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A regular box spring just won’t cut it if you are heavier than average – you’ll either end up spending a lot of money changing your mattress foundation frequently or worse, end up hurting yourself. Every bed frame has a weight limit and that includes box springs. From low profile box springs to standard profile ones, we’ve tested them all and narrowed them down to our top 5 picks. Our Editor’s Choice is the Saatva Foundation.
Top 5 Picks for Best Box Spring for a Heavy Person
- Saatva Foundation – editor’s choice
- Tuft & Needle Box Foundation – best easy assembly box spring
- Amazon Basics Smart Box Spring – best budget box spring
- Bear Foundation – best wooden box spring
- PlushBeds Orthopedic Foundation – best organic and all-natural box spring
#1. Saatva Foundation
Check Current Price | Editor’s Choice
Pros
- Comes in two height profiles
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- High weight capacity
- Free in-room delivery and setup
Cons
- Metal frame is sold separately
- Can be too pricey for some
Our experience with the Saatva Foundation
Mattress manufacturers like Saatva pride themselves on producing some of the best, high quality mattresses in the world so it’s only natural that their bed frames and foundations are some of the best your money can buy.
Saatva’s Mattress Foundation is not exactly a box spring but it’s not exactly a bed frame either – it’s somehow a little bit of both – just without the noisy springs which can tend to deteriorate quickly.
It can with with any mattress type, from classic innersprings to the more modern hybrids as well as memory foam mattresses. The Saatva Foundation comes in two height profiles: 4.75 and 8.75. This gives you the option to choose which height profile suits the thickness of your mattress best.
Made from handcrafted American Spruce, the Saatva Mattress Foundation is definitely more durable than the average box spring. It also contains a comfort layer that’s made up of CertiPUR-US certified foam.
The mattress foundation comes encased in an organic cotton cover that’s breathable and allows air to flow throughout the foundation freely – which is important especially since the Saatva Mattress foundation has foam components.
When it comes to weight capacity, it can hold accommodate up to 500 lbs. but you have to take your mattress’ weight into consideration as well as any pillows or other bedding you might have.
Another thing we like about the Saatva Foundation is that it comes with a lifetime warranty, which is pretty rare when it comes to box springs. Saatva also offers free in-room delivery and setup for your foundation which takes all the stress of putting together a mattress foundation away.
Sizes
The Saatva Foundation is available in all of the standard box spring sizes, plus rarer sizes like Split Queen and Split California King.
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
- Split Queen
- Split King
- Split California King
Shipping, Trial Period and Warranty
The Saatva Foundation comes with a 365 night free trial. It also comes backed by a lifetime warranty. Saatva offers free shipping for all their foundations within the continental United States. All of Saatva’s foundations and bed frames are made in the USA.
Buy: Saatva Foundation
#2. Tuft & Needle Box Foundation
Check Current Price | Best Easy Assembly Box Spring
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Compatible with most mattress types
- High weight limit
Cons
- Metal frame is sold separately
- Might make bed too high when used with thicker mattresses
Our experience with Tuft & Needle Box Foundation
If you’re somewhat inept at assembling things then the Tuft & Needle Box Foundation just might be the answer to your prayers.
Featuring a tool-less assembly, the Tuft & Needle Box Foundation is a mattress foundation that just snaps into place but it’s also one of the sturdiest ones we’ve tried and with a whopping 800 lb. weight capacity, it definitely is one of the heavy hitters when it comes to box springs.
Instead of the traditional spring coils, the Tuft & Needle Box Foundation features heavy duty wooden slats that can hold even the thickest of mattresses no matter the type. This is a good box spring for a memory foam mattress.
Wood box springs like the the Tuft & Needle Box Foundation tend to be sturdier than a metal box spring, especially for those who weigh well over 250 lbs.
The Tuft & Needle Box Foundation comes encased in a woven fabric cover that’s non-removable so spot cleaning is essential should you have any spills or accidents. It does, however, feature a non-skid platform that helps prevent your mattress from slipping no matter the movement.
The Tuft & Needle Box Foundation is Greenguard Gold certified which means it is free from any harmful toxins or VOCs that may be harmful to indoor air quality.
The only caveat is, you may need to purchase a metal frame separately although Tuft & Needle does say that their Box Foundation can be used directly on the floor.
Sizes
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
Shipping, Trial Period and Warranty
Tuft & Needle offers a 100 night free trial for their Box Foundation. It also comes backed by a 10 year limited warranty. Tuft & Needle offers free shipping for their foundations within the contiguous United States.
