Mattress Ratings >> Mattress Type Comparison > Mattress Motion Transfer

Mattress Motion Transfer / Isolation → Based on Data From Over 15,000 Actual Owners

Page last updated: October 10, 2010

"Motion isolation" refers to how effectively a mattress localizes or absorbs the motion of a person moving on it.

A bed that has good motion isolation is suited for couples because it absorbs the movement of one person on the bed so that the other person does not feel it. (Mattresses that have good motion isolation are sometimes referred to as "do not disturb" mattresses for this reason.)

The chart below shows how mattress types compare on this issue based on owner experiences. Keep in mind that this represents what is often, but not always, the case; a particular brand, model or individual mattress may go against these findings.

Motion Isolation

Poor

Good

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses, especially those with higher density, provide excellent movement isolation. You have probably seen the commercials of the person walking on the bed without disturbing the glass of water that's also on the bed.

Latex

Like memory foam, latex generally provides good motion isolation.

Air

Airbeds with two or more air chambers generally have little motion transfer. Their separate air chambers help to dampen movement from spreading across the bed. Models with a memory foam and or latex topper will further reduce motion transfer.

Innerspring / coil

Innerspring beds are capable of providing good motion isolation if they have pocket coils and or a layer of memory foam / latex. Cheaper models generally do not have good motion isolation.

Futons

Futons generally perform average at best on this issue.

Water

Waterbeds do not generally provide good motion isolation. However, some are better than others on this issue depending on their level of advancement, specifically whether or not they have multiple water chambers.