I'm about 230 lbs and my current mattress is a 3-year-old memory foam from a big box store. It felt great at first but now I wake up with lower back pain and feel like I'm sinking into a hole. I rotate it regularly but it still sags. I need something that won't break down under my weight. My budget is around $800 for a queen. Any suggestions for a heavy sleeper that needs firm support? I mostly sleep on my back and side.
Mattresses
I weigh 230 lbs and my mattress feels too soft
At your weight, you're probably exceeding the comfor layer's ability to support you. Memory foam softens with heat and your body weight compresses it past the support core. Look for a mattress with a firmer transition layer or a hybrrid with pocket coils. Also check the warranty—some brands void coverage for users over a certain weight, which is worth knowing before you buy.
I'm 245 and had the same issue. Memory foam just doesn't hold up for bigger folks unless it's very high density. I switched to a latex hybrid and it's been a huge difference. More support, sleeps cooler, and doesn't develop body impressions. It was a bit over your budget though.
Check the density of the foam layers. Anything under 4 lb/ft³ will break dpwn quickly under 230 lbs. Most budget mattresses use 2.5-3 lb foam.
Have you tried adding a firm mattress topper? Might be a cheaper fix before buying a whole new bed. A high-density polyfoam topper could add some support and extend the life of your current mattress. Though if it's already sagging, probably too late.
A topper won't fix a sagging core. If the support layer is already compressed, you're just adding more soft material on top. You need to address the foundation.
Also check your bed frame. A weak slatted frame can cause sagging even if the mattress is fine. Make sure slats are no more than 3 inches apart and theres a center support. I wasted months blaming my mattress when it was actually my old box spring flexing.
For $800 queen, you're limited. Look at the Original Mattress Factory or a local manufacturer. They often use better foam densities than the big brands at similar prices. Avoid anything with gel memory foam marketing—it's usually low density.
I'm 220 and got a Brooklyn Bedding Signature hybrid in firm. It's holding up well after two years. They have sales sometimes that bring it close to your budget.
I hadn't considered the bed frame being part of the problem. My frame is pretty old and has wide slats. I'll check that this weekend before I order anything. The density infwo is helpful too—I'll look for something with at least 4 lb foam.
If you do go hybrid, make sure the coils are at least 13 gauge. Thinner coils won't support you long term.