and an extra comfort layer suitable for heavy sleepers.

Your sleeping position largely determines the firmness level of your mattress. They have a firmness rating of between 1 to 10, 1 being very soft, 5 medium and 10 very firm. The best firmness level for a heavy person should be on the medium to medium firm side, 6-7 on the firmness scale. However, most people who sleep on their side often prefer something softer while those who sleep on their back and stomach do well with higher firmness levels.

For people over 200 pounds, the firmness level should be between 7 and 10 since sinkage is an inch or two more than that of lighter sleepers. The more you weigh, the more you are likely to sink, therefore ensure you find one that is firm but soft enough, so you do not feel like you are sleeping on a plank of wood.

It is uncomfortable for most heavy sleepers to use beddings that do not have uniform firmness all around the edges as well as at its center. Also, some mattresses bottom out on the comers when you sit on the edge of your bed for example when tying your laces. Innerspring mattresses offer better edge support than most types of mattresses as they are built on one large wireframe for steady support. Foam mattresses offer less edge support and easily wears from edge use unless they are at least 12” thick and made of good quality materials.

You should consider edge support when looking for the best beddings for heavy sleepers to avoid sagging of your edges especially for people who use their beds for other purposes during the day or if you sleep on the edge of your bed.

Heavy sleepers tend to get hot at night which can easily get uncomfortable and sweaty. There are options for sleepers that have great design specifications to dissipate heat uniformly. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are your best bet for better heat dissipation since air easily moves between the spaces around the coils.
Foam mattresses tend to retain heat, though with great technology most companies have come up with great solutions to this problem. They also have a heat rating that is, cool, neutral and warm so you can pick from. Heavy people often get hotter at night so ensure you get a cool mattress for peaceful sleep overnight whether you are alone or with someone else.

Shopping for a new mattress can surely feel like a daunting task since there are so many different types that are constructed differently and using a variety of materials. In general, there are memory foam, latex, innerspring and hybrid types that are made with a combination of materials.

Memory foam

This is the best choice for overweight people as it provides excellent support and with firmness levels ranging from super soft to super firm. Memory foam responds to both your body weight and shape providing great contouring and support that relieves pressure points no matter what your sleeping position is.
These mattresses tend to retain lots of heat a con for heavy sleepers, but manufacturers have found a solution to this, for example, using special fabrics and several kinds of cooling layers for cool and comfortable sleep.

Recommended read: our memory foam article to learn more

Latex 

Latex mattresses are ideal for weighty people who particularly want a strong, dense and durable choice. They are either made of natural or synthetic latex with great cooling features as compared to foam. It is also a lot bouncier than foam and is a great compromise if you would like a little less bounce than a spring mattress. They offer even contour support, a great feature for sleepers who sleep on their back and stomach. However, these tend to create body impressions which is more likely for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.

If you want to learn more about this category you can check our latex bed recommendations

Innerspring 

This is not the most recommended mattress type for heavy people because it sags twice as fast as the other two types discussed above, but it offers great edge support and is liked for its springiness. For heavy sleepers, ensure you get one with high coil count and coil to coil construction for better feel and general quality of the mattress. They provide better edge support than foam, a point to consider if you prefer to sleep on the edge of your bed. Additionally, heat retention is efficient as the spring system inside is excellent for air circulation.

Recommended read: Our Top Rated Innerspring Mattress Picks

Hybrid 

These are made by mixing up layers of foam and coils with the aim of creating a better product than foam or spring mattresses. They have better heat retention, contour support, and bounce and most are categorized based on weight. All you need to do is pick one that matches your weight, and you are good to go.

Sapira, Leesa Sleep’s premium bed is meticulously engineered to provide unparalleled sleep experience to those heavy people who love the feel of springs, but also want to enjoy the benefits of memory foam at a fraction of the regular store price.

Constructed with three distinct layers, it combines Leesa’s premium cooling and pressure relieving foams with premium pocket spring system that provides amazing support.

• First Layer: 1.5’’ Avena foam layer provides airflow for a fantastic cooler night’s sleep and bounce.
• Second Layer: 1.5’’ Contouring memory foam layer that delivers the body contouring and pressure relief
• Third Layer: 6’’ Quantum core steel springs nestled between two layers of 1inch stabilizing foam to provide a unique core support layer.

Sapira is a great option for obese people. It is the first luxury hybrid bed designed to compress and ship in a box. With different firmness levels, body contouring and amazing support, a sleep experience like this would cost thousands more in stores.

It’s made out of high grade steel spring and other natural products making it an incredible mattress with amazing edge-to-edge support, cooling and pressure relief and for those who love products made in the USA, this is the right mattress.

Nectar uses multiple layers of memory foam to offer better support with its 11 inch bed. Perfect comfort, hypoallergenic hand-cut foams, including a 1 inch cooling gel create a fantastic foam feel for a side sleeper. With its woven muslin and extra soft long staple breathing fibers and sinkage, you have an amazing experience as a side sleeper.

Firmness wise, Nectar is medium-firm 6 to 6.5 out of 10. With such level of firmness, you will notice marginal motion transfer. Another important feature for heavy people is adaptive memory foam and Nectar addresses that by its HI core layer that supports the body while providing rebound and bounce.

Overall if you’re looking for a fantastic bed which delivers weight distribution and pressure relief, you will love Nectar.

Saatva is a premium innerspring mattress built for luxury comfort and maximum sustainability. With their distinctive high quality coil on coil which has a top coil unit that features a luxurious coil system that contours and responds perfectly to the body, eliminating motion transfer. This distinct construction and their advanced euro-style pillow top you are getting an amazing value for your investment. It is available in three comfort levels to choose from (plush soft, luxury firm and firm)

1. Plush soft level is suitable for sleepers who fancy feeling their mattress hug in a supportive embrace.

2. Luxury firm level offers a perfect balance of cushion firm and support. This is the right choice for side, back, and stomach sleepers.

3. Firm level is perfect choice for sleepers who prefer that initial plushness feel followed by a firm support. Choose this level if you don’t want to sink into the mattress or feel like you’re sleeping on a board.

Saatva works well with adjustable bases can last 10 to 15 years and continue to perform well over time. This bed comes with a 15-year warranty and 120 nights of trial period. If you are after a luxury hotel experience at home, we recommend the luxury (medium) firm level. With perfect balance of comfort with support, you will never go wrong here.

Picking out a mattress is more than just about peaceful sleep and good health, it is also a long time investment that should serve you well for a long time to come. Heavy sleepers should get higher density mattresses or those with more coils as well as a thicker comfort layer. It should also be thicker with a firmness level of at least 6'' for ultimate comfort and good quality sleep.

With the above pointers, picking the Best Mattress for Heavy People can become easier, especially after you find out how much of your life can improve by having a comfortable, durable and firm enough bed that will let you sleep like a baby.

Sources and references:

• Better Sleep Council. Choosing the Best Mattress. Available at http://bettersleep.org/mattress-education/choosing-the-best-mattress/
• WebMD. How to Pick Your Perfect Mattress. Available at https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/how-to-pick-your-perfect-mattress
• National Institute on Aging. A Good Night's Sleep. Available at https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/good-nights-sleep