Best Mattress for Heavy People of 2024: Review and Comparison

One of the first things you’ll notice when lying down on the AS5 is its high level of buoyancy. This mattress might be soft, but that doesn’t mean it allows you to sink. This is all thanks to a layer of transition foam that creates lots of lift without adding any pressure into the mix for a feeling of weightlessness.

Another thing you’ll notice about this mattress is just how cool it is for a soft memory foam mattress. This is thanks to a combination of a mineral-infused cover along with Amerisleep’s proprietary plant-based memory foam.

Reviews on the AS5 for people who are heavy sleepers, while overall satisfied, some customers did have some issues:

Samantha: I feel like I’m in Mattress Heaven with this mattress! My aching lower back and arthritic left hip pain immediately diminished to almost nil the first night I slept on this mattress, plus my shoulder joint pain is completely gone. The mattress supports my heavy weight and lumbar region, without putting my joints into agony like traditional mattresses.

PDXCDub16: My husband and I have different sleep styles (he’s a back and side sleeper and I’m a stomach sleeper). We are both on the heavy side. We were recommended the AS5, based on our weight and our differences in sleep styles. The mattress appeared to be a great fit for us, right out of the gate. But unfortunately, after a few months on it, we both developed back and neck pain.

Softsleeper: The bed seemed to be good quality and comfortable when I first tried it but I came to realize that it was too firm for me although it was perfect for my husband. I wanted an all foam mattress and did a lot of research to find one that looked like it would hold up to a heavy sleeper for my husband. I decided to go with this one and it seemed great at first but as time went on I realized that throughout the night I would toss and turn a lot because there was too much pressure on my shoulders and hips as I’m a side sleeper.

The AS5 is 14 inches thick and contains 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, 2 inches of Active Flex, 2 inches of Affinity, and 7 inches of Bio-Core®. The cover is made of a lightweight, breathable fabric for excellent cooling.

Bio-Pur® is plant-based memory foam—part of the petroleum is replaced with castor oil during the manufacturing process of this foam. As a result, the AS5 produces little to no off-gassing and is cooler than traditional memory foam. Bio-Pur® also does a great job of alleviating pressure and pain, issues larger adults commonly face.

What makes this mattress great for heavy sleepers is Active Flex, a latex-like poly-foam. Active Flex is responsive and bouncy, so it holds you up in the mattress and prevents uncomfortable sinkage. The AS5 is Amerisleep’s only model with this innovative material, making it their best mattress for plus-size sleepers. While it’s usually tough for heavy sleepers to find a soft, but supportive mattress, the AS5 aims to offer both. Plus-sized customers who’ve used the AS5 have even noted how well the mattress keeps them lifted.

Below the Active Flex, the Affinity layer uses HIVE technology® to create a 5-zone support layer. HIVE® offers softer support to heavier sections of the body like the shoulders and hips and firmer support to the head, back, and legs. The Affinity layer ensures even support to the body, no matter the sleep position.

At the base of the AS5 is a strong support core to accommodate sleepers who carry additional weight. A mattress’s base layer is an important consideration when shopping for heavy sleepers. If the mattress’s core is flimsy or consistent with low-quality materials, the bed won’t last very long.

The Amerisleep AS5 is their softest model— the mattress won’t sag but instead provides consistent support and pressure-relieving comfort for an excellent night’s sleep.

People who reviewed the Zoma Start appreciated its cooling AirCloth cover, its responsive Reactiv® foam layer, and its amazing ability to relieve pain and help sleepers wake up feeling refreshed and ready for another active day. While it’s design is budget-friendly, the Start doesn’t skimp on offering supportive comfort.

For the price, the Zoma Start is highly regarded, but not without flaws. Reviewers we spoke with had mixed thoughts:

Zachary B: Perfect level of support, breathable, and we don’t wake each other up if one of us gets out of bed. We have been sleeping better than ever. Not to mention the incredible customer support. 

Christie C: Comfiest mattress I’ve ever had. my only issue is that i seem to wake up a bit sweaty. i’m looking into a breathable mattress cover. otherwise, i love my mattress.

Billy K: Kind of firm waking up with shoulder pain occasionally.

The Zoma Start features a 1-inch layer of gel memory foam to help wick away body heat, a 1-inch layer of Reactiv® material that offers adaptive support, and 8 inches of Support+® foam to firm up the mattress’s feel and help prevent sagging and soft spots. These foam layers are all wrapped up in a breathable AirCloth cover fabric.

