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Best Mattresses For Couples

Best Mattresses For Couples UK (2023)

Last updated: 31.10.2023 Reading time: 7.5 Min.

Relationships may be wonderful, even though they are often about compromise.

But, you should never compromise on your sleep.

This is why choosing the best mattress for couples is so tricky. 😩

Don't worry - Sleep Hero is here to come to the rescue.

In this guide, we share some of the best mattresses for couples available in the UK!

We'll also give you some nifty tips and tricks to help you choose. 😉

So let's get started.

Best Mattresses For Couples

The UK's best mattresses for couples

Best Guarantee

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress that combines memory foam with pocket springs.

This is a high-quality mattress designed for enhanced breathability, comfort, and support. 

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid is a premium mattress from the same company that's brought you the Nectar memory foam mattress.

It combines high-quality memory foam with full-size pocket springs (called ActiveEdge coils), each measuring 15 cm (5.9 inches).

DreamCloud luxury hybrid

This is an orthopaedically designed mattress with medium-firm support to help eliminate back, neck, and shoulder pains.

The mattress offers enhanced breathability to help keep you cool and refreshed all night long. ❄️

It also has low motion transfer and great edge support, making it a great choice for couples.

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is 28 cm (11 inches) thick and stands out as a key feature in any bedroom. 🏆

The mattress comes with free delivery & returns, a remarkable 365-night risk-free trial period, and a lifetime guarantee.

£540 OFF DREAMCLOUD + FREE BEDDING SET£ 408.07

  DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid
Composition: Memory foam, pocket springs
Firmness level:  Medium-firm
Height: 28 cm (11 inches)
Trial period: 365 days
Guarantee: Lifetime warranty
What makes this mattress special? Fantastic premium-choice option suitable for most; revolutionary trial period and a lifetime guarantee.
Best For Side Sleepers

Simba Hybrid

The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.

This award-winning and five-star-rated original mattress by Simba Sleep is a unique hybrid mattress that combines polyfoam, memory foam, high-definition foam, and pocket springs.

The Simba Hybrid is an award-winning hybrid pocket sprung foam mattress by Simba Sleep. 🏆

It features four layers, including:

  • A comfort layer of graphite-infused, open-cell Simbatex foam
  • A core of up to 2000 Aerocoil mini pocket springs across 13 zones
  • A CertiPur stability layer
  • A base layer of no roll-off SupportCore with up to 1000 barrel springs

This is a medium-firm mattress that's an excellent choice for a wide range of sleepers, regardless of body size or preferred sleeping position.

Simba Hybrid mattress
The Simba is one of our favourite hybrid mattresses.

The Simba mattress is supportive enough to prevent a build-up of tension, but also soft enough to allow your body to sink in where necessary.

This allows for optimal spinal alignment. 🦴

The Simba Hybrid mattress comes with an antibacterial hypoallergenic cover designed to maximise airflow.

The cover is also removable and machine-washable - but we'd always recommend making use of a mattress protector to safeguard your mattress. 🧼

The Simba comes with free delivery, a 200-day risk-free trial period, and a 10-year guarantee. 

40% OFF SIMBA HYBRID

  Simba Hybrid
Composition: Hybrid mattress with foams, mini pocket springs, and full-size pocket springs.
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 25 cm (10 inches)
Trial period: 200 days
Guarantee: 10 years
What makes this mattress special:  A unique combination of materials; very comfortable for average-weight back and side sleepers; cooling properties
Split Tension Mattress

Feather & Black Middleham Mohair Mattress

The Feather & Black Middleham Mohair Mattress is available in single tension, dual tension, and zip-and-link options.

This bestselling mattress features a plethora of materials, including pocket springs at the core.

The Feather & Black Middleham Mohair Mattress is a luxurious mattress that's well-suited to couples.

It comes in three different firmness levels - soft, medium, and firm - but also includes dual tension and zip-and-link options, making it ideal for couples of different weights or with different firmness preferences. 👩‍❤️‍👨

Dual tension and zip-and-link mattresses give buyers the option of customising each half of the mattress so that it's uniquely catered to each partner's specific preferences. 

