The Best Mattresses for Sex

Firm mattresses have a lot of appeal for couples. They don’t allow sleepers to sink in much (or at all), and firmer pushback helps maintain their spine’s normal, healthy alignment. Firm mattresses are also easier to move around on, whether that’s for sleep or otherwise. I tested the Medium firmness of the Thuma Hybrid mattress, and found it firmer than I expected—but not in a bad way. What stood out to me was not only the increased lumbar support but also how easily I could move around. Moving among my sides, stomach, and back was effortless, and my lower back remained lifted regardless of which way I slept. While the mattress doesn’t parlay as much pressure relief as I would’ve liked, especially for side sleeping, it didn’t throw a wrench into my sleep schedule, either.

For couples with differing sleeping positions and body types, choosing a firmer mattress like this ensures that each person gets the support they need. I also appreciated this mattress’s lack of motion transfer. I tested it with the Thuma Classic bed frame, and the setup was solid. Any movement I generated while sleeping was mainly absorbed by the bed, allowing my husband to sleep undisturbed.

Thuma Hybrid ranges from $1,095 for a twin mattress to $1,795 for a California king.

I tested the Wolf Memory Foam Hybrid in Premium Firm fairly recently, and there are quite a few features that make it a standout option for sex. First, as implied by the name, the overall firmness of the bed maintains a supportive surface. Weight is distributed well, so there’s no overload in one spot as you recline. It even maintains that strong support around the edges. This is helpful when you want to utilize the entire surface available to you. It won’t feel like being on the floor, as the memory foam top layer provides enough pressure relief to keep your joints from crying out. The firmness also keeps the bed responsive, so that it moves and keeps supporting you instead of overly sinking.

Wolf Mattresses are made to order in Texas, and the Premium Firm offers a cooling cover and gel memory foam meant for temperature regulation. Four more layers of memory foam follow, all of which fluctuate when it comes to offering pressure relief, support, and additional cooling. The pocketed coils in the middle are also made to keep motion from overly rocking the bed for co-sleepers or, in this case, sexy time. On the former, I’ve found that the bed does a good job of maintaining stability for even the most restless nights.

Wolf Memory Foam Hybrid Premium Firm Mattress ranges from $1,049 for a twin mattress to $1,399 for a king.

This is one of WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell's top picks for back pain, as the overall sturdiness and firmness of this 14-inch behemoth promote support. You have three firmness options here, but for support, Luxury Firm and Firm are solid choices. The other aspect of this hybrid mattress that makes it a qualified mattress for sexual activities is the overall responsiveness—otherwise known as bounce. The last thing you need is to sink too much into your mattress. You'll feel unstable and likely a bit too warm, especially if it's an all-foam bed.

A phase-change material cover feels cool to the touch and should shine along with some cooling sheets for the occasion. The quilted topper provides lighter pressure relief, while specialized memory foam layers and springy pocketed coils maintain support.

Bear Elite Hybrid ranges from $2,284 for a twin mattress to $5,140 for a split king.

WIRED reviewer Molly Higgins tested this mattress and found it to be cooling, comfy, and crowd-pleasing. It has two firmness levels: H6 is medium plush, and H4 is medium firm; the latter is what Molly has. It features a cooling cover, CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam, side air vents, and a foam-encased “suspension unit” for lighter support.

According to Molly, the edge support leaves something to be desired. However, the motion isolation is strong, so it doesn’t feel like an overt earthquake when winding down for sleep or when things are moving and shaking. The firmness level is also quite supportive, especially for those of different body types.

Bedgear H Performance (H4 and H6) ranges from $1,799 for a twin mattress to $2,899 for a split head California king.