Soo we’re going there…because it’s pretty obvious that we use our mattresses for more than just sleeping. And while sleep is the main priority behind why we try to find the perfect mattress, so are other bedroom activities (read: sex). Because if you sleep with a partner or have an active sex life, then it’s important to get a mattress that will serve you in more ways than one.

In this article we’ll look at everything you need to know about mattresses for sex, including the main factors to consider when choosing a sex-friendly mattress. We’ve researched features that encourage and enable intimacy at its best. And luckily for you, many of the factors that we list below also interlap nicely with what you would look for in a mattress to have quality sleep on. We’re not compromising on sleep quality here but rather complimenting it. Because sex and sleep are two of the most important, human necessities.

The connection between sleep and sex

Adults today are more sleep deprived than we ever have been. Even though we need around 7 - 9 hours of sleep every night, polls have shown that the average adult gets less than 7 hours every night. We may have a general understanding of the long-term implications this can have for our health and wellbeing, but we may not necessarily think about how it impacts our sex lives.

Of course, we use a mattress for sleep and sex. Yet, their shared location only scratches the surface. The truth is, a thriving sex life will improve your sleep quality and vice versa. Research has shown that if you have sex before bed, you’re body releases endorphins that help put you at ease. Sex releases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that relaxes your body and mind: aptly named the “love hormone”.

On the other hand, sleep deprivation suppresses our body’s cognitive and physical abilities, which in turn suppresses our sexual desire and activity.

In all honesty, none of this sounds ideal. But it’s plain as day if you want better sleep, you need better sex. This is why choosing the right mattress is imperative!

What to look for in a mattress

It makes little to no noise

This is an important element to consider because who wants a squeaky mattress - for sleep or sex? Not only can a noisy mattress be distracting and annoying, but if you share a home with other people, it can create too much unfavorable attention. Look for mattresses that boast being quiet and having good motion transfer.

Mattresses that make noise are often made with springs and coils whereas mattresses made of foam or latex are known for being more silent. But it’s also important to note that in some instances, noise can come from the bed frame. So even though you prefer an innerspring mattress, that doesn’t automatically mean it will be responsible for noise; just buy a good bed frame as well!

It has enough space

So we’re not necessarily saying go for the biggest mattress space. But you ideally don’t want to be squeezing your bedroom activities in a twin size bed. There may be some other factors to consider when choosing a bed size (such as the height of you and your partner), but choosing a Queen or higher will give you enough space to move. Just for reference, these are the main mattress sizes:

  • Twin: 38 inches x 75 inches
  • Full: 53 inches x 75 inches
  • Queen: 60 inches x 80 inches
  • King: 76 inches x 80 inches
  • California King: 72 inches x 84 inches

It has the right amount of firmness

Firmness is a more subjective element, knocked down to what you and your partner prefer—for sleeping and sex. But when it comes to a mattress for sex, it’s best to go somewhere nicely in the middle. Too soft of a mattress will feel like you’re just always sinking into it versus a mattress that is too firm will create pressure points. Ideally something that is medium-firm or 6-7 on the firmness scale.

It has good bounce

Having good bounce or good responsiveness is an important quality in sex-friendly mattresses. This means that it will quickly rebound and return to its original state after you take your weight off. Then you and your partner won’t feel like you’re constantly having to fight the bed, which can really get in the way of your rhythm in any sexual activities. When a mattress has good bounce, it ultimately just makes sex more fun and easygoing.

It has good airflow

Some mattresses are more inclined to retain heat than others. For one thing, this is extremely uncomfortable when you’re trying to fall asleep. But in this case, because sex increases your bodily temperature, you might notice it even more in a mattress that gathers heat. For this reason, it’s pertinent to get one that is made up of materials that will help to wick away moisture and encourage breathability. Mattresses that retain less body heat and maintain good airflow will keep you and your partner comfortable before, during and after. Gel-infused foams, latex, hybrids and innerspring mattresses are especially known for sleeping cool.

It has a strong edge support

The stronger and larger the mattress surface area is...well the greater the possibilities are. Strong and stable edge support means that you have more consistent room to move around on without worrying about accidentally falling off the bed. Besides, edges that easily collapse or succumb to pressure are not fun for sex or sleeping. To guarantee strong edge support, look for mattresses that have foam encasements around the support core and low-gauge steel coils in innerspring or hybrid types.

Its durability is top-notch

What do we mean by good durability? Essentially, a durable mattress is made up of good materials, has a long lifespan and a great warranty—ideally 10 years or more. If you’re sleeping and having sex on a mattress, you’re evidently putting a lot more pressure and strain on it. A highly durable mattress will be able to stand-up despite this and a poorly made mattress will quickly falter and sag, which is not desirable.

The best mattress for sex will last you at least 10 years or more without deteriorating too much. In this way, ensure you look for mattresses that have a thick and strong foundation layer. Look for a foundation layer at least 6” inches or more and made from high-density foam or strong spring coils. Also, it’s important to have at least a 10-year or lifetime warranty.

Which type of mattress is best for sex?

After going through the central mattress considerations, you may be wondering if there is a specific mattress type that would fit all of these elements. And while some mattresses outshine others in their suitability for sex—they all have their merits depending on exactly what you and your partner are looking for. To help narrow your search we’ll go into the advantages and disadvantages of the main mattress types according to the factors mentioned above.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam - latex mattress cross section - hi quality modern

ADVANTAGES

  • Very quiet and good motion transfer
  • An overall supportive surface; contours your body and alleviates pressure points – making it easier to move
  • Durable
  • Good edge support

DISADVANTAGES

  • Not typically known for being bouncy
  • Doesn’t usually have great airflow depending on the model

Latex Mattresses

Memory foam - latex mattress cross section

ADVANTAGES

  • Known for being responsive
  • They are virtually silent and noise-free
  • One of the more durable mattress types
  • Comfortable and supportive

DISADVANTAGES

  • While they are more responsive than memory foam, they still lack some bounce
  • Little to no edge support

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid foam latex bonnell spring mattress cross section

ADVANTAGES

  • Responsive and bouncy
  • Good balance between a bouncy, supportive base and a pressure relieving conforming foam surface
  • Many hybrids are encased in foam and therefore have stable edge support
  • Sleep cooler than memory foam and latex

DISADVANTAGES

  • Honestly - not much to say here! Hybrids are pretty awesome. They may just be slightly less bouncy than innerspring mattresses and their price point is typically higher than other types.

Innerspring Mattresses

Open spring and foam - latex bonnell mattress cross section

ADVANTAGES

  • Offer the best responsiveness and bounciness out of all the mattress types
  • Easier to move around in different positions during sex and still have plenty of support
  • Good edge support
  • Sleeps cool and maintains temperature neutrality due to the coils

DISADVANTAGES

  • Tend to be a bit noisier than other types due to the springs and coils
  • Lacks pressure relief and conforming properties, although some innerspring models may vary in this degree

It’s worth noting that these lists are still pretty general. While these advantages and disadvantages are industry standard, mattresses definitely vary depending on the brand, model and year that it was made. So always be sure to read the reviews of the mattress you are keen on buying to get a good holistic picture of the specific mattress experience.

Our concluding thoughts

Shopping for a mattress can feel like you’re trying to tick off a never ending list of “musts”. That’s just because it’s one of the most important purchases we make in our lives. Take your time and read through everything to make a decision you and your partner are happy with. But hopefully this article helped clarify the most important features that will benefit your sex life. At the end of the day - that just benefits your sleep as well! A win-win combo we can definitely get on board with.