The materials of the mattress as a whole remain the same.

This impressive 30 cm (11.8 inches) deep mattress is made up of the following:

  • A core of up to 750 Cortec™pocket springs, designed to be 100% recyclable for zero waste
  • Four 2,500 mini pocket spring layers on either side of the core (with a total of up to 10,000 mini pocket springs) to adapt to your body, relieve pressure, and enhance breathability
  • A layer of hemp, cotton, Egyptian cotton, and British wool and mohair blend on either side of the mini pocket springs
  • A wool and viscose blend at the top and bottom of the mattress

This dual-sided mattress is designed to be rotated and turned regularly, so the composition is identical in the top and bottom halves.

Bed-in-a-box mattresses are very different since these often have an open-sandwich style with a distinct top and a distinct bottom and are not meant to be flipped. 

feather and black middleham mohair mattress from side

The Middleham Mohair Mattress also features three rows of hand-sewn side stitching to allow for edge-to-edge support and coloured piping to bind the layers within. 🧵

Padded handles complete the mattress cover, making the mattress as a whole easier to move and rotate.

The cover is not removable, so we recommend pairing your investment with a waterproof mattress protector to safeguard against stains, spills, moisture, and bacteria. 💦

The Feather & Black Middleham Mohair Mattress also comes with a 100-night comfort guarantee, allowing you to exchange your mattress if you're not completely satisfied, and a 7-year guarantee.

All Feather & Black mattresses come with free white glove delivery, where a two-person team will deliver the item to your room of choice. 🚛

Since these products are made to order, delivery may take up to 4 weeks or longer. 

BUY FEATHER & BLACK MIDDLEHAM MOHAIR MATTRESS£ 1,499

  Feather & Black Middleham Mohair Mattress
Composition: Pocket springs, mini pocket springs, help, cotton, wool, and mohair
Firmness level: Soft, medium, or firm in single tension, split tension, or zip-and-link options
Height: 30 cm (11.8 inches)
Trial period: 100 nights (exchange only)
Guarantee: 7 years
What makes this mattress special? Excellent quality with unique half-and-half mattress options available 
Best For Back Sleepers

Emma Luxe Cooling Mattress

The Emma Luxe Cooling Mattress is Emma Sleep UK's most advanced mattress with temperature regulation technology.

Conveniently, the Emma Luxe Cooling mattress is available in a range of both UK and EU mattress sizes to meet all your requirements. 

Emma's Luxe Cooling mattress is the latest - and most advanced - mattress by the award-winning Emma Sleep. 🏆

This medium-firm mattress features a total of six mattress layers, which include:

  • A temperature-regulating top cover that's removable and washable
  • A top layer of ThermoSync® foam, infused with graphite particles that capture excess heat to promote temperature regulation
  • A layer of Halo memory foam for body-hugging comfort
  • A transitional layer of supportive foam to reduce pressure points
  • A layer of 12 cm (4.8 inches) Aeroflex pocket springs for breathability, surrounded by foam for superior edge support
  • A base layer of High Resiliency Extra foam for additional support and durability 

This mattress has the perfect medium-firm feel. 🧸🧱

It allows for some sinkage to promote optimal spinal alignment and gives you very targeted support but the mattress still provides enough push-back so you won't feel like you're sinking into the foams.

emma luxe cooling mattress from the top
The Emma Luxe Cooling is a medium-firm hybrid mattress.

Conveniently, the mattress also has excellent edge support, which isn't always the case with bed-in-a-box mattresses.

It features enhanced temperature regulation technologies so you won't feel as hot and clammy on this mattress as you may feel on other Emma memory foam mattresses.

The Luxe Cooling mattress also comes with a removable cover that can be machine-washed at 60℃, which is great for people struggling with allergies or those with hygiene concerns. 💦

You can upgrade the Emma Luxe Cooling to the Emma Luxe Cooling Plus, which includes an advanced temperature-regulating Diamond Hybrid comfort cover. 

The Emma Luxe Cooling mattress is delivered rolled up in a compact box, making it relatively easy to manoeuvre, but be aware that this mattress is on the heavy side. 

emma luxe cooling mattress delivery
The mattress is delivered tightly rolled up in a cardboard box.

