Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor
On the hunt for the best split king mattress? A split king is essentially two twin XL mattresses placed side by side, offering a customizable sleep experience for couples. Whether you and your partner have different sleep preferences or just want to minimize disruptions from each other’s movements, a split king mattress could offer the perfect solution.
As Sleepopolis Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta explains, “The firmness level of a mattress should change depending on your sleeping position…It’s crucial to strike a balance that supports your sleeping position while providing comfort.”
With a split king (or two twin XLs), each sleeper can choose their ideal firmness, which is especially helpful if one person is a back sleeper needing a medium-firm mattress, and the other is a side sleeper who prefers something softer. Plus, since split king mattresses are typically compatible with adjustable bases, you and your partner can create the perfect sleep setting.
Throughout 2024, Sleepopolis has helped 12,544 people find their perfect mattress, and I’m here to guide you through choosing the best split king bed for your needs. In this roundup, I’ve included mattresses that range from $2,300 to $3,200, to offer high-quality options across different budgets. My colleagues and I have carefully tested these beds to ensure they meet key criteria like pressure relief, cooling, and motion isolation.
So no matter what you’re looking for in your new bed, rest assured that we’ve thought of everything, and we’re ready to recommend you the best bed for your needs and preferences. And remember, if you and your partner disagree on which bed to get, all of the mattresses on this list can either be purchased as two twin XLs or as a split king.
Our Top Pick for Split King Mattresses
We chose the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid as our best overall pick due to its comfortability and cooling. The innovative memory foam and innerspring hybrid construction help keep this mattress exceptionally cool.
Best Split King Mattresses 2024
- Best Overall – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
- Best Luxury – DreamCloud
- Best Hybrid – Helix Dusk
- Best Memory Foam – Nectar
- Best Customizable – Nolah Evolution
- Best Value – Bear Star Hybrid
- Best Cooling – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
- Best for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
Compare the Best Split King Mattresses
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| Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid | DreamCloud Memory Foam | Helix Dusk Mattress | Nectar Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Titan Plus | |
| Rating | ||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Couples,
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Back Sleepers,
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Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors,
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Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers,
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Hot Sleepers,
Back Pain, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Best Split King Mattresses Video Review
What We Look For In The Best Split King Mattresses
Independent Adjustability
Split kings are useful for a lot of reasons, but one big reason is that you and whoever you might be sharing the bed with can have different setups on your individual mattresses. For this reason, we made sure to test the individual adjustability of each of the mattresses below.
Motion Isolation
Like we said, split kings are especially good for people who are sharing a bed. Because of this, a top priority of yours might be motion isolation, or limiting the degree to which you can feel another movement in the bed. To help you find the best-split king mattresses with good motion isolation we tested each of these mattresses to make sure you wouldn’t be feeling too much movement, if any, during the night.
Size and Compatibility
The size of the split king mattress you are looking for is super important, and we know that, so we were sure to include the size of each of these split king mattresses so you can find the perfect one for you. We also looked into the options for bed frames to make sure you are able to fit the split-king mattress into whatever frame you choose. This will help you ensure you can keep the style of your room with your new split-king mattress.
Best Overall – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid gives sleepers an equal amount of contouring and support, thanks to its combination of soft foams and sturdy coils. Back sleepers are likely to be the most comfortable and should find that their spines stay neutrally aligned. Most side sleepers should also get the pressure relief they need. Finally, hot sleepers should also be happy on this bed due to all of its cooling features.
What our tester says:
“I really enjoyed how this mattress felt laying on my back and side. I was so comfortable and loved the medium-firm feel that had a touch of softness. I think the foam layers offered a contouring feeling while also making me feel supported. It’s also a very responsive bed, so it could be a great choice for combination sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Expert Opinion
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid is our choice for the overall best split king mattress because it’s luxurious without breaking the bank. The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid is built to relieve back pain by promoting spinal alignment, making it a good possible choice for people who sleep on their backs or switch between their backs and sides. The eight inches of individually wrapped recycled steel coils in the base layer of this bed add the solidity that long-lasting mattresses need, while the thick, cotton cover helps sleepers sink comfortably into this bed’s layers.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid has a luxurious feel from the foam while maintaining a sturdy construction that is ideal for pressure relief. To test these elements, we used the pressure map, a tool that uses heat-mapping technology to indicate pressure distribution across your body. We found that this mattress has excellent pressure relief for back and shoulder pain.
Best Luxury – DreamCloud
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Expert Opinion
The DreamCloud is, well, dreamy! It’s described as the brand’s luxury hybrid mattress, as it includes hotel-like springs and foams, as well as a cashmere blend cover. The DreamCloud is also the brand’s most popular model, most likely because it’s fitted with high-quality materials, a sturdy build, and a plush feel, so it had to be our pick for the best luxury split king mattress. Upon testing it out, we found that the foam in this mattress treated us to gentle pressure relief, while the coils below gave us the support we needed to maintain a healthy sleep posture.
