Comfort and support are important considerations too, but for happy and successful co-sleeping, you need to learn about mattress stability. Here's why...
Why mattress stability is so important
Which? mattress expert Lisa Galliers says:
'When shopping for a new mattress, it’s easy to get bogged down worrying about types and firmness levels, but there's one overlooked factor that could make all the difference to how much you enjoy sharing a bed with your partner: stability.
'You’ve seen the adverts – someone jumping on a mattress next to a sleeping person, lying perfectly still, or an unspilled drink balanced precariously on the cover – that’s what we’re talking about here. It's how much movement travels across your mattress.
'Whether you’re a light sleeper or the one thrashing around, a mattress that combats movement transfer isn’t a luxury – it could be a relationship-saver. No one wants to be disturbed while they’re trying to sleep.
'Our reviews will always tell you if a mattress is particularly bouncy – the more stars for our ‘Stability' rating the better. The best mattresses get a five-star rating.'
Here are three of our top picks.
Three of the least bouncy mattresses we’ve tested
Eve Premium Hybrid
Mattress type: Stability score in Which? lab tests: We like:We don’t like:
As well as being really stable, this hybrid mattress won’t trap heat around you – great news if you tend to get a bit hot and sweaty in bed.
The washable cover is a bonus. Not only does that make cleaning up any spills much easier, it’s also good for allergy sufferers.
undefinedDormeo Memory Plus
Mattress type: Stability score in Which? lab tests: We like: We don’t like:
Need a mattress that won’t ruin your bank balance or your sleep? Take a look at this brilliant option from Dormeo. It’s a memory foam mattress but it’s not too hot to sleep on, plus it’s lightweight and breathable.
Its cheaper-than-average price means you can rest easy at night.
Harrison Spinks Allure Ortho 3000
Mattress type: Stability score in Which? lab tests: We like:We don’t like:
This pocket-sprung mattress is worth a look if you’re after a bed without foam. Featuring breathable natural layers that don’t trap heat around you, you’re onto a winner if you’re after something cool to sleep on.
It arrives flat rather than rolled up in a box, so may take some manoeuvring to get it into your bedroom
What else makes a good mattress for couples?
It’s not just the bounce you’ll want to banish. To keep your bed-sharing on an even keel, there are plenty of other factors that influence how well you’ll sleep next to your partner:
Cooling and breathabilitySupportive for all sleeping positionsPressure distributionPlenty of roomOur expert reviews take a deep dive into all of these details, so you can weigh up every factor – from breathability to bounce – and find your perfect match.
How Which? scientifically measures mattress stability
We've worked out a way to scientifically measure whether you'll feel your mattress move when your sleeping partner turns over on it.
In the lab, we drop a weight onto each and every mattress we test. Special sensors attached to a computer count the number of movements until the mattress remains still.
A poor mattress will be super-bouncy and get a one-star rating. This means it does a bad job of stopping the movement transferring across the mattress's surface.
A good mattress will be stable enough to prevent movement transferring. If you’re a light sleeper, these are the mattresses to go for.
You'll be able to find these gems by looking at mattresses rated four or five stars for stability. Three-star mattresses are those that do an acceptable job but may be a little bouncy.
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