Relationships are all about compromises, and that extends to your bed, too. The best mattresses for couples find that sweet spot that can make you both comfortable and happy. They have superior motion isolation, excellent edge support and advanced cooling capabilities. Our top pick is the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress because it scored well in all of these areas during our testing. Plus, it has a luxury feel that adds some plushness while keeping you supported.
After testing, we named the Bear Elite the best mattress for couples since it's customizable and ... [+] accommodates many sleeper types.
PHOTO: RETAILERS / ILLUSTRATION: FORBES
If you have specific needs—i.e. you’re both hot sleepers or you’d like to be able to control the firmness of each side of the bed separately—we have recommendations for that too. Below, you’ll find the 11 best mattresses for couples, based on testing and our extensive research.
After testing, we named the Bear Elite Hybrid the best mattress for couples, thanks to its excellent edge support, superior motion isolation, responsiveness and advanced cooling. “The Bear Elite Hybrid tested well in all the areas that are important to couples…plus, it has a luxury feel,” says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. Several comfort layers sit on top of zoned coils that promote spinal alignment and provide extra support in targeted areas like the lower back. Reinforced coils around the perimeter of the mattress help with edge support and make the mattress feel bigger so you can spread out.
It’s also available in three firmness levels (soft, medium, firm), so you can find the one that works for both of your sleep positions and preferences. If you’re not sure which firmness level will suit you best, we recommend opting for the medium. It has a balanced feel and distributes weight evenly, and can accommodate different sleeping positions and body types.
Bear offers the option of adding on a cover made from Celliant, a performance fabric linked to faster recovery and good sleep, for an additional $130. The lifetime warranty, which isn’t available on all mattresses, is also a nice perk. You can read more in our full Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress review.
Unlike most mattresses that cap out at a 500-pound weight limit, the Helix Plus has a combined weight capacity of 1,000 pounds (or 500 pounds per side). It also incorporates high-density foams that are CertiPur-US certified and steel coils that are reinforced from edge to edge. This makes it incredibly supportive for larger bodies, and helps prevent excess sinking that can throw your spine out of alignment and contribute to discomfort and pain. The foams also offer targeted pressure relief and enhanced motion isolation, so you won’t get jostled awake by a restless partner at night.
As is, the bed isn’t overly cooling—it comes with a standard knit cover that is quite breathable—but you do have the option to upgrade to an actively cooling GlacioTex pillow top, which also offers extra softness for those who prefer a softer bed.
I’ve tested this bed with my partner who weighs over 250 pounds and we both found it incredibly comfortable. It felt a little on the firmer side for me since I don’t fall into the target market, but it still contoured my body and alleviated pressure in deeper compression areas. The edge support is great too, so you can really spread out on the bed.
The Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress is a classic memory foam bed that combines three layers of targeted foams that work together to contour your body while providing adequate support. They create an overall feeling of cushiony support that wraps you up without swallowing you, like some memory foam beds can. These layers are wrapped in a cooling cover that helps absorb heat and moisture, making it a good fit for hot sleepers.
Additionally, the Nectar Premier tested well in categories that often matter most to couples: motion isolation, support and overall comfort, according to Chapman. “The memory foam layers gently hug your body, but you don’t feel trapped in them. Rather, you can move around pretty effortlessly on the Premier. We found it to have a medium-soft feel that works best for side and back sleepers," she says.
Memory foam beds don’t offer the same edge support as hybrid beds, and this one was no exception, but there’s still enough that you can tie your shoes on the edge of the bed. Another nod to the Nectar Premier: It comes with an impressive 365-night trial period and a limited lifetime warranty. It’s also available for a great price.
Best Cooling Mattress For Couples
Multiple Cooling Layers In Your Choice Of Firmness
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress (Queen)
Height: 13.25 inches (without 2-inch pillow top) |Type: Hybrid |Firmness level: Soft (3), medium (5) or firm (7) |Trial period: 120 nights |Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
Several layers of cooling technology
Ideal for side, back and stomach sleepers
Comes in three firmness levels
Keep in mind:
May not be cushiony enough for some
Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress may be the answer for couples who tend to sleep hot. This mattress combines multiple cooling technologies, including a foam top layer with phase-change materials to help regulate body heat and a cooling layer that helps pull excess heat away from your body. It also comes with a GlacioTex cover that’s literally cool to the touch, according to Chapman, who praises its temperature-regulating properties. “I found the bed regulated my body temperature nicely and kept heat from getting trapped. My husband also said this is the coolest mattress he’s ever slept on.” You won’t wake up shivering though: It helps keep you at a comfortable temperature, but doesn’t cool you down too much.
