Mattress shopping is challenge enough for one person, but couples have more to consider. Some models, not just innersprings, relay vibrations from one side of the bed to the other—say, when one partner gets up during the night. And what if you can’t decide on a bed because one person insists on a bed firmer than the other can tolerate? Here are five recommended mattresses from our tests that should ease one or both concerns:
Beds with less bounce. All the mattresses we’ve recommended did notably well at muting vibrations from across the bed. Of those, the innerspring Stearns & Foster Lois Luxury Firm, $1,100 at Sears, and the adjustable-air Sleep Number c2 Bed, $700, did best. (All prices listed are without the foundation.) For all-around support, however, you might prefer impressive resistance to bounciness plus equally fine side and back support. You get that from the innerspring Serta Perfect Day iSeries Applause, $1,075, and the Novaform Memory Foam Collection Serafina 14", $800 at Costco.
Having it both ways. In addition to resisting the trampoline effect, some mattresses let you adjust firmness for half of the bed at a time—or can be ordered with one half firmer than the other. The air bladders of adjustable-air mattresses, including the Sleep Number c2 Bed, can be individually inflated or deflated as per sleep partners’ preferences. And you can order the memory-foam Bob's Discount Furniture Bob-O-Pedic 11" Firm, $800, with one side soft and the other firm. That bed was impressive for back support but only so-so for supporting the spine’s natural curve for side sleepers.
Whatever you buy, both sleep partners should try out any mattress being considered by lying on it for at least 10 minutes on each side, your back, and—if you sleep on it—your stomach. See these other shopping tips, check out our buying guide for mattresses, and use our Ratings of more than two dozen mattresses.
—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)
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