Best Mattresses for Sex

Written by Loren Bullock, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Here at Mattress Nerd, we’ve tested hundreds of mattresses to bring you unbiased, expert reviews of the top brands. Learn more.

In This Article

We’ll provide some recommendations for folks shopping for a mattress that accommodates more activities than just sleep.

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Looking for the best mattress for sex? We can help. Not all mattresses are perfect for all needs, so we investigated to find which mattresses are best for a wide range of needs, sexual activity being one of them.

There are certain factors to consider when choosing a mattress as a couple and one of them is sex. A mattress with good response time will give some extra bounce and respond to your movements. Another is the noise. A mattress that makes a lot of noise during movement could be embarrassing, particularly if you share your home and the floor plan is not split. Another consideration is temperature. Sex is a cardiovascular activity, so a bed that provides air circulation and cooling comfort will be best. Finally, a mattress with good durability is key so it will hold up well over time and not take on excessive wear and tear.

In this article, we will review the best mattresses for sex as well as the important factors to keep an eye out for when you go to buy a mattress. Finally, we will review the best types of mattress for sex and why you should be shopping for a mattress for both sleep and sex. 

Bottom Line: What’s the Best Mattress for Sex?

Our expert mattress testers chose the Saatva Classic Mattress as the Nerd’s Pick for the best mattress for sex due to its durable construction, springy coil system, and exceptional edge support that you, and your partner, should appreciate.

The Best Mattresses for Sex

• Nerd’s Pick—Saatva Classic Mattress
• Best Value Mattress for Sex—Helix Dusk Mattress
• Best Memory Foam Mattress for Sex—Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
• Best Latex Mattress for Sex—Nolah Natural Mattress
• Best Hybrid Mattress for Sex – Emma CliMax Hybrid Mattress
• Best Mattress for Heavy People and Sex—WinkBed Plus Mattress
• Best Mattress for Back Support and Sex—Titan Plus Mattress
• Best Cooling Mattress for Sex– Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress
• Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Sex– Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
• Best Organic Mattress for Sex– Birch Luxe Mattress

Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

When compiling our list for the best mattresses for sex, our Certified Sleep Science Coaches performed hands-on testing to evaluate elements like motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief.

The models on this list were tested by our team of expert product testers and received their esteemed stamp of approval based on performance results. To learn more, check out our review process.

Nerd’s Pick: Saatva

This hybrid innerspring mattress is perfect for anything that may happen in the bedroom. It has the cloud-like feel of a pillow-top, with an added bounce from the coils needed to support your amorous activities. 

Saatva uses reinforced edge support technology so you can use every inch of the mattress for all your activities. Plus, when it’s time to drift off to dreamland, aches and pains won’t be on your mind because of Saatva’s spinal zone technology.

Pros of the Saatva Classic Mattress

• Multiple firmness options means this bed works for all sleeping positions and body types
• Great pressure relief for those with back pain
• Responsive enough for combination sleepers
• Exceptional edge support for a sturdy mattress perimeter

Cons of the Saatva Classic Mattress

• Not the best at motion isolation
• Expensive

How We Select Our Nerd’s Pick

When choosing our Editor’s Pick, aka our “Nerd’s Pick”, we consider factors that affect all kinds of mattress shoppers— such as price, durability, and company policies. We believe that for the widest range of people prioritizing a mattress for sex, the Saatva Classic is the best option. However, we encourage you to read each of these mini-reviews to make sure there isn’t a better mattress for your specific needs.

What our testers say: “The Saatva Classic delivers the most value for the least amount of money. You get luxury materials, a durable construction, and the choice of multiple firmnesses to make you, and your partner, happy!” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Saatva mattress review to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Saatva mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses of 2023 for more great options. 

Best Value Mattress for Sex: Helix Dusk

There are a few important things to consider when shopping for a mattress to do more than just sleep on; the Helix Dusk checks all those boxes, plus it will give you a great night’s rest when it is finally time to catch some zzz’s. 

With reinforced edge support, you can use the entire surface of the bed without ever feeling like you are going to fall off. In addition to pressure relieving technology, the mattress is extremely breathable to keep you cool throughout the night. Available at a great price for a hybrid mattress the Helix Dusk has the perfect amount of bounce that won’t make you feel stuck in the mattress but can isolate motion well when it is time for bed.

