We've tested this year's best mattresses for a restful night's sleep, from Simba to Tempur, Emma and Silentnight
You may have heard that a mattress needs replacing every seven years, but in fact even the best mattress is due an upgrade as soon as you begin to notice aches and back pain, or wake up feeling less rested than before. You don’t necessarily have to break the bank: brands like Silentnight prioritise affordability and value for money. Simba, Tempur and Emma lean towards the more expensive end but focus on quality. There are also cooling mattresses (and duvets) to regulate your body temperature. spring mattress for hotels
“We spend a third of our lives asleep, so a mattress is actually the product you probably spend the most time with,” says sleep expert James Wilson, also known as ‘The Sleep Geek’. “Sleep forms the foundation for rest of our health. During sleep, your body recovers and you process your memories of the day, making you more resilient.”
We’ve tried all this year’s best hybrid, memory foam and pocket sprung mattresses. You can read our full reviews further down, followed by an FAQ section full of advice from sleep experts about how to choose the right mattress. If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick glance at our top five:
A Pocket sprung mattress is made from individually woven pockets of springs. It tends to feel bouncy and supportive. The more springs the better, particularly if you share a bed, since they provide the support that stops you both rolling into the middle or disturbing each other when you turn.
A memory foam mattress has a reputation for trapping heat, but new formulations of foam offer far better temperature regulation and are well worth considering. They consist of a base layer of supportive foam, usually topped with a second (and in some cases third) layer of softer foam which moulds to your body shape for comfort.
A hybrid mattresses contains both a layer of pocket springs and a layer of memory foam to provide improved comfort, support and temperature regulation.
There are other, more niche types of mattress out there – such as latex mattresses, which tend to be very expensive – and open-coil mattresses, which tend to be cheap and uncomfortable.
You should choose your mattress based on the position you spend the most time sleeping, although there are other factors to consider including your weight, where in your body you need the most support, whether your skin reacts to certain materials and simply, what you find the most comfortable.
Here is our advice, based on testing dozens of mattresses over the years:
Front sleepers, otherwise known as stomach sleepers, should generally buy a medium-firm or firm mattress to ensure spinal alignment and an even distribution of weight. Memory foam, pocket sprung or hybrid mattress types can all provide the required level of support.
Side sleepers (which is the majority of us) have more pressure points that dig into the mattress than those who sleep on the back or front, so they need a mattress with the best possible pressure relief. Modern hybrid mattresses will best conform to a side sleeper’s body shape for maximum support. You’ll also want to choose supportive pillows.
Back sleepers need to avoid the heaviest part of their bodies, the middle, from dropping too far into the mattress, which could cause over-flexion of the spine. Medium to firm pocket-sprung mattresses are best, because each spring works individually, meaning each body part gets the independent cushioning it needs.
Between us, the Recommended team have slept on all these mattresses and usually for several months. One or two were tested by visiting department stores to try them out. As well as value for money, we were looking for good support in all sleeping positions, good thermal regulation, easy installation and good aftercare. If you’re looking to improve your sleep, we’ve also reviewed the best sofa beds, electric blankets, duvet covers and air beds, while over on the Health section you can find sleep health tips for both men and women.
Also available at Very (£1499 for a double)
We like: the seven layers, which provide both top notch comfort and support
We don’t like: no longer quite the cutting edge of mattress tech
It can’t quite compare to the remarkable new Ultra version below, but at less than half the price Simba’s consistently top-rated hybrid mattress is probably the better buy for most people, thanks to its winning combination of cloud-like lightness, temperature regulation and unparalleled support. You also get a free mattress protector thrown in.
It has seven engineered layers, which was the most on the market until very recently: a super soft surface followed by temperature-regulating wool, Simba’s “open-cell” foam, two layers of springs and then two more layers of foam. The mattress is 28cm deep and contains 5,000 “Aerocoil” springs.
Given the number of mattresses that end up in landfill at the end of their lifespan, Simba’s dedication to sustainability is also admirable; the foam used in their mattresses is CertiPUR certified free of toxic dyes and heavy metals. Simba only offers one firmness option, but the Hybrid mattress is available in a wide range of sizes: single, small double, queen, double, king and super-king. Each mattress also comes with a 10-year guarantee and a 200 night no-strings-attached trial.
Simba also make some of our favourite duvets and pillows, so it might be wise to pick up a discounted bundle.
