The best mattresses for heavy people, tested and reviewed by a plus-size sleeper

Everybody — and every body — deserves the best mattress. As a plus-size person, I know just how challenging it can be to find a comfortable mattress that supports my body and doesn't sag under my weight. The best mattresses for heavy people are crafted durable materials like high-density memory foam, latex, and strong steel coils to support plus-size bodies, all while maintaining comfort and pressure relief. They're usually designed for people who weigh 250 pounds or more.

I spent months sleeping on plus-size mattresses and connected with Dr. Dustin DebRoy, a chiropractic educator at The Joint Chiropractic, and Dr. Leif Hands, the clinical director at Precise Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Crofton, MD, about what plus-size people should consider when choosing a mattress for their needs. The best overall mattress for heavy people is the Big Fig Classic. It's a firm yet supportive mattress that stays cool, absorbs movements, and feels secure around the edges. For those with back pain, I recommend the Saatva HD, a luxury hybrid mattress that offers unparalleled comfort and contouring, suitable for all sleep positions. I now sleep on it every night. However, it's also the most expensive mattress we tested.

Find out more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our top picks for the best heavy mattresses for heavy people

Best overall: Big Fig Classic - See at Big Fig

Best for back pain: Saatva HD - See at Saatva

Best for side sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe - See at Brooklyn Bedding

Best for back and stomach sleepers: WinkBed Plus - See at WinkBed

Best overall

Big Fig was the first to offer a mattresses for heavy people — and quite frankly, they do it the best. The brand's original and flagship Classic Mattress has outstanding edge support, good motion isolation, and impressive heat dissipation — everything a plus-size sleeper needs for a good night's sleep.

The Big Fig Classic is constructed with layers of heavy-duty materials to support heavy sleepers and withstand years of use. The 1,600 individually wrapped coils are made with 15-gauge steel and sandwiched between layers of breathable, high-density memory foam and latex foam. This mattress can support up to 1,100 pounds, so it can comfortably accommodate plus-size couples.

The Big Fig Classic has a firm feel, which will best suit stomach or back sleepers. I felt supported throughout the night, but it wasn't soft enough to feel wholly comfortable when sleeping on my side. Many heavy people will appreciate the firmness of the mattress, but others may want a plusher feel. If you're searching for a softer option, Big Fig has introduced the Luxe, with has a pillowtop design and offers more cushioning and twice as many individually wrapped coils for added support.

The edges of the bed are supported by high-density foam rails, giving the mattress its exceptional edge support. Edge support refers to how comfortable it is to sit or lie on the edge of the mattress — especially important when sharing the bed with a partner or when you prefer to sprawl across the entire bed. The Big Fig Classic has the best edge support out of any mattress I've ever tested — no small feat, given that many plus-size mattresses put extra attention into edge support. I always felt comfortable when lying on the edge of the bed or sitting to get dressed in the morning.

In addition to edge support, the Big Fig also excelled in motion isolation and heat dissipation tests. This mattress is particularly bouncy, easily absorbing movement and preventing disturbances throughout the night. I'm also a hot sleeper, but never once woke up hot or sweating when using this mattress. For plus-size people like me who tend to overheat easily, a little extra cooling goes a long way.

Big Fig's mattress is backed by a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty. You can't try it out in a storeroom, but you can try it out in your own home. If you sleep on it for two weeks and decide it isn't for you, you can return it within 120 nights.

Read our Big Fig Classic Mattress review.

Best for back pain

The best mattresses for back pain provide unparalleled support and cradle the body — especially the back and the neck— to promote spinal alignment throughout the night. With a medium-firm feel and zoned support, the Saatva HD is the best mattress for heavy people with back pain.

The Saatva HD is a hybrid mattress, combining heavy-duty steel coils with layers of durable memory foam and latex. When I say my time sleeping on this mattress has been life-changing, I'm not exaggerating. It's, by far, the most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on. Before I started sleeping on the Saatva HD, I was convinced that waking up with tight hips and an achy back was normal. Now, I wake up pain-free, with any soreness from the previous day's workout completely gone.

