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Mattresses with motion isolation reduce motion transfer from one side of the bed to the other.
A quick look at the 7 best mattresses and mattress toppers for motion isolation
- Best mattress for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Mattress
- Best mattress for multiple sleep positions: The EcoCloud by WinkBeds
- Best mattress for low odors: Lucid Bamboo Charcoal and Aloe Vera Hybrid Mattress
- Best mattress for environmental and toxicity concerns: Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress
- Best topper for comfort: ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper
- Best topper for durable materials: TEMPUR-Topper Supreme
- Best topper for cooling: Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper
These mattresses may benefit light sleepers who wake up easily when other people in the bed move during sleep. Those who go to bed later or get up earlier than others may find that these products help to prevent them from waking up other people.
The design of motion isolation mattresses, including the materials that they comprise, helps minimize the impact of movement.
Manufacturers often design these mattresses with individually encased coils or memory foam, both of which can help reduce motion transfer throughout the mattress.
This article discusses the best mattresses and mattress toppers for motion isolation, looks into what factors a person may wish to consider when buying these products, and answers some frequently asked questions.
A person’s mattress can influence the quality of their sleep. For instance, a
Further 2015 research also stated that a medium-firm mattress can promote good quality sleep.
Getting good quality sleep is essential for a person’s overall well-being. The
Latex and memory foam materials may enhance motion isolation as these materials naturally absorb movement.
High quality mattresses may have one or more of the following certifications:
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100
- CertiPUR-US
- Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- GREENGUARD
- USDA-certified organic
- eco-INSTITUT
These certifications show that the mattress comprises quality materials that are safe for human health and, in some cases, certified organic.
However, a person should avoid mattresses containing materials they are allergic to. For instance, people with a latex allergy should avoid mattresses containing latex.
A good quality mattress can be expensive. However, many companies offer payment plans that allow customers to pay in monthly installments, which can help make a motion-isolating mattress a more affordable option for some.
Motion-isolating mattress toppers are a more affordable alternative. However, the benefits a person gets from a mattress topper depends on how comfortable the existing mattress is.
People who are mattress shopping should also check which manufacturers offer a trial period. Many mattress manufacturers state that it can take 30–90 days to break in a new mattress. Trial runs allow people to try out the mattress for a few weeks or months before making a final decision on their purchase.
MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:
- Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
- Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
- Firmness: MNT selects mattresses available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
- Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
- Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
- Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products with warranties and clear returns policies.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Many different motion isolation mattresses are available on the market. Below is a list of the 4 best mattresses for motion isolation.
Best for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Mattress
Price: $799–1,549
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California (CA) king
Height: 12 inches (in)
Helix Midnight is a medium mattress that may suit side sleepers or people who frequently move while sleeping.
The manufacturer writes that the knitted cover helps promote breathability and temperature regulation, which may benefit people who overheat during sleep.
There are up to 950 individually wrapped coils that work to cradle the body and reduce motion transfer to provide uninterrupted sleep for partners.
This mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a 10-year warranty.
The Helix Midnight Mattress is available for purchase online.
Best for multiple sleep positions: The EcoCloud by WinkBeds
Price: $1,399–2,399
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king
Height: 12.5 in
The Ecocloud may be suitable for sleepers who move around a lot during sleep.
Made with Talalay latex, its elasticity allows the mattress to conform to the person’s body shape as they switch positions, reducing motion transfer.
This mattress has OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and is nontoxic. It is also baby safe and hypoallergenic, according to the company.
This medium mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a lifetime warranty.
The EcoCloud by WinkBeds is available for purchase online.
Best for low odors: Lucid Bamboo Charcoal and Aloe Vera Hybrid Mattress
Price: $304.24–687.54
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king
Height: 10 in, 12 in
This mattress contains 6.3 inches of individually encased steel coils, which help minimize motion transfer. These coils are sandwiched between layers of base foam, which provide durable support, according to the manufacturer.
The bamboo charcoal-infused memory foam is designed to wick moisture away and help prevent odors. Edge support may make getting on and off the mattress easier.
More memory foam tops the motion-isolating base of the mattress for an added comfort layer.
This medium mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a 10-year warranty.
The Lucid Bamboo Charcoal and Aloe Vera Hybrid Mattress is available for purchase online.
Best for environmental certifications: Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress
Price: around $999–1,599
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king
Height: 11 in
According to the company’s website, people using this mattress will not experience any motion transfer.
In addition to preventing motion transfer, the individually wrapped and encased coils provide support and bounce, according to the company.
This mattress has GOTS, eco-INSTITUT, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. It is an eco-friendly and nontoxic option that uses natural latex. This makes this mattress an ideal consideration for those concerned about the environmental impact and material toxicity of the products they choose.
It is available in medium and medium-firm options. It also comes with a 90-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a 15-year warranty.
The Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress is available for purchase online.
People who find that motion transfer affects their sleep but do not wish to change their mattress can consider mattress toppers. Below is a range of the best mattress toppers for motion isolation.
Best for comfort: ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper
Price: $114.95–269.95
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, short queen, queen, king, CA king
Height: 2–4 in
The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper contains 2–4 inches of medium-firm memory foam.
