Best Mattress For Heavy People | 12 Of The Best Latex Mattresses for 2022

How to choose the right mattress firmness as a heavy person?

Natural latex mattress manufacturers use a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. This gives a good idea of the mattress firmness but is not a truly scientific way to measure the firmness of a mattress. Most mattresses fall between the ranges of 4 (plush) and 9 (firm).

The firmness that one will feel as a heavy person is subjective. Most heavy people find medium-firm (6) provides the most comfort. More heavy people like firm (7 or 8) than plush (3-4). The ideal mattress for a heavy person is one that provides contouring and pressure relief while maintaining a high degree of breathability. A heavy person should not feel like they are sinking into the mattress. Thus, the comfort layer and the coil unit should be firm enough to prevent excessive sinking.  A heavy person should feel well supported and not like they are sinking into the mattress.

Plush mattresses generally do not provide enough support for heavy people and have too much sinkage. This can lead to general discomfort and joint pain. On a hybrid mattress, if the comfort layer is too soft, a heavy person may cause the comfort layer to bottom out on the coil layer. This will compromise the breathability of the latex foam and will be quite uncomfortable.

Sleeping positions as a heavy person

Side Sleeper

As a side sleeper and a heavy person, you will need a natural latex mattress with the most amount of cushioning. In other words, the comfort layer of the mattress should be the thickest available in order to allow for more pressure relief at the hips and shoulders. As a side sleeper, your weight is more concentrated at the hips and shoulders.

The Avocado Green pillowtop is perfect for heavy side sleepers with a thickness of 13-inches.

Natural latex mattresses that are tailored towards heavy side sleepers have a 3″ or over comfort layer. Some examples are the Brentwood Home Hybrid Latex Mattress, the Avocado Green & Vegan, the and the Sleep EZ Select Sleep Hybrid.

The Sleep EZ Natural and Organic all-latex mattresses can be configured to 13″ in thickness. Since this mattress is all latex, there is less chance of bottoming out on the spring coils if you sleep on your side. The latex layers of the Sleep Ez Natural and Organic mattresses can be customized and reconfigured at home thanks to the zippered cover.

When you sleep on your side, you have a higher amount of pressure on a smaller area of your body. There is a concentration of pressure around the hip and shoulder area. So, as a side-sleeper and a heavy person you should look for natural latex mattresses that have a minimum 3″ comfort layer. The comfort layer consists of the cotton cover, wool fire barrier and natural latex layer(s).

Side sleepers generally prefer medium to medium-firm in order to allow for enough give to allow the hips to sink and maintain a healthy alignment of the spine.

Back & Stomach Sleeper 

A heavy person that sleeps on their back and stomach will have a much more even distribution of their body weight on the mattress than a side sleeper. Generally, a medium-firm (6/10) or a firm (8-9/10)  will be ideal. For a back/side sleeper, the comfort layer doesn’t need to have as much give as a mattress for a side sleeper. The mattress should be firm enough to maintain proper spinal alignment while remaining comfortable and supportive.

All-around or combination sleeper

A heavy person that sleeps in a variety of positions throughout the night will inevitably be sleeping in the side position, which requires a good amount of pressure relief. A medium-firm mattress with at least 3″ of comfort layer will provide a good amount of pressure relief to an all-around sleeper and still remain breathable.

The Best Mattress for heavy people will have these 8 characteristics

There are many different mattress features that can make a bed ideal for a heavy person. A mattress made for a heavy person must be thick enough to withstand the extra compression and be rugged enough to last many years.

In your search for the best mattress for a heavy person, try to look out for the following features & specifications:

