I guess you’ll agree with me when I say:

Life is not enjoyable unless you get good quality sleep every night is it?

Nothing compares to a great night’s sleep. No matter what you’re going through in life, if you can wake up well rested, then you can be ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Unfortunately, however, millions of Americans don’t get the sleep they need. Whether they sleep too little or just wake up still tired, too many of us are not getting our forty winks the way we should be.

For heavy set people, this problem can be even worse, since it can be harder to find a comfortable position, not to mention that we have to find the best mattress that can support our weight. But fear not, fellow big sleepers, for I have compiled a list of the best mattresses for heavyset people so you won’t have to wonder if you are getting the most out of your sleep. I will also tell you what to look for in a mattress, so you can make sure that you get all the rest you need to take on the day and succeed.

How to Choose a Mattress for a Heavy Person

At first glance, buying a mattress seems like a pretty straightforward thing to do. You pick one that’s big enough for you (and your significant other, if necessary), and you make sure that it can fit inside your room.

Sure, there are other things to worry about like softness, firmness, and how many coils are inside of it, but most of us wouldn’t think that there are other considerations for heavyset people that we have to take into account. Nonetheless, if you want to get the most out of your mattress, keep these four things in mind so you will be sure to be satisfied with your purchase.

Mattress Weight Limits

If you pay attention, most mattresses come with a manufacturer’s recommended weight limit. These restrictions are designed to ensure that the entire thing doesn’t collapse all at once, but they are hardly an exact science. Realistically speaking, these weight limits should be a guide, but not a hard and fast rule.

If a mattress is rated for up to 250 pounds and you weigh closer to 300, don’t worry. Nevertheless, you should still pay attention, since those models that are rated for higher weights are made differently than those rated for thinner people. What does that mean exactly?

It means that the manufacturer has taken care to ensure that your mattress will still feel comfortable and remain intact even after repeated use. None of us want to sleep in a bed that sags heavily in the middle, so weight limits can help steer you in the right direction.

Mattress Thickness

For smaller people, the thickness of a mattress has little to do with overall comfort. Realistically speaking, a ten-inch mattress should do just fine for anyone who weighs 200 pounds or less. However, for the overweight among us, thickness can play a crucial part in our comfort level, and we must seek out models that have extra depth.

A good rule to live by is the thicker the mattress, the more support you get. As I said, no one wants to sleep in a sagging bed, so you want all the help you can get to make sure that doesn’t happen.While the ideal thickness of your mattress may vary depending on your personal preferences, generally a foot (12”) is a good place to be. Some models may go as high as fourteen inches, but keep in mind how heavy this mattress will be and how hard it will be to flip it or remove it when the time comes.

Mattress Material and Type

Once you’ve determined the right thickness for your mattress, then it’s time to pick out the right style to fit your needs. There are four primary types of mattress, which I’ll outline below.

Foam: For many people, a memory foam mattress can be the best thing ever, and many users compare it to sleeping on air. This is particularly the case for overweight people since the foam can help alleviate any pressure points you have, thus reducing any pain or soreness that you may get from sleeping.

There is one downside, however, which is that foam will lose its “bounce” quicker than other materials, so you may go through mattresses more frequently.

If you’re interested only in Memory Foam mattresses go to our Memory Foam Mattress Guide and Review to learn more

Latex: If you want something that has the softness of memory foam but doesn’t sink as much, then latex can be a great option for you. Also, this material doesn’t absorb heat as much as regular foam, so it can be a great deal cooler overall.

Spring: By far the most common type of mattress is the one that has inner springs (or coils). For overweight people, spring mattresses can either be quite pleasant or downright terrible. Cheaply made spring mattresses can create pressure points on your body, which will lead to soreness.

However, what makes these models really great is that they will maintain their shape for much longer, and they have consistent support throughout the entire piece. Foam mattresses can sag a lot on the edges, but not so with spring. To get the most comfort, look for models that have two layers of coils. The top layer is softer than the bottom layer so you can get both comfort and support.

Hybrid: if you want the best of everything, then opt for a hybrid mattress. These models are more expensive than a traditional spring mattress, but you get the mixture of contouring softness, rigid support, and coolness that you need for a great night’s sleep.

