The Best Mattress That Won’t Sag

Overall, you tend to get what you pay for when it comes to a mattress. A cheaper mattress that seems too good to be true may cost you more in the long run by wearing down faster than the model that costs a bit more. If you want to avoid sagging, look for beds that are built to last and made with strong, high-quality materials.

What Causes a Mattress to Sag?

Age, quality, materials, and firmness level can all influence mattress sagging. Every mattress has the potential to sag as it ages, but there are several qualities that make a model more likely to bottom out faster. 

Low-quality materials degrade quickly, and lose structure as they do. Instead of retaking their original shape when you get up, worn-out foam and springs can’t bounce back. This leads to indentations, dips, and loss of support, which are all signs of a bad bed if they happen before their time.

Failure to use a proper foundation or rotate the mattress regularly can also cause premature sagging.

How to Identify a Sagging Mattress

All beds wear out eventually, but a saggy mattress has identifiable factors that go beyond normal wear and tear. 

One of the most easy-to-see indicators is a body impression that doesn’t go away. Temporary dips and imprints are normal as the comfort layers adapt to the shape of your body, but if the mattress doesn’t regain its shape after you get up, it could be a clue that the materials within are breaking down. 

Likewise, if your hybrid or innerspring mattress permanently slopes downward in the middle, this is a sign that the springs in the support core are starting to lose their supportive capacities.

Which Mattress Types Are Prone to Sagging?

Mattresses with low-quality materials are most prone to sagging. Mattresses compress under your weight, and if the inner materials are broken or worn down, they can’t push back against your body to support it. This can occur in all mattress types, though foam, hybrid, and innerspring models generally sag faster than airbeds or latex models. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the different mattress types and how they hold up:

• Foam comes in different densities. Density refers to how many foam cells are packed into a particular area. Low-density foam has more air between the cells, which can result in increased potential for indents. A foam model with a high-density support core and a firmer surface can help combat impressions and sagging. 
• Innerspring and hybrid mattresses use metal springs as their support core. Low-quality or thin metal quickly loses its ability to rebound, leaving you sleeping on broken, unsupportive springs. Opt for a model with thick, lower-gauge tempered steel to prevent this from occurring. Mattresses with a higher coil count may also be less likely to sag prematurely. 
• Natural latex is one of the most durable mattress materials available, but there are several types with varying densities. While Talalay latex is pressure-relieving and an excellent material for comfort layers, it’s a bit less dense than Dunlop latex. Dunlop latex is better at holding a bed’s structure than Talalay latex, and is usually a better choice for the support core. 
• Airbeds have motorized components that can break down over time, especially if they’re in rooms with substantial humidity. Look for a high-quality model from a reputable manufacturer and check warranties to see if they cover mechanical issues. Airbeds can also be vulnerable to temporary sagging from air chamber leaks, although these are usually fixable following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Video: Memory Foam vs. Latex vs. Hybrid Mattresses

Join our sleep experts as they explain the different types of mattresses you’ll find on the market, and help you learn how to differentiate between them.

How to Shop for a Mattress That Won’t Sag

There are several key features to look out for when shopping for a mattress that doesn’t sag. Quality, lifespan, firmness, and support level are among the most important characteristics.

Material Quality

Low-quality materials can make a mattress less durable and more prone to sagging. For example, coils made from lesser-grade metal can weaken and break, causing the mattress to sink under your weight. Similarly, low-density and cheaply made foams will break down faster than high-density foams.

Durability

In general, you can expect most mattresses to last 5 to 10 years before starting to sag. Beds that feature high-quality materials are better able to withstand repeated weight application and have a longer expected lifespan. The build is also important, as a too-thin support core may give out sooner under weight.

Firmness

Choosing a mattress with the appropriate firmness level for your body weight can help prevent premature sagging. For example, someone who weighs over 230 pounds exerts more pressure on the mattress and will compress it much more deeply than someone who weighs under 130 pounds. This added compression can stress the mattress materials and cause it to degrade faster. A firmer mattress compresses less easily and is better suited to someone over 230 pounds. 

Bear in mind that the ideal mattress firmness also depends on your sleep position. Although a softer mattress may sag sooner, side sleepers may need the added cushioning to prevent pressure points at the hips and shoulders.

Edge Support

When a mattress has significant edge support, it’s as strong at the sides as it is in the middle. This allows you to sleep at the mattress’ edge without rolling towards the middle. It also makes it easier to get in and out of bed, because the side doesn’t sink when you sit on it. Strong edge support can prevent a mattress from sagging because it helps evenly disperse your weight while lending structure to the entire surface.

Sleep Trial and Warranty

A mattress’ sleep trial can help you get an idea of whether it will hold up well over time. Most companies include a sleep trial of at least a few months, though they can vary in length. While most mattresses won’t sag in the first few months, extra-long sleep trials can give you a better idea of the mattress’ durability as opposed to simply trying the mattress in a store.

Mattresses also come with a multi-year warranty, which typically covers workmanship or manufacturer defects. Warranties may also extend to cracks in the foam, broken springs, and significant body indentations.

Tips for Preventing Your Mattress From Sagging

When it comes to fixing a sagging mattress, the best method is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are a few steps you can take, whether your mattress is new or you’ve had it for years. 

Rotate or Flip Your Mattress

You can help prevent sagging by flipping or rotating your mattress 180 degrees so that the surface wears more evenly. The mattress manufacturer should provide guidance on how often to flip your mattress, but most mattresses should be flipped or rotated a few times a year. Most contemporary mattresses are built with a top and a bottom, so be sure to only flip models that are designed with two sleep surfaces. 

Buy a Mattress Topper

A mattress topper can change your bed’s feel and help you squeeze a bit more use out of an aging bed. Choose a durable material such as latex or high-density polyfoam and look for features like perimeter reinforcement or zoned support.

Sleep on Different Parts of the Bed

Over time, your bed’s materials can start to sag beneath the areas that support substantial parts of your body weight, like beneath your midsection or shoulders. You can even out your bed’s wear patterns by swapping between sides and rotating the mattress’ top and bottom. 

Give Your Bed Proper Support

Even if you have a mattress with lots of structure, a bed base without support can cause your mattress to sag. Check what the manufacturer recommends and make sure you use an appropriate base. Some beds require close, evenly placed slats or an additional supportive column in the middle of the bed. If you want a supportive boost, consider a bunkie board, which slides between your base and mattress. 

Clean Your Mattress Regularly
Mold, mildew, and humidity can affect the integrity of the foam or coils, causing your mattress to break down prematurely and sag. Use a washable mattress protector to safeguard against spills. You can also air your mattress out regularly to help keep the internal components dry. Baking soda application, regular vacuuming, and spot cleaning are also excellent ways to keep your mattress clean.

Is a Sagging Mattress Fixable?

Once a mattress begins to sag, you can take steps to prolong its lifespan, but it’s typically not fixable if it’s sagging significantly. To combat minor sagging, you can add a mattress topper, rotate the mattress 180 degrees, or change the bed base to a more supportive design.

Discover More Mattress Solutions

The Sleep Doctor team has tested thousands of mattresses and developed well-researched buying guides to address nearly every sleep need our readers have.

More Mattress Guides

Our team has tested more than 1,000 mattresses over nearly a decade. We put all models through the same series of tests, evaluating each one to see how it performs in categories like temperature regulation, motion isolation, pressure relief, and overall support. Our testing team members also try each mattress personally to get an idea of comfort and support across different sleeper types. 

On the hunt for the best mattresses that won’t sag, we prioritized mattresses featuring supportive designs and durable materials.

Frequently Asked Questions