Side sleeping is a popular position for people in all weight categories. Heavier side sleepers typically need firmer beds to support the body but still require a lightly conforming surface to cradle the hips and shoulders.
We’ll explore some of our top mattress picks for heavy people who sleep on their sides. We’ve tested each mattress to ensure it balances support and cushioning to feel comfortable and promote good sleep posture.
Please note: In this article, we use the word “heavy” to describe people who weigh over 230 pounds. We do not categorize individuals into groups such as “overweight” or “normal” because such classifications are subjective and depend on the individual. Rather, we have found that people who weigh over 230 pounds often share common needs when it comes to mattress firmness and performance.
The Best Mattresses for Heavy Side Sleepers
Best Overall – Titan Plus Luxe
Best Value – Emma Hybrid Comfort
Best for Pressure Relief – Helix Plus
Best Luxury – Saatva HD
Best for Back Pain – Winkbed Plus
Best for Spinal Alignment – Nolah Evolution Comfort
Read on to see why the following five options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses for heavy side sleepers.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
Titan Plus Luxe
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Specifically designed for heavier individuals, the Titan Plus Luxe is a solid choice for side sleepers over 230 pounds. The durable hybrid construction offers great edge support, with memory foam and polyfoam comfort layers that excel at pressure relief and motion isolation.
Buy from Titan
Medium Firm (6)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Above Average
Great Value
Pros
- Memory foam and polyfoam layers relieve pressure buildup
- Sturdy pocketed coil support core offers excellent lumbar support
- Airflow through coils promotes cooling
Cons
- Too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
- Moderate off-gassing after unboxing
The Titan Plus Luxe earned high marks across many of our performance categories. The hybrid design pairs several layers of foam with 8 inches of reinforced pocketed coils. The result is a durable mattress with great edge support and ample pressure relief.
Why We Like It
Our team liked how cool the mattress stayed during our temperature neutrality tests. If you sleep hot, you can also purchase an optional GlacioTex cover designed for cooling. Titan offers free shipping in the contiguous United States, a 120-night sleep trial, and a 10-year limited warranty.
How Does It Feel?
Our product testers concluded that the Titan Plus Luxe is an excellent choice for side sleepers over 230 pounds. With a medium firm (6) feel, it offers plenty of support to keep your hips from sinking excessively. Meanwhile, the thick foam layers cushion your shoulders and hips to prevent pressure buildup.
Best Value Mattress
Emma Hybrid Comfort
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Emma’s Hybrid Comfort lives up to its name with a balanced foam-over-coil design. The surface feels plush and adaptive, resulting in plenty of cushioning for the shoulders and hips, while multi-zone coils push back against the extra weight in your midsection to keep you on an even plane.
Buy from Emma
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Average
Great Value
Pros
- Thick comfort layers cushion and contour closely to reduce pressure buildup
- Multi-zone coils provide targeted support for the torso, lower back, and hips
- All orders include a generous 365-night trial period
Cons
- Foam may sink and hinder movement across the surface
- New owners may notice strong off-gassing odor for the first few nights
The Emma Hybrid Comfort proves a high-quality mattress doesn’t need to break the bank. Constructed with thick foam layers and zoned pocketed coils, the hybrid offers a medium firm (6) feel that delivers a combination of cushioning, support, and bounce. We also like the mattress for its above-average motion isolation, pressure-relieving abilities, and consistent temperature control.
Why We Like It
During hands-on tests, the Hybrid Comfort earned stellar ratings from side sleepers on our team weighing 130 pounds or more. Thick layers in the comfort system create a surface that feels plusher and gentler on the body compared to the average hybrid. Our tests also show the Hybrid Comfort absorbs movement well and feels sturdy along the perimeter, so it should be a good match for couples.
How Does It Feel?
The hybrid’s topmost layer is composed of open-cell polyfoam engineered to conform closely without trapping too much heat. Memory foam and high-resiliency transitional polyfoam add to the cushy surface feel, but also push back a bit to keep your body aloft. The support core’s pocketed coils are divided into seven zones with thicker springs resting beneath your midsection — this ensures extra support for heavier areas of your body and a gentler feel for the head and legs.