Buy: Tuft & Needle Box Foundation
#3. Amazon Basics Smart Box Spring
Check Current Price | Best Budget Box Spring
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Features a memory foam comfort layer
Cons
- Cover is removable but spot clean only
- No trial period
Our experience with Amazon Basics Smart Box Spring
If you’re on the hunt for a box spring that’s easy on the wallet yet heavy on the support, look no further than the Amazon Basics Smart box spring. Made up of a steel frame and metal horizontal slats, the Amazon Basics Smart box spring provides excellent support for even the heaviest of sleepers.
Although most box springs made out of metal can tend to be noisy especially when a lot of weight is placed on it, the Amazon Basics Smart box spring features a center support system that can hold up to 400 lbs including the mattress and the sleeper’s body weight.
The Amazon Basics Smart box spring is not exactly a low profile box spring at 7 inches but it’s not exactly a high profile one either. It also depends on the thickness of the mattress you use but if you prefer a bed with a little bit more height then you should use a thicker mattress.
Bear in mind though that high profile mattresses may make it harder for those with limited mobility to get in and out of bed. If you prefer a lower profile box spring, use a thinner mattress.
The Amazon Basics Smart box spring features a memory foam comfort layer that’s feels plush. It comes encased in a cover that’s made up of a polyester blend that’s removable but not machine-washable. Amazon Basics recommends spot cleaning instead.
We found assembly to be fairly easy although you may need to enlist the help of a friend if you opt for the bigger sizes. No tools are needed since the Amazon Basics Smart box spring features interlocking components.
You can use the Amazon Basics Smart box spring directly on floor or you can use it with the removable legs that come with it. Metal box springs tend to squeak sometimes but we found the Amazon Basics Smart box spring to be fairly noise-free.
Sizes
- Twin
- Full
- Queen
- King
Shipping, Trial Period and Warranty
The Amazon Basics Smart box spring does not come with a free sleep trial but it does come backed by a 1 year limited warranty. Depending on the amount of items you purchase from the Amazon Basic store, you may be able to get free shipping if you are within the continental United States.
Buy: Amazon Basics Smart Box Spring
#4. Bear Foundation
Check Current Price | Best Wooden Box Spring
Pros
- Quick assembly
- Made from solid wood
- Works with different bed frames
- Provides exceptional support
Cons
- No trial period
- Frames are sold separately
Our experience with Bear Foundation
It’s no secret that wooden box springs offer the most support compared to metal ones. The Bear Foundation is made out of Canadian-sourced Spruce and is one of the most durable foundations that we have tried.
Flimsy metal frames would not be able to give you a good night’s sleep – especially when it comes to both stability and noise. We found the Bear Foundation to be completely noise-free when we tried it out, which is crucial for those who tend to wake up from even the tiniest of noises.
Featuring a slatted wood frame for extra support, the Bear Foundation can hold an indefinite amount of weight. That’s right, it has no weight limit. That means no matter how heavy you might be, the Bear Foundation would still provide the ideal support.
The Bear Foundation is compatible with all types of mattresses, including all-foam mattresses. Many other box springs, especially the traditional ones can only work with innerspring mattresses.
Frames are sold separately but the Bear Foundation can be used with any bed frame as long as they’re compatible which includes platform beds.
The Bear Foundation comes encased in a non-slip and non-removable cover. The no-slip feature helps keep your mattress in place no matter the movement or sleep positions. Being a non-removable cover though means you would need to spot clean immediately should any spills or accidents happen.
We found the tool-free assembly to be very easy – it took us less than 5 minutes to put the Bear Foundation together. On the down side, the Bear Foundation does not work with adjustable beds so if you have an adjustable mattress, you might want to look into smart box springs.
The Bear Foundation measures 7 inches in thickness and depending on the mattress thickness and bed frame profile that you have, it can be either kept low profile or turned into a higher profile bed.
Sizes
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
Shipping, Trial Period and Warranty
The Bear Foundation does not come with a sleep trial.
Bear also does not provide any a return policy for any of their bed frames or foundations.
The Bear Foundation comes backed by a 1 year warranty. Bear also provides free shipping for all of their foundations within the continental United States.