1. Thickness: we suggest 12″ inches or above as the ideal mattress thickness for a heavy person that weighs between 230-300 pounds. A heavy person that weighs above 300 pounds should be narrowing their search down to a 14″ natural latex mattresses. A thicker mattress will have a thicker comfort layer, sometimes comprised of more than one layer of natural latex. The comfort layer should not be compressed to its maximum potential when lying down on the mattress, since this would hinder its breathability. The natural latex foam layers of the mattress, whether on a hybrid or an all latex mattress, should only be partly compressed. If the comfort layer is not thick enough, it may bottom. In this scenario, a heavy person may experience discomfort while feeling the stiffer coil layer.
2. Durability: natural latex is at least 3x more durable than any type of polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam includes gel foam, memory foam, comfort foam and many other names that mattress manufacturers use to market the same material. Just tell yourself that if the foam is not 100% natural latex, it is most likely polyurethane. Polyurethane loses its ability to regain its shape over time. Low-density polyurethane, which is often used to make the top layer of lofty-looking pillowtop mattresses is the least durable and sometimes fails within three years of use, creating dips, valleys and body impressions. Natural latex is not only up to 3X more durable, but excels in pressure relief and is free of toxic VOCs that could adversely affect your long-term health.
3. Edge Support: if the mattress is a hybrid, the coil layer should have a perimeter of higher gauge coils. A reinforced perimeter will keep you from feeling like you are rolling off the bed when sleeping close to the side. If you are a heavy person that is in a couple, this is especially important. A reinforced perimeter also provides support when you’re sitting on the side of the bed and provides rigidity to the mattress during moving. Note that an all-latex mattress (no spring coils) will not have a reinforced perimeter.
4. Breathability: thanks to its open cell structure, natural latex foam is the most breathable foam material available. It is much more breathable than polyurethane foam and memory foam, both of which have closed cells and tend to trap heat. Breathability is important for a heavy person because extra compression can sometimes limit airflow. Natural latex, especially when combined with a zoned spring coil layer will remain breathable under a heavy load and will help wick away moisture and excess heat.
5. Zoned Layers: zoned latex comfort layers help decrease the pressure points that you may feel at the hips and shoulders. The Hybrid Latex Mattress features a 3-zone latex layer that provides added pressure relief in the areas where you need it most.
6. No toxic VOCs or fire-retardant chemicals: the average polyurethane mattress may look comfortable and harmless on the outside, but it typically contains hundreds of toxic chemicals that can seep out of the mattress in the form of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Formaldehyde, Boric acid, Antimony Trioxide, Diisocyanates and Isocyanates are some of the chemicals that can adversely affect your health and can be present in conventional mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are free of these toxic chemicals.
7. Construction – Either 12″+ Hybrid innerspring coils or all latex: as a heavy person, you should narrow your search down to a natural latex mattress that is at least 12″ in thickness and either a hybrid (innerspring) or all-latex. Very heavy people (over 350 pounds) should only consider hybrid mattresses as they can handle more compression without bottoming out. Hybrid mattresses are very breathable because air can circulate freely in the coil layer, even when heavily compressed.
8. 3-rd party certifications: When searching for the ultimate natural latex mattress, make sure it is certified by GOLS, Eco Institut, GOTS, Greenguard Gold or OEKO-TEX. These certifications will attest that the mattress materials are free of toxic chemicals and VOCs that could adversely affect your long-term health. One certification you should avoid is the Certi-Pur certification, as it is a telltale sign that the mattress is made with toxic polyurethane.

What is the best type of mattress for a heavy person?

Most natural latex mattresses fall into two categories: hybrid and all-latex. Although other types of mattresses like innerspring, air and all-foam exist, they are not available as natural latex mattresses. As a heavy person, we suggest narrowing your search down to natural latex mattresses because this type of mattress offers a feeling of buoyancy, pressure relief and breathability while remaining several times more durable than a conventional polyurethane mattress.

Hybrid natural latex

A hybrid mattress is the most widely available type of natural latex mattress. Hybrid mattresses are true to their name. They are a hybrid between pocketed spring coils and one or more layers of natural latex. Since all the coils are individually wrapped and function independently of one another, they are completely silent, provide a healthy amount of bounce and help with breathability.

pros: Highly breathable, motion attenuating, higher weight capacity so ideal for a heavy person above 350 pounds, reinforced perimeter provides edge support, no VOCs or toxic chemicals, latex layers are mould & mildew resistant.

Cons: generally not customizable after purchase because most of the time, they are not made with a zippered cover.

All-latex (natural not blended synthetic)

The Sleep Ez Natural is an all-latex mattress that can be configured up to 13″ in thickness.

In an all-latex mattress, several layers of natural latex of varying firmness are stacked one on top of each other. A zippered cover enables the owner to rearrange or replace the layers should they choose to alter the firmness at home.

Pros: The all-latex mattress is more customizable than a hybrid because this type of mattress generally comes with a zippered cover. The all-latex mattress is great at conforming to the body and provides a feeling of buoyancy.

Cons: Heavier and harder to move than a hybrid mattress because the core layers have no rigidity. There is no reinforced perimeter like in a hybrid mattress. All-latex mattresses are made with highly breathable open cell latex, although not as breathable as a hybrid mattress, which has many more air pockets because of the coil layer.