Delivery and returns are free, and the mattress also comes with a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee.

As an aside: The Luxe Cooling mattress we tested was damaged on delivery, but we had a positive experience with the Emma customer support team, who responded to our request within 48 hours.

55% OFF EMMA NEXTGEN LUXE + 5% OFF W/ "SLEEPHEROUK5"

  Emma Luxe Cooling Mattress
Composition: Multiple layers of foam, memory foam, and pocket springs
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 25 cm (10 inches)
Trial period: 200 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
What makes this mattress special? Exceptional edge support with a comfortable medium-firm feel.
Best Trial Period

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The Nectar is a luxurious memory foam mattress suitable for most people and sleeping positions.

This bestselling mattress comes with a revolutionary 365-day trial period and a lifetime warranty.

The Nectar memory foam mattress is one of our favourite mattresses.

It features 3 layers of high-quality, high-density memory foam for optimal spinal alignment, pressure relief, and comfort.

The base layer also has 7 contour zones to enhance its ergonomic design and keep your body in a healthy sleeping position. 📏

This prevents a build-up of tension and allows for orthopaedic support.

Nectar mattress
The Nectar is a medium-firm mattress.

The Nectar mattress comes with a breathable cover that enhances airflow to allow for a cool and comfortable sleep. 💨

Unfortunately, the cover is not machine-washable.

We'd suggest using a mattress protector to safeguard your mattress against stains, spills, and bacteria.

The Nectar mattress comes with free delivery & returns, a revolutionary 365-day trial period, and a "forever warranty". 

45% OFF NECTAR 

  Nectar mattress
Composition: Memory foam with a 7-zone cold foam base
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 25 cm (10 inches)
Trial period: 365 days
Guarantee: Lifetime warranty
What makes this mattress special? Exceptionally comfortable for average-weight & lighter sleepers; lifetime warranty & revolutionary one-year sleep trial.

How we test products

Our mission is to take the guesswork out of finding the perfect sleep products.

We've dedicated hundreds of hours to testing mattresses and sleep accessories, and rely on a team of testers of differing weights, temperature preferences, and sleeping positions to evaluate each product. 

Tested products are granted the Sleep Hero tested stamp of approval, a mark of our review's reliability.

To learn more about our testing process, check out our methodology page.

If we haven't personally tested a product, please be assured that we invest significant time and energy into scouring the UK market and researching the best recommendations, and we work with a team of sleep experts who review our articles, ensuring that the insights we provide are not only relatable but also reliable.

Why is finding a mattress for couples so difficult?

Finding the right mattress that's perfect for you is difficult enough. 🤯

Now imagine having to find the best mattress for two people!

That's the stuff nightmares are made of. 🧟‍♂️

So why is finding a mattress for couples so difficult?

Well, there are multiple reasons.

Confused woman

Let's explore. 👇

Finding the perfect mattress

If you want to buy the perfect mattress, you need to consider some things.

  • Is the mattress snug and comfortable?
  • Does the mattress support me well and allow for good spinal alignment, regardless of sleeping position?
  • Can I move around with ease?
  • Can I sleep comfortably, or do I feel too hot or cold in the bed?
  • Is the mattress wide/long enough, and can I use all the available space?

Many of these depend on your build, weight, metabolism rate, and whether or not you're a restless sleeper. 🏃‍♀️

But the problem is that different people will have different body types and different preferences, changing their mattress requirements.

We're all unique and have different needs.

Let's look at a standard heterosexual relationship:

  • Women tend to be smaller and lighter and are more likely to feel cold more easily. 🙍‍♀️
  • Men tend to be heavier, of larger build, and run at higher temperatures. 🙍‍♂️

If you're a 50 kg (110 lbs) woman who easily feels cold, your sleeping requirements will be very different to those of an 85 kg (187 lbs) man who sweats a lot.

You may prefer a soft memory foam mattress that hugs your body, while your partner would like a firmer mattress with pocketed coils that can better support his weight and temperature.