Aside from staying cool at night, the durable materials inside the Zoma Start establish long-lasting motion isolation. The memory foam swallows movement at the point of impact, so if you shift positions in the night your partner sharing the bed won’t feel a thing.

The Zoma Start is also one of the top mattresses without fiberglass, a material that’s traditionally used to establish a flame-resistant bed. Fire safety is important, of course, but fiberglass has the drawback of causing skin irritation and breathing troubles if it escapes the mattress. Because of this, Zoma and many other manufacturers are moving to non-chemical alternatives for consumer safety.

The Vaya Mattress is recommended for side, back, and combination sleepers, but stomach sleepers may find this memory foam mattress too soft. Customers say the Vaya Mattress is a good option if you’re looking for a cushioned bed built to keep you in place at night.

The Vaya Mattress conforms under your curves without causing you to sink uncomfortably, and some reviewers compare it to sleeping on a cloud. We also looked at the bed and its feel in our Vaya Mattress Review.

Customers who chose the Vaya have overall been very happy. Here is what some had to say:

Karen P: Very well made mattress, and I liked the idea of the hybrid. But unfortunately, it was much to firm for me. I tried to get used to it, but my hips are just too painful.

Simren: I purchased a vaya mattress over a year ago and it is the best mattress I have ever had. It is extremely comfortable and makes you not want to leave!

Heather B: Excellent quality for such a price. Definitely buying it again!

The comfort layer is made with Vaya’s proprietary foam that contours to the body and provides pressure-free support. This foam has a slight bounce that keeps the hips and shoulders from sinking too far into the bed and forcing the spine out of alignment. This feature is perfect for heavier sleepers who tend to sink more on softer surfaces.

The base of the Vaya features a sturdy and supportive poly-foam. This durable foundation is soft enough to prevent pressure points, but it is also strong enough to prevent sagging and indentations. The Vaya Mattress is another bed on our list that comes in a hybrid variation: the Vaya Hybrid. The hybrid model has the same top layer, but instead of the poly-foam base, it has pocketed coils.

Regardless of whether you prefer hybrids or foams, you can place the Vaya Mattress on most modern bed frames, including adjustable bases and slatted foundations. The Vaya Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Plus, this mattress is incredibly affordable.

Right away, you’ll notice the buoyancy of the HD’s sleep surface. This ultra-supportive mattress is intended to fight sinkage and ensure your spine stays aligned, even if you’re on the heavier side. Don’t be fooled, though, as the HD still sports plenty of foam layers to offer adequate pressure relief.

Here is what reviewers had to say:

Ibis: This is our second one, we LOOOVE the quality, and the good resistance of the materials. We are heavy people

Ken: I read reviews about Saatva mattress and decided to check out your viewing room in Dallas. Very sharp showroom. Salesman Austin was friendly, informative and not pushy. Got a Saatva HD mattress with a Linen Halle storage bed. High quality very comfortable firm mattress for heavy people.

CC: We selected the HD mattress because we are heavy. Buying online I was nervous about. But so glad we did. I am a side sleeper and find the mattress very supportive of my large midsection. Back aligns nicely and relieves pressure from my shoulders and hips. The mattress is perfect if you are a back sleeper

The multiple layers of latex and comfort foam make the HD a much more contouring mattress than a regular innerspring. The natural latex foam also offers additional cooling breathability that hot sleepers will appreciate.

The HD also sports a support core of high-durability coils and firm mattress edge support rails. This increased edge support means the HD will outlast your average open-coil mattress. That’s why this mattress features a warranty of 20 years and a 180-night sleep trial. 

Lying down on the Evolution, you’ll find its sleep surface is cool to the touch. You’ll also notice this pleasantly chilly feeling doesn’t dissipate while you’re sleeping. This is all thanks to the Evolution’s combination of sleep technologies that draw heat away from your body and push it out of the mattress.

Many people who bought the Nolah sing its praises, but heavier sleepers note it sometimes wears down quickly:

Kirk M: Easily the best bed I’ve ever owned. Many mornings I’ve simply woken up before my alarm, wide awake, fully rested and just ready to get on with my day. And best of all literally zero aches or pain. Add me to your fan club.

Anonymous: I love everything about the mattress, it feels cool and natural. It’s just not firm enough for me.

