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Stop compromising on sleep and invest in one of the best mattresses on the market. Whatever type of mattress you’re after – memory foam or pocket sprung, luxury or affordable, from Simba to Nectar – our writers and editors tested to find the very best.
It’s no secret that us Brits don’t sleep particularly well. In fact, Mental Health UK reported that almost 20 per cent of people in the UK aren’t getting enough sleep, with sleep problems deriving from environmental issues, life events, anxiety, and lifestyle choices, among just a few. It’s a pretty big problem if one in five us aren’t sleeping enough, and while we can’t magic away your worries or distractions, the one thing we can do is help you get as comfortable as possible to hopefully ease things up. Enter, the best mattresses.
We’re not being dramatic when we say that getting a new mattress is one of the most rewarding, and most adult, purchases you’ll make in your life. Settling for whatever was leftover when you moved into your house, or whatever cheap piece of foam you purchased when you first moved out ten years ago just won’t cut it. A good mattress is not only key to your comfort, but also to your health. It’s all about keeping you supported overnight, relieving pressure and helping your body recovery properly, while also helping you feel comfortable enough to drift off easily, whatever might be keeping you up at night.
Thankfully, we’ve spent the last few years compiling what we believe to be the ultimate guide to mattresses currently available in the UK. We’ve slept on a good few foam, pocket sprung and hybrid pieces, spoken to some of the best sleep experts around and deployed a team of writers and editors onto the case. The result? Well, our team now sleeps pretty soundly, if that’s saying anything.
As versed as we may be in the world of mattresses, we understand that it's a pretty confusing space. There are endless specs to browse through, and as much as every mattress brand can claim to transform your sleep, you’ll need to know which ones are right for you personally. We’ve tried to simplify it all for you here, running through only the best mattresses, who we think they’re suited to and where you can get the best deals. For each we’ve also included a personal review, written by whichever member of our team tested the mattress, running through its strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re after a pocket spring mattress, a hybrid mattress or a memory foam mattress, you’ll find our honest reviews on Emma, Simba and Nectar mattress’s top offerings below. (Just make sure you also pair it with the right duvet, pillow, and duvet cover so you’re truly sleeping in bliss).
You can find our in-depth reviews of the 18 best mattresses around below, but if you want a quick-fire pick of our top recommendations we've included our three top mattresses of 2024 here, and a guide to the best mattresses for certain requirements below.
Skip to: How do we test mattresses? GQ's reviewing process | What mattress is best for back pain? | How often should you replace a mattress and how do you know when to change it? | What is the most comfortable mattress? | What are the different types of mattresses? | Are foam or spring mattresses better in 2024? | What mattress is the healthiest to sleep on in 2024? | Why buy a hybrid mattress? | Why buy a pocket spring mattress? | Why buy a memory foam mattress? | What is the best mattress to prevent overheating? | Can you change your mind about a mattress?| How do I know the right mattress size for my bed frame?
GQ: How we test mattresses
Our process: It’s important to us to make sure we back the mattresses we recommend, so we’ve implemented a comprehensive testing program here at GQ to make sure all of the brands we’re including are ones we’ve tried and tested ourselves. For every mattress in this guide, we’ve slept on it for at least a month, and in many cases much longer, to really get a sense of how it measures up. Now one of the largest content verticals at British GQ, you can trust that our team knows a thing or two about what makes a good night’s sleep and what doesn’t, as well as our wider network of experts.
Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer
Our expertise: All of GQ’s interiors guides are written by our in-house team of contributing testers and experts, and are edited by Daphne Bugler, British GQ’s Senior Commerce Writer, who has been working at GQ for the past four years, and has written extensively about interiors since 2020. The team regularly talks to experts in a variety of interiors categories to better understand the products we write about and what we should be looking for. Having tested mattresses for the past three years, we also have a good insight into how different brands perform, having tried and tested an expansive range. We know what kind of designs work for which sleepers, how they’ll perform in different climates, and whether or not they’re going to hold up and last. Our criteria; Our criteria for choosing mattresses includes looking at the construction, the firmness, the fillings, the range of positions it is suitable for, the cost, the durability, and in general how it performs in comparison to claims from the brand. We also look for added features like temperature regulation, removable covers and any materials that can help allergy sufferers.
