Which mattress is best for obese people: expert advice

Buying a new mattress is a serious investment. We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s worth choosing the right mattress for yourself. But did you know that your body weight can determine which mattress is best for you?

best mattress should keep your spine straight and provide proper support to your body. But different body types require different types of support – so which mattress is best for heavier people?

I’ve been testing mattresses for three years and have slept on almost every type and brand of mattress. I sat down with the industry to find out what makes a good mattress for those of us with heavier frames.

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Does your weight affect the feel of the mattress?

Your body weight absolutely affects the feel of the mattress. No matter if you choose open coilpocket spring, hybrid or memory foam mattressDifferent mattress tensions—that is, firm, medium-firm, medium, or soft—will feel different for different body weights.

“Weight can definitely affect the feel of a mattress, from how firm or soft it feels, how deeply you sink into the material, and the level of support it provides,” says Michael Buckle, senior mattress buyer at the company Dreams. “Heavier people tend to experience greater sinking and heat retention, while lighter people may find the same mattress firmer and less sensitive to pressure points.”

Registered Osteopath and Founder Sleep websiteDave Gibson agrees, saying: “Heavier people may need firmer support, while lighter people may find a softer mattress more comfortable.”

What mattress tension is best for heavy people?

So, what should you look for when buying the best mattress for heavy people? First of all, you need to properly tension the mattress.

Heavier people tend to do better on firmer mattresses. A little extra tension in the mattress will give those of us with higher body weights the support they need. This means our spines can remain aligned and we won’t sink too much into the mattress.

“Firm and extra-firm mattresses are best for plus-size people,” agrees Michael of Dreams. “Firmer mattresses provide more support, preventing excessive sinking, maintaining good spinal alignment, and maintaining the longevity of the mattress over time. Softer mattresses can cause sagging, which can be uncomfortable and provide insufficient support.”

“We would recommend looking at medium-firm, firm, and extra-firm mattresses to provide adequate nighttime support and extend the life of the mattress,” agrees Rex Isap, sleep expert and CEO of the company. Happy Beds.

white and beige duvet cover in the bedroom

(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)

Which mattress design is best for heavy people?

In addition to a firmer tension, those of us who are heavier should look for a mattress that provides good support. This usually means choosing good quality. pocket spring mattress or hybrid mattress which offers a layer of memory foam or latex cushioning with durable spring support underneath.

If you have a heavy build, it’s usually best to avoid a foam mattress. This is because these mattresses don’t have springs, so they’re less able to provide the support heavier sleepers need, and memory foam mattresses typically don’t have firm or extra-firm options. The only exception is Tempur Memory Foam MattressThey are more expensive than most memory foam mattresses, but have a firmer tension that will suit heavier sleepers.

I asked the sleep editor of Ideal Home magazine: Amy Lockwoodfor three of the best mattress deals for heavy sleepers. Find them below.

Mattress Silentnight Lift Replenish Hybrid 2000 Accessible

Mattress Silentnight Lift Replenish Hybrid 2000

Brook + Wilde Ultima Mattress Memory foam hybrid

Brook + Wilde Ultima Mattress

Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress Latex hybrid

Sealy Newton Posturepedic Mattress

Which mattress is best for couples of different weights?

Of course, we need to consider more than just our own weight. Some of the largest mistakes when buying a mattress This can be done when trying to find a mattress that can accommodate two people, and couples with significant weight differences face an additional challenge.

This is because finding one mattress tension that will suit both heavy and light people is very difficult. Zipper mattresses may be the solution. These mattresses are zippered in the middle, but can be made with different tensions to each other. They are also great for isolating movements.

“Couples with different body weights may benefit from split-tension mattresses,” says Michael of Dreams. “The separate design allows each couple to choose the level of firmness that suits them best.”

Split tension mattresses tend to be more expensive, but considering how much time we spend sleeping, I think more expensive mattress is worth it. However, if your budget isn’t that big, Michael suggests choosing a middle ground. “As an alternative, medium-firm hybrid mattresses offer a good combination of support and comfort for both lighter and heavier partners,” he says.

Regardless of your weight, if you’re sharing a bed, I’d also recommend choosing the biggest mattress you can if you’re considering it. what size mattress to choose.

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(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

Do mattresses have a weight limit?

Yes, mattresses usually have a weight limit, but each mattress is different. Weight limits usually depend on the design of the mattress.

Pocket spring mattresses tend to have the highest weight limit, followed by hybrid mattresses made with comfort layers of memory foam. Latex has a much lower weight limit.

“Many mattresses have a weight limit of 300 pounds per person, so getting the wrong one could potentially do more harm than good,” says Michael from Dreams. “To make sure you’re investing in a bed that’s both comfortable and supportive, you need to do your research as there are many options.”

Is a memory foam mattress better for heavier people?

If you love the sinking feeling of memory foam and want to know if you can still enjoy memory foam if you’re heavier, good news. You can, but it is better to choose a hybrid mattress rather than a straight mattress with memory foam. The design of hybrid mattresses means they have spring support underneath a comfortable layer of memory foam, so they’re a little more stable and less prone to sagging over time.

“We generally don’t recommend a foam mattress for heavier people and suggest looking at innerspring or hybrid mattresses,” agrees Rex Isap, sleep expert and CEO of the company. Happy Beds. “This is because their durable structure provides better support, comfort and durability while you sleep, and can also maintain rigidity.”

Which mattress is better for heavy people – spring or foam?

As mentioned, all research and expert advice points towards choosing an innerspring or hybrid mattress over a foam mattress if we are heavier.

“Depending on their sleeping position, heavier people may prefer a spring mattress over a foam mattress due to the weight distribution and support the springs can provide,” confirm. IKEA Mattress experts.

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(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

So those of us with heavier builds have plenty to choose from. As always with mattresses, you just have to look for what suits your comfort level.

And as Ideal Home sleep editor Amy Lockwood adds, “Whatever your weight, I always recommend choosing a mattress that comes with a sleep trial. Terms and conditions apply, but a mattress trial allows you to try out the mattress at home on your own bed frame – this is especially important because even if you try out a mattress in store before purchasing, along with your body weight, the base of your bed can make a big difference in the feel mattress.”

Most sleep trials last anywhere from 30 to 200 nights, which is plenty of time to see how comfortable a mattress really is for your body.