Anonymous: Overall it’s a super comfortable bed. I was a bit nervous to go with the plush for fear it would be too soft, but I’m so glad I did. It’s the perfect amount of cushion for my small frame (5.5, 127lbs, athletic build). My only reason for taking off one star was I’m already starting to feel the plush break in too much and I’ve only had it for a few months.

The Evolution starts with a cooling ArcticTex™ cover that pairs breathable organic cotton with heat-dissipating fibers to ensure the sleep surface is cool. The cover sits directly on top of a cooling quilted Euro topper that draws heat away as you sleep on it. The AirBreath™ heat escape gusset underneath then dissipates heat drawn away by the Euro topper.

Underneath this cooling combination sits a comfort layer of thermoconductive, graphite-infused memory foam that helps to pull away any residual heat that doesn’t get dissipated by the layers above. Beneath this comfort layer, there are two layers of high-resilience and high-density foam to increase buoyancy and fight sinkage.

Finally, the pocketed coil support core offers three zones of comfort with reinforced coils around the edges and in the center to provide both lumbar and edge support. These coils are good for couples as well, thanks to the fact that they offer 25 percent more support than an average coil support core, as well as the superior motion isolation of pocketed coils.

Most reviewers enjoyed the fact that this mattress offered enough support to help them feel lifted onto the bed without sacrificing pressure relief. Side sleepers said they appreciated this firm mattress without being hard, and stomach sleepers were happy with the back pain relief offered by the Big Fig.

Heavier people are fans of the Big Fig. However, people need to understand it is designed for heavier people, often smaller people will not be comfortable:

Robert M: It’s definitely on the firmer side. I’m not sure if we aren’t heavy enough for it or not.

Alison F: We bought this mattress about 4 years ago. This is probably the best mattress out there. We are not heavy set people, we just wanted a sturdy mattress. It does not sag or indent. This mattress is still just as firm as when we bought it. 

Richard S: I am 79 Years of age and obese, We’ll let say on the heavy side of 310 lbs. I looked for several months for a mattress that would not sink when getting in or the sides would collapse when getting out or too close to the edge. Don’t pass this mattress up if you need one, because you will not find another like it, and that is the truth!

This extra-firm mattress features four layers of foam (1 layer of perforated gel and latex foam and 3 layers of high-density poly-foam). Additionally, the cover fabric features ThermoGel Cooling Technology for more comfort.

Supporting the bed are 1600 individually wrapped 15-gauge pocketed coils for tons of flexibility and support. Big Fig relies on these sturdy coils to support up to 550 pounds per sleeper.

While the standard Avocado Green Mattress has a medium-firm mattress feel, the pillow top version is more of a medium. Based on reviews and Avocado’s own recommendations, the standard version may perform best for heavier people.

Heavier reviewers love the Avocado green. However, several also noted the mattress is itself very heavy, here is what some had to say:

David M: Perfect for this heavy side-sleeper and his stomach sleeping spouse!

Sam K: Honestly, the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on in my Life! 62 years old. Heavy side sleeper. Gone are the days of waking up with sore shoulders and hips.

Berry G: We love our new mattress, and it is a major improvement over the Tempurpedic we had for the last 8 years. We bought the adjustable base as well and love it. It’s a total game changer. I’m a heavy side sleeper and am not sore like I used to be. No “sleeping hot” either.

Natural Dunlop latex conforms to the body to relieve pressure points and provides a responsive bounce, making it easier to move around on the surface. Dunlop latex prevents overheating because it’s naturally cool.

The pocketed coil layer serves as a zoned support system— higher gauge coils lend softer support to the shoulders and hips, while lower gauge coils provide firmer support to the head, back, and legs. The combination of latex and coils keeps the body on the surface of the mattress and prevents sagging.

The eco-friendly Avocado mattress is made from sustainably-sourced, organic, and recycled materials. Avocado also offers a vegan variation of the Avocado Green Mattress, the Avocado Vegan Mattress. The sole difference between the two beds is that the vegan bed features cotton in the place of wool. The Avocado Green Mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.

This Purple mattress is a great choice for all types of sleepers and especially plus-sided people. Reviewers note how the adaptiveness of Purple’s® Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ adjusts to each sleep position without losing support. Plus, the durability and responsiveness of the material ensures heavier people won’t sink and feel uncomfortable at night.

