Selecting the best mattress for heavy people is not an easy task. Given the fact that we spend about a third of our lives in bed, it is crucial to find a comfortable mattress that is suitable for our physical needs. Research✓ has shown that there is no direct connection between obesity and chronic pain, but that the two often co-occur and can have a negative impact on one another.
Heavier or larger people may find some difficulty when searching for a mattress. As mattresses are generally made for certain body types it can be tough to find something comfortable yet also supportive for a heavier weight.
There are a ton of factors determining the compatibility between a mattress and a heavier individual. This ranges from the mattress thickness to the materials used to even the gauge of the springs used. We have come up with some of the top mattresses for heavier persons. These vary in price, thickness, design, firmness and business model (standard vs bed-in-a-box).
(Important Facts, Studies, Advice, Considerations & FAQs In Conclusion)
MATTRESS | TYPE | FIRMNESS | DEPTH | WEIGHT TESTED | TRIAL & WARRANTY | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nectar Memory foam mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 25cm | 292 kg or 46 stone | 365 Nights Forever | £549 |
REM-Fit 500 Ortho Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid | Firm | 25cm | 254 kg or 40 stone | 100 Nights 15 Years | £799 |
GhostBed Memory foam mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 27cm | 336 kg or 53 stone | NA Nights 20 Years | £400 |
Reinforced Beds The Brick Mattress | Pocket Sprung | Very firm | 25cm | 318 kg or 50 stone | NA Nights 3 Years | £359 |
Dreams TheraPur ActiGel response 1600 mattress | Pocket Sprung | Very firm | 27cm | 228 kg or 36 stone | 40 Nights 1 Year | £999* |
Dreams Carnell pocket sprung mattress | Pocket Sprung | Very firm | 27cm | 228 kg or 36 stone | 40 Nights 1 Year | £699 |
Tempur Sensation Luxe Mattress | Memory Foam | Firm | 30cm | 266kg or 42 stone | 100 Nights 10 Years | £2,299 |
1. Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• Forever Warranty • 46 Stone (292 kg) weight limit • Good for pressure relief | • People who prefer a medium feel • Sleepers who enjoy memory foam • Couples |
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is a full memory foam build without any springs. This clever design has been the recipient of multiple awards in the mattress industry and is one of the most popular mattresses in a box. The simple 3 layered design of foams gives this a medium-firm feel making it one of the softer mattresses for heavy people on this list.
The Nectar Mattress is finished with an Adaptive Cooling Cover which was designed to move heat away from your body while also circulating cool air with every move you make. The first of the layers is a Smart Memory Foam layer, which responds to your body to dissipate heat and moisture.
The middle layer is a pressure-relieving memory foam layer, this layer acts as the transition layer and provides comfort. The firmness of the mattress comes from the strong foundation layer. This 7-zone supportive base is designed to align your spine correctly regardless of your sleeping position. The adaptive memory foam layers are designed to reduce common pressure points below your hips, shoulders and legs for better spinal alignment.
Overall the mattress has a depth of 25cm, the combination of this and the materials allow the Nectar Mattress to support up to 46 stone or 292 kgs making this a very durable mattress for heavy people.
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress also comes with a 365-day trial period, and on top of this, it is covered by a forever warranty which is a huge plus if you are worried about longevity in a mattress.
2. REM-Fit 500 Ortho Hybrid Mattress
HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• Edge-to-edge support • 15-year guarantee • Orthopaedic design | • People looking to reduce back pain • People who prefer a firm mattress • People looking for added edge support |
The REM-Fit 500 Ortho Mattress is a multi-award winning mattress, specifically in the bad back and back pain mattress category. With a firmness rating of firm and orthopaedic mattress design, The REM-Fit 500 Ortho Mattress has a usual height for the industry standing at 25cm tall.
The firmness of the mattress comes from its 2,000 firm pocket springs. These 14cm tall, extra firm encapsulated pocket springs provide precise comfort and support. Each spring moves individually according to your movements causing little partner disturbance.
Between the springs and your body is a cooling memory foam layer with zoning cut into it for extra cushioning and pressure relief properties. Surrounding the springs we find edge-to-edge support in the form of encapsulated foam walls. These ensure a firm tension is kept across the whole mattress right up to the edge.
The REM-Fit 500 Ortho Mattress includes a 100-night trial, allowing you to put the mattress to the test and ensure it was the right choice for you. If you aren’t pleased with your purchase, REM-Fit also offers a hassle-free return policy within the 100-night trial period. It also offers an impressive 15-year guarantee. An interesting fact is that collected mattresses are donated to their charity partner, the British Health Foundation.
3. GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress
HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• Manufactured in the UK • 53 stone (336 kg) weight limit • 20 year warranty | • People who want a medium-firm mattress • Heavyweight sleepers • People needing pressure-relief |
The GhostBed Mattress might have been designed in the USA but it is manufactured here in the UK, meeting the high-quality standards set by UK regulations. Made using a 3 layer design, the GhostBed Memory Foam Mattress stands at 27cm tall, is rated as a medium-firm feel mattress and has an impressive 53 stone limit.
It is designed to be supportive, without having to be overly firm and compromise on comfort. The cover of this mattress is a blend of polyester and viscose fibres, creating a plush feel on the surface. The cover is removable and washable, with properties that wick away both heat and moisture.
The first layer is a continuous aerated engineered GhostFlex foam layer that was designed to absorb pressure without retaining heat. This layer is the comfort of the mattress, designed to promoting optimal comfort. The middle layer is made from a 100% pressure-relieving material. The open cell structure of this foam layer is designed to make it breathable.
A high-density base foam layer sits as the foundation of this mattress. The base layer was engineered to provide ergonomic support. This layer ensures the durability and resilience of the mattress, giving support without needing to be overly firm. The GhostBed Memory Foam mattress also includes a 20-year warranty.
4. The Brick Heavy Duty Mattress
HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• Extra firm mattress • Heavy duty pocket springs • No flipping needed | • People who enjoy an extra firm sleeping surface • People looking for a breathable mattress • People looking for added support |
If you’re looking for a truly strong mattress, The Brick Extra Firm Mattress could definitely be the right option for you. The mattress is made exclusively for Reinforced Bed and as the name suggests it has a firmness ranking of Extra Firm. The manufacturer states that this could quite possibly be the firmest mattress out there.
Its firmness comes from the one thousand 1,9mm thick heavy duty pocket spring units, which are reinforced with a bonding sheet that is glued both to top and bottom of the mattress to provide extra stability. The springs move individually which prevents motion transfer from one side of the mattress to the other. This will help ensure that both you and your partner will sleep undisturbed in case the other is tossing and turning. The edges of the mattress are also reinforced for extra support and to ensure the longevity of the mattress.
The mattress is positively described as incredibly sturdy in many customer reviews (almost all 5 stars). People also mention that it is very heavy but on the flip side you don’t actually need to flip the mattress. Occasional rotating is enough, and the horizontal handles come in handy for this task. The manufacturer states that their quality filling is also adding to the weight of the mattress.
Apart from the previously mentioned features, the Brick Extra Firm Mattress also comes with added nickel vents on the sides to enhance breathability. The mattresses in ´The Brick´ range are handcrafted to order and come with a 50st/318kg heavy duty guarantee of 3 years.
5. TheraPur ActiGel Response 1600 Mattress

HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• ActiGel zoned foam • Durable, yet soft to touch • Reduced motion-transfer | • People who tend to overheat at night • People wanting a firm surface without losing comfort • Sleepers wanting hypoallergenic materials |
The TheraPur ActiGel Response 1600 Mattress is a pocket sprung/ hybrid design that features revolutionary sleep technology layers giving it a comfort grade of very firm. The mattress stands at 27cm tall, a touch deeper than the industry standard of 25cm. The mattress has been tested for 228 kg or a 36 stone weight for a two-person mattress.
It has 5 internal layers and is finished off with a traditionally tufted finish, that is designed to be durable while still being soft-to-the-touch. The firmness in the mattress comes from the spring layer at the base of the mattress. The spring layer features 1,600 individually wrapped springs (in the king-size model). These respond to each sleeper’s movements separately, which means that your movements won’t disturb your partner if you're looking for a mattress for couples.
The layers above the springs aid in breathability, pressure relief and comfort. These layers are designed to mould to your body while keeping you cool. The exclusive ActiGel zoned and profiled foam layer features zoned cut-outs for optimum support designed to support key areas of your body.
It comes with a 40-night comfort exchange, so you can exchange your mattress for another comfort level if you feel you don't get along with it. It also has a 1-year guarantee, but Dreams do offer a bed cover policy so for a one-off payment you can extend that to cover you for 5 years of accidental damage and 8 years of manufacturing faults cover.
6. Carnell Pocket Sprung Mattress

HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• Very firm • Wool fillings • Handles for easy manoeuvrability | • People looking for good support • People who tend to overheat at night • Most sleeping positions |
The Carnell Pocket Sprung Mattress is an upgrade of one of Dreams best-selling mattresses previously available. In order to support heavy people, a mattress must first and foremost be deep enough. The Carnell Pocket Sprung Mattress meets these criteria and more, standing at 27cm tall. In terms of comfort, the Carnell Pocket Sprung Mattress is regarded as a very firm feeling mattress.