Mattress Heat Retention

Another major thing that overweight people have to worry about when it comes to sleeping is how hot it can get. Since we carry extra insulation, we already store more heat than our thinner counterparts, but if you have a high-density mattress, you will wake up in a pool of sweat, no matter how cool it is in your room. For maximum comfort, look for a mattress that will dissipate heat, rather than absorb it or reflect it back to you. Some foams stay naturally cool, but typically the more firm a mattress is, the cooler it is.

Quick comparison: Heavy person mattresses

Our Score:
3.3 Star Rating
Type:
Spring
Thickness:
6
Price class:
$
LinenSpa 6″ Innerspring Mattress
Our Score:
4.7 Star Rating
Type:
Memory Foam
Thickness:
12
Price class:
$$
Signature Sleep Memoir 12-Inch Memory Foam Mattress
Our Score:
4.2 Star Rating
Type:
Memory Foam + Gel
Thickness:
12
Price class:
$$
LUCID 12 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Our Score:
4.6 Star Rating
Type:
Memory Foam + Gel
Thickness:
13
Price class:
$$$
Brentwood Home Bamboo Gel 13 Memory Foam Mattress
Our Score:
4.5 Star Rating
Type:
Memory Foam
Thickness:
8
Price class:
$$
Best Price Mattress 8-Inch Memory Foam Mattress
Our Score:
3.4 Star Rating
Type:
Spring
Thickness:
6
Price class:
$
Sleep Master 6 Inch Spring Mattress
Our Score:
3.9 Star Rating
Type:
Memory Foam
Thickness:
12
Price class:
$$
LUCID 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress
Our Score:
4.8 Star Rating
Type:
T&N Adaptive Foam
Thickness:
10
Price class:
$$$$
Tuft & Needle Mattress
Our Score:
4.5 Star Rating
Type:
Memory Foam
Thickness:
12
Price class:
$$
Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress
Our Score:
3.7 Star Rating
Type:
Spring
Thickness:
8
Price class:
$
Signature Sleep Contour 8-Inch Independently-Encased Coil Mattress

Top 10 recommended Mattresses for Heavy People

LinenSpa 6″ Innerspring Mattress Review

First on our list is the LinenSpa Innerspring Mattress. One thing that you’ll notice right away is the thickness of this model, which is a scant six inches.

At first, you may think that that is way too thin for an overweight person, but thankfully LinenSpa has compensated for that and made it more than capable to support most heavy sleepers.

The interior of this mattress is made of highly durable heavy gauge steel coils, so they can take a beating and keep their bounce.

However, what that also means is that they don’t contour to your body very well. Ideally, I would recommend getting a foam insert to lay on top of this mattress so you can get the comfort of foam and the support of these heavy duty coils.

This particular model has a thin foam layer on top already, but if you’re more than 300 pounds, that will not do much to give you added comfort. For your convenience, this mattress comes with a superior ten-year warranty, so you know that it is built to last. It is also lightweight (relatively speaking) weighing a paltry 25 pounds. This model also comes in all sizes, from twin to California King.

Signature Sleep Memoir 12-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Review

Signature Sleep Memoir 12-Inch Memory Foam Mattress

Next, we have the Signature Sleep Memoir Memory Foam Mattress. Unlike the LinenSpa model, this mattress is designed for comfort, not industrial strength coils.

What I like about this particular unit is that it is twelve inches thick, which is a perfect width for a big guy like me.

To be fair, I do have something of a bias towards memory foam (I have always slept on it), but that doesn’t mean that the Memoir is not already excellent in its own right.

To get to twelve inches, this mattress has two layers. The first is a high-density support foam on the bottom which spans eight and a half inches, and then a three and a half inch layer of soft memory foam on top cradles your body ever so gently.

For your health and safety, this particular model is not made with harsh chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOC) which not only means that you don’t have to worry about breathing in toxic stuff, but it also doesn’t smell upon arrival. If you’ve bought memory foam before, you know what I’m talking about.

