Best Mattresses for Heavy People in Canada

We’ve spent decades in the sleep industry, looking at different sleep products, determining new trends, and trying all of the new and different things that we could. Over this time, we’ve developed a lot of expertise when it comes to sleep-related products. Mattresses are just one of our areas of expertise, and we tend to look at the whole picture when we evaluate a mattress.

Our test lab results and tester feedback is put together to determine if each mattress will make our list. We evaluate based on very specific criteria, including the following performance areas.

• Support. Support is the single most important issue when it comes to mattresses for heavier sleepers. We looked at mattresses that offered the best support from edge to edge, so even the heaviest sleepers can feel comfortable.
• Temperature Control. A lot of Canadians wake up sweaty and uncomfortable. Temperature control features can help, so we looked at how each mattress mitigated temperature. Then, we handed each mattress to our sleepers who sleep hottest – their results helped shape our list.
• Motion Isolation. Motion from the other side of the bed can ruin your sleep cycle, so we looked specifically for mattresses with strong motion isolation. Our tests helped us determine which mattresses did a better job of preventing motion transfer.
• Pressure Relief. Pressure relief is important for all sleepers, but heavier sleepers need a little more help. We looked at pressure maps to determine which mattress offered the best all-over pressure relief and balance, to ensure you sleep without pressure points.

What Makes a Mattress Good for Heavy Sleepers?

Heavier sleepers need mattresses with specific features to sleep comfortably. While heavier sleepers can appreciate most mattresses, a few special considerations can help heavier sleepers improve the way they sleep.

An ideal mattress for heavy sleepers in Canada should have:

• Medium, medium-firm, or firm firmness
• A strong support base, either in memory foam or with a layer of coils
• A higher weight limit than most standard mattresses
• Great pressure relief without return pressure
• A thicker height than other mattresses
• Superior weight balancing
• Great motion isolation
• Temperature control features to help reduce heat build-up
• A responsive surface

All of these features can help heavier sleepers feel a little better when they wake up. If you are a heavier sleeper, look for mattresses with as many of these features as possible.

Of course, you should choose the mattress that feels best for you. While heavier sleepers need better support to stay comfortable over time, you may find that your preferences deviate from this list. As long as you find a mattress that keeps you comfortable, there’s nothing to worry about.

Who is a heavy sleeper?

It’s important to note who we’re talking about when we mention heavy sleepers. In the mattress and sleep industry, heavy sleepers are defined as those weighing more than 230lbs (104kg). This distinction is determined based on mattress standards, weight distribution, materials, and weight limit. We’ll talk about these options as we talk about what you should go for when choosing a mattress for heavier sleepers.

How to Choose the Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers in Canada

With the above options in mind, let’s take a look at what you should look for when shopping for a mattress best suited to heavy sleepers in Canada.

Type of Mattress

There are a few types of mattresses available online in Canada, and these types are represented in our list.

• All-foam mattresses use layers of memory foam and latex to create a comforting, contouring sleeping surface.
  • Memory foam reacts with your body heat, allowing the foam to form around the areas where you need it. This provides a supportive and super comfortable surface that you can relax into. However, memory foam tends to retain heat while you sleep, leading to more overheating overall. The sinking feeling can be uncomfortable for some, too.
  • Latex, on the other hand, is cooler and allows for the same level of contouring, but with a more responsive surface overall. Latex foam is better for those who overheat or sleepers who need to move around a lot at night. If you want to avoid memory foam’s quicksand feeling, a latex foam mattress might be the perfect solution.
• Hybrid mattresses provide better support on average than foam mattresses. They represent the best of both worlds – the traditional innerspring mattresses of the past and the memory foam mattresses that are fully integrated into our sleeping spaces. Hybrid mattresses use layers of foam on top of a layer of supportive, pocketed coils that compress individually instead of all at once. This means better motion isolation, better breathability, and none of the discomfort associated with innerspring mattresses.

Firmness, Body Type, and Sleeping Position

The firmness that you prefer is determined by several factors. While it’s certainly a personal thing, your preferences are more than likely influenced by your body type and how you sleep.

Heavier sleepers need a firmer mattress in general, though some may prefer a softer mattress for pressure relief. Here is a chart that will help you determine which firmness you should choose based on standard factors. These guidelines can help get you started, but your preferences should ultimately decide which firmness you purchase.

Support

The amount of support offered by a mattress depends on several things. Firmness is just one of these factors. Other factors include composition, construction, and the support layers at the bottom of the mattress. Heavier sleepers need more support. They need stronger materials than other sleepers, and they need materials that will support them a bit more than standard foams might.

