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Sharing a bed can make your rest feel like a joint activity.
They twitch, you flinch.
Bed sharers can benefit from choosing a mattress with good motion isolation
They turn on their side, you’re knocked out of a dream.
Motion isolation refers to whether movement is able to travel from one side of the bed to the other.
This can limit sleep disruptions, helping both bed partners sleep soundly through the night.
Bed sharers can benefit from choosing a mattress with good motion isolation
What is motion isolation in a mattress?
The mattress will absorb the movement so sleep disruptions are avoided.
That means if you share a bed with someone restless, you’re more likely to be kept awake.
In a hybrid, pocket springs and a foam ‘comfort layer’ help prevent too much motion transfer
Good motion isolation is particularly important for couples, and a key consideration ofhow to choose a mattress.
What is the best mattress material for motion isolation?
Memory foam is considered the best mattress material for motion isolation.
The Emma Premium Topper is a good example of a thick foam topper that isolates movement
This is because of the coil layer (or layers) used in both these mattress builds.
Often, this is done by individually wrapping the springs.
Hybrid mattresses can also use a comfort foam layer to limit motion transfer.
The easiest way to test motion isolation is simply to get on the mattress with another person and see if you can feel their movements
Comfort materials can reduce the motion transfer by absorbing movement, much the same as an all-foam bed.
By combining individually pocketed springs with a cushioning comfort layer, hybrid mattresses can have strong motion isolation.
When comparinglatex vs memory foam mattresses, we’d expect memory foam to absorb movement better.
Can you reduce motion transfer in a bed?
Thebest mattress topperscan adjust the feel of your bed but they can’t completely transform it.
However, it should reduce the overall level of motion transfer.
Another option to consider is a split mattress i.e.
one that’s divided down the middle.
Check out our guide toUK vs US mattress sizes, to learn more about split beds.
Or if all else fails, there’ssleep divorce.
How do you test for motion isolation?
The best way to test for motion isolation is also the simplest: share the bed with another person.
Have one person lie in bed while the other gets up, down, and shifts their position.
Then, switch roles.
This is where a goodmattress trialcomes in.
Here at TechRadar, we explore the motion isolation of every mattress and topper we review.
If the glass stays upright, repeat the test, dropping the weight even closer to the glass.
Another quick method to get an idea of motion isolation is to press your hand into the bed.
How quickly does the surface return to its original shape?
If it immediately springs back, we can presume a higher level of motion transfer.
This isn’t an exact test, but it gives you an idea of how the surface moves.
Who can benefit from good motion isolation?
It’s worth noting that the restless sleeper doesn’t have to be a partner.
Couples with different sleep chronotypes
You love an early night but your partner feels energized in the evening?
You probably have differentsleep chronotypes, meaning you feel alert and sleepy at different points in the day.
3 mattresses with good motion isolation
We test every mattress we review for motion isolation.
Here are three beds that aced the exam.
You’ll sink right into the surface, with a comfortable pressure relief that’s best for side sleepers.
Learn more with ourTempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress review.
Combined with a surface that suits a range of sleep styles, this is a great choice for couples.
Learn more with ourNectar memory foam mattress review.
A new way of tackling motion isolation, but an effective one.
Learn more with ourPurple mattress review.
