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Sosha Lewis is a senior staff writer for Sleepopolis and a certified sleep science coach. Lewis is happy that she is able to combine her love of sleep with her love of writing. Lewis also has had articles featured in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, MUTHA Magazine, Charlotte Magazine, and The Charlotte Observer. Her weekly column, Soshally Awkward, is featured on the nationally-syndicated radio show, Bob & Sheri.
She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, daughter, and lovable trash-panda of a dog, Olive.
Dan is a Performance Editor and Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where he writes and edits mattress roundups to give readers the most up-to-date information on sleep products. In 2020, Dan earned his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin, and his plays have been seen around the country in Chicago, Austin, Washington D.C., and elsewhere. He’s also a pop-culture fanatic, having written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, and Vox. He co-hosts two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast. When he’s not catching up on the latest King novel, you can find Dan in and around Brooklyn walking his dog Hank, seeing a play with his wife, and going to way too many concerts.
Dan is a Performance Editor and Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where he writes and edits mattress roundups to give readers the most up-to-date information on sleep products. In 2020, Dan earned his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin, and his plays have been seen around the country in Chicago, Austin, Washington D.C., and elsewhere. He’s also a pop-culture fanatic, having written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, and Vox. He co-hosts two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast. When he’s not catching up on the latest King novel, you can find Dan in and around Brooklyn walking his dog Hank, seeing a play with his wife, and going to way too many concerts.
Nichole is the Lead Reviewer and Staff Writer for Sleepopolis. She covers everything from testing out mattresses to a variety of other sleep products in reviews, how-to guides, and more. You can also find her over on the Sleepopolis YouTube channel. Nichole graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Mass Media Communications, with triple minors in Journalism, American Studies and Women & Gender Studies.
Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she worked in many different positions in TV news as well as managed Seacrest Studios, which is a multimedia center, at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. She loves working out and weightlifting, going on a hike, listening to true crime podcasts, checking out new breweries and wineries, and cuddling up with her cat.
Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and the former senior commerce editor at Sleepopolis, where she did everything from test out mattresses to writing about how to fall asleep fast. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course, getting some quality Zzz’s.
I am a certified sleep science coach and a mattress expert. However, I have a confession: My husband and I were once headed for a sleep divorce. I’m a light sleeper, and my husband’s snoring and restlessness can make it feel like trying to enter dreamland via a mosh pit. However, I’m pretty fond of my husband, and knowing researchers have found that sharing a bed with a spouse or partner provides better sleep than sleeping alone1, I was determined to save our “sleep marriage.” Therefore, I dove into finding the best mattress for couples with great enthusiasm.
When selecting the best mattresses for couples, I followed the same basic guidelines I use when making recommendations for solo sleepers. I started by looking at the scores and testing notes of the more than 330 mattresses that my fellow sleep experts and I tested and reviewed. I then paid special attention to the features that improve sleeping with a partner. These include:
Motion isolation: Those who sleep with a partner may feel their movements if they don’t have a bed that isolates motion well.
Responsiveness: Mattresses that make it easy to move around get high marks in responsiveness. This feature allows sexually active couples and combination sleepers to reposition easily.
Edge Support: Couples need a bed that supports their weight when they sleep near the edges as well as it does when they are in the center. This enables them to use the entire sleeping surface of the mattress.
Of those, superior motion isolation is the most crucial feature for me when choosing a mattress to share with my husband and his enthusiastic tossing and turning. Sleepopolis Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Raj Dasgupta said, “A mattress with good motion isolation offers undisturbed sleep and indicates material quality, construction, and overall comfort. Motion isolation is crucial, especially for shared beds, because it prevents one partner’s movement from being felt by the other.”
Our Top Pick for Couples
The Helix Dusk Luxe is our top pick for couples. Offered in a universally appealing medium firmness, this mattress received high support, cooling, and edge support scores — essential features when sharing your bed with another person.
The Sleepopolis team of experts and certified sleep science coaches have put each mattress on this list through rigorous testing using our testing methodology. The mattresses on this list scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in at least seven of the categories we assessed.
When selecting the best mattresses for couples, I considered some additional features before finalizing my top picks. These included:
Price: We understand that different couples have different budgets for their new mattress needs. My fellow mattress experts and I know that quality beds can be found at many price points. Therefore, we wanted to bring you a comprehensive list that included price-conscious choices that come in at $850, as well as luxury brands that will be over $3,000 for a queen-size mattress.
Support and Firmness: When thinking about the best mattress for couples, it’s vital that both people have enough support and can agree on the firmness of the mattress. We’ve tested the firmness and supportive nature of every mattress on this list to gauge how it will perform with different body types and sleeping positions.
Cooling: Two bodies in a bed generate more heat than one. We selected beds with outstanding cooling technology to ensure couples don’t overheat throughout the night. These include hybrid and innerspring beds that allow easy airflow, and all-foam mattresses injected with cooling gel.
Dr. Dasgupta said, “Heating up during the night is unpleasant. If you sleep hot consider innerspring or hybrid mattresses because they promote airflow, helping circulate body heat and increase breathability. Latex mattresses are also naturally cooling and won’t trap your body heat, keeping you cool while you sleep. There are a lot of mattresses that have cooling materials as well, such as copper-infused foams or phase change material.”
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.4
Helix
Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress
Medium-Firm Mattress
Cooling Tencel Cover
Zoned Support Coils
Hybrid
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Spring Savings Event
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This is a hybrid mattress made with layers of foam and coils zoned for support. The Luxe includes a Tencel cover and gel foam pillow top layer.
Firmness
We rated this mattress a 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This means it’s a true medium-firm mattress.
Ideal for hot sleepers who tend to overheat at night.
Pros of the Helix Dusk Luxe
The responsiveness of the mattress not only makes the Helix Dusk Luxe a good mattress for sex — it’s also good for combination sleepers who need to change sleeping positions at night.
The Helix Dusk Luxe, for all of its enhanced features, comes at a spectacular value (especially with Helix’s frequent sales and discounts).
