IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Check out the best pre-Christmas sales. 

Best Mattresses For Sex

Best Mattresses For Sex - UK (2023)

Last updated: 31.10.2023 Reading time: 8 Min.

Did you know that your mattress affects not only the quality of your sleep but also the quality of your sex life?

We wouldn't go as far as saying that a bad mattress could ruin your relationship. 😳

But you certainly wouldn't want to risk it, would you?

Plus, a good mattress can really enhance your sex life! 🥳

So what new mattress should you choose?

Let's help you figure that out with this guide on the UK's best mattresses for sex. 👇

Best mattresses for sex

The UK's best mattresses for sex

Sleep Hero Favourite

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
Great For Couples

Emma Premium

The Emma Premium is a luxurious hybrid memory foam mattress with a supportive spring layer.

This is Emma's most advanced mattress for exceptional comfort and stability.

The Emma Premium has been discontinued, but the Emma Premium Plus, a version with a different cover, is still currently available.

The Emma Premium is a soft and comfortable hybrid mattress - and Emma Sleep's most advanced mattress in the UK!

It features multiple layers of high-quality memory foam for pressure relief and full-size pocket springs

The zoned pocket springs allow for optimal spinal alignment. 🦴

Meanwhile, the foam layers contour around the body, relieving pressure from the hips and shoulders. 

Emma premium mattress

The Emma Premium impressed us with its comfort and support in both the side and back sleeping positions.

However, it may be too soft for most stomach sleepers. 🚫

One standout feature was its motion isolation – our testers slept undisturbed despite having different sleep schedules.

We noticed it also felt a tad warmer than other mattresses we've tested, which could be a consideration for hot sleepers.

The exceptional edge support on this mattress provides stability and comfort for those who frequently sit on the edge of the bed.

It comes with free delivery & returns and a 200-night risk-free trial period.

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

5% OFF EMMA PREMIUM PLUS W/ "SLEEPHEROUK5"

  Emma Premium
Composition: Multiple layers of memory foam & full-size pocket springs
Firmness level: Medium-firm
Height: 25 cm (10 inches)
Trial period: 200 nights
Guarantee: 10 years
What makes this mattress special? Exceptional breathability and support
Luxury Option

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.
Natural Latex

Hypnia Supreme Hybrid Mattress

The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid mattress combines advanced pocket springs with a pressure-relieving memory foam topper.

The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid offers a unique composition, including latex for natural temperature regulation. 

The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid mattress combines different materials for targeted support. 💪

The composition includes:

  • A breathable, hypoallergenic cover.
  • Memory foam layer for added relief for your joints.
  • Natural latex for pressure relief and temperature regulation.  
  • Supportive foam layer for extra durability. 
  • Pocket springs in 7 support zones to maintain spinal alignment and minimise motion transfer. 

The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid mattress offers a medium comfort level, which we rated on the softer side at 5/10 on our firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest.

However, the integrated topper makes it an excellent choice for side sleepers.

side sleeper on hypnia supreme hybrid
Side sleepers will experience comfort on the joints and support for the spine. 

The mattress comes with the reassurance of being made from OEKO-TEX-certified materials, meaning it's free from harmful substances. 

Delivery is free within the UK, and the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid mattress arrives vacuum-packed, making it easier to manoeuvre. 

It also comes with a  15-year guarantee and a 200-night sleep trial, so you can ensure that it's the right fit for you. ⌛

In the event of a return, Hypnia redistributes the mattress through local associations, thereby supporting the community and reducing waste. 

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

  Hypnia Supreme Hybrid mattress
Composition: Hypoallergenic cover, natural latex layer, memory foam, support foam, pocket springs
Firmness level: Medium
Height: 30 cm (11.8")
Trial period: 200 nights
Guarantee: 15 years
What makes this mattress special? Hybrid composition for advanced support, eco-friendly, cheaper than like-for-like competitors

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.

How do you choose the best mattress for sex?

Most of us choose a mattress that's the most comfortable to sleep on. 😴

This makes sense, of course.

You spend a third of your life sleeping, so it's important to get a mattress that matches your sleep needs perfectly.

But while some only use their mattress for sleeping, there are just as many who spend a good chunk of time in bed doing other things.

  • You may be an avid reader or enjoy catching up on the latest Netflix shows. 📺
  • You may enjoy lounging on your bed chatting on the phone. ☎️
  • Sometimes, you even want to sit on your bed and look through photographs, write in your journal, or do any other admin-type activity. 📗

And most people would probably also use their mattress for quality time with a significant other.

man and woman in bed reading

Ultimately, you need a mattress that fulfils its core function of providing a comfortable and supportive base for sleeping.

