The Best Beds for Couples

Finding the perfect mattress is a challenge for anyone. Let’s be honest, there are a lot of options to choose from, and every year mattress technology evolves. The sheer volume of choice can be daunting, but when you and your partner are trying to choose a new mattress together, the task is even more difficult. But hey, it’s also a good exercise in compromise!

Here’s how we recommend finding a mattress you’ll both love.

How to shop for a mattress as a couple

First things first. As a couple, you need to agree on how you will shop for a mattress together. If you can agree on the process, you’ll have an easier time getting to the right solution. Start by clearly stating what you each like and don’t like in a mattress. If you currently share a bed, evaluate that mattress and and list what works and what doesn’t work about it. This is a good starting point. If your lists aren’t similar, prioritize what matters to you most and come up with a few must-have features. You should also determine features you definitely aren’t interested in.

Once you’ve gotten a head start on your search criteria, you can discuss budget and which mattress size is right for you. More on that next.

How to decide which mattress size is right for you

We don’t recommend that couples share anything smaller than a queen size mattress. In fact, if your bedroom is large enough for a king size bed, we almost always recommend upgrading to a larger mattress.

While a queen mattress is good for couples who need to maximize the living space in their bedroom, a king mattress is about 16 inches wider than a queen, and it’s the closest a couple can come to having the amount of personal space each if you would have in a twin bed. If you or your partner is a light sleeper, if you go to bed at different times, or if one of you tosses and turns, a king size bed can save you a few precious hours of sleep a night. Which, over the course of a few years, will save you many grumpy mornings.

When foam is (and isn’t) the best option

Foam mattresses are a great option for couples, especially when one partner is a light sleeper. Unlike innerspring mattresses, movement is pretty isolated in foam mattresses. If one partner gets up in the middle of the night, for example, it’s less likely that the person sleeping will feel much of that movement on a foam mattress. The same goes for sleeping with a partner who tosses and turns or comes to bed at a different time.

If you have a difficult time staying cool at night, new temperature-regulating foam mattresses can prevent you from getting overheated, even when your partner wants to cuddle.

For people who enjoy the movement-minimizing power of memory foam, but enjoy the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, a hybrid mattress is the perfect compromise. And no sacrifice required — you get the best of both worlds.  

If foam isn’t your thing, test out a mattress constructed of individually wrapped coils with a hand-tufted upholstery layer of natural silk, wool and cashmere fiber to add comfort while wicking away moisture.

Shopping for a new mattress together

When you’re ready to test new mattresses, make the time to go together. Try out a few different mattresses together so you can get a feel for how much room you have, how much of your partner’s movement you can detect, and whether or not each mattress meets both of your must-have criteria.