This mattress features a spring layer, natural wool fillings for breathable comfort and a tufted finish soft-to-touch cover. With 1150 individually wrapped pocket springs engineered to provide support for every area of your body, the support in this mattress is the focus. While the springs were designed to get down to the business of providing precise support, the natural wool fillings keep you cool with a natural freshness.
The Carnell Pocket Sprung Mattress features mattress handles for easy manoeuvrability. It's suggested that you rotate the mattress head-to-toe every week for the first three months and once a month thereafter. It comes with a 40-night comfort exchange, so you can exchange it if you feel you are not suited toward that comfort level. It also has a 1-year standard guarantee, but Dreams do offer an extended policy for 5 years of accidental damage and 8 years of manufacturing faults cover at an additional cost.
7. Tempur Sensation Luxe Mattress

HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
---|---|
• Removable and washable covers • 100-night trial • 30 cm deep | • People who don't like spring mattresses • People with a bigger budget • People who need pressure-relief |
The Tempur Sensation Luxe does not have a spring layer, it rather uses Tempur technologies to create a bouncy feel just as you get in a sprung mattress. This is achieved using what Tempur calls their Dynamic Support Technology. The Durabase Technology layer features 2 identical Durabase layers as the foundation of the mattress. This results in 3 lower layers, 2 of which are the Durabase layers, forming the foundation of the mattress. These layers were designed to provide support and pressure-relieving comfort.
The mattress is finished off with a top layer of Tempur Comfort Material, designed to provide soothing comfort and break from the firm support below. It is wrapped in a QuickRefresh™ soft fabric top cover with grey side panels and a white underlayer. All cover layers are removable and washable up to 60 degrees Celsius.
Returns can be completed within the trial period, which is a generous 100 nights. In the long run, your Tempur® Sensation Luxe is covered by a 10-year guarantee. This speaks to the quality of the build, and lets you know that the mattress will last for a minimum of a decade.
The Tempur Sensation Luxe is the top of the range in Tempur’s Sensation range and the Sensation is the firmest mattress from the Tempur range. It is 30cm in depth (with thinner sizes available at a lower cost) and its comfort grading is firm which is another great reason why it is good for heavier sleepers.
Obesity And Sleep
Finding the best mattress for heavy people is important. Not only could you get a better night's rest, but, according to research✓, you could potentially also prevent adding to your weight as studies✓ suggest that poor sleep can lead to obesity. An article in BBC News also quotes:
If you're not sleeping, you're quite likely to be snacking in front of the computer or the TV
Dr David Haslam at the National Obesity Forum
How To Choose The Best Mattress For Heavy Sleepers
With the never-ending ocean of options of good mattresses on the market, it can be very confusing to figure out which mattress is the right one for you. If you weigh more than average you also need to factor in your weight, apart from your general sleeping preferences.
We have listed our tips to find the best mattress for heavy people but let us also go a bit more in-depth into what you should keep in mind when buying your heavy-duty mattress, such as:
- The different types of mattresses
- How firm you want your mattress
- The ideal thickness of your mattress
- Other things to consider
What Kind Of Mattress Is Best For Heavy People?
There are various types of mattresses on the market that could be suitable for a heavy person. Some of the most common mattress types are innerspring, hybrid, latex and foam mattresses. Each one of these have their own advantages and features, depending on what you prefer.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are often made with Bonnell springs or different types of continuous coils that are not individually pocketed and thus move as one. These types of springs usually feel quite solid as the spring core tends to be thicker than the comfort layers, often made of foam.
These mattresses are usually made good at promoting airflow and will provide a stable, plane surface for you to lay on. They tend to come with edge support which is great for heavy sleepers as it will provide you with stability across the entire surface of your mattress. On the downside, innerspring mattresses are not ideal if you are sleeping next to someone as the motion transfer in these mattresses are higher than in many others.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are some of the most popular types of mattresses on the market thanks to their many great features. These types of mattress usually contain several layers, each one filling its own function. The core of the mattress is a support layer, made of individually pocketed micro coils. On top of this layer comes one or more comfort layers which often are made of different types of foam and/or latex.
They tend to be thicker than other mattresses due to their several layers and some of the comfort layers often come with different features such as enhanced breathability, pressure relief or cooling properties. These mattresses are often a good fit for heavy sleepers as the core layer offers solid support in combination with the added features of the comfort layers.
Latex
Latex mattresses are known to be long-lasting and durable. They often provide a cooler sleeping surface in comparison to other mattresses and are a good option if you are looking for an organic, natural mattress. Latex mattresses often come with high-density foam as a support layer, which will add to their solid feel.
If you want to be on the safe side when looking for the best latex mattress for heavy people, you should consider getting a Dunlop Latex mattress rather than a Talalay Latex one, as they tend to be firmer. The downside to latex mattresses is that they tend to have some motion transfer and lack perimeter support.