An upgrade on the soon-to-be discontinued Emma Premium Mattress, the Emma NextGen comes with improved features to make it even more breathable and supportive. Both mattresses have six layers of foam and springs but there are subtle, yet effective, enhancements on the new NextGen design. While both offer targeted support zones for the body including the head, shoulders, lumbar, lower leg and pelvic area, the NextGen gives you extra support around the knees and feet area too, for example. This may not sound much, but I found that those extra zones did make a difference – particularly when laying on my back and sides.
Having tried both mattresses, we think that the NextGen has a more luxurious finish to it, due to the layer of Halo Memory Foam that sits just under the Emma UltraDry cover, which itself is smooth to touch and gives the mattress a streamlined feel. When laying on the NextGen, our body felt suitably supported and we found that the mattress did well to offer pressure relief in all the key areas such as the back and lumbar area. While it's a medium firm mattress, it is marginally softer than the Emma Premium - the Emma NextGen Premium is 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, while the Emma Premium is 6.5 out of 10. The NextGen also has a little more ‘give’ to it, which is perhaps enhanced by the extra tall 18cm pocket springs inside. The edge support could be improved, but it's worth noting that in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, Emma has created the NextGen with 79 per cent less foam. So if you’re keen on sourcing eco-conscious homewares, this info alone may just make you sleep sounder. Emily Peck, Contributing Writer.
**Read GQ's **Emma Premium NextGen review
As much as we'd love to tell you a thousand-pound mattress is the kind of extravagance no person of sound mind could ever justify, we're afraid to report that Nectar's Premier Hybrid is that most dangerous of luxuries. Like stepping down to prosecco after a night spent caning the Veuve Cliquot, it's the kind of decadence that ruins all inferior rivals by way of comparison.
What's so good about it? As a hybrid mattress, it combines both springs and memory foam for the utmost comfort and performance. So you get that initial, glorious sinking feeling when you first lay down without the fear that you're about to be moulded to your bed for the next millennium. If you're the type to typically roll over at least four times before finding the right position to doze off in, multiple support layers do their best to allay that faff so that you can skip straight to a restive state. Those who've doubled down on duvets to escape the winter chill (and alternatively resort to the opposite when summer hits) will find the expertly curated airflow here an absolute blessing too.
Of course, other mattresses – especially those from Simba and Emma – can provide better value for money if you don't have the funds to simply spend your way to serenity. Those who have no such qualms will quickly find Nectar's Premier Hybrid offers a rarefied calibre of refinement they simply can't do without. Robert Leedham, Senior Commerce Editor.
**Read GQ's **Nectar Premier Hybrid review
Simba's range of hybrid mattresses extends from the most basic Hybrid Essential all the way to the Hybrid Luxe, each benefitting from the brand's expertise in crafting high-quality, premium mattresses, while also adding in increasingly more luxurious features as you work your way between them. The Luxe is the most enhanced of them all, but here at GQ we're big fans of the Hybrid Pro (the brand's second-generation Hybrid) which goes above and beyond the classic iteration for the ideal balance between price points and what you're getting in return.
We’ve never had a better night’s sleep since we started using the Hybrid Pro mattress from Simba; it's hands down one of the best premium mattresses available. All the usual cliches apply: it cradles us in the right places, makes us feel light and cool during the hotter months, and has just the right balance of springiness and firmness to help us drift off quicker.
How does it do this? It’s actually quite a complex mattress, with two layers of aluminium springs that support your body while allowing air to escape beneath you to keep you cool, working in tandem with a graphite-infused layer of memory foam to coax heat away from your body. Oh, and it’s 100 per cent recyclable and a bonafide British-made mattress to boot, making it just as kind to the environment as it is to your sleep schedule. Owen Gough, Senior Commerce Writer.