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
Helix Plus
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
If you’re looking for great pressure relief in a mattress designed for heavy side sleepers, the Helix Plus is a solid option. Multiple foam layers in the comfort system gently cradle the body, while the coils offer strong support.
Buy from Helix
Firm (7)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Average
Good Value
Pros
- Memory foam and polyfoam comfort system offers standout pressure relief
- Sturdy coils feature a reinforced perimeter for added support
- Cooling cover and ventilated coils promote temperature regulation
Cons
- May be too firm for a sleep partner weighing less than 130 pounds
- Moderate off-gassing when brand new
The Helix Plus is a hybrid model that combines memory foam and polyfoam layers in the comfort system to offer outstanding pressure relief. This should appeal to side sleepers who experience uncomfortable pressure buildup in the hips and shoulders.
Why We Like It
Our testers appreciated the generous cushioning from the foam layers, which we don’t always find in firmer beds. They also enjoyed the excellent breathability and cooling properties of the soft Tencel cover. Helix offers free shipping throughout the United States, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 15-year limited warranty.
How Does It Feel?
Helix designed the Plus with heavier individuals in mind. The mattress has a firm (7) feel and features 8 inches of pocketed coils that offer sturdy support to sleepers over 230 pounds. None of our heavier testers who prefer side sleeping complained about pressure buildup thanks to the foam layers.
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva HD
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Saatva HD is designed with high-quality materials that provide excellent support for heavier people. It earned above-average marks in most of our performance tests and includes free White Glove delivery.
Buy from Saatva
Firm (7)
Responsive Latex
Above Average
Fair Value
Pros
- Plush Euro-top cradles the shoulders and hips
- Latex layer balances cushioning and support
- White Glove delivery includes in-room setup and old mattress removal
Cons
- Bouncy latex and responsive coils produce some motion transfer
- May not provide enough pressure relief for people with shoulder or hip pain
The luxuriously thick Saatva HD combines latex, foam, and coil layers to produce a strong balance of cushioning and support. The firm (7) feel is a great choice for side sleepers who need extra support without sacrificing pressure relief.
Why We Like It
The Saatva HD earned high marks for cooling during our temperature neutrality tests. A high-density polyfoam perimeter also provides very good edge support. Saatva offers free delivery in the contiguous U.S., which includes in-home setup and removal of your old mattress. The mattress comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
How Does It Feel?
Our testers found that the strong 12.5-gauge coils offer impressive support for heavy individuals. The Talalay latex in the comfort system is ergonomically zoned for enhanced support to the lumbar region, while the cushiony foam layers and quilted Euro-top balance the responsive bounce of the innerspring support core.
Best Mattress for Back Pain
WinkBed Plus
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Designed specifically with heavy people in mind, the WinkBed Plus is a good option for those over 230 pounds — especially if proper spinal alignment is a priority. The combination of pressure-relieving foam and robust coils is ideal for alleviating back pain.
Buy from WinkBeds
Firm (8)
Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Above Average
Good Value
Pros
- Pocketed coil core and zoned latex layer enhance support for sleepers over 230 pounds
- Reinforced perimeter offers excellent edge support
- Top layer of high-density polyfoam gently cradles the hips and shoulders without excessive sagging
Cons
- Latex produces some motion transfer
- Moderate off-gassing after unpackaging
WinkBeds designed its WinkBed Plus innerspring mattress specifically for sleepers with heavier bodies. The mattress has a firm (8) feel with light cushioning on the surface, which is ideal for side sleepers who need sturdy support to minimize back pain while still benefiting from gentle pressure relief in the shoulders and hips.
Why We Like It
Our testing team found that the bed is quite firm but still offers sufficient pressure relief for heavy side sleepers. Our testers also appreciated the soft feel of the Tencel cover. WinkBeds offers a limited lifetime warranty with this mattress, a 120-night sleep trial, and free shipping in the contiguous U.S.
