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Being heavier than most people is nothing to be insecure about. In fact, in this age of progressivism and body positivity, you should take it in stride.
Of course, we understand that some things do become slightly difficult in case you’re on the heavier side. And lying on your mattress can be considered to be one of them.
By design, mattresses these days have a relatively high body-weight limit. But unfortunately, that is not what happens in reality, as you will notice that the mattress flattens and becomes uncomfortable within a few days of usage.
This ultimately begs the question - what is a good mattress for heavy people? Well, you have to consider the different technical aspects of the mattress, such as the thickness, type, firmness, and so on.
For your convenience, we have reviewed some of the best mattresses based on these features. So, let’s jump in!
The Nectar Hybrid Mattress is arguably one of the best mattresses for heavy people available in the UK. This 25cm thick mattress comprises six different layers that provide maximum comfort and support. It is made of pressure-relieving, adaptive memory foam that has a medium firmness level. What’s more, the mattress comes with a micro-spring layer consisting of 1,600 springs for supporting heavier bodies.
These springs also improve the airflow inside the mattress, which ultimately makes it highly breathable and cool. Moreover, they help to reduce motion transfer through the mattress, which means you can move around all you want without disturbing your partner. And it comes with a long 365-day trial period, which will give you enough time to make up your mind about whether it suits you.
The mattress firmness might not be suitable for those who are strict stomach sleepers.
The Nectar memory foam mattress is a great choice for heavier sleepers, thanks to its adaptive memory foam layers and thickness that offers the right amount of support and bounce. And owing to CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam, you can rest assured about the quality and safety of the mattress as well.
The Dreamcloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress ensures a luxurious feel, thanks to its design. It is made from highly supportive memory foam, along with the brand’s unique ActivEdge pocket springs, which makes it great for heavier people. These pocket springs are 15cm thick and offer excellent support uniformly throughout the mattress. Not only that, but it also minimises motion transfer to give you uninterrupted sleep at all times.
It features a luxury quilted top that is exceptionally soft and, therefore, incredibly comfortable for side, back and stomach sleepers. The quilted layer provides maximum breathability to the mattress, maintaining a comfortable sleeping temperature throughout the night, irrespective of the season. Additionally, it comes with a forever warranty, which means that you will get free repairs and replacement for as long as you own the mattress.
It is a relatively expensive mattress, so it might not be suitable for those on a budget.
Despite its cost, we feel that this mattress is an excellent investment for heavier people, thanks to its highly comfortable, supportive and breathable design. Its build is highly durable too, and thanks to the extended 365-day trial, you will get sufficient time to test this mattress at your home.
The Premium Mattress by the brand Emma is another decent memory foam mattress that also includes a highly supportive spring layer. This layer contains 5-zone CarbonFlex springs that adjust according to your body weight to give you the best ergonomic support. The mattress includes a total of 6 layers, which provides a medium firm structure for maximum comfort.
It also features the brand’s unique Airgocell memory foam to prevent mattress sagging - something that’s common in case of memory foam mattresses. And the UltraDry Original cover complements well with the open-pored HRX layer to provide superior breathability and temperature control. It evaporates moisture and makes the mattress last longer.
The mattress has a break-in period of about a week, so it might feel a little stiff initially.
Owing to its ergonomic spring layer and unique memory foam structure, we feel that this is a great mattress for heavy people. We should also mention the durable build that actively prevents sagging, which means that you won’t need to worry about the mattress becoming flat over time.
If you are looking for a relatively affordable mattress for heavy people, then look no further than the Lux Mattress from Brook + Wilde. This mattress uses a unique “wave technology” design that offers unmatched support and adequate pressure relief for bulkier frames. As such, you get superior back support and spinal alignment irrespective of the sleeping position.
The premium cooling memory foam layer on the top makes the mattress highly breathable. It minimises motion and seamlessly moulds to your body contours. Furthermore, it is one of the best pocket spring mattresses that you can get as the spring layer consists of 1,000 medium firm pocket springs. As such, you get extra bounce from the mattress, which prevents it from sagging.
The cover of this mattress is not washable, which makes it difficult to maintain.
In addition to its unique design the support structure in the base layer also deserves special mention since it offers superior longevity to the mattress. Apart from that, it is pretty good at maintaining a cool and comfortable temperature, which ensures restful sleep at all times.