Innerspring

Example of a coil unit in an innerspring mattress. The coils are interlinked, which can transfer motion and be noisy because the coils are not pocketed.

These mattresses consist of a coil unit made of interlocked springs, offset or Bonnell coils paired together with a thin layer of polyurethane comfort foam. A layer of mini springs is sometimes used to provide motion attenuation. These mattresses are quite bouncy. They have fallen out of favour because of their excessive degree of motion transfer. Innerspring mattresses are not recommended for heavy people because of the thin comfort layer and high motion transfer.

Pros: Highly breathable, inexpensive.

Cons: Not available as a natural latex mattress, coils can be noisy, will transfer motion.

Airbed

The Sleep Number air bed has the advantage of having an adjustable firmness but is less breathable because of the PVC air chambers. The comfort layers are made of polyurethane, polyester fibre and polyester material which is toxic and prone to sagging.

Airbeds have adjustable air chambers that can be used to regulate the firmness of the mattress. An air compressor charges the chambers with more air for a firmer feel, and a valve lets air out for a softer feel. An airbed may also have a polyurethane foam or latex comfort layer above the air chambers.

Dual air chambers are available for couples. Sleep Number air beds have a 400-pound weight limit per chamber. So, if you are a couple sleeping on a single chamber bed, you need to make sure that your combined weight does not exceed the weight limit.

Pros: Adjustable firmness through a mobile app.

Cons: Sleeps very hot because the core of the mattress is an airtight PVC chamber, with high VOCs because of toxic materials.

Conventional Polyurethane hybrid and all-foam

These are the most common types of mattresses that can be found for bargain prices in big box stores, Amazon.com and through various online outlets. Pricey luxury models are also available, but the durability of these mattresses is never a given. Some sag and develop body impressions, regardless of the initial purchase price. Many of the name brands like Sealy, Simmons, Tempurpedic and Casper fall into this category. You will find both hybrid and all-foam mattresses in this category.

Pros: Initial cost may be lower than natural latex

Cons: VOCs, toxic flame retardant chemicals, prone to sagging & body impressions, less breathable than natural latex, organic cotton & wool.

Optimizing the sleeping environment for a heavy person

The right type of mattress that is natural, thick and supportive will do wonders to improve your sleep as a heavy person.

However, there may be some changes that you can make you your sleeping environment that can improve your sleep, without necessarily changing your mattress.

Pillows

A quality natural latex pillow can improve your sleep quality as a heavy person by helping to align your spine and reducing the pressure in your neck and shoulders. This can improve the duration and quality of undisturbed sleep. Some natural latex pillows are made of one solid block of latex, while others, made with natural latex ribbons are adjustable. Fill can be added or removed through a zippered opening on the side of the pillow.

Solid Latex: This pillow consists of a solid block of soap shaped natural latex. The thickness must be geared toward your sleeping position. Take note of the dimensions of the pillow before ordering so that you are sure that it will fit your pillowcase.

Latex Ribbon: Natural latex mattress manufacturers aim to be as sustainable as possible. That’s why the excess latex that is leftover from cutting latex foam down to size is cut into latex ribbons and used as a pillow fill. Latex ribbon pillows are adjustable, so they are convenient for heavy people that need to adjust the height of the mattress at home.

Wool Pillow: Just like the latex ribbon pillow, the wool pillow is adjustable, thanks to the zippered pillowcase. Wool will keep you dry in the summertime heat because it naturally wicks away moisture. In the winter, it will keep you warm without overheating because wool is a natural temperature regulator. A wool pillow will give your head, neck and spine the support that they need thanks to the curly and springy nature of the fibres.

Down Pillow: For those allergic to wool, down can be a healthy alternative. However, once it is compressed, down has less “pushback” than other materials, especially when comparing to natural latex.

Kapok fibre: this natural plant fibre is an excellent alternative to latex, wool or polyester fill. Kapok fibre is contained in a pod that grows on the Ceiba tree. The feel of Kapok is generally soft. It is plush like down fill and is 100% natural. The Kapok fill is customizable thanks to the zippered pillowcase.