**Read GQ's **Simba Hybrid Pro review
Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are pretty damn comfortable, but despite their ability to adapt to your body shape, they have a bit of a reputation for being too firm. And most of them are. Which makes the softer feel of Panda's Hybrid mattress so exciting.
While still being highly supportive, we'd say Panda's mattress feels more on the medium end of the firmness spectrum than any other memory foam-incorporating mattress we've tried. Its structure comprises six layers - a zip-off bamboo cover, two foam layers, a spring layer, and two base layers, making for a motion-transfer-free, pressure point targeting and airflow-optimising mattress that has orthopedic grade support.
What Panda also does well, and what the brand is really known for, is its use of bamboo and sustainable materials to make the mattress more environmentally conscious. Vegan-friendly and combined with foams that can all be recycled, Panda also takes care with its packaging, with boxes that are made from 80 per cent recyclable materials. It’s a refreshing release for an industry that’s often considered to be quite wasteful. Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer
While the Hybrid Pro took Simba's mattress design to new heights, the brand didn't stop there in its quest to make one of the most luxuriously crafted mattresses on the market. And the result? A game-changing, new-generation mattress that harnesses state-of-the-art technology to encourage deeper and more restorative sleep. Dynamically designed to adjust to every body type, the Luxe has ten layers of ultimate support and cooling comfort, from the soft, breathable, cloud-like surface all the way to the 40mm high carbon-steel springs on top of the base, which guarantee real longevity.
The Luxe is the brand's most intelligent offering yet and pays impressive attention to detail, including the sustainable and thermoregulating bamboo wool top layer and the open-cell Simba-Pure foam layer, specially developed to encourage airflow through the mattress while using graphite particles to filter heat away from the body. All these special features make this sound complicated, but GQ has put the Luxe to the test and can confirm that from the moment you slide on, you're carried comfortably off to sleep without a care in the world. Luxe by name, luxe by nature – this is an investment that really packs a punch. Kathleen Johnston, Contributing Writer.
Otty Pure Hybrid Bamboo and Charcoal Mattress
This well-crafted and luxurious Otty design is the UK’s first bamboo memory foam mattress with charcoal-infused layers. Unique in structure, the combination of sustainable bamboo and hypoallergenic charcoal-infused layers in this mattress are designed to wick away moisture as you sleep and eliminate odours. As well as being suited to those with allergies such as asthma and sensitive skin, the small perforations throughout the mattress layers allow fresh air to circulate through the mattress, which also makes it a good option for those who have a tendency to overheat at night.
Over the course of a month, I slept on the Otty Hybrid mattress to see just how well it could improve my sleep and regulate my temperature. I found sleeping on the Otty very comfortable and even though the mattress is firmer than what I have been used to in the past, my body felt at ease. It kept me feeling relaxed and cool at night too – not too hot and not too cold. I could feel the mattress gently mould to support my body as I moved in the night yet it retained its shape. It is, in fact, designed with materials that ensure there’s hardly any movement transfer between sleeping partners during the night and, snoring aside, I could barely tell my other half was there.
Like many luxury mattresses – such as the Simba Hybrid Luxe – the Otty has a sumptuous 25cm thickness to it. The only downside? Combine this with its medium firmness and I found lifting the corners of the mattress to ensure a fitted sheet encompassed the underside a bit tricky. Emily Peck, Contributing Writer.
Simba’s latest addition to its Hybrid range of mattresses combines the latest in sleep tech and sustainability, boasting an impressive 13 layers of natural materials, 8,500 springs and a staggering depth of 34 centimetres. Every detail has been considered, from the blend of Kapok, wool and bamboo for a thermoregulating top layer to the brand’s highest-ever spring count to mould to each individual, offering ergonomic support and pressure relief, with a double layer of performance foam to optimise airflow and provide cushioning. It might seem OTT, which it definitely is if you’re on a tighter budget and not looking for the most premium, luxurious option on the market, but if you are looking for something that’s really above and beyond everything else you can find, it fits the bill nicely.