LUCID 12 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Review

LUCID 12 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Our next memory foam mattress is the LUCID Gel Mattress. If you’ve never experienced gel foam, then you’re in for a treat.

What I like about gel foam is that it is much more breathable and stays cooler than traditional memory foam, so you can get a great night’s sleep without soaking the bed in the process.

Hot summer nights are so much better on a gel foam mattress.Unlike the Memoir, this particular unit uses three layers to give you comfort and support. The top layer is, of course, the gel foam (three inches, to be exact).

To add to the coolness factor, LUCID has also included gel beads, so the heat dissipates even faster. Below the gel foam is a one-inch layer of bamboo charcoal memory foam, which has a much higher density than the traditional material. The reason for this layer is so the gel doesn’t sink too far into the bottom layer and cause a big dent in your bed.

The final eight inches is standard high-density support foam.The biggest selling point of this mattress is how cool it keeps you at night, so to help matters further, LUCID has also included a special TENCEL cover for the mattress which helps wick away moisture. That, coupled with the gel foam and overall lighter density of this model make it one of the coolest (literally) mattresses you can buy.Finally, the LUCID comes with a 25-year warranty, so you know it’s made with high-quality materials.

Brentwood Home Bamboo Gel 13 Memory Foam Mattress Review

Brentwood Home Bamboo Gel 13 Memory Foam Mattress

If you were impressed by the bells and whistles that the LUCID mattress had, then I suppose you could say that the Brentwood Home Bamboo Gel Memory Foam Mattress is the logical upgrade.

Comparatively speaking, both models have the same great qualities and are designed specifically to keep you cool at night, but the Brentwood has just enough extra perks to make it a step above the LUCID.

First off, this mattress is thirteen inches instead of twelve, so you get a full extra inch of support. There are only two layers to this model, however. The top is 3.5 inches of gel foam, which is specially formulated to disperse heat and keep your body temperature stable throughout the night. The bottom 9.5 inches is standard high-density support foam.

This mattress also comes with a hybrid zipper cover that’s made of wool and bamboo. The material is designed to create what are called “micro-climates”, which is a fancy way of saying that it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Like the LUCID, this mattress is free from phthalates, formaldehyde, and all other toxic chemicals that are normally associated with memory foam. It also comes with a 25-year warranty, and it is proudly made in the USA. It also comes in all sizes, from twin to California King.

Best Price Mattress 8-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Review

Best Price Mattress 8-Inch Memory Foam Mattress

Earlier, I mentioned that if you were going to get the LinenSpa six-inch mattress that you may want to get a foam cover for it. If you want the best of both worlds, then I would suggest that you use the Best Price eight-inch memory foam for that reason.

This mattress is more than capable on its own, but the relative thinness can be an issue, especially if you are significantly overweight. Nonetheless, this model does have some great features.

To make you more comfortable, this mattress comes with three unique layers. The top two inches are made of regular memory foam, then beneath that is another two inches of super soft foam, which is designed to hug your body and relieve any pressure points.

The final four inches are standard high-density support foam so you won’t wake up with a flat pancake for a bed.For your health and safety, this mattress is also CertiPUR-US certified, which means that it contains no harmful chemicals or toxic elements, so you can sleep (and breathe) easier. This model also comes with a ten-year limited warranty, so you know it’s made well.

Sleep Master 6 Inch Spring Mattress Review

Sleep Master 6 Inch Spring Mattress

Getting back to spring mattress, we now come to the Sleep Master. Like the LinenSpa, this is a relatively thin six-inch model, so those of you who have a lot of extra weight may feel that this is too thin for you.

However, as I did mention above, you can get a memory foam cover to help provide the comfort and support you need.

To help maintain its rigidity, this mattress comes with ultra durable steel Bonnell coils inside. They are built to withstand a lot of pressure, so even if you are heavy around the midsection (like me), you shouldn’t create a significant dip in your bed.

For added comfort, there is a foam layer on top, but it is relatively thin, so it may not provide adequate relief for anyone over 300 pounds.This item also comes with a ten-year limited warranty.

LUCID 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Review

LUCID 12 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Next, we have another winner from LUCID. This is the company’s standard memory foam mattress, so I’m afraid it doesn’t have all the luxury of gel foam to keep you cool at night.