How Does It Feel?
The WinkBed Plus provides excellent support for side sleepers over 230 pounds. A dense polyfoam layer offers a touch of cushioning on the surface, while the latex layer beneath generates sturdy pushback and bounce. The bed is easy to move across and sleeps cool.
Best Mattress for Spinal Alignment
Nolah Evolution Comfort+
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Designed with heavier sleepers in mind, the Nolah Evolution Comfort+ specifically caters to side sleepers over 230 pounds with four foam layers in its comfort system and multi-zone coils. Ample cushioning for the shoulders and hips helps ensure even alignment and fewer pressure points when you’re lying on your side.
Buy from Nolah
Firm (7)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Above Average
Good Value
Pros
- Firm hybrid design geared toward people who weigh more than 230 pounds
- Deep comfort system cushions the shoulders and hips without sinking too much
- Zoned coils provide targeted support for the midsection
Cons
- Foam layers emit strong initial off-gassing for up to 72 hours
- All returns incur a $99 processing fee
As popular as side sleeping is, this position leaves you vulnerable to pain and pressure if your spine isn’t properly aligned. The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ — a mattress created for heavy sleepers — features four foam layers over zoned pocketed coils. Cushioning for the shoulders and hips combined with targeted midsection support helps ensure even alignment and extra reinforcement where you need it most.
Why We Like It
The Evolution Comfort+ earned stellar ratings from most side sleepers on our team weighing at least 130 pounds. We were also impressed with its cooling abilities, which can be attributed to open-cell foam layers that don’t retain much heat, steady airflow through the coils, and the moisture-wicking Tencel cover. Other strengths include edge support, pressure relief, and ease of movement.
How Does It Feel?
The Evolution Comfort+ features a Euro-top surface cushioned with four foam layers. The top layer contours closely, but each successive layer is denser and more supportive — this ensures plenty of cushioning without too much sink. Zoned pocketed coils provide extra reinforcement to the midsection, and the perimeter is reinforced to reduce compression along the edges when you get in and out of bed.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our testing team has evaluated hundreds of mattresses, conducting rigorous performance tests on each product to make sure our findings are as accurate as possible. Our testers represent an array of sleep positions and body weights to ensure that our assessments reflect as many types of sleepers as possible.
Best Mattress Types for Heavy Side Sleepers
Heavy side sleepers generally need a mattress with generous support and just enough contouring to prevent pressure buildup in the shoulders and hips. Some mattress types strike this balance better than others, though it is possible to find a good fit for heavy side sleepers in any mattress style.
Innerspring Mattresses
This mattress type relies on responsive coils to provide support and pressure relief. Innerspring mattresses are available in a variety of firmness levels to support different sleep positions and body types, including side sleepers weighing over 230 pounds. However, these models typically offer less cushioning and contouring.
Foam Mattresses
Though not impossible, it is harder to find an all-foam mattress well suited for heavy side sleepers. Foam tends to compress more than other materials, so heavier individuals may sink too deeply into all-foam models. Look for a mattress that uses higher-density foams, since these typically have a firmer feel.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are often a good fit for heavy side sleepers, since they are generally responsive and supportive. That said, side sleepers may want to avoid the firmest latex models, since these may not offer adequate contouring for the hips and shoulders.
Hybrid Mattresses
The comfort layers in a hybrid mattress are typically made of foam or latex that contour to a side sleeper’s shoulders and hips. Meanwhile, coils in the support core offer support and responsiveness. Many hybrids are ideal for heavy side sleepers due to the balance of cradling and support that defines this mattress type.
Airbeds
Not to be confused with inflatable air mattresses that are sometimes used for camping or houseguests, airbeds have sophisticated designs featuring air chambers in the support core. By adding or releasing air from the chambers, sleepers can fine-tune the mattress’ firmness level and feel.