Currently £359.20 for a double, Dunelm
We don’t like: the quality isn’t quite as high as others on this list
This ‘pocket memory mattress’ is Silentnight’s answer to a hybrid design and it rings in at a lower price than most. It has the perfect soft-medium firmness for if you like a bed to sink into but still need ample support. With a layer of extra-comfortable memory foam followed by “Zoned Mirapocket®” pocket springs, you get the best of both worlds.
It’s especially recommended for side-sleepers who prefer a little extra softness and it’s a great choice for allergy sufferers, as it’s made with a specially designed Purotex which reduces moisture and dust-mite allergens. It’s single-sided, so doesn’t need flipping, although it is recommended that you rotate the mattress from head to toe regularly for best performance.
We like: the three-zone system to take pressure off joints
We don’t like: the lingering ‘new mattress’ smell
The biggest pro of this sophisticated Emma Zero Gravity mattress is the ‘Gel Grid’ just below the surface; it’s super stable and rebounds quickly. Your partner could probably do burpees next to you and you wouldn’t feel a tremor on your side. If you co-sleep with someone who tends to toss and turn, this is a dream.
Just above the gel grid is a layer of temperature-regulating foam, which works in conjuction with the gaps in the gel grid to combat night sweats. On the down side, I found it retained the factory smell longer than some other foams do (all hybrid mattresses have an initial chemical smell). I could still detect it after two weeks, so I took the manual’s advice and sprayed the bed with essential oils. That did the trick. Luckily, the very top layer is removable and washable.
Joint support comes from the hyper-elastic AirGrid three-zone pocket spring system, which is made to support wider areas of your back and pressure points. It takes a bit of getting used to if you’re used to a soft mattress. As a side sleeper, I felt my body was aching by morning during the first week, after which it got used to it. Fortunately, Emma offers a topper if you struggle to adjust.
You can get a very good Emma hybrid mattress for less (see below), but the breathability and the motion-control make this worth the extra money. One note about the clever temperature regulation, though: on an extremely cold night, it takes the bed quite a while to warm up, especially if you’re cold-blooded like me. That said, it was lovely and cosy once it did.
Currently £2,899 for a double, Simba
We like: unparalleled combination of bounce, support, comfort and heat regulation
We don’t like: the eyewatering price
Given that Simba’s seven-layer Hybrid Pro is our best buy, why would you consider the new 13-layer Hybrid Ultra, which is over three times the price? (By the way, you should always wait for one of Simba’s extremely frequent major discounts.)
It’s because this, in various ways, shows the current state of the art. Most hybrid mattresses have one or two thousand springs and a few layers of differently-composed foams. This has 8,500 springs, five layers of foam and three layers of temperature-controlling natural materials. You could call it overkill, but once you’ve slept on the Ultra you do start to see the other hybrids as works-in-progress. If you can afford it, it’s worth going for the cutting edge.
So what do all those layers do? Well, the ‘Supportcore’ base is basically an entire pocket-sprung mattress sitting underneath the clever stuff. This is what gives the Ultra its bounce. Above that are a layer of smaller ‘Aerocoil’ springs and two layers of ‘microsprings’, the latter arranged to give more support at the hips and shoulders. Other hybrid mattresses claim this kind of contouring, but the Ultra is the first one where I can feel it. I have a bad back and this helps align my spine, reducing pain.
Another function of the microsprings is to stabilise the edges. There’s no droop at the sides, so you can use the whole width of the mattress - an important consideration when two people share a double. The microsprings also reduce motion transfer. If your partner turns over, they’re less likely to wake you. It’s amazing how much this can improve your sleep.
Finally, you’ll notice the thermal regulation. Towards the top are layers of natural fibres – one of coconut and one of wool, bamboo, charcoal and kapok – topped by a soft knitted cover. They give a gentle, floaty feeling and significantly reduce night-sweats, while feeling cosy in the cold. I tried the Ultra as the seasons were changing and the temperature dropped by ten degrees. It works.
Now the downsides. First, the full price is ludicrous and you should wait until it’s heavily discounted (which Simba’s mattresses often are). Then there is the bulk: this is by far the thickest mattress you will ever see. You’re going to need an ultra-deep fitted sheet. Mine only went halfway down.
Then there is the firmness. The contours which helped my back pain were less comfortable for my wife’s wider hips and narrower shoulders. Luckily it comes with a free padded mattress-protector that softens the contours, making it more comfortable for her. But if you like a soft mattress, look elsewhere.
Overall, the Ultra is a mattress-maker’s masterpiece. If the high price puts you off, you can hardly be blamed – but this shows you all the features you should be looking out for in cheaper models.
