Mattresses are a significant investment, so it’s important to buy a model that won’t sag prematurely. Every mattress will eventually break down and sag over time, but some mattresses are more resistant to sagging than others. We’ll explore our top picks for mattresses that are less likely to sag.
We’ll review each mattress using key criteria like temperature regulation, pressure relief, and motion isolation. We’ll also discuss who the beds are best suited for and offer some helpful information about why mattresses sag, how to identify a sagging mattress, and how to avoid purchasing one.
Find Your Perfect Mattress
We know mattresses work differently for different types of sleepers. Use the filters below to help narrow down your options for your best bed.
Read on to see why the following five options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses that won’t sag.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
Nolah Evolution 15
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
We found the Nolah Evolution 15 offers a strong mix of performance features, due largely to a hybrid design that is reinforced at the edges to resist sagging. Available in three firmness levels, the mattress is a suitable option for nearly every sleep position and body type.
Buy from Nolah
Combination Sleepers
Medium, Medium Firm, Firm Options
Full Surface
Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Three firmness options accommodate many body types and sleep positions
- Reinforced perimeter coils offer strong edge support and minimize sagging
- Air circulation through coils helps keep mattress cool
Cons
- Foam may produce moderate off-gassing at first
- Stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds may prefer a firmer model
The Nolah Evolution 15 is a well-rounded hybrid mattress available in multiple firmness options. Designed with a reinforced edge, this bed is less prone to sagging than some other hybrid models we’ve tested.
Why We Like It
The Nolah Evolution 15 has a 15-inch profile. Three layers of polyfoam in the comfort system offer pressure relief, with a plush Euro-top cover that cushions your body regardless of firmness level. The comfort system contains ArcticTex fibers and graphite that are intended to help with temperature regulation. A support core made of pocketed coils gives the mattress a responsive feel, making it suitable for sex and ease of movement. Thick coils around the perimeter add greater edge support and overall durability that resists sagging.
How Does It Feel?
Nolah offers this mattress in three firmness levels — medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8). Our testing team found at least one suitable firmness option for most sleep positions and body types. The softest model earned high marks from side sleepers up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. The medium firm option performed well with side sleepers over 130 pounds and most back sleepers. The firm model was comfortable for back and stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.
Best Value Mattress
Nectar Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Foam beds have a tendency to sag along the edges, but the Nectar Mattress resists sagging slightly more than some all-foam competitors. It’s a good fit for shoppers seeking a foam mattress that doesn’t sag as much and carries a reasonable price-point.
Buy from Nectar
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm
Edges Sink a Bit
Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Pros
- All-foam design excels at motion isolation
- Strong contouring reduces painful or uncomfortable pressure buildup
- Accessible price-point
Cons
- Insufficient support for stomach sleepers weighing over 230 pounds
- Deep cushioning may inhibit movement across the surface
- Moderate off-gassing when mattress is brand new
The Nectar Mattress carries a reasonable price-point for an all-foam mattress, especially one that outperforms other foam models when it comes to support and sag resistance. The foam design also offers very strong motion isolation and pressure relief.
Why We Like It
The foam layers deeply cradle your body, relieving pressure off areas like your hips, shoulders, and spine. This impressed sleepers on our team who tend to experience uncomfortable pressure buildup during sleep. The foam also absorbed a lot of motion, so testers barely felt each other’s movement when sharing the mattress.
How Does It Feel?
The Nectar Mattress begins with a layer of memory foam followed by a thick polyfoam layer. This comfort system provides a plush feel and strong contouring that was especially popular with our testing team’s side sleepers. The support core is made of high-density polyfoam that offers sturdy support. The mix of cushioning and support felt most comfortable to side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds and stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds.
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Latex Hybrid
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is constructed with durable latex that resists sagging over time. The mattress sleeps cool and has a responsive surface that is easy to move around on, making it well suited for couples during intimate activities.