Pros of the Helix Dusk Mattress

• Our performance tests showed great results for back sleepers of all body types
• Supportive enough to keep the hips of stomach sleepers elevated for optimal spinal alignment
• Average weight folks will receive nice pressure relief from the top foams, regardless of sleeping position

Cons of the Helix Dusk Mattress

• Lightweight side sleepers may experience pressure build up in the shoulders and hips

What our testers say: “With this mattress, you get Helix’s patented Dynamic Foam, a bouncy latex-foam alternative, as its top comfort layer. This means that you’ll get a very responsive bed surface for moving around with ease.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

See our Helix Dusk mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Helix Dusk mattress, check out our list of the most affordable mattresses for more great options. 

Best Memory Foam Mattress for Sex: Nectar Premier Copper

The Nectar Premier Copper Mattress is a great option for those who value pressure relief and the comfort that a memory foam mattress offers. Moderately hot sleepers will also appreciate the cooling benefits of this bed versus other typical memory foam beds.

As far as position recommendations, back, side, and combination sleepers should find this to be a great solution. Nectar is offering a 365-night trial period with free shipping and a lifetime warranty. 

Pros of the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress

• Performs great for average-weight back and side sleepers
• Very responsive for combination sleepers
• Hot sleepers that still want a memory foam bed won’t experience as much heat retention on this bed versus others like it

Cons of the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress

• Not the best edge support
• Not firm enough for average to heavyweight stomach or side sleepers

What our testers say: “If you’re set on a memory foam bed, this will be one of the better options that will still give you a decent level of responsiveness.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Nectar Premier Copper mattress review to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our list of the best memory foam mattresses for more great options.

Best Latex Mattress for Sex: Nolah Natural

The Nolah Natural is great for sex because it is a very quiet mattress and latex proves more durable over time compared to traditional foam. The latex layer of the mattress is conforming yet responsive, providing excellent pressure relief.

The individually wrapped coils should provide you and your partner with plenty of bounce for whatever nighttime activities you get into. When it’s time for rest, you’ll be sure to get restful and restorative sleep on the Nolah Natural. It is an excellent mattress all around, and also provides an affordable eco-friendly surface that serves more purposes than sleeping.

Pros of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• Great spinal alignment for back and stomach sleepers
• Latex will be naturally cooling for hot sleepers
• Sufferers of back pain will receive nice pressure relief from this option
• Industry leading policies that protect your purchase

Cons of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• Not pressure relieving enough for lightweight side sleepers

What our testers say: “The Nolah Natural’s bouncy latex construction and coils are super responsive, letting you move around and change positions with ease.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Nolah Natural mattress review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Nolah Natural mattress, check out our list of the best latex mattresses for more great options.

Best Hybrid Mattress for Sex: Emma CliMax Hybrid

It’s important to be able to move around with ease while you’re having sex. The Emma CliMax is a hybrid mattress with exceptional responsiveness, so it keeps up with your position changes and won’t make you feel like you’re sinking below the surface. 

Also, unlike most hybrid mattresses of this quality, the CliMax can be purchased for under $1,000. Worried a mattress that cheap won’t last you long? We gave it a 4.5/5 on our durability test, indicating that it can maintain its structural integrity for many years if properly taken care of. 

Pros of the Emma CliMax Mattress

• The Emma CliMax is a great option for back sleepers of all sizes, thanks to its hybrid design of supportive coils and contouring memory foam
• The layer of individually-pocketed coils give this mattress a lifted and bouncy feel that’s conducive for combination sleepers
• You’ll get plenty of support to keep stomach sleepers’ hips from sinking down and throwing off their spinal alignment

Cons of the Emma CliMax Mattress

• The CliMax is responsive and offers that extra bounce for bedtime activities— but it doesn’t excel at motion isolation
• Not the best at relieving pressure, especially for lightweight side sleepers

What our testers say: “The best mattresses for sex are quiet, responsive, and cooling. With that in mind, this mattress has everything you (and your partner) could ask for.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Emma CliMax Hybrid mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Emma CliMax Hybrid, check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses for more great options.