But its cooling capabilities aren’t the only benefit of this bed. During testing, we gave the Aurora Luxe Cooling high marks for motion isolation and edge support—it feels just as sturdgy at the edge of the mattress as lying in the middle. The bed also has a slightly bouncy feel thanks to its hybrid design, so it’s easier to move around and change positions. At 13.25 inches, this is a taller mattress even without the pillow top, providing plenty of cushioning underneath for you and your partner. And you can choose from three firmness levels—soft, medium and firm—to suit different sleep needs and preferences.
With a mix of memory foam and innerspring coils, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid offers up the best of both worlds. It contains six total layers: a layer of reinforced steel coils sandwiched between several CertiPUR-US-certified foams. This combination keeps the bed comfortable while offering enough support to maintain spinal alignment. To keep the bed cool, one of the foams is infused with gel, and the coils are positioned to increase airflow.
The mattress also has a shift-resistant lower cover and stay-put technology that contributes to motion isolation so you don’t wake up when your partner rolls around at night. DreamCloud also offers a 365-night sleep trial, giving you and your partner plenty of time to decide if this mattress is right for you. (FYI: Those in search of a higher loft with even more cooling features may prefer the DreamCloud Premier Rest.) You can read more about this bed’s performance factors in our in-depth DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress review.
If you and your partner have differing opinions on firmness and/or temperature, then the Sleep Number Climate360 is for you. This mattress has two independent zones with dual controls that allow each of you to customize your sleep experience. You can change the firmness from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very firm) and the temperature from cool to warm by up to 30 degrees, thanks to active air technology.
“It’s a feature-rich mattress unlike anything I’ve ever tested,” shares Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon in her Sleep Number Climate360 review. “Inside the bed is a thermoregulator that sucks body heat away from your body, delivering a relieving and comfortable feel. If you’re a cold sleeper, you can turn the temperature up on your side for a toasty, warm-to-the-touch feel.” Dillon also reveals that the motion isolation is top notch. “You can barely feel your partner move in the night.”
While sold separately, you can opt for an adjustable smart base that gives you the option to raise the head and feed of the bed as needed—a must if you or your partner snore. There’s also a foot warmer and the mattress has tiny microsensors that track your movement, feeding information like heart rate and sleep cycles to the compatible app to give you a nightly SleepScore.
Made with organic and responsibly sourced materials
GOLS and Greenguard Gold certified
Euro top for some added plushness
Keep in mind:
Some reviewers say it’s on the firmer side
There aren’t a lot of mattresses that are truly organic, but the Birch Luxe is made entirely with organic and natural materials that are GOLS and Greenguard Gold certified. This ensures that the materials are free from harmful chemicals, and you can rest easy knowing you’re reducing your toxin exposure.
And while the materials are higher quality, this bed doesn’t compromise on comfort or support. Organic cotton and wool layers sit on top of natural latex, which makes this mattress breathable, soft and pressure-relieving. These layers sit on a base layer of individually wrapped coils that are zoned to provide extra support beneath the hips and around the edge of the mattress. There is a Euro top for a little extra softness, but the mattress itself is on the firmer side. Birch rates it a 6 to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which makes it a good fit for most sleeping positions.
Best Budget Mattress For Couples
A Cooling Option For Under $700
Cocoon By Sealy
Cocoon Chill Mattress (Queen)
Height: 10 inches |Type: Foam or hybrid | Firmness level: Medium | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
Good temperature regulation
Excellent motion isolation
Great value
Keep in mind:
Lacks edge support
The Cocoon Chill is a excellent temperature-regulating mattress at a fair price. This is one of the reasons we named it the best affordable mattress in 2024. It combines a memory foam layer for pressure relief and comfort foam for motion isolation, which is necessary when sleeping with a partner. While the bed is constructed of memory foam, the cover incorporates phase-change material to regulate temperature and absorb excess body heat, minimizing the chances of sweating in bed. Our tester praised its cooling comfort, noting that it “did a respectable job” of keeping her comfortable. “Even when I battled a brief fever, I didn’t wake up terribly hot and sticky,” she said.
If you want to upgrade, the Cocoon Chill does comes in a hybrid version too (although the all-foam option is the lesser-priced choice). Couples who are particularly concerned about edge support and airflow may prefer the hybrid version, since it will sleep cooler.
While the Cocoon Chill claims on its website that it’s regularly priced at $1,079 for a queen, we pretty much always see it on sale for $699. Sealy also includes two pillows and sheets for free, increasing the value.