Buy from Saatva
Couples
Medium Firm
Full Surface
Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Latex is GOLS-certified and wool is GOTS-certified to ensure organic sourcing
- Ventilated coil layer and breathable latex offer cooling properties
- Responsive surface is well suited for sex and ease of movement
Cons
- Too firm for side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds
- Coils and latex produce some motion transfer
- Not suitable for sleepers with latex allergy
The Saatva Latex Hybrid checks a lot of boxes for a high-quality mattress. It sleeps cool and promotes spinal alignment for a wide array of sleepers. Latex is also one of the more durable mattress materials you’ll find on the market, so this model resists sagging over time.
Why We Like It
Typical of latex mattresses, the Saatva Latex Hybrid is easy to move around on and has a responsive surface that many couples appreciate for sex. The wool and latex are both organic, with certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), respectively, to guarantee the materials were organically sourced. Certification from the Rainforest Alliance ensures the mattress was produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.
How Does It Feel?
Latex mattresses tend to be highly supportive and responsive, and the Saatva Latex Hybrid is no exception. A wool comfort layer lightly cushions the body, followed by a latex layer that balances support and moderate pressure relief. The coil support core generates sturdy pushback. Among our testers, back sleepers up to 230 pounds and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds felt most comfortable on the bed. Side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds may find it too firm, since these sleepers need more cushioning.
Best Mattress For Couples
Helix Dawn
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Helix Dawn offers responsiveness, strong edge support, and temperature neutrality — all qualities that couples might seek out when looking for a new mattress. The bed is especially well suited for sleepers who need a bed with solid support.
Buy from Helix
Couples
Firm
Full Surface
Plush, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Sturdy coils and firm foam layers offer balance of support and light cushioning
- Reinforced sides provide strong edge support
- Airflow through coils promotes cooling
Cons
- Too firm for sleepers under 130 pounds
- Offers insufficient pressure relief for side sleepers
- Moderate off-gassing when brand new
The Helix Dawn has a firmer feel than many mattresses composed of foam and coils. This makes the bed sturdy and supportive, while maintaining moderate cushioning. The responsive surface and cooling design are suitable for couples who prioritize ease of movement and temperature neutrality.
Why We Like It
The Helix Dawn features reinforcement on its two longest edges to promote durability and minimize sagging. The mattress offers very good temperature neutrality due to airflow through the coil system, but you can also opt for a GlacioTex Cooling Cover to further enhance cooling.
How Does It Feel?
The Helix Dawn rates 8 on our 10-point firmness scale. The comfort system contains two polyfoam layers that lightly cradle your body for moderate pressure relief, while offering an overall firmer feel than some other foam hybrid models that we’ve tested. The coil system generates sturdy support to keep your body on an even plane. Our testing team found the Helix Dawn was best suited for back and stomach sleepers weighing over 130 pounds. Side sleepers, especially those weighing less than 130 pounds, didn’t receive enough cushioning for the hips and shoulders.
Best Mattress For Heavy Sleepers
WinkBed Plus
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The WinkBed Plus offers a sturdy design that caters to anyone weighing over 230 pounds, whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper. Bolstered support along the perimeter provides excellent edge support to prevent sagging.
Buy from Winkbeds
Sleepers Over 230 Pounds
Firm
Full Surface
Plush, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Latex, coils, and high-density foam are specifically designed to support sleepers up to 350 pounds
- Reinforced edges reduce sagging
- Breathable latex and ventilated coil system help keep the bed cool
Cons
- Too firm for most side sleepers under 130 pounds
- Produces noticeable motion transfer
- Moderate off-gassing when brand new
WinkBeds offers a lineup of mattresses in a variety of firmness levels. The WinkBed Plus is specifically aimed at sleepers who need enhanced support or who fall in heavier weight categories. The bed is designed with sturdy materials and reinforcement that promote durability and exceptional edge support.
Why We Like It
The WinkBed Plus has a sturdy design that feels more supportive than many hybrids we’ve tested. The foam and latex comfort layers offer just enough cradling to relieve pressure buildup in areas like the shoulders, hips, and spine. Our testers reported strong temperature neutrality, due to the natural cooling properties of latex and the circulation of air through the coils. Testers also appreciated the soft feel of the Tencel cover.
How Does It Feel?