Best Mattress for Heavy People and Sex: WinkBed Plus

The hybrid design of the WinkBed Plus is designed to support heavier sleepers while keeping them on top of the mattress and not stuck inside foam layers. For larger couples, the foam provides pressure relief and the coil construction supports the hips and back. Those who find themselves overheating at night can relax on the Tencel cover that wicks away heat and additional airflow from the coils. Movement around the bed is facilitated by high-density polyfoam edge support and durable latex keeps the sleeper bouncing on top of the mattress.

Pros of the WinkBed Plus Mattress

• Firm enough to support heavy body types overtime
• Great option for stomach and back sleepers of all weights
• The several layers of cooling foam and the breathable base layer of pocketed coils make this a great option for hot sleepers

Cons of the WinkBed Plus Mattress

• Be weary if you’re a light sleeper and need exceptional motion isolation
• Most lightweight side sleepers won’t be able to sink down into this solid mattress to get the cushioning and pressure relief they need.
• Since the WinkBed Plus is one of the firmest hybrid beds on the market, it isn’t the most pressure relieving

What our testers say: “The WinkBed Plus is made for heavier sleepers, and it has reinforced coils at its base. So, if you’re looking for a bed that’s built to last and is responsive enough to handle lots of movement along the bed’s surface, this is one of the best options out there.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

See our WinkBed Plus mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the WinkBed mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people for more great options.

Best Mattress for Back Support and Sex: Titan Plus

The unique pairing of high-quality foam with support coils creates an excellent balance between comfort and mobility to better enable sexual activity. And when it’s time for sleep, this bed will help those worked out muscles and joints to recover cooly and comfortably with its cooling gel memory foam.

Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress

• Supportive enough for heavy body types
• Medium-firm firmness level showed great results for all sleeping positions during our testing
• Very responsive for combination sleepers

Cons of the Titan Plus Mattress

• Not the best motion isolation for light sleepers who get disturbed by their partner’s movements
• Edge support could be better for those who need a sturdy edge to their bed

What our testers say: “The Titan Plus’s hybrid construction was made to be supportive and durable. Our testing showed great pressure relief and spinal alignment results for back sleepers of all body types.”  – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus mattress review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Brooklyn Bedding mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for back pain for more great options.

Best Cooling Mattress for Sex: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

When having sex, it can be easy to get overheated to the point of discomfort. After a few minutes of physical activity, your body will warm up, but the optimal sleep temperature is cooler. In the interest of hot sleepers, this mattress offers a cover infused with Phase Change Material, which draws heat from the body. Plus, you’ll get gel-infused cooling foam, and coils to promote airflow. 

Whether you’re changing your sleeping position or your sex position, the Aurora Luxe mattress has your back. Because of its near-perfect ease-of-movement score (4.5/5), shifting, moving, or switching positions can be done with ease. 

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress

• Multiple firmness options allow for more personalization
• Responsive enough for combination sleepers to freely move along the bed’s surface without feeling stuck
• Cooling materials should help hot sleepers stay comfortable while sleeping

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress

• Not the best motion isolation, so be weary if you’re a light sleeper and wake easily to movement
• Expensive

What our testers say: “Choosing between three firmness options allows you and your partner to customize your overall feel. We tested the medium firmness level and felt lifted on top of the bed’s surface, but still experienced enough cushion to get some nice pressure relief.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review to learn more! For additional options, head on over to our roundup for the best cooling mattresses.

Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Sex: Bear Elite Hybrid

Another mattress for athletes, the Bear Elite Hybrid’s Medium model is a 6/10 on the firmness scale and constructed with premium foams paired with sturdy pocketed coils. With this construction, the Bear Elite Hybrid is a mattress that’s the best of both worlds. It also has a specialized Celliant cover that works to provide pressure relief for joints and relieve achy muscles.

The unique pairing of high-quality foam with support coils creates an excellent balance between comfort and mobility to better enable sexual activity. And when it’s time for sleep, this bed will help those worked out muscles and joints to recover comfortably with its hypersoft cooling gel foam.

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

• Works for hot sleepers
• Patented materials can aid in muscle recovery while sleeping
• Performance testing showed great pressure relief and spinal alignment for back sleepers

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

• Heavyweight stomach sleepers may not receive adequate support
• Not the best edge support for seniors or those with mobility issues
• On the pricier side if you’re trying to stick to a budget

What our testers say: “The Bear Elite has a good balance of sink and lift, meaning that the mattress’s hand-quilted top layer has enough cushioning to feel soft but also gives enough support from the coils below.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.

