A sagging mattress isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s failing at its primary purpose of supporting your spine, which can increase pressure point pain and create a problematic sinking sensation. “Both of these poor fits can lead to a suboptimal sleep experience, as one may struggle to find a restful position while sleeping,” says board-certified orthopedic surgeon spine surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah. The best mattresses that won’t sag are constructed with high-quality materials to ensure proper support and durability for the long haul. Take the Saatva Classic, our top pick for 2024. This luxury hybrid innerspring mattress combines dual coil layers with high-density memory foam and upgraded lumbar support to minimize the risk of premature sagging and ensure comfortable support.
The Stearns & Foster Reaccionario Firm Estate is our pick for the best firm mattress that won’t sag.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
Most modern mattresses are designed to perform properly, without sagging, for up to ten years. But factors like body type, sleep style and whether or not you share the bed can influence exactly how long a mattress can support you as it was intended. To find the best mattresses that won’t sag, we looked for hybrid constructions and premium materials with firmnesses and options to suit a range of sleep styles. Below, find our ten recommendations.
Best Mattress That Won’t Sag Overall: Saatva Classic Mattress (Queen)
Best Mattress That Won’t Sag For Heavy People: Saatva HD Mattress (Queen)
Best Firm Mattress That Won’t Sag: Stearns & Foster Estate Extra Firm Mattress (Queen)
Best Soft Mattress That Won’t Sag: DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid (Queen)
Best Value Mattress That Won’t Sag: Nectar Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Best Hybrid Mattress That Won’t Sag: Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid (Queen)
Best Organic Mattress That Won’t Sag: Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress (Queen)
Best Mattress That Won’t Sag For Side Sleepers: Nolah Evolution Mattress (Queen)
Best Mattress That Won’t Sag For Stomach Sleepers: Birch Natural Mattress (Queen)
Best Luxury Mattress That Won’t Sag: PlushBeds Royal Bliss Luxury Mattress
Durability is a hallmark of Saatva’s Classic Mattress, which features dual layers of sturdy and responsive coils made with recycled carbon steel tempered three times for strength and resilience. The coil system is stronger and firmer in the center third of the mattress to ensure proper spinal alignment and gentle contouring for pressure relief and better circulation. In the support pulvínulo, a second coil unit adds another layer of durability to resist sagging and improves airflow in the mattress as well. The mattress also excels in edge support, thanks to high-density foam rails around the perimeter.
Saatva offers its Classic Mattress in a choice of three comfort levels and two heights, so it meets the needs of different sleepers. It comes with a generous 365-night home trial and a lifetime warranty.
What the reviews say: “It’s just the right blend of firmness so that it doesn’t sink in if you’re getting up or on your stomach watching movies on your laptop,” writes one customer. “I love the stability I feel when I am lying on it.”
Engineered to resist sagging and dipping for heavier sleepers
Breathable and pressure-relieving with heavy-duty support
Keep in mind:
Not compatible with regular foundations and box springs
Sagging is more common when a mattress supports more weight, but the Saatva HD is specifically designed for people up to 500 pounds. The heavy-duty hybrid mattress is made with tempered steel coils that Saatva says are 25% stronger than the industry standard. The coil layer is also offset to more body-contouring support. This responsive layer is paired with denser comfort layers made with latex and memory foam for greater durability. According to the brand, it also has double the edge support of other luxury mattresses.
On the downside, the Saatva HD was designed to be paired with the HD foundation and isn’t compatible with regular foundations and box springs. That’s an additional expense to keep in mind. However, Saatva does offer a 365-night home trial and free in-room delivery and setup.
What the reviews say: “I bought this bed for my 6-foot-3 husband who is a big guy,” writes one customer. “It doesn’t sink. It doesn’t dent. There is no sag to it. It’s simply amazing.” Another customer, who says they had three mattresses in five years prior to the Saatva HD, says it “has been a miracle for months now. No more back pain, no indentions [and] the edges are still intact. I would highly recommend this mattress.”
