Finding the perfect air mattress isn’t rocket science – though it can feel like it!
With so many options on the market to choose from, it isn’t exactly a straightforward purchase either. Let’s face it: air mattresses are not exactly known for their reliability as a long-term comfort solution.
You deserve the best sleep you can get on an excellent heavy-duty air mattress. We have fantastic news – air mattress technology has come a long way with quality mattresses that provide better durability and support.
Air mattresses have grown in popularity over the years. Many people with back pain have even ditched their traditional mattresses and opted for air beds as a long-term solution, as they find better support for the natural curves of their bodies.
For heavier people who also suffer from ailments like back problems or knee problems, especially older folks, many heavy-duty air mattress options on the market provide much more depth making it easier to get out of the bed than your standard size air mattress options.
Whether you are looking for a heavy-duty air mattress for your next big camping trip or as a solid temporary option for your family or house guests, there are many quality heavy-duty options out there to choose from.
What is the Average Weight Capacity for Most Air Mattresses?
The standard weight capacity tends to vary between most brands, but the average queen and king-size air mattresses have a suggested weight capacity of around 500-600 pounds. The average twin air mattress advises the weight limit is usually roughly 300 pounds.
Some air mattresses on the market can support up to 800 pounds, presenting an ideal option for heavier folks. 500 pounds can seem like a more than decent weight limit to most, but these standard air mattresses may not be perfect options for couples that require the mattress to support 250 pounds or more per side.
The Best Heavy Duty Air Mattresses for Heavy People
Englander Raised California King – Best Overall
Englander is a company that has been in the mattress industry for over a century and has applied the same principles and high standards in crafting a comfortable sleep experience for their mattresses. All Englander air mattress products are true-to-size compared to regular mattresses, allowing you to use regular bed sheets.
The exterior’s design also features ridged sides so that the sheets will not slip throughout the night. The Englander is built to last, with welded seams which is a rare feature in other competitor products, and won’t warp or lose shape through repeated use over time.
The Englander’s Raised California King air mattresses feature a soft, moisture-wicking microfiber exterior that is puncture-proof and abrasion-resistant. It can be used without a fitted sheet and offers more comfort than a PVC exterior. That makes this heavy-duty option ideal for anyone with kids or pets to enjoy without worrying that this air mattress will puncture with regular use.
The air mattress is outfitted with a built-in pump that Englander claims is specially engineered to support a higher air flow volume with an inflation time of two minutes as well as a deflate button. While inflate and deflate time may not seem important, it is another magnificent factor of the England Raised California King, since air mattresses tend to be used in short-term and temporary situations, whether for guests or out camping.
The Englander Raised California King is 20 inches off the ground, making this option one of our favorites for heavy folks that struggle to get in and out of bed. Both the Englander Queen and California King air mattresses boast an additional 4 inches more in height than their competitors, not only making it more comfortable but more convenient.
The Englander air mattress also features internal coil beam technology which not only provides more stability and support but makes this mattress much more comfortable. The coil beams distribute the air in the mattress more evenly, so you don’t have to worry about your sleep getting disturbed if your partner shifts around during the night.
Coleman All-Terrain Plus Double High Airbed – Queen – Best for Camping
Coleman is known for their quality camping products and their All-Terrain Plus Double High Airbed is a great addition to their air mattress line. With additional features such as the All-Terrain’s Puncture Guarded which is 47% more puncture resistant compared to their other air mattresses, this is a solid premium option for guaranteed durability.
Their Support Lock technology and 120v pump make this another great option for camping with a quick and easy setup and will remain airtight throughout the night. However, you will need a powered campsite or access to a generator for this air mattress to work as it requires an outlet to power the built-in pump.
The stronger and more durable material of the All-Terrain is factory-tested to be leak-free with Coleman’s Airlock technology supporting up to 800 pounds of weight. The materials are lightweight with a total product weight of 13 pounds, you won’t have to look much further for a great travel option. The All-Terrain also includes a convenient carry bag for storage.
Similar to other heavy-duty air mattresses, the Coleman All-Terrain also features double height and is 15 inches off the ground when inflated which will make it much easier to get in and out of this bed. For additional convenience, this air mattress is also standard dimensions and will fit standard queen sheets, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing a specific fitted sheet for this product.
For heavy people looking to keep their next air mattress purchase within a camping brand that they trust, we love this premium heavy-duty option that is a more durable improvement to an already well-respected line of quality air mattresses.