Enter mattress drama. 🤬

Of course, same-sex couples may encounter similar issues, as partners are likely to differ in size and may have different firmness preferences.

Woman and man in bed

Unique problems of sharing a bed

But, there are even more factors to consider.

Let's continue the above example. 🤔

Say the man in the scenario is a very light sleeper - he wakes up at every sound, and even the slightest movements disturb him. 🕺

He generally falls into bed and sleeps in pretty much the same position all night long.

But the woman in our scenario is a very restless sleeper.

Perhaps she even struggles with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which is more common in women than men, and she spends a good percentage of the night tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable.

Restless leg syndrome

Now, let's say the couple has opted for an innerspring mattress that better supports her partner and keeps him cooler.

This is great as it meets his sleeping requirements.

But, innerspring mattresses tend to have higher motion transfer, so her constant tossing and turning keeps her partner awake all night long.

And since the innerspring mattress is firmer and less comfortable for her, she's likely to toss and turn even more!

Both partners have trouble getting a good night's sleep and wake up cranky in the morning. 😖

That's the perfect recipe for a doomed relationship.

Maybe two beds are better

Considering the above, it's no wonder that so many end up looking for the best mattress tips for couples.

Nearly one in six couples in the UK sleep in separate beds - or even in separate bedrooms!

Single beds with bed bridge
Many couples choose to combine two single mattresses with a bed bridge.

But couples also have unique needs.

  • What about movie marathons with pizza and the kids or dogs?
  • What about evening snuggles?
  • What about sex?

Having two separate beds isn't the perfect solution either. 🤷‍♂️

It may sound like all doom and gloom, but there are mattresses that can meet both partners' sleep and comfort requirements.

You may just need to spend a bit more time searching for them. 🕵️‍♀️

And that's precisely why we're here.

You could choose two single mattresses pushed together, perhaps even combined with a bed bridge or mattress topper to make it a tad more comfortable, or zip-and-link mattresses, where two mattresses are zipped together to create one large sleeping surface.

But let's look at some of the aspects you need to consider when searching for the best mattress for couples.

The right support: Finding a good degree of firmness

One of the most important things to consider when buying a new mattress is its firmness. ☁️🧸🧱

This is the way the mattress feels to lie on.

Mattress firmness is often a matter of personal preference.

  • Do you like beds that feel like sinking into a marshmallow cloud?
  • Do you prefer beds that feel harder and more stable?

The degree of firmness that's right for you will also be influenced by your weight, build, and preferred sleeping position.

In general, different types of sleepers will require different firmness options:

Medium-firm mattresses, like the Simba Hybrid, are likely to be the best for couples. 👩‍❤️‍👨

40% OFF SIMBA HYBRID

Firmness according to sleeping position

These offer the best in-between and suit the most sleep styles.

Most of the bed-in-a-box products we recommend offer a medium-firm feel.

But:

If you and your partner have vastly different body sizes - say, you're a 150 kg (330 lbs) man, and your wife is a 45 kg (99 lbs) woman, you're likely to encounter some problems.

When the difference in size and build is that great, you'd be better off investing in two single mattresses combined with a bed bridge.

Different body types have different mattress requirements
Different body types have different mattress requirements.

Alternatively, you could look for fully customisable mattresses that allow you to set different degrees of firmness for each half of the bed.

You'll find that split tension mattresses (also called dual tension mattresses or half-and-half mattresses) are the best mattresses for couples with different weights and preferences.

The Feather & Black Middleham Mohair is a bestselling mattress that's conveniently available in dual tension and zip-and-lock options.

BUY FEATHER & BLACK MIDDLEHAM MOHAIR MATTRESS£ 1,499

Restless nights: Opt for good motion isolation

It's imperative that a couple's mattress has zero to low motion transfer.

But, what exactly does this mean?

Motion transfer refers to the amount of movement carried across a mattress.

So, it means how much movement you will feel on your side of the bed if your partner tosses and turns on the other side of the bed. 💃

Benefits of low motion transfer

Motion transfer can depend on the mattress's quality, but it's generally determined by the material the mattress is made of.

But, this isn't always as straightforward. ➡️

A mattress with motion transfer
You'll want to be looking for a mattress with low motion transfer.