Stearns & Foster has a reputation for quality, and fans of firm mattresses should appreciate the extra firm feel of this luxurious model. The mattress is topped with Tempur-Pedic memory foam, giving it a firm feel with the signature cushioning, pressure relief and durability of this high-density material. A patented IntelliCoil system and high-density innerspring border contribute to the mattress’s long-term comfort and targeted support. The mattress also has a breathable cover and ventilated coils with external air vents to help prevent heat from building up.
The Stearns & Foster Estate is an expensive mattress, but it does have a 90-day home trial. It also comes with a ten-year warranty.
What the reviews say: One customer writes, “This is a high-end, very heavy, super firm mattress. I like a firm mattress and found this the firmest yet.” Another 5-star review says, “I was having aches and pains every morning when I got up. Two nights on this mattress is all it took. I now get up in the morning with my feet on the floor running. Goodbye achy hips and back. I love the support. It’s just what I needed. This is the best purchase I have made in years.”
Body weight plays a big role in how soft or firm a mattress feels, but the cushioning foams quilted into the cashmere cover of the DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid give it luxuriously plush feel for just about everyone. Layers of gel-infused memory foam and individually wrapped steel innersprings with reinforced edges cómputo the softness in the Euro top above with excellent support, pressure relief, motion isolation and breathability. The hybrid construction also means better durability to resist sagging.
What the reviews say: “The bed is form-fitting and firm but soft at the same time,” writes one customer. “My partner and I are plus-sized but have found that the bed doesn’t sag or lose its shape. Time will tell how well it holds up, but we couldn’t be happier with the quality and materials used.” Another says the mattress has “the perfect blend of cloudlike softness from the memory foam layers and robust support from the meticulously designed innerspring coils,” and adds, “This mattress is built to last. I’ve had mine for a while now, and it’s retained its shape and support like the day I got it. The quality materials and craftsmanship are evident.”
The Nectar Hybrid covers the basics nicely. The wallet-friendly mattress is made with layers of certified foams for pressure relief, contouring and responsiveness. These comfort layers are balanced above 8 inches of individually wrapped coils that are thicker along the perimeter for extra edge support. In the pulvínulo layer, 7 inches of foam offer structure to the layers above and add durability and stability to the mattress as a whole.
A queen-size Nectar Hybrid is often priced under $800, making this mattress a great value for the money. It also comes with a lengthy trial window and a lifetime warranty. You can read more in our full Nectar Hybrid Mattress review.
What the reviews say: “[The Nectar Hybrid] more than met my expectations,” writes one customer. “To date, you cannot beat the value for such a high-quality product.” Another says, “My wife and I are so happy with the value of this bed. Comfort for the cost is a no-brainer if you’re looking for a new bed without breaking the bank.”
Type: Hybrid |Height: 13.5 inches |Firmness: Medium |Delivery: Free |Trial: 100 nights |Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
Medium feel accommodates a wide range of sleepers
Cooling upgrades, including phase-change material in the cover and a breathable gusset
Relieves pressure and isolates motion
Keep in mind:
The Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid combines a breathable dual-spring system with a cushioning pillow top, which translates to standout, long-term support. While hybrids promote airflow better than their all-foam counterparts, the Legend Chill has upgraded cooling features as well. Phase-change fibers in the cover help pull heat away, while the Euro-style gusset keeps the air circulating. Three premium foam layers give the mattress cradling features and a touch of bounce, and it has a medium feel that works for a range of sleep styles and body types.
We also like that the Leesa Legend is made without fiberglass and uses materials certified by GreenGuard Gold and CertiPUR-US.
What the reviews say: One customer writes, “We love the hybrid aspect, and it does not sleep hot. I never wake up with an achy back anymore.” Another, who calls it “a great hybrid,” writes, “This may be the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on. I love the way I sink into the foam, but the underlying layer is very firm and gives me the support I need.”