This mattress includes a comfort layer made of memory plus foam. This allows the mattress to contour to the sleeper’s body and provide additional pressure relief.
Cons of the Helix Dusk Luxe
This mattress isn’t firm enough for strict stomach sleepers, but they may enjoy the firmer Helix Dawn mattress.
Heavy sleepers (those over 250 pounds) likely won’t recieve enough support from this mattress and may sleep better on the Helix Plus mattress.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Free returns after the 30-day break-in period.
The Helix Dusk Luxe mattress has a medium-firm feel that is perfect for back sleepers. Also, this mattress offers great contouring that doesn’t make you feel like you’re “stuck in” bed, which is great news for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review of all the Helix Luxe mattresses.
What our tester says:
“Overall, I found the Helix Dusk to be quite cooling, with the Luxe model sleeping slightly cooler. The Tencel cover on the Luxe adds additional temperature regulation. The gel foam and latex foam also add cooling.” – Logan Block, former content director
To land the top spot for our best mattresses for couples, a bed must perform exceptionally well in the most essential categories — and it also has to pack in a few extras to help it soar to the top. When all of our testing was complete, the versatile, medium-firm Helix Dusk Luxe beat some stiff competition with a 4.4 overall score, buoyed by a 4 or higher in support, cooling, and edge support. The Luxe is the luxury upgrade of the standard Helix Dusk, and it’s the model couples will want to opt for due to impressive bonus features like a cooling cover, premium pillow top, and enhanced lumbar support.
The Dusk Luxe’s responsiveness helped bounce it straight to the top of this list. The coils used in the hybrid construction help this bed respond quickly when weight is applied, making it an excellent choice for sexually active couples. The upper foam layers are also made with latex, which is known for its bouncy nature. “Due to its dynamic foam top layer, this bed is incredibly bouncy and springy. It feels similar to an innerspring mattress,” said Nichole Mondshein, former product reviewer.
However, beds with excellent responsiveness often lack great motion isolation, which was the case for the Dusk Luxe. Nonetheless, the average scores in this category were not enough to knock it out of the top spot, but sleepers easily disturbed by their partner’s movements may want to check out other beds on this list, such as the Nolah.
When two bodies put off heat in a bed, it’s understandable that you may get hotter than you would when sleeping alone. If you or your partner wakes up sweaty after a night on your current mattress, the Helix Dusk Luxe’s breathable Tencel cover, naturally cooling latex, and the open structure of the coils provide excellent temperature regulation, helping hot sleepers stay cool.
Nectar Premier – Best Mattress for Back-Sleeping Couples
Sleepopolis Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Nectar
Nectar Premier Mattress
Medium-Soft Feel
Cushioning Foam
Cooling Cover
Foam
365 nights
Free shipping
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Foam, for a soft, pressure-relieving feel and plenty of sinkage.
Firmness
This one scored 6 out of 10 on our scale, so we’d classify it as medium-soft.
Price
$1,480–$2,842 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Side Sleepers
Lightweight and average weight side sleepers may like the body contouring the Premier offers.
Back Sleepers
If you’re a back sleeper looking for better spinal alignment, you’ll find it with this mattress.
Hip Pain
The Premier should provide plenty of pressure relief for side and back sleepers with hip pain.
Pros of the Nectar Premier
On our mattress firmness scale, we rated the Nectar Premier a 6 out of 10, which places it in the category of soft. So you’ll get that slow-moving feel that people associate with memory foam.
We think the Nectar Premier is also a good match for side sleepers, who should get all the contouring they need at the shoulders and hips, where they put the most pressure.
Sleepers who struggle with joint pain should also appreciate the Nectar Premier’s contouring and deep pressure relief.
Cons of the Nectar Premier
Stomach sleepers likely won’t get the support they need from the Nectar Premier.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Full refund after 30 days and within the 365-night trial period
The Nectar Premier is a luxurious all-foam mattress equipped with quality materials. A moisture-wicking cover and gel-infused comfort layer create a cooling, thermoregulating mattress for hot sleepers. Perhaps its strongest attribute is its next-level pressure relief. Six inches of foam work to contour sensitive areas, but the high-density foam at the bottom of the bed provides plenty of support. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“My favorite thing about the Nectar Premier is its great pressure relief. This medium-soft mattress is a great fit for side sleepers looking for plush comfort. It might also be a nice fit for sleepers who deal with shoulder pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
As a combination side and stomach sleeper, I marvel at people like my husband and daughter, who spend at least part of their time in bed on their backs. When selecting the best mattress for back sleepers, I make sure that the bed will support them and keep their spines neutral, and I also check for pressure-relieving contouring. The Nectar Premier was the best mattress for back-sleeping couples, with a 4.5 out of 5 in support and pressure relief, and a 4.3 overall.
Mattress tester Nichole back sleeping on the Nectar Premier.
When Bridget Chapman, a former product reviewer, tested the mattress’s support, she said, “I loved how the soft foam layers contoured around me, but I still felt very supported on the Nectar Premier. I felt cradled, but I didn’t feel like I was sinking too far down the bed.” I tested the pressure relief myself using a specialized mat. After rolling the mat out on top of the Nectar Premier and lying on it, my pressure map showed almost all blue, indicating little to no pressure on my back. In my testing notes, I stated that the Nectar Premier was so comfortable when I was lying on my back that it may convert me to a back sleeper.
While I highly recommend this bed for back sleepers and think it works well for many side sleepers, stomach sleepers should avoid the Nectar Premier. It’s not firm enough to support this sleep style, leading hips sinking too far into the foam layers, which can cause awkward and painful spinal positioning and potentially back pain. Stomach sleepers can check out the Nectar Luxe Hybrid or read the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for more information.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
We rated the WinkBed Plus a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. Since it’s designed for heavyweight sleepers, it’s appropriate that this mattress has a firmer feel.
Price
$1,349–$2,199 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Heavy Sleepers
This mattress was designed for them, and should give them the support they need.