The DreamCloud includes a gel memory foam layer and individually wrapped coils, both of which help keep this mattress cool throughout the night. This is great for couples, since they have double the body heat in their bed. These coils also add bounce and support to this mattress, making it good for sex (which is always a consideration for couples).
Best Hybrid – Helix Dusk
The Helix Dusk mattress has a medium-soft 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.
What our tester says:
“We found this beds to be springy and responsive, which is great for sex and for combination sleepers who switch between sleeping positions.” – Logan Block, former content director
Expert Opinion
The Helix Dusk is our favorite split king hybrid on this roundup since it’s supportive, pressure relieving, and affordable. It has a soft, breathable cover, responsive foam, high-density foam, and pocketed coils. These materials all work together to bring the sleeper a bouncy, supportive surface. When we rested on the Helix Dusk, we definitely experienced some pressure relief, but we also felt a slight lift and found it easy to move around. If you want to upgrade to a luxury model with additional cooling features and a pillow top, you can opt for the Helix Dusk Luxe.
We think this mattress is great for couples, even if they don’t opt for the split king version. It includes reinforced coils around its edges, creating great edge support so couples can spread out without worrying about sinkage or sagging near the sides of their bed. This bed also includes extra cooling features, and the coils in its base layer made it a good mattress for sex (both of which we touch on in the Pros section of this roundup).
Best Memory Foam – Nectar
The Nectar delivers a balance of comfort and support: it’s definitely contouring, but still provides a firm enough foundation for most light to average weight sleepers, especially if they sleep on their back or stomach. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think back sleepers would be especially happy on this bed. They’ll get plenty of support from the firm memory foam in the Nectar Classic, which should translate to great pressure relief and a good night’s sleep. Hot sleepers who have to have a memory foam mattress should also have no trouble at all falling asleep on this bed.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Nectar mattress is made with foam layers that help provide added pressure relief and body contouring around sensitive joints, like the shoulders and hips. When we lie down on the Nectar mattress, we can immediately feel the soft foam allowing us to sink further into this mattress, creating that classic memory foam feel. However, unlike traditional memory foam mattresses, the Nectar mattress also provides cooling and supportive elements using a cooling gel-infused foam comfort layer and high-density foam for support.
In order to test out the Nectar ourselves and see how cooling and pressure relieving it is, we used our pressure map. We found that the Nectar does a good job relieving back pain, especially for back sleepers, and an excellent job of relieving shoulder pain for any sleepers. The sinkage you will experience from the foam should help alleviate pain and stiffness throughout the body. We also used a heat gun to test the cooling properties of the mattress and found that it only heats up around 5 degrees after five minutes of lying down on it, indicating good cooling.
Best Customizable – Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Nolah Evolution is the most popular of the Nolah mattresses, most likely because of its versatility. That’s why we chose it as our best customizable mattress. This bed comes in three different firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. That means you can choose the best model for you and your preferred sleeping position, no matter if that’s back, stomach, side, or combination sleeping.
Couples should enjoy the low motion transfer results that the Nolah Evolution offers, which will only be further isolated if they opt for the split king version of this mattress. The AirFoamICE included in the Nolah Evolution also helps to eliminate body heat, and the Arctic Tex fibers are extra breathable, so even the foam layers of this hybrid mattress allow for added airflow.
Best Value – Bear Star Hybrid
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
Expert Opinion
The Bear Star Hybrid mattress boasts some stellar materials at a competitive price — you can often find a split king for under $2,000 after discounts. Sleepopolis even has an a exclusive coupon with Bear, so you can get the best deals on this mattress. When we tested the Bear Star Hybrid out, we found that this bed had a medium-firm feel that works best for back and side sleepers. At the same time, we were still able to move around on top of this mattress with ease, thanks to the individually cased coils in the support layer.
The Bear Star Hybrid offers an optional Celliant fiber cover, as well as copper-infused memory foam (which we’ll talk more about in the Pros section of this review). This material, along with the previously mentioned individually wrapped coils, helps promote breathability and airflow throughout, which is great for hot sleepers and couples, who have double the body heat in their bed. Furthermore, the Bear Star Hybrid scored very well on our motion isolation test. The memory foam in the construction helps dampen motion before it moves to the other side of the bed, which means that couples shouldn’t be bothered by their restless partner during the night.
