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How to Reduce Motion Transfer in Bed?
Motion transfer is a common problem for people who share beds. It can be quite annoying, and some wonder how to reduce motion transfer in their bed. There are a few things you can do to reduce motion transfer, and in this article, we will explore them in detail.
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Tips for Reducing Mattress Motion Transfer:
If you’ve already got a mattress and want to improve motion isolation, there are a few things you can do:
Add a Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers are an easy way to add extra comfort and support to your bed. It can also help by improving motion isolation. Look for a mattress topper that’s made from memory foam, latex, or down feathers.
Use a Sturdy Bed Frame or Foundation
A bed frame can help reduce the amount of motion transferred from one side of the bed to the other. It also helps keep your mattress in place and can add some extra storage space.
If your bed frame is not sturdy enough, then it might be the source of the motion transfer, so be sure to adjust the screws regularly. We recommend choosing bed frames and mattress foundations with slats no more than 3” apart or less, ideally 2” apart.
Consider Your Box Spring
Box springs play a role in the motion isolation of your mattress. If you’re using a box spring, make sure it’s in good condition and is made from sturdy material like wood or metal.
The springs in the box spring can also cause motion transfer. One way to fix it is to place a hard board on top of the box spring. This will help to reduce the amount of movement.
Buy a Split King Mattress
A split king mattress is a great option for couples who want to improve motion isolation. Use two twin XL mattresses on your king size bed frame, so each person has their own side.
This means that you can both adjust the firmness and support to your individual needs without affecting the other person. You can use a king-size topper and a mattress protector on top to make the bed feel more uniform.
Switch to A Foam or Latex Mattress
Foam and latex beds are known for their ability to isolate motion. If you’re looking for a new mattress and want to reduce the amount of motion transfer, then a foam option is a good choice if you’re on a budget, but we recommend natural latex mattresses because they don’t off gas any harmful chemicals.
Why Does Mattress Motion Transfer Happen?
Motion transfer is caused when movement on one side of the mattress has a consequent effect on the other side. If you sleep with a partner, this can be quite annoying as their tossing and turning disturb your sleep.
This typically happens with innerspring mattresses and futons, as they are prone to transfer motion because of their construction. If you have one of these types of beds, it may be time for an upgrade. There are different factors that may contribute to motion transfer:
- The type of mattress: Some beds are designed to minimize motion transfer, while others are not. If you are a light sleeper, you will want to get a mattress that is specifically made to reduce this problem.
- The weight of the people sleeping on the bed: The heavier someone is, the more motion transfer they may cause. This is why couples with different weights can have problems with sleep quality.
- The age of the mattress: Over time, mattresses lose their ability to minimize motion transfer. If you notice that this is a problem, it might be time to replace your mattress.
- The construction of the bedframe: Bedframes with lots of metal parts and screws are more likely to cause motion transfer than those that are made with solid wood.
- The box spring: Box springs can also contribute to the problem. You can try placing a solid plywood board on top of it to reduce the effect of springs.
- The way you sleep (i.e., tossing and turning): If you are a restless sleeper, you are more likely to cause motion transfer.
- How your partner sleeps: This is out of your control, but if your partner tosses and turns, they may wake you up throughout the night. Mattress materials that increase or reduce motion transfer
Who Should Care about Motion Transfer?
Motion transfer is especially important to:
- People who share their bed with a partner, children, or pets.
- People who are easily woken by movement.
- Couples who have different sleep schedules.
- Combination sleepers or people with mobility concerns.
Motion transfer will be less important to people who sleep alone, however, they may still want to consider it when choosing a mattress. Mattresses with good motion isolation tend to be less bouncy, which may be a desirable feature for some people.
What Is Motion Isolation?
Motion isolation is the ability of a mattress to prevent movement from transferring to the other side of the bed. This is important for couples who share a bed, as it can prevent them from being disturbed by each other’s movements. Mattresses with good motion isolation are less bouncy, making them a good choice for light sleepers.
Read More: How Long Does It Take to Break In a New Mattress?
Best Types of Mattresses for Reducing Motion Transfer
Motion transfer depends on the materials used in the construction of a mattress. Some beds are designed to minimize movement, while others are not. In this section, we will discuss 5 types of mattresses known to reduce motion transfer.
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is a type of viscoelastic polyurethane foam that conforms to your body, providing support and pressure relief.
Memory foam mattresses are known for their conforming ability, which helps absorb movement. When you lay on a memory foam mattress, it will sink around your body and conform to the shape of your spine. This will help reduce the amount of motion transferred from one side of the mattress to the other.
In addition, memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to relieve pressure points. When you’re lying on a traditional mattress, your weight is distributed evenly across the surface. However, when you’re lying on a memory foam mattress, your weight will be concentrated in specific areas, such as your hips and shoulders. The memory foam will contour to these areas and relieve the pressure. This can help to improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of developing pressure sores.