The GhostBed mattress, for example, may consist of latex foam and memory foam, but it has comparatively high motion transfer.

Similarly, many high-quality pocket-sprung mattresses have very low motion transfer.

Motion transfer can also be affected by the top layer.

So, for example, a sprung mattress with a cushioning latex or memory foam layer may offer enhanced motion isolation. 👌

The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid is an excellent example of this.

70% OFF HYPNIA SUPREME HYBRID + 2 FREE PILLOWS W/ PILLOWS2

A memory foam topper can also change the sleeping surface and affect motion transfer - but this will also affect the overall feel of the mattress.

Regardless of material or composition, always choose a mattress with good motion isolation for a peaceful sleep.

Temperature: No more sweaty nights

Men and women generally have different body temperatures. 🔥

  • Women tend to be a little cooler - and feel cold more quickly.
  • Men tend to have higher body temperatures, feel cold less quickly and are more likely to be heavier sweaters.

Of course, this isn't set in stone. 💎

Couples have different temperature needs
Women tend to prefer warmer beds, while men tend to prefer a cooler sleep.

A woman going through menopause, for example, is more likely to experience frequent hot flushes and feel warmer than her partner.

Either way, it's important that the mattress a couple chooses accommodates both temperatures.

We'd always recommend going for a cooling mattress - especially if one of the partners is a hot sleeper or a heavier sweater.

The Simba Hybrid, for example, has been specifically designed for enhanced breathability.

40% OFF SIMBA HYBRID

Consider this scenario:

  • A couple shares a memory foam mattress, which generally stores more heat.
  • The woman in the relationship, who sleeps cooler, feels quite comfortable and welcomes the extra warmth.
  • But her partner, a man of larger build who sweats very heavily, frequently overheats.
  • This increases the overall temperature of the bed and makes him sweat even more, which affects the temperature and moisture levels of the mattress further.
  • The woman would have slept comfortably on her own, but now the mattress is both hotter and moister than it would be if she slept alone.
  • Both partners feel uncomfortable.

It's easier to add an extra duvet or blanket if you feel cold.

It's a lot more challenging to decrease temperature. 🤷‍♂️

Of course, if you and your partner run at similar temperatures and neither partner is a heavy sweater, you wouldn't have the above problem.

This is why it's important to consider your base body temperature, your proneness to sweating, and the mattress material you'll end up choosing.

Temperature regulation scale

In general, memory foam mattresses store the most body heat, while spring mattresses or latex mattresses will be on the cooler end of the scale.

We'd recommend trying the Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign latex mattress if you want a breathable all-foam option.

45% OFF DUNLOPILLO ROYAL SOVEREIGN£ 2,099.95

Stability & durability: Choose a high-quality mattress

You should always buy a high-quality, durable mattress.

But this is even more important when you're sharing your bed with a partner! 🛌

Why?

It's quite simple, really:

A mattress is likely to wear out more quickly with the weight of two people than it would with the weight of one person.

Different mattresses are also made to suit different weights - some mattresses are able to support heavier weights while others aren't, and couples should definitely always choose the more durable option.

If you're buying a cheaper, lower-quality mattress, you'll start experiencing decreasing support much quicker. 😔

And that's definitely not something you want!

Person on worn mattress
Worn mattresses are bad for your body.

Most of our top picks come with a 10-year warranty, and you can expect them to last for that long!

The Nectar mattress even comes with a lifetime guarantee, though we recommend replacing your mattress every 8 - 10 years.

45% OFF NECTAR

What about stability?

If you're investing in a quality mattress made of high-density materials, you probably don't need to worry about stability.

This simply refers to how well a mattress can support you.

If, however, the mattress you've chosen isn't great, you could have some problems. 😳

Stability issues could result in:

  • The heavier partner sinking into the mattress too much, causing the lighter partner to roll in that direction.
  • Spinal misalignment.
  • Increased backaches and pains.
  • Uncomfortable sleep.