Back Sleepers
Specifically average-weight and heavyweight back sleepers will find plenty of support.
Couples
The WinkBed Plus isolates motion quite well, especially for a responsive hybrid mattress.
Pros of the WinkBed Plus
Back sleepers should enjoy the WinkBed Plus because of its extra-firm feel. This helps keep the spine supported in a neutral position throughout the night.
The hybrid quality of this mattress makes it good for combination sleepers. They should be able to move around easily on top of the WinkBed Plus without feeling “stuck” in the mattress.
Sleepers with shoulder pain should feel extra-comfortable on this mattress because of its pressure-relieving capabilities. This is particularly true for those that sleep on their back or stomach for the majority of the night.
Cons of the WinkBed Plus
This mattress is most likely too firm for the majority of side sleepers. Side sleepers need extra pressure relief for their hips and shoulders, which the WinkBed Plus might not provide because of its firm feel. If you prefer to sleep on your side, check out our best mattresses for side sleepers instead.
The WinkBed Plus is a firm, hybrid mattress designed specifically to accommodate heavyweight sleepers. Through our testing, we found it works best for back sleepers, particularly those over 250 pounds. It also does a good job of isolating motion, which will likely appeal to you if you sleep with a partner. If you want to learn more about the WinkBed Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“This mattress was designed for heavier people and it really is a fantastic bed for these individuals. Heavy people fed up with unsupportive mattresses will find a lot to love about this luxury mattress.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Quality mattresses can be found in almost every price range. However, if you and your significant other have disposable income, why not treat yourself to our pick for the best luxury mattress for couples? With a 4 out of 5 or above in every category, including perfect scores in support, edge support, and warranty, the WinkBed Plus earned a 4.6 overall score.
Although it was designed with heavier sleepers in mind, the manufacturer’s eye for detail means that different groups of people can benefit from its luxurious touches. Our testing found that this luxury firm mattress, which incorporates an eco-friendly Tencel cover and a comforting quilted Euro pillow top made from cushioning, “anti-sag” gel-infused foam, can also be a solid fit for some light-weight and average-weight sleepers. Its above-average firmness also makes it an excellent choice for stomach sleepers who sometimes struggle to find a bed that elevates their midsection enough.
One of our mattress testers, Logan, testing out the WinkBed Plus’ edge support while on his back.
The WinkBed Plus shines when it comes to support and edge support, both of which utilize high-end, individually wrapped pocketed coils. This means that sleepers should experience top-notch spinal alignment and be able to use the entire surface of the bed. “The WinkBed Plus achieves a stellar balance of firmness, support, and cushioning,” said Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor. “I appreciate the durable materials that will keep sleepers properly supported and allow the bed to last a long time.”
Since this is a luxury bed, it may not be fiscally responsible for some people to buy this bed right now. If you want an affordable bed with swanky bells and whistles, check out the Helix Midnight Luxe. Also, you can find our picks for the best cheap mattresses.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.2
Saatva
Saatva Classic
Multiple Firmnesses
Cooling Mattress
Strong Edge Support
Innerspring
365-night trial and lifetime warranty
Free white glove delivery
Limited Time Offer
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Innerspring, for a bouncy mattress that’s easy to move around.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options. We tested the Luxury Firm model and scored it a 6.5 out of 10, meaning it’s the industry standard for medium firm.
Price
$935–$2,450 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king, split California king
Hot Sleepers
If you ever overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is ideal for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
This mattress is ideal for back sleepers of all weights.
Stomach Sleeping
It’s also a nice option for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Pros of the Saatva
With three firmness options, most sleepers should find a Saatva model that works for them. We recommend that side sleepers opt for the Plush Soft, back sleepers go for the Luxury Firm, and stomach sleepers choose the Firm.
The responsive nature of the Saatva Classic makes it an especially helpful mattress for combination sleepers who need to switch positions throughout the night. This comes from the support layer in the mattress, which includes individually wrapped coils that conform to your body, providing bounce and support.
Heavier sleepers should enjoy this mattress because of the study materials used to make it. Complete with five different layers, the Saatva Classic is designed around durability.
Cons of the Saatva
If you’re looking for lots of sinkage or amazing motion isolation, you’re better off with one of the best memory foam mattresses.
None of the Saatva Classic models will likely be supportive enough for heavy stomach sleepers. For these folks, we recommend the Saatva HD.
Shipping
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Full refund within the 365-night trial period. Saatva charges a $99 pick-up fee
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
There’s no reason to be coy — many couples want a mattress that enhances their sexual activities. Although we would be pulled into HR faster than we can say “cozy pillow top” if we tried any hands-on tests for this category, we do have some excellent ways to gauge how a mattress will perform during amorous activities. With perfect support, edge support, and responsiveness scores, the Saatva mattress earned an outstanding 4.8 overall rating and is our top pick for the best mattress for sex.
The sturdy steel coils provide an excellent response when weight is applied. When couples are engaged in sex, this bounce and responsiveness allows them to reposition smoothly. Nichole Mondshein, former lead reviewer, said, “The Saatva responded well to my movement, and I didn’t sink in too deep. I could turn over and switch from my back to my side to my stomach with ease. This tells me that it’s going to be one of the best mattresses for sex.”
Tester Bridget Chapman pressing into the cover of the Saatva to test its responsiveness.
Sexually active couples will also benefit from the Saatva’s reinforced edge support, which should help them feel as secure on the edge of the bed as they do in the middle. This allows them to use the entire bed surface without fear of the edge collapsing under their weight. Another highlight for couples is that this bed is offered in three firmness options: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. The ability to select a firmness level may make the decision-making process more manageable.
However, as is often the case with mattresses that offer exceptional responsiveness, the Saatva does not isolate motion well. If you sleep with a restless partner, you will likely feel movements from them getting in and out of bed and tossing and turning. If you want a bed with great motion isolation, check out the all-foam Nolah. Since foam mattresses typically prevent motion transfer, you can also look at our best memory foam mattresses for more options.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
3.9
Nolah
Nolah Original 10″ Mattress
Medium Firm
Breathable AirFoam
Responsive Feel
Foam
120-night trial period
Free shipping
Sale
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This is an all-foam bed with three distinct foam layers.
