The 10 Best Mattresses for Couples (Even If You Two Can't Agree on Firmness Levels)
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Aside from in-laws and dirty dishes, there’s one other thing that can part a couple like the red sea: their mattress. More specifically, a mattress that works for only one partner—and is a total nightmare for the other. One partner prefers to sleep on a slab of concrete, the other likes to sink into a Jet-Puffed marshmallow. Or one person's a light sleeper and the other tosses and turns nonstop. In the end, no one wins.
Whatever the case, one thing’s clear: Each couple needs a comfortable mattress that’s going to work for both of them (before the fights *really* escalate from exhaustion the next day). So below, I've outlined 10 different mattresses for couples, ranging from cooling mattresses to ones with different firmness levels, and even some handy dandy mattresses in a box that are relatively easy to put together. To assist with this process, I consulted with Andrea Strand, a Certified Sleep Coach at sleep wellness website eachnight. She helped me navigate couples' biggest pain points—for example, "If your partner tends to toss and turn in the night...it’s important to choose a mattress with good motion isolation"—which I used as a rubric for vetting top-reviewed mattresses for couples.
Take a look at the top picks, and find even more tips from Strand on mattress shopping (and sharing a mattress) at the bottom of this article.
Meet the Expert
Andrea Strand is a Certified Sleep Science Coach at eachnight. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she studied English with an emphasis in Technical Writing. Since 2019, she has written more than 90 blog posts and guides on sleep health, sleep hygiene and product reviews. Her research and insights has been featured in Buzzfeed, Yahoo! Money and Fox Business, among other publications.
The Best Mattresses for Couples, at a Glance
How I Chose the Best Mattresses for Couples
After pouring through dozens of reviews—and consulting with our expert—I made sure each sure each mattress chosen wasn't just well-reviewed. It also needed to: 1) adequately support two people comfortably, 2) be constructed with supportive foam or other materials that limited motion transfer, and 3) have suitable cooling properties built into it.
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1. Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt Medium Hybrid Mattress
With a 4.5-star rating and more than 6,000 reviews, this Tempur-Pedic model has amassed critical acclaim for four reasons: its proprietary foam material (developed by NASA, no less), pressure relief, motion cancellation and cooling technology. Basically, what makes this hybrid so unique is that it combines Tempur-Pedic’s famous, body-conforming foam with 1,000+ premium spring coils—so you don’t have to choose between the support of a spring mattress and the plushness of a memory foam. “The top layer feels like you're sinking down on a cloud but then there's a very firm layer that provides exceptional support. My husband is a back sleeper and I'm a side sleeper, and this mattress works well for both of us,” one reviewer explains.
Plus, as if its layer of TEMPUR foam wasn’t supportive enough, this mattress features an extra layer of TEMPUR-ES foam—which stands for “extra soft,” providing an ultra-plush finish. “The medium hybrid was the perfect fit for my preference for hard mattresses and my husband's preference for soft mattresses! My back pain troubles have disappeared, and [I love] how the mattress transfers little movement…now neither one of us wakes up when the other gets up in the middle of the night,” another reviewer raves. Oh, and did I mention it’s also cooling? On top of all that supportive goodness, the mattress features a washable cover with cooling yarns that allows heat to escape (you’re welcome, sweaty sleepers).
2. Nest Sparrow Signature Medium Hybrid Mattress
Here, a 4.7 out of 5 star-rated mattress that’s unlike anything else on this list. It’s a pillow-top-hybrid, where it combines individually wrapped coils to isolate motion and responsive “Energex” foam that feels like memory foam—without leaving a lasting imprint on the mattress. And it has a “dual split” option (which allows you to choose a different firmness level for each side of the mattress), but that’s not even the most impressive feature: Its zipper, which allows you to add/remove the foam layers at any time.
Take it from editor Candace Davison, who raves in a review: “We love the ease of having a mattress delivered to our door, but we’ve been burned by too-stiff—or worse, pancake-y—ones in the past. That’s why we were pleasantly surprised by Nest’s pillow-top Sparrow mattress. (And, [nearly a year] later, continue to be impressed.) It’s designed for couples, featuring individual coils that isolate movement, so when your partner tosses, you feel nothing—truly. What’s more, you can swap out the inner layer of foam to adjust its firmness. And you can replace that layer over time, extending the mattress’s overall lifespan, making it an eco-friendlier option too. It’s pricey, but so far, it’s proven to be worth every penny.” Psst: It’s also available in three firmness levels (plush, medium and firm).