Best Organic Mattress for Sex: Birch Luxe

The only thing that’s better than a good mattress for sex is the best organic mattress. If you’re like me and want to know what you’re sleeping on– and, well, doing other things on –then the Birch Luxe is the bed for you. 

It has latex foam in its comfort layer and steel coils in its support layer, so the Birch Luxe has that responsive feel that’s bouncy and prevents sleepers from sinking into the material. This allows for ease of movement during amorous activities. The Birch Luxe also features organic cotton and wool in its first layers. These quality materials earned the Birch Luxe many different certifications that confirm the Birch Luxe is ethically produced with safe materials.

Pros of the Birch Luxe Mattress

• Great option for back and stomach sleepers of all body types
• Hot sleepers will be comfortable thanks to the breathable coils and naturally cooling latex
• Durable materials and 25-year warranty means your mattress should exceed the typical seven year lifespan

Cons of the Birch Luxe Mattress

• Our pressure map testing did not show proper pressure relief to side sleepers of light to average body weight
• Due to the all natural materials and hybrid construction, the Birch Luxe is on the pricer side

What our testers say: “The Birch Luxe’s responsive design, edge support, and cooling materials make the mattress more usable and comfortable for sex.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

See our Birch Luxe mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Birch Luxe mattress, check out our list of the best organic mattresses for more great options. 

What Makes a Mattress Great for Sex?

Responsiveness

When you’re choosing the best mattress for sex, you’ll want to look for features that promote responsiveness. This ensures the mattress is moving with you and you aren’t fighting against it to get the traction you need. Mattresses that overly soft and lack support will leave you feeling as though you’re sinking which is not optimal for sex. 

Bounce

Bounce is a sub-feature of responsiveness. During sex, you want to be sure you can move properly and have a mattress that will react to and support your movements. A responsive mattress is going to naturally have a bit more bounce to it which will support these activities by giving you some extra lift. 

Noise

A trade-off to a mattress with more responsiveness and bounce is noise. Mattresses with excellent responsiveness tend to be a bit noisier. So if this is a factor that concerns you, a great option might be a hybrid mattress that is both quieter due to the foam, yet still has reasonable responsiveness due to the innerspring or pocket coils. 

Durability

We all want our mattresses to last a long time. After all, they are an investment. We want to know we’re getting our money’s worth especially if we are particularly active on our mattress. The more activity taking place in bed, the faster it will wear down so you want to make sure you’re purchasing a mattress made with high-quality materials that are known to hold up well over time. Pocket coils will have the longest shelf life, followed up by latex and memory foam. 

Edge Support

Edge support refers to the stability around the edges of the mattress. If you sleep toward the edge of your bed or sit on the edge to get dressed, you don’t want to feel as though you’re slipping off the bed. This is particularly a concern with foam mattresses as they compress very easily and can take longer to adjust. This is also an important factor for sexual activity as you may find yourself, at times, near the edges of the bed. Nothing will ruin the moment more than you and your partner falling off the edge of the bed. So, if this is a concern, you may want to shoot for a hybrid mattress or check out our firmer foam mattresses.

Motion Isolation

Once you’re done having sex, you might be ready for a good night’s rest, in which case motion isolation is an important factor to consider. If your partner tends to toss and turn in their sleep, you’ll want a mattress that restricts the motion waves from traveling across its surface to your side. This will allow you to sleep soundly no matter how much your partner shifts around.

What Is the Best Type of Mattress for Sex?

There are benefits and setbacks to all mattress types. Each has unique factors that contribute to or take away from sexual interaction. When shopping for a mattress, consider your sexual activity and which of these factors are most important to you when you consider the nocturnal activities that take place in bed that don’t involve sleep.

Memory Foam 

Latex

Innerspring

Hybrid

General Mattress Guide

From the right materials to cooling abilities, there are a number of factors that make a mattress ideal for sex. But what about all of those other factors that simply make it a good mattress for you? That’s right, when it comes down to it, you’re going to sleep well on a mattress based on not only how well it caters to your preferences but most importantly how well it meets your individual sleeping needs.