This comfort is due to a couple of things: first, the Saatva HD has a pleasant, medium-firm feel that supports every sleep type. It's soft enough that I can feel the bed contouring to my body as I sleep on my side, but firm enough that my spine stays aligned when I sleep on my stomach or back. Second, it features zoned support, meaning the middle third of the bed is extra supportive for the lower back.

Besides comfort, the Saatva HD also has solid heat dissipation. It isn't cool to the touch, but I always sleep comfortably and never wake up sweating or cold. It also offers excellent motion isolation and edge support, making it an ideal choice for couples. I recommend the Saatva HD for mixed-weight couples, too, since the medium-firm feel suits just about everybody.

The one downside is the cost. It's undoubtedly expensive — $3,400 for a queen mattress is a hefty price. Saatva does have a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty period, but a $99 processing fee is deducted from any returns. The price is holding it back from taking the best overall spot, but if you have back pain and are willing to splurge on a good mattress, this is the one I recommend.

Read our Saatva HD mattress review.

Best for side sleepers

The best mattresses for side sleepers are contouring and supportive — but finding one isn't always an easy task, especially for heavy people. We've found that plenty of plus-size specific mattresses are especially firm, while heavy bodies aren't supported by the plush feel of other mattresses. The Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Luxe is the best mattress for heavy side sleepers with a cushy feel that cradles the body.

Unlike ultra-firm mattresses, the Titan Plus Luxe is constructed to support plus-size bodies, all while being soft enough to cushion pressure points. The main section of the mattress is crafted from up to 900 individually wrapped coils for pressure relief, while the layers of gel foam and memory foam offer comfort and cooling. There's also an option to add a cooling cover, which I recommend for hot sleepers.

I'm especially impressed with the Titan Plus Luxe's motion isolation. I found that the mattress absorbed most movement. Even when my 45-pound dog jumped on the bed, I still slept soundly.

I have two gripes with this mattress. It has poor edge support, and it was too soft for back and stomach sleepers. I sank noticeably when sitting or lying on the edge of the bed, and there were many nights that I was afraid that I'd fall off. Additionally, when sleeping on my stomach or back, I felt that I sank too deeply into the bed, misaligning my spine. That said, if you're a predominant side sleeper who struggles with overheating, I think you'll be quite comfortable.

Read our full Titan Plus Luxe mattress review.

Best for back and stomach sleepers

With an extra-firm feel, the WinkBed Plus was the firmest mattress I tested, making it the best mattress for heavy stomach and back sleepers. Stomach and back sleepers typically need a mattress between medium-firm and firm for optimal spinal alignment. Unlike side sleeping, where the body needs to sink gently into the mattress to conform to the curves of the body, stomach and back sleepers must keep their bodies as flat as possible to maintain a straight spine.

Although it's advertised at 8.5/10 in terms of firmness, the actual feel will depend on how much a sleeper weighs. For those over 300 pounds, the brand says it will feel more like a 6.5/10. As an over-300-pound sleeper myself, though, I felt that 8.5/10 range was more accurate. Like other WinkBeds, the WinkBed Plus has zoned support, an innerspring design, and a moisture-wicking cover. Unlike other WinkBeds, it has a layer of latex for lumbar support and more zones for varied support.

The edge support was excellent, with strong foams holding the body in place whether sitting or lying down. Because of the fantastic edge support and good motion isolation, I recommend this bed for couples. It's best for two plus-size people, though, because an average or lightweight person will find this bed too firm.

I slept noticeably hot when testing this bed. There were nights when I would wake up sweating — not ideal for anyone, but especially not for plus-size sleepers who are prone to overheating. It also lacks sufficient pressure point relief to be an ideal choice for side sleepers.

Read our WinkBed Plus review.

What to look for in the best mattress for heavy people

While you'll want to consider the typical features that go into choosing a mattress — such as considering your sleep position or evaluating the different types of mattresses or their various certifications — you'll also want to keep an eye out for the following:

• Weight capacity: Always check the weight capacity of a mattress before buying. Generally, mattresses support around 250 pounds per person. Every mattress in our guide supports at least 400 pounds per person.
• Support: Support goes hand-in-hand with durability since durable materials are usually more supportive for plus-size bodies. "Look for innerspring or hybrid mattresses made with high-quality, non-toxic foam," DebRoy said. "These materials provide consistent support and respond well as you change positions."

