TOP 5 Best Mattresses for Heavy People in Canada

Sagging hips, discomfort, and a lack of support are just some of the problems plaguing heavier sleepers.

Even after countless hours of research, you can still end up with a mattress that is saggy and causing misalignment due to a lack of support. This can translate to waking up sore and frequently tossing and turning in bed.

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best mattresses for heavy people in Canada, plus some tips and tricks on additional factors to consider when selecting your dream mattress. These mattresses are geared to be more supportive so even heavier sleepers can get a good night’s rest.

Let’s take a look.

Quick Overview:

Our Review of the 5 Best Mattresses for Heavy People in Canada (January 2024)

Editor’s Choice — Novosbed Mattress

Runner Up — Emma Hybrid Comfort Mattress

The Emma Hybrid is my runner-up due to its supportive coils, HRX foam, and Airgocell foam. The Emma Hybrid offers a traditional innerspring feel that keeps the hips, spine, and torso elevated in optimal positions. Coil hybrids are known for excellent spinal support, almost as much as they are known for bounce and ease of movement. I could lie on this model and feel the coils adjusting to my movements instantly. It lifted my hips and provided bounce, ensuring I could quickly move across the bed’s width. 

Adding to the Emma Hybrid’s ease of movement was its firm-feel HRX foam, which provided an excellent transitional layer so I was cushioned while feeling weightlessly suspended over the coils. The HRRX minimized this model’s sinkage, so I didn’t fall into the layers too much, which I found was better for my spine. 

Another crucial feature of the Emma Hybrid that would benefit heavier sleepers is its fast-acting Airgocell memory foam. This layer is cradling, contouring, and ensured I was never restricted when changing my sleeping position. It provides pressure relief and cushioning that balances the firmer HRX foam layer and coils, keeping you comfortable and tension-free.

Based on Our Tests

When I tested this product, I found the Emma Hybrid strongly emphasized support. I could feel the coils lifting me evenly, ensuring my movement was bouncy and unrestricted. My spine remained straight and relaxed.

Best Affordable Option — Douglas Mattress

The Douglas Original is my best affordable option thanks to its cost-effective pricing, minimal sinkage, and excellent edge support. The Douglas Original is more accessible in its pricing, offering a luxury memory foam mattress that includes synthetic latex without the steep price tag attached. It’s $500 cheaper than the Puffy and $799 cheaper than the GhostBed Luxe, yet still offers similar support and cradling for a tension-free, weightless feel for heavier sleepers.

The Douglas Original offers minimal sinkage, which is a clear note of its ability to support. Mattresses with deeper sinkages tend to struggle to balance support, but the Douglas Original skips this issue entirely with its synthetic latex layer. This 2-inch layer is bouncy and spongy like real latex, and I felt buoyant and well-supported despite its soft sponginess. From my tests, the Douglas Original had a sinkage of 1.92 inches. This is the exact same sinkage as the Novosbed, which means the Douglas Original feels similar, with a slightly softer, spongier feel better suited to heavier side sleepers.

Another feature of a high-quality, supportive mattress is its edge support. Poor-quality mattresses tend to have saggy edges, but the Douglas Original actually firms up its edges reasonably well. In light of my tests, the Douglas Original had compressions of around 3.54 inches, well below the recommended max of 4 inches. I could lie on the edge peacefully and still enjoy the same cradling support for safe and secure sleeping. The Douglas Original had 0.36 inches better edge support than the GhostBed Luxe, which means the Douglas Original is one of the top-rated mattresses for heavy person.

Based on Our Tests

In light of my tests, the Douglas Original was especially pressure-relieving on my side, contouring my shoulders and hips for a weightless feeling. I was comfortable and supported in the spongy, soft layers.

The Puffy is my best memory foam option thanks to its slow-adaptive feel, highly resilient base, and excellent edge support. Good mattresses for heavier sleepers don’t often have deep-sinking foam, but the Puffy balances this well. Its highly dense foam allows for deep sinkage and support, creating a ‘weightless’ feel whenever you fall into bed. In light of my review, the Puffy took about 1.7 seconds to bounce back from impressions. I could sink in and feel a slight delay, like a cloud held me up. 

