Zip and Link Mattresses Explained: Turning Two Singles Into a Super King

Zip and link mattresses are two single mattresses with a zip along one long edge, so you can join them into one larger bed or unzip them and use them separately. They're popular in hotels, where the same room might host a couple one night and two colleagues the next, and they're just as useful at home in a guest room.

How zip and link works

Each mattress has one half of a heavy-duty zip running along its long side. Lay the two mattresses next to each other, zip them together, and they behave as one surface. There's still a seam where they meet, but because the mattresses are held tightly together they can't drift apart in the night, which is the main problem with simply pushing two singles side by side.

When you need two separate beds again, unzip them and move them apart. Each one works as a normal single mattress on its own.

What size do two singles make?

A hotel-style zip and link super king is usually two 90 x 200cm mattresses. Two UK standard singles give you the same width, just 10cm shorter.

So two standard singles zipped together give a couple the width of a super king, with the length of a standard double. For most guests, that's plenty of room.

Zip-link on our guest bed

Our guest bed with trundle comes with two UK standard single mattresses (90 x 190cm, 25cm deep, 1000 pocket springs), and you can order them as separate mattresses or as zip-link mattresses. The bed gives you three set-ups:

• A single, with the trundle stored underneath.
• Two singles, with the trundle rolled out alongside.
• One large bed 182cm wide, with the trundle raised level with the main bed. With zip-link mattresses, the two zip together into one surface for a couple.

Both levels take adult weight, so it doesn't matter who ends up on which side. You choose zip-link or separate mattresses when you order.

Is zip-link worth choosing?

It's worth it if couples stay with you even a few times a year. Without the zip, two singles side by side can slowly part company in the night, and somebody ends up in the gap. With it, the bed feels like one bed.

It also helps if one of you prefers to sleep closer to the edge and the other likes to spread out. A joined surface means nobody has to keep to their own half quite so carefully, and the bed stays put when someone gets up for a glass of water at 2am.

If the room is mostly used by children, friends or single guests, separate mattresses work just as well, and you can still raise the trundle level to make one large bed if you need to.

Can you feel the join?

Some people can, most don't mind. Where two pocket spring mattresses meet, the edges are a little firmer than the middle, so you may notice a slight ridge if you lie right on it. Couples tend to sleep either side of the join anyway, and a topper over both mattresses hides it almost completely.

Bedding and care tips for zipped beds

• Sheets: a super king fitted sheet covers two zipped 90cm singles. Check the depth suits 25cm mattresses; deep-fit sheets go on more easily.
• Mattress topper: a super king topper over the top smooths out the join and adds a soft layer. Our feather topper buying guide explains the options.
• Duvet: a king or super king duvet covers the width without a tug of war.
• Turning: unzip the mattresses every few months and turn each one. Both of ours are two-sided, so flipping helps keep the support even.

For the bigger picture, read our guest bed buying guide or browse our trundle beds and guest beds. Our guest bed costs £995 including both mattresses, comes in 11 colours and is hand-built to order in Yorkshire. Delivery usually takes 2 to 3 weeks and is free to England, Wales and most of Scotland. Order by 30 November for guaranteed delivery before Christmas.