The 10 Best Mattresses for Sex in January 2022, According to Expert Reviews

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If you're shopping for a new mattress, you already know it's important to choose an option that suits your particular sleep needs. But what about your sex life?

While most couples enjoy using their mattress for more than just sleep, if your mattress makes having sex uncomfortable or even painful, the amount of times you and your partner get it on could go down significantly—and that can impact your health.

So what do you need to look for in a mattress if you want to improve your sex life? We've compiled the essential information you need to evaluate your options and choose the best mattress for you. We've also listed the best options on the market today based on over 500 hours of lab testing by the expert review team at Mattress Advisor. Even better: Every one of the mattresses on this list fulfills key factors for sex like bounciness, noise control, and temperature regulation to make spicing up your sex life that much easier.

Our recommendations:

Best Overall Mattress: Saatva Classic
Best Bounce: Helix Midnight
Best Latex Mattress: GhostBed Classic
Best Value Mattress: Nectar
Best Innerspring Mattress: The WinkBed
Best Luxury Mattress: DreamCloud
Best Cooling Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
Most Responsive Mattress: Puffy Lux
Best Mattress for Back Pain: Casper Wave Hybrid
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief: Birch by Helix

How does a mattress affect sex?

When it comes to getting your best night's sleep, you might look for good spine alignment, cooling properties, or super comfy memory foam. But when it comes to doing the deed, other factors that affect a bed's feel may be more important. For instance, a mattress with some bounce might not help you catch those Z's, but it can make other things more fun.

You'll also need a highly durable bed that won't wear down easily so you can have all the fun you want without fear of sinking and sagging. Comfort is also key—nothing kills the mood like a too-hard mattress, or feeling like you're sinking into quicksand. Look for a happy medium that keeps you both comfortable whilst romping about.

By resting on a mattress that supports a healthy sex life, you're benefitting other aspects of your well-being as well.

"Appropriate, restful sleep is a critical component to healthy sexual function," says Maureen Whelihan, MD, FACOG at Elite GYN Care of the Palm Beaches. "Improving your sex life can have a positive impact on many aspects of your life including lowering your blood pressure, improving both physical and pelvic health, and reducing stress and elevating your mood."

Check out more of the key factors that make some mattresses better for sex than others.

How to find the best mattress for sex

Bounciness

One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a new bed to spice up your sex life is bounce. Several factors can affect bounciness, including the material and firmness of the mattress. Innerspring mattresses tend to be the bounciest option because they're made with an interconnected network of springs that are naturally bouncy.

On the other end of the spectrum, the best memory foam mattresses are made to alleviate pressure points and decrease bounce, which might make them less preferable for sexual activity. Latex mattresses fall somewhere in the middle, typically bouncier than memory foam but less bouncy than innerspring.

If you prefer memory foam for sleeping, but still want the best mattress for sex, it is possible to compromise. One option is a hybrid mattress, which combines the best qualities of memory foam and innerspring mattresses. This type of mattress will typically include a base of coils for bounciness with added layers of foam to provide contouring and cushion for sleeping.

The firmness of a mattress can also affect the bounce factor. A plush innerspring mattress may offer more cushion for sleeping while still providing the bounce you need for getting it on, or you can choose a firm memory foam option that's highly responsive. Instead of hugging your body and preventing that fun bounce, firm memory foam mattresses spring back quickly and can provide both comfort and bounce.Learn more about how to find the best firm mattress for your sleep style.

Noise

Nothing kills the mood like the insistent squeak of a noisy mattress. Plus, many sexually active couples don't live alone. Whether it's kids, roommates, or parents, a noisy mattress can be a real deterrent to a healthy sex life. So what's the best way to avoid that tell-tale squeak?

Stay away from innerspring mattresses and box springs. Instead, opt for a memory foam or natural latex mattress on a built platform, rather than a box spring or metal bed frame.

Temperature regulation

Another big mood killer is excessive heat or sweat, and the wrong mattress can make this a big problem. Some mattresses retain lots of body heat, which can make sex hot (in a bad way). To avoid this, you should look for a cooling mattress with good breathability. Breathable mattresses disperse excess body heat to regulate the temperature and keep you cool, whether you're sleeping or not.

Memory foam mattresses tend to retain the most heat, though some use a cooling gel memory foam to reduce heat retention. Latex mattresses are very breathable thanks to the way they're aerated, and innerspring mattresses naturally provide great breathability as well due to the ample spaces left between the coils.

Edge support

Finally, when looking for the best mattress for sex, you should definitely consider edge support to prevent you and your partner from rolling off the side of the bed (ouch).