We like: the combination of breathable latex and pocket springs
We don’t like: if you’re looking to spend less than £1,000, this isn’t the brand for you
With its mix of 1,184 pocket springs, temperature-regulating natural wool filling and breathable Dunlopillow latex, the Relyon Bridgwater Dunlopillo Latex Mattress is a sumptuous design. It has a traditionally hand-tufted finish for durability and is made in the UK. It caught my eye as I love the idea of sleeping on latex, which is natural and sustainable.
I ordered it at Dreams, where the customer service was excellent. The two delivery guys quickly installed it in my bedroom at the top of a tall flight of stairs. They also advised me on how to care for the bed – I’d need to rotate it head to toe weekly for the first three months, then every month thereafter for optimum comfort.
Unless you like your bed very firm, you won’t be disappointed by the Relyon. This is a very comfortable mattress to sleep on. Its motion isolation technology is particularly impressive, meaning that I didn’t notice my partner move in the night and vice versa.
I tested it by placing an empty wine glass on the centre of the bed and dropping an 8kg weight five inches away. The wine glass merely wobbled a tad and showed no signs of toppling over, which is testament to how well this mattress can limit movement and therefore keep you undisturbed from a restless partner at night.
I asked a couple of friends to try the mattress out. My friend Pariya particularly liked the comfy pillow top, which she thought gave it a luxurious hotel-style feel unlike other hybrid mattresses. I agree.
We like: the bed-in-a-box design is great for delivery and storage
We don’t like: some people will find it too firm
This leading bed-in-a-box mattress brand has been overrun with awards for their comfortable, supportive memory foam. The original Emma foam mattress is still a popular choice, but even better is this NextGen Premium hybrid model, which couples foam with the support of pocket springs.
It’s a bit of a jump up from the original Emma mattress price-wise, but you do get tangibly more support. There are slightly softer springs to cradle your shoulders and hips (coloured dark grey in the image above) and firmer springs to support your back (coloured white). They’re all 18cm tall, for improved airflow.
A layer of firm, supportive memory foam sits on top of the springs. Above that is a layer of breathable memory foam and on the very top is a layer of pressure-relieving ‘Halo Memory Foam’ for spinal alignment.
Emma’s other big selling point is the ease of their (free) delivery service: the mattresses in a box with a generous 200 night trial and money back guarantee, so there’s no risk if you decide the mattress isn’t for you. They also provide an old mattress removal service, which you can opt into at checkout.
The NextGen Premium mattress is also ready to sleep on within an hour of unboxing it – although it doesn’t lose that slightly chemical ‘new mattress’ smell for a couple of days. It’s slightly thinner than the mattresses above, at 25cm, and comes in four standard sizes (single, double, king and super-king).
Best mattress for regulating body temperature, 8/10
We like: the clever liquid crystal Thermoswitch cover
We don’t like: that the weight of the mattress makes it tricky to rotate
When you think of liquid crystal, your mind may wander to a flat-screen TV way before you’d consider mattresses. And yet that’s what forms the Thermoswitch cover atop the Dream Team Gold Prescot Combination Mattress, clever technology that you can see in action when you overheat.
When I finally laid my face down on it after fighting it into position (it’s weighty and took some wrangling) my flushed cheeks and forehead had turned the grey cover white as it worked to cool me down. Genius! It’s antibacterial too.
The soft-touch knitted cover is welcoming on cold nights, warm to crawl into with some 4,092 pocket springs distributing my weight well, the deep layer of pressure-relieving memory foam adding extra comfort to hips and shoulders.
The memory foam is soft enough to allow you to sink but not so squashy that you end up trapped in an uncomfortable position. As a side-sleeper, I found this gave me peace of mind as my old memory foam topper quickly developed dents that never really went away.
It comes with a 100 night trial period, but I was sold by the British-made mattress after the first.
Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers 9/10
We like: good pressure relief, stable edges
We don’t like: like the Emma, it will be too firm for some
While Otty isn’t the best-known brand in the world of bed-in-a-box mattresses I think its Original Hybrid, with its combination of 16cm pocket springs and temperature-regulating memory foam, is worth placing on your radar.
I got the Otty Pure+ Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Mattress (see below) a couple of years ago for my son, who suffers from allergies. It’s hypoallergenic and very comfortable. So I was optimistic that I’d be in for a good night’s sleep on the Original, one of the brand’s mid-price designs
It is rated 7/10 for firmness and is the firmest the brand sells, but it still has a good amount of ‘squish’ when you lay on it. On top is a removable and washable cover, which feels soft and luxurious. Next is a layer of heat-regulating memory foam. There are also small perforations throughout the mattress to help with airflow.
