We recognize that bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, but for convenience, we’re using the terms “heavy” and “large” to refer to those weighing over 250lbs. People in this weight category often require similar features from a mattress.
The best mattresses for heavy people feature an increased weight capacity and a superior support core to provide comfort to sleepers weighing over 250lbs. Even this year’s best mattresses can come up short when it comes to supporting bigger bodies, but every mattress in this guide has been carefully selected for its ability to offer comfort for sleepers over 250lbs.
Our number one pick is the WinkBed Plus, a luxury hybrid mattress that impressed our testers with its impressive back support and durable build. The best mattresses for bigger bodies avoid the common sleep pitfalls you might have encountered — sagging foams, weak edges, overly warm — to provide support and comfort from head to toe. And while these can be premium designs, the Presidents’ Day mattress sales are an excellent time to save on a mattress for heavy people.
Best mattress for heavy people overall
The WinkBed Plus is a version of the original WinkBed – which otherwise comes in Luxury Firm, Firmer, or Plush. The makeup is slightly different here; to boost support for heavier bodies, WinkBed has added a 2.5" layer of pure latex and a 2.5" layer of temperature-regulating, pressure-relieving foam. The Plus version skips right over the Euro-pillow top and goes straight in with a layer of anti-sag foam for optimal support for sleepers over 250lbs. Additionally, the coils on the Plus version are banded together and reinforced for extra durability ideal for heavy bodies.
It also includes extra edge support that's ideal for couples who like to spread out across the entire bed while sleeping without having to worry about rolling right off. It’s even great if you want to be able to sit on the bed to get dressed, or need something firmer to push on to stand up easily. We rate this bed highly in our best firm mattress guide although according to the brand, sleepers over 300lbs may find the bed feel to be more on the medium side, or a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
We were very impressed by the regular version in our WinkBed Mattress review, although do be aware the design is different here (and thus, so is the cost). Reviews can't be filtered by firmness level, but scrolling through we found several enthusiastic customers who claim that this mattress delivers the right balance of softness and firm support, and praising the motion isolation. Consult our WinkBed mattress sales guide to make sure you don't miss a price drop if you do decide to buy one.
- Read more: WinkBed mattress review
Best budget mattress for heavy people
As a rule, the best mattresses for bigger bodies cost more, which makes the mid-range price tag of the Titan Plus (the plus-size model from popular bed brand Brooklyn Bedding) all the more impressive. This hybrid model includes springs and foams, yet at 11" tall the Titan Plus is the slimmest option on our list. That means it won't feel as luxurious as other taller models here, although it still has a weight capacity of 1,000lbs.
Brooklyn Bedding rates the Titan Plus as an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it for the firmest feeling mattress in our guide. That might work well for you if you weigh over 300lbs, but it you're if you're at the lighter end of the 'bigger bodies' spectrum (so closer to 250lb), you might be more comfortable on a softer mattress. If you want a contouring sleep surface, or you have a partner under 250lbs, you could upgrade to the softer Luxe version of the Titan Plus.
This mattress has an average review rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars generated from over 2,530 reviews. There's plenty of praise for the high build quality and how supportive it is. In any mattress comments section, it's common to find a mix of people who find it too firm and those who find it too soft, and that's true here. There seems to be agreement that the Titan Plus is just too firm for lightweight people (who share a bed with a bigger person), with a number of side sleepers commenting that it leads to pressure building up in this position.
Allowing for some variation based on the latest mattress sales, the Titan Plus mattress is the cheapest option in our list. For a softer and taller alternative, look at the Helix Plus (#5) below.
- Read more: Titan Plus mattress
Best mattress for heavy people with back pain
The DreamCloud Hybrid Premier Mattress is the taller version of the popular DreamCloud mattress, using extra foam and coils to deliver a higher level of comfort and support. The enhanced design also means it distributes weight more evenly across the entire mattress, keeping your body on top instead of letting it sink in. This type of support is crucial for larger people as otherwise your back may dip in bed, leading to lower back pain over time.
The cashmere layer also works to keep you cool as it allows for maximum airflow, creating a cooler surface to sleep on throughout the night. This isn't a proper cooling mattress though, so if overheating is a big problem for you, look at our guide to the best cooling mattresses for all budgets instead.
Around the perimeter of the DreamCloud Hybrid Premier Mattress, the coils are even thicker to provide more durable edge support making it a sturdy place to sleep and even sit when working or watching television. Plus, you can sleep soundly knowing that your partner will barely feel your tosses and turns, thanks to its minimal motion transfer.
Still not sold? The seven-layer mattress is ideal for side, back, and front sleepers, so whichever position you are used to, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid will deliver a comfortable night’s sleep. And thanks to regular DreamCloud mattress sales, this is great value for money.
