Best Mattress for Couples: Our Top Picks (November 2024)

There are numerous mattress options that are suitable for couples, including foam, hybrid, and innerspring. However, the best mattress for couples has a medium-firm feel. That’s because this level of firmness accommodates all sleep styles—including stomach, back, and side sleepers—and provides the right amount of support and pressure-point relief.

If you or your partner are a hot sleeper, look for a mattress that also has cooling features. Or, if either of you is a heavy sleeper, look for a mattress that provides extra support for heavier bodies. (Check out our ranked lists of the best cooling mattresses and the best mattresses for heavy people.)

Yes, a foam mattress with cooling features is an excellent choice for couples. That’s why Douglas Original is our choice for the best mattress for couples (and the best mattress in Canada overall). It has superior edge support, exceptional motion isolation, pressure-point relief, and a medium-firm feel that suits all sleeping positions.

Douglas Original received top scores for its use of high-quality, eco-conscious materials, overall comfort, and excellent value at just $799 for a queen size. It comes with a 365-night sleep trial, 20-year warranty, and free bedding bundle with purchase.

At minimum, couples should look at a queen-size mattress. It’s one of the most popular mattress sizes in Canada and large enough to accommodate two people comfortably at 80″ x 60″. It fits in most master bedrooms while still allowing space for other furniture, like nightstands and a dresser.

However, if your bedroom is large enough—and if you need extra space for cuddly kids and pets—a king-size or a California king-size mattress is a better bet. A king-size bed measures 76″ x 80″, while a California king is 72″ x 84″. This gives everyone plenty of space to stretch out.

READ MORE: Should you choose a queen vs king-size bed?

If you and your partner have very different sleep needs and habits, consider getting two twin XL mattresses and a king-size frame to form a split king bed. At 80″ x 36″ each, each twin XL mattress has plenty of room for both of you to rest comfortably while staying close together. (For the ultimate in comfort, check out our list of the best adjustable beds in Canada.)

A medium-firm mattress is generally best for couples because this firmness works for different sleep positions, body weights, and comfort levels. And we have good news—our best mattress for couples is also our choice for best medium-firm mattress.

Douglas Original features superior edge support and motion isolation, pressure-point relief for all sleeping positions, and excellent body contouring to keep your spine aligned. Douglas Original also provides excellent value at just $799 for a queen size. It comes with a 365-night sleep trial, 20-year warranty, and free bedding bundle with purchase.

Yes, most mattresses have a weight capacity. This helps ensure your mattress can support your body weight and give you years of comfortable sleep. Not all mattresses advertise their weight limits, but brands like Douglas and Octave are up-front about their 500 lb weight limit (or 250 lb per person).

Looking for a mattress that can support a heavier body type? Logan & Cove Choice is our top mattress for heavy people. It provides 5-zoned support with up to 1,200 individually wrapped, zoned pocket coils, with thicker coils around the torso and hips for added support. It includes cooling gel foam and a cooling nanofibre cover for a comfortable night’s sleep, as well as excellent pressure point relief and good edge support.

Most mattresses will last 6–12 years of nightly use. If your mattress is several years old and you’re still feeling tired after a full night’s sleep, the mattress could be the reason why. It may be nearing the end of its lifespan if you notice sagging or lumps, unpleasant sounds, material wear and tear, or new aches and pains.

The type of mattress also influences how long your mattress will last. Generally, higher-density memory foam or combination foam will last longer than lower-density foam. An innerspring mattress lasts just 6–8 years, while a latex mattress lasts 10–12 years. If you take good care of your mattress (and buy a quality mattress), it could last even longer.

Like anyone who wants a better night’s sleep, couples can sleep better by creating a restful environment. Here are a few ideas to try:

• Build a relaxing bedtime routine. Train your brain to start winding down and get ready for sleep at the same time each night. Try relaxing pre-bed activities like taking a relaxing bath, making a mug of herbal tea, putting on cozy pajamas, and getting into bed with a book (not your phone).
• Avoid blue light from devices. Set your phone or tablet to dark mode at least an hour before bedtime. This keeps blue light from throwing off your circadian rhythm and delaying the natural impulse to be tired when it’s time to sleep.
• Turn down the temperature. Keeping your bedroom cooler reinforces your body’s natural instinct to sleep. Sleep experts say it can also trigger the release of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. This can help you fall asleep more quickly, sleep more deeply, and wake up feeling more refreshed.