Next comes a layer of high-density support foam, 2,000 16cm pocket springs and a base foam. This all combines to create a mattress that feels very supportive and retains its structure well. I was able to sit on the sides and get in and out of bed easily with the edges holding their shape. I normally sleep with a pillow under my knees to support my lower back, but I didn’t feel like I needed it when laying on this mattress. Sleeping on the side felt good too as my hips were nicely cushioned yet comfortably held in place.
A good, affordable mattress for pressure relief, then - but if you like super-soft, look elsewhere.
We like: handles on the sides make it easy to rotate
We don’t like: it’s not so good for the warmer months
At 28cm deep, this hybrid mattress has just about every layer imaginable. At the top is a pillow layer, made up of a dimpled knitted cover over polyester and memory foam layers. Beneath that, in the main body of the mattress, are two more polyester comfort layers sandwiching pocket springs, plus a supportive base.
The result is a completely luxurious, bouncy bed which offers pressure relief and support. As I’ve spent quite a long time reviewing mattresses, I generally have a preconception of how a mattress might feel by how it looks. I was completely wrong with this one. Instead of being a soft, fabric mattress that you completely fall into, it was supportive, bouncy thanks to the memory foam and reasonably firm.
Maintenance-wise, it needs rotating weekly for the first three months the every month thereafter. That might sound quite high maintenance, but the handles on the side of the mattress make turning the 43kg mass slightly easier.
Currently £824.99 for a double, Otty
We like: the bamboo and charcoal infused foam is both hypoallergenic and breathable
We don’t like: when it’s not on offer, it’s expensive
Yorkshire-based Otty previously sold three types of mattress: the £300 Aura, £440 Original Hybrid (reviewed above) and £570 Pure Hybrid. They’ve now added this to the top of the range. It’s 28cm thick, with eight comfort layers compared to the Pure’s six, and has twice as many springs.
It’s also made using two materials which keep the mattress hygienic and fresh: sustainable bamboo is breathable and wicks away moisture to keep you at the optimum temperature at night. Charcoal is odour-eliminating and known for its hypoallergenic qualities – important if you suffer from allergies. Small perforations throughout the mattress further increase breathability. It works. I slept at a comfortable temperature even when summer night temperatures had risen to 24 degrees in my bedroom.
The Pure+ is described by Otty as medium-firm, which I think is a fair description. (Some mattresses described as medium firm are way too hard.) Its 2,000 eight-centimetre springs and 2,000 four-centimetre springs are an impressive number for a hybrid design and, combined with the six layers of foam, they seem to create a structure that is well-balanced and provides excellent pressure relief.
I felt like my body weight was evenly distributed. I’m generally a restless sleeper that goes from side to side and onto my back, but I found myself moving around less on this mattress. My partner noticed it too. I likewise went undisturbed by his movements during the night – testament to how well this mattress isolates movement on both sides, for a better night’s sleep.
We like: it’s breathable despite having a thick memory foam top
We don’t like: it’s susceptible to motion transfer
If you love the feel of Tempur mattresses but can’t quite justify spending thousands of pounds, Hyde and Sleep sells an excellent dupe of the Tempur Hybrid Mattress (from £1,479) in the form of this Emerald Hybrid Mattress (currently £719). It even has the same green lining and impressed design.
The Hyde and Sleep hybrid has a bottom layer of 1,350 pocket springs, a thick wad of premium memory foam and a breathable cover. Despite it being a combo mattress, I’d say it feels and behaves far more like a memory foam, prioritising the relaxing sinking feeling and instant pressure relief over support. It’s also single-sided, meaning it doesn’t need flipping (just rotating).
This mattress’ unique selling point is that you can split the tension on both sides, which is ideal if you sleep with a partner who prefers a softer or firmer bed. The only two options available are firm and very firm, but I would say it feels more like medium and firm. Bear in mind there is no industry standard on mattress firmness.
Overall, a comfortable, mid-range mattress that feels more luxurious than the price suggests.
We like: 365-night trial and lifetime warranty
We don’t like: you can buy cheaper hybrids
What’s instantly enticing about buying a Nectar mattress is the company’s 365-night trail and forever warranty, which is slightly more generous than your average offering – Emma offers 200-night-trial and a 10 year guarantee, for example. But knowing that a mattress is returnable – should you not get on with it – is reassuring.
In fact though, having trialled it over the course of two months, I’d say that the Nectar Essential Hybrid is a mattress that I’d happily sleep on for years. I wear one of those Oura sleep rings that tracks your ‘sleep score’ and tells you how much you move at night. After a week, my score had detectably improved.