• Durability: Look for durable materials that can withstand high weight loads, such as high-density memory foams and individually wrapped steel coils. "Put the focus on materials that won't compress too readily," Hands said. "Hybrids with durable coils or solid support systems are going to stand up best over time, as will high-density foams and zoned-support designs."

• Firmness: Both experts recommend a medium-firm to firm mattress. "A medium-firm mattress provides the best balance of support and cushioning, " DebRoy said. "As a bonus, firmer mattresses often last longer because they maintain their shape over time. Hands adds that a medium-firm mattress supports the lumbar curve, preventing aches and pains when waking in the morning.
• Edge support: Edge support refers to the comfort level when sitting or lying on the edge of the mattress. Solid edge support is incredibly important for plus-size sleepers. "If the edges cave in when you sit down, your mattress isn't going to hold its alignment over time," Hands said. Many of our picks have extra coils or foam around the edges for added edge support.

• Cooling: Heavy sleepers are more likely to overheat at night. If this is an issue for you, look for a mattress with features like a cooling cover or breathable foams and latex.
• Trial period: Our top mattress picks for heavy people have limited showroom availability, so look for sleep tests and trial periods. Usually, you'll be required to sleep on the mattress for at least 30 nights, and if it's not for you, you can send it back or have it donated for a replacement or refund. Each mattress on our list has — at least — a 120-night warranty.

How we test the best mattresses for heavy people

We put each mattress through a rigorous testing process. Our testing procedures include:

• Comfort: I slept on each mattress for at least three weeks, noting my comfort in each sleeping position as a plus-size person. I also share the bed with my partner, who falls in the weight range for a plus-size mattress, and gathered his thoughts and feedback as well.
• Heat dissipation: I measured the mattress's temperature with an infrared thermometer prior to going to sleep, immediately after getting up, and two minutes after leaving the bed. I repeated this process for seven mornings and recorded my findings, observing how cool the mattress stays and how quickly heat dissipates.
• Edge support: I sat on the edge of the mattress and measured how low it sank. I also lay on the edge of the mattress and slowly rolled off, noting the angle of my body when I fell.
• Motion isolation: I placed a soda can in the center of the bed and a vibrometer a foot away, then dropped a 15-pound weight a foot away from the can 10 times. I observed how many times the can fell and the reading on the vibrometer.

Best mattress for heavy people FAQs

What is a plus-size mattress?

A plus-size mattress is a mattress specifically designed to support heavy people who typically weigh between 250 to 500 pounds. While it looks like a regular mattress from the outside, it uses stronger, more durable materials like high-gauge coils and high-density memory foams to prevent sagging and provide long-term support

What type of mattress is best for plus-size sleepers?

Hybrid mattresses are best for plus-size sleepers. Generally, heavy people should avoid pure memory foam mattresses. "Even though memory foam contours well, it responds slowly when you change positions, which can leave you with uneven support until it fully adjusts," DebRoy said. "This can contribute to discomfort, especially for people who move frequently during sleep." Latex hybrids are also a good option, since latex is naturally breathable and mattress.

What mattress firmness is best for heavy people?

A medium-firm to firm mattress is best for heavy people, since it provides optimal support for plus-size bodies. Medium-firm mattresses are also ideal for couples with a mixed weight.

What mattress thickness is best for heavy people?

Hands recommends at least a mattress that is at least 12 to 14 inches thick. "Thinner mattresses just won't leave enough structural depth for continued support," he said.

Do heavier people need to replace their mattresses more often?

If the mattress is made with durable materials, heavier people won't need to replace their mattress more often. Always keep an eye out for sagging, tears, or other durability issues that could indicate it's time to replace the mattress.

Do I need a plus-size mattress?

It really depends. Most people are satisfied with a traditional mattress, but plus-size mattresses offer a little more durability and support for people over 250 pounds.

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