One downside of memory foam mattresses is that they may contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. These chemicals can off-gas from the mattress and cause health problems, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
If you decide to buy a memory foam bed, be sure to choose one with CertiPUR certificate. It means that the mattress has been tested for harmful chemicals and meets safety standards. If you’re looking for a non toxic memory foam mattress, check Puffy Mattresses.
Another downside of memory foam mattresses is that they tend to retain heat. This can make them uncomfortable to sleep on in warmer climates.
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress is a combination of different types of materials to achieve the desired firmness and reduce motion transfer. The most popular is the one that includes a foam (latex foam in
The foam minimizes the effect of the coils, making it an excellent choice for motion isolation. Look for a hybrid mattress that includes memory foam or natural latex foam as the top comfort layer.
Latex Mattresses
If you’ve got chemical sensitivity or allergies, or simply want to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals at home, a natural latex mattress is a good choice since it´s made of rubber tree sap.
Natural latex mattresses are also more durable than synthetic ones, but they cost more because they are made from quality materials, including natural wool batting and organic cotton cover. These mattresses are usually made of layers of Dunlop and Talalay latex to achieve the desired firmness (such as the Botanical Bliss Mattress).
This material can also be used in organic hybrid mattresses, such as the Luxury Bliss Mattress. Latex is a material with similar motion isolation properties to memory foam, but it’s bouncier and cooler, as it doesn’t retain heat.
Air Mattress
Air Mattresses come with a number of benefits, such as being lightweight and easy to move around. They are available with wool batting or memory foam comfort layer on top. There are two options available: single and dual-chamber air mattresses.
Dual-chamber air mattresses are the best option if you sleep with your partner. This is because each sleeping surface can be set to different firmness levels, ensuring you and your partner are comfortable. If you are looking for a mattress that will reduce motion transfer, then an air mattress, such as Natural Form Mattress, is a great option.
Inner Coil Mattresses
There are different types of coil systems, with the innerspring mattress being the most popular. Innerspring mattresses use coils of different shapes and sizes to create a sturdy sleeping surface. Unlike the traditional open coil system, the individual coils are usually wrapped in fabric. This not only stops the transfer of motion, but also provides a more comfortable surface.
The Best Types of Springs for Motion Isolation:
- Pocketed Coils: Pocketed coil mattresses have coils that are individually wrapped in fabric. They work independently from one another, so they don’t transfer motion.
- Offset Coils: This type of innerspring coil has an hourglass shape. They’re designed to provide support, make less noise than traditional coils and minimize the transfer of motion.
Worst Types of Springs for Motion Isolation:
- Bonnell Coils: These have an open coil design and are the oldest type of coil system. They’re not as good at isolating motion as other types of coils because they move as a single unit.
- Continuous Coils: These are coils that are all connected to each other. They provide a more stable sleeping surface, but they can still transfer some amount of motion and they can be noisy.
How to Test Motion Isolation Before I Buy a Mattress?
Before you decide to buy a mattress, it’s always a good idea to lie down on it in the store and have your partner get in and out of bed a few times. Your partner could also lie down next to you and move around a bit, so you can feel how much motion is transferred to your side of the bed.
Another way to test motion transfer is to sit on the edge of the mattress while your partner lies down in the middle. Again, have them move around a bit so you can feel how much movement is transferred to the edge of the bed. This will give you a sense of how much motion is transferred across the surface of the mattress.
If you’re buying a mattress online, you won’t be able to test it in person before making a purchase. In this case, you should look for beds that have good reviews from other couples who have shared their experiences.
When reading reviews, pay attention to how often people mention motion transfer. If a lot of people complain that they can feel their partner’s movements, it might not be the best mattress for you.
If you have a pet, you should also consider how much motion transfer the mattress will allow. Pets like to jump on and off beds, and if your new mattress transfers too much movement each time they do, it could bother you and disrupt your sleep.
Finally, keep in mind that firmness levels can affect how much movement the mattress can absorb. In general, softer mattresses will allow more movement to be transferred than firmer ones. If you’re worried about motion transfer, you might want to choose a mattress that’s on the firmer side.
Conclusion
If you share your bed with a partner, you know how important it is to find a mattress that can give both of you a good night’s sleep. A mattress that causes one person to feel every movement of the other can be a major source of frustration and poor sleep. This is why it’s so important to find a mattress that minimizes motion transfer so both of you can get quality sleep.
About the Author Kamila Flieger
My name is Kamila, and I'm passionate about researching non-toxic, organic products for the home. I believe it's so important to create a safe and healthy environment for our families, and I enjoy helping others do the same.