I have previously tried out the thicker and more expensive Nectar Premier Hybrid, which I found too firm. This one provides a slightly softer base, offering better pressure relief for my petite frame. It comprises six layers of pressure-relieving memory foam and 600 individually-wrapped 15-centimetre pocket springs, topped off with a quilted cooling cover designed to draw heat away from the body and circulate fresh air as you move.
This seemed to work for me. I found myself waking up in the morning feeling suitably refreshed. I’d recommend the Nectar Essential for anyone who wants a medium-firm mattress that is comfortable, breathable and supportive.
Currently £339 for a double, Dusk
We like: very low price for a hybrid
We don’t like: delivery can be slow
‘Gel’ is a bit misleading here, making you think you’ll be sleeping on something coldly squishy. In fact, the top layer of Dusk’s sprung hybrid mattress is a lighter-than-usual foam in a diamond pattern that makes it more breathable, so that hot summer nights are more bearable.
That makes it very comfortable, too – a bit softer than the claimed ‘medium-firm’, which many people will be glad of. So why the remarkably low price? Well, four layers is not state of the art these days and there are fewer than 2,000 springs here compared to 5,000 in the Simba at the top of our list. It’s also one-sided, meaning it won’t last quite as long (although as always, rotating it regularly will extend the lifespan).
But at this price, the Dusk is pretty much a no-brainer for a spare room mattress upgrade, with the option to move it onto your main bed in the summer when you’re in need of that extra breathability.
We like: the teddy bear cover is lovely and cosy for winter
We don’t like: some people might find it too firm
Complete with a royal warrant to King Charles, Kent based Sleepeezee is an environmentally conscious, luxury bed brand. I tried Sleepeezee’s Sophia Mattress which is a hybrid of pocket springs and memory foam. It’s also a pillow top mattress, like the Dream Team Padstow mattress above, which means it has a built-in mattress topper.
It’s a well thought-out, firm mattress with a furry teddy bear layer for comfort in the winter. A high-density pillow top adds support. Unlike usual pillow tops, which generally jut out to create an obvious layer, this one is concealed with a mesh cover in line with the rest of the mattress, so will better fit a fitted sheet.
The rest of the mattress is made up of a combination of pocket springs, both mini and traditional, regular memory foam and comfort and support layers made from recycled materials. They’re designed to improve ventilation, in what is otherwise quite a dense mattress.
I’d love to try this mattress without the teddy bear cover, which is a little warm for summer for my liking. Also be aware that it is on the firmer side, because of the memory foam and the generous number of pocket springs. But that makes it a great option for back pain.
Wash your bed linen every two weeks, use a mattress protector to prevent stains, pull your duvet back to allow it to air everyday, and turn it regularly to avoid sagging, according to Dreams. In the case of spills, use warm soapy water and a cloth as soon as possible.
In the case of smells, including the new mattress odour (which is caused by concentrated chemicals in a small area, from being packed up), air it by an open window for at least a couple of hours.
Mattresses cost on average between £350 and £3,000, so you can basically pay what you can afford, with excellent options at each end of the scale.
'The best way to make your money go further is to do the research,' says Penny Albright, founder of Easy Sleep Guide. Most people assume that the less you pay, the less you get but that isn't true with modern mattresses. You can find memory foam for £500 and under. There are many affordable options out there when you look.'
'Going up a scale, you can spend just under £1,000 on something like the Emma mattress, with three layers of foam for those that need spinal support. Products around this price range also have temperature regulating technologies and are highly breathable. At the top end of the scale, you can get a Simba Hybrid mattress that has seven layers, including one made of pure wool,' she explains.
Penny also warns that catering for back pain might come with a greater price tag. 'If you time things just right you can usually get a great deal from some of the top award-winners around January, so being thrifty will really pay off,' she says.
It's hard to say without seeing each individual case, but you want to buy the biggest mattress possible without making the room feel cramped. The more you can move around at night, the better you will sleep - especially if you like to spread out when you sleep, or if you sleep with a partner or pets. If you're buying for a guest room, consider buying two singles instead of one double for flexibility.
According to sleep consultant Dr Neil Stanley, 'you should buy a new bed when you start noticing your old one.' This could mean noticing discomfort, waking up with aches and pains or not feeling rested. Worn fabric or squeaky springs are also a tell-tale sign that it's time to upgrade (or else add a mattress topper as a temporary fix).
Also, a word of warning: 'remember that each night, you sweat a significant amount of moisture and shed a good amount of dead skin into your mattress,' Stanley says, 'So for hygiene reasons it would be good to change your bed regularly.'
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