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Do you and your partner have different mattress preferences? They want a softer mattress but you prefer a firm one; and of course the discussion never ends. We’ve all been there. A split queen mattress may be the solution to your problems! In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about what a split queen mattress is including their pros and cons and how to choose the right one.
What is a split queen mattress size?
A split queen mattress consists of two mattresses that are both 30 inches wide and 80 inches long. Together, these mattresses make up a queen size bed that’s 60 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Like a queen mattress, a split queen bed is also geared toward couples and even offers extra benefits that you don’t usually get from standard mattresses. That being said, split queen mattresses are not free of drawbacks which I’ll be mentioning for you below.
These are the pros and cons of split queen mattresses:
Split queen pros
- Great for partners with different firmness preferences – You sleep on your side and your partner prefers to sleep prone. Because of that, you’ve been struggling to find a mattress that both of you like. Split queen mattresses are the solution! On a split queen mattress, you can have different firmness levels on each side of the bed. This is a huge benefit because you and your partner won’t have to compromise your preferred sleeping positions so you can share a bed.
- Zero motion transfer – Sleeping on two separate mattresses means that your movements won’t travel across your partner’s side of the bed. This is a great perk for you light sleepers who are easily awoken by your partner’s tossing and turning.
- Split adjustable bed support – A split queen mattress is a must-have for those who have adjustable split queen beds. We recommend a split queen adjustable bed base if you and your partner have different preferences or one of you suffers from back pain or loud snoring
- Easier to move – Lastly, a split queen bed is much easier to move than a standard queen mattress. It’s lighter and it can fit through narrow doorways and hallways better than a whole queen bed. Is it hard to maneuver beds or furniture through your house? If yes, you should go ahead and get a split queen mattress.
Split queen cons
- Some people don’t like the split in the middle – You might not be a fan of the noticeable split in between the two mattresses. This could be an issue especially if you like to cuddle your partner while sleeping.
- You might need a special bed frame – A split queen mattress might not fit on a traditional foundation or bed frame. We suggest getting a split queen box spring to support your mattress. Of course, having an adjustable split queen bed frame makes things easier but you’ll have to spend more money.
Split queen vs. queen mattress
As many of you may know, the queen mattress is the most popular mattress size in the US. Although it’s mostly used by couples, it can also be a good option if you’re a tall individual who needs extra space. Another perk of choosing a queen mattress is that you won’t have a hard time looking for bedding as opposed to getting sheets for oversized beds or custom mattress sizes.
Overall, queen mattresses are an ideal option for couples or people who are looking for a spacious bed. However, not everybody shares the same sleeping position or habits and some couples will have different preferences. That’s just how it is.
Now, this is where split queen mattresses come in.
Also known as a dual queen mattress, a split queen mattress consists of two separate mattresses that can have different feels and firmness levels. You can tailor each side of the bed to fit your needs as well as your partner’s.
Choose a traditional queen mattress if you and your partner have similar preferences when it comes to firmness and feel. We recommend getting a medium to medium-firm mattress as these can usually accommodate most sleeper types. Check out our best mattresses list for our top five picks of the best queen mattresses.
When getting a queen mattress, another thing you’ll have to consider is motion isolation. Memory foam mattresses are typically excellent at absorbing motion if you or your partner are light sleepers. We suggest looking at our best memory foam mattress list for our top five picks.
Choose a split queen mattress if you and your partner have different needs when it comes to the firmness and feel of a bed. Those who have split adjustable bed frames should also get a split queen mattress to complete their bed.
If you don’t know where to look, you can find the top five split queen mattresses on the market in our best split queen mattress article.
How to choose a split queen mattress
There are a few other important things to consider apart from size when choosing a mattress. Consider each factor below so you can make a well-informed decision when buying a split queen mattress.
Couples
Do you and your partner have different needs? Do you sleep on a split adjustable bed? A split queen mattress will be helpful in both scenarios. Make sure to choose a model that’s made with great quality and fits both you and your partner.
Firmness
What firmness level do you prefer? What does your partner like? Ask yourself these questions before deciding on a specific split queen mattress.
Side sleepers generally prefer medium-soft to medium firmness. While a medium-firm mattress is usually suitable for all sleeper types, except for heavier stomach sleepers. These individuals will need a firm mattress to keep their hips well-supported.
Body weight
Another important factor to consider is your body weight as well as that of your partner. Light to average weight individuals/couples will get enough support on a high-quality foam mattress. However, those who are on the heavier side should opt for a mattress with coils for durable support.
You can choose a long-lasting supportive mattress from these two articles: best hybrid mattresses, and best innerspring mattresses.
Size of your bedroom
The size of your bedroom has to be at least 10 feet by 10 feet or more to comfortably fit a split queen mattress. If your bedroom is smaller than that, it’s going to feel cramped especially if you have furniture and other stuff inside it too.
Depending on your room dimensions, you can also consider an Olympic Queen mattress. An Olympic Queen is similar to a Queen but 6 inches wider. See our guide to Queen vs. Olympic queen mattresses to find out if they’re right for you.
Temperature regulation
If you or your partner tend to sleep hot at night, you should look for a split queen mattress that has cooling properties or more breathability. Traditional memory foam has a tendency of trapping body heat and making you sleep a little hot.
That’s why you should opt for memory foam mattresses that have additives such as gel beads, gel infusions, copper infusions and other proprietary cooling tech. These types of memory foam will draw heat away from your body and keep you cool at night.
Other more breathable mattress types include latex mattresses and innerspring mattresses.
Motion isolation
This last factor has to do with motion isolation which is a main thing that couples look out for. The problem with standard mattresses is that the motion from one side of the bed usually travels to the other side of mattress. Of course, this varies by mattress type as some mattresses are better at isolating motion that others.
Getting a split mattress eliminates the issue altogether because you and your partner will be sleeping on separate mattresses. You’ll no longer feel any of your partner’s movements unless you cross over to their side of the bed.
FAQs
Split queen mattresses serve as a convenient solution for couples with different needs and preferences. They are also great for those who need split adjustable bed support.
No, a split queen is not the same as two twins. A split queen mattresses consists of two mattresses that measure 30″ x 80″ each. Whereas a twin mattress is 38″ x 75″.
As its name suggests, a split head queen mattress is only split from the top end anywhere from 30 to 35 inches.
Conclusion
All things considered, a split queen mattress is an excellent option for couples who want a queen-size bed but have different firmness tastes. It’s also a necessity if you have a split queen adjustable base that you use to combat snoring or to relieve back pain. Yes, a traditional queen mattress is great but a split queen bed has extra perks such as eliminating motion transfer and being easier to move around your home.
Next step: Read our guide to split California king mattresses. They’re similar to split queens but much, much larger. If you need extra space then a split Cal king is definitely a mattress size you need to consider.
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