Plenty of the joint decisions you might make with a partner—where to order takeout, what to do on Saturday, the next show you’ll binge—are low-stakes. But when it comes to buying a new bed, the choice is more important than you might think: Your mattress affects your sleep quality, which impacts your overall well-being, for years to come. So what do you do if you and your SO don’t agree on what makes the best mattresses so great? What if, say, you prefer to sink into a doughy bed while your bedmate likes more support?

Experts say that when you and your partner have a difference of opinion on mattresses—but also, really, in general—it’s best to compromise fairly. “Find something in the middle if you have diametrically differing needs [in a bed],” says Benjamin Devaud, PT, DPT, CSCS, clinic director at ATI Physical Therapy. “I would avoid trying to fit only one partner’s sleep preferences, as the softest or firmest mattress may not be the ideal answer [for both people].”

When mattress shopping as a duo, it can also be helpful to keep in mind some characteristics that couples tend to agree are mutually beneficial. For example, a cooling mattress can combat your collective body heat. Or if you’re not the spooning-all-night-long types, you might agree to opt for a California king size that allows you both to starfish. A mattress’s ability to isolate motion, which measures how well a bed absorbs the impact of someone rolling around, is also important for helping you each sleep undisrupted.

Last but not least: Doing your homework can help make mattress shopping easier. So we gathered insights from medical experts to compile a buyer’s guide for finding the best mattresses for couples. We then asked our experienced testers to identify the top options that money can buy. Without further ado…

Top picks for the best mattresses for couples

• Best Overall: Helix Dusk Luxe
• Best Hybrid Mattress for Couples: DreamCloud Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Side-Sleeping Couples: Nectar Memory Foam
• Best Luxury Mattress for Couples: Saatva Classic
• Best Mattress for Having Sex: The WinkBed
• Best Mattress for Couples With Back Pain: Bear Elite Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Combination-Sleeping Couples: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
• Best Cooling Mattress for Couples: Nolah Evolution
• Best Soft Mattress for Couples: Puffy Lux Hybrid

In this article

• Shop the best mattresses for couples
• How the best mattresses for couples compare
• How to find the best mattress for couples
• How we tested these mattresses
• FAQs

Helix Dusk Luxe

$2,374 $1,780 (25% off)

Helix

• Highly responsive, meaning it’s easy to move around on
• Add-ons are available for extra cooling or lower-back support
• The zoned coil system provides stronger support at your hips
• Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam, which is free from formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbons, and heavy metals

• May not be supportive enough for stomach sleepers or people who are heavier
• Only a limited 15-year instead of a lifetime warranty
• Not as affordable as some other mattresses
• Shorter trial period compared to other options

Why we picked it: As a medium-firm option, the Helix Dusk Luxe can bridge the gap between people who like extra firm or soft cushioning. And since it’s a hybrid mattress (meaning it has foam and coil layers), it can allow fans of all-foam and innerspring mattresses to meet in the middle.

Our fave features: If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, upgrades allow you to customize the mattress to meet your (and your partner’s) needs. You can opt for a cooling cover if either of you sleeps hot or a top layer that has dense foam at the midsection if back pain is an issue. Each costs an additional $187. Our testers also reported that the mattress was quiet and they didn’t feel their partner’s movements on the other side of the bed—ideal if you hate being disturbed by the tossing and turning of your bedmate.

Who it’s for: Helix designed the mattress for back and stomach sleepers. It has a layer of coils sandwiched between layers of foam to promote proper spinal alignment . One of our testers says her back and hips felt perfectly supported while lying face up.

Best Hybrid Mattress for Couples: DreamCloud Hybrid

DreamCloud Original Foam

$1,613 $665 (59% off)

DreamCloud

• Generous 365-night trial
• Cooling ability makes it a good pick for hot sleepers
• Made with Certi-PUR-certified foam
• Available in split king size for further customization

• Just okay at isolating motion, so you’ll likely feel larger movements from your partner
• Some reviewers have reported shipping delays
• It doesn’t have strong edge support

Our fave features: Hybrid mattresses are generally better for hot sleepers than all-foam mattresses because coils naturally allow for better airflow. The DreamCloud Hybrid is made even cooler by its gel-infused memory foam. According to our testers, this isn’t just marketing speak—they say the bed stays chill enough for hot sleepers and couples.

Who it’s for: Medium or medium-firm mattresses with a hybrid design serve back sleepers well, according to Dr. Devaud. “The goal is to maintain a neutral spine [in order] to avoid extreme positioning of the lumbar region,” he says. The DreamCloud Hybrid checks both boxes, and our testers recommend it for back sleepers.