Best Mattress Topper For A Heavy Person

A mattress topper is a piece of foam 2″-4″ thick that is placed on top of the mattress in order to add cushioning or to change the feel and firmness. Mattresses can be made to feel firmer or softer, depending on an individual’s needs. In this way, a heavy person’s existing bet setup can be optimized without changing the entire mattress setup. The best mattress for people is one that is optimized for each individual’s body type, weight and sleeping position. A topper can aid a heavy person in fine-tuning the mattress so that they can achieve optimal comfort.

A topper can also be used to extend the life of a mattress and can even correct some minor sagging. However, a topper will not correct a dip, body impression or valley that is deeper than 1.5 inches. If your mattress has a dip 1.5″, you should consider replacing it with a natural latex mattress that will be much more durable.

A natural latex topper is placed on top of your mattress. The topper should have a cover so that it remains in pristine condition. Use a natural latex topper to add more cushioning, or to adjust the firmness of your mattress.

A heavy person’s existing mattress setup might only need a slight adjustment in order to be comfortable and provide rejuvenating sleep. A soft or medium natural latex topper can be used if the mattress is too hard or doesn’t provide sufficient pressure relief. A firm natural latex topper can be used on a mattress that is too soft or that doesn’t provide enough support.

As a heavy person, you may feel that your current mattress is the right firmness, but doesn’t provide enough support or cushioning. Under increased compression, comfort layers can bottom out and become uncomfortable. Add a 3″ topper to customize the thickness of the comfort layer so that it meets your needs.

Toppers are available as natural Dunlop or Talalay latex, wool, down, memory foam, polyurethane foam, egg crate polyurethane foam. NaturalMattressFinder.com recommends a natural latex, wool or down topper for a heavy person because these are the most durable and chemical-free.

As a heavy person, adding a topper to your mattress is a cost-effective way to get the comfort you need without spending too much. However, if your mattress is old, worn out or sagging, a topper will not be effective in remediating the problem.

Best Bed Frame For Heavy Person

A heavy-duty, durable bed frame is needed to properly support a heavy person. It should remain steady and not sway or creak under load. Heavy people have many options available, and it is always recommended to check the manufacturer’s weight limit specifications before making a purchase.

Box Spring: a box spring is made with an interlocked metal spring structure coupled with a wood frame. A box spring is placed on a steel frame and provides a steady and flush surface for a mattress. A box spring/metal frame setup is one of the most economical options for a heavy person that is looking to upgrade their bed setup.

Foundation and metal frame: this is a traditional setup with few moving parts, so it is one of the best bed frames for a heavy person. A foundation consists of slats of wood that are covered with cloth. Note that you only need a foundation if you are using a metal bed frame. A foundation will be quieter than a box spring because it does not contain any internal springs that can creak.

Platform bed: Platform beds have a frame made of wood or metal with slats that are placed across the center. A platform bed is sufficiently elevated to eliminate the need for a box spring or foundation. The slats should be no more than 2.5 inches apart, in order to avoid excessive sagging from the mattress between the slats. A platform bed is both economical and stylish because there is no need to add a foundation or box spring.

Adjustable Bed: An adjustable bed can be a great addition to your bedroom if you enjoy watching tv or reading in bed but is not necessary if all you do in bed is lie down and sleep. Certain sleep positions like having raised legs/back are possible with an adjustable bed. Check the manufacturer’s combined weight specifications to see if you fall within the weight limit.

For a heavy person, an adjustable bed requires a higher upfront investment. Check the manufacturer’s warranty on the parts & labour to see if it covers the motor and electronics of the adjustable bed are covered.

Pricing for a natural latex mattress for heavy people

A natural latex mattress is an ideal choice for a heavy person because of better breathability, pressure relief, durability and non-toxicity. If you are ready to make the switch, you must be prepared to invest slightly more than your average no-name mattress in a box.

If you see the natural latex mattress as an investment for your health and comfort, the choice is obvious. Besides, since the mattress is much more durable, it offers a better return on investment and will stay supportive and comfortable throughout its life.

Conclusion

The best mattress for heavy people is comfortable, durable and non-toxic. You should be able to think of your mattress as a safe haven to find rejuvenating sleep, night after night, year after year. You don’t want to invest in a mattress whose polyurethane comfort layer starts to sag within the first three years. Natural latex is proven to last at least 3X longer than polyurethane and will remain resilient under higher than average compression when a  heavy person is lying down on the bed. If you have any doubts about the resilience of natural latex mattresses, check out this video of a 50-year-old natural latex mattress that shows no signs of sagging or body impressions.