According to the manufacturers, it offers significant motion isolation, helping reduce sleep disruptions in people who share a bed.
It may also help regulate temperature and improve the alignment of a person’s spine while they sleep.
The company says it uses heavier foam, which increases the weight of the toppers for a longer-lasting and more supportive topper with a cozy feel.
This medium-firm topper comes with a 5-year warranty, a 60-day trial, free shipping and returns.
The ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is available to purchase online.
Best for durable materials: TEMPUR-Topper Supreme
Price: $299–499
Sizes: twin, twin long, full, queen, king, CA king
Height: 3 in
The manufacturers of this TEMPUR mattress topper claim that it can improve the comfort of spring mattresses. It is made of TEMPUR material, a proprietary material that responds to a person’s weight, body shape, and temperature while sleeping. TEMPUR states that it is more durable than memory foam and can keep its shape for years of use.
This adaptive material may stop motion traveling across the topper or reduce motion transfer from the mattress.
However, according to the company, a person can use this topper as a thin mattress while camping and sleeping in recreational vehicles.
It features a removable dust mite- and allergy-resistant cover that people can wash as needed.
This mattress topper comes with free shipping and a 10-year warranty.
The TEMPUR-Topper Supreme is available to purchase online.
Best for cooling: Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper
Price: $199–299
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king
Height: 3 in
This mattress topper is cool to the touch, which may be suitable for hot sleepers or those that sleep in warm climates. According to the manufacturer, it uses a proprietary blend of foam to regulate climate and optimize sleep recovery.
It also comes with antimicrobial treatment against bacteria, mold, and odors.
A person adds the foam layers to their existing mattress and covers them with a stretchy cover. This may mean people will not have to adjust the topper if it shifts as they move overnight.
The foam has a CertiPUR-US certification.
The company offers a 30-night trial, free shipping and returns, and a 5-year warranty.
The website does not state the firmness of this topper, so people considering it may want to check the product’s user reviews.
The Molecule Tripe Zone Pro Topper is available to purchase online.
The table below compares the products included in this article.
| Type | Best for | Size range | Height | Firmness | Trial period | Free shipping and returns | Warranty | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helix Midnight Mattress | mattress | side sleepers | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king | 12 in | medium | 100 nights | yes | 10 years | $799–1,549 |
| The EcoCloud by WinkBeds | mattress | multiple positions | twin, twin XL, full, queen, kin, CA king | 12.5 in | medium | 120 nights | yes | lifetime | $1,399–2,399 |
| Lucid Bamboo Charcoal and Aloe Vera Hybrid Mattress | mattress | low odors | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king, split king | 10 in, 12 in | medium | 100 nights | yes | 10 years | $304.24–687.54 |
| Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress | mattress | environmental certifications | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king | 11 in | medium, medium-firm | 90 nights | yes | 15 years | $999–1,599 |
| ViscoSoft Select High Density Mattress Topper | topper | comfort | twin, twin XL, full, short queen, queen, king, CA king | 2–4 in | medium firm | 60 days | yes | 5 years | $114.95–269.95 |
| TEMPUR-Topper Supreme | topper | durability | twin, twin long, full, queen, king, CA king | 3 in | – | no | yes | 10 years | $299–499 |
| Molecule Triple Zone Pro Topper | topper | cooling | twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king | 3 in | – | 30 nights | yes | 5 years | $199–299 |
Motion isolation may benefit people who share a bed with another person or a pet. People may wake up when the other person or pet moves due to the motion traveling across the mattress.
Motion isolation mattresses can help reduce the disturbance a person experiences from another moving around during sleep. As such, motion isolation mattresses may offer a better sleeping environment to those who wake up easily in response to movement.
However, motion isolation mattresses may not be the best option for those who share a bed with a person with different comfort preferences. People with different comfort preferences may prefer a split mattress with different firmnesses on either side.
An alternative to a mattress topper is purchasing two mattresses to fit in one bed frame. For example, those sharing a king-sized bed frame can purchase two twin extra-large mattresses to fit in the bed frame.
However, this is an expensive option. Another disadvantage is that the crease between the mattresses may be uncomfortable.
Below are some of the top questions about mattresses for motion isolation.
What mattress material is best for motion isolation?
Some of the best materials for motion isolation include memory foam, springs, or latex. However, the level of motion isolation a mattress can provide also depends on the combination of materials and how a manufacturer designs its mattress for overall support and reduced motion and noise transfer.
Does a latex mattress transfer motion?
Latex is a naturally springy material, and latex mattresses will feel bouncy and have a quick rebound time. As a result, latex mattresses may not reduce motion transfer as well as memory foam mattresses, which typically absorb shock and are slower to bounce back.
Light sleepers may easily wake if they share a mattress that does not provide motion isolation with another person. Mattresses that offer motion isolation may comprise a combination of memory foam, springs, or latex layers.
Mattress toppers with motion isolation provide a budget-friendly alternative to motion isolating mattresses, and people can use them in settings outside of the home.