10 Best Mattresses for Heavy People, According to Testing

To find comfortable, reliable mattresses, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab review materials, specifications, added features and any noteworthy claims. During this process, we research all brands to ensure that they're trustworthy and that the mattress consumers receive meet the company's marketing claims. We review consumer complaints and verify certification claims. After narrowing down online options, our experts and panel of consumer testers test mattresses to gather first-hand information. They record everything from initial opinions and ease of setup all the way through several weeks of sleeping on the mattress to gauge how it holds up over time. We also ask our testers to compare the mattress to their previous mattresses to gauge changes from mattress to mattress.

Our Lab pros have surveyed more than 10,000 mattress owners and reviewed more than 170,000 data points to directly review hundreds of mattresses in just the past few years. Recently, our experts have reviewed mattresses for back pain, cooling mattresses and more to find the best mattresses. Between expert evaluations, consumer testing and survey responses, here's how we evaluate the mattresses:

✔️ Ordering and delivery: Users tell us about the ease of the ordering process and report whether the mattress arrived quickly. They also let us know if there were any problems that arose and if those issues were resolved.

✔️ Setup: Survey respondents shared their opinion of the process — whether DIY or delivery service — and whether the mattress took proper shape in a reasonable amount of time.

✔️ Firmness level: Testers give the mattress a firmness rating. This is important because sometimes what users feel in real life doesn't match the brand's claimed rating.

✔️ Edge support: Reviewers sit on the edge of the bed to see if it dips under their weight or holds up, preventing them from sinking.

✔️ Comfort and support: Our testers comment on how much they liked sleeping on the mattress in the first few days as well as how they felt about sleeping on it over a longer period of time, noting the level of comfort and support over extended use.

✔️ Temperature regulation: We ask reviewers to rate how comfortable their body temperature remained while sleeping on the mattress, even if the mattress makes no cooling claims.

✔️ Sleep quality: We ask for a final score on sleep quality and whether or not users wake up feeling sore. Our testers can also compare the mattress to previous mattresses they've slept on, and then give it an overall satisfaction score.

✔️ Additional feedback: Reviewers are free to note any specific likes, dislikes and additional comments they have about their experiences with the mattresses.

It depends on what you find most comfortable and what keeps your body properly aligned. Amit Jain, M.D., M.B.A., Chief of Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine notes that those with larger bodies "should avoid soft mattresses, as they may exacerbate their pain," but beyond that, there aren't any restrictions when it comes to the type of mattress. He says, "Patients should select mattresses that provide adequate support to their back. Memory foam vs. traditional is a matter of individual preference. Medically, one is not superior to the other,"

That being said, hybrid mattresses are the most popular type on the market and make up a good portion of our list. They offer a good balance for most users since the coils provide support while the foam adds comfort. A mattress made entirely of memory foam will be plush as well, but because it lacks metal coils, it may not offer enough support for larger-framed sleepers. Those who prefer the feeling of laying flush on the bed rather than sinking in should opt for a firm or extra-firm mattress with little to no foam or a pillowtop.

It's not a hard-and-fast rule, but in general, innerspring mattresses usually last longer than memory foam models. Steel coils — the more commonly used term for springs — typically hold up better than foam with more time and use. Coils offer more support while foam is better known for offering pressure-relieving comfort. While all mattresses come in different firmnesses, innerspring mattresses tend to run a bit firmer than memory foam.

All of this said, individual comfort is key. There is no "best type of mattress" for anyone, which is why there are various types of mattresses in this round-up. Don't be deceived by what you're "supposed" to like. You really need to go with what feels best for you!

In order to achieve the proper amount of support, a person with a larger frame should look for a firmer mattress. If the mattress is too soft and does not have enough support, heavier weight can cause the mattress to compress too much, leading to spine misalignment and mattress drooping. But just because extra support is required doesn’t mean the mattress needs to be stiff. Try out a few to find the balance that works for your personal preferences and needs.

Mattresses for heavy people should be at least 11 inches tall; all of our picks fall in the 11-inch to 15.5-inch range. In general, the taller the mattress, the more layers it has so it can offer more support. Also, heavier weights will put more pressure on the mattress, so a thicker mattress can help prevent sagging over time. Note that a mattress above 15 inches may require deep pocket sheets.

✔️ Check the brand’s recommended weight range. Most standard mattresses are designed to support up to 250 pounds per side, so you’ll want to make sure the mattress can support your body properly and not sag over time.

✔️ Look for details like coil-gauge thickness, foam firmness or additional layers. Mattresses that are specifically designed for heavier people often have thicker coils, firmer foam or extra layers to provide more support and durability.

✔️ Don’t forget to factor in sleep position. Even though heavier people need more support, side sleepers may prefer a mattress that is medium-firm to eliminate pressure points while still keeping the spine aligned. Stomach sleepers should look for firmer beds with less padding, and combination sleepers should opt for something in between.

✔️ If you suffer from lower or upper back pain, choose a pressure-relieving mattress that still offers support, such as a hybrid of foam and coils. Medical experts also advise looking for medium firmness for a balance of cushioning and support.

✔️ Take advantage of mattress trial periods. Without actually sleeping on a mattress, it’s tough to know whether it’s a good fit or not. Luckily, most mattress companies offer a trial period of at least 90 to 100 nights — some on our list offer up to a year. Be sure to check whether there are any hidden return fees and how to go about making the return to avoid any headaches later on.

✔️ Seek out a mattress with cooling properties if you're a hot sleeper or deal with night sweats. Memory foam tends to sleep hot, so you're better off picking a mattress with coils for airflow or cooling technology like copper particles, gel or phase-change technology that's added to the foam.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been evaluating bedding and home products for over a century. Since the online mattress industry's rapid expansion in 2014, our experts have actively researched and reviewed hundreds of models, surveyed thousands of our readers and analyzed countless data points to find the best mattresses available.

Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and managed recent mattress testing, including over 40 different models. She's also researched and evaluated hundreds of mattresses using feedback from thousands of consumer testers and survey panelists. Grace has written several stories about various types of mattresses, including hybrid mattresses and latex mattresses. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.