The luxury feel of the mattress extends to the VIP delivery service, so you won’t even need to worry about unpacking it yourself, (Plus, it comes with a free mattress protector) while Simba will also remove your old mattress free of charge for recycling. It’s really a hard piece to go wrong with, and if you have the money to spare, it’s worth the investment. When we say our sleep has never been better (think hotel quality and then times it by 100), we mean it. Jennifer Barton, Contributing writer.
**Read GQ's **Simba Hybrid Ultra review
First things first: don’t panic if your Zoma Hybrid initially looks like a desiccated grey prune sitting on your bed frame. Like many memory-foam mattresses, it arrives in a very heavy, vacuum-packed tight plastic package that requires opening with a knife or scissors, and will expand over the course of about 24 hours. This involves an alarming sucking sound, and it can emit an odd “new mattress” smell while unfurling – but ignore these and sit tight safe in the knowledge that 30 centimetres of bliss are inflating in front of your very eyes.
Those 30 centimetres, as with any hybrid mattress, are divided into several layers. The top is five centimetres deep and made of form-shaping memory foam that fixed problems with our backs we had long assumed were simply a painful fact of adulthood. Beneath that lies an open-celled “Reactiv” structure which promotes airflow through the mattress, designed to wick moisture and take heat out of the top layer (by extension, to keep the body cool – which it does). The springs come next, spreading the weight of the sleeper’s body evenly across the mattress, and then the final layer, a foam base.
The Zoma looks and feels very solid on the bed – it’s not a mattress you’ll wake to find half-hanging off a divan base – but is perfectly soft to lie on, giving good support to a side-sleeping person of about 70kg. After three weeks of testing, I honestly can’t come up with any real faults; you’ll be shouting about it from the rooftops, assuming you can ever be bothered to get out of bed again. Thomas Barrie, Contributing Writer
If I had to admit one thing about my journey with the Emma Luxe Cooling Mattress, it’s that I initially only intended to use it in my guest bedroom. My own mattress has done the job for the past few years, and I thought I might as well pop the newest one in my spare room. How much better could it be than what I had, after all? You can probably guess that it only took me a matter of days before I made the swap. After just one sleep, I can confirm it’s everything it claims to be. From the comfort to the support, the benefits were instant and the combination of micro springs and foam really paid off.
The biggest selling point of this specific Emma mattress is its cooling benefits, which are by no means a letdown. Being the kind of person who spends a good hour or so in bed before settling down, it keeps me at a comfortable temperature throughout, and prevents overheating during the night. And in the summer heatwaves, it kept me far cooler than I had anticipated. Pair this with that comfortable feel it's mastered and all in all, it’s a win. Luke Kiley, Art Production Manager.
Why is it that we almost always sleep better when we're away? It could be the hearty, treat-yourself dinner and likely few drinks you have before heading off to the land of nod…or it could be the cotton-fresh scent of fresh sheets and the promise of a pillow chocolate in the morning…or, more simply, we'd put it down to the undeniable quality of a good hotel mattress – and that's where Sleepeezee's 'Hotel Edwardian 2000' comes into play.
Despite sounding a bit like the type of retro-futuristic, anachronistic invention you might have seen in a 1980's time-travel film, this is a mattress that we at GQ can really get behind. Not too firm (but still firm), and not too soft (but still soft), the 'Hotel Edwardian' absolutely delivers on mass appeal, where its squishy, malleable initial feel is supported by a firm layer of those eponymous 2,000 springs of support. But, what is it like to sleep on? Like a marshmallow with a layer of firm, rock candy at its base; like a cloud grounded on a foundation of rubber. While I struggle to describe its duality without turning to absurd imagery, this mattress is simply very comfortable and pretty fuss-free. For the sleeper that loves fluffy pillows and lightweight cosiness, you can hardly go wrong. Plus, with a name like 'Hotel Edwardian', you're bound to feel a little bit posh, a la the hotel suite that it conjures in your mind's eye. This is the mattress move that'll help you get that coveted hotel-night sleep every single night. Heidi Quill, Senior Commerce Writer
Read GQ's Sleepeezee Hotel Edwardian mattress review
The lesser-known destination for some much-needed respite, Slumberland might not be bringing you any winter sun, but it will absolutely deliver on rest and recovery. And having been trialled night after night by a member of our team over the last month, Slumberland's 'Air 6.0 Memory Mattress' wins our pick of everything that the brand has to offer. But why is that? Allow us to break it down for you. Not just a spring mattress, nor just a memory foam, this stacked Slumberland pick unites the best of both worlds to create a sleep experience steeped in comfort in true hybrid style.
