‘I don’t even feel my husband get into bed’ — here's what makes a mattress couple-friendly this cuffing season

Cuffing season is upon us, and for those not in the know, ‘cuffing season’ refers to single people beginning a short-term, committed relationship to pass the cold winter months as part of a couple. It means snuggling on the sofa in front of a warm fire instead of going out every night.

As a married woman, cuffing season doesn’t mean much to me. All year is cuffing season in my books. But for those who want to create the perfect cozy bedroom for hibernation season, there’s one thing that can let you down — the wrong mattress. A lumpy, bumpy, sagging mattress just won’t do.

I’ve tested some of the best mattresses of the year, and as the writer for our best mattress for couples buying guide, I know a thing or two about what makes a bed perfect for two.

So, as part of our Fall Back into Great Sleep campaign, I’m sharing my top tips on what makes a mattress couple friendly, so you and your new love can sleep soundly night after night.

Firstly, let’s discuss preferences

The thing with comfort is that it’s subjective. What I might find a dream to lie on, you might hate. So, while there are certain things that make a mattress great for couples (which I’m diving into below), it’s important you don’t sacrifice your own preferences.

Firmness, for example, is something you can only decide on. Do you like to sink into your bed or do you like to sleep on top of it?

This will largely depend on your sleeping position — with the best mattresses for side sleepers generally having a softer feel, while back and stomach sleepers tend to like a firm surface.

The below are general features that make a mattress more suitable for sharing a bed, but my top tip is to always prioritize comfort. After all, a mattress can last up to 25 years — a new relationship? Maybe not so long…

What makes a mattress couple-friendly?

It stops motion from traveling

When we talk about ‘motion isolation’, this refers to how well a mattress absorbs movement and stops it traveling from one side of the bed to another. I’m sure we’ve all slept on a cheap innerspring mattress before, where one movement from a partner sends you flying. It’s not fun.

In my opinion, the number one, most important thing a bed needs in order for couples to get great sleep side by side is the ability to absorb motion. But how does it do that?

There are a couple of important features to look out for. If you’re opting for a hybrid mattress, look for individually wrapped coils. This helps to stop the movement traveling across the coils, which is what makes the bed bouncy. Also, look for thick memory foam layers at the top of the mattress as this material works wonders at absorbing motion.

In general, most memory foam mattresses will isolate motion well. The thicker the layers or the mattress, the better it will dampen movement.

Latex mattresses are notorious for their bounce, so they won’t perform as well here.

However, my husband and I sleep on a latex mattress every night and I haven’t been bounced off the bed yet. Plus, we have different schedules, and I don’t even feel my husband get into bed!

Again, look for individually wrapped coils and check what other materials are used. Our bed incorporates three layers of wool near the top, and I think that’s what helps the motion isolation.

It supports you right up to the edges

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want the absolute maximum space available to sleep in. I love to starfish and I do often sleep right up to the edge of my mattress. After all, personal space is essential (but I’ll get on to that in a minute).

We’ve slept on mattresses before where the edges are so soft, you’re forced to curl up together in the middle of the bed. Cue hot, stuffy nights and feeling grumpy in the morning.

Great edge support will mean that the perimeter remains stable. Whether you’re leaning over the bed to grab your phone off the floor or you’re sitting on the side getting ready for the day, you should never feel like you’re going to fall off.

This maximizes the sleeping space on the bed and means you and your new partner can enjoy great sleep without fear of interrupting the other by stretching out.

Hybrid beds tend to do this best. Look for a reinforced edge if you want maximum support, or check out our mattress reviews. We test edge support in our Sleep Lab and score each mattress on their ability to withstand weight along the perimeter.

It’s big enough for two

Now, I know this does go without saying, but make sure you choose a mattress size that comfortably accommodates both of you.

The reason I think this is important is because since upgrading from a full-size mattress to a queen-size, my husband and I have supercharged our sleep.

A full-size mattress will have enough space for two, but if you’ve got the space, upgrading to one of the best queen-size mattresses or even a king-size is guaranteed to improve your sleep. And really, it’s only a few inches bigger, which means it can actually fit well even in a smaller bedroom.

Also, what’s better for hibernation season than an indulgently big bed for you to snuggle up in?

My favorite features in a mattress for couples

The above are great features to look for in any bed. But there is some more advanced tech that can make sharing a bed even better. If you’re after luxury, consider looking for the following:

• Adjustable firmness: many smart beds and mattresses now come with adjustable firmness. This means you can choose exactly how you want your mattress to feel, and often you can choose different firmness levels for each side of the bed. That means you can both sleep soundly without compromising your comfort.
• Automatic snoring detection: No, I’m not joking. Some mattresses can now listen to you sleep, and when they detect snoring, automatically adjust your sleeping position by gently lifting your head. As someone who sleeps next to a snorer, this sounds like the ultimate dream.
• Temperature regulation: Automatic temperature adjustments can also work wonders if one of you tend to sleep hot. The best cooling mattresses monitor your body temperature and if they sense a spike, they can cool the surface of the bed. Similarly, a drop in temperature and the bed can warm up. This helps keep you and your partner comfortable night long.