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How Much Do Mattresses Weigh?
There are several ways to define your mattress’s weight. You will find that the actual weight of your mattress depends on its size, thickness, the materials used and the mattress types. The ideal mattress might be a math problem away. Here are some ways to tell how much your mattress weighs.
Mattress Weight by Mattress Size
You can start off by defining your mattress by its size. By this I mean, determine if your mattress size is Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, or California King with Twin being the lightest mattress you can purchase. Take a look at our breakdown of average mattress sizes and their approximate mattress weights.
Twin Mattress Weight
Twin size mattress weighs 40-45 pounds and it’s 38 by 75 inches in size. These are the lightest, easiest to move, and great for kids. Twin mattresses are light enough to be used on a bunk bed in a children’s room, making them very versatile.
Twin XL Mattress Weight
This mattress weighs around 43-48 pounds and it’s 38 by 80 inches. Despite still being a smaller size, these mattresses can be extra long to suit college dorms and a single adult. Just imagine trying to move them around up flights of stairs and onto top bunks. Twin XL beds big enough to be comfortable but still small enough to easily maneuver. Twin XL mattresses sleep one person comfortably and are great for taller people.
Full Mattress Weight
Full size mattresses tend to weigh 50-60 pounds and they’re 56 by 75 inches in size. Stepping up in size by length, width, and weight, this mattress is going to be better for a larger bedroom. Full size mattresses will probably still be best for only one adult, but they can accommodate two small children. Full beds still perform the function of a twin mattress but with slightly more room.
Queen Mattress Weight
Queen mattresses weigh around 120-160 pounds and they are 60 by 80 inches in size. These are better for the realm of couples. Queen size mattress is made to accommodate an adult couple to lay side by side with ease. This is the most popular size for couples with limited bedroom space.
The weight of the mattress has now significantly increased and you’ll find that your mattress is going to rely more and more on a suitable mattress foundation because of its heavy weight. Because of this significant size increase, you’ll find that the price jumps up too compared to the price range of its smaller counterparts.
King Size Mattress Weight
King size mattress’s weight is around 130-180 pounds and it’s 76 by 80 inches. King size mattress is a good size for couples who want plenty of sleeping space or for parents who plan to co-sleep with their children. King size bed is much larger than Queen size so be sure to plan your bedroom space to fit a large bedding situation.
California King Mattress Weight
California King beds tend to weigh around 130-180 pounds and they’re 72 by 84 inches in size. These measure the same as a regular king size but are longer and wider. This offers more legroom and thus makes it ideal for taller couples and co-sleeping families. California King mattresses are ideal for large bedrooms and they may require two people to safely move them from one place to another.
Mattress Weight by Mattress Type
Mattress weight can vary drastically based on the type of mattress you have. In this section, you will learn about the four most popular types of mattresses and how the materials they use can affect their average weight.
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress is a mixture of memory foam or latex and innerspring which results in a mattress that has the support of steel coils on the bottom and the comfort of memory foam or latex on top. It’s a great option for side sleepers too because it’s bouncy enough to be supportive without being too firm. This mattress can be heavy depending on the type of materials used to make it. The coils alone in the innerspring part of it can cause it to be heavy.
Innerspring Mattress
This is one of the most traditional types of mattresses you can find. They are not too dense and this makes them relatively light in comparison to a heavier material like a latex mattress which we’ll discuss below. The coils are heavy, but that can vary based on the coil count. Usually, the outer covering and comfort layer is thin and light so all in all, you have a versatile, easy-to-move, and relatively light mattress.
Latex Mattresses
This naturally occurring material is increasing in popularity. A latex mattress is known for being responsive and contouring to give maximum support. But don’t let its springy nature fool you. Latex beds are dense and heavy and therefore will not be ideal to move around unless you have sufficient help.
Memory Foam Mattress
With a name that includes the word “foam”, you might think this is a lighter mattress. Think again. It’s one of the heaviest mattresses out there besides latex varieties. Memory foam mattress layers of dense, thick support add up quickly to become a mass of squishy but heavy weight.
Why Does Mattress Weight Matter?
As you’ve seen above, mattresses’ weight can vary based on size and material. A heavy queen-sized mattress might weigh a lot, thus making you think it’s high quality but in fact, you need to check out the materials used to determine true quality. The weight of a mattress is important for determining quality, but remember to use the material information, not just the size, when thinking of the weight of a mattress.