The Puffy is 0.9 seconds slower at recovering than the Douglas Original, likely due to its denser foam. That means heavier sleepers who prefer slow-adaptive contouring will enjoy the Puffy’s traditional feel.

The Puffy’s Firm Core Support Base further enhances its highly dense comfort layers. This base layer is bouncy and resilient, ensuring I didn’t sink in too deep, and kept my body weight evenly distributed even though I was more ‘in’ the layers than ‘on’ them. In light of my review, the Puffy had a sinkage of 2.5 inches, where I could sink in through the top layer relatively easily before settling on the supportive transitional layer and resilient base. The Puffy has slightly less sinkage than the GhostBed Luxe by 0.2 inches, meaning that the Puffy is a suitable mid-ground if you want cradling support.

A critical mark of how well a mattress will suit heavier sleepers is how supportive its edges are. Luckily, the Puffy has excellent edge support. Its Climate Comfort transitional foam and durable foam base give extra life to the edges. I could lie on the edges comfortably without feeling like I would accidentally roll out.

From my tests, the Puffy had a sinkage of 2.4 inches along its edge, much less than the maximum of 4 inches I usually recommend. The Puffy’s edges were 1.5 inches stronger than the GhostBed Luxe. That makes the Puffy the better option for heavier sleepers who want to use the entire width of their bed. 

Based on Our Tests

I determined through my tests that the Puffy mattress’s incredible sinkage directly translates to a ‘floating in a cloud’ experience. I was most comfortable on my side and back, with ample sinkage to contour to my hips while keeping my back straight.

Best for Hot Sleepers — GhostBed Luxe Mattress

The GhostBed Luxe is my best option for hot sleepers due to its cooling technology, excellent bounce, and fast-acting memory foam.

The GhostBed Luxe invests heavily in user experience, using technologies like Ghost Ice, a phase change material woven into the cover for a cool-touch feel. They also employ gel memory foam, which is soft and helps draw away excess heat. From my review, I recorded a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and always felt comfortable at night. I could move to a new section of the mattress, and be greeted by a refreshing chill under my sheets.
 

 
The GhostBed Luxe had similar coolness as the Douglas Original, despite having 0.78 inches more sinkage. The GhostBed Luxe was hotter by 0.3 degrees, demonstrating it could draw away just as much heat despite more of my body being enveloped by the layers. Memory foam is known to retain heat, so this is essential to keep in mind when comparing the two. 

Despite being an all-foam model, the GhostBed Luxe also provides excellent bounce. This is partially due to its resilient Ghost Bounce layer, which felt springy to lie on, and kept my spine neutral. As per my tests, I measured a bounce of 8.01 inches. This is 2.57 inches higher than the Douglas Original, despite both being all-foam models. That makes the GhostBed Luxe the better option for heavier active couples who need freedom of movement. 

In addition to its bounce, the GhostBed Luxe offers fast-acting, spongy foam. Too often, memory foam mattresses struggle with deep sinkage, making sleepers feel ‘trapped’ in the layers. But with the Ghostbed Luxe, its springy Ghost Bounce Layer and fast-acting gel foam ensure you’re well-enveloped without any restriction.

From my tests, I measured a bounce-back speed of 0.4 seconds, which was almost instantaneous. I could shift positions and felt an almost ‘spring-back’ in the layers helping me move. This is crucial when dealing with models that have deep sinkage. This GhostBed Luxe adapted 1.3 seconds faster than the Puffy, making the GhostBed Luxe more suited to sleepers who want a modern memory foam feel.

Based on Our Tests

Through my tests, I found the GhostBed Luxe comfortable, springy, and supportive while lying on my back. The Ghost Bounce layer and high-density base kept my spine pleasantly straight, and I woke up without any soreness.

Additional Factors To Look At

There are a few essential factors to look at when choosing the best mattress for heavy people in Canada, which include:

• If it uses a zoning system.
• What type of core it uses.
• Its price.
• Its edge support.
• It’s prescribed weight capacity.
• If the cover can be removed.

Zoning System

A zoned system, typically involving coils, ensures each part of the body gets targeted relief. That means there's more support in the mid-section of the mattress, where the hips typically reside. This can be crucial for heavier sleepers who need more support but may not necessarily feel comfortable with high firmness levels for their shoulders. 