Just so you know: Our testers gave the mattress average scores for both motion isolation and edge support (meaning it isn’t as sturdy along the sides as it is in the middle). If you’re sensitive to the slightest movements from your partner, that motion transfer might be an issue. And if you have mobility challenges that make it harder to get out of bed or if you want to be able to use the full surface of the mattress (hey, when you’re sharing a bed, every inch can matter), you may find that the DreamCloud isn’t your perfect match.

Best Mattress for Side-Sleeping Couples: Nectar Memory Foam

• Comfortable for side and combination sleepers
• Cooling cover available for extra temperature regulation
• Comes in split king size for further customization
• Generous 365-night trial

• May not be supportive enough for heavier sleepers and stomach sleepers
• Less responsive, so it might be harder to change positions
• Lacks edge support

Why we picked it: If you and your partner are side sleepers, a firm, unyielding mattress is not the move. “Softer mattresses tend to work well for side sleepers, as they allow the shoulders to sink in for pressure relief,” Dr. Devaud says. “Side sleepers also may benefit from more of a memory foam model, which will have more cushioning.”

The Nectar Memory Foam mattress’s soft, squishy feel won over multiple testers. “It’s like lying on a pile of soft dough,” says one tester, a stomach-side combination sleeper, who adds it has enough structure to help reduce her aches and pains. Another tester says the mattress offers the right balance of support and sinking to lull her off to dreamland when she’s on her side.

Just so you know: Testers didn’t clock stellar responsiveness or edge support when they tried the Nectar, which may make getting out of bed for middle-of-the-night bathroom visits a little bit of an ordeal.

Other winning options: We gauge how good a mattress is in the cooling department by taking its temperature before and after a tester lies on it. The Nectar only went up 5 degrees Fahrenheit, which we classify as a good result. Anything less than 5 degrees Fahrenheit, though, has excellent cooling capability by our standards—and if that’s your priority, consider the Nectar Premier, which includes a heat-wicking cover and only heated up 4 degrees Fahrenheit in testing.

• Easy to move around on
• Available in split king and split California king
• Includes free white glove delivery and removal of your old mattress and foundation

• Not great at isolating motion, according to testers
• The luxury firm model we tested might be too firm for some sleepers
• May not offer adequate pressure relief for people with shoulder and hip pain

Why we picked it: Saatva’s classic innerspring mattress isn’t cheap, but one of our testers felt like she could feel the quality payoff. “I wish I had this mattress at home,” she says. “It's probably one of the most luxurious mattresses I've tried—I really don't want to get off of it.” Thankfully, the steeper price includes free in-home delivery, mattress and foundation removal, a lifetime warranty, and the option to choose between three firmness levels.

Our fave features: Testers gave the Saatva perfect scores for edge support and responsiveness, which are often key for couples. (Great edge support means you can use the full surface of the bed without worrying about falling off the side, and strong responsiveness—a.k.a. bounce—can make the bed easier to have sex on.) The mattress’s two layers of zoned coils encourage spinal alignment, and our testers say that despite its springiness, the Saatva’s plushy pillow top makes it feel soft and inviting.

Just so you know: We tested out the luxury firm version of the Saatva classic, and one of our testers says it didn’t have enough give for them to get comfy. If you or your partner are side sleepers, you may want to select the “plush soft” firmness.

• Moisture-wicking cover feels breathable
• Highly responsive for easy movement
• Four firmness options to choose from
• Isolates motion well, so smaller movements shouldn’t disturb your sleep

• Some customer reviewers have reported box damage during delivery
• Tester felt like they’d slip off when lying at the edge of the mattress
• May not be cool enough for really hot sleepers

Why we picked it: A mattress’s responsiveness can make all the difference when you’re having sex because a springy surface is easier to move around on, and the WinkBed scored a 4 out of 5 in this category. But our testers say this rebound doesn’t come at the expense of solid motion isolation. In other words, even though you’ll be able to adjust in the heat of the moment nimbly, your partner’s movements won’t easily disrupt you after you’ve settled into a post-sex slumber.

Just so you know: The mattress has reinforced edges and earned a 4 out of 5 for edge support, but one tester felt like she was about to teeter off when lying at the very edge of the mattress.

Other winning options: Our testers spent the most time on the luxury firm version of the mattress, but it’s also available in softer or firmer versions so that you can pivot to your and your partner’s preferences. Remember that softer mattresses tend to be less responsive than their firmer counterparts. (Consider the bounciness of a taut trampoline compared to a foam pit).