Generally, memory foam and latex tend to have weaker edge support than innerspring or hybrid mattresses, but there are definitely exceptions to that rule. Some brands make a point to add great edge support to their memory foam or latex mattresses, and other brands fail to uphold high edge support standards for innerspring or hybrid mattresses.

The 10 best mattresses for sex

01 of 10

Best Overall Mattress: Saatva Classic

BUY IT, $887 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,695)

The Saatva Classic performed well in the Mattress Advisor testing lab across key areas important to couples: responsiveness (8.5/10), cooling (9/10), and edge support (10/10). It also comes in multiple firmness options fit for a variety of sleep positions and preferences. This hybrid bed is made with individually wrapped coils, memory foam, and a base layer of interconnected coils for maximum bounce. You and your partner will be able to move easily across the entire surface of the mattress without overheating.

Saatva also saves you some sweat setting up your new mattress—it's one of the few online mattress companies to offer complimentary delivery and setup.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 9.3/10
Firmness: Plush-soft (3/10), luxury-firm (6/10), and firm (8/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 180 nights

02 of 10

Best Bounce: Helix Midnight

BUY IT, $999 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,099)

Possibly the most important factor when it comes to finding the best mattress for sex is bounce. Without a healthy bounce, movement can be difficult and awkward, making for less-than-ideal lovemaking. The Mattress Advisor team ran several tests on countless mattresses and found that the Helix Midnight is one of the most responsive mattresses on the market. Individually wrapped coils provide most of the bounce, but the top two layers of foam, including a pressure-relieving foam and a cushioning polyfoam, are also surprisingly springy.

When you and your partner are in the mood, the Helix Midnight allows plenty of ease of movement, and when you're ready for sleep, it provides ideal healthy spine alignment and pressure relief. It's the best of both worlds.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 8.9/10
Firmness: Medium (5.5/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 100 nights

03 of 10

Best Latex Mattress: GhostBed Classic

BUY IT, $977 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,395)

Latex mattresses are a great option for sex because they're inherently cool and responsive. The GhostBed Classic earned top marks in both these categories (an 8.5 out of 10) due to its layer of bouncy synthetic latex, which is sandwiched between high-density memory foam and a proprietary cooling cover. This thoughtful use of materials makes switching positions so much easier. Though latex beds are typically pricier than any other mattress types, a queen-size GhostBed will cost you less than $1,400.

If you have more room in your budget, check out the GhostBed Luxe, featuring additional layers of memory foam and a unique "Ghost Ice" fabric cover that's cold to the touch. You and your partner won't want to leave the bedroom.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and latex)
Mattress Advisor Score: 9/10
Firmness: Firm (7.5/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 101 nights

04 of 10

Best Value Mattress: Nectar

BUY IT, $899 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,298)

You might have heard that Nectar is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers, but this affordable memory foam option is also a fantastic bed for sex. The Nectar is cooling, durable, and highly responsive (earning an 8.5/10 in the testing lab). That means it has a good bounce, even though it's made with three different types of memory foam, a material that's traditionally not great for sex. A gel memory foam layer also prevents the overheating that's commonly associated with memory foam, although hot sleepers may want to explore other mattress types, such as a hybrid or an innerspring. Can't decide whether you like the Nectar? No worries. Unlike other memory foam mattresses, it comes with a full calendar year for you to determine if it lights your fire—and your partner's.

Mattress Type: Memory Foam
Mattress Advisor Score: 8.7/10
Firmness: Medium-firm (6/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 365 nights

05 of 10

Best Innerspring Mattress: The WinkBed

BUY IT, $1,499 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,799)

Innerspring mattresses are great for sex because of their bouncy nature and breathability—and The WinkBed doesn't disappoint in either department. Made from a sturdy base of pocketed coils that spring back against your movements, this mattress quickly adapts to changes in position. That means less work for you and your partner: The WinkBed's high level of responsiveness (it earned a 9 out of 10 in this category) helps you maintain your rhythm during sex. Plus, the mattress comes with a cooling gel-infused foam pillow top, which keeps the surface of the bed cool and comfortable while you romp around. For eco-conscious sleepers, WinkBeds's EcoCloud mattress might be a better fit. It features natural Talalay latex and organic cotton yet still provides plenty of bounce.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 8.6/10
Firmness: Soft (4.5/10), luxury-firm (6.5/10), firm (7.5/10), and plus (8/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 120 nights

06 of 10

Best Luxury Mattress: DreamCloud

BUY IT, $999 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,598)

If you crave the ultra-luxe feeling of sleeping in a hotel bed at home, then the DreamCloud is worth a look. Its cozy cashmere cover is good for snuggling, and the cooling gel-infused foam keeps couples comfortable when things get steamy. The DreamCloud's springy coils earned it a 9 out of 10 in responsiveness from the testers at Mattress Advisor. If you need more cuddlesome layers for spooning, the newer DreamCloud Premier mattress comes with a plush, 2-inch pillow top.

