#1 in Sleep Product Research Millions Served Since 2008 Ratings >> Mattress Type Comparison > Based on 22,610 Actual Mattress Owner Experiences how effectively a mattress localizes or absorbs a person's movement. A mattress with good motion isolation is well suited for couples because it absorbs the movement (tossing, turning, getting in and out of bed) of one person so that the other person is not disturbed. A possible disadvantage of good motion isolation is that it often means that the mattress has limited, if any, bounce. For some people, this negatively affects a bed's suitability for sex. The chart below shows what is often the case for the different mattress types; the performance of a particular brand, model or individual mattress may vary. * Isolation can vary by materials / construction used. The energy-absorbing properties of memory foam mattresses allow them to have good-to-excellent motion isolation. The thicker the foam and the higher its density, the better motion isolation tends to be.
Memory foam hybrid mattresses most often refer to mattresses consisting of both innersprings and memory foam (at least two inches). These beds often use sophisticated coils which minimize motion transfer. And their use of memory foam also helps to keep motion localized. For latex mattresses, motion isolation can vary due mostly to processing type. Dunlop-processed latex tends to provide mostly good motion isolation, while talalay-processed latex tends to provide no better than fair isolation. Airbeds with dual air chambers (one for each side of the bed) generally have fair-to-good motion isolation because the separation of the chambers limits motion transfer. Airbeds with a single air chamber, however, tend to have poor motion isolation. The presence of at least two inches of memory foam on an airbed may help to reduce motion transfer somewhat. Motion isolation varies for innerspring beds depending mainly on spring / coil type. Bonnell / open coils and continuous coils often provide fair-to-poor motion isolation, while the more sophisticated coils – such as pocket or offset – tend to provide fair to good isolation.
Futon mattresses filled entirely with cotton / fiber or cotton / foam generally provide better motion isolation than those with innerspring support. Waterbeds do not generally provide good motion isolation. some perform better than others depending on their level of advancement – specifically whether they have multiple, separate water chambers. The foundation used with a mattress can have a significant impact on motion isolation. To achieve maximum motion isolation for any mattress, it is important to use a firm, solid-surface, non-spring foundation. This basically means that a true box spring (springs contained in a box-like frame) should be avoided.We receive free products to review and participate in affiliate programs, where we are compensated for items purchased through links from our site (at no cost to the buyer). See our for our list of comped products and affiliate programs. Choosing the right mattress for you and your partner can have a tremendous impact on the quality of your sleep.
We always caution that there is never one “best” mattress, and that certainly applies for couples as well as people that sleep alone, but there are certain things that couples may need to prioritize when mattress shopping. My top mattress picks for couples include mattresses that are high quality, durable, and great value – but also prioritize motion isolation and customization. My three favorites are: Read below for more details on these mattresses to help decide on which one may be best for you. Helix is a bed-in-a-box company that is sold only online (providing good value), but the real story with them is their customization options. When ordering a Helix mattress, you first take a quiz that asks you about your sleep preferences. They will ask you about your firmness preference, sleeping hot/cool preferences, and a few other factors. Then they will personalize your mattress based on your responses. What’s lesser known about Helix is that you can personalize each side of the bed – meaning you and your partner can both take the quiz and then have each side of the bed customized to each of your preferences.
No other mattress at this price point offers anything close to this, making Helix our top mattress for couples pick. Learn more about Helix in our full . Loom and Leaf is one of our top reviewed mattresses in general and one of our best mattress for side sleepers winners, but we also recommend it for couples because of its outstanding performance in motion isolation. Loom & Leaf is a very high quality memory foam mattress (think Tempur-pedic), but it follows an online-only business model, making it significantly more affordable than other mattresses in the market with different specs. I like this mattress for couples because the motion transfer is simply non-existent. If your partner is kicking and tossing on the other side of the bed, you may not even notice. Learn more about Loom and Leaf in our full Loom and Leaf review. Sleep Number makes the list because it also allows personalization on each side of the mattress. They have unique air-mattress technology that some people really love.
The downside with Sleep Number is that it tends to be polarizing, with reviews showing that some people love it and some people hate it. The price is also on the high end as well. If Sleep Number is interesting for you and your partner, I recommend going to a local spot and testing it out – this is not one you want to buy online to see if you like it. Use the three recommendations above as a starting point, but you may want to branch out. What are the key features that I look for when considering a mattress for a couple? Option 1: Find The Right Compromise– You should really dig into the characteristics, sleeping styles, and preferences of both sleepers. See where there is common ground, and potentially there can be a mattress that is a good compromise. Option 2: If Compromise Just Isn’t Possible, Consider Customized or Adjustable Mattresses– If the sleeping style and preferences of you and your partner are so different that compromise just isn’t possible, then there are still a few options for you.
Sleep Number provides adjustable beds where each side of the mattress can have its firmness adjusted. A mattress like that could be an intriguing option. If you sleep with someone else in the bed, you don’t want their movements to disturb you. The best way to address this is by finding a mattress with good motion isolation. That essentially means if you put pressure on one part of the bed, the other parts don’t feel anything. If you’re in a showroom, try putting an object on the other side of the bed while you’re on it to see if it’s disturbed. Below is a video of me completing the test on the Lull mattress, which performs well. You don’t necessarily need a special mattress if you are a couple, but it really comes into play if you have different firmness preferences or different weights. Helix is my top recommendation for couples looking to personalize each side of the mattress, but there are a number of different options that will work for each pair depending on what they need.