Bear Elite Hybrid

$2,305 $1,499 (35% off)

Bear

• Had excellent cooling abilities during testing
• Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foams
• Available in split king-size

• Can be a little challenging to move around in
• Cooling cover costs extra

Why we picked it: The Bear Elite Hybrid, which we named the top hybrid on our list of best mattresses for back pain, was designed for people who want pressure relief for their back, hips, and shoulders. It has stronger, higher-gauge coils toward the center of the mattress for added support in the lumbar region, and our testers say this zoned cushioning encouraged proper spinal alignment.

Our fave features: Bear talks a big game about the mattress’s thermoregulating materials, which includes copper-infused memory foam. During testing, its cooling abilities lived up to the type: Our testers reported that the mattress felt cool to the touch and rose in temperature less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit after they laid down on it, which is a result we classify as good.

Just so you know: We tried the medium-firm Bear Elite Hybrid, but it also comes in plush and firm versions. Depending on your sleeping position and body size, a different firmness model might suit you best.

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling

$1,200 $840 (30% off)

Brooklyn Bedding

• Highly responsive and easy to move around on
• Exceptionally cooling
• Available in a variety of unique sizes to fit many living situations and personal preferences

• Even the firm version might not feel supportive enough for heavier people
• 10-year, not lifetime, warranty
• Has a $99 fee for all returns

Why we picked it: Combination sleepers thrive on a highly responsive mattress that lets them easily switch positions without feeling like they’re getting swallowed up by cushioning. Our testers gave the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe a perfect 5 out of 5 score for responsiveness, with one tester commenting that the hybrid design had the bounce of an innerspring mattress.

Our fave features: Hot sleepers, listen up: Our testers gave this mattress a perfect score for its temperature-regulating abilities, thanks to elements like copper-infused foam and coils that allow air to flow through the layers. “The very first thing I noticed is that this mattress is incredibly cool to the touch,” one tester shares. “I don't think I've ever felt such a cooling mattress.”

Who it’s for: The Aurora Luxe is available in three firmness options (we tried the medium) and you can add a pillow-top surface for an extra fee. Because of these customizations, we believe it’ll suit people with many different preferences and favorite sleeping positions. That said, even the firm model may not offer enough support for larger people. A firmer alternative is the brand’s Titan Plus mattress, which is designed specifically for heavier sleepers and scored well for responsiveness.

Best Cooling Mattress for Couples: Nolah Evolution

Nolah Evolution

$2,499 $1,624 (35% off)

Nolah

• Testers found that it has superior edge support
• Impressive and effective cooling properties
• Highly responsive

• Mattress removal and setup costs an additional $125
• On the expensive side
• Returns cost $99

Why we picked it: While many brands claim that their mattresses have good temperature technology, those promises don’t always hold up when put to the test. The Nolah Evolution, though, proves to be able to keep sweaty nights at bay; testers gave it a perfect score in the cooling department. After our tester laid on it, the bed took just two minutes to cool back to its original temperature. After buying this model, another tester said she no longer needed to crank up her A/C every night.

Our fave features: When sharing a bed, you can’t just sprawl out in the center of the mattress (alas). Because of this, there’s a greater risk of rolling to the edge of the bed—and briefly panicking if you don’t feel properly bolstered. The Nolah Evolution’s strong edge support makes that scenario less likely. Our testers didn’t notice any visible sinkage when someone laid right at the edge of the mattress, which is rare, and earned the bed a perfect score for this factor.

Best Soft Mattress for Couples: Puffy Lux Hybrid

Puffy Lux Hybrid

$2,149 $799 (63% off)

Puffy

• Had good cooling abilities during testing
• Made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam
• Comes in split king size

• The brand doesn’t provide a service to remove your old mattress
• Doesn’t have strong edge support
• More expensive than other options on this list
• Not very responsive

Why we picked it: If you and your S.O. love the comforting hug of a softer mattress, the Puffy Lux Hybrid won’t disappoint. Our tester complimented the squishy cushioning, which is a product of three layers of “cloud” memory foam atop coils.

Who it’s for: Our testers gave this a 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it the softest option on this list. It's great for side sleepers looking to avoid shoulder pain.

Just so you know: Testers gave the mattress a low responsiveness score, which is a drawback for combination sleepers and couples prioritizing sex when buying a mattress. It also bears mentioning that heavier-weight sleepers probably won’t find this mattress supportive enough, according to our testers.

Before you search for your new mattress, it’d be smart for you and your partner to identify what you want in your shared bed. “You need to review your individual sleep needs and preferences before you start mattress shopping,” says Dr. Devaud. Below are some of the factors to consider when you’re working out your priorities.

