The Best Mattresses for Couples Just in Time for Cuffing Season
Dr. Kevin Lees, director of chiropractic operations for The Joint Chiropractic, recently contributed to an article on GQ about the best mattresses for couples. In the feature, Dr. Lees highlights the importance of motion isolation and support, explaining how the right mattress can help couples sleep soundly without compromising spinal alignment or comfort.
Original article published by GQ on November 18, 2024, titled The The Best Mattresses for Couples Just in Time for Cuffing Season
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Whether you’re just trying to upgrade the bed you’ve had since college or sizing up for breakfasts in bed now that you’ve moved in together, finding the best mattress for couples that works for both of you is a significant step. A less-than-perfect sleep situation won’t just have you waking up on the wrong side of the bed: “It’s important to research mattresses because it’s a big purchase that affects your sleep and health,” Raj Dasgupta, MD, a sleep medicine specialist, tells GQ. “Knowing what to look for helps ensure you both get a mattress that feels good and supports you properly, which leads to better sleep and fewer problems down the line.”
Kevin Lees, a DC and Director of Chiropractic Operations at The Joint Chiropractic agrees. He notes that not sleeping well could lead to increased blood pressure, decreased focus, and joint aches and pains. “Investing in a mattress that works for both partners is an investment in their health and relationship,” he says. To help take your relationship to the next level—or just to prevent your next sleep-deprivation-fueled argument over who takes all the cooling sheets at night—we’ve tested and rounded up the best mattresses for couples.
Our Favorite Mattress for Couples
The Helix Dusk Luxe will satisfy picky couples who want a bed that’s medium-firm and supports multiple sleeping positions. A hybrid mattress, its innerspring base sits beneath multiple layers of memory foam to contour your body and give you that “ahh” feeling as you sink into bed.
How We Chose the Best Mattress for Couples
In our hunt for the best mattresses for couples, our testing team sought out the best beds to meet the needs of multiple sleepers—even when those needs didn’t always match up. Sticking to our mattress testing methodology, we judged each mattress on its quality, body support, and overall comfort so that you and your S.O. can feel more rested together.
Best Mattress for Couples Overall: Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress
The Helix Dusk Luxe has the perfect combination of supportive coils and squishy memory foam to easily support you and a partner. And if back pain prevention is on your checklist, the mattress’s dense lumbar zone has you covered.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Specifically designed for back and stomach sleepers
- Cooling pillow top
- Zoned sumpar support
- Supportive enough for two sleepers
- Cons
- So-so motion isolation
- Short sleep trial
Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Body Support: 4.5
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4.5
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 4
- Warranty and trial: 4
- Value: 4.5
- Warranty/Guarantee: 100-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty
- Firmness Level: 6 out of 10 (medium-firm)
- Type: Hybrid (memory foam and pocketed coils)
Our Tester’s Take
For duos sharing the bed, the Helix Dusk Luxe is our top pick. It’s about two inches thicker than other Helix mattresses, which gives it added support to hold multiple sleepers. Up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils in the bed’s core create a firm foundation that prevents sagging, the creation of body indentations, and misalignment of your back. In the mattress’s upper half, you’ll find three layers of contouring memory foam that absorb movement. Our testers noted that the bed was pretty bouncy, so it’s easy to move around or change positions—though that also means if you’re an ultra-light sleeper, you might be woken up every time your partner attempts to do the same.
Our testers gave the bed a 6 out of 10 for firmness, or “medium-firm”—but if that’s too firm or too soft for you or your partner, there are some customizable upgrade options that can change the feel of the bed. If you want more cushion, toss on the Helix cooling pillow top; if you’d like the mattress to feel more firm, try the extra contour layer that’s made with a denser foam through the center third of the mattress. (Both upgrades will run you about $189 each.) If you struggle with an achy lower back, we’d recommend the contour upgrade, because the extra firmness better supports your lumbar region and hips.