Firmness
We rated this mattress a 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This means the Nolah Original 10″ is a true medium-firm mattress.
Price
$649–$1,249 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Eco-friendly
Each layer of foam is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they are free from heavy metals and harmful chemicals.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers should appreciate the combination of support and plush cushioning from this mattress.
Side Sleepers
The soft countouring foams in this mattress are ideal for side sleepers.
Couples
This mattress is a good choice for couples due to its low motion transfer, cooling, and responsiveness.
Pros of the Nolah
Back sleepers should find the blend of comfort and support they need when sleeping on the Nolah Original
The cushiony feel of the Nolah is a good fit for sleepers who may suffer from joint pain or arthritis. The foam in this mattress should help to relieve the pressure around these sleepers’ joints.
The Tencel cover included on the Nolah mattress is created using recycled materials, which is particularly important for eco-friendly shoppers.
Cons of the Nolah
This mattress is likely not supportive or durable enough for heavy folks (those weighing over 250 pounds). We recommend one of our best mattresses for heavy people.
Stomach sleepers may experience back pain when sleeping on this soft mattress. These sleepers may be more comfortable on a firmer bed.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
$99 flat fee deducted from refund
The Nolah Original 10″ mattress is created with Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam. This material mimics the body contouring provided by memory foam, but without the heat trapping. The Tencel cover aids with additional cooling. With soft foams and solid support, this mattress is best for back and side sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
Overall, I think this mattress could be a good pick for couples. Looking at the motion transfer results, it’s a safe bet that you won’t be disturbed by your partner tossing and turning at night. I would suggest couples purchase a queen-size mattress or larger, since the edge support on this mattress is just okay and it may be more difficult to comfortably sleep on the full surface of the bed.” – Madison Schaper, former staff writer
When I lay down on my side on the Nolah Original, I immediately noticed how the plush foams wrapped me in a gentle hug. The slow-sinking contouring of this mattress provided cushioning and relieved pressure on my hips and shoulders. Once I started running it through performance tests, where it scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for pressure relief and a 4 or higher in motion isolation, support, and responsiveness, I quickly slid it into the spot for the best mattress for side-sleeping couples.
One of our mattress testers, Madison Schaper, testing out the Nolah on her side.
My husband is restless, and while he’s able to sleep through his flips and flops, without a bed with stellar motion isolation, I can feel like I’m adrift on a choppy sea. The Nolah Original’s premier motion isolation is one of the reasons I picked it for couples. We tested the motion isolation using a seismometer to register the disturbances on one side of the bed when we dropped a 10-pound steel ball from 8 and 12 inches. The team was impressed with how quickly and resolutely the Nolah isolated motion, meaning that my husband and I would have smooth sailing on this bed.
Also, our pressure maps highlighted head-of-the-class pressure relief capabilities. These thermal images showed close to zero pressure on pressure points when a tester was on their side, indicating that side sleepers would have exemplary pressure relief around their hips and shoulders. The pressure map also showed that back sleepers should experience excellent pressure relief, making it a good choice for those with back pain.
Cooling is a performance area where the Nolah could improve. Although all-foam beds are known to trap heat more than their hybrid and innerspring counterparts, many manufacturers are now infusing their foam with cooling gel or using other technology to relieve hot sleepers. If you or your bedmate put off a lot of body heat, check out the Nolah Evolution (I own this bed and can attest to how cool it sleeps), and for more options, go through our picks for the best cooling mattresses.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
There’s enough softness in the layer of gel memory to contour their shoulders and hips.
Back Sleepers
They should enjoy the mattress’s combination of comfort and support.
Hot Sleepers
Per its name, the Silk & Snow aims to keep sleepers cool with coils that promote airflow and an infusion of gel in the memory foam layer.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
This mattress falls at a 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which means it’s a true medium-firm mattress.
Warranty
15-year warranty
Returns
Free returns, as long as it’s after 30 days and within the 100-night trial period
Pros of the Silk & Snow Hybrid
We definitely think this is a cooler-sleeping mattress. We measured its temperature increase with our thermal gun, and found it to have good cooling capabilities
A queen size can often be found for under $1,000 before discounts, so we think the Silk & Snow is a natural choice for anyone with a strict budget
Our pressure map showed that the Silk & Snow Hybrid puts hardly any pressure on the back. So it could be a sensible choice for anyone who experiences back pain
Cons of the Silk & Snow Hybrid
As a medium-firm mattress, the Silk & Snow Hybrid is probably too soft for stomach sleepers.
Motion Isolation
A mattress with good motion isolation means that two people should be able to sleep on it without waking each other up with their movement.
Support
The overall durability of the mattress and how effectively it supports various weights and body types.
Cooling
The mattress materials’ ability to dissipate body heat, promote airflow, and provide cooling for hot sleepers.
Edge Support
How well the perimeter or sides of the mattress bear weight.
As an affordable option with a medium-firm feel, we think that the Silk & Snow Hybrid should appeal to a wide variety of sleepers, including back sleepers, side sleepers, hot sleepers, and budget shoppers. Learn more in our full video review, where we compare the Silk & Snow Hybrid to the original Silk & Snow, which doesn’t have coils.
What our tester says:
“The Silk & Snow Hybrid is a great middle ground firmness for those who don’t want an ultra-firm bed, but also want to feel well-supported.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Canadian manufacturer Silk & Snow shows you don’t have to max out your credit card to treat yourself to a high-quality mattress. I selected the Silk & Snow Hybrid as the best affordable mattress for couples because it had 4 and 4.5 in materials and value, respectively. In performance categories, it scored a 4 or higher in motion isolation, support, cooling, and responsiveness. When I added all its scores together and then divided them, the Silk & Snow Hybrid got an overall score of 4.