Offering responsive support via its combination of 1500 mini and 1050 full-height pocket springs as well as 6cm of memory foam, this mattress can naturally and effortlessly adapt to individual movement — an ideal answer to known fidgeters and toss-and-turners. Likewise, while the 6.0 doesn't advertise its ability to mend aches and pains, after a month spent snoozing on it we report an ease on back and shoulder pain, something we've been struggling with on previous mattresses. With all these irrefutable sleep benefits plus an eight-year guarantee, just one question remains: why wait? Heidi Quill, Senior Commerce Writer
**Read GQ's full Slumberland mattress review **
Feather & Black x Harrison Spinks Bennett Mattress
In our books, a good mattress needs to be sumptuously soft while also providing superior levels of support. After a month of drifting off to sleep each night on the Bennett mattress, I can say with well-rested certainty that the bed-making experts at Harrison Spinks have most definitely ticked both of these crucial boxes. Ideal for sniffly and stuffy sleepers like me, the Bennett mattress boasts six rich layers of luxurious British wool — which is naturally temperature-regulating, anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic. And in terms of support, there are 3,250 springs in total to sink right into — including layers of high-density micro springs, and ground-breaking Cortec™ pocket springs that work in tandem to adapt to your body’s natural contours, relieve pressure, and provide stability. In the medium tension, it’s the perfect in-between mattress for anyone who likes the idea of sleeping on a cloud in-theory — but needs a little more grounding if they’re going to avoid waking up with a bad back. Still not convinced? The only UK bedmaker that grows their own fillings, all Harrison Spinks mattresses are made using hemp fibres, linen flax, and wool from the flock of sheep that reside on their 300 acres of prime farmland in Yorkshire. Pair a comfortable and supportive mattress with the knowledge that you’re supporting a truly sustainable UK brand, and you’ve got everything you could need for a seamless night’s sleep. Georgia Lockstone, Contributing Writer
**Read GQ's full Harrison Spinks mattress review **
We hear you, hybrid mattresses are just that tiny bit too expensive. And we agree - as much as sleep is something worth investing in, not everyone has a grand to spend on a new mattress and for plenty of us, that would require some substantial saving, Enter Simba’s Hybrid Essential.
The most affordable in Simba’s range of Hybrids, the essential is actually well worth a look, and not one to be sniffed at by any means. The price starts at just over £400, and the design isn’t hugely different from its more expensive siblings. If anything, it strips back on some of the more unnecessary extras and instead focuses on just the crucial areas; comfort, support and temperature. With four layers, it still has 1,500 springs, Simbatex foam technology and a comprehensive cooling structure that keeps you from overheating, meaning it feels incredibly comfortable overnight. If you compare this to some of the more standard mattresses out there that you’ll find in most rental flats, AirBNBs or even hotels, it’s a significant improvement and a very good structure to be working with. And at only 20cm in height, it is far more likely to fit your bed sheets than those that reach closer to 30cm. In reality, we’d say it’s a testament to the fact that while some of the more advanced features you get in the Hybrid Pro or the Hybrid Ultra do feel comfortable, they’re by no means necessary to a good night’s sleep. We’ve had plenty with this one. Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer
Not only one of the most popular mattresses on the market, but one that's been winning awards since it first launched. Emma's Original Mattress is designed to work for anyone, whatever your body type and size or preferred sleeping position. As much as that might sound like a bold claim, all those accolades are well-deserved. The mattress's design is simpler than most, comprising of just three layers, all made from pressure-relieving foam (you won't find any springs here), and a temperature-regulating, washable cover on top.