Nonetheless, this is still a very worthwhile product, and since it’s considerably less expensive than gel foam, many of you may prefer this model instead.Unlike the previous LUCID mattress, this unit only comes with two layers.

The top layer is two inches of regular memory foam, which is designed to hug the contours of your body and relieve pressure points.

The other ten inches is standard high-density support foam, so you don’t flatten your bed after a few nights.Much like the other mattresses on this list, this model is certified by CertiPUR-US, which means that it does not contain any harmful chemicals, dyes, or plastics.

It is highly rated for indoor air quality, so you don’t have to worry about any off-putting smells when buying it. Like all memory foam, it is also resistant to dust mites and bedbugs.This mattress comes in all sizes, and it also has a 25-year limited warranty.

Tuft & Needle Mattress Review

Tuft & Needle Mattress

When it comes to mattress companies, certain brands come to mind. One of the more recent ones to come out, however, is Tuft & Needle. The owners of this company started it with one thing in mind: more comfortable mattresses.

They were tired of the hardness of springs and the lack of support from memory foam, so they created what is essentially a hybrid. All Tuft & Needle mattresses are made to be just right, so you can get the sleep you deserve.

So if it’s not memory foam and it’s not springs, then what exactly is inside a Tuft & Needle mattress? Remarkably, the company has made a proprietary foam that holds its shape much more than memory foam but doesn’t stay too rigid

To create this wonder foam, they spent countless hours testing and retesting it, using customer feedback to make it just right. In my experience, however, you either love this mattress, or you hate it. Thankfully, however, the vast majority of people love it.In addition to the specialized foam, Tuft & Needle mattresses are also made without any harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients.

One of the biggest selling points of this company, actually, is the no-hassle return policy. If you don’t like the mattress for whatever reason, they will take it back no questions asked. To also help convince you of the quality, Tuft & Needle provides a ten-year limited warranty.

Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress Review

Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress

If you want the absolute pinnacle of memory foam, then the Zinus Green Tea Mattress is for you. While other foam models have only two or three layers, this mattress comes with four unique layers to give you the support and comfort you need.

The top layer is three inches of standard memory foam. Beneath that is two inches of specially designed comfort foam, which helps alleviate pressure points and conforms to your body. Under that, there are 3.5 inches of high-density airflow foam to help keep your bed cool at night. Finally, the last 3.5 inches are standard high-density support foam.

Like the other models on this list, the Zinus is certified by CertiPUR-US to be free of any harmful or toxic elements. This mattress is naturally resistant to dust mites and bedbugs, so you can rest and breathe easy. This model also comes with a ten-year limited warranty.

Signature Sleep Contour 8-Inch Independently-Encased Coil Mattress Review

Signature Sleep Contour 8-Inch Independently-Encased Coil Mattress

Finally, we come to the Signature Sleep Contour Coil Mattress (review). This particular model is essentially a hybrid, as it used both coils and memory foam to provide support and comfort. The foam covers the top and the bottom of the unit for maximum weight distribution.

I would normally say that eight inches is too thin for overweight sleepers, but this particular model seems to hold up remarkably well. If you are significantly heavy, however, you may encounter problems.

As the title suggests, the coils in this mattress are independent from each other. What that means is that it will essentially conform to the shape of your body, unlike most spring mattresses. Ultimately that also means that you get extra firm support without creating pressure points, so you essentially get the best of both worlds.As usual, this mattress is free of toxic chemicals, dyes, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Conclusion & Final Verdict

When it comes to the best mattresses, I’ve already declared my love for memory foam. Personally, I love the ultra high-tech gel foam, so I would highly recommend either the LUCID Gel Foam Mattress or the Brentwood Home model. I also am a big fan of Tuft & Needle, and I think that they make a really great mattress.

Realistically speaking, I would advise getting a model that is at least twelve inches, but I do believe that you can combine the Best Mattress Memory Foam with one of the thinner spring models and make a remarkably comfortable hybrid. Nonetheless, any mattress you pick from this list is guaranteed to bring you a wonderful night’s sleep.