Best Mattress for Light Sleeper Couples: Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress
The Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress is perfect if you or your partner wake up at the slightest movement. It has extra inches of absorbent foam to offset any ripples caused by your co-sleeper’s endless trips to the bathroom or tossing and turning.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Great motion isolation
- Comforting to those with back and hip pain
- More cooling than Nectar's Classic mattress
- Ideal sleep trial
- Cons
- Too soft for stomach sleepers
Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Body Support: 4.5
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 4
- Warranty and trial: 5
- Value: 4.5
- Warranty/Guarantee: 365-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Firmness Level: 6.5 out of 10 (medium-firm)
- Type: 6.5 out of 10 (medium-firm)
Our Tester's Take
Being in tune with your partner is one thing, but feeling their every position change at night is quite another. Nectar puts an extra two inches of foam in the Premier Hybrid’s core to absorb motion, making this the best mattress for light sleepers. Eight inches of innerspring coils in the foundation help maintain the bed’s structural integrity, add bounce, and better support the weight of two bodies. The coils are also double-stacked around the bed’s edge to prevent sagging. On top, you’ll find two layers of therapeutic foam that relieve pressure in your joints and conform to your curves.
Doctors tend to agree that a medium-firm mattress is best to improve sleep quality and reduce back pain. The Premier Hybrid is just that, which makes it a versatile choice for couples with different sleeping styles who want more back support.
Best Innerspring Mattress for Couples: Saatva Classic Mattress
The Saatva Classic is a classic for a reason: It’s a solid innerspring option for combination sleepers who tend to cycle through sleep positions, and you can choose from two height options and three firmness levels.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Choice between three different firmness options
- Durable with a dual-coil design made of carbon steel
- Natural and organic materials
- Cons
- Innerspring design may not be ideal for those who prefer the deep contouring feel of all-foam mattresses
- Heavy and difficult to move
Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Body Support: 5
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4.5
- Durability: 5
- Motion transfer: 3
- Warranty and trial: 5
- Value: 5
- Warranty/Guarantee: 365-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Firmness Level: Multiple firmness options
- Type: Innerspring
Our Tester's Take
Couples looking for a supportive and long-lasting relationship with their mattress will appreciate the Saatva Classic. As a traditional innerspring mattress, the Classic forgoes memory foam in lieu of coils and a pillow top, which gives it more sturdiness and bounce. Hybrid mattresses usually have a single-layer of coils that act as the supportive foundation, but the Classic stacks two coil layers for extra support. There are three firmness levels to choose from—Soft Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm—and we recommend the Luxury Firm as a friendly middle ground for most people.
Our testers raved about the three-inch pillow top with zone-specific support. The center third is more firm to support your spine and lumbar region, which is especially helpful for those with back pain. You might feel some ripples if your partner moves around throughout the night since this is a springy mattress, but unless you’re sleeping next to a wild tosser and turner, that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Couples: Nolah Signature Mattress
Like coffee with milk, some things are better with a foamy top, and that includes the Nolah Signature mattress. This mattress has five layers of cushy memory foam for twosomes that want comfortable support but don’t want to be disturbed by every movement on the other side of the mattress.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Solid motion isolation for two people
- Responsive for sex despite being all foam
- Cooling layers
- Manufactured in the USA
- Cons
- Low edge support
- Might be too soft for stomach sleepers
Our Rating: 4 out of 5
- Body Support: 4
- Cooling: 4
- Edge Support: 3
- Durability: 4
- Motion transfer: 4
- Warranty and trial: 5
- Value: 4
- Warranty/Guarantee: 120-night sleep trial, lifetime
- Firmness Level: 6 out of 10 (medium-firm)
- Type: Memory foam
Our Tester’s Take
Although the Nolah Signature mattress is made from pure memory foam, its varying foam densities mimic the benefits of a hybrid mattress with softer, more contouring layers and firmer foam that creates the strong, supportive feel of innersprings. Each of the mattress’s five layers absorbs weight and movement really well, which means even if one sleeper tends to toss and turn, the other probably won’t feel it. At the surface it has that comfortable, sinking-into-a-marshmallow feeling, but Nolah mixes in firmer layers underneath for added stability in the lumbar region. It’s a solid mattress, but our tester noted that it may be too squishy for individuals weighing over 230 pounds—in these cases, we’d recommend a true hybrid mattress instead.
Some couples shy away from memory foam mattresses because foam naturally stores heat (no one wants to bake under the covers with a partner). But one of the Signature’s foam layers has holes punched into it to create more airflow. This layer is also infused with copper, a material often used in mattresses because of its naturally cooling and antimicrobial properties. Our testers found that the Signature slept much cooler than expected, though you can always toss in some cooling sheets if sleeping hot is a concern.