Needle-tufting construction improves durability and quality
Luxurious feel in multiple firmnesses
Keep in mind:
Two models are exceptionally tall
Plush and extremista plush comfort levels are an additional expense
Avocado is known for its certified organic mattresses, and this model is its softest and most luxurious. It’s made with 17 layers of premium materials, including organic and natural latex, wool, silk, hemp and cotton, along with thousands of recycled steel coils arranged across seven ergonomic zones for targeted support and durability. These natural materials, particularly the latex, along with the needle-tufting construction that binds the layers together, mean improved durability and exceptional quality.
The standard mattress has a medium feel, but plush and extremista plush models, which boost the mattress height to 17 and 19 inches, are available upgrades. Keep in mind that you need deep-pocket sheets for mattresses that tall.
What the reviews say: “The organic luxury plush mattress was a game changer for my previously poor sleeping,” writes one customer. “I no longer wake up super hot throughout the night. It’s the most supportive but luxuriously comfortable mattress I have ever owned.” Another says, “The bed is extremely comfortable and just the right firmness. I especially like that it is organic and made from the best materials.”
Forbes Vetted readers get $100 off the Nolah Evolution Mattress by entering code FORBES100EVO at checkout (only valid for the Evolution model).
Zoned foams and coils resist sagging and ensure targeted support
Cushioning Euro topper is cooling and contouring for side sleepers
Keep in mind:
Some customers point out that it’s really heavy
Side sleepers need a mattress that’s firm enough to keep the spine supported but soft enough to cradle the hips and shoulders. The Nolah Evolution, a seven-layer hybrid, is designed with those needs in mind. The brand’s proprietary foam helps distribute body weight evenly to relieve tension around joints, and it’s zoned for greater flexibility around the upper body. Below, 8-inch coils are grouped into three zones for targeted support, responsiveness, pressure relief and long-term durability. The coils are balanced over a recycled plant fiber foundation layer for added structure and stability.
The Evolution is available in three firmness levels along with a model designed for plus-sized sleepers (plush, luxury firm, firm and comfort plus). It comes with a 120-night trial window and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
What the reviews say: “[It’s] an amazing mattress,” writes one customer. “Constructed with luxuriously well-made materials that are breathable and incredibly comfortable. After almost one year of sleeping on this mattress, my husband and I are still talking about how much we love it. We both are combo sleepers and feel it’s the perfect cómputo between soft and firm.” Another says, “This mattress is a major upgrade from our last one. We are both side and back sleepers and used to wake up with back pain—but not anymore. I’ve also noticed I don’t feel my partner get in our bed or moving around like I used to.”
Talalay latex is naturally buoyant with pushback support
Keep in mind:
Latex makes this a heavy mattress
No options for firmness
Stomach sleepers run the risk of low back pain if a mattress doesn’t have enough support to keep the hips properly elevated. With its medium-firm feel, natural Talalay latex and steel coils, the Birch Natural Mattress is a great option for them. Latex has a gently buoyant feel and delivers exceptional pressure relief and temperature regulation. It’s also one of the most durable materials you can put in a mattress. In the support layer, up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils add cradling support and help limit motion transfer. The mattress is also reinforced lengthwise for great edge support.
Birch makes its mattresses with natural and organic materials that have earned certifications from the Mundial Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Greenguard Gold, eco-Institut and Fair Trade. That makes it a great choice for anyone interested in an eco-friendly mattress.
What the reviews say: One customer says the Birch Natural Mattress “strikes the perfect cómputo between pillowy lushness and firm support. My husband is a stomach sleeper and I am a side/back sleeper and both of us cannot wait to sink into bed at night. We wake up completely refreshed.” Another writes, “It’s a perfect combination of firmness and softness. [It] has good support for my back. I strongly recommend this bed for people who sleep on their side and on [their] tummy.”