The OTTY Original Hybrid Mattress is yet another memory foam and pocket spring mattress that provides superior support and comfort for heavier sleepers. In particular, the 16 cm pocket springs are one of the highlights of this mattress. The spring layer consists of 2,000 individually wrapped springs that provide exceptional support throughout its surface. So, regardless of the position you sleep in, your spine will always be ergonomically aligned.
Furthermore, it scores a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which makes it a medium firm mattress. Along with the heat regulating memory foam, the mattress provides adequate levels of comfort. It prevents overheating and minimises motion transfer, thereby ensuring a deep and uninterrupted sleeping environment. Maintaining it is fairly easy as well, thanks to the removable and washable top cover.
The mattress is quite heavy, which makes it difficult to carry and install in your bedroom on your own.
This is a firmer mattress than many other options on the market, which makes it all the more suitable for heavy people since it won’t sag as easily. We also need to mention that the mattress comes with CertiPUR and Europur certifications, which indicates that the materials used in this mattress are absolutely safe.
Got some lingering questions at the back of your mind? Then keep reading below, for here we have answered some of the questions that many people ask when looking to purchase a decent mattress for a good night’s sleep.
Many mattress manufacturers falsely claim that their mattresses are universally compatible with all body types. But as we have stated before, this is hardly the case since these mattresses start to sag and flatten after only a few days of usage. Therefore, if you have a slightly heavier body, you should look out for certain specific features instead of going by the manufacturer’s marketing claims.
These features have been discussed as follows:
The type of mattress is one of the most important things that you need to look into. Several types of mattresses are available on the market, but for heavier people, the four most common types are memory foam mattresses, innerspring mattresses, latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses.
There are no predefined specifications when it comes to the thickness of a mattress. As such, it may vary between different brands and models. But generally speaking, heavier people may find it better if the mattress has a medium to high thickness profile so that it can provide sufficient cushioning for their bodies.
Usually, firmness indicates the level of hardness of the mattress. It can be measured with the help of the firmness scale, but you should keep in mind that it is not an objective measurement scale like the thickness or weight.
At best, it provides a subjective idea about how hard or soft the mattress is. Typically, a lower firmness rating indicates a plush mattress, while a higher rating indicates that the mattress is relatively hard.
By breathability, we are referring to the flow of air between the different layers of a mattress. In order for a mattress to be comfortable, it needs to have a high level of breathability. This implies that it should allow the air to flow between the layers unhindered.
Breathability indirectly denotes the temperature control mechanism of a mattress. This is because the airflow is intrinsically linked with the mattress temperature. A higher airflow will ensure a cooler sleeping environment. As a result, you will not sweat too much, which will ultimately make it comfortable for you to sleep in.
The ergonomics of a mattress is another metric that denotes how comfortable it will be to sleep on. Primarily, the ergonomic nature of a mattress is determined by the level of contouring it possesses.
If the mattress adjusts seamlessly to the contours of some of the sensitive parts of your body, such as the neck, shoulders and hips, it is regarded to be ergonomic. Generally, it is the memory foam layers that enhance the contouring and ergonomics of a mattress, along with other supporting layers.
When it comes to the type, heavy sleepers might be tempted to purchase memory foam mattresses. Given the ergonomic characteristics of such a mattress, we can understand the temptation. But believe us, a simple memory foam mattress might not be the most suitable option for people with incredibly bulky frames.
Such a mattress is recommended for slightly heavy individuals who weigh below 200 pounds. If your weight happens to be over 200 pounds, you will notice that simple memory foam will sag under your body. And over time, the mattress will become flat and become uncomfortable to sleep on.
To avoid such a scenario, you can get an innerspring mattress that is considerably more firm than memory foam. Since they are made of pocket spring coils, they will be much more bouncy and breathable than memory foam.
Because of that, they will be able to retain their form for a long time. Not only that, such mattresses will not have that sinking feeling commonly observed in traditional memory foam mattresses.
On the flip side, the extra firmness might make you feel a little stiff and uncomfortable. Added to that, it might lack the ability to conform to the contours of your body, which, in turn, may give rise to physiological issues such as back pains.
That is why we recommend getting a hybrid mattress, which combines the best features of both innerspring and memory foam mattresses. With it, you will get an adequate level of contouring, as found in a foam mattress. Aside from that, it is sufficiently breathable and responsive, which is similar to a spring coil mattress.