Many airbed models have separate controls for each side of the bed, and some include multiple comfort zones for each sleeper, making them a great option for co-sleepers with different firmness needs. Airbeds are among the most expensive mattress types.
What Firmness Level Is Best for Heavy Side Sleepers?
Heavy side sleepers generally benefit from mattresses on the firm end of the spectrum. That said, comfort is subjective, and individual preferences vary. In general, we recommend looking for a mattress that properly supports your body weight and maintains healthy spinal alignment through the night.
To standardize firmness across all mattress brands and models, we rank them using a 10-point firmness scale, in which 1 is incredibly soft and 10 is extra firm. We’ve found that heavy side sleepers often achieve the best night’s sleep on mattresses ranging from medium firm (6) to firm (8).
Factors to Consider in a Mattress for Heavy Side Sleepers
Besides mattress type and firmness level, it’s important to keep a number of factors in mind when shopping for a new mattress to ensure a good fit for your sleep position, body type, and other sleep needs and preferences.
- Mattress thickness: Though not always, thicker mattresses tend to offer sturdier support for heavy individuals. Bear in mind, though, that a slightly thinner model containing coils may offer more support than a thick all-foam bed with plush memory foam in its comfort system.
- Pressure relief: Mattresses with strong pressure relief offer close conforming to the body. Plush or adaptive materials like memory foam can relieve painful pressure buildup when they contour to the body’s curves and joints. Many side sleepers prefer beds with good pressure relief to ease pressure on the shoulders and hips.
- Contouring: Contouring is the extent to which a mattress conforms to your body. Contouring is especially important for side sleepers, since this position exerts pressure on the shoulders and hips during sleep. However, mattresses that contour too deeply can cause the body to sink excessively and can lead to overheating.
- Durability: Most mattresses last around 7 to 10 years, but a bed’s lifespan may fall outside this range depending on the quality of the materials used in its construction.
- Edge support: This performance category refers to the ability of a mattress to support weight around its perimeter. Manufacturers often reinforce mattress edges with high-density polyfoam or reinforced coils, which can especially benefit heavy individuals.
- Temperature regulation: A mattress’ ability to dissipate body heat and minimize night sweats is a mark of good temperature regulation. Certain materials, such as latex, wool, and cotton, have natural cooling properties. Mattress brands may also enhance temperature regulation by using materials designed for cooling, such as phase change material and gel infusions.
- Warranty: Mattress companies often back their products with warranties that protect against manufacturing defects. The terms and durations of warranties vary, but they typically range from 10 years to lifetime coverage. Be sure to read warranty terms carefully, as some may be prorated or may specify situations that void the warranty.
- Price: Mattress prices vary considerably depending on the construction, quality of materials, and brand. Latex and hybrid beds typically cost more than all-foam beds — and among all-foam models, memory foam is generally pricier than polyfoam.
Tips for Keeping Your Spine Aligned as a Heavy Side Sleeper
Proper spinal alignment is important for all sleepers to minimize pressure buildup and back pain. Heavy side sleepers need adequate support to prevent their hips from sinking too far into the mattress, but they also need sufficient cushioning to suit their comfort preferences.
A suitable mattress is a key first step toward ensuring healthy spinal alignment, but heavy side sleepers may want to take additional measures.
- Use body and knee pillows for additional support: Some side sleepers prefer sleeping with a pillow between their knees. This can help maintain spinal alignment throughout the night.
- Look for a mattress with zoned support: Some mattresses feature enhanced lumbar support in the comfort system or ergonomic zoning in the coil layer to offer extra support to areas of the body prone to pressure buildup.
- Use a medium- to high-loft pillow: Some pillows for side sleepers are better than others when it comes to promoting healthy spinal alignment. Side sleepers generally need at least a medium-loft pillow, which we define as being 3 to 5 inches thick, though some prefer high-loft pillows thicker than 5 inches. Thicker pillows fill the space between the bed surface and a side sleeper’s neck, making them better suited for supporting the neck and keeping it aligned with the head and spine.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
- POSITION: Side Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Wolf
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