This is why choosing a mattress made of quality materials is so important. 👌

Back pain caused by a bad mattress

The actual material is less important than the quality of the material used:

  • For all-foam mattresses, make sure the foams have a density of at least 35 kg/m³.
  • For spring mattresses, make sure the smallest-size mattress has at least 350 springs.

Also, look for mattresses with a good support or base layer. 👍

Cold foam and PUR foam are both excellent support materials.

It's worth pointing out that all mattresses should be rotated head-to-toe regularly, but this is especially important for couples.

If mattresses aren't rotated, and one person is significantly heavier, then, over time, you'll find that one side of the bed starts dipping, and the other person will feel like they are rolling into them.

Sex: Because it matters

Having a healthy sex life does matter - and you want to make sure your mattress helps you achieve this!

There are multiple factors to consider when deciding whether or not a mattress is great for sex. 🤔

Read our full guide on finding the best mattress for sex.

Responsiveness and bounce

These two factors refer to how quickly your mattress adapts to movement. 🕺

You'd want a mattress with good responsiveness and bounce so you can switch positions easily.

But, you also want a mattress with good motion isolation.

Couple in bed

This can sometimes present a conflict, as the most bouncy mattresses generally also have a greater transfer of motion.

And mattresses that have the best motion isolation - like the Emma Original memory foam mattress - have almost zero bounce. 🤦‍♀️

The trick is to find the perfect in-between.

We think quality pocket sprung or hybrid mattresses are the way to go.

Both of these generally respond well to movement, offer a good amount of bounce, and limit motion transfer.

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid is an excellent choice. 👌

£540 OFF DREAMCLOUD + FREE BEDDING SET£ 408.07

Firmness and edge support

We've chatted about firmness and edge support above, but it also matters when it comes to sex.

A mattress with good edge support
Good edge support is important for sexual and day-to-day activities.

If a mattress isn't firm or supportive enough while you're sleeping, it definitely won't be supportive enough to hold you during physical activity. 🧱

You always want to look for a mattress that matches comfort with good support/firmness and great edge support.

Bed-in-a-box mattresses generally don't have the best edge support, so it's particularly important to double-check on this if you're buying online. 📦

The Emma Luxe Cooling, for example, may be a bed-in-a-box mattress, but it offers excellent edge support!

55% OFF EMMA NEXTGEN LUXE + 5% OFF W/ "SLEEPHEROUK5"

We give you our opinion on a mattress's edge support in all our mattress reviews!

Temperature

If you're engaging in sexual activity, you don't want a mattress that will leave you and your partner feeling hot and clammy. 🥵

Certain mattress materials store body heat better than others.

Memory foam, for example, retains a lot of body heat, while gel foam, latex foam, spring, and hybrid mattresses are more breathable.

The latter few would be more suitable for sweaty nights in the sack.

Size: What is big enough?

There are dozens of UK mattress sizes, but couples should stick to the larger beds. 🛏

We'd highly recommend that couples don't go any smaller than a double size.

Good mattress sizes for couples include:

  • Double mattresses: 135 x 190 cm (4'6" x 6'3")
  • King size mattresses: 150 x 200 cm (5' x 6'6")
  • Super-king-size mattresses: 180 x 200 cm (6’ x 6’6”)
  • Emperor beds: 200 x 200 cm (6'6" x 6'6")

If you or your partner are of larger build, we'd suggest going for a super king-size bed - but make sure to measure your bedroom first to make sure it'll fit. 👑

Unless you're getting a bed-in-a-box mattress, you'll also need to measure your entryway and stairwell.

If you're both smaller, you can get away with a double mattress.

UK mattress sizes

Even if you have an excellent mattress with low motion transfer and good edge support, you still want to have enough space to sleep comfortably without ever feeling restricted.

Interestingly, emperor beds are quite rare as bed-in-a-box mattresses in the UK.

If you're looking for an emperor-size mattress, the best option we've found is the Otty Hybrid.

45% OFF OTTY HYBRID£ 439.99

What's the best mattress for couples?

As you've seen, there are multiple factors to consider when choosing the best mattress for couples. 👩‍❤️‍👨

Key decision-makers include:

  • The right degree of firmness
  • Motion isolation
  • Breathability and temperature regulation
  • Stability and durability
  • Responsiveness and bounce

All the mattresses we've recommended offer a good balance, but some may be better suited to you than others.