Best Cooling – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
The Brookyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress is one of Brooklyn Bedding’s more high-end mattresses. It’s got a ton of cooling features in it that can help hot sleepers sleep cool all night. It’s also available in three different firmnesses, so it can accommodate all of the sleeping positions. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“First and foremost, I’d recommend this mattress to hot sleepers. This bed sleeps nice and cool thanks to special phase change technology and gel infusions. The Aurora Luxe is also a nice pick for back sleepers. This mattress in the Medium model is medium-soft, so it should contour the hips while also lifting them into alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
If you’re looking for a split king mattress that has excellent cooling properties, then look no further. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress has a GlacioTex cover and cooling-infused foam alongside a hybrid design with open-cell technology in both the foam layers and the inner coils. This construction helps to keep the mattress breathable and cool all night for temperature regulation and optimum comfort. The foam in the mattress also helps make it soft and cushioning, but still supportive, which may be perfect for back and side sleepers.
To test out these features, we started by measuring the mattress’s temperature with a thermal gun. This device uses thermal imaging to show how much a bed heats up after you lie down on it for five minutes. The Aurora Luxe showed good cooling on the thermal gun, only heating up around 5 degrees, so this mattress should keep your temperature regulated throughout the evening. We also tested the supportiveness of the mattress using a pressure map. The Aurora Luxe showed good pressure support across the map, especially for back sleepers.
Best for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
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
Expert Opinion
Heavier sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds need a split king with extra support that will still keep them comfy. The Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding was designed with heavier folks in mind, so it should offer that additional sturdiness and durability. We actually had a larger colleague test out the Titan Plus, and he got a decent amount of pressure relief, while still feeling lifted and “on top” of this mattress. We attribute this to the mattress’s dense foams, extra height, sturdy coils, and reinforced edge support.
The Titan Plus is not only a great choice for heavier sleepers; couples should love it as well. This mattress includes a flexible top layer that helps to stop movement before it gets to the other side of the bed. This way, you shouldn’t be disturbed by your partners movements during the night. The Titan Plus is also a great mattress for sex, since couples are going to feel very “on top” of the mattress and will be able to switch positions easily.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Mattress For You
Depending on your room size, sleeping position, body type, sleep style, and whether or not you share the bed with a partner, a mattress will work differently for you than it may for other people. Because of this, we want to go over some of the different components to keep in mind while mattress shopping.
You can also check out our complete mattress buying guide for even more tips and information.
Split King Mattresses
A split king mattress is the same size as a traditional king mattress, but it’s essentially made of two twin XL beds. Split king mattresses are ideal for two people who share the same bed but have different sleep preferences because each side can be customized to meet the sleeper’s needs. So if one person’s a stomach sleeper and needs a firm mattress and the other’s a side sleeper and needs a soft mattress, they can both get what they want. This is also great for sleepers who don’t want to feel their partner’s movements on the other side of the bed.
Mattress Sizes
- Twin – 38” x 75”
- Twin XL – 38” x 80”
- Full (Double) – 54” x 75”
- Queen – 60” x 80”
- King – 76” x 80”
- Split King – 38” x 80” (each mattress)
- California King – 72” x 84”
- California Split King – 36” x 84” (each mattress)
- Wyoming King – 84” x 84”
- Texas King – 80” x 98”
- Alaskan King – 108” x 108”
Adjustable Bed Frames
Another perk of split king mattresses is they’re compatible with adjustable bases. They can also work with other bed frames, so shoppers can choose to their liking.
Mattress Types
As you may have noticed in our above roundup of the best split king mattresses, we’ve highlighted a variety of beds. Let’s go over their construction differences.
- Foam: All-foam mattresses are known for pressure relief and sinkage, which can be beneficial for side sleepers and sleepers who deal with pain. The downside of all-foam beds is they’re not always as supportive and durable as other types of mattresses.
- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are primarily made of coils, but nowadays they tend to feature some foam as well for added pressure relief. The coils help make them bouncy and long-lasting.
- Hybrid: A hybrid mattress combines different materials in its construction — most often foam and coils. They can appeal to a lot of sleepers and offer a nice mix of pressure relief and support.
- Latex: A latex mattress is made with latex foam derived from either Talalay or Dunlop latex. These beds tend to be bouncy, responsive, durable, and naturally cooling. Latex is often paired with coils and other types of foam in mattresses.
Sleeping Position
Here’s a quick rundown of what mattresses might be good for the different sleeping positions.
- Back sleepers: These sleepers need a mattress that’s going to be both supportive and pressure relieving, while keeping their spine in alignment. They usually do best on hybrid or innerspring mattresses.
- Side sleepers: Side sleepers tend to want a softer mattress in order to get pressure relief and sinkage around their shoulders and hips. Foam mattresses and many hybrid mattresses tend to do well for them.
- Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers will want a firmer mattress to keep their hips lifted up and in line with their shoulders. We usually recommend they check out innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
- Combination sleepers: These are sleepers who switch between two or more sleeping positions at night. They tend to need a mattress that’s responsive and easy to move around on. We typically suggest looking at latex mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and innerspring mattresses.
