How Much Weight Can a Mattress Hold?

How much weight can a mattress hold? Typical weight limits vary depending on the type and construction of the mattress. While you should always check the manufacturer’s specifications for exact weight limits, here’s a general guide to mattress weight capacity guide based on the different types:

What are Typical Mattress Weight Limits?

Innerspring Mattresses: Innersprings tend to have weight limits between 250-300 lbs per person or 500-600 lbs for the entire bed. Higher-end models with reinforced coils may support more.

Memory Foam Mattresses: Most memory foam mattresses support 250-300 lbs per person. Some premium models designed for heavier individuals can help more, around 500-700 lbs total.

Hybrid Mattresses: A combination of innerspring coils and foam layers, hybrid mattresses usually support 250-350 lbs per person. Higher-end hybrids support up to 600-700 lbs total.

Latex Mattresses: Natural latex mattresses are known for durability and support. Most can hold 300-400 lbs per person, with total limits reaching around 600-800 lbs.

Air Mattresses: These have varying weight capacities, usually 300-500 lbs per side, depending on the quality.

The Big Fig Mattress: The Big Fig mattress is considered a hybrid model. However, unlike other models, it’s designed to support up to 1,100 lbs. with two sleepers (in queen, king, or California king mattress sizes) or up to 550 lbs. with a single sleeper (on any mattress size).

Does Mattress Size Affect Weight Limit?

The size of a bed or mattress typically doesn’t affect its weight limit. A mattress's weight capacity is determined by its internal structure, materials, and overall design rather than which side you're sleeping on.

What Affects Mattress Weight Limits?

How much weight can a mattress support? That all depends on its materials, construction, and design. Here's a breakdown of the key factors in play:

Mattress Types & Materials

Foam (Memory Foam, Polyfoam, Latex): The density of foam is crucial when it comes to mattress materials. Higher-density foams are more durable and can support more weight without mattress sagging . Latex, especially the natural variety, tends to have a higher weight capacity than standard memory foam. The Big Fig features Perforated Gel-Infused Latex Foam, which allows air to flow freely through the mattress, maximizing breathability and comfort while you’re snoozing.
Hybrid: A hybrid mattress like the Big Fig improves weight support in several ways due to its combined design, which integrates innerspring coils and foam (or latex) layers.
Innersprings: The coil system in a hybrid mattress provides a solid support base. These coils (typically pocketed or individually wrapped) are designed to distribute weight evenly across the mattress, which helps prevent sagging and maintains spinal alignment, even with heavier sleepers. The Big Fig has 1,600 individually wrapped coils — 50% more than the average direct competitor!

Mattress Structure

The structure of a mattress is crucial for handling heavier sleepers because it directly affects support, comfort, and spinal alignment. The Big Fig was explicitly designed to support plus-size sleepers, offering a durable construction that includes high-density foam layers, pocketed coils, and a reinforced foundation to handle heavier weights.

Mattress Thickness

Generally, thicker mattresses tend to have higher weight limits because they contain more supportive materials. A mattress that’s 12 inches or more in thickness is likely to handle more weight than a thinner mattress. The Big Fig mattress is 13 inches thick. The 13-inch thickness balances support and comfort, ensuring the mattress can accommodate up to 1,100 pounds (550 pounds per side for couples) without sagging. This thickness also allows for proper weight distribution while maintaining a plush feel on the surface.

Bed Frame and Foundation

A strong, well-built bed frame helps distribute weight evenly across the mattress. Frames made from durable materials like solid wood or reinforced metal can handle heavier loads without bending, breaking, or creaking. A weak frame can compromise the integrity of the mattress, leading to sagging or insufficient support. Using a mattress foundation like the one from Big Fig is like giving your mattress a sturdy, reliable partner. It not only enhances your overall sleep experience but also extends the lifespan of your mattress .

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Mattress for Your Weight

When choosing the best mattress for your weight, several essential factors come into play to ensure comfort, support, and longevity. For example, manufacturer’s tests, quality of materials, mattress durability, firmness level, edge support , motion isolation, cooling features, and mattress type.

What’s the Best Mattress for Plus-Sized Couples: The Big Fig

The Big Fig mattress is the best mattress for plus-sized couples because it supports up to 1,100 lbs in total, which is more than any other mattress out there. It provides the firmness, stability, cooling technology, superior construction, and comfort needed for plus-sized couples to get quality sleep each and every night.

Does The Big Fig Mattress Have a Weight Recommendation?

Do mattresses have weight limits? Absolutely, even the Big Fig. However, we take pride in crafting a mattress that's engineered to support up to 1,100 pounds (or 550 pounds per person for couples) on any mattress size, making it an ideal choice for plus-sized individuals. With its high-density foam layers and individually wrapped coil springs, the Big Fig ensures long-term durability without sagging, providing a supportive and amazingly comfortable sleep experience.