Couples won’t have to worry about busting their budget when they purchase this bed. They can add a queen, king or California king to their cart for under $1,000, and that’s before any discounts have been applied. If you’re wondering how Silk & Snow can offer a high-quality mattress at affordable prices, it manufactures its products in Canada using locally sourced products. The company also tries to keep its marketing costs low and prioritizes a fair profit margin.
Mattress tester Logan Block trying out the Silk & Snow Hybrid on his back.
When sharing the Silk & Snow Hybrid, couples can also rest assured that their nocturnal motions won’t disturb their partner. Our motion isolation test, where we dropped a 10-pound steel ball from various heights and recorded the disturbances on a seismometer, showed that this mattress absorbs motion very well. We were also impressed with how quickly this mattress regained its shape after we pushed down on it with our hands, indicating that sexually active couples will be able to reposition easily. “Budget-conscious shoppers will appreciate the affordable price tag, and couples will enjoy the outstanding features that benefit sleeping with a partner,”said Amelia Jerden, former product tester. “Some of my favorites were how well it does with cooling and motion isolation.” However, couples should keep in mind that the Silk & Snow Hybrid only has a 10-year warranty.
Unfortunately, couples who like to spread out across the bed may also find the edge support lacking. This means they may not feel as secure along the perimeter as they do in the center of the bed. Those looking for good edge support may be interested in the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite Mattress
Extra-Soft Feel
Cushioning For Joints
Good For Shoulder Pain
Hybrid
120 nights
Free shipping
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This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it is made of one layer of foam and one layer of coils.
Firmness
Soft, 5.5/10
Price
$1,249-$2,899 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, short queen, king, California king, split California king
Side Sleepers
The Sedona Elite is a great mattress for side sleepers. It’s a soft mattress that will allow them to sink in and provide pressure relief at the hips and shoulders.
Hip Pain
The Sedona Elite should be comfy for anyone who suffers from hip or shoulder pain. It should cushion their sensitive pressure points.
Couples
The Sedona Elite has low motion transfer, which means that you’re unlikely to feel your partner’s movements on your side of the bed.
Pros of the Sedona Elite
The multiple layers of foam in this mattress are great for sleepers who really want to “sink in” to their mattress. The extra-soft feel and plush layers give a luxurious feel to the Sedona.
Sleepers with shoulder pain should consider this model because of its pressure relief. If you are a side sleeper with shoulder pain, this mattress will specifically help alleviate pressure around the shoulders and hips, where most side sleepers put the majority of their weight.
Some back sleepers should be comfortable on the Sedona Elite, as long as they prefer a softer feel.
Cons of the Sedona Elite
This is an expensive option, and not a great choice for shoppers on a budget.
Heavier sleepers may want to go for mattress that gives them more support than the Sedona can offer with its soft feel. Some heavy sleepers might feel like they’re going to fall through the Sedona, which does not create a relaxing sleeping experience. Instead, opt for one of the mattress on our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Mattresses can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
The Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite is a hybrid bed with excellent motion isolation, making it perfect for couples. The coils keep the bed cool and supportive while the foam layer makes it comfortable and pressure relieving, which may be helpful for people with hip and shoulder pain. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I consider this a great selection for side sleepers. The foam layers provide a soft, almost quilted top portion, where you sink into the bed a little bit, but don’t get stuck.” – Logan Block, Sleepopolis former content director
Couples on the hunt for a plush mattress with excellent pressure-relieving capabilities will want to look at the soft, cushioning Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite. This bed received a perfect 5 out of 5 for pressure relief and cooling, while receiving a 4 or higher in motion isolation, responsiveness, and edge support. When all of Sedona’s scores were averaged out, it gave our pick for the best pressure-relieving mattress for couples an overall score of 4.3.
We test the amount of pressure concentrated around sensitive areas of your body, like the back, shoulders, and hips, using a specialized mat placed on top of a mattress and plugged into a laptop. This produces a pressure map, which displays color-coded thermal images that highlight the amount of pressure created when lying on the bed. The pressure map for the Sedona Elite showed excellent results for back and side sleepers. Our tester’s back image showed almost all blue, indicating little to no pressure. Although we did see a little green, meaning there was slight pressure buildup, this is expected and completely acceptable for side sleepers.
Our tester Logan Block trying out the Brooklyn Bedding Sedona on his side.
After reviewing his pressure maps, my fellow tester Logan Block said, “I’m happy to recommend this model to back sleepers looking for a soft feel to aid in pressure relief around their lumbar region. The foams cradle and support the body, but you aren’t likely to sink too far into the bed or feel like you’re stuck in quicksand. I think couples would like the Sedona Elite. It has low motion transfer, meaning you’re unlikely to feel your partner’s movements on your side of the bed.”
The Sedona Elite’s softness is one of the main reasons for its pressure-relieving prowess. However, the tradeoff is that it isn’t the most supportive mattress on our list. I wouldn’t recommend the Sedona Elite for heavyweight couples. These sleepers would benefit from a higher firmness level, like that of the Titan Plus. Larger-bodied sleepers can also check out our best mattresses for heavy people.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Bear
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
Medium-Soft Comfort
Reinforced Edges
Copper-Infused Foam
Hybrid construction
120 nights
Free shipping
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Full refund after 30 nights and within the 120-night trial period
The Bear Star Hybrid is a softer hybrid mattress with memory foam and innerspring coils. It offers pressure relief, contouring, and solid support for many sleeper types, but especially back, side, and combination sleepers. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“After testing out the Bear Star, I found it to be really cozy. I loved how plush the surface of the mattress felt as I was lying on it, but I still felt super supported. Lying on my back and my side, I felt comfortable and would definitely sleep on this at night in my own home.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Hybrid mattresses combine features from all-foam and innerspring mattresses, making them a versatile and appealing choice for couples. We picked the Bear Star Hybrid, a bed designed initially for athletes struggling with back pain and other joint issues, as the best hybrid mattress for couples because of its balanced approach.
