We Test-Rode Sex on 6 Different Mattresses

Good sex is as much about connecting with your partner as it is about having a decent surface to grind on. But as someone who’s been having sex with the same guy for 13 years on countless soft surfaces—my childhood bedroom twin, his long and narrow college dorm cot, our own full-size hand-me-down that’s going on 10 years, myriad hotel beds, and more—I can compare doing the deed with only one major changing variable: the mattress. And I can attest to the fact that the rectangle you’re bouncing up and down on can make all the difference when it comes to achieving that “Yes, yes!” rhythm.

1. Tempur-Pedic

The Tempur-Pedic ranks tops in our book for its sheer versatility. It may look and sound geriatric, but you can get your giggles in a variety of ways. To spice things up, use the head and foot lift so you’re connection is more…ergonomic. It’s like being in a giant La-Z-Boy—ahhh.

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2. The New Mattress on the Block

A close second is the hot, new mattress in town: the Casper. It’s a mixture of latex and memory foam, and it gently contoured to our bodies but also gave the bounce necessary for doing the deed.

3. Memory Foam

Sure, you can jump up and down on it and not disturb your champagne and strawberries. But when it’s time to get down, you just aren’t as nimble as you are on a tougher surface. This mattress gets a decent ranking for its overall comfort but it lacks serious style. Your knees and elbows can sink so deep that you essentially become an immobile body pod. Not a sexy effect.

4. Jerry-Rigged Mattress

For those throwback nights when you want to feel like a high schooler again, I strongly recommend getting frisky on the living room floor with a few helter-skelter couch cushions and throw pillows underneath. We like to crack open a few cans of cheap beer, and it’s like we’re at our post-prom party all over again. Major nostalgia points.

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5. Air Mattress

This is definitely a bad choice for anything but PG making out after a late-night concert. Even when filled to maximum capacity, an air mattress just doesn’t provide the necessary substance to support the weight of two healthy adults. If he’s a deep thruster, your ass may actually touch the ground (I know this from experience). Plus, the mattress skids across the floor if you hump with gusto (again, experience).

6. Waterbed

I’m easily nauseated by nature, and this option is not for the faint of heart—which is why it comes in dead last. A waterbed might actually make you feel seasick if you’re anything but G-rated gentle on its wavy surface. So keep the fooling around soft and sensual, and leave the Boogie Nights acrobatics to the professional film stars.

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