If all else fails, it's best to find a mattress where the two halves of the bed can be customised.

Alternatively, you could also combine two single mattresses on one bed frame with a bed bridge in the centre for individualised sleeping comfort.

Some of the best mattresses for couples to consider:

Frequently asked questions

  • Are split-bed mattresses best for couples?


    Split-bed mattresses (like the Tweak Mattress), where you can choose different firmness levels or even different temperatures, are great for couples if you are very sensitive sleepers or differ to a large degree in build or preferred temperature.

    These can get very expensive, though.

    Many couples can find a great mattress to share if their sleeping habits are similar enough.

    You could also put two single mattresses on one bed frame and combine them with a bed bridge for more individualised sleeping comfort. 

  • Are foam beds or spring beds better for couples?


    There's no right or wrong when it comes to mattress types, as there are so many individual factors to consider.

    We're big fans of high-quality pocket sprung or hybrid mattresses, though, as these tend to offer the best of both worlds.

  • What's the best bed for couples?


    While your mattress undoubtedly matters, it's also worth considering the bed frame you're using.

    But what is the best bed for married couples?

    A bed with a slatted base, for example, will offer better ventilation and will likely leave you with a cooler sleep, but it may not offer as much support as a divan bed base like the storage-convenient Emma divan.

    Lack of support will also make a base less suited to sex, where you're likely to require a more sturdy bed frame.

    Very high-quality slatted beds, like the Simba beds, though, will ensure you get enough support even with enhanced ventilation.

    Beds like these rely on advanced slat systems that feature unique zones for superior support.

    The slats are also often thicker and more tightly packed together.

    You should never opt for a bed frame that has very thin slats or slats that are more than 7 cm (2.7 inches) apart - this not only minimises the support the base can give you, but it can actually also damage some types of mattresses.

    It's also worth considering how your bed is put together - the last thing you want as a couple is a bed frame that squeaks.

    The less moving parts you have and the more sturdy your base is, the happier you'll be.

  • What are the best sleeping positions for couples?


    When we talk about sleeping positions, we usually refer to side sleepers, back sleepers, and front sleepers - but all of this may be changed when you add another person to the mix.

    Some of the most common sleeping positions for couples include:

    • Spoon: One person (the big spoon) hugs another person (the little spoon) from behind. This is a very intimate sleeping position, often common in the early stages of a relationship. 
    • Loose spoon: This is similar to the spooning position but with a little more space between the partners.
    • Face-to-face and touching: Here, the couple sleeps facing each other and body parts intertwine. 
    • Face-to-face and not touching: The couple still sleeps face-to-face, but their body parts don't touch.
    • Back-to-back and touching: Also known as "back kissing", the couple in this position may be turned away from each other but still with body contact.
    • Back-to-back and not touching: Partners sleeping like this are often more independent and get a better night's sleep.
    • Cradle: This is where one person falls asleep on the other person's chest, with legs and arms often crossing each other. This is a very intimate and protective sleeping position. 
    • Leg hug: Here, couples sleep largely independently, but their legs cross in a sign of intimacy. 

    Different sleeping positions for couples are generally considered to indicate the level of intimacy in the relationship.

    As sleep advocates, however, we would insist that you sleep in the most comfortable position for you and your body, regardless of whether you're sleeping alone or sharing your bed with a partner.

  • References

Nicky

Nicky

Content Director & Partner Relations

My mum calls me "bear" because I like to sleep so much. I never thought that, one day, I'd be a certified sleep coach and apply my skills more widely. Can you tell that I've found my calling? 

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We understand the importance of trust and reliability when it comes to product reviews - but why trust us?

  • Dedicated testing facility: We've tested over 180 products globally and now operate our own testing facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to analyse product performance.
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  • Industry connections: We maintain close relationships with manufacturers and brands, giving us a head start in the latest trends, upcoming products, and the technology that drives them.
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With millions of visitors each year, our global reach isn't just about numbers - it's about making better choices more accessible to everyone.

>180 products tested

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