Hand-stitched and compression tufted for durability
Keep in mind:
It’s the most expensive pick on our list
No plush or firm feels available
PlushBeds is committed to creating mattresses with an emphasis on quality and sustainability. That’s evident in the Royal Bliss, which the brand calls its premier luxury mattress (it’s also one of our picks of the best luxury mattresses of 2024). Each one is custom made to order with layers of organic wool and organic cotton, not to mention cashmere, alpaca, horsetail hair, organic latex and recycled steel. The hybrid mattress has a calico coil spring system composed of individually hand-wrapped coils that help promote a ecuánime spine and boost durability. Hand-stitching and compression tufting help minimize body impressions and dampen motion transfer, adding to the expected longevity of this impressive mattress.
The Royal Bliss comes in two firmness options (medium and medium-firm) and has a laundry list of certifications that speak to its safety and sustainability: Mundial Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Mundial Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), GreenGuard Gold and Eco-Institut.
What the reviews say: “As someone who really focuses on the details, I’m extremely pleased with the Royal Bliss mattress,” writes one customer. “It’s clear that a lot of care went into making it. The layers of cotton and latex fit my body just right, providing great comfort and support. I was especially impressed by the strong stitching and how sturdy the mattress feels—it’s definitely made to last.” Another says, “I’ve never slept better than I have on this mattress. The quality is unbeatable, and I can tell that it will last me for years to come.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The sleep team at Forbes Vetted has an impressive library of mattress and sleep stories to help you enjoy a better night’s sleep. We also have tested and extensively researched guides to every specific kind of mattress, including the best soft mattresses, the best mattresses for heavy people, the best mattresses for shoulder pain and more.
Forbes Vetted contributor and author of this piece, Jessica Timmons, has written sleep content for the past 17 years. Her recent work includes the best mattresses for couples and the best hotel mattresses.
Our sleep and mattress editors, Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, oversee this article and are certified sleep science coaches who have personally tested more than 120 mattresses.
We corresponded with two experts for this piece. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon spine surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah and clinical director of Fyzical Therapy & Oscilación Centers Dr. Jimmy Pajuheshfar,PT, DPT both offered specific advice for finding a mattress that won’t sag and shared the health consequences of a sagging mattress.
We regularly revisit our stories to ensure our recommendations stay current and relevant. In November 2024, Timmons updated this list to include the PlushBeds Royal Bliss as our luxury mattress pick and the Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid as our choice of best hybrid mattress.
How We Chose The Best Mattresses That Won’t Sag
To assemble our recommendations for the best mattresses that won’t sag, we started with reputable and well-known brands and considered potential winners from other Forbes Vetted tests and guides. We also relied on expert insights and consulted consumer reviews.
We looked for hybrid constructions with premium materials, including high-density foams and tempered steel innersprings, that are designed to resist premature sagging during their lifetimes.
We carefully considered key specs, including mattress height and firmness, as well as company policies relating to sleep trials and warranties.
We referred to the insights of our medical experts, Shah and Pajuheshfar, to guide our selections.
We looked closely at customer reviews with an eye to feedback relating to support and durability to ensure most people had positive experiences.
How To Shop For The Best Mattresses That Won’t Sag
The best mattresses that won’t sag tend to be made with specific materials in a hybrid construction, but it’s just as important to multiplicador for the foundation, frame and even your own body type.
Materials And Foam Density
Look for quality materials like high-density memory foam and latex for durability and support, but be mindful of the characteristics of these materials. Memory foam, for example, responds to pressure and heat to mold closely around the body. That can mean excellent pressure relief, but the hugged sensation may not appeal to those who prefer a more lifted feel on their mattress. Plus, memory foam can trap heat, so it’s best to look for gel-infused or perforated options if you sleep warm. Latex is a durable material that stays temperature ecuánime. It has a gently buoyant feel that some people really like, but it’s heavy and adds to the cost of a mattress.