But you also need your mattress to meet all your other requirements. 👌

So what should you pay attention to when choosing a bed for sex?

There are a few important factors to consider.

These include bounce & responsiveness, temperature, noise, firmness, support, and durability.

We'll take you through all of these in the following sections. 👇

Responsiveness & bounce: How your mattress adapts to movement

We've chunked responsiveness and bounce together as they're often interdependent.

Generally, the more responsive a mattress is, the more bounce it will have.

So what do responsiveness and bounce refer to?

  • Responsiveness: How quickly the mattress responds to movements.
  • Bounce: How well the mattress rebounds after having been compressed.

If you're looking for the best mattresses for sex, you need to find a bed that works with you and not against you. 💪

The ideal mattress for sex should adapt quickly to changes in position, bouncing back to its original shape swiftly so you and your partner will be well supported on a stable surface.

This allows you to easily switch positions and stay active, which is likely during sexual activity. 🏃‍♂️

Mattresses made of latex or springs are particularly suitable - these respond quickly and provide a good amount of bounce.

Other mattresses, like memory foam mattresses, will give you more of that sinking-into-quicksand feeling.

Take a look at the memory effect in the images below:

Memory foam

Memory foam with hand

Memory foam imprint

This is great for orthopaedic concerns, back pain, and relief of pressure points - but not so great for sex.

Excessive sinking makes positional changes cumbersome and hinders free movement. 😩

We'll look at different mattress materials in more detail further down but, for now, remember that a good mattress for sex will be responsive and bouncy!

What about motion isolation?

On the downside, mattresses with great bounce don't always have the best motion isolation. 🦘

This means that you may be able to feel your partner move during sleep.

All-foam mattresses made from materials like memory foam tend to have the best motion isolation.

Motion isolation
A mattress with sound motion isolation ensures that you won't feel movement carried through the bed

But:

We'd recommend looking for a mattress that offers good bounce without compromising too much on motion isolation, like a good hybrid mattress or quality pocket sprung mattress.

Firmness & edge support: How your mattress supports you

There are dozens of different mattress firmness options.

Firmness is primarily a matter of personal preference, but your body weight and sleeping position play a role. 🤔

In general:

  • Lighter-weight people and side sleepers will sleep better on softer mattresses.
  • Heavier-weight people or back sleepers & stomach sleepers will do better on firmer mattresses.

When choosing the right degree of firmness for sleeping, you need to consider both comfort and optimal spinal alignment. 🦴

Mattress firmness
A mattress with the right degree of firmness will support you optimally

But how do you choose the right firmness level for sex?

Since sexual activity usually requires quite a bit of movement, you want a mattress that's firm and supportive enough but also soft and comfortable.

We'd recommend that you choose a medium-firm mattress.

In our mattress reviews, you can look at mattresses rated between 5 - 7.5 out of 10 on the Sleep Hero firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. 🥳

The Simba Hybrid, for example, has a firmness rating of 6, making it the ideal firmness for sex.

40% OFF SIMBA HYBRID

You don't want a mattress that's too soft; otherwise, it'll feel like you're sinking into the material, and you won't have freedom of movement.

But if you have a mattress that's too firm, you'll lack responsiveness and comfort. 😔

Ultimately, the ideal mattress for sex will be both comfortable and incredibly supportive to carry you and your partner during sexual activity.

What about edge support?

Importantly, you need your ideal mattress for sex to offer edge-to-edge support.

Many of the modern-day bed-in-a-box mattresses - and especially foam mattresses - lack edge support.

This means that the mattress may feel firmer in the middle, but support will decrease as you go towards the edge of the bed. ⛰

Nectar mattress edge support
A mattress with low edge support - like a bed-in-a-box memory foam mattress - will make you feel like you're rolling off the sides

A mattress with good edge support will support you no matter where you lie on the mattress - meaning you can enjoy the entire width of your bed! 👌

It also means that you and your partner won't ever feel like you'd be falling off the sides of the mattress.

Temperature: Your mattress shouldn't turn up the heat (in a bad way)

Sexual activity creates more body heat, so you're likely to feel hot and sweaty.

The last thing you want is a mattress that stores all of that heat and makes you feel hot and clammy. 🥵

The ideal mattress for sex will regulate temperature well by being breathable & carrying heat and moisture away from you.

Memory foam mattresses tend to store the most heat.

Temperature regulation

The best memory foam mattresses will contain gel memory foam, which is much more temperature neutral, but these still cannot compare with the best cooling mattresses.

