The Best Mattresses for Heavy People
The right mattress for you depends on many factors, one of the most important being your weight and overall size. If you’re heavier than the average sleeper—230 lbs. or more—you’ll need a stronger and more supportive mattress for optimal comfort and sleep health.
Remember that the term heavy isn’t just something to do with your weight. In addition to overall body mass, you must also take external factors into account. Are you tall? Do you have greater bone mass? Are you extremely muscular?
- Last Updated: February 15, 2023
In This Article
Best Mattress Firmness for Heavy People | Best Mattress Type for Heavy People | Conclusion
What’s the Best Mattress Firmness for Heavy People?
When it comes to mattress firmness, the general rule is that the heavier you are, the firmer the mattress you’ll need. This is to ensure that the mattress provides adequate support to your spine and joints, and you don’t “sink in” to the mattress.
Furthermore, the firmer the mattress, the longer it will tend to hold its support; this is another factor that’s important to heavy sleepers. A mattress that promotes proper body alignment is essential for good joint and spine health, and a sagging mattress cannot provide proper body alignment.
In addition to the firmness, the density of the mattress is another factor that counts in this situation. Denser mattresses are more suitable for heavier sleepers as they provide more support per square inch compared to less dense mattresses.
A common misconception about mattresses is that the firmer they are the more uncomfortable they’ll be. That is not true at all. It ultimately depends on the type of mattress. For instance, even the firmest memory foam mattresses can be extremely comfortable. Furthermore, if you’re heavy, you’ll actually find that you feel more comfortable on a firmer mattress. This is because your spine is aligned properly, and your joints are fully supported.
Heavier sleepers may also tend to feel hot more than an average weight individual, which means they need a mattress that has good air flow and can stay cool.
If you’re looking for a high-quality memory foam mattress that can keep you cool, the Amerisleep Mattress is a great choice.
It’s a smart, healing fabric and plant-based, open-cell memory foam that is cool, comfortable and supportive. While memory foam has a reputation of running hot, the Amerisleep utilizes an open cell structure which promotes more breathability. And when you combine that with a celliant cover, the Amerisleep Mattress is one of the coolest memory foam mattresses available in the market right now.
What Mattress Types are Suitable for Heavy People?
We’ve already mentioned that firm memory foam mattresses are a good choice for heavy sleepers. This is mainly because of their unrivaled ability to spread pressure evenly across the surface.
If you’re a heavy sleeper and firm memory foam mattresses are just not your cup of tea, you could always consider a hybrid mattress.
If you’re not familiar with the term ‘hybrid mattress’, they’re exactly as their name implies: a combination of two different types of mattresses. Most hybrid mattresses are comprised of a bottom layer containing metal springs with a soft comfort layer on top.
Hybrid mattresses offer the perfect balance between support and comfort. The metal springs they contain are better at handling heavier weights when compared to memory foam. And when you combine that with the soft comfort layer on top, it’s just the perfect blend.
Furthermore, hybrid mattresses offer great ventilation as well. Their coil pockets allow plenty of room for air to flow through the mattress. However, these coil pockets also tend to accumulate dust over time, which is not good if you have allergies or asthma.
If you’re looking for a high-quality hybrid mattress that is suitable for your weight, WinkBeds is a great choice. Available in four different firmness levels, including Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm, and Plus. The WinkBeds Plus, designed specifically for sleepers weighing more than 230 lbs, is a superb choice for heavy sleepers. The mattress has a good bounce, and its coil construction allows for exceptional breathability.
Saatva is another great option for heavy sleepers. You get a host of premium-level features with the Saatva mattress including coil on coil construction, special lumbar support enhancement layer, and a reinforced foam perimeter for enhanced edge support. It even has an organic cotton cover and a durable Euro pillow top. You can find a full review of this premium mattress here.
The Bottom Line
Heavy individuals are more prone to joint pain and back pain. Back and joint injuries because of overuse are more prevalent and severe in those who’re overweight. Prolonged use of the wrong mattress can also lead to more serious health issues, such as degenerative disc disease.
Therefore, it’s essential for heavy sleepers to choose a mattress that offers the right levels of support, and proper alignment of the joints and spine.
Remember, the money spent on your health is money well spent. Therefore, consider investing in a mattress that offers the perfect blend of comfort and support.
ASL Reviews makes choosing high-quality mattresses a breeze with expert mattress reviews and comparisons of top-rated mattresses. Our experts post unbiased reviews—after thorough tests and analysis—of the best foam and luxury mattresses from notable brands like Nectar and Nolah to Saatva and Casper.