A zoned system like the Emma Hybrid can support each body position more effectively while offering pressure relief for heavier side sleepers. This is because the zoned section under the shoulders is typically softer, so there is enough cushioning, give, and pressure relief, while firmer under heavier areas. 

Including a zoned support system makes these types of hybrids some of the best mattresses for side sleepers in Canada who need slightly more support. 

The Core Type

A mattress must have a stronger-then-average core, as it will be supporting heavier sleepers. Lightweight or lower-quality cores can lose their integrity when faced with heavier weight daily, which leads to premature sagging, discomfort, and a misaligned spine. 

Some of the best mattresses for back pain in Canada often include a robust core made to withstand extra weight over a longer time. This can include strong coils, like the Emma Hybrid, or high-density foam, like the Novosbed’s supportive base. This strength can adequately lift the hips and keep sleepers relaxed and comfortable night after night.

According to the Better Sleep Council, mattresses for heavy person are usually thicker and use materials like memory foam or hybrid coils. This makes some of the best memory foam mattresses in Canada worth considering when looking at the core of your mattress.

Price

The price often factors into which best firm mattress in Canada sleepers should choose. You always want to look for the best value for features, especially when looking for luxury mattresses.

For example, the Douglas Original is my best-value mattress, coming in at a competitive price lower than most other mattresses. However, it uses similar layer material and breathable features as mattresses like the GhostBed Luxe. 

Edge Support

Edge support is crucial for heavier sleepers, as it determines if a mattress will support you on the edges and has the integrity you need. Edge support is more important for larger sizes, like king and queen mattresses, as this ensures the full width can be used.

A weak edge support can cause edges to compress too much, leading to slippery edges and an inability to sleep comfortably on the edge as a heavier individual. The integrity will also be affected, as the edges won’t support the core as much, leading to premature sagging. This may lead to discomfort and trouble sleeping, linked to poor health (1). 

On the other hand, some of the best king-size mattresses in Canada, like the Puffy, have minimal sinkage on the edge. That means they can support more weight comfortably on the edge, and the entire surface of the mattress is more robust as a result. 

Mattress Weight Capacity

Some mattress companies are vague or don’t explicitly state their mattress's weight capacity. This can lead to issues like choosing a mattress not equipped to handle heavier people. Companies may hide the capacity limit because they don’t want you to be able to compare the brand with others, as weight capacity is a clear indicator of quality. 

The best way to avoid this is to check a mattress's weight capacity, which will confirm it can withstand a certain amount of weight and serve a heavier person’s needs better. For example, the Novosbed is rated to support a maximum weight capacity of 300 or 600 pounds for two people. This weight capacity indicates high quality and can easily support heavier people for years.

Also Read: How to Dry a Wet Mattress Fast

A Removable Cover

A removable cover can be a bonus for a mattress for heavy person, making cleaning easier. If you get an accidental spill or just want to freshen up your bedroom, having the option to remove the cover in a matter of seconds can make cleaning much easier.

For example, the Novosbed is geared to support heavier sleepers, plus it comes with an easy-to-remove cover. This makes the Novosbed a one-stop choice for sleepers who want all the luxury features of a reliable mattress.

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Bedbugs

FAQ:

Conclusion

Searching for the best mattress for heavy people in Canada doesn’t have to take hours of research. 

By simply knowing what factors are most important for a mattress, like its core firmness and edge support, you will know what type of mattress is a safe and suitable choice to serve your home for years.

In my opinion, The Novosbed is my best mattress for heavier sleepers as it has conforming upper layers, but ensured I was always well-supported. I found my spine pleasantly neutral and tension-free during every test with this model. The Novosbed best suits heavier sleepers who want a hugging yet firm traditional memory foam feel for pressure relief.

Still have questions about finding the best mattresses for heavy people in Canada? Alex Savy, the Co-Founder and Chief Editor at Comfynorth has reviewed countless sleep products with over 4 years in the industry and can help you find what you’re looking for. Reach out through email at [email protected]. When emailing Alex, include your full name and phone number or email address.