Hybrid mattresses are popular, and our very own Dr. Dasgupta is a fan, saying, “The best hybrid mattresses are well-balanced, making them a great pick for couples with different sleep preferences. I think of hybrids as the sleep comfort superhero, providing the best of both worlds for a better night’s rest.” The Bear Star Hybrid showed off its superpowers by getting a 4 or higher in every category we scored, including a 4.5 in cooling, pressure relief, responsiveness, and edge support. The overall score came to 4.5 out of 5 when these scores were averaged.
Our tester Bridget Chapman trying out the Bear Star Hybrid in the Sleepopolis studio.
I was impressed that this bed’s innerspring base created so much bounce. By being responsive when weight is applied, the Bear Star Hybrid makes it easy for sexually active couples to change positions. We tested this by pressing down on the mattress, removing our hand, and gauging how fast it returned to its original shape. It was evident that the coils quickly kicked in when pressure was applied, as we saw the Bear Star Hybrid almost immediately return to a flat surface.
However, this bed beat out some tough competition in this category by having high responsiveness and motion isolation scores. These features are often trade-offs. But the bed showed solid performance during our motion isolation tests, which included dropping a 10-pound steel ball from heights of 4, 8, and 12 inches into the comfort layers and measuring the disturbances on our seismometer. Our pressure map (thermal images that indicate pressure points on the body) showed that the Bear Star Hybrid is an excellent choice for couples living with shoulder, hip, or back pain because little to no pressure was seen around these areas.
Although the Bear Star Hybrid checks the boxes for the best hybrid for couples, most strict stomach sleepers will likely want a firmer mattress. When lying on their stomachs, some testers noticed that their hips were sinking too far into the layers, which can disrupt spinal alignment. If your partner or you sleep on your stomach, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Brooklyn Bedding
Titan Plus
Firm, Supportive Feel
Built for Heavy People
Extra-Strong Coils
Hybrid
120 nights
Free shipping
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Hybrid, meaning it uses both foams and coils in its construction.
Firmness
We rated this bed as 7.5 out of 10, meaning it is significantly firmer than average.
Price
$699–$1,699 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split California king
Back Pain
This bed should be a great option for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleepers
Ideal for heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleepers
Ideal for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Pros of the Titan Plus
The Titan Plus comes with a quilted top cover made of polyester, which makes the top of the mattress a little cozier for sleepers. This cover is combined with an inch of gel memory, so sleepers should immediately feel the comforting effect of this mattress when lying down.
Combination sleepers should enjoy this mattress because of its firmness, which helps them move around freely in order to switch positions throughout the night.
The coils present in the construction of the Titan Plus help to lift sleeper’s hips and align them with their shoulders. This is important for those suffering from hip pain, as they need more pressure relief from their mattress.
Cons of the Titan Plus
Lightweight sleepers probably won’t get any pressure relief or contouring, so they might be better off with one of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers.
Likewise, strict side sleepers will most likely not receive the pressure relief they need from the Titan Plus, especially around their hips and shoulders, where they need a softer pressure beneath them that cannot be found with this firm mattress. If this sounds like you, opt for one of the mattress in our best mattresses for side sleepers instead.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Brooklyn Bedding offers returns and exchanges with a $99 return fee
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
We recognize and understand that sleepers come in all shapes and sizes, and people of all shapes and sizes deserve a bed that works for their body type and helps them achieve a good night’s rest. We consider heavy sleepers to be those who weigh over 230 pounds. Since this group needs more support and typically sleeps best on a firm mattress, we pay close attention to beds that prevent them from sinking too far into the layers.
Brooklyn Bedding designed its luxury hybrid Titan Plus mattress specifically for heavier sleepers and uses high-density foams and up to 900 pocketed coils. This bed was chosen as our pick for the best mattress for heavy couples because of its 5 out of 5 support score in combination with a 4 or higher in edge support, cooling, responsiveness, and pressure relief. These scores, along with those of other factors we measured, helped this bed earn an overall rating of 4.5.
Nichole testing the edge support on the Brooklyn Bedding’s Titan Plus.
Our heavyweight tester, Paulie, a pro powerlifter who weighs over 230 pounds, reported that he sank through the comfort layers a little when on his back, but still felt plenty of support around his lower back and shoulders. He also enjoyed the cozy pressure relief due to the contouring around his lower back and shoulders.
Former mattress tester Nichole Mondshein’s test results highlight how a mattress feels differently based on body weight. As an average-weight sleeper, Nichole found that sleeping on the firm feel of this mattress wasn’t as comfortable for her as it was for Paulie because she wasn’t heavy enough to push into the foam layers and experience the gentle contouring that he did. She said, “I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It is a firmer bed that will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need. Since the Titan Plus excelled in edge support, slept cool, and had a nice balance of motion isolation and responsiveness, I think it should be a wonderfully comfortable mattress for couples overall.” The Titan Plus’s design also makes it a great option for couples with back pain.
As you may have guessed, we don’t recommend this firm mattress for lightweight sleepers. It will be too firm for them and may cause pain around pressure points like the shoulders and hips. We recommend they try the Nectar Hybrid or any other beds on our best mattress for lightweight sleepers list.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.6
Leesa
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid
Soft Comfort
Gel-Infused Foam
Zoned Support
Hybrid
100 nights
Free shipping
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This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Price
$1,499–$2,399 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Combination Sleepers
This bed can work for all three sleeping positions and is easy to move on.
Hot Sleepers
Cooling tech and breathable coils make this bed a winner for hot sleepers.
Couples
A responsive feel, sturdy edge support, and good motion isolation work well for couples on this bed.
Pros of the Leesa Sapira Chill
Sleepers of all body types and positions should find comfort on the Leesa Sapira Chill. The Plush should be a good option for side sleepers and back sleepers under 250 pounds. Other folks who need more support, such as back sleepers over 130 pounds and stomach sleepers, should stick with the Medium-Firm or Firm version.
There’s enough responsiveness on the Leesa Sapira Chill for combination sleepers to be able to easily switch sleeping positions.