The Big Fig mattress is designed to support up to 1,100 lbs. with two sleepers (in queen, king, or California king mattress sizes) or up to 550 lbs. with a single sleeper (on any mattress size), providing a reassuring and catered sleep experience for plus-sized individuals. If you’re searching for more information on how many people (or pets!) can fit comfortably on one mattress, our friends at Tuck.com have created a helpful mattress size chart.

Note that this chart was designed with the average consumer in mind, so we recommend Big Fig customers size up.

mattress size chart for twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and california king

Do I Need Anything Besides the Big Fig Mattress?

While you can use your existing foundation for the ultimate in both comfort and support, we suggest setting yourself up for success by building the perfect bed for plus-sized sleepers with Big Fig! There are two main routes you can take:

Big Fig Mattress + Foundation + Bed Frame + Mattress Protector
Big Fig Mattress + Adjustable Base + Mattress Protector

Remember bedding and sleep essentials like our Big Fig Premium Cooling Sheets, pillowcases, and adjustable pillows for both your head and body!

Ready to build your own Big Fig sleep system? Find your perfect fit with our Bed Builder quiz.

The Full Big Fig Mattress Sleep Support System

The Big Fig Mattress Sleep Support System is a carefully engineered design that aims to provide optimal support, durability, and comfort for plus-sized sleepers. Here are the main components that make up this system:

High-Density Polyfoam Layers: The Big Fig mattress incorporates multiple layers of high-density polyfoam that provide enhanced cushioning and contouring. These foam layers are much denser than those found in standard mattresses, ensuring they can withstand heavier weights without sagging or losing shape over time.
Individually Wrapped Coil Support System: At the core of the mattress is a coil support system featuring 1,600 individually wrapped coils, which is significantly higher than the industry standard. This coil count provides strong support and helps distribute weight evenly across the mattress.
Hybrid Design: The Big Fig is a hybrid mattress, combining the benefits of foam and coil support. This hybrid design helps balance firmness and comfort, offering enough give for pressure relief but enough resilience to keep the spine aligned properly for heavier individuals.
Gel-Infused Latex Layer: One unique feature is the inclusion of a gel-infused perforated latex foam layer beneath the top comfort layers. Latex is naturally responsive and provides additional bounce and breathability. It helps prevent that "stuck" feeling some people experience with all-foam mattresses.
THERMOGEL® Cooling Technology: The mattress cover is treated with ThermoGel®, a cooling technology that activates when you come into contact with it. This helps regulate body temperature and prevents overheating and icky night sweats, common issues for plus-sized sleepers.
Edge Support Foam: The Big Fig has extra-strong edge support to further enhance durability and usability. The perimeter of the mattress is reinforced with high-density edge foam, which helps prevent sagging and ensures

You may be thinking that the Big Fig would be the perfect fit for you, but what about your partner who is not plus size? Finding a mattress is difficult enough for one person let alone two!

No worries! Thousands of mixed size couples love their Big Fig Mattress. Here are some of our favorite examples:

Natalie and Terry

Natalie Craig, Natalie in the City

“When my boyfriend Terry—who is 6’2", tall and thin—moved in with me last fall, I wondered what he would think of the Big Fig, and if he would find that it offered him the same benefits of comfort and sound sleep.

Together, we sleep comfortably! If either one of us turns over or moves in the middle of the night, it doesn’t wake the other person because the mattress is so supportive. We are confident that the Big Fig Mattress will last us for decades, and we are so glad because we’re currently having the best sleep we have ever had, even though we have different body types.”

Miranda and Kevin

Miranda Shultz, The Plus Life Blog

“When my husband, Kevin, and I were recently searching for a new mattress, my number one concern was finding something that met both of our needs. I am short and plus size and my husband is tall and thin... I knew from the first night that this was the PERFECT mattress for me and my husband was convinced by the third night.”

Alysse and Gio

Alysse D’Alessandro: Ready to Stare

“If you sleep on a regular mattress with a sleeping companion who is smaller than you, it’s not uncommon for the mattress to dip down on that one side. You can flip the mattress, but your mattress essentially has a permanent dip in it. I love sleeping on my Big Fig Mattress with Gio because I know that we won’t ever have to worry about that issue. My side has the same firmness as his side.”

See what we mean? When we say the Big Fig Mattress supports 1,100 pounds with two sleepers, we mean any combination of sleepers! You and your partner can both get better sleep regardless of your body types, because everyone deserves a good night’s rest.

How Much Weight is the Big Fig Mattress Designed to Hold?