A mattress that isolates motion well is great for couples; it means your bed stays still even as your partner rustles around in their sleep or gets up for a nighttime bathroom trip (more on this below). According to Timothy Roberts, MD, orthopedic spine specialist at NY Spine Institute, if motion isolation is a priority for you and your mate, you’ll probably want to steer clear of innerspring beds; the coils give the bed bounce that you’ll feel with every flip-flop. Memory foam beds, on the other hand, tend to have the least motion transfer, and many hybrid beds with foam layers can absorb impact and offer some stellar motion isolation, Dr. Roberts previously told SELF.

If you and your partner have different firmness preferences, reaching a compromise in the middle—not too soft, not too hard—could stand to improve your sleep quality. “A systematic review of the research shows that a medium-firm mattress tends to correlate with improved sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment regarding firmness,” Dr. Hildebrandt says.

“Some mattresses offer temperature regulation with cooling systems, and that can be an area of contention between partners,” says Dr. Devaud. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses generally have better temperature regulation than all-foam mattresses (especially memory foam), which is something to remember if you overheat when sleeping next to someone.

For optimal comfort and spine support, Dr. Devaud suggests medium-firm hybrid mattresses for back sleepers, softer foam mattresses for side sleepers, and firmer hybrid mattresses for stomach sleepers. Combination sleepers (people who regularly change sleep positions) can benefit from a responsive mattress that allows them to transition from one pose to another easily.

Our team of mattress reviewers put dozens of mattresses through a series of tests before selecting the standouts for this list—you can read about them all in our mattress-testing methodology. Here’s a sampling of the elements our team prioritized to name the best mattresses for couples:

Responsive mattresses have a bouncier feel and are easier to move around on, which is ideal if you’ll be having sex or are a combination sleeper. Testers rate a mattress’s responsiveness by having a tester lie on it and evaluate how easy it is to move to other sleeping positions.

When a mattress is good at isolating motion, you’re less likely to notice your partner’s movements. Our testers measure motion isolation by seeing if a glass of water spills when jumping on the bed’s other side. They also use a seismograph machine to learn how much a mattress vibrates when they drop a kettlebell on it.

Mattresses can be soft and squishy, more taut with little give, or somewhere between. How firm a mattress feels can also depend a lot on the size of the individual; people with larger bodies are more likely to sink into mattresses due to gravity. To rate firmness, our testers of varying body sizes lie on mattresses in various positions and rate their firmness on a scale of 1 to 10.

There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a mattress for yourself—adding another person’s needs makes matters more complicated. Here are answers to some of the top questions about mattress shopping for a shared bed.

Ultimately, the best mattress for a given couple will depend on their needs and preferences. That said, it helps to prioritize edge support, motion isolation, responsiveness, and cooling technology when comparing your options. The WinkBed and the Bear Elite Hybrid scored highly in these areas.

There’s no universal answer, but if space and budget allow, the bigger the better so you can have

as much room as possible to spread out. Twin-size mattresses are best avoided, as they’re designed to fit one person. Typically, two adults should look for at least a queen-size mattress to ensure they have enough space to be comfortable.

“Motion isolation refers to the mattress's ability to prevent the transfer of movement from one part of the mattress to another,” Staci Hildebrandt, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at ProRehab Physical Therapy in Indiana, tells SELF. Basically, a bed with good motion isolation will prevent you from feeling like you’re lying in a bounce house when your partner moves around.

Motion isolation is important for couples, particularly if one or both sleepers are woken up easily. “If one partner tosses and turns a lot, is a light sleeper, or maybe has a different sleeping schedule, then a motion-isolating mattress would help prevent waking the other partner up.”

According to Dr. Hildebrandt, firmness can be the most divisive mattress feature for partners. “The biggest difference I hear from my patients is that they have different firmness preferences,” she says. “If they are a back or stomach sleeper, a firmer mattress might be preferred. If they sleep on their side, a softer mattress would be indicated.”

The choice is simple if you both prefer soft mattresses or firm mattresses. If you’re on opposite ends of the spectrum, you may want to meet in the middle with a medium-firm mattress—and hey, you might be better for it since this firmness has generally been shown to be best for reducing back pain and providing good support.

Yes and no. Memory foam tends to have superior motion isolation, which can be a godsend when sharing a bed. On the other hand, it’s also known to retain heat more than other materials, like coils and latex, and its doughiness can hinder some, ahem, nocturnal activities (we’re talking about sex).

Speaking of…. Responsiveness and cooling properties should take precedence if you’re seeking the best mattress for sex. (Basically, you want to be able to easily change positions mid-romp without overheating.) With that, our top pick is the WinkBed.

Mattresses in split king sizes allow you to choose a different firmness on each side. We love the Saatva Classic and Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.

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