Buy: Bear Foundation
#5. PlushBeds Orthopedic Foundation
Check Current Price | Best Organic and All-Natural Box Spring
Pros
- Made out of natural wood
- Features euro slats
- Comes in two height options
- Can hold up to 1200 lbs
Cons
- Expensive
Our experience with PlushBeds Orthopedic Foundation
If you’re all about the organic and all-natural lifestyle down to your bedding and bed foundations, then you can’t get any more natural than the PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation. A box spring alternative, the PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation is designed specifically to provide better support for your mattress as well as help extend its lifespan.
Unlike the more traditional box spring, the PlushBeds foundation is constructed with heat (and not chemically) treated ethically sourced Spruce wood that features a euro-slatted designed with structural twisting that helps keep your mattress in place and level at all times.
The PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation is also designed to work with any type of mattress which includes even heavier memory foam mattresses. It has a weight capacity of up to 1200 lbs. which can definitely hold even two heavier-set people very comfortably.
The PlushBeds foundations comes with a non-removable GOTS certified organic cotton cover that’s both soft and breathable allowing air to flow freely through the entire bed. This makes the PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation a great mattress for those who tend to sleep hot.
Another we like about the PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation is that is does not make any noise, no matter the movement. Sleeping in a noise-free environment greatly improves sleep quality.
We found assembly to be fairly easy and no tools are required. An extra pair of capable hands might be needed if you opt for one of the larger sizes such as the King size.
The PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation comes in two height profile options: the standard 7.5″ if you prefer a higher profile bed and a 5.5″ for those who prefer lower profile beds.
Sizes
- Twin
- Twin XL
- Full
- Queen
- King
- California King
Shipping, Trial Period and Warranty
The PlushBeds Orthopedic foundation does not come with a trial period or a return policy. It comes backed by a 1 year limited warranty and PlushBeds provides shipping for all of their foundations within the contiguous United States.
Buy: PlushBeds Orthopedic Foundation
Quick view and comparison
| Brand | Saatva Foundation | Tuft & Needle Box Foundation | Amazon Basics Smart Box Spring | Bear Foundation | PlushBeds Orthopedic Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 9 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Height (inches) | 4.75/8.75 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.5/7.5 |
| Trial (nights) | 365 | 100 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Warranty (years) | Lifetime | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Link to buy | Buy Saatva Foundation | Buy Tuft & Needle Box Foundation | Buy Amazon Basics Smart Box Spring | Buy Bear Foundation | Buy PlushBeds Orthopedic Foundation |
How to pick a box spring for a heavy person
There are several factors to consider when it comes to choosing and buying a box spring or box spring alternative that’s suitable for a heavier person.
Weight capacity
One of the most important factors to consider is weight capacity. How much weight can the box spring you like hold? Most modern box springs and box spring alternatives can hold up to 1000 lbs of combined weight. Aside from body weight, you would also need to take mattress and bedding weight into consideration.
Materials
Always look for a box spring that’s made with good quality materials. Be it metal or wood, make sure they are sturdy and built to last. Also make sure that the box spring you choose comes with a warranty.
Size
Bed sizes depend on room size and the number of sleepers who would be sleeping on it. If you are a single sleeper and have a smaller room, opt for a smaller sized box spring but if you have room to spare and will be sharing a bed with a partner, opt for the larger sizes.
Budget
Although not as expensive as bed frames, box springs can still come at a hefty price depending on make and manufacturer.
If you’re down to splurge, then by all means choose a box spring that has all the features you need and want but if you’re cutting costs, there are still some high quality box springs to be had that won’t break the bank.
FAQs
A traditional box spring can support anywhere from 250 to 350 lbs. The modern box springs and box spring alternatives of today can support up to 800 to 1000 lbs.
Wood box springs, just like wooden bed frames, are sturdier and more durable than metal box springs, making them the better choice for heavier-set individuals.
Depending on the type of frame and mattress that you have, the addition of a box spring can add a bit more stability to a bed but if you already have a sturdy bed frame then the addition of a box spring is unnecessary.
Conclusion
Heavier-set individuals should opt for a box spring that has a higher weight capacity but also one that does not skimp on quality.
Wooden box springs are heavier but quieter than metal box springs but a metal box spring can be easier and more convenient to move.
Next step: Try out the Saatva Foundation. We like it because it comes in two height profiles, a lifetime warranty, and free in-home delivery and setup. If you aren’t sure which box spring for a heavy person to go with, choose Saatva.
How We Rate Box Springs
Box Springs are judged by 3 standards:
- Ease of Assembly
- Durability & Support
- Box Spring Cover
Learn more about how we rate box springs.
Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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