The mattress is 14″ in height — taller than many other beds. This is an indicator of its luxury and durability.
Cons of the Leesa Sapira Chill
Like many other high-end beds, this luxury mattress comes with a luxury price tag. Anyone searching for a cheaper option should check out our list of the best cheap mattress.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Free returns within 100-night trial period
The Leesa Sapira Chill is a hybrid mattress, available in three firmness levels. We tested the Medium-Firm model and felt it was just softer than average, but could still work for all three sleeping positions — a rare find among mattresses. It also has some effective cooling technology built into it, which helps to keep sleepers cool throughout the night. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I really think the medium-firm model is a great fit for all sleeping positions. Yep, the Leesa Sapira Chill is one of those unicorn mattresses that provides a great balance of comfort and support for a wide range of sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
Staying cool throughout the night is one of my biggest priorities when shopping for a mattress. Since I share a bed with another person, which increases the amount of body heat produced, a mattress with fantastic cooling capabilities is non-negotiable. The Leesa Sapira Chill checks all the boxes by keeping you as cool as walking into an air-conditioned store on a July day. With a cool-to-the-touch cover designed to keep your skin at a pleasant 88 degrees and breathable pocket springs promoting airflow, it’s unsurprising that this mattress received a 4.5 out of 5 in cooling. Also, its 4-or-higher scores in motion isolation, support, and edge support helped it garner a 4.6 overall score. The Sapira Chill is also available in three firmness options — Plush, Medium-firm, and Firm — showcasing that it is versatile, as well as cool.
Our tester Bridget back sleeping on the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid.
We tested the Sapira Chill with a thermal gun, a device that uses color-coded imaging to measure the temperature of a bed. The Leesa’s temperature only increased 6.3 degrees after a tester was on it for five minutes. While this is an excellent quantitative indication that this mattress does a good job cooling, we also take into account the hands-on subjective evaluations. Bridget Chapman, former mattress tester, said, “I could feel the cooling effects of this mattress when I was on it. When I considered this, and its overall cooling construction, I felt it was an excellent cooling mattress for couples.”
However, couples who want a lengthy trial period to be sure this mattress keeps them cool, likely won’t be thrilled with Leesa’s 100-night sleep trial. For a cooling mattress that gives you a year to decide, try out the DreamCloud.
We are fortunate to test many quality mattresses. Although not all of them can make our list of the best, there are many worthy contenders. Here are three mattresses that just missed taking home the title for one of our superlatives.
Nolah Evolution
I own the Nolah Evolution and often say that it changed my life due to its excellent motion isolation and cooling capabilities. However, I decided to leave it on the cutting room floor because, admittedly, I splurged on this bed. We have already selected several higher-end mattresses in our top picks, and I would like to give readers plenty of options across all budget categories. Therefore, I went with the more affordable Nolah Original.
Nectar Classic
Classics are named that for a reason, and Nectar’s flagship, all-foam model has earned its name. I considered this mattress because it received a lot of 4s, 4.5s, and 5s in scoring. However, the one area where it fell short was motion isolation. It is odd for an all-foam bed not to absorb a partner’s movements well, and because of this, I decided to pass on the Nectar Classic.
Saatva Rx
The Saatva Rx is a stellar option from the luxury manufacturer, but it comes with a hefty price tag (over $3,000 for a queen-size mattress). Therefore, despite its high scores, I decided to leave it off and include the less expensive Saatva Classic because I like to provide a balanced approach, even when recommending luxury beds. That said, couples with budgets allowing this level of spending will likely be thoroughly impressed with the Rx.
How We Picked and Tested These Mattresses
Each mattress on this list has been put through multiple tests to evaluate their materials, construction, durability, and performance. Our team of certified sleep science coaches and product specialists uses a hands-on approach, resulting in scientific data gathered from specialized equipment. Once a mattress has been tested, we assign individual performance scores and an averaged overall score using our testing methodology.
We also research scholarly articles and consult with Sleepopolis Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, quadruple board-certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine. Although “sleeping on the job” is a fun aspect of what we do, we take sleep health seriously.
When selecting the best mattresses for couples, we run the same tests, but we pay special attention to features that impact two sleepers in the same bed. These include: motion isolation, responsiveness, cooling, and edge support.
Motion Isolation
A mattress that can dissipate movement can be the difference between sleeping well and not sleeping at all when you share your bed. Motion isolation is even more important if you or your partner tend to be lighter sleepers. To prevent nightly disturbances, couples want a bed that excels at isolating motion, rather than transferring it. Motion transfer refers to the movement that is detectable from one side of the bed to the other side.
Motion transfer results for the Purple Restore Plus, which is adept at isolating motion.
To test motion isolation, our mattress testers drop a 10-pound steel ball from heights of 4, 8, and 12 inches. A seismometer then measures the effects of the ball across the mattress. The bigger the lines on the chart, the bigger the disturbance from one side of the mattress to the other. This will determine if your partner will feel every movement you make during the night, or if they’ll only feel the big movements, like getting in and out of bed in the morning.
Innerspring mattresses have a higher motion transfer rate, but are better mattresses for sex because of their responsiveness. On the flip side, memory foam mattresses limit movements from couples and often create a hotter atmosphere in the bed because the foams trap body heat.
We asked Dr. Dasgupta why motion isolation is important for couples, and he said, “Motion isolation is important for couples because it minimizes movement and disturbances caused by one partner’s movements, allowing the other to sleep more soundly. This feature is especially beneficial for light sleepers, those who frequently change positions at night, and those who share their mattress with kids or pets. A mattress that performs well for motion isolation allows for better overall sleep quality.”
Responsiveness
Sexually active couples will want a mattress with superior responsiveness. This feature refers to how quickly and effectively a mattress adjusts to the movements and pressure of the sleeper. The upside to a responsive mattress is that it makes the bed good for sex, as it allows couples to move around easily. The downside is that it sends a lot of movement rippling across the mattress, which could be an issue if either one of you wakes up easily.
One of our testers pressing into a mattress’s layers.
