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Best Mattress for Sex

Ranked By Our Experts

Updated March 28, 2024

Why Trust Sleep Foundation

Sleep is fundamental, but it’s not the only activity that takes place in the bedroom.

For people with an active sex life, using their mattress is about more than just getting their nightly rest. However, when it comes to enabling intimacy, not all mattresses are created equal.

While no one would suggest neglecting the importance of sleep when selecting a new mattress, sex shouldn’t be overlooked either. Most people need a bed that is great for both, and in reality, the best mattress for sex is also a great mattress for sleep.

Trying to balance all of these mattress needs can seem complicated, and it’s not uncommon for mattress shoppers to start to feel overwhelmed. To make the process simple, our list of the top mattresses for sex offers a quick reference for standout options.

For customers who want to dig into the details, the rest of our guide explains what to look for when choosing a mattress so that your bedroom is ideal for all of its uses.

Want to see which mattresses are at the top of their class? Our guide to the best mattresses of 2024 includes our standout picks across different performance categories.

Best Mattress for Sex of 2024

Winkbed

The WinkBed’s hybrid design gives a luxurious plush feel balanced with solid support that couples will appreciate. Plus, this model’s coil core and moisture-wicking cover ensure a cool, temperature-controlled surface.

See The Top Pick

The Best Mattresses for Sex

In-Depth Reviews

How We Test: Rigor, Data, and Sleeper Feedback

Every sleeper has unique needs and preferences. We use an objective rating system to help you understand the pros and cons of each mattress, allowing you to make the best purchasing decision based on your personal criteria.

Since there is an established connection between the sleep products you choose and your overall sleep quality, our testing team thoroughly analyzes each mattress to determine who will benefit most from using it. We conduct these hands-on evaluations in our Seattle-based Test Lab using a four-part process, which is outlined below.

Construction analysis: We begin tests for each mattress by making note of firmness, height, layer composition, and other manufacturer specifications. This allows us to determine qualities like durability and overall support.

Product testing: Our team uses cutting-edge tools and technology to evaluate mattresses for motion isolation, pressure relief, temperature control, ease of movement, edge support, and odor potential. These six performance categories are key to our hands-on testing process.

Field testing: In addition to lab-based testing, we use feedback from field testers who use mattresses in their own homes. Data is collected over the course of several weeks to give us insights about each bed’s long-term performance.

User testing: We collect feedback from verified mattress owners through surveys and product reviews. This helps us fine-tune our ratings and ensure they reflect real-world experiences.

How Can Your Mattress Impact Sex?

Most sexual activity takes place in the privacy of the bedroom. As a result, the right mattress can contribute to an inviting setting for intimacy.

Having the optimal mix of feel and features – such as a comfortable firmness level, plenty of bounce, and minimal noise -– allows a mattress to be considered as one of the best mattresses for sex.

What to Look for in a Mattress

There can be a lot to think about when you’re shopping for a mattress, and the abundance of marketing claims and terminology can be a serious distraction.

Rather than try to process every single detail, it’s helpful to focus on the factors that are known to most directly affect customer satisfaction. Learning about these factors lets you understand how they apply in your case and which are the highest priorities for you.

Price:
No matter whether you’re focused on a mattress for sleep or sex, there’s still the bottom line to think about. Reflect on your budget and use that number to filter out options that are too expensive, keeping in mind that you can often score great discounts and promotions when shopping online. Direct-to-consumer mattresses sold online are often less expensive, since the manufacturer isn’t paying for showrooms and additional staff. These “mattress in a box” models are comparable to those sold in brick-and-mortar stores in terms of construction and performance and shipping is almost always included in your purchase price.

Sleeping Position:
How you sleep influences what you need from a mattress. If your sleeping posture puts more pressure on your hips and shoulders (side sleepers) or lower back (stomach and back sleepers), you’ll want to choose a mattress that accommodates those hot spots.

Mattress Type:
Some mattress types tend to be far better for promoting sex. For example, hybrid and all-latex mattresses more consistently offer the springiness that makes it easier to have sex on the mattress.

Responsiveness:
A responsive mattress quickly rebounds as you move around on it, springing back to its original shape when you remove your weight. As we’ve touched on throughout this guide, this bounciness is a key trait in the best mattresses for sex.

Contouring:
The ability of a mattress to cradle to fit around the body is known as contouring. Deeper contouring can enhance pressure relief, but it can also make it harder to move on the mattress. Foam, especially memory foam, is best known for deep contouring.

Quality Materials:
One of the most important factors that affects the durability of a mattress is the quality of the materials. This is doubly true for people with an active sex life who place more pressure on their mattress. Look for manufacturers who don’t cut corners in choosing top-end components.

Firmness Level:
There is no universal firmness that works for everyone; instead, it’s naturally subjective. That said, a mattress that is extremely plush tends to inhibit movement while a mattress that is too firm can create undue impact on the body during sex.

Pressure Relief:
A good mattress should help avoid the frustration of waking up with aches and pains, and it can do that by promoting spinal alignment. The right amount of pressure relief keeps certain parts of the body from being pushed out of line with the rest of the body.

Motion Isolation:
Couples who want a good mattress for sex also often place an emphasis on above-average motion isolation. Motion isolation prevents a movement on one side of the bed from having a sleep-disturbing ripple effect that is felt on the other side.

Edge Support:
One never knows exactly how any lovemaking session will play out, and being able to utilize the whole mattress surface keeps more possibilities open. Without strong edge support, it may feel like you’ll accidentally fall or roll out of the bed. Hybrids, innersprings, and latex mattresses tend to offer the best edge support.

