Made in Britain
Mattresses for heavier people
Heavier people usually need a mattress with firmer support, a strong spring unit and firm edges, often 25 cm deep or more. Every mattress page shows firmness on our 1 to 10 scale, so you can compare them side by side.
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What type of mattress is best for a heavier person?
Heavier people usually need a pocket sprung or hybrid mattress with a strong spring unit, firm edges and a depth of 25 cm or more, because a heavier body presses further into every layer.
Pocket springs suit heavier builds because each spring sits in its own fabric pocket and moves on its own, so the mattress pushes back hardest where you press hardest. Air moves between the springs too, which helps if you sleep warm. A hybrid adds foam comfort layers on top of the springs, for a softer surface with the same support underneath. If you want to browse by type, see our pocket sprung mattresses and hybrid mattresses.
Don't judge a spring unit by its count alone. Counts are quoted for one size, often a double or king, and a higher number isn't automatically better: the thickness of the wire, the layers and the fillings all matter. Look for firm edges as well. They make it easier to sit on the side of the bed to get up, and they help stop the edge dipping, so you can use the full width.
What firmness should a heavier person choose?
A heavier person usually needs firmer support, so medium-firm (7 to 8 on our 1 to 10 scale) is a sensible starting point, going firmer for front sleeping and a little softer for side sleeping.
| How you sleep | General guidance | If you're heavier |
|---|---|---|
| On your side | Medium-soft to medium (3 to 6) | Medium (5 to 6) |
| On your back | Medium to medium-firm (5 to 8) | Medium-firm (7 to 8) |
| On your front | Medium-firm to firm (7 to 10) | Firm (9 to 10) |
| In a mix of positions | Medium (5 to 6) | Medium to medium-firm (5 to 8) |
The heavier you are, the further you sink, so any mattress will feel softer to you than it does to a lighter person. If you're torn between two grades, the firmer one is usually the better bet, and our firm mattresses sit at 9 to 10. Firmer isn't automatically better, though. A 2003 trial published in The Lancet found that people with chronic lower back pain did better on a medium-firm mattress than a firm one, and anyone with ongoing pain should see a GP or physiotherapist.
How deep should a mattress be for a heavier person?
A mattress for a heavier person should usually be deep, at 25 cm or more, because a deeper build puts more support and comfort between you and the base.
A standard mattress of about 18 to 25 cm can work if the support is firm enough, but a low profile mattress of about 10 to 16 cm is better kept for occasional use. Before you order, check that your fitted sheets have a pocket deeper than the mattress, and look in your bed frame's instructions for a maximum load, because the frame has to carry the weight too. Deep pocket sprung mattresses are heavy and many can't be rolled, so those arrive flat and fully wrapped. Each mattress page says how it will arrive.
Are memory foam mattresses good for heavier people?
Memory foam can suit a heavier person as a comfort layer on top of pocket springs, but a soft all-foam mattress can bottom out, letting you sink through the comfort layers to the firmer foam beneath.
Memory foam softens with body heat and moulds to your shape, then recovers slowly. A heavier body sinks further into it, so more of the foam surrounds you: it can feel warmer, and turning over can take more effort. If you like the feel of foam, choose a deep mattress with a firm, high-density foam base, or a hybrid with memory foam over the springs.
What size mattress is best for two heavier sleepers?
Two heavier sleepers usually do better on a king or super king than a double: a king (150 x 200 cm) gives each person 75 cm and a super king (180 x 200 cm) gives 90 cm, against 67.5 cm on a double.
Width matters more when a mattress carries two heavier people. On a softer mattress, or an open coil mattress whose springs are linked by wire, the side with more weight dips, and if one of you is lighter, that person can roll towards the middle. Pocket springs move independently, so each side responds to the person lying on it. Add up your combined weight and check the mattress page for any maximum weight guidance.
Both sizes are also 10 cm longer than a double, which helps if either of you is tall: a mattress should be about 10 to 15 cm longer than the tallest person sleeping on it. Leave around 60 to 70 cm round the bed so you can walk past it comfortably. Compare our king size mattresses and super king mattresses.
Orthopaedic is a label rather than a standard: in the UK it has no legal or medical definition and usually means a firmer build, so judge our orthopaedic mattresses on firmness, depth and springs like any other. If you'd like a second opinion before you order, ask our team and we'll tell you honestly what we think.
Mattresses for heavier people: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Do mattresses have a weight limit?
Some mattresses come with a maximum weight from the maker and others don't. Check the mattress page for any weight guidance before you order, and check your bed frame too, since many frames give a maximum load in their instructions. If you can't find a figure for a mattress you like, contact us and we'll tell you what we know.
Why does my mattress sag in the middle?
A mattress sags in the middle when the springs or foam under the heaviest part of the body, usually the hips, soften faster than the rest. Every mattress softens with age, and more weight speeds that up. Rotating the mattress head to toe spreads the wear, and broken slats underneath can cause a dip too. A topper won't fix a sagging mattress.
What is a heavy duty mattress?
A heavy duty mattress is usually one built to carry more weight: a strong pocket spring unit, firm edges and dense comfort layers, often 25 cm deep or more. The label tells you less than the build does, so check the spring type, depth and firmness on the mattress page rather than relying on the name.
What bed base is best for a heavier person?
A heavier person needs a sturdy base that doesn't flex or dip, such as a solid platform, a strong divan or a slatted frame with slats at the spacing the mattress maker recommends. Replace any broken or bowed slats, check the frame's maximum load, and on a king or super king, look for a centre rail with legs to the floor.
How long does a mattress last for a heavier person?
An adult mattress typically lasts around 7 to 10 years, and one that carries more weight may need replacing sooner. Rotate the mattress head to toe every few weeks for the first three months, then every three months, to spread the wear. Replace it when it sags, has lumps, you can feel the springs or you wake up stiff.
What is the best mattress for an overweight person with back pain?
A mattress can't fix back pain, so look for support that keeps your spine in line for the way you sleep. For a heavier person that usually means a supportive pocket sprung or hybrid mattress. Firmer isn't automatically better: a 2003 trial in The Lancet found people with chronic lower back pain did better on medium-firm than firm. Anyone with ongoing pain should see a GP or physiotherapist.
Is a rolled mattress suitable for a heavier person?
A rolled mattress can suit a heavier person if it's deep and supportive enough, because rolling is about how a mattress is packed, not how well it supports you. Foam, hybrid and some pocket sprung mattresses can be rolled. A rolled mattress is usable after a few hours and reaches its full shape within 24 to 72 hours.
Will a topper help if my mattress feels too soft?
A mattress topper can change how the surface feels, but it can't add support that isn't there. Most toppers make a bed softer, and even a firmer foam topper only firms up the top layer. If a mattress feels soft because it has started to sag, a topper won't fix it, and replacing the mattress is the better answer.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.