To test responsiveness, I lie down on the bed and see how easy it is to move around and switch positions, and I press my hand into the top layers of the bed and monitor how quickly it regains its original shape. If I’m able to reposition with little difficulty and my handprint disappears quickly, I know it’s a responsive mattress. A responsive mattress is also good for combination sleepers who change sleeping positions at night.
Edge Support
Couples need a mattress that can support the weight of two adults located in generally the same place. Selecting a mattress with robust materials and a good design along the edge of the bed, as well as in the center, will ensure that it’s capable of properly supporting the full weight, while still creating comfort, bounce, and response. To test a mattress’s edge support, I sit on the edge of the bed and see if I feel the layers buckling or collapsing beneath my weight. I then do the same while leaning over and tying my shoes. If the mattress stays sturdy with little give, then it probably has strong edge support, and this will allow couples to safely use the entire surface.
One of our mattress testers sits on an Avocado mattress with a tape measure to test edge support.
Cooling
Two bodies radiate more heat than one, which is something you’ll want to keep in mind if you share your bed with someone else. Look for mattresses that have added cooling features, or try to find a bed with a construction that assists with temperature regulation. In general, innerspring mattresses and hybrid mattresses tend to be more cooling than memory foam mattresses, as their coils leave more room for air to flow through the bed.
Results from our thermal gun test.
To test a mattress’s cooling capabilities I use a device called a thermal gun. I just aim it at the mattress, and it uses thermal imaging to show me its temperature both before someone lies down on it and after they’ve lain on it for 5 minutes. If it heats up more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit, I consider the bed to have poor cooling capabilities. An increase of 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, and less than 5 degrees indicates excellent cooling.
Firmness and Feel
Firmness and feel are usually the most important factors in selecting a mattress for you and your significant other. However, it can be challenging if you have different firmness preferences. We test our mattresses using a firmness scale that ranks mattresses from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most firm and 1 being the softest. The industry standard for medium-firm firmness is 6.5, which we find to be a good middle ground for many couples, especially if they have different sleeping preferences. For more information, check out our firmness guide.
Here are some other ways couples can achieve their desired firmness and feel:
Adaptive
First, you can select a mattress designed with a universal and/or adaptive feel. These types of beds are usually in the medium-firm firmness range. They’re designed to provide an equal level of support and pressure relief regardless of body type, weight, and sleeping position.
In this setup, you’ll have two separate mattresses side by side. It’s ideal if you and your partner have very different needs and find that a compromise in the middle just isn’t an option. For example, if one partner is very heavy and the other partner is very light, a split king or queen mattress may be a good choice.
Full Customization
While there aren’t many of these mattresses available yet, there is at least one really good option with Helix, a brand that allows couples to each customize their own side of the mattress. Helix also offers a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. This made the brand a strong contender when picking our best mattresses for couples.
Support and Spinal Alignment
A quality mattress should evenly support your body in various sleeping positions, helping you maintain a neutral spinal alignment and potentially preventing back pain. This is especially critical for couples of different weights who sleep together on a full or queen mattress. If the heavier sleeper rolls towards the middle and creates a downward slope, the lighter sleeper may end up rolling into their partner. This can create additional motion transfer and interfere with the support and feel.
What to Consider When Buying a Mattress
When buying a mattress to share with a partner, you must take both sleepers’ needs and preferences into account. If you happen to share the same sleeping position and are roughly the same weight, mattress shopping may be a bonding experience. However, if you have different body types, sleep styles, and comfort preferences, getting a new mattress can be frustrating.
Here is a list of what couples should consider when buying a new mattress:
Bed Size
Queen is the most popular sized mattress available. It is a great choice for couples who like to be close but also appreciate having a little room to spread out. The dimensions on this bed also work well in a variety of rooms. With that being said, my husband and I have slept in a king-sized bed the whole time we have lived together. It is my favorite, but I know that space and price factors may not make it the best choice for everyone.
Budget
Couples will likely want to have a predetermined budget when they are mattress shopping. This will allow them to narrow down their mattress possibilities and quickly eliminate those that are too expensive. Fortunately, there are high-quality mattresses that fall within almost every budget, so you and your significant other shouldn’t have a problem finding one that’s within your price range.
Sleep Trials
Sleep trials are an excellent way for couples to test out a mattress. Most internet mattress companies allow you to sleep on the bed from 90 nights to a full year before you have to decide if you want to keep it or not. This can help your partner and you decide if this bed works for the two of you. Just make sure that you read the fine print to know the exact parameters of returning a mattress, as they differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.
FAQs
What type of mattress is good for couples?
Most of the mattresses on this list are hybrid models. While it’s entirely possible to find an all-foam model that works for couples (such as the Nolah), the weight of two bodies will need more support than many memory foam mattresses offer. For this reason, I recommend that couples start with hybrids when mattress shopping.
Is memory foam good for two people?
While hybrid mattresses or innerspring mattresses tend to offer more support for couples, there are some memory foam beds out there that can work as well. One benefit the material has for couples is that it cuts down on motion transfer, so if you sleep with a partner, you’re less likely to feel their movements at night.
What is the best mattress for intimacy?
The best mattress for sex is going to be highly responsive and allow you to move around and change positions easily. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses with lots of coils and bounce are usually best. The Saatva is an especially good choice due to its double layer of springs.
What is the best mattress thickness for couples?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mattresses, so I recommend choosing whatever feels the most comfortable for you. However, if you don’t know where to start, I’ve found that between 12 and 14 inches is a good range.
Sosha Lewis
Senior Staff Writer
About Author
Sosha Lewis is a senior staff writer for Sleepopolis and a certified sleep science coach. Lewis is happy that she is able to combine her love of sleep with her love of writing. Lewis also has had articles featured in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, MUTHA Magazine, Charlotte Magazine, and The Charlotte Observer. Her weekly column, Soshally Awkward, is featured on the nationally-syndicated radio show, Bob & Sheri.
She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, daughter, and lovable trash-panda of a dog, Olive.