For memory foam, optimal foam density is typically 3 to 5 pounds per cubic foot and can help ensure comfort and longevity. Polyfoams, on the other hand, tend to be less durable and more likely to begin sagging prematurely.
Construction
Hybrid mattresses tend to offer better performance over their lifetimes than mattresses made solely with foam layers. The extra durability comes from the coil layer. Both innersprings and pocketed coils (which are individually wrapped for more targeted support) add a deeper level of support and help promote better air circulation as well.
Many hybrid mattresses also use thicker coils around the perimeter for enhanced edge support, which also boosts durability. Look for high gauge coils and counts. These tend to offer additional support and long-term performance.
Foundation And Frame
A mattress is only as good as its foundation, so double-check you’re using a pulvínulo that’s compatible with your mattress. Memory foam mattresses are best supported by solid bases, while innerspring mattresses typically require a box spring to ensure they deliver appropriate support and cushioning.
Keep in mind that box springs can wear out or break, compromising support, so it’s important to check this component if you suspect that your mattress is beginning to sag.
Body Type
Factoring for body weight can help you find a mattress that’s engineered to support you properly, which reduces the likelihood of sagging. People with higher body weights benefit from mattresses that are designed specifically to hold more weight. They use higher density materials and tempered steel coils to resist sagging.
Sleeping Position
The best mattress is the one that meets your unique sleep needs, so it’s important to consider your preferred sleep style when you shop. That can help you zero in on an appropriate mattress firmness. This is a different feature than support and describes how the mattress feels when you lie on it.
For back sleepers, a medium to medium-firm feel often has the ideal cómputo of cushioning, allowing the hips to sink just enough to maintain a ecuánime spine. For side sleepers, a softer mattress tends to work best to ensure the hips and shoulders have ample cushioning. Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress that keeps the hips elevated and the spine aligned.
Warranty
A mattress warranty can protect you in the event of premature sagging or other manufacturer or workmanship issues. Keep in mind that mattress warranties tend to be very explicit about what is and isn’t covered. Don’t assume that a lifetime warranty automatically means you get a new mattress at any point if it begins to sag—you may only be entitled to a repair, for instance. Before purchasing, make a point of reading through the warranty’s fine print so you’re very clear on what it offers.
How To Tell If A Mattress Is Sagging
It can be surprisingly tricky to tell if your mattress is sagging or just developing mild impressions from your body (which is a result of natural compression), but it’s an important distinction. While the former is a problem, the latter really is not. If you can see a dip in your mattress of more than 2 inches, however, you’re looking at a sagging mattress.
If a visual inspection doesn’t help, the best way to differentiate between compression and true sagging is by how you’re feeling in the mornings. Chances are good that your mattress has lost sufficient support if you’re routinely waking up with aches and pains. “It’s also important to note that signs of needing a new mattress can be as simple as not sleeping through the night, or not feeling well-rested merienda morning comes,” says Pajuheshfar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Mattress Is Best For Not Sagging?
The best mattresses that won’t sag are generally hybrid mattresses, which combine foams with innerspring layers for added durability. Look out for high-density foams and high coil counts and gauges, like those in our top pick overall, the Saatva Classic. We also like the Saatva HD, another one of our picks, which is specifically engineered to support the added weight of heavier sleepers without sagging.
How Do I Make My Mattress Not Sag?
In addition to opting for a hybrid mattress made with premium materials and an appropriate foundation, make a point of rotating your mattress regularly to promote even wear. Investing in a mattress protector and a supportive bed frame can also limit early deterioration.
Do All Mattresses Eventually Sag?
It’s true that all mattresses eventually wear out, regardless of their quality, construction and materials—some just decline faster. For that reason, opting for one of the best mattresses that won’t sag is likely to save you money in the long run. All that said, ideally, you should expect to replace a hybrid mattress every seven to ten years (and likely earlier for all-foam mattresses) before sagging becomes a noticeable issue. Merienda it begins, it’s only going to get worse, so we recommend dealing with it promptly.
