How Much Does a Mattress Weigh?

There are many different factors at play when determining how much a mattress weighs. For example, a king size mattress weighs significantly more than a twin. Size, material, and even time influence the weight of your mattress. However, the average mattress can weigh anywhere from 50 to 150 pounds.

Your mattress’s weight does not affect its quality or durability, but there are situations when knowing the weight of your mattress could be helpful, such as when shopping for the right foundation.  Our post will explain the different factors that affect a mattress’s weight and why weight is an important part of mattress shopping.

Mattress Size

Mattress size and thickness are very influential factors when it comes to how much your mattress weighs. The smaller the mattress, the less it weighs, and the weight gradually increases as the size and thickness do. There are six mattress sizes, and they each vary in weight.

Twin

A twin mattress is the smallest mattress you can get, and therefore the lightest. On average, they weigh around 40 to 45 pounds. These mattresses are best for young children and toddlers who have recently outgrown their crib. Twin mattresses are ideal for bunk beds because of their small size and lightweight.

Twin XL

Twin XL mattresses are very similar in size to twins, but they’re five inches longer, weighing around 45 to 50 pounds. These mattresses are great for school-aged children because they will fit them as they grow.

Full

Full mattresses are what you would typically see in a college dorm room. They are small enough to maneuver easily while still offering support for grown teenagers and adults. Full beds are wider than both a twin and twin XL, but small enough that your room still has lots of open space. Typically, these mattresses only weigh about 55 to 60 pounds.

Queen

Queen mattresses are the most common and popular mattress size. They are almost double the width of a twin mattress and great for single sleepers, couples, or two people. These mattresses give you lots of space but can still be budget-friendly. They usually weigh anywhere from 120 to 160 pounds, depending on the material.

King

King mattresses have the largest width of all the standard-size beds and typically weigh 130 to 180 pounds. They are great for couples, larger sleepers, or people who like a lot of space when they sleep. With 76 inches, there’s plenty of room to roll around and move as you sleep.

However, kings can be on the expensive side. Because of their heaviness, they may be better as a mattress for couples, allowing two people to move the mattress as needed.

California King

California king mattresses are longer and narrower than king mattresses, so they’re a perfect option for tall sleepers and sleepers who like extra legroom. King size mattresses are 76 inches wide and 80 inches long; California King beds are 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. Cal king and kings are relatively similar in weight, and like kings, Cal kings are a pricey option.

Mattress Type

While the size of your mattress is a big determinant of its weight, so is the material. Below are four of the most common mattress types and how their weights differ.

Memory Foam

When you hear the word “foam,” you may think light and airy. However, memory foam mattresses are some of the heaviest mattresses—behind latex beds—because they’re thick and have multiple foam layers, making them heavier than most mattresses with coils. Gel memory foam mattresses have added cooling gels or gel beads, making them weigh similarly to latex mattresses.

Latex

Latex mattresses are the heaviest mattress type. They’re very durable and supportive, but they can be challenging to move around. There are two types of latex: Talalay and Dunlop. Dunlop is heavier than Talalay latex, so the heaviest bed you could get would be a king size Dunlop latex mattress.

Innersprings

An innerspring mattress is lightweight and easy to move because it has a thin pillow top layer and a steel coil system, creating an open structure that provides good airflow throughout the sleep surface. These mattresses differ in weight because some coil sizes are bigger than others, but all innerspring systems are relatively light.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine a comfort layer with a pocketed coil support core to create a bouncy, comfortable bed with excellent motion isolation. These mattresses tend to weigh around the same as latex beds, and can sometimes even be heavier because they contain foam layers and pocketed coils.

Mattress Age

The age of your mattress changes how much it weighs because your bed gains weight over time. A clean, brand new mattress may only weigh 150 pounds, but after ten years, it could weigh closer to 300 because body oils, sweat, and dead skin cells can build up in your mattress over time.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & In-Store Myths

Why Mattress Weight Matters

You get it; mattresses have different weights depending on their size and material, but why does this affect you? Knowing your mattress’s weight may not be your top priority, but it can be helpful when dealing with things like cleaning your mattress, setting it up, and selecting the right bed frame.

Set-Up

When you buy a new bed, whether from a mattress store or online, setting it up could be difficult. If your mattress is overly heavy, you may not be able to set it up alone. Putting a bed together can take a lot of work, and if your bed is heavy, it could be harder than you were anticipating.

Design

The weight of your mattress can either make it very easy or very difficult when you want to rearrange furniture or clean your mattress. Think about trying to vacuum or deodorize your mattress when it’s 180 pounds, or moving your bed when you decide you want it on a different wall. Although most mattresses don’t need to be flipped or rotated, a heavy mattress could make the process time consuming if you choose to do that. Knowing the weight of your mattress ahead of time can help you prepare.

Foundation

Picking out the right mattress foundation is just as much about safety as it is about personal design preference. A mattress that is evenly supported can improve spinal alignment and reduce lower back pain. Sure, you may want a birch colored bed frame to match your nightstand, but if the structure can’t support your mattress’s weight, it could cause safety concerns. Knowing the weight of your bed ensures you choose a foundation that can support it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 20-year-old mattress too old?

Yes, a 20-year-old mattress is too old. Most mattresses last between 8 and 10 years since they get worn down and dirty over time. Keeping a mattress for too long can be unhealthy because sweat, body oils, and dust mites collect overtime, causing potential health problems like allergies or mold.

What is the heaviest mattress size?

Oversized mattresses, Cal kings, and king mattresses are the heaviest mattress sizes because they’re the biggest. Although mattress material also plays into weight, larger mattresses have more material than queens, fulls, and twins.

Do mattresses have a weight limit?

Single-person mattresses like twins and fulls can typically support 400 pounds, while two person mattresses are built to support 800 pounds. Either option will be supportive for heavier sleepers. Most mattresses have the weight limit listed on their tags or you can contact the mattress manufacturers.

Is a heavier mattress better?

No, a heavier mattress does not automatically mean it’s a better mattress. There are too many variables that play into quality, such as materials and comfort layers. While it’s important to know the weight of your mattress, it won’t affect the quality.

Which mattresses last the longest?

Latex mattresses are very durable and tend to last the longest, followed by high-quality memory foam mattresses, then hybrid, and lastly innerspring beds. Latex mattresses can last 10 years and maintain their springy surface over time.

Conclusion

Although the weight of your mattress varies depending on factors like size, time, and materials, the lightest mattress weighs about 40 pounds, and the heaviest weighs around 180 pounds, with everything else falling in the middle.

A mattress’s weight should not be a key component to your decision as you browse mattress sales and such. However, you should still keep it in mind for things like moving, cleaning, and finding the right foundation.