- Read more: DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress review
Best luxury mattress for heavy people
The Saatva HD is easily the best Saatva mattress for people who weigh up to 500lbs, with a maximum weight capacity of 1,000lbs for two sleepers sharing. This lofty 15.5" bed features a layer of 5-zone Talalay latex, a 5lb memory foam layer, and the brand's patented Lumbar Zone Technology for proper back support. Extra support comes in the form of tempered 12.5-gauge steel open coils, which are 25% stronger than the industry standard. Saatva has also designed the HD with reinforced foam edges to help prevent sagging and to make it easier for you to get in and out of bed.
We've yet to formally test this mattress ourselves, though you can read our Saatva Classic mattress review for an idea of how well the brand performs. However, one of our sleep writers recommended the Saatva HD to a larger family member, who says it's a marked improvement over his previous innerspring mattress, which had begun to sag after a few years. (Better yet, he was able to buy it at a discount during a Saatva mattress sale.) He also sleeps with a CPAP machine – according to him, the comfort of the Saatva HD makes that whole ordeal much more bearable.
Broadly speaking, side and stomach sleepers will enjoy this bed the most since it’s pretty firm and you won’t sink too much under your own weight, which makes it great for heavy bodies. And if you run hot, you’ll enjoy the cooling properties of this mattress thanks to its steel coils that allow for optimal airflow. Saatva promises no sagging edges, which will make getting up and out of bed nice and easy.
There are only around 130 reviews on the Saatva website right now, but this bed scores an impressive 4.9 our of 5 stars. There's praise for the amount of firmness, luxurious feel, motion isolation, and customer service. For added peace of mind, you'll get a full year to trial it at home, and if you decide to keep it your purchase will be backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Read more: What is the Saatva HD mattress?
Best mattress for very heavy people
The Big Fig Mattress markets itself as being 'the mattress for a bigger figure', meaning it has been designed specifically for larger bodies. It has great lumbar support to stop you from sinking into the mattress and to reduce aches and pains. Thanks to a maximum weight capacity of 1,100lbs (the highest in this guide), it should last longer for the larger person than a standard mattress would. It also comes with a 20-year warranty. You can also choose to buy an 18-slat base to support the mattress further and help it last longer.
The Big Fig is a hybrid mattress made from high density poly foam and over 1,600 individually wrapped coils to offer a sag-free sleep surface. It's the best choice for heavyweight back sleepers needing firm support to keep them on top of the mattress, and stomach sleepers will also find it comfortably supportive too. We would not recommend it for side sleepers though as it's simply too firm.
Overheating during sleep is a problem regardless of body weight, and the Big Fig attempts to tackle this with the use of Thermogel-treated fabric that actively works to lower body temperature. The use of coils also promotes airflow, making it a cooler option than a memory foam mattress.
The Big Fig has earned a 4.7 out of 5 star review rating generated from over 5,000 users, with people weighing over 250lbs praising its cooling support. However lighter sleepers, especially those weighing well under 250lbs who share a bed with a larger person, will not enjoy sleeping on this mattress. In that instance, we'd recommend the Titan Plus Luxe instead.
- Read more: What is the Big Fig mattress?
Best organic mattress for heavy people
The Avocado Green Mattress is one of the best organic mattresses on the market and while it might not be a specialist bed for heavy people, the stable build allows it to support a total weight of 700lb. This is partly thanks to those organic materials. By trading softer foams for dense latex, the Avocado Green can hold more.
The Avocado Green Mattress is available in three firmness levels – Firm, Medium, or Plush. The standard choice, Firm, has a 7/10 firmness rating and a deceptively simple build that prioritizes natural materials. Beneath the organic cotton ticking cover sits a layer of organic wool, for cushioning, then two inches of supportive Dunlop latex. After this comes a layer of individually wrapped coils, zoned to provide stronger support where your body needs it most. Finally, another layer of latex adds stability.
In our Avocado Green Mattress review we tested the Firm and found it to be supportive and pressure relieving for back and front sleepers. Alternatively, you can upgrade to the Medium or Plush options. These are more expensive, but they add a pillow-top (Medium) or box-top (Plush) to the strong base for additional side-sleeper cushioning that doesn't sacrifice pressure relief.
Using a combination of open springs and natural materials, the Avocado Green Mattress is breathable and cooling for hot sleepers. The edge support is also impressive – you don't have to cling to the middle of the bed to enjoy the strength of the latex. While the Avocado doesn't have the biggest weight capacity in this guide, it's a great choice for those who want an eco-friendly bed for bigger bodies.
