Ottoman Bed Too Heavy to Lift? Strut Ratings Explained

An ottoman bed that feels too heavy to lift — or the opposite, one that flies open too easily — comes down to how well the gas struts are matched to your mattress weight.

How strut ratings work

Gas struts are rated in Newtons (N), printed on the barrel of each strut. This figure represents how much lifting force the strut provides. A well-matched pair should let you lift the base with one hand, using minimal effort, regardless of mattress size.

Why it feels too heavy to lift

If the struts are rated too low for your mattress weight, you'll feel like you're fighting the bed every time you lift it. This is common if a heavier replacement mattress (like a dense memory foam or hybrid) was fitted after the original struts were chosen.

Why it lifts too easily (or won't stay down)

The opposite problem — a mattress that's too light for the strut rating — causes the base to spring up or refuse to stay closed, since the struts overpower the mattress weight.

How to fix it

1. Weigh your mattress (or check the manufacturer spec)
2. Check the N rating on your current struts
3. Order a replacement pair matched to your mattress weight — always replace both sides together

Is it safe to keep lifting a heavy base?

Struts that are consistently too weak put strain on the hinge brackets over time and increase injury risk when lifting. If it's a regular struggle, it's worth replacing the struts rather than working around it.

Related reading

See our full gas strut replacement guide and ottoman bed won't stay up. Shop our ottoman storage beds.