Best Mattress for Couples with Hip Pain : WinkBeds the WinkBed
The WinkBed has a reinforced lumbar support region and multiple firmness levels that keep hips elevated to prevent misalignment and pain in the morning. And if you feel the aches in your shoulders and back, the WinkBed should help there, too.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Excellent motion isolation
- Buyer-friendly shipping process
- Suitable for all types of sleepers
- Easy to set up
- Cons
- Return policy could be better
- Can lose some shape over time
Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Body Support: 4.5
- Cooling: 4
- Edge Support: 4.5
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 4.5
- Warranty and trial: 4.5
- Value: 4.5
- Warranty/Guarantee: 120-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Firmness Level: Multiple firmness options
- Type: (memory foam and innerspring coils)
Our Tester's Take
Waking up with achey hips probably isn't the cause for relationship strife, but waking up grouchy from hip pain doesn't do any favors either. The WinkBed is one of the mattresses we recommend to those with pain in their hips because of the multiple firmness options that alleviate pressure buildup in your lower back and hips. Those with hip woes tend to need more sturdy support to keep their lumbar region propped and elevated, so our testers especially recommend the Luxury Firm option, which has a sturdier lumbar support zone.
The eucalyptus-infused Tencel cover is another feature our testers called out because it promotes the cooling power of the mattress. Tencel, a material derived from wood pulp, is naturally cooling and moisture-wicking. And if you and your partner are light sleepers, you'll appreciate the strong motion isolation that the WinkBed offers.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Couples: Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is versatile enough to support all sleeping positions, boasts strong edge support so you can spread out and use the whole mattress, and has enough contouring memory foam to cradle your joints after a long day on your feet.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Great motion isolation
- Strong edge support
- Hole-punched foam promotes airflow
- Cons
- Short sleep trial
- May be too soft for people over 230 pounds
Our Rating: 4.1 out of 5
- Body Support: 4.5
- Cooling: 4
- Edge Support: 4.5
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 3.5
- Warranty and trial: 4
- Value: 4
- Warranty/Guarantee: 100-nights sleep trial, 10-year warranty
- Firmness Level: 6.5 out of 10 (medium-firm)
- Type: Hybrid (memory foam and individually wrapped springs)
Our Tester's Take
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress is for couples who agree to disagree on bedding. As a hybrid, its memory foam and innerspring coils combo covers a lot of common couple requirements, including support, comfort, and stability. The springs in the foundation (1,000 of them) are responsive to movement, so you won’t have trouble switching sleeping or sex positions. They also move individually as opposed to all together, which means they can better adapt to your and your partner’s sleeping positions.
Like the Nolah Signature, the memory foam in the Sapira Hybrid is hole-punched to encourage airflow and the release of body heat through the mattress. That said, our testers found the bed to be just average in terms of cooling. They do point out that the Sapira Hybrid feels sturdy and supportive along the edges, which gives couples more room to stretch out in bed.
Best Mattress for Side Sleeper Couples: Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid is one of the best side sleeper mattresses because it’s firmer near the middle third to prevent your hips from sinking at a painful angle. The other two-thirds of the mattress, thanks to the softer feel in that area, also help with pressure relief around your shoulders and legs.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Amazing all-over support
- Three firmness options
- Phase change materials
- Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association
- Cons
- Too soft for stomach sleepers
Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Body Support: 4.5
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4.5
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 4
- Warranty and trial: 4.5
- Value: 4.5
- Warranty/Guarantee: 120-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Firmness Level: Multiple firmness options
- Type: Hybrid (memory foam and individually encased spring coils)
Our Tester's Take
Studies have found that people spend about 54% of their sleeping time on their sides, and if that’s the case for you and your partner, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a bed that can support you both. It has spring coils in the foundation that compress to support your weight and absorb movement. The coils are reinforced and sturdier through the center of the mattress, which will help support your hips and shoulders in a side-sleeping position. Our testers aren’t the only ones who thought the Elite Hybrid delivers solid joint and spine support: The mattress is backed by the American Chiropractic Association as one of the best beds for back pain.
It’s also one of the more cooling mattress options because of the phase-change material (PCM) in the pillow top. The PCM is essentially a fiber chameleon, using thermoregulation (your body’s natural ability to regulate temperature) to absorb body heat and cool itself accordingly. And for an even more enhanced cooling effect, there’s copper in the top layer of foam, which helps conduct heat away from your body. Light sleepers can also rest easier on this bed: When one of our testers rolled around on one side of the mattress, our tester on the other side hardly felt the movement.