The other reason you need to be aware of the weight of a mattress is that you will likely need to handle the mattress when you have it delivered (unless you get white glove delivery). If you don’t handle it during delivery to your bedroom, you will have to eventually lift it in the process of flipping or turning it as regular maintenance. The mattress needs to be a weight that you can actually handle.
You also need to know how much your mattress weighs because the foundation or bed frame that you have or purchase needs to be sufficient for the weight of your mattress. Not only in style such as a box spring versus flat bed frame, but also in how much weight it can take while still providing good support.
FAQs
What Is the Lightest Type of Mattress?
The airbed is the lightest type of mattress out there. No matter their size by length and width, air mattresses remain the lightest option out there. However, it is considered more of a temporary sleeping situation though, so if we are discussing the type of mattress you would want long-term, there is another option. A futon mattress is accepted as the lightest option you have outside of an airbed.
If you want something even more permanent and maybe a bit more comfortable too, then, in general, an innerspring mattress is going to be the lightest mattress type available.
How Thick Should My Mattress Be?
The ideal mattress thickness is 8-14 inches to achieve a durable level of comfort. This should include at least 2-3 inches of a comfort layer on top. There are some factors to consider though before you buy a mattress. To determine the ideal thickness (and therefore the ideal firmness level for you) you need to assess your sleeping position, body type, and sleeping situation (do you share a bed with a partner).
Why Are Mattresses So Heavy?
To put it simply, there are more materials than ever before going into making your mattress as comfortable as possible. The materials are dense, thick, and heavy, thus when you put them together into one large size mattress, you end up with a very heavy, but very durable, mattress. So if your new mattress weighs a lot, it’s usually a sign of sturdy, high quality materials used in it.
Can You Move a Mattress by Yourself?
Absolutely. This can be done with much effort and planning. You can follow steps to ensure you don’t damage the mattress during the moving process, or yourself. If you don’t have to climb any stairs, your job is much simpler as well. So, to move the mattress, be sure to cover it properly with a plastic covering to protect it from dirt and dust mites in transit.
The mattress can sometimes be folded to fit into the vehicle you’re moving it with but always check to be sure it won’t damage the structural integrity of the mattress. Then, it’s recommended to rent or buy a dolly, a moveable platform on wheels, to transport it from the car to the bedroom. This will simplify the process a lot. Use tie-down straps to glide the mattress out of the vehicle and onto the dolly.
Then, keep it stable while you wheel it into your bedroom. Remember to clear the path from your car to your bedroom beforehand to avoid any tripping and injuries.
Do Mattresses Double Weight Due to Dust Mites?
No, this false claim has been proven wrong numerous times. There would have to be billions and billions of dust mites in your mattress for them to begin to noticeably weigh down your mattress.
How Heavy Is too Heavy for a Mattress?
This is relative to the type of material your mattress is made of. You may find that the better question to ask yourself is “how thick should my mattress be?”. A mattress cannot be too heavy, but it can be too thick for your sleeping style and needs. The thickness of a mattress is a telltale sign of how many comfort and supportive layers your mattress has.
If you have a tendency to lay on your back, for instance, you may find that a high-profile mattress doesn’t give enough support to contour to your spine for proper alignment. You will feel like you’re sinking into your bed. On the other hand, if you’re a side sleeper and your mattress is not thick enough, you will have a bruised shoulder and find discomfort on your pressure points.
This is why it’s especially important to know the right thickness for you and determine if your mattress is thick enough.
Is a Heavier Mattress Better?
You might think heavier mattresses are better because the heavier weight usually indicates higher quality. This is true to some extent, but not always. Some dense materials are more heavy, such as latex and memory foam. But, if you don’t choose the right materials to suit your sleep needs, you’ll find a heavy mattress uncomfortable.
They might be heavy, but not what you need. It’s more important to find the right type of mattress than a heavy one. If you need some help figuring out which one is a good option for you amidst the vast amounts of choices you have out there, we can help!
Conclusion
While mattresses have always been on the heavier side, there are more materials than ever being used to make them more comfortable. This results in a heavier mattress, but one that is also more durable. You can move a mattress by yourself with some planning and effort, but it is important to be careful not to damage it.
Larger mattresses will always be heavier than smaller ones. A thicker mattress might be too heavy or too thick for your sleeping style, so it’s important to know what to look for when you’re shopping. A heavier mattress is not always better but is usually more comfortable and long-lasting.
About the Author Kamila Flieger
My name is Kamila, and I'm passionate about researching non-toxic, organic products for the home. I believe it's so important to create a safe and healthy environment for our families, and I enjoy helping others do the same.