The mattress has a firm feel that rates 8 on our 10-point firmness scale. Our testing team found the WinkBed Plus was best suited for side and back sleepers over 130 pounds and stomach sleepers weighing over 230 pounds. The top layer is composed of foam that gently cushions the body, but the foam’s high-density composition produces less cradling than softer foams provide. Beneath is a latex layer that enhances support and generates moderate bounce, followed by a support core made of responsive coils.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team is made up of an array of sleep and product experts with many years of experience testing mattresses firsthand. Our testers represent various sleep positions and body types to ensure our reviews are inclusive of all sleepers. Our hands-on testing process produces quantitative and qualitative data in performance categories such as pressure relief, motion isolation, and temperature regulation.
More Mattress Options for Specific Needs
Why Do Mattresses Sag?
Sagging can occur for a variety of reasons, but it is commonly due to normal wear and tear or low-quality materials. Sagging takes place when materials permanently compress and fail to regain their shape. All mattresses will eventually sag, but the type and quality of materials used in a mattress determine how quickly the sagging will occur.
All-foam mattresses are generally more prone to sagging than other types of mattresses. Softer foams in particular, such as memory foam, may break down more quickly than high-density polyfoams. That said, latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses will inevitably sag over time, especially if they are made with materials of a lesser quality. Coil systems made with low-quality steel or a low coil count are more susceptible to premature sagging.
A high-quality mattress can also sag prematurely without proper care, such as regular mattress rotation, cleaning, and the use of an appropriate foundation. Even a well-maintained and high-quality mattress will eventually sag as it approaches the end of its expected lifespan due to normal wear and tear.
How to Tell If Your Mattress Is Sagging
Mattresses are composed of a comfort system on top and a support core on the bottom. Comfort systems are usually made of softer materials such as foam. You may notice permanent indentations on the surface and along the edges as materials in the comfort system start to break down. Indentations less than 1 inch deep are typically not covered by warranties. However, permanent indentations measuring 1 inch or more may be covered.
Sagging can also occur when foam or coils in the support core start to deteriorate. Coils may weaken or bend out of shape, leaving them unable to spring back to their original position. A weakened support core can lead to noticeable sagging on the surface
Preventing Your Mattress From Sagging
All mattresses show signs of sagging as they approach the end of their lifespan, but following a few best practices can help prevent premature mattress sagging.
- Rotate Your Mattress: Rotate your mattress on a regular basis, ideally every three to six months. This will help evenly distribute weight on the mattress surface over time. Some mattresses are also two-sided, meaning both surfaces are usable. You can help prevent sagging by regularly flipping the bed, so long as both sides feel comfortable to you. This distributes the amount of wear and tear across both surfaces.
- Clean Your Mattress Regularly: Keeping your mattress clean can help prevent the buildup of mold, dust, or moisture, which could weaken the foam layers in your mattress or cause coil rusting.
- Use the Proper Foundation: A proper base is important to ensure your mattress is adequately supported. Some mattress types or sizes require a particular type of base, such as a central support column, a slatted bed frame, a boxspring, or a solid platform surface. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines will help prevent sagging.
- Try a Mattress Topper: If your mattress has started to sag, you can extend its life by using a mattress topper. A topper can buffer you from the sagging surface.
Can You Fix a Sagging Mattress?
In most cases, you cannot repair a mattress with significant sagging. However, certain temporary solutions can help prolong the life of a sagging mattress, especially if it’s a minor amount of sagging. You can try rotating the mattress or, if your mattress is reversible, flipping it so that your body no longer lies directly on the sagging area. You can also purchase a mattress topper to place over the sagging area.
Many mattress companies back their products with a warranty that covers repairs or replacement of mattresses with significant sagging. Keep in mind that companies typically only honor warranties if you’ve been using an adequate foundation.
Is It Time to Replace Your Mattress?
Mattress lifespans range anywhere from several years for a low-quality foam mattress to around 10 years for a well-made latex model. As mattresses reach the end of their natural lifespan, it is important to watch for signs that it is time for a replacement.
- You Wake Up with Aches and Pains: If you regularly wake up with aches and pains in your joints or lower back, your mattress may no longer be providing adequate support for proper spinal alignment.