Best Mattress For Side-Sleeping Couples
Superior Support And Pressure Relief In Three Firmnesses
You may need to invest in sheets with deep pockets
Side sleepers require the right mix of support and pressure relief. There needs to be enough give for the shoulders and hips, but not so much that the bed sags and throws your spine out of alignment. This balance is usually acheived via a hybrid mattress with foam comfort layers, like the Nolah Evolution, which was named one of our best mattresses for side sleepers. This hybrid model stacks layers of memory foam and dense foam on top of a base of individually wrapped coils to give sleepers the best of both worlds. “The pressure relief has been fantastic for me as a side sleeper,” says Chapman in her Nolah Evolution Mattress review of the plush model. “I also feel comfortable on my back, but I wouldn’t recommend the plush version for any back sleepers with back pain or who are heavier in weight.”
This mattress comes in three firmness levels—plush, luxury firm and firm—with plush being ideal for most side sleepers, according to the company. However, we think the luxury firm model is a good fit for side sleepers who don’t a mattress that’s too soft. The Nolah Evolution also has features that make it great for couples, like excellent motion isolation, strong edge support and solid airflow. Nolah provides a 120-night trial period, but you can choose to skip this feature if you feel confident about your choice and want to save $100.
Best Luxury Mattress For Couples
Thoughtful Details, From Top To Bottom
Stearns & Foster
Stearns & Foster Reserve (Queen)
Height: 16 to 17 inches|Type: Hybrid | Firmness level: Soft, medium or firm | Trial period: 90 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
Luxury hotel feel
Contains Tempur-Pedic memory foam
White glove delivery included
Keep in mind:
Sleep trial is relatively short
For couples looking for a luxurious, hotel-like mattress, the Stearns & Foster Reserve, which was named our best overall luxury mattress of 2024, fits the bill. It’s made with comfort layers that contain Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Indulge memory foam for advanced pressure relief and overall comfort. These comfort layers sit on top of individually wrapped coils that promote airflow and keep you and your partner cool. These layers are wrapped up in a hand-tufted pillow top that’s moisture-wicking and cool to the touch. The cover also has air vents to maximize airflow.
You can pick from three firmness levels—soft, medium or firm—and each mattress comes fully expanded with white glove delivery (they’ll take your old mattress too). One thing to note: It can take three weeks to get your mattress since they’re all made by hand.
Stomach sleepers need extra firmness for spinal alignment, but you still want some plushness to alleviate pressure points. The Saatva Classic, which is our top pick for the best mattress for stomach sleepers, combines two layers of coils, one of which is firmer in the middle of the bed to prevent the hips from sinking. There’s also a thin layer of high-density memory foam that adds a bit of comfort, while also supporting your lumbar region.
A 3-inch pillow top adds some softness, while a thin layer of high-density memory foam supports your lumbar region and keeps you from sinking into the bed to much. According to our tester, this mattress truly excels when stomach sleeping. “It was supportive enough that I never woke up with pain in my lower back, which is something I frequently have after sleeping on mattresses that are softer,” she says, adding that it’s "extremely comfortable" for side sleeping, too. Because it’s an innerspring, it has a bouncier feel than a memory foam or a hybrid bed, but if you and your partner don’t move a lot, you should still find it comfortable.
The Saatva Classic comes in three firmness levels—plush soft, luxury firm and firm—but the latter two are best for stomach sleepers. The mattress also offers two heights: 11.5 inches and 14.5 inches. This mattress is delivered via complimentary white glove service, and Saatva will remove your existing mattress and foundation for free, if desired.
Our sleep experts have years of experience testing and covering mattresses. We’ve collectively tested more than 120 mattresses and stay up-to-date with the latest from the most popular mattress brands. Using this firsthand experience, we’ve written dozens of mattress guides from mattresses for side sleepers to mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Lindsay Boyers, the author of this story and executive strategy editor, is a certified sleep science coach who has tested more than two dozen mattresses. She also sleeps with a partner and knows how important it is to find a mattress that’s just right.
Mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon are both professional mattress testers with sleep science coach certifications. They oversaw all the selections on this list, and have tested over 120 mattresses collectively.
This story is regularly updated and was last edited in December 2024 to add new mattress picks and testing insights to the list.
How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Couples
We selected the best mattresses for couples based on research and recommendations from editors who have tried some of these mattresses firsthand.
To start, we looked at reputable mattress brands and narrowed down our list by isolating models that score highly for motion isolation, support and durability, all the features that make a bed a better fit for couples.
From there, we narrowed our selections even further, considering mattress height, type and firmness level, as well as policies like sleep trials and warranties.
We also considered at each bed’s cooling properties, looking for features like gel-infused foams, phase-change materials, coils and/or cooling covers, as couples tend to generate more body heat.