Best Adjustable Mattress for Couples: Saatva Solaire
The Saatva Solaire might be the most customizable mattress we've ever tested. It features up to 50 firmness levels that you adjust with a remote, so it's almost like having a new mattress every time.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Up to 50 firmness adjustments
- Adjustable on both sides of the bed
- Breathable materials help the mattress's coolness
- Cons
- Most expensive mattress on our list
- A bit of a learning curve for those who aren't tech savvy
Our Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Body Support: 4
- Cooling: 3.5
- Edge Support: 4
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 4.5
- Warranty and trial: 4.5
- Value: 4
- Warranty/Guarantee: 120-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Firmness Level: Up to 50 adjustable firmness levels
- Type: Hybrid (air and memory foam)
Our Tester's Take
Here's one area you and your sleepmate don't have to compromise. The Saatva Solaire adjusts to up to 50 firmness settings, thanks to an air-based system in the foundation. If you buy a queen-size or higher (the bed comes in nine sizes), you'll be able to adjust both sides of the bed.
The organic cotton cover, hypoallergenic latex, and an antimicrobial treatment are also a benefit for those who like to sleep cool or those with allergies because they add breathability throughout the mattress. Underneath the cover sit layers of memory foam that relieve pressure on your joints and contour your body. The air chambers sit below the memory foam, puffing up or deflating slightly to adjust to your preferences.
If you really want to take the adjustability up a notch, Saatva also recommends placing the bed on an adjustable frame to elevate the head and feet of the mattress. The split California king and Upper Flex Queen and King sizes work primarily for that purpose, allowing you to elevate your side, your partner's side, or both.
Best Cooling Mattress for Couples: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe turns down the heat with fancy cooling technology infused into its memory foam, pillow top, and coil layers. The tech works to diffuse body heat, leaving you with a mattress that’s cool to the touch.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Cooling phase-change materials
- Three firmness levels (Soft, Medium, and Firm)
- Strong edge support
- Cons
- Low motion isolation
- Not supportive enough for those over 230 pounds
Our Rating: 4 out of 5
- Body Support: 4
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4
- Durability: 4
- Motion transfer: 3
- Warranty and trial: 4.5
- Value: 4
- Warranty/Guarantee: 120-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty
- Firmness Level: Multiple firmness options
- Type: Hybrid (memory foam and innerspring coils)
Our Tester's Take
Tossing and turning on a lumpy mattress not only signifies bad sleep quality, but it also generates added heat. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe has three components that make it a winner for hot sleepers, according to our testers. It feels cool to the touch, thanks to the fibers in the cooling cover that dissipate heat and wick moisture. The top layer of memory foam is also infused with these cooling fibers to absorb your body warmth from the inside. And the innersprings in the mattress’s foundation are spaced apart enough to promote airflow and breathability, which can help prevent the buildup of allergens and moisture.
The Aurora Luxe comes in three firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm. Our testers spent more time with the Medium firmness, noting that it’s supportive for all sleeping positions (stomach sleepers included) but might be too firm-feeling for those under 130 pounds or those with back or shoulder pain. Overall, we found the mattress to be supportive enough for two, with cooling power to boot.
Best Organic Mattress for Couples: Birch Luxe Natural Mattress
The Birch Luxe Natural mattress is a sustainability advocate’s dream. It’s firmer than other mattresses on our list—top it with a mattress pad for a little more cushion—but the extra support may help reduce back pain.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Eco-certified
- Latex comes from rubber trees, a renewable resource
- Supportive for all sleeping positions
- Free pillow set
- Cons
- High motion transfer
- Might be too firm for those under 130 pounds
Our Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Body Support: 5
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4
- Durability: 4.5
- Motion transfer: 3.5
- Warranty and trial: 4.5
- Value: 4
- Warranty/Guarantee: 100-night sleep trial, 25-year warranty
- Firmness Level: 7.5 out of 10 (firm)
- Type: Hybrid (latex and inner coils)
Our Tester's Take
If you and your partner pride yourselves on your organic household complete with weekly farmers market trips and nontoxic cleaning products—or if you just want a good mattress that's thoughtful about its materials—you’re a good match for the Birch Luxe Natural mattress. It’s GOTS-, Greenguard-, and Fair Trade-certified, which means it basically nails the trifecta of product-sustainability cred. The Luxe Natural uses four layers of organic wool to provide cushion and relieve pressure. Two layers of natural latex, one firm and one soft, sit underneath to support and contour your body, respectively (and latex, ICYDK, is considered a sustainable material because it comes from rubber trees, a renewable resource). A thick nest of individually wrapped coils provides stability, and the mattress is reinforced at the edges to prevent sagging.
