I’m 5 feet 2 inches on a good day, so I never gave bed size much consideration until meeting my husband, who’s at least a foot taller than me. Now, with him by my side, I take a minute to check the bed size before booking a hotel room.
Not only is bed size important for tall people, but it’s also vital for a good night’s rest when sleeping with someone over 6 feet. Perhaps surprisingly, anyone over 5 feet 10 inches is taller than average in the United States.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average height for adult women is 63.5 inches (5 feet 3.5 inches), and the average height for adult men is 69 inches (5 feet 9 inches).
Bottom line: If you or your bed partner are over 6 feet tall, then you may find it challenging to find the right mattress size. This article will explore how to choose the best bed for tall people and share some sleep tips for taller folks.
Why it’s essential to choose the right mattress size as a tall person
Some mattresses just aren’t long enough to support the pillow, head, and feet of tall people. But sleeping with a foot or leg hanging off the end of the bed isn’t a good solution.
According to Patrick Nuzzo, doctor of naprapathy (a holistic specialty that focuses on treating chronic pain) and founder of the Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine, it’s a recipe for back, neck, and shoulder pain.
“You need to have a balanced surface underneath the full length of your body to help you relax and get all the restorative attributes of sleep,” he says.
The best bed for tall people
“I’ve been treating patients musculoskeletally for 40 years, and one of the first questions I ask is, ‘What kind of bed are you sleeping on?'” says Nuzzo. “You need a platform that really supports your entire body, and you need to sleep on your back.”
In other words, if you’re tall—72 inches or longer—then you need to choose a bed and mattress that allows you to stretch out to your full length in bed.
Bigger-size mattresses include:
- Queen (60 x 80 inches)
- California queen (60 x 84 inches)
- King (76 x 80 inches)
- California king (72 x 84 inches)
- Wyoming king (84 x 84 inches)
- Alberta king (96 x 96 inches)
- Texas king (80 x 98 inches)
- Alaskan king (108 x 08 inches)
Tall people may want to avoid twin-size (38 x 75 inches) and full-size (54 x 75 inches) mattresses.
Additional sleep tips for tall people
The most crucial sleep consideration for tall people is mattress size. But to help you get the best rest possible, Nuzzo has a few additional tips on sleep position, sleep habits, and sleeping next to a partner with a different height:
- Train yourself to sleep on your back. Back sleeping is considered the best position for spinal health—a vital consideration for tall people, who may experience worse posture and neck pain due to spending most of the day looking down.
- Use pillows strategically. Nuzzo suggests supporting your spine by lying flat with one pillow under your knees and another under your neck (not your head).
- Reset your position after cuddling. Spooning is sweet, but it’s not good for your spine. “You can cuddle, but just remember when you break away from each other, you should be on your back,” says Nuzzo.
- Stretch before bedtime. “[Tall people] have to deal with looking down all day,” says Nuzzo. “So stretching the spine is really important.” Stretching before bed releases tension and relaxes your body to promote restful sleep.
The best mattresses for tall people
Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress
Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.
The best mattresses for tall people
Contour5 Mattress
Luxurious body-hugging feel and pressure relief with 3” of ultra-premium, high-density 5-lb memory foam.
The best mattresses for tall people
Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
This memory foam hybrid mattress features the perfect balance of body-contouring and responsive feel. Enjoy the innovative cooling system, which prevents overheating.
The best mattresses for tall people
Zenhaven Latex Mattress
Natural latex responds to every curve for pressure-free support and responsive comfort. Natural latex is supple, resilient, and durable, for the ultimate in elevated sleep. (It’s naturally hypoallergenic too.)
The best mattresses for tall people
Latex Hybrid Mattress
This hybrid mattress combines the pressure-free support of natural latex with the classic innerspring feel. Handcrafted with pure materials for the ultimate in cool and healthy sleep.
The best mattresses for tall people
Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress
Featuring precise 50 firmness settings on each side of the bed for personal customization. Natural latex and gel-infused memory foam layers provide luxurious comfort and support.
The best mattresses for tall people
Saatva HD Mattress
This luxury hybrid innerspring mattress is specifically engineered to support people weighing between 300 and 500 pounds. Plush upper layers made of foam and latex deliver comfort, while a high-durability coil base offers support.
The best mattresses for tall people
Saatva Rx Mattress
Specially designed to give maximum support and pressure relief that can help alleviate discomfort associated with serious and chronic back and joint conditions like sciatica, arthritis, herniated disc, and scoliosis.
FAQs
What bed is good for tall people?
Anyone taller than 6 feet should consider at least a king- or queen-size mattress. People who are very tall—6.5 feet or taller—may need a California king or specialty oversized mattress such as an Alberta king or Texas king to sleep comfortably.
Do tall people have special beds?
Tall people may sleep more comfortably in a bed longer than the standard size. Bigger bed sizes include California queen, California king, Wyoming king, Alberta king, Texas king, and Alaskan king.
Is a full-size bed good for a tall person?
A full-size bed is only 75 inches long, which may be too short for a tall person. Even if you’re only 6 feet tall, your feet may hang off the bottom of a full-size bed when you use a pillow and sleep flat on your back.
How should tall people sleep?
Tall people should sleep in a bed that is long enough for them to lie flat. “Sleeping on your stomach and side is not as good as lying on your back,” says Nuzzo. “I think it’s even more important for someone who is really tall or heavy to be able to get into that position to support the body, even if you only do it for 10 minutes as you fall asleep.”
Find the best Saatva mattress for tall people
Saatva offers a variety of mattresses available in queen, king, and California king sizes to accommodate tall people. Choose from innerspring, memory foam, latex, and more.
All of our mattresses come with a 365-night home trial and free white glove delivery so you can try one out to see if it’s right for you. Take our mattress quiz to find your perfect match.