If you need a lot of extra support, consider mattresses of any type that include zoned support. When a mattress includes firmer support ‘zones’, you’ll usually have stronger support under your hips and lower back. Softer foams reduce pressure on your shoulders and other parts of your body while keeping you properly supported right where you need it.

There are plenty of ways that mattresses create better support, but make sure to look out for support zones if you need extra help.

Mattress Thickness

The thickness, or height, of a mattress, is a great feature to pay attention to for heavier sleepers. A thicker mattress offers more room to balance and support your body. You can sink further into a thick mattress without feeling the coil layer, eliminating any pressure points or related difficulties.

Simply put, a thicker mattress offers the best support for heavy people in Canada. A mattress of at least 10” is ideal for smaller sleepers, but heavier sleepers should go with a mattress of at least 13” to get the most out of the construction and materials. With a thicker mattress, you may experience fewer pressure points and less discomfort as you sleep.

Keep in mind that the height of your mattress may determine which bed sheets you can purchase. Always choose bed sheets that are compatible with the height of your mattress, as it keeps your mattress protected.

Weight Limit

Each mattress has a weight limit, depending on the materials and the construction of the mattress. Most mattresses have a high weight limit of around 500 pounds for one sleeper or 250 for each sleeper. So long as the combined weight of both sleepers is under 500 pounds, the mattress will last and provide great support.

Some mattresses have a higher weight limit, too. The weight limit of a mattress comes down to the various factors associated with the mattress, including its support base, foam layers, and size.

Though the weight limits may seem arbitrary, you should observe and respect each mattress’s weight limit. That’s because failing to observe this limit can void your warranties. At the very least, it could cause the mattress to perform poorly or not last as long. These limits exist for a reason, so it’s best practice to observe them.

Additional Mattress Features

After you’ve considered the basics, it’s time to look at some of the more advanced mattress features to keep an eye out for. Most mattresses will have one or two of these features, so choose the ones that work best for your needs.

Temperature Control

A lot of Canadians sleep hot, so if you often wake up overheated, you aren’t alone.  Rising temperatures are only partly to blame. Foam mattresses tend to hold onto the heat, allowing it to build up around your body as you sleep. As a result, you end up warmer than you would otherwise.

To mitigate these issues, many mattress companies use temperature-control foams and fabrics to help reduce heat and move it away from you. If you often sleep hot, you might be interested in a mattress that has more than one of these temperature control features.

Look for mattresses that use cooling gel foam layers, phase-changing covers, breathable springs, or an open-cell design. Keep in mind that latex is naturally cooler than memory foam and that there are many other proprietary methods that mattress companies use to reduce temperature. Find a mattress that uses many of these materials to help you stay cool night after night.

Motion Isolation

Do you have a restless partner or co-sleep with a child? Do you often find yourself waking up in the middle of the night because they are tossing and turning? More traditional innerspring mattresses are notorious for transferring motion across the length of the mattress. This means that you feel everything going on the other side of the mattress, down to the smallest movement.

If you sleep light, these movements can disrupt your sleep and make you tired in the morning. To avoid this, look for a mattress that uses motion isolation features to keep each side of the bed still and comfortable. Foam mattresses are better at isolating motion than innerspring or hybrid options, but hybrid mattresses are still better when compared to innerspring.

Look for mattresses that use motion-isolation support foam, soft transition layers, or open-cell foams. These materials can help stop motion before it reaches you, ensuring that you sleep peacefully throughout the night.

Edge Support

Sitting or sleeping near the edge of a foam mattress can sometimes be an alarming experience. You might feel like you’ll slide right off, or the mattress will collapse under you instead of sinking. That’s because many foam mattresses don’t bother with firmer foam at the edge of the mattress, which can lead to a more uncomfortable experience if you’re close to the edge.

If you need that additional support (or want your mattress to feel the same no matter where you’re laying), a mattress with edge support is the way to go. These mattresses may use a perimeter of support foam or can include firmer, denser foams near the edges to add that little bit of support you need. Look for mattresses with enhanced edge support via these perimeters to help increase support at the edge of your bed.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is one of the most important aspects of a mattress, but your mileage may vary. Pressure relief isn’t for everyone, but those that require a bit more cushioning from pressure points (especially heavier sleepers) will enjoy a mattress with better pressure relief. Thankfully, foam mattresses relieve pressure well. The way that foam contours to your body allow for relief right where you need it.

Mattresses with a pillow-top section can help a lot, especially if you want immediate pressure relief when you crawl into bed. Look for soft, contouring foams, foam layers that help reduce your deepest pressure points, and even pillow-top offerings if you need a little extra relief.