- Read more: Avocado Green Mattress review
Best mattress for heavy people who overheat
Those on a tighter budget should check out the Helix Plus mattress. A queen size will typically set you back $1,199, which puts it on the cusp between mid and upper-mid price brackets. While it's not quite as cheap as the Titan (#2), it's far more affordable than most options in this part of the market.
The Helix Plus boasts medium-firm foam that contours the body for optimal support throughout the night. To be precise, the mattress has four pounds of foam, which is great not only for those with larger bodies, but also designed to provide comfort for all sleep positions – side, back, and front.
The mattress’s individually wrapped springs limit motion transfer, making it an ideal option for couples with different sleep habits and wake patterns. The edge support is next-level thanks to its reinforced sides that’ll keep bodies sturdy while asleep and upright. That means no slipping and sliding when putting on your socks or getting up in the morning.
The Helix Plus can hold up to 1,000lbs weight capacity in total, which is average among mattresses designed specifically for heavy people. Sleepers can opt to purchase a GlacioTex Cooling Cover designed to pull heat away from the body while you sleep for a more comfortable temperature (although do note that this will make your bed slippery). The standard Tencel cover that comes with this mattress is soft and breathable, which will suit those who don't chronically overheat.
- Read more: What is the Helix Plus mattress?
Best for side sleepers
It can be hard to find a good mattress for side sleepers with heavier builds. Too soft, and you'll feel like you're sinking through the bed. Too firm, and you won't have enough cushioning to relieve pressure at the shoulders, hips and knees.
The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ is a mattress designed for side sleepers with bigger builds, from a brand that specializes in side sleeper mattresses. The tall hybrid build (it's 14" thick) aims to provide ample cushioning for side sleepers without so much sink you feel like you're falling out the base of the mattress.
Beneath a cooling organic cotton and ArcticTex cover you'll find a quilted Euro topper, featuring plush cushioning to contour to the body. Next is a layer of Nolah AirFoam, for luxury contouring to relieve tension at the joints. These layers are surrounded by an AirBreath gusset, to help heat escape for cooler nights.
A transition layer adds a subtle bounce to make it easier to change positions, while the 8-inch coils below are 13.5 gauge for enhanced support. The coils do add stability, but the Nolah Evolution Comfort+ Mattress is likely to be too soft for back and stomach sleepers of a bigger build.
- Read more: Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress review
Best firm mattress for heavy people
The Plank Firm Mattress is a double-sided all-foam mattress. Flip it one way and you can enjoy a Firm feel (we rated it 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale). Flip it the other way and the Extra Firm surface provides some of the sturdiest support we've tested (we agreed it was a 9 on the firmness scale).
While a dual-sided mattress might sound like a complicated design, the Plank Firm keeps things simple. In the middle of the mattress sits a layer of ultra-dense foam, providing the overall feel of the mattress. On the Firm side, an additional layer of foam followed by a quilted surface enhances cushioning. On the Extra Firm side, the only thing between you and the core is thin, flat quilting.
With a total weight capacity of 950lbs, the Plank Firm is for back and stomach sleepers who hate feeling like they're sinking into the mattress. While some side sleepers might enjoy the steady support of the Plank, most will prefer a touch more cushioning (like the Nolah at #9).
Our testing panel praised both the motion isolation and edge support of the Plank Firm, making it a good choice for bed sharers. But if you do plan on alternating between the Firm and Extra Firm sides, it's worth having another person to hand – the lack of handles makes flipping a bit of a pain.
We did find the Plank Firm could trap heat, which can lead to sweaty mornings. A breathable hybrid design, such as the Helix Plus at #7, might be a better option for warm sleepers. Alternatively, consider upgrading the Plank with the GlacioTex cover.
- Read more: Plank Firm Mattress review
How we test mattresses for heavy people
The Tom’s Guide mattress testing process is entirely editorially independent, which means we decide which mattresses to include in this guide. To ensure our test data is accurate, we sleep on each mattress in a box for three weeks, which is roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to sleeping on a new mattress. During this time, we rate it across key areas including comfort, pressure relief, temperature regulation, motion isolation and support.
After analyzing our test data and conducting extensive user review research, we rate each mattress out of 5. We then compare that data and user review research with how other mattresses we've reviewed performed in the very same tests. That comparison allows us to clearly see the best mattress for different types of sleeper, which helps inform our overall rankings.
As mattress firmness is subjective, we reply upon a wider panel of mattress testers made up of people with different sleep needs and body types to ensure that our data is well-rounded and that each mattress is tested in accordance with a specific performance criteria. Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress you’re interested in really is the best choice for you. For more information on our mattress testing process, see our mattress methodology.
Also considered
While these mattresses might not have made our guide, they are also designed to support sleepers weighing 250lbs+ and are worth your consideration...