Body Types
We categorize lightweight sleepers as weighing less than 130 pounds, average weight sleepers as weighing between 130 and 250 pounds, and heavy sleepers as weighing more than 250 pounds. Beds are typically going to feel firmer to lightweight sleepers than they do heavyweight sleepers. If you’re heavier in weight, you’re also going to need more support from a bed. We typically recommend heavier sleepers look for an innerspring mattress or one that was designed with them in mind on our best mattresses for heavy people page.
Cooling
Cooling is another important consideration when shopping for a split king mattress, especially if you or your partner tend to sleep hot. A mattress with good cooling features will help prevent overheating, which can disrupt sleep and lead to discomfort. This is particularly important in a split king setup, where both sides of the bed need individual cooling support for each sleeper’s needs.
At Sleepopolis, we assess a mattress’s cooling performance through our cooling test. This involves having a tester lie on the bed for five minutes while we measure the temperature before and after using a temperature gun. This allows us to gauge how well the mattress disperses heat and whether it maintains a comfortable, cool surface throughout the night.
Mattresses with hybrid or innerspring constructions are often the best for cooling. The coils in these beds promote air circulation, preventing heat buildup. While foam mattresses can trap heat, some newer foam options incorporate cooling technologies, such as gel-infused foams or breathable open-cell structures, to improve airflow and keep you cooler while you sleep.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress keeps movement from traveling from one side of the bed to the other. It’s an especially important consideration for those who don’t sleep alone. If you share your mattress with a pet, child, or partner, you’ll want something with low motion transfer so you’re not disturbed by any of their movements during the night. Of all the different bed types, memory foam mattresses are known for having the lowest motion transfer.
To test for motion isolation, we drop a 10-pound steel ball from three different heights (4 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches), and then use a seismometer to measure how much movement is traveling from one side of the mattress to the other.
Above, you can see the motion transfer test results for the Bear Star Hybrid mattress, one of the beds included in this roundup. For this mattress, the motion transfer results were very good, with little movement being recorded from one side of the mattress to the other, as you can see in the seismometer results. This proves that sleepers shouldn’t be able to feel their partner’s movements during the night on this mattress, even if their partners are restless sleepers.
Who Should Buy a Split King Mattress
- Those Who Want Motion Isolation: A split king mattress minimizes motion transfer between partners. For this reason, split kings are a great choice for couples who are easily disturbed by each other’s movements during the night.
- People with Adjustable Bed Frames: Split mattresses are compatible with adjustable bases, which allow each side to be elevated independently. This is perfect for individuals who want to adjust their side of the bed for reading or watching TV without disturbing their partner.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Split King Mattress
- Single Sleepers Who Don’t Need Customization: If you’re sleeping alone, a traditional king or queen mattress will likely be a more affordable and practical option. A split king is designed for couples with different preferences, and you may not need the extra flexibility.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Split king mattresses can be more expensive than standard mattresses due to their dual construction. If cost is a concern, a single mattress might offer better value without sacrificing comfort.
How We Chose Our Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
For some of the mattresses on this page, we considered whether or not the company sold the mattress in a twin XL or split king size, whether the mattress would work for a variety of sleepers, how the bed scored on our tests for couples, and more. Click here to learn more about our methodology.
FAQs
What kind of mattress goes on a split king?
A split king is basically two twin XL mattresses pushed together, so you can buy two twin XLs or you can buy a split king size if a mattress brand offers it.
Can you sleep in the middle of a split king bed?
There’s a natural gap in the middle of a split king mattress — so it may not be the most comfortable to sleep in, but you can fill it in or purchase an additional topper or pad for added comfort.
Can you use king sheets on a split king?
Yes, you can use king sheets on a split king or if you’d like individual sheets for each mattress, you can purchase specialty split king sheets. Many people also use two fitted twin XL sheets on each side and then a king size top sheet. It comes down to your preference.
How much does a split king cost?
Split kings are typically more expensive than king size mattresses. We’ve seen them range in price from $700 to around $4,000. Some brands will offer a split king deal, which may be less expensive than buying two twin XLs, so we recommend comparing the different options.
How do you keep a split king mattress from separating?
Most split king beds come with a device to keep them together, like an iron plate connector. You can also purchase a split king connector.
Best Split King Mattresses 2024
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Split King) | Coupon | Review |
| Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid | Overall | $2,630 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| DreamCloud | Luxury | $2,178 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Dusk | Hybrid | $1,062 (twin XL) | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nectar | Memory Foam | $1,698 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Customizable | $3,198 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Star Hybrid | Value | $2,796 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Cooling | $1,199 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Titan Plus | Heavy Sleepers | $799 (twin XL) | Titan Plus Coupon | Read Our Review |
Bridget Chapman
Former Senior Product Editor
About Author
Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. 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.
Combination Sleeper