Firmness

The industry average for firmness is a 6.5/10, and this is indicative of a medium-firm construction. Softer mattresses have a lower score on this scale, while firmer mattresses have a higher score. In our reviews and roundups we’ll often refer to firmness because it’s such an important consideration. After all, it affects your comfort and support levels, which in turn can change your quality of sleep. Check out our Mattress Firmness Guide for more info.

Sleeping Position

Finding a mattress that suits your sleeping position is paramount, because it has a huge effect on your spinal alignment and overall comfort. There are a number of different sleeping positions out there, but we’ve found the most common to be side sleeping, back sleeping, and stomach sleeping. Combination sleeping is also pretty universal, since a lot of us tend to toss and turn at night.

In general, we recommend side sleepers opt for a softer mattress to achieve pressure-relief and contouring, and stomach sleepers should look for a firmer mattress providing proper alignment. Back sleepers are likely somewhere in between and requiring a balance of that comfort and support. Combination sleepers, on the other hand, should consider which positions they spend the most time in and then look for a responsive mattress that allows them to switch positions easily at night. For more information, check out our article: What Is the Best Sleeping Position?

Body Type

Your weight also has a huge impact on your perception of a mattress’s feel. Overall, the higher the weight, the firmer the mattress you’ll need, since you’ll be able to sink into the mattress more than sleepers of a lighter weight. It’s also important to consider your body type and sleeping position together; for instance, a lightweight side sleeper will likely need a softer mattress than a lightweight stomach sleeper. Take a look at our guide for big and tall sleepers if you’re interested in more info.

Company Policies

While this doesn’t apply to the actual feel of the mattress, company policies can be extremely important to shoppers and we think they’re always worth your consideration. These rules dictate the limitations and lengths of warranties and sleep trial periods, as well as shipping methods.

• Warranties have regulations that determine what damage is covered and what damage is not. These warranties vary from company to company, so it’s crucial to study up on warranty terms before making a purchase. We recommend searching for a long warranty, since it’s a good indicator of the quality of the mattress.
• Sleep trials are important because they allow you to test out the mattress for free in a certain period of time. Naturally, we encourage purchasing the best online mattresses with a long sleep trial so you have plenty of time to determine how well it fits with your needs and preferences.
• Shipping methods also differ depending on the company, and it even goes beyond whether or not free shipping is offered. You’ll also want to pay attention to the duration of a mattress’s delivery if you’re needing a mattress ASAP, as well as whether or not it ships to your state or country.

FAQs about the Best Mattresses for Sex

What is the best mattress for sex?

The best mattress for sex looks different for everyone because we all have different sleeping positions, body types, and preferences. If we had to choose, however, our team at Nerd would go with the Saatva mattress. Not only does it include the normal features we’d look for in a good mattress for sex such as responsiveness and cooling, but its multiple firmness options make it great for all types of sleepers.

Are spring or foam mattresses better for sex?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to consider your body type, sleeping position, and overall preferences when selecting a good mattress for you. Ultimately, you can find a good mattress for sex regardless of the materials. While spring mattresses are generally more cooling, responsive, and overall better for sex, there are foam mattresses out there that utilize cooling technology and responsive foam can also mimic an ideal construction for sex.

Is a firmer mattress better for sex?

Yes, firmer mattresses are normally better for sex because they provide more bounce to the mattress. A more responsive mattress is nice for sex because it makes mobility much easier. If your mattress is too soft, you might wind up with a mattress you sink too far into. However, the most important factors of a mattress are comfort and support, meaning it’s possible to have a great mattress for sex that boasts a softer feel.

Recap of the Best Mattress for Sex in 2023

Mattress	Superlative
Saatva	Nerd’s Pick
Helix Dusk	Best Value Mattress for Sex
Nectar Premier Copper	Best Memory Foam Mattress for Sex
Nolah Natural	Best Latex Mattress for Sex
Emma CliMax Hybrid	Best Hybrid Mattress for Sex
WinkBed Plus	Best Mattress for Heavy People and Sex
Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding	Best Mattress for Back Support and Sex
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe	Best Cooling Mattress for Sex
Bear Elite Hybrid	Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Sex
Birch Luxe	Best Organic Mattress for Sex