Fox Plush High Rise Mattress – King – Best for Couples
If you’re going off-the-grid, but also require the premium features of a quality air mattress such as double height and beam technology, the Fox Airbeds Plush High Rise Mattress will tick all the boxes for both temporary and everyday use.
Not only does the Fox Plush High mattress feature a built-in pump, but it also has a valve for external inflation and deflation if you are staying at a campsite or somewhere without access to power. We love the added convenience of the valve since this product is great for use at home but a perfect travel option as well. Standard size king sheets will also work perfectly for this bed as it measures 80 inches by 60 inches.
This is also one of our favorite options for heavy and overweight people because, in addition to its i-beam support technology, this air mattress also features side air chambers so that the bed will not sag on the sides. This is one of the biggest problems in most air mattresses which are known to dip significantly when you try to get out of the bed.
This mattress stands at 19 inches high when fully inflated and paired with the side air chambers, which will add additional support when getting out of bed. We love how easy it is to get in and out of the bed. The vertical beam support also makes this an ideal option for couples due to the evenly distributed support.
What To Consider in an Air Mattress for Heavy People
High Weight Capacity
The differentiating factor in high-weight capacity mattresses usually boils down to the design, quality, and durability. In comparing the average high-weight air mattress, most feature multiple air chambers or coil and beam support technology which can support more overall weight within the mattress.
When making an educated decision on the mattress for you and your family, it’s vital to read the manufacturer’s suggested weight limit on the box as a first step.
Next, you’ll want to consider the air mattress’s design features to understand how the mattress supports and distributes more weight. While you cannot go wrong with air coil or beam support, some differences between the designs can factor into the overall comfort level of the mattress. It’s helpful to compare different brands and various product features to make the best decision in purchasing a heavy-duty air mattress with a high weight capacity.
Air Beams and Coils Support
The air mattresses you grew up with were likely single chamber air mattresses. These were just one big cushion of air. Most air mattresses manufacturers these days no longer make single or double air chamber mattresses as these outdated designs were the most substantial contributing factor to poor support, lower weight capacities, and deflation more rapidly.
Single or dual-chamber mattresses are no longer the industry standard, though many are still on the market. You’ll likely see this technology in single or twin-size air mattresses.
Air mattress technology has come a long way since then, with plenty of options to choose from that offer comfort and support in mind. You will want to check that your air mattress has beams or coils. Air beam or coil support helps distribute the weight within the air mattress.
This feature makes for a firmer and more comfortable air mattress and ultimately translates into a better sleep experience. Products tend to vary in how many beams or air coils. Typically, more beams or coils translate to better support within an air mattress.
Instead of a single pocket of air within the mattress, the air is spread out more evenly across dozens of coils or beams throughout the mattress, trapping the air inside these pockets. This is certainly a necessary and must-have feature in an air mattress for heavy people since the additional support can make it easier to get out of the bed.
Durability
Quality and durable external materials are also vital factors in a higher-weight air mattress. More durable fabric means it can withstand more weight and pressure, not just to support heavy people but also to help ensure longevity. Water-resistant PVC or vinyl options are a no-brainer if you have kids or want something that can withstand the elements when camping outdoors.
When shopping around for your perfect heavy-duty air mattress, you will want to consider whether the company advertises the material as double sealed, which will inform you how much wear and tear the air mattress can take without leaking or popping.
If you plan on utilizing your air mattress for camping and travel, you’ll also want to pay close attention to the durability of the exterior materials. Consider whether the materials are thick enough to withstand the natural wear and tear of outdoor or rough terrain usage.
Height
A key and essential factor in an air mattress for heavier folks is the air mattress height. The higher the mattress is off the ground, the easier it should be for heavier folks or older people to get in and out of bed. If we are being realistic, the last thing we want to worry about after getting a good night’s sleep on an air mattress is waking up in the morning and struggling to climb out of bed.
Most heavy-duty air mattresses on the market tend to have more height than the standard options, but this is not always the case. When creating our list of favorites above, all the mattresses featured were higher than 15 inches, though some we have compared were closer to 20 inches. While not all options out there have double height, we found that almost all the mattresses had much more depth than the standard air mattress, but you’ll want to research to ensure this is the case.
The Verdict
The best heavy-duty air mattress for heavy people is the Englander Raised California King. With comfort and ease of movement, you’ll sleep soundly. When purchasing your air mattress, consider the points we’ve covered – look for weight capacity, durability, air beams, coil support, height, and materials.
There’s a lot to consider when buying an air mattress for a heavy person, so keep the above in mind, and you’ll find the perfect solution for you and your family in no time.