Studies show that latex relieves pressure better in all sleeping positions than polyurethane memory foam. Our testers noted that the latex mattress felt pretty firm, but one tester who struggles with back pain said that the above-average firmness provided significant relief to their lower back. The mattress’s many organic materials also help the mattress’s overall breathability, much like the way a cotton T-shirt feels more breathable than a synthetic one.
Best Soft Mattress for Couples: Puffy Lux Hybrid
A fluffy duvet and layers of bedding can make any bed feel cushioned on the surface, but if you want a mattress that has that sponge-cake softness down to its core, you’re looking for the Puffy Lux Hybrid. The Lux Hybrid has eight layers of foam and coils for slow-sinking plushness that doesn’t compromise on support.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Multiple cooling layers
- Great overall support
- Works with all bed frames and bases
- Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association
- Free pillows, sheet set, and mattress protector
- Cons
- Too soft for people over 250 pounds
- Not the best for sex
Our Rating: 4.1 out of 5
- Body Support: 4
- Cooling: 4.5
- Edge Support: 4
- Durability: 4
- Motion transfer: 4
- Warranty and trial: 4.5
- Value: 4
- Warranty/Guarantee: 101-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Firmness Level: 5.5 out of 10 (soft)
- Type: Hybrid (memory foam and innerspring coils)
Our Tester's Take
The Puffy Lux Hybrid has six layers of memory foam that relieve pressure and cradle your curves, plus one layer of innerspring coils to add a stable foundation. The mattress is better suited to those who prefer a soft sleep setup more than a firm one—side sleepers and couples who spend a lot of time in bed will likely appreciate its sinkage the most. It also has cooling technology (literally) woven into every detail. The quilted cover on top is knit with cooling yarns, and underneath that layer is a heat-resistant fiber layer to help with air circulation. Two gel-infused cooling foams follow suit, keeping the mattress from storing too much heat.
The Lux Hybrid’s gel foams also help overall comfort by responding to your position changes and molding to your body throughout the night. Our testers noted that the mattress’s softness was super comfortable for two people but knocked the responsiveness down a notch. This means couples will probably find it tough to change positions or gain momentum during sex. You also won’t find top edge support here, so you might not be able to use the entire surface of the mattress without feeling some sagging.
Let’s Compare the Costs of These Mattresses for Couples
Before you add to cart, here are the pre-discount prices for our top cooling mattresses in a queen size.
| Mattress | Price (Queen) |
|---|---|
| Helix Dusk Luxe | $2,374 |
| Nectar Premium Hybrid | $1,098 |
| Saatva Classic | $2,095 |
| Nolah Signature | $1,799 |
| WinkBeds The WinkBed | $1,799 |
| Leesa Sapira Hybrid | $1,999 |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | $2,305 |
| Saatva Solaire | $4,495 |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling | $1,199 |
| Birch Luxe | $2,624 |
| Puffy Lux Hybrid | $2,849 |
How We Tested The Best Mattress for Couples
Our testing team has tested more than 500 mattresses individually. To make this list, we paired up to jointly assess each bed for overall quality, as well as how they respond to the specific needs of multiple sleepers. We first narrowed down the categories that couples look for in a new mattress, including comfort, temperature regulation, pressure relief, and motion transfer. We then analyzed each mattress’s pressure relief using a pressure-mapping device, cooling power using a thermal gun, and motion isolation using each other as guides.
A mattress is one of the biggest investments you and a partner will make for your home, so we also checked out the overall value of each bed. We determined whether the price point and warranty was worth the splurge, and whether that number matched up with the overall quality. Interested in learning more about our testing? Check out our mattress testing methodology.
What Type and Mattress Size Is Best for Couples?
According to Dr. Dasgupta, “ memory foam or hybrid mattresses often work well for couples because they offer comfort and reduce movement disturbance.” He advises couples to stay clear of mattresses that don’t absorb movement well, like some traditional innerspring beds. Memory foam prevents motion from rippling through the bed and awakening a sleeping partner, which is critical if you have a light sleeper in your midst. Hybrid mattresses tend to be more supportive, which is also beneficial for two or more sleepers. “Very soft mattresses might not support both of you properly, and extremely firm mattresses might not be comfortable for everyone,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “Try out different mattresses together to find one that suits both of you.”