Temperature Regulation:
Based on their designs and materials, some mattresses have a propensity to gather heat at night. As that heat collects around the body, it can mean waking up in a bothersome sweat. Latex beds, hybrids, and mattresses with temperature control features tend to be the best fit for people who tend to sleep hot.

Noise:
A noisy mattress can be problematic for both sex and sleep. Squeaking can be distracting during intimate moments and can foil attempts at discretion. A creaky mattress can also spur disruptions for people who stir easily at night. Foam mattresses tend to be the quietest and innersprings the loudest.

Which Type of Mattress is Best for Sex?

Some kinds of mattresses, such as hybrid and latex options, are more reliable when it comes to enabling sexual activity. But this doesn’t mean that only these mattresses are conducive to sex.

To categorize the beds on the market, we break them down into one of five mattress types based on their internal construction. This enables a big-picture view of the pros and cons of each type, but at the same time, it’s important to remember that individual models within each category can break from the norm based on the exact nature of their materials and design.

Hybrid

Definition: There are two fundamental components that are found in any hybrid mattress. These include a coil-based support core and a sizable comfort system. The comfort system can be one layer or a combination of layers and may include micro-coils, memory foam, polyfoam, latex, and fabrics like cotton, polyester, and wool.
A Bouncy Base: Because all hybrids have an innerspring support core, there is almost always a base level of bounce in these mattresses that makes them good for sex. That responsiveness is then complemented by the features of the comfort system like pressure relief and motion isolation.

Innerspring

Definition: An innerspring mattress has a coil-based construction and few other components. While there may be a thin fabric cover or pillow-top, there is no substantial comfort system, and virtually all support from the mattress is provided by the coils themselves.
Unadulterated Bounce: For customers who want an extra-bouncy mattress, an innerspring is a top choice. These beds lack pressure relief, though, so they tend to best serve people who want lots of responsiveness and have no major pressure points or hot spots for pain.

Latex

Definition: All of the interior layers of these mattresses are made with latex. The majority use natural latex, which is made with either the Dunlop or Talalay process. Several different latex layers with distinct feels may be arranged to distinguish between the support core and comfort system.
Contouring With Responsiveness: Latex is known for its responsiveness, making it nearly effortless to move on top of these mattresses. At the same time, the material can provide moderate cradling to support the spine and isolate motion.

Airbed

Definition: In an airbed, the support core is made with an adjustable air chamber. Adding or removing air (using a smartphone or hand-held control) changes the firmness. A comfort system may be placed above this chamber and can use memory foam, polyfoam, latex, or other fabrics.
Set Firmness To Suit Sex and Sleep: People with an airbed can easily adjust the way their mattress feels. For people who want to sleep on a Firm bed but prefer a slightly softer feel for sex, these types of adjustments are simple on an airbed.

Foam

Definition: In a foam mattress, all layers are foam, and there are no coils in the design. Foam materials employed can include memory foam, polyfoam, or latex. High-density base polyfoam is the standard support core in these beds.
A Supportive Surface: Foam beds are popular because of how the material can compress in response to the body’s weight. This boosts pressure relief during sleep and can decrease impact on the body during sex.

Which Mattress Firmness is Best for Sex?

Getting the right firmness level is important for sex. To compare firmness across mattress brands, we use a scale of 1-10 in which 10 is the hardest. In general, mattresses from medium soft (4) to firm (7) are best for sex:

If a mattress is extremely soft, it may feel like it is giving out beneath you during sex. This problem can be even worse near the edge of the mattress.
If a mattress is extremely firm, it can be painful to move on, especially for higher-impact movements during sex.

Other factors beyond firmness, like the type of mattress and its responsiveness, can influence whether a mattress is good for sex.

Firmness preferences are highly subjective and are also variable based on a person’s body weight. But the good news is that the range of medium soft to firm tends to best suit most people during sleep as well as sex.

Last Things to Consider with Mattresses and Sex

After reading up on the mattress types and key factors for choosing a mattress, you’re well-armed with the information you need to buy a great mattress. Before making a final decision, though, there are two other topics to review.

Bed Frames

To set up your bed, you’ll need to place the mattress on something. A quality frame can add stability and support to your mattress as well as style to your bedroom. If your current bed frame is wearing down or noisy, consider upgrading the frame at the same time that you purchase your new mattress.

Bedding

If you want a romantic and comfortable setting for sex, it can be useful to think about your bedding. Soft sheets can make a mattress feel more luxurious, and breathable ones can help wick-away moisture when things start getting steamy. If you’re truly wanting to take your bedroom to the next level, consider whether your current bedding is up to the task.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

If you’re still not quite sure which mattress is right for you, take a look at our guides below categorized by mattresses that target specific pain points.

Best Mattress by Specific Purpose

Still have questions?

Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market.

Send an email to [email protected] with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Written By

Jackson Lindeke, Executive Product Director

Jackson leads editorial product recommendations at Sleep Foundation, transforming the data from our sleep product test lab into real world takeaways for consumers. He has spent over half a decade developing protocol to evaluate and measure the impacts of products on sleep quality. As a cited sleep product expert, Jackson helps guide millions of shoppers to find personalized recommendations for everything from pillows to bedding to mattresses.

Learn more about our Editorial Team

On This Page:

The Best Mattresses for Sex

In-Depth Reviews

Best Mattress Overall

WinkBed

Most Comfortable Mattress

DreamCloud Mattress

Best Value Mattress

Nectar Mattress

Best Luxury Mattress

Helix Dusk Luxe

Best Mattress for Bounce

Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid

Best Temperature-Regulating Mattress

Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Nolah Evolution 15

Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Best Mattress for Lumbar Support

Bear Elite Hybrid

Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers

Emma Hybrid Comfort