Many heavier sleepers have noted their satisfaction with the Purple Mattress. Here is what some have said:

Amanda C: There’s a slightly firm feel, but it allows me to side sleep and gives way for my hips and shoulder comfortably. It’s unlike any other mattress I’ve laid on. That being said, as a heavy side and stomach sleeper, I think the 3” purple mattress feels amazing.

Mary C: I purchased the purple 3 but as a 190lb heavy side sleeper I honestly needed the purple 4, Unfortunately that was way out of my budget but Purple didn’t give me a fuss. They honor every word they advertise.

Hollie B: Love this mattress. I sleep really hot and i stay cool with this mattress. I am also heavy over 230 lbs and I can move around freely. I also have hip arthritis and sciatica. I have 0 hip pain.

Purple’s® exclusive Purple Grid™ was invented by two engineers and designed to last. Constructed into a grid system, otherwise known as Purple Grid™, this breathable layer keeps cool and comes in two thicknesses: 3 or 4 inches. The 3-inch variation maintains medium-firm mattress support while the 4-inch variation is more of a medium. Pocketed coils enhance comfort while reinforcing support, so sleepers won’t have to worry about bottoming out.

Of Bear’s three mattresses, the Bear Hybrid is the most advanced and luxury option. It’s Bear’s only bed with coils and, unlike the Bear Original and Bear Pro, the Bear Hybrid is a medium rather than a medium-firm.

Reviewers love the Bear Mattress, but some caution to make sure you choose the right firmness for a heavier sleeper. Thankfully, the sleep trial helps you to decide. Here is what some had to say:

Jessica M: It’s a great mattress, no more hot nights

Lindsay P: If you are tall or heavy set make sure to go with the firmest mattress Bear provides. I went with the middle firmness and had the worst back pain. Luckily, I was still in my 120 day trial to return it and bought the firmer one. No problems with it.

Shirley M: I love my new mattress! I am getting the best sleep I have had in ages. It was a little pricey for me I’m a fixed income but it has been worth it. I am very pleased and would purchase it again.

Bear’s Serene® foam adapts to body weight to better align the spine. Serene® foam provides roughly four times more pressure relief than traditional memory foam. Pocketed coils reduce motion transfer and offer good edge support— sleepers don’t need to worry about rolling off the bed at night. After sleeping on the Bear Hybrid, customers noticed they would wake up pain-free and stay asleep without disturbances.

The medium-firm feel of this Bear mattress makes it a great choice for side sleepers. The plush sleep surface fills in the wide gaps between the body and the mattress, specifically the midsection, and effectively relieves pressure points in the shoulders and hips.

With the help of open-cell technology, Novosbed is able to alter their memory foam by infusing it with air for better air circulation, without losing the cushioning effect of traditional memory foam. The transitional foam also contours to the body to relieve pressure points and reduce motion transfer, which many heavy individuals who bought this mattress have praised. Support foam evenly distributes body weight across the sleep surface for a balanced feel.

Many heavy sleepers report minor issues with the Novosbed, particularly citing firmness issues:

Stephen P: I’m 6’, 250 lbs and my wife is 5’9”, 180 lbs and we both found the bed to be a little too firm initially but we decided to slug it out for a few weeks to see if we (ourselves and the bed) could come to an agreement. We did notice that things don’t seem as unyielding as before but we’re probably going to ask for the additional soft layer to see if that helps a bit.

Stephen W: We purchased the medium novosbed mattress. My wife thought I was crazy but after we got it she was very impressed. She said it is the best mattress that she has ever slept on. She is not easily impressed. I am a side sleeper and my wife is a combo sleeper. I am twice as heavy as my wife and yet we both sleep well.

Amel P: Don’t sit near the edges. Feels comfortable. Firm isn’t that firm for heavy people.

The Novosbed comes in three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. Our review focuses on firm options, but if customers find it too soft or too firm within the sleep trial, Novosbed will send either an extra firm layer or a soft layer free of charge. By unzipping the mattress cover and placing the new layer on top of the mattress, the feel of the sleep surface is easily altered.

Perfect for back sleepers, the medium-firm feel of the DynastyMattress CoolBreeze mattress evenly supports the body while allowing a slight sinking of the hips to align the spine. Customers say it’s easy to get comfortable on the CoolBreeze and they don’t find themselves taking hours trying to relax or fall asleep.