You'll get a generous lifetime warranty with your purchase of the DreamCloud, giving you and your partner added peace of mind with your mattress purchase.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 9.1/10
Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 365 nights

07 of 10

Best Cooling Mattress: Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid

BUY IT, $1,312 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $1,749)

During sex, many things happen to your body: Your heart races, your blood vessels widen, and one steamy half-hour session can burn about 100 calories. Luckily, some mattresses contain materials designed to keep you cool as you work up a sweat. One of those beds happens to be the Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid, which features a base of individually wrapped coils topped with high-density memory foam. The coils promote airflow through the center of the mattress, and a plush cooling cover and gel-infused memory foam layer help you stay comfortable as you roll around. The materials also work together to break up heat retention. Overall, the Brooklyn Aurora scored a 9.5 out of 10 in cooling from the experts at Mattress Advisor. However, if pressure relief is the most important factor to you, check out the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid instead.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 8.9/10
Firmness: Soft (3/10), medium (5/10), and firm (7/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 120 nights

08 of 10

Most Responsive Mattress: Puffy Lux Mattress

BUY IT, $1,699 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $2,449)

There's nothing worse than reaching for your partner during a moment of passion and finding yourself sinking into your mattress, unable to move. Although this mattress has a cushy foam surface, it won't cradle you or restrict your movements. Rather, the Puffy Lux provides a little bounce. It scored well in responsiveness (9.25/10), meaning you and your partner can easily maneuver around the mattress, rather than sink into it. With an 8.75 out of 10 score for durability, the Puffy Lux is designed to hold up against many active nights in bed. The combination of coils and high-density foam create a sturdy structure. Plus, unlike most mattresses purchased online, this bed comes with a lifetime warranty.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 9.3/10
Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 101 nights

09 of 10

Best Mattress for Back Pain: Casper Wave Hybrid

BUY IT, $1,795 FOR A QUEEN (WAS $2,895)

The beautiful thing about hybrid mattresses is that they deliver the benefits of memory foam, latex, and innersprings in a single bed—and the Casper Wave Hybrid is one of the best, according to Mattress Advisor's 14-point test. The mattress scored 9 or 10 in a dozen different categories, including cooling and responsiveness. That's because its base layer of individually wrapped coils provides airflow and excellent bounce that's equally good for sex and sleep. Plus, three layers of memory foam cradle areas of the body that feel more pressure during sex, like the lower back. Speaking of which, the Casper Wave features zoned support that allows your shoulders and hips to sink gently into the mattress while supporting your spine in its natural "S" curve—the perfect remedy for back pain. Finally, the latex layer adds breathability to increase airflow and reduce heat buildup.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 9.3/10
Firmness: Medium (5/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 100 nights

10 of 10

Best Mattress for Pressure Relief: Birch

BUY IT, $1,699 FOR A QUEEN

Whenever you're done getting busy, you'll want to recline on a cozy sleep surface. The Birch by Helix uses Talalay latex—a naturally pressure-relieving material—to soothe tension from your hips and shoulders. It earned an 8 out of 10 in pressure relief from the testers at Mattress Advisor. A bed of pocketed coils lies beneath the latex, so you don't miss out on support. The coils promote a neutral spine, which helped earn this bed an impressive 8.5 out of 10 spine alignment score.

The Birch comes with a 25-year warranty to protect your purchase, which is well above the industry standard of a 10- to 15-year warranty. Plus with Birch's high score in durability (8.5/10), chances are high you won't need the added assurance anyway.

Mattress Type: Hybrid (latex and coils)
Mattress Advisor Score: 8.7/10
Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5/10)
Trial Period for Returns: 100 nights

Mattress Advisor's Review Process

Each mattress on this list was put to the test (literally) in Mattress Advisor's lab, which is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bedding experts spent over 1,200 hours evaluating and comparing mattresses using a 14-point testing methodology to locate the best mattresses for sex on the market.

While some of the factors tested are tied directly to performance, like responsiveness, edge support, and pressure relief, others are based around brand operations, such as customer service, shipping policies, and trial period. The Mattress Advisor team combines this proprietary methodology with in-depth interviews and customer experience to arrive at a weighted score out of 10.

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