The best mattress for heavy people: FAQs
What to look for in a mattress for heavy people
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
The mattress for heavy people market has expanded a lot in recent years, giving more choice for sleepers with bigger builds. The good news is with more options, you can find a mattress that really suits your sleep needs. The bad news? With so many factors to consider, buying a mattress has gotten more complex. Here are some things to look for when buying a mattress for heavy people:
Mattress material
Traditionally, the best hybrid mattresses offer the most support for bigger people. The stable and durable coil base keeps the spine lifted and prevents too much sagging, which can be an issue with softer foams. However, the best memory foam mattresses use sturdy foams that can withstand years of use, so we might see more all-foam beds with higher weight capacities in upcoming years. And don't forget latex mattresses — these natural builds have exceptional longevity.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is measured on a scale of one to 10, with 10 indicating rock hard and one very soft. For the most part, mattresses for heavy people fit in the firm bracket, between eight and 10. However, medium-firm mattresses for heavy people are becoming more common, using squishy comfort layers to add cushioning without losing support. We recommend avoiding medium and soft mattresses if you weigh over 250lbs, as you're likely to find these mattresses have too much 'sink'.
Thickness
We recommend a minimum mattress thickness of 10 inches when choosing a bed for an adult. If you have a bigger build, we recommend a slightly taller mattress: 12-inch and 14-inch builds should be comfortable and supportive.
Edge support
You might not be familiar with the term edge support, but you probably know how uncomfortable it is to sleep on a mattress that sinks at the sides. Edge support is a key feature in a mattress for heavy people as it allows you to use more of the mattress surface without feeling like you'll slide right off.
Temperature regulation
If you tend to wake up feeling overly warm, then look for a mattress with good temperature regulation. Many mattresses for bigger people use cooling materials to help hot air circulate and dissipate during the night, so you can wake up feeling fresh.
How to choose the best mattress for heavy people
Weight capacity should be an important factor when choosing any mattress, but it's not the only thing you have to think about. Here are the key things to consider when choosing a mattress for heavy people:
Weight capacity
It's not the only thing to consider, but weight capacity should be one of the first things you check when choosing a mattress — after all, you don't want to fall in love with a mattress before discovering it has a low capacity.
Sleep position
This is one of the key factors in finding a mattress that's both comfortable and supportive, and that's true for people of all body types. If you sleep on your back or stomach, look for a mattress with a firmer feel and limited cushioning. Strong support is needed to keep the spine comfortable, so avoid a bed that has too much 'sink'. If you're a side sleeper, we recommend a mattress with a medium-firm feel and some added cushioning (but still plenty of support.) This will help relieve pressure at the shoulders and hips.
Other sleep needs
There's no one-size-fits-all mattress solution, as we all have different sleep needs. If you share a bed, for example, you'll need a mattress with good motion isolation, so you can't feel your partner tossing and turning. Hot sleepers should prioritize a cooling mattress, while those who change position in the night might want the more responsive feel of a hybrid mattress.
When is the best time to buy a mattress for heavy people?
Mattresses for heavy people are generally upper mid-range to premium beds (although the growing market means we're seeing more mid-range models). Black Friday was traditionally the best time to buy a mattress for heavy people, but we've recently seen that trend change, with massive sales happening throughout the year.
Beyond Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day are also good times to buy a mattress. Brands such as Titan, Saatva, Helix and Nolah tend to wait for these major sales days to launch the best discounts.
However, some brands, such as WinkBed and DreamCloud, keep their deals steady year-round. So if you have your eye on mattresses from these sleep brands, it's always the right time to shop.
Do mattresses have weight limits?
Typically, yes. A standard queen mattress can accommodate up to 250lbs per person, or 500lbs total. A single-sleeper twin can usually support up to 300lbs.
However, those are average numbers. This spec can vary across brands so you'll want to check the product page or scour the FAQs. For specialist models that are geared toward larger bodies, weight capacity is usually front-and-center. Other brands are more vague when it comes to a weight limit for their mattresses. If you must have a concrete number, reach out to the manufacturer.
Another indicator of durability for heavier weights is the type of materials used – look for things like high-density foam (over 5lbs), latex (Talalay or Dunlop), and/or high gauge steel coils.
How we choose mattresses for this guide
Our team of expert sleep testers called upon their years of experience to curate this list of the best mattresses for heavy people. Their focus was mainly on materials and construction plus other key criteria like firmness, weight capacity, and edge support.
We've personally tested the base models of these mattresses – the WinkBed, DreamCloud, and Saatva to name a few – so to further solidify our choices we also relied on feedback from verified customers who were in the market for more supportive beds to accommodate them.
Beyond that, we ensured that every one of our top picks comes with an at-home trial period of at least 100 nights, as well as a warranty that'll sufficiently cover the lifespan of the mattress.