From $1,226; $1,103 at nest bedding
3. Nectar The Memory Foam Mattress
Aside from the fact that this mattress scored 93 points out of 100 in a PureWow100 review, it’s also the best bang you’ll get for your buck (considering pricing starts at $349). The mattress features five foam layers that, according to former editor Kara Cuzzone, “relieve common pressure points for a difference that I can actually feel when I lay down after a long day.” On top of providing ample support, the foam layers were designed to reduce motion transfer and keep light sleepers snoozing.
“I am 120 pounds and my s/o is 275 pounds. When he would get in bed or move while sleeping, I would literally pop out of bed and wake up. With this mattress there is little to no movement when he gets in [or] rolls around,” writes one reviewer. Plus, another mentions: “It feels firm when you first lay down on it, but then you slowly feel yourself sinking [while] the foam layers encase your every curve.” Sounds cozy, no?
4. Sleep Number i10 Smart Bed With Flexfit Adjustable Base
With layers of memory foam construction and a firmness level that can be continuously customized on each side, this mattress is basically the crème de la crème of couple’s slumber. First, you have the mattress itself, which is an “air bed” that senses individual movements and inflates/deflates its dual air chambers automatically. Oh, and the comfort level on each side of the mattress can be manually adjusted through a SleepIQ app on your phone. On top of all its high-tech air chambers, the mattress is constructed seven different types of foam, plus a plush pillowtop surface that uses smart 3D fabric for up to 50 percent more breathability (according to the manufacturer). AND I haven’t even gotten to the Flexfit adjustable base, which allows you to raise the head and foot of each side with a remote control (which is a major win for anyone who can’t stand their partner’s snoring).
One reviewer raves: “I love the responsive air feature that adjusts as I move in the night (I'm a toss & turner). I love that I can have my bed setup the way I want through my phone before I even go upstairs. The ambient lighting feature is great for a quick midnight trip to the bathroom. The gentle foot warmer gets me all nice and cozy.” However, it’s worth mentioning this warning from a reviewer: “Downfall is when it comes time to shag you have to decide which side. It’s like sharing a twin bed.”
FROM $5,499; $4,699 at sleep number
5. DreamCloud Luxury Firm Hybrid Mattress
I've said it once and I'll say it again: This is *the* go-to mattress for couples who need something plush yet firm. While the base is constructed with individually encased coils and a foam foundation—giving it a firm-solid feel—it’s balanced with five layers of cushy memory foam for soft, contoured body support. Not to mention that it’s available in three models—including the hybrid, the premier hybrid and the premier rest hybrid—so you can upgrade the hybrid with a plush pillowtop and extra layers of pressure-relieving technology.
“My husband (stomach sleeper) and I (side and back sleeper) are LOVING our DreamCloud Premiere mattress,” one reviewer raves. “I have lower back issues [and] when ’'m laying down, it feels really supportive [without] feeling like I am sleeping on top of a wood table. There is definitely some of that ‘sinking in’ that you’'d get with an all-[foam] mattress, but the [innersprings] catch you so you’'re not in too deep.” It’s worth noting, though, a “warning to all that this is a VERY tall mattress. Make sure you have some deep sheets and a short frame, otherwise you might be jumping to get onto it,” another reviewer says.
6. Saatva Solaire Upper-Flex Mattress
If you’re looking for a more affordable (albeit, still pricey) alternative to Sleep Number’s smart bed, this mattress is the ticket. Not only does Saatva’s airbed include the same dual-chamber design—which allows you to increase or decrease the firmness on each side with a 50-level remote control—but it’s topped with six layers of adaptable foam, along with a plush pillowtop, for unprecedented comfort and breathability. Plus, while the foam layers and innovative chambers work overtime to provide support and pressure relief, the heat-dispersing pillow top and gel-infused memory foam helps wick away moisture and ensure you sleep cooler.
“I just received my Saatva Solaire mattress, and I am speechless,” writes one reviewer. “There are 2 remotes (at least for the king size), which allow both people to set their own respective firmness preference/level for each side of the bed. I imagine this is what it feels like to sleep on a cloud(?) I only wish I had added the adjustable base!” Indeed, this one also comes with the option to add an adjustable base (which just so happens to include a full-body massage feature).
7. Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress
If you and your S.O are in need of a miracle remedy for back pain, this PureWow100-reviewed mattress should be at the top of your list. “I’m a die-hard side and back sleeper, constantly switching between the two positions, (depending on what’s most comfortable for my dog, of course), so I personally need a mattress that’s soft enough to not cause pressure on my hips and shoulders, but firm enough to offer support under my lower back,” explains former editor Brianna Lapolla in a review. “[With] pocketed microcoils, layers of targeted foam and gel-filled pods, what makes Casper’s [wave hybrid] so great is that it pays particular focus to spine alignment and how it’s affected in every sleep position,” she continues. “Because I’m a semi-petite 5’4” [I] had to scoot down a few inches toward the bottom of my mattress (nothing an extra pillow didn’t solve) to really feel the support of the gel pods beneath my lower back. [And] once I did, I knew I was going to have trouble getting out of bed in the morning—this time, from pure comfort. I noticed a difference from the very first night, when I didn’t wake up at 5 a.m. with the sudden urge to lay on my hardwood floor to get some pain relief.”
8. The WinkBed 'Plus' Mattress
Specially designed for people who weigh 250 pounds and up, this mattress is basically the poster child of durability. First and foremost, it’s essentially sag-proof, where the mattress is constructed with high-density foam cushioning that’s more than 50 percent denser than the foam in standard innerspring mattresses (according to the manufacturer). Then, it has a 2.5-inch layer of pure latex—which is known to maintain its firmness/shape better than any other foam on the market—and it has an open-cell design that maximizes airflow and transfers heat away from the body. However, the real showstopper of this mattress is that it’s been tested by a third party for durability: “In a simulation of 20 years of bed use by a 350-pound sleeper, the Plus by WinkBeds retained both its loft and firmness over the simulated timeframe. We repeat this test periodically to ensure long term consistency and reliability,” according to the website.
It also features a patented, individually wrapped coil design that was built to support heavier weights. “[My partner and I] are both on the heavier side, and we are usually joined by 200+ pounds of canine...so we needed a mattress that could stand up to that type of abuse. We are delighted to report that we absolutely LOVE [this] mattress! It is on the firmer side of the spectrum, but we're both side sleepers and love the support—especially at the edges. [There’s been] absolutely no ‘hammock’ experience, and we feel well supported without any pressure points and/or sagging spots,” attests one reviewer.
FROM $1,349; $1,049 at wink beds
9. Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Let’s just get one thing out of the way: This mattress is one of a kind for its unique, flippable design. On one side, you have a soft mattress that ranks as a four on the firmness scale (out of ten), while the other side ranks as a firm seven out of ten. Yet, what really makes this guy great for people who toss and turn is its dense, copper-gel foam layers, which react to increased pressure with a firming response. Basically, the mattress stays soft and huggy overall while providing ample support around deep compression areas to reduce sinking or sagging in other areas of the mattress.
One reviewer backs this up, writing: “Literally zero noise and almost no movement detected when you or your partner moves around. We even have our dog sleep with us and it’s the best sleep for all of us.” Plus, another reviewer says, “My only complaint is that there is literally no motion transfer, so sometimes I wake up in the night in a panic about where my dog is since I can’t feel him moving around anymore. And that’s not even a real complaint!”
10. Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress
Behold, a tried-and-true mattress from Sealy that’s just as cooling as it is comfortable. The mattress is constructed to be every sweaty-sleeper’s dream, where its legendary “phase-change material”—a proprietary cooling technology that dissipates heat—has been added to its foam and cover. Plus, there are also three layers of memory foam, coiling and support, making for a Goldilocks feel that’s firm yet adaptable. So, while its pressure-relieving memory foam and premium coils offer improved airflow, the premium knit cover is infused with a cool-to-touch surface that can regulate your temperature as you sleep.
One reviewer writes: “I’m a hot sleeper—as in, my sheets turn yellowish because I sweat—[and] I was frustrated because I couldn't use white sheets…I've [slept on this mattress] now for over a month and I can honestly say, I don't think I've sweat even once. Thank the mattress Gods! And a bonus, I like my mattresses on the firmer side, but not hard as a rock. This mattress is a six [out of] ten on the firmness scale in my opinion. Perfect for most people.”
What to Consider When Shopping for a Mattress for a Couple
According to Strand, choosing a mattress with good motion isolation is essential—especially if you're a light sleeper. "Mattresses like the ones included on this list are great choices, along with other options, such as the Amerisleep AS3, which offers good motion isolation," she says, adding: "If your partner tends to toss and turn in the night, this can be especially frustrating if you are a light sleeper who struggles to fall back to sleep once woken." Aside from selecting a mattress that will best suit you and your partner's sleeping styles, you should also factor what size mattress you will need for your bed (queen or king for example) and how much you are willing to spend from a budget standpoint.
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