Generally, hybrid, latex foam, and spring mattresses are more breathable. 💨

Even though all mattresses will contain a top layer of foam, springs create natural ventilation channels at the mattress's core.

This means that they allow for a steady flow of air, which carries heat and moisture away to keep you cooler and more comfortable. ❄️

A mattress like the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid, for example, may have a top layer of memory foam but it also features cooling technology and 15 cm (5.9 inches) pocket springs.

These create space within the actual mattress and allow air to move freely.

£540 OFF DREAMCLOUD + FREE BEDDING SET£ 408.07

Dreamcloud mattress composition
The DreamCloud mattress is an excellent hybrid option

How to protect your mattress from sweat

While we don't want our mattress to store heat, sexual activity will undoubtedly make things a little sweaty. 😅

That's why you need to take extra care to protect your mattress.

Most mattresses contain removable and washable covers - but these will not protect your mattress against moisture! 🛀

Instead, you'd need a waterproof mattress protector.

A mattress protector is a thin layer of waterproof material that you place over your mattress to safeguard it against dirt, sweat, stains, and moisture.

It'll also help keep your mattress in mint condition and extend its lifespan. ✅

Our favourite UK mattress protectors:

Noise: How discreet do you want to be?

Sometimes, there is a need for discretion. 🤫

But even if there isn't, there's nothing worse than a noisy bed that squeaks with every movement.

The ideal mattress for sex will limit noise.

All-foam beds will generally be the quietest, while very bouncy and responsive spring mattresses tend to be noisier, especially if they're of lower quality. 🎵

Hybrid mattresses are a good compromise.

Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine bounce with noiselessness

They feature pocketed coils and generally give you good bounce and responsiveness, but they also feature layers of foam, which help keep things quiet.

A high-quality pocket sprung mattress, perhaps even with a foam pillow top for extra comfort, is also a good choice. 👍

The Hypnia Supreme Hybrid mattress is an excellent hybrid option that combines pocket springs with a memory foam pillow top.

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

Durability: How long a mattress will last

Most mattresses have an expected lifespan of 8 - 10 years, but wear and tear - including frequent sexual activity - can "break it down" more quickly. 🤸‍♀️

That's why it's vital to choose high-quality, durable mattresses.

Generally, the higher the quality of your mattress, the more durable it will be and the longer it will last.

Most of the beds we recommend are high-quality mattresses that you can count on. 🧮

Time to replace your mattress
Worn mattresses will have to be replaced

But how do you determine quality?

  • For spring mattresses, consider the number of springs used. We'd recommend sticking to a minimum of 350 springs for the smallest available size.
  • For foam mattresses, consider the density of foams. We'd recommend sticking to a minimum density of 40 kg/m3.

The material used also plays a part.

Pocket sprung mattresses last the longest, followed by latex foam and memory foam. 🗓

Which type of mattress material is best for sex?

We've mentioned mattress materials throughout this article and, by now, you should have a good indication of which mattress materials are best for sex. 💋

But let's look at this again in more detail:

Advantages Disadvantages
Memory foam mattresses: Very comfortable, contouring, good pressure relief, quiet Difficult to move around on; store body heat; generally lack edge support
Latex foam mattresses: Comfortable, supportive, durable, breathable, and quiet Natural latex is generally very expensive
Innerspring mattresses: Supportive and breathable Cheaper options can be excessively noisy
Pocket sprung mattresses: Comfortable, supportive, durable, and breathable Not available as bed-in-a-box options
Hybrid mattresses: Comfortable, supportive, breathable, quiet Will store more heat than pocket sprung mattresses but not as much as foam mattresses

Our recommendation?

Unless you're adamant on foam or have the budget for a high-quality latex mattress, we'd suggest sticking to pocket sprung or hybrid mattresses. 🙌

These will offer you the best combination of support, comfort, breathability, and durability.

And this, in turn, makes them excellent mattresses for sexual activity.

They also happen to be great mattress choices to catch a good night's sleep. 💤

Wake up feeling refreshed

What's the best bed frame for sex?

While other accessories may influence comfort, your bed frame will influence the noise levels of your nighttime activities. 🛏

Padded bed frames and divan bases tend to be the quietest, but frames (especially wooden & metal frames) with slats have a tendency to squeak.

Well-designed frames, though, should also serve their purpose squeak-free.

Make sure to tighten your bed frame regularly and invest in a high-quality structure to provide a stable base for your mattress. 🔩

If you like the look of headboards, consider the following:

  • Floor-standing headboards may be more expensive but they're also more sturdy and quieter.
  • Strutted headboards are cheaper but they also tend to wobble a bit more.
  • If you want to add some play to your bedroom activities, it's best to opt for wooden or metal headboards.

