Waking up with back pain can turn going to bed into a nightmare, especially if your mattress doesn't provide the support your bigger body needs. When choosing a mattress for heavy people with back pain, you might be wondering how to find a bed that's comfortable without compromising support.
Our guide to the best mattresses of the year features beds to suit all sleep styles, but if you're a heavy person with back pain, there are a few specialist features to look out for. From an increased weight capacity to enhanced strength at the lumbar region, these factors can help you enjoy consistently better mornings.
To help you understand these features, including how to identify them when buying a bed, we've put together this guide to choosing a mattress for heavy people with back pain. We've also rounded up some of our favorite mattresses that exemplify all three features.
How to choose a mattress for heavy people with back pain
We know how hard it can be to navigate the mattress jargon and find a bed that's actually right for you, so to help out, we've broken down the three key features to look for in a mattress for heavy people with back pain.
1. Enhanced lumbar support
A good mattress provides support from head to toe, but for a heavy person with back pain, enhanced support at the lumbar region is crucial for a comfortable night's sleep. By increasing lumbar support, the spine is held in neutral alignment, allowing the muscles to relax so they can rejuvenate during the night.
There are many ways to add enhanced lumbar support to a mattress for back pain. Many brands use 'zoned' support coils, with strategically placed strong springs providing a firmer support at the back and hips. Other brands will add a layer of firm foam at the midsection to achieve the same goal. And some brands, such as Saatva, use a wire support to hold the back in a neutral position.
2. Increased weight capacity
All mattresses come with a weight capacity, determining just how much the bed can hold before the support becomes compromised. Standard mattresses typically have a weight capacity of around 250lbs, while the best mattresses for heavy people are capable of supporting 500lbs and over.
An increased weight capacity ensures the support of the mattress won't sag or sink when used by a heavier person (or people). A sinking mattress is bad for back pain, as it causes the lumbar region to dip out of alignment, putting excess pressure on the spine.
Hybrid mattresses typically have a higher weight capacity than other types of bed, thanks to those super strong coils. However, you can find memory foam mattresses for a heavy build, if you prefer a bed with a squishy foam feel. Weight capacity is typically listed under the mattress specifications, but if you can't find it, try contacting the brand directly.
3. Medium-firm support
While some think a firm mattress is best for back pain, a medium-firm feel can often be better at balancing support and pressure relief. Medium-firm mattresses sit around 7-7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale (with 10 being rock hard and 1 as soft as a cloud).
Mattress feel is subjective, with the same mattress often feeling softer for those with a heavy build than those with a light build. It's also important to consider your sleep style when determining the right firmness. If you're a back sleeper or stomach sleeper, lean towards the firmer end of medium firm. Side sleepers tend to prefer a touch more cushioned pressure relief.
To ensure the firmness suits your needs, choose a bed with a good mattress trial. This allows you to test the mattress at home, so you have a few weeks to adjust to the feel and decide if the firmness is right for you.
Can a mattress make back pain worse for heavy people?
Without the right support, a mattress can make back pain worse, particularly for those with a bigger build. Sleep is the time for your body to recover, but if your spine is out of alignment, your body can't properly relax. Instead your muscles will have to work during this crucial downtime, to hold your spine in position.
A sagging mattress will often cause the spine to dip out of alignment, and this sag can become pronounced if you have a bigger body that puts increased pressure on the mattress. When you get out of bed in the morning, your mattress should return to its original shape. If you notice dents in the surface, these dips might be the source of your back pain.
A mattress topper can add a short-term supportive boost to your bed, but if your mattress is sagging, it will soon need replacing. Sagging can become more pronounced over time, as the supportive materials deteriorate under frequent pressure. We recommend replacing your mattress every seven to ten years.
3 best mattresses for heavy people with back pain
