Let’s face it, we humans come in all shapes and sizes and for that very reason the mattress we sleep on should never be of the one-size fits all variety. For those with a little, height, heft or both, a firmer mattress that doesn’t swallow you up each time you climb into bed or turn over in the night, is the way to go. And if you have already begun to explore the many benefits of memory foam and it’s ability to dissipate weight for pressure point relief on heavier joints that can result in improved circulation and a pain-free morning, the odds are you’re already on the right track when it comes to finding a mattress that suits your body type and sleep style.
Now there are literally dozens of brands and designs on the market that all claim to be better than the rest at delivering the cooler, curve-hugging comfort you want with a memory foam mattress but don’t feel daunted, Memory Foam Doctor is here to help. We’ve reviewed many of the top manufacturers, sorting their products by density, support, fabrication, comfort and special features to offer a comprehensive, consumer-friendly comparison that can help with this big decision.
For those on the heavier side, you’ll want a medium-firm to firm mattress and both Purple and Tuft & Needle memory foam mattresses deliver big-time. Better still, because both offer 100-night trial periods, you get the chance to test run your new mattress with the option to return or exchange for free. Ready to learn more?
Background
The Purple brand is the brainchild of the Pearce brothers whose expertise in the area of producing advanced cushioning products led them to develop a number of patented products back in the 1990s, including their Hyper-Elastic Polymer. This latter technology was then used to produce a memory foam that has the ability to stretch to 15 times it’s resting size and once molded into the brand’s patented Smart Comfort Grid, it delivers not only exceptional back support but has the ability to relax under pressure points – so no push back. Today, Purple is one of the more recent additions to the on-line mattress industry and is quickly becoming one of the most popular options due to this unique, grid design.
Why is Purple a Great Mattress for Heavier People?
Purple’s 9.5-inch thick mattress with medium-firm construction delivers exceptional bounce-back due to the hyper-elastic polymer construction. This means that it has a little extra spring and is easier to get in and out of bed as well as turn over in the night. This aptly colored mattress is firm enough that regardless of your weight, you won’t sink in the way you can with some memory foam mattresses. That said, it offers enough cushioning comfort that if you’re a stomach sleeper who carries a little extra weight around the mid-section, its soft enough to contour to your tummy and chest area. The hyper-elastic polymer technology makes this mattress super durable so it won’t break-down regardless of body weight and that special grid pattern delivers the cooler, curve-hugging support you expect with memory foam.
Construction
Cover
Purple uses a visco-polyester-poly/lycra blend for a super breathable cover that works with the top layer of the mattress to deliver exceptional air flow and a cooler, more comfortable sleep. Because it’s designed to be extra stretchy, it quickly conforms to the mattress shape every time you move in the night, so you never lose the contouring comfort of the foam.
Top Layer
Using a 2-inch thick layer of their patented hyper-elastic polymer foam in a deep grid (think super thick waffle) pattern on their mattress top ensures not only superior air movement for a cooler sleep but it also instantly adapts to your curves to ensure your back and spine continually revert to a neutral position regardless of how often you move in the night.
Second Layer
Acting as a buffer or transition between the plush, upper comfort layer and the firmer base layer is a 3.5-inch thick layer of polyurethane foam. It’s this critical layer that delivers deep compression support and makes it ideal for heavier sleepers because of its ability to dissipate body weight across the entire sleep surface, alleviating pressure on key joints such as shoulders, hips and knees. The result is a more comfortable sleep and pain-free morning.
Base Layer
The Purple memory foam mattress uses a 4-inch thick base layer comprised of ultra firm polyurethane. This base layer not only delivers uniform support across the entire mattress surface, but it also buffers shock and movement for a more durable and longer lasting mattress.
Additional Benefits
Allergen Free
Purple’s hyper-elastic polymer is made with food- and food-contact grade materials so you won’t experience any off-gassing with this mattress. Additionally, their foam is CertiPUR-US Certified which makes it an ideal option for those who suffer from allergies.
Motion Isolation
For those with partners, kids or pets that wake them continually in the night as they climb in, climb out, flip or flop, sleep deprivation can seriously impact your health and productivity. Purple’s unique design helps to isolate motion and prevent it from transferring to your sleep space.
Trial Period / Warranty
Purple offers a 100-night trial period with free shipping and returns, free in-home set-up and the removal of your old mattress as well as a 10-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
Background
As a relatively recent addition to the bed-in-a-box industry, Tuft & Needle first began to manufacture quality memory foam mattresses in 2012 as an independent (though they are now owned by Simmons). The brand was committed to producing a premium product without the premium price so the founders – both software engineers out of Silicon Valley in California – decided to build a better bed… or memory foam mattress to be exact. The result is a simple yet superior quality, two-layer mattress that is designed and manufactured in the United States, using only American made products. All at an affordable price.
Why is Tuft & Needle a Great Mattress for Heavier People?
Tuft & Needle offers a premium quality, 10-inch thick mattress that comes in just one level of firmness – medium-firm, which happens to be ideal for heavier individuals. The brand achieves superior support and curve-hugging comfort by using just two layers of top-quality materials including a thick, 3-inch comfort layer of poly foam and a sturdy 7-inch layer of high-density support foam for a consistent level of support across the entire sleep surface. And as over-heating can often be a key concern for heavier individuals, it’s proprietary T&N Adaptive foam ensures a cooler, more comfortable sleep.
Construction
Cover
The super lightweight cover of the Tuft & Needle memory foam mattress is made from a micro polyamide and polyester blend for a softer feel that’s not only highly durable but is known to dry 6 to 8 times faster than pure cotton. For you, this means your sleep surface will always remain cool and dry regardless of how warm you sleep.
Top Layer
Tuft & Needle’s top layer includes a 3-inch thick slab of the brand’s patented T&N Adaptive foam for an ideal level of medium-firm support that can accommodate the heaviest of sleepers. But in spite of being a little extra firm, you’ll never have to sacrifice the cozy, curve-hugging comfort you want and expect from a memory foam mattress. Their Adaptive foam in this top layer instantly contours to your body’s shape to draw heat away and dissipate it throughout the lower layer. So, you have continual air movement and an always cooler sleep.
Base Layer
The base layer of this mattress is constructed from 7-inches of 1.8 PCF Adaptive foam for superior, uniform support across the entire mattress surface. Its role is critical to the effectiveness of the upper comfort layer because it not only buffers the softer memory foam from shock and movement for added durability, but it helps with spinal alignment regardless of your sleep style.
Additional Benefits
Suitable for Most Sleep Styles
Because Tuft & Needle delivers both soft comfort and firm support, it’s an ideal middle-of-the-road choice for those who like to sleep on their stomach, side and/or back. It offers sufficient “give” to accommodate heavier tummies and chests and adapts quickly to maintain optimal spinal alignment.
Cooler Sleep Surface
For heavier individuals, having a cool sleep surface can be the difference between waking rested or feeling like you need to hit “snooze” a few more times. The Tuft & Needle memory foam mattress draws heat away from your body while the lightweight, breathable cover allows warmer air to continually escape for an always cooler, more comfortable sleep.
Trial Period / Warranty
Similar to Purple, Tuft & Needle provides purchasers with a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty (with free shipping and 100% money back guarantee if you are not happy with your purchase within the prescribed timeline).
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