We also read through hundreds of customer reviews and only included picks with excellent feedback and ratings of at least 4 stars.
What To Consider In The Best Mattresses For Couples
A mattress is a big investment, and it’s important to select one that makes you and your partner happy. Consider these factors while you shop.
Mattress Type
Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses combine thin comfort layers with coils that lend extra edge support. The coils also provide more airflow, which helps keep hot sleepers cooler at night. However, innerspring mattresses have the most motion transfer, so they aren’t the best choice if your partner moves around a lot at night.
Memory foam: Memory foam mattresses contain body-contouring layers that mold to your body and alleviate pressure on your joints. Foam beds are a good option for those who suffer from pain or sleep on their sides. This type isn’t the best choice for hot sleepers, though, as foam tends to trap heat.
Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses combine coils and comfort foam or latex layers. Hybrid beds are one of the most popular choices for couples because they offer ample support (including edge support), plus responsiveness, cooling and pressure relief.
Latex: Latex mattresses are some of the most supportive and durable types of mattresses, which makes them a great option for couples. They are similar to memory foam, but are a bit bouncier and more cooling, so they offer a sweet spot for those who like the body-contouring of foam but want to feel like they’re getting sucked into their bed. However, they are often pricier than other bed types.
Motion Transfer
Some mattresses include special materials and foam to help minimize motion transfer. So, if your partner tosses and turns or gets up in the middle of the night, they won’t disturb you.
Memory foam mattresses typically have better motion isolation than hybrid models. However, if you don’t like the feel of sinking into your bed, a hybrid mattress can still be a good choice. Just make sure you get one with plenty of foam comfort layers and reinforced edges. Innerspring mattresses have the most bounce, so they’re not ideal for minimizing motion transfer.
Support
Support is a fundamental function of a mattress, and mattresses for couples should be durable enough to properly support the weight of two people. To find a mattress that’s up to the task, look for high-density foams, sturdy innersprings and reinforced edges.
Couples with a higher combined weight (around 500 pounds) do better with a mattress that’s specifically designed to support more weight, like the Helix Plus. These mattresses are made with reinforced springs and thicker comfort layers to reduce the likelihood of premature sagging and indentations.
Edge Support
Couples who enjoy spreading out benefit from a mattress that offers extra support around the perimeter. When a mattress sags around the perimeter, bed partners are more likely to stay in the middle for more support, and that can feel cramped. Sufficient edge support also makes it easier to get in and out of bed and minimizes the sensation that you’re going to slide to the floor if you sit on the side.
Hybrid mattresses and innerspring mattresses typically have better edge support than other bed types because of the coil layers. However, thicker memory foam mattresses with dense foam layers can also provide decent edge support.
Noise Reduction
If one or both of you are light sleepers, look for a mattress that won’t squeak every time you move. Because of their innerspring layers, hybrid mattresses tend to be noisier than their all-foam counterparts. However, most modern hybrids have tightly wound, individually pocketed coils that make this less of an issue.
If noise reduction is an important consideration for you, look for a mattress with great motion isolation. The same materials that absorb movement tend to be among the quietest.
Firmness
The right firmness level for you is largely personal decision, though body type and sleep style play a major role as well. If you and your partner have different sleep styles and preferences, a medium to medium-firm mattress should work well. This middle-of-the-road firmness can suit most people and sleeping positions.
Body Type
You’ll want to consider your body types as well. People with larger bodies tend to sink into the top layers of a mattress more, making it important to pick a mattress that’s a little firmer with more support. Conversely, those under 130 pounds perceive mattresses as firmer then they are, which can make even medium-firm mattresses feel too hard. A bed with a medium firmness is always a good place to start, but if you and your partner have different body types, you may want to consider a mattress with customizable firmness on each side.
Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleeping position often determines the ideal mattress firmness for you. Back and stomach sleepers tend to get the most support and comfort out of medium-firm to firm mattresses. Side sleepers typically feel the most comfortable with soft to medium firmness levels, since they have more give around the shoulders and hips.
Cooling
Couples tend to generate more body heat, making cooling an important consideration when choosing a bed. Hybrid mattresses generally sleep cooler than memory foam, although most modern foam beds are made with cooling materials like gel foams and GlacioTex covers. If cooling is important to you, look for coils and/or breathable materials like bamboo (rayon or viscose), gel-infused foam and latex.
Price
Mattresses for couples can range in price from $200 to well over $2,500. In our opinion, you likely need to spend around $1,000 to $2,000 for a quality queen size mattress. For couples looking for a king-size mattress, expect to pay a bit more. Like when shopping for any big-ticket item, make sure to keep your own budget in mind when choosing a mattress.