Always look for the highest quality you can afford.

Some of our favourite beds:

Which pillows are best for sex?

Choosing a good mattress for sex may be the most important, but don't forget that your pillows play a role too.

A good pillow not only supports your head but can also come in handy to spice up your sex life. 🔥

As Tim Ferriss explains at length in The Four Hour Body, certain positions would require you to lie on a firmer pillow to lift your hips - or other body parts.

Nectar pillow with layers
Pillows with adjustable height and firmness are great options

So which pillow should you choose?

We'd recommend opting for a firmer adjustable pillow, like the Emma Premium pillow.

The Emma pillow contains individual layers of memory foam, and you can adjust both the height and the firmness of the pillow depending on how many layers you keep in the pillow cover. 🤩

This means that the pillow could prove very handy during sexual activity.

You could also try the Brightr Eclipse pillow, which is similar in style.

Read more about our favourite customisable pillows:

What bedding is best for sex?

Your mattress and pillow will fulfil more of a functional role during sexual activity, but your bed linen will affect your overall comfort. 🤗

After all, is there anything better than smooth and silky bedding?

We'd recommend opting for organic cotton bedding with a high thread count or even silk and bamboo bedding for more of a luxurious feel. ⭐️

Our favourite luxurious bedding:

So what's the best mattress for sex?

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best mattress for sex.

Ultimately, you want a mattress that's:

  • Bouncy and responsive
  • Supportive but comfortable
  • Temperature-neutral
  • Quiet
  • Durable

We'd recommend that you opt for pocket sprung or hybrid mattresses. 👍

But, don't forget that you also need a quality mattress that will allow for a great night's sleep.

Any of our top mattress choices will be a great fit.

Our favourite mattresses for sex:

Frequently asked questions

  • How much should a good mattress for sex cost?


    Budget does matter, but we'd recommend looking at higher-quality mattresses.

    Mattresses with too low a price point are unlikely to offer you what you're looking for.

    Thankfully, many quality mattresses - including the ones we recommend - offer exceptional value for money! 💰

    Most online sleep brands also offer frequent discounts and promotions.

    This means you'll get an even better deal on great new mattresses! 🤩

    Take a look at our discounts page for all the latest deals. 

  • Do mattresses bought online come with a trial period?


    Most bed-in-a-box mattresses come with a few unique features.

    These include:

    • Free delivery and returns
    • Risk-free trial periods
    • Attractive warranty conditions

    Our favourite mattresses all offer a sleep trial.

    This means that you can try out the bed in the comfort of your own home to see if it's the right fit for you. 🏘

    If it isn't, you can return it (free of charge) for a full refund.

    Most of our favourites also come with a 10-year warranty, so you're guaranteed to be getting a high-quality, durable product.

    Some of our favourites - like the Nectar and the DreamCloud - even come with a lifetime warranty!

  • Will my mattress last longer if I flip it regularly?


    Most modern-day mattresses are not flippable. 🙅‍♂️

    This is because they have a very distinct top-to-bottom composition, usually consisting of:

    • A top comfort layer
    • A core of foam or springs, and
    • A sturdy base layer.

    Even though these mattresses shouldn't be flipped, you should rotate them from head to toe every six months. 🗓

  • Can I buy popular American mattresses in the UK?


    If you've read up on great mattresses for sex, you've likely come across popular American brands like Saatva, Casper, Helix Sleep, and Layla. 🇺🇸

    You can order some of these from the US and ship them to the UK

    But we wouldn't recommend that.

    Many UK and European brands are just as great, cheaper, and come with less of a carbon footprint! 🌎

  • 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? 

Was this article helpful?
Yes
No

Thank you for your feedback. If you're ready for more, subscribe to our newsletter:

Message sent successfully - thank you for your feedback!
Oh no - message sending failed.

Why trust us?

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.
  • Approved by sleep experts: We collaborate with international sleep experts who train our team, review our articles, and provide invaluable insights on sleep health.
  • 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.
  • European market leader: We are proud to be the #1 review site in Europe, part of an expansive network that continues to grow across the globe.

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

>19,836 hours of research

>6 million people trust us

7 experts

#1 on the European market

Our favourite discounts:
You may also be interested in:
    s

    Yes, please!
    No, thank you. Take me to the UK site.

    We have an affiliate relationship with some manufacturers, where we receive a commission on sales if you click over from our site. This does not affect the purchasing price. In contrast: By using our discount codes, you'll get the best deal possible.