As a general consumer, you might think it is better to invest in a soft mattress. But contrary to popular belief, a soft mattress may not always be good for you, especially if you have a bulkier body.
A soft mattress can be highly squishy for people with higher body weight. As such, they might sink in considerably when sleeping on such a mattress. This, in turn, will reduce the breathability of the mattress, which will cause them to sweat while sleeping.
Not just that, a soft mattress will wear out sooner if used by a heavier person. Because of this, it will need to be replaced at frequent intervals. Additionally, such a mattress can mess up the spinal alignment, which can give rise to bad posture and back pains.
That said, you should not get an extra firm mattress either. Yeah, we admit that a firm mattress is better suited for a heavier build since it can last longer than a soft mattress and provide enhanced breathability. But it comes with its own set of problems that you need to be wary of.
For starters, the higher mattress firmness will not align well with the body contours, especially if you are a strict side sleeper. The problem becomes more pronounced in the case of people who already suffer from chronic back and joint pains.
Also, you might find it a bit difficult to adjust to the higher firmness, which will ultimately impact your quality of sleep. Keeping in mind the above aspects, we suggest that you go for a medium-firm mattress. Such a mattress will hug your curves comfortably without sinking in too much. Furthermore, it will last longer than a soft mattress, provide sufficient breathability, and support your spine in every sleeping position.
The thickness of a mattress is commonly associated with its profile. Subsequently, the profile of a mattress is determined by the number of layers present in it. So, if a mattress has more layers, it will have a higher profile and thus have a greater thickness, and vice versa.
If you have a bulkier frame, you might think a thicker mattress will be more suitable for your body. And for the most part, you would be right, considering that such a mattress has a larger profile to accommodate a heavier individual.
But a thicker mattress is not always better for a heavier individual. This is because the thicker mattresses are more prone to sinking in at the centre than thinner mattresses. Unless they have a decent support structure inside, a thick mattress may start to sag quicker than a medium or thin mattress.
A thin mattress, on the other hand, is quite firm by design. This makes it more resistant to sagging and general wear than a thicker mattress, even though it does not have a large enough profile to support higher body weight. As such, you might feel a bit uncomfortable sleeping on a thinner mattress.
That is why we suggest a medium profile mattress that is neither too thick nor too thin. In this regard, you should make full use of the free trial period to see if the mattress thickness suits you.
If you are a heavier sleeper, you should consider getting a decent-quality mattress topper in addition to the mattress for optimal comfort. A topper is similar to a mattress cover, except that it is not an integral part of the mattress per se. Unless the mattress model comes with one for free, you will likely need to purchase it separately.
The topper acts like an extra cushioning layer that is placed on top of the actual mattress. It is usually made of latex, memory foam, wool or feathers and is between 1 and 5 inches in thickness. Consequently, it changes the overall feel of the mattress to best suit your needs.
For instance, you may have bought a mattress that has sufficient breathability and support but feels a little too stiff for your curves. In that scenario, you can add a mattress topper to get that much-needed softness.
However, you should not use a mattress topper as an alternative to a good mattress because then you will be disappointed. The design of a topper is vastly different from a mattress. Thus, it will never be able to give you the same level of support and comfort on its own, especially if you have a higher body weight.
You may not believe it, but a pillow may also go a long way in providing the support you seek for your heavier body. Many experts consider a pillow to be a crucial component in any bedding setup, as it supports spinal alignment and helps relieve pressure along the neck and shoulders to help you sleep comfortably.
A pillow can drastically improve the quality of sleep, but if you do not get the right one, it might have the opposite effect. In that context, make sure to get a pillow that has a high-density, elastic foam filling since it will offer the optimal level of support without sagging a lot.
Your usual sleeping position needs to be considered too. A medium to high-density pillow is the best for side and back sleepers, while a stomach sleeper may find a low-density pillow to be more ergonomic.
That’s all we had to say about the best mattress for heavy people living in the UK. And we are hoping that you have come to a decision by now. Although, if you haven’t, then no worries because you can still try out all of the options - no strings attached - before deciding.
Before we sign off though, we’d like to mention our personal favourites from the above list. The Nectar Hybrid mattress is the best choice for heavier sleepers, thanks to its well-rounded features and its comfort that comes at a reasonable price.
However, if you want a more luxurious mattress with stronger support, you can spare a few more bucks and go with the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress.
With that out of the way, it’s time to bid farewell. We’ll be back again soon with more such reviews.