Newer mattress models have cooling technology that prevents your body heat from making the bed too warm. As far as size is concerned, a full-size bed accommodates two people if you don’t mind sleeping close, but a queen- or king-sized mattress is ideal for two to stretch out (and have room for any little ones that decide to hop in).
What to Look for in a Mattress for Couples
Buying a mattress for one person is hard enough, but shopping for two means you have twice as many sleep needs to factor into your buying decisions. Here’s what you and your partner should keep in mind when shopping for a mattress, according to the doctors.
Sleeping Position
Side sleeping is the most common position, and most medium-firm mattresses on average can support this sleeping style. Lees says back sleepers tend to need more support, while side sleepers need more cushion and pressure relief for their shoulders and hips. If you sleep on your stomach, he says you’ll want a firmer mattress that will keep your lower back and neck aligned.
Mattress Type
Needless to say, mattress type matters. Lees recommends memory foam because it’s great for limiting motion transfer, which is important if one of you is a restless or light sleeper. A hybrid has a better chance of accommodating two sleepers because hybrids tend to be more supportive, long-lasting, and cooling—while still offering some of the motion-limiting effects of a memory foam layer. For people who have bad allergies or chemical sensitivities, Lees says natural latex might be the best option because it’s an antiallergen.
Firmness Level
No mattress is one-size-fits-all, but most doctors agree that a medium-firm mattress is ideal to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality. If you or your partner is over 230 pounds, you’ll want to invest in a firm mattress to keep your joints and spine in proper alignment. Partners looking for the best mattress for sex should choose a bed that’s firm enough not to sink under weight, but also responsive enough to change positions with ease.
Mattress Size
Consider your living space and sleeping needs. Do you like to spread out in bed or are you both glued to each other all night? A queen mattress is typically the average size for couples, but that might not be the best pick for larger or smaller bedrooms.
Motion Isolation
With multiple people sharing a bed, any slight movement can rattle the mattress and wake up a light sleeper. Keep an eye on mattresses with low motion transfer (seen most commonly in memory foam mattresses) to prevent too much movement creating ripples everytime someone switches positions.
Edge Support
When two bodies occupy the bed, a mattress should support your weight no matter where you're sitting or laying. Strong edge support means the mattress won't sag at the border, instead creating a more durable place to sleep or sit.
Temperature
If either of you are hot sleepers (or pets or little ones climb into bed), the last thing you want is a mattress that traps body heat. Cooling bedding can help, but look out for beds with cooling features like gel infusions and low-thermal materials like latex.
Mattresses for Couples FAQ
Is memory foam good for couples?
Memory foam mattresses are a good option for couples because slow-moving foam isolates movement well, meaning you probably won’t feel your partner shifting around on the other side of the bed. It’s also a good option for couples who like the feel of a contouring mattress.
How do I find the best mattress for couples?
Start by considering your and your partner’s weight, height, preferred sleeping position, and physical space. Once you’ve agreed on the physical requirements, then take a look at your budget and what you want out of a mattress, such as good motion isolation, back support, and firmness.
How often should a couple get a new mattress?
A mattress should be replaced about every nine years. This can depend on the usage, type of mattress, and how well a couple maintains their mattress.
How thick should a mattress be for a couple?
Since there will be two people sleeping on a mattress, a thicker bed is more beneficial for long-term use than a thin one. Anyone sharing a bed should look for models that are at least 12 inches thick.
About the Experts
Raj Dasgupta, MD is a quadruple board-certified doctor in internal medicine, pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. He is an active clinical researcher with more than 20 years of experience in his field. Dr. Dasgupta is also a public speaker and the author of Medicine Morning Report: Beyond the Pearls.
Kevin Lees, D.C., is a licensed chiropractor with over 20 years of experience and developed patented seated decompression technology. He currently serves as the Director of Chiropractic Operations at The Joint Chiropractic.
This article was medically reviewed by Anju Goel, M.D., MPH. Dr. Goel is a public health consultant and physician in California. Dr. Goel received her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine and her master of public health from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She’s board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
About The Joint Corp.
Founded in 2010, The Joint Corp. is on a mission to make quality care convenient and affordable, while eliminating the need for insurance, for patients seeking pain relief and ongoing wellness. The chiropractic brand has grown to 950-plus locations nationwide and over 13 million annual patient visits.