Foam
Made up entirely of foam layers, this type of mattress is generally softer than many other types. The base layer is usually made of high-density foam, while the comfort layers are of a lower density. They are known for offering pressure relief, for being silent and to have very little motion transfer, which is great if you are looking for a couples mattress.
Memory foam mattresses are usually a good fit for those who like their sleeping surface a bit softer and adaptable to their bodies. This is not necessarily the case for all people as the hugging sensation of the mattress can be a bit much if you are on the heavier side. If you are looking for a foam mattress for heavy people you should check the density of the foam to ensure it has the right stability and firmness for the weight of the sleeper. Memory foam mattresses also tend to retain heat so keep that in mind when searching.
Firmness Level In A Mattress For Heavy People
People that weigh above average tend to go for a firm mattress rather than a soft mattress. It is easy to sink too deep into a soft or medium-firm mattress, which can cause pressure and lead to the sleeper waking up with an aching body.
You should also consider your sleeping position when it comes to finding the perfect firmness. Back-sleepers distribute their weight better than front sleepers and side sleepers, who need more support and pressure relief due to their positions.
The mattress firmness ratings are usually between 1-10, 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. A firmer mattress helps distribute the weight more evenly, which can especially be more comfortable for a heavy person. Make sure to check the firmness level on your current mattress and see how you like it. If you feel like you are drowning in a sea of foam it might be worth going up a number or two.
Ideal Thickness In The Best Mattresses For Heavy People
The thickness is another important aspect of your mattress, especially if you are on the heavier side. Heavy people need more support which often comes with more layers which means the mattress will be thicker. Thinner mattresses tend to sag a bit more in the middle, leaving the sleeper with an unpleasant feeling of sinking.
Generally speaking, all-foam mattresses or latex mattresses tend to be thinner than for example hybrid or pocket sprung mattresses which usually come with more layers. However, multiple-layered mattresses often come with softer top layers so make sure to double-check the firmness of these before making your decision.
A thickness of approximately 27-30 centimetres or more is what is generally recommended for heavier sleeper mattresses.
Other Things To Consider
By now you should have a somewhat clear idea of the things to look for in order to find the best mattress for a heavy person. However, there are a few more things that you should keep in mind:
Materials
We have already covered some of the basic materials in the different types of mattresses but it is time to look a bit more into detail. You will want to make sure that you know what materials are in your mattress, especially if you suffer from sensitive skin or allergies. Check if the mattress you are interested in is hypoallergenic and antibacterial and if it has any breathable properties.
Hot Sleepers
People that are overweight have a tendency to overheat more easily at night than other people. As mentioned in the previous point, it is important to make sure that your mattress is breathable. Some types of cooling mattresses allow for better airflow, such as innerspring mattresses as opposed to foam mattresses that are much denser.
If you don’t suffer from overheating you should look more closely at the firmness and the thickness but if you do, make sure that you see what cooling properties your mattress has. These could for example be materials such as bamboo or different types of gel layers.
Sleeping With A Partner
When sleeping next to a partner it is always important to consider what type of mattress you should purchase, and even more so when one or both parties is on the heavier side. The best mattresses for overweight couples are generally those who come with a higher firmness rating, are thick and have perimeter support.
Mattress best for couples tend to be those with little or zero motion transfer, such as memory foam mattresses, which are generally preferred as one can move around without disturbing the other. Some manufacturers even offer so-called dual-firmness mattresses which come with two different firmness ratings. These can be a great option if one of the two is standard weight and the other one is not.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness in a mattress is the ‘bounce’ you feel when moving around. Higher responsiveness can help against feeling stuck in your mattress while changing positions or getting out of bed. Responsive mattresses, such as for example innerspring or latex mattresses, can also be extra helpful when having sex. Keep in mind that mattresses for sex may have more motion transfer but therefore more bounce.
Price
Investing in a great mattress that is suitable for heavy people is something your body will thank you for along the line. The best mattress for heavy people might be pricey but if your health depends on it, it might be worth spending that little extra.
What we recommend you to do is to try and find a mattress that offers a trial period in order for you to give yourself the time needed to see if this is truly the perfect mattress for you. These also often come with a warranty of a certain amount of years to make you sleep even better for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of mattress is best for heavy people?
That depends on your needs and sleeping preferences. Generally, you should look for a rather firm and thick mattress that has the materials and properties that you look for in a bed.
How firm should a mattress for heavy people be?
A Medium-Firm to Firm rating is usually recommended for heavy sleepers to better distribute the body weight and avoid sinking too deep into the mattress. Softer mattresses tend to sag in the middle where most of the weight is distributed and will not last very long.
What is the recommended thickness in a mattress for heavy people?
The standard recommended thickness of a mattress for a heavy person is around 27-30 centimetres. A thicker mattress will better support the weight of the sleeper and ensure that it lasts longer.