Best Mattress for Heavy People for 2024 [CNET]

We have tested around 300 mattresses from top brands like Big Fig, Saatva and Helix to bring you the best mattress for heavy people. Here are our top picks.

When you’re shopping for the best mattress for heavy people, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. 

Firmness

Firmness is one of the most important factors when choosing a mattress, but you should remember that your body type influences how you perceive a bed’s firmness. A petite person will put less pressure on the bed, making it feel firmer. A heavier sleeper will put more pressure, making the mattress feel softer. 

Firmness is a scale, and a lot of preference is involved in choosing your next bed. However, there are a few general guidelines you should be aware of.

• Side sleepers need a softer mattress with enough pressure relief to ensure they don’t develop pressure points at the shoulders, hips and knees.
• Back and stomach sleepers require a firmermattress to ensure their spine stays at neutral alignment all night. 
• Combination sleepers have the most flexibility in firmness. It’s best to choose your firmness based on the position in which you spend the most time. Or aim for the middle of the firmness scale.

Durability

You want a mattress that will stand the test of time. The reality is that not all types of material will hold up. It’s a good idea to look for mattresses with reinforced materials like coils and high-density foam. 

For example, Saatva is known for making exceptionally durable mattresses with advanced construction, such as sturdy innerspring and lumbar zones. Saatva mattresses always score highly in durability.

Support

When you’re sleeping on a mattress that isn’t supportive enough, you’ll likely wake up with a sore back or neck. Most heavy sleepers should opt for something that guarantees support, like a hybrid or innerspring mattress. 

Big Fig, our best overall mattress for heavy people selection, is a great example of an exceptionally supportive mattress. It received a high score from us since it has 50% more wrapped coils than other beds.

Edge support

Edge support is the strength of the bed’s perimeter. An easy way to test a bed’s edge support is by sitting on the edge; if you feel like you’re going to slip off because the edge gives way to your weight, then the edge support could be better. This matters for people who need access to the whole sleeping surface. 

Price and warranty information

Mattresses are a big investment. It’s important to us that our lists include all budgets and price points. We also consider warranty information for each mattress so you know exactly what you get when you buy. Most companies offer robust trial periods and free returns, so you never have to worry if you don’t love the mattress you select.