- The Mattress Is Noisy: If your hybrid or innerspring mattress is noisy, it’s a sign that the coils may be weakening and unable to provide adequate support.
- You’re No Longer Sleeping Well: If you aren’t sleeping well, a sagging mattress may be to blame. Consider this possibility among others in consultation with your doctor.
- The Mattress Is Old: Even the most well-made mattresses will eventually start to break down. If your mattress is over 10 years old, it may be time for a replacement.
- Allergy or Asthma Symptoms Have Worsened: If allergy or asthma symptoms seem to worsen during sleep or upon waking, it could signal that your mattress has accumulated dust mites or mold.
Best Mattress Types to Avoid Sagging
While some mattress types are more prone to sagging than others, ultimately it’s the quality of the materials and construction that determines susceptibility to premature sagging. We’ll explore how different types of mattresses can help you avoid excessive sagging.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are composed of a coil system in the support core and comfort layers typically made of more adaptive materials. These beds combine the support and responsiveness of an innerspring mattress with the contouring and pressure relief of foam and latex. A hybrid made with high-quality materials may last at least eight years before significant risk of sagging.
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses vary considerably in quality and price. A very low price-point often indicates low-quality foam, which may lose the ability to support your weight after just a few years. Mattresses with thick, plush comfort systems might sag earlier than foam beds with a firmer feel, since soft foam is more prone to forming body indentations.
Latex Mattresses
Derived from sap found in rubber trees, latex has a buoyant and durable quality that helps resist sagging. Some mattresses are made entirely of latex while others feature latex in the comfort system. Latex mattresses may last up to 10 years.
Airbeds
Airbeds combine air chambers in the support core with comfort layers typically made of foam or latex. Not to be confused with air mattresses commonly used for camping, an airbed has adjustable firmness levels. You can usually protect against sagging by adding air as needed.
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses primarily consist of steel coils and can vary tremendously in quality. Mattress coils usually range in thickness from 13 gauge (thick) to 17 gauge (thin). Innerspring models with thick, low-gauge coils are usually firmer and more durable, which helps prevent premature sagging.
How to Choose a Mattress That Won’t Sag
If you’re looking for a mattress that resists sagging, it’s helpful to understand some of the key factors that can affect sagging and overall longevity in a mattress. It’s also important to consider your sleep position and personal sleep preferences.
- Quality of Materials: The quality of materials plays a big role in mattress durability and susceptibility to sagging. Comfort layers made with quality materials may be less prone to sagging, while a well-made support core can maintain sturdiness over time.
- Durability: Durability refers to how long a mattress can last before it needs to be replaced. The average lifespan of a mattress ranges from 5 or 6 years for a foam mattress to 10 years for a latex model.
- Sleeping Position: Your sleep position is an important consideration when choosing a mattress. Side sleepers often need more cushioning to cradle their hips and shoulders, while stomach sleepers require a firm surface to prevent sagging in their midsection. Back sleepers need support for the lower back but also benefit from cushioning along the spine.
- Firmness: Mattress firmness is a key factor when determining a bed’s compatibility with various sleep positions and body sizes. The type of materials and thickness of the bed influence the overall firmness.
- Pressure Relief: Plush materials like memory foam enhance pressure relief by contouring to the body’s curves and joints. Strong pressure relief is especially beneficial for side sleepers and those who experience joint pain.
- Mattress Type: The most common mattress types include hybrid, foam, latex, airbed, and innerspring models. Mattress types are primarily defined by the material that makes up the support core.
- Edge Support: Edge support refers to the amount of support offered along a bed’s perimeter. Strong edge support is ideal for people who enjoy sitting on the mattress edge and for those who experience mobility issues when getting on or off the bed.
- Warranty: Many manufacturers back their products with a warranty. Warranties typically span at least 10 years, and they may cover repairs or replacements for defects in the mattress construction. Warranties generally do not cover damage from ordinary wear and tear.
- Price: Mattress prices run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars or more. Mattress price is often determined by the quality and cost of the materials used. Many companies offer sales and promotions, especially around major holidays.
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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