If one of you is especially restless during the night, you’ll also notice a better sleep if your mattress has good motion isolation. Douglas Original has excellent motion isolation and can keep you from noticing your partner’s movements, ensuring a more restful night’s sleep.

Mattresses fall into many different categories. Each has different characteristics that are a good fit for a variety of sleep styles. Here are just a few types of mattresses:

• Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses like Logan & Cove combine innerspring layers with foam or latex for a perfect pairing of contour and support. They tend to have better edge support and lower temperatures than memory foam, but this comes with reduced motion isolation for a slightly less peaceful sleep. (Shopping for a hybrid? Check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses.)
• Cooling Gel Foam: Some sleepers find normal memory foam too hot, so cooling gel foam mattresses like Douglas can be a great alternative. This type of mattress combines memory foam with cooling gel to keep temperatures comfortable while you sleep.
• Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses support your weight with metal coils. This makes the mattress bouncy and provides good edge support, but you might find this type of mattress less comfortable if your body needs more contouring.
• Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses like Octave “hug” your body to relieve pressure and keep your spine aligned. They often incorporate zoned support, which can help relieve sore joints and provide other health benefits. In fact, the brand states that 86% of customers suffering from back pain said Octave helped reduce their pain.
• Latex: Natural or synthetic latex mattresses can relieve pressure in any sleep position. They have a reputation for comfortable temperatures and can last longer than other types of mattresses. However, latex mattresses can also be more expensive and may not be ideal for some people with latex allergies.

When you’re choosing a mattress, it’s important to consider more than just how comfortable it is. There are a whole range of factors to keep in mind, which we list below. (And when you’re ready to buy, make sure you buy a mattress online vs. in store.)

• Budget: Set a budget for your new mattress and stick to it. You might even be able to make this budget go further by finding limited-time deals and promotions online.
• Construction: Figure out what type of mattress you want, whether it’s foam, hybrid, or innerspring. There are pros and cons for each construction style, and knowing what you want will help narrow down your options.
• Firmness: Choose a mattress with the right firmness level for your sleep style—that is, whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. For example, side sleepers often want a softer mattress, while back sleepers may prefer something firmer. (Did you know that a medium-firm feel is ideal for most sleep styles? Get our guide to the best medium-firm mattresses.)
• Pressure-Point Relief: Got achy joints? How about a sore back? If you do, look for a mattress with enhanced pressure-point relief so you sleep better at night. Octave Vista comes with five body-contouring support zones to aid in your body’s natural recovery and help you wake up pain-free the next day.
• Motion Isolation: Pay close attention to motion isolation if you share your bed with a partner, kids, or pets. The higher the isolation score, the less you’ll notice movement from the other side of the bed.
• Edge Support: Are you in the habit of sitting or sleeping near the edge of the bed? Look for a mattress with good edge support so you feel supported in any position.
• Bounce: If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you might prefer a mattress with extra bounce. (Your inner child will enjoy it, too!)
• Contouring: Contouring materials like memory foam help support your body in all the right places. That said, too much “hug” can cause overheating and make it hard to move, so find the level of contouring that’s best for your body.
• Temperature: Speaking of overheating—if you’re a warm sleeper, look for a mattress that promotes airflow and reduces heat. Look for a mattress with cooling gel foam and other cooling technologies.
• Responsiveness: A responsive mattress allows you to change positions without feeling stuck. Often found in hybrid designs, a responsive mattress can help you enjoy certain activities in bed even more.
• Noise: Nobody likes a squeaky or crinkly mattress. Get a quiet night’s sleep with a mattress made from noise-quieting materials like foam or latex.
• Company Policies: Get details about the manufacturer’s sleep trial, return policy, and product warranty so you know what you’re getting into.