Purchasers of this mattress are mixed on how it does for heavier people:

Mackenzie: Im so confused are 2 thousand plus people totally high? I am SHOCKED this bed has such great reviews. Let me make this review short and simple, if you enjoy sleeping on CEMENT. Then this bed is for you. This is THE hardest bed ive ever slept on. I dont even make a dent in the bed, I honestly would be better off sleeping on the floor. Unless you are very overweight where you would sink in a little then dont get this bed.

Daniel M: As an overweight person, the firmness is really nice in terms of support. My back feels a lot better compared to the horrible pocket coil mattress I had been sleeping on the past couple years.

AC: If you need a firmer mattress or you are overweight even a little then do not get this mattress

The gel beads infused into memory foam absorb and disperse body heat to regulate temperature. For better air circulation and cooling, the egg crate construction of the foam layers allows air to pass through the mattress more freely. The high-density construction of both the comfort layer and the support base provides a denser, more durable mattress without risk of sagging.

The Olee Sleep Galaxy Mattress is a good option for those wanting to transition from an innerspring mattress. As a hybrid, this mattress combines thick comfort foam layers with an innerspring support system. However, if you’re ready to take the leap and get an entirely foam bed, Olee Sleep Memory Foam Blue Mattress is 10 inches thick and has a soft, cushiony feel.

Most people are pretty happy with the Olee, but again, with some citing firmness issues:

Gidley: The first would be to ensure you’re turning or flipping your mattress regularly. Doing this will ensure that you don’t get indents in it. Now my boyfriend is fairly light and does not have an issue with this. Me being overweight, this tends to be an issue after a couple of months with the mattress in the same position. However I believe its recommended you flip/turn your mattress every 3 months anyways. On top of that, its not uncomfortable the indent that I tend to end up making.

Chrystal: I purchased this mattress in a hurry because I had visitors coming. My guest slept wonderful they said. I tried it myself in the guest room for about a week. One day later I switched and this mattress became mine in the master room. I have a bad back and what I believe to be Insomnia and is overweight. It’s been several months and NO BUYERS REMORSE OVER HERE.

MDH: I am 250+ lbs. and, although there is some slight sagging where I sit to watching TV, it hasn’t changed the “feel” of the mattress. Yes, if I go to the other side of the bed it is a bit more firm, but the sleep quality would be the same either way. I sit in my bed watching TV quite a bit (couple hours every night before falling asleep) so it’s definitely had more than average sitting time during the last 2 years. Also, you have to think about how more weight is isolated in one spot when you’re sitting, versus spread out while lying down.

It’s 13 inches tall and contains a layer of high-density foam, a layer of gel foam, a layer of high-density foam, a layer of pocketed coils, and a layer of high-density base foam. The mattress also contains a fiber padding and is encased in a polyester jacquard cover. Olee Sleep hasn’t released the thickness of each layer and the order.

By using high-density foams as comfort layers, the Olee Sleep Galaxy Mattress provides a medium sleep surface with a slight bounce. The top layers also evenly distribute body weight. Pocketed coils reduce motion transfer and support the body.

Of all three of Live & Sleep’s mattresses, the Luxury Mattress has the softest, most balanced feel. The Classic Mattress is L&S’s most simple, affordable bed and it has a medium-firm feel, while the Elite Mattress has a firm feel.

It would be dishonest to say that customers who bought the Live and Sleep have anything but love for this mattress:

Gigantino: I bought this luxury mattress about three weeks ago. My son and daughter-in-law had recommended it, and I am not disappointed. It was a little cumbersome to get out of the box and onto the bedframe but with some help I was able to do that. I was very disappointed, though in the packaging and the way the box was when it arrived.

Erica R: This is now my second Live and Sleep mattress, also luxury. It’s so ridiculously comfortable; both a cloud and just firm enough for good support.

Toni S: I bought this mattress for my apartment in my daughter’s home. Everyone thinks it is the most comfortable mattress in the house. When we needed a new mattress for our guest bedroom, there was no question as to what we would buy.

This all-foam bed hugs the body without the sleeper feeling stuck inside the mattress— allowing you to sleep on top of the surface rather than sinking inside it. Foam adjusts to body weight and temperature, relieving pressure points and reducing pain. The reinforced edges prevent sleepers from rolling off the bed.

The medium feel of the Live & Sleep Mattress makes it a good choice for side and back sleepers. The surface of the mattress aligns the spine and relieves pressure points in the shoulders and hips for side sleepers, while back sleepers are consistently supported with a slight sinking of the hips for spinal alignment and support to the lower back.