The first layer of foam is the Point Elastic Airgocell, which works to keep things cool overnight, absorbing and evaporating sweat. It's followed by Halo Memory Foam for pressure relief and a body contouring feel, and then Emma's HRX foam which is designed to enhance the mattress's durability over time, maintaining the structure and providing additional support. The mattress conveniently arrives compacted when delivered, self-inflating once it’s released from the box. You will instantly be able to feel the difference if converting from a spring mattress. The firm yet cushioning feel provides just enough comfort to leave you feeling lethargic and have an improved night's sleep. Sometimes less is more, and this mattress shows it. Josephine Judd, Commerce Picture Editor
HiGrid may not long have been in the UK mattress market, but having brought with it some new Japanese-patented technology, it's quickly become one of the most intriguing designs. The general structure is made up of seven layers, including three foam ones that surround the special Japanese-patented SmartGrid layer, carbon-tempered steel coils and an anti-skid base that keeps everything in place and stable. And of course, we can't forget the final touch of the hypoallergenic mattress cover. It's the SmartGrid though that makes it different to other mattresses on the market, incorporating 2,500 air channels in a grid-like pattern that adapts to your body movement and weight as you move, creating a super responsive and supportive sleeping environment. It's easier to keep it breathable than foam-like substances are and won't sag over time.
All in all, it's worth noting that the mattress does take around a three-week period to adjust to (something that it makes clear on purchasing). It'll start off feeling harder and firmer, but after time definitely becomes much more cushioned. The support feels great overall, and I noticed that I felt less strain on my neck as it kept me more aligned. Of course, this does come at a premium price, as does anything that extends beyond the realm of even just three layers, but you do tend to get a bit of what you pay for. Also, keep in mind that it does come wrapped up and very heavy so you might want to make sure you have help if you're planning on getting it up a number of stairs. Jack Phillips, Contributing Writer
Read GQ's HiGrid Premium Hybrid review
I was a little bit hesitant about buying a memory foam mattress. I’ve had memory foam before and found the me-shaped divots to be a little claustrophobic; I also found it caused me to overheat quite easily. On top of this, I’ve come to love a firm mattress, valuing support over comfort (and, in my experience, any comfort issues can be solved with a decent topper).
However, The Tempur Sensation Elite, from the brand’s firmest collection, is a perfect fit for what I was after – loads of support with a softness on top that doesn’t make you feel cocoooned by your own bed. Lying on it, you don’t sink in more than an inch or two, and the Tempur’s signature ‘dynamic support’ tech gives you the ‘bounce’ feeling despite the lack of springs.
There’s lots of scientific stuff about the mattress that may or may not have an impact on how it affects your sleep – Tempur material was first developed by NASA. Billions of ultra-sensitive cells inside it absorb energy to reduce motion transfer from twisty sleepers. But the really basic truth about the Tempur Sensation Elite is that it is almost jaw-droppingly comfortable despite its firmness. Absolutely no need for a topper here.
After about a month of use, I have noticed that the material of the Tempur Sensation Elite’s cover has caused my fitted sheet to slide off quite regularly, which is a bit of a nuisance, but nowhere near enough to make me consider changing my mattress. The price point here is the other downside, starting at £1,419 for a single. That is eye-watering, sure, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with prioritising your sleep. Ben Allen, Associate Editor
Read GQ's Tempur Sensation Elite review
One of the best mattresses for pressure relief, Origin’s Hybrid has near-revolutionised our sleep experience, creating one of the most comfortable environments we’ve found to date through a combination of natural latex, memory foam and pocket springs. The key here is Origin’s Hexagrid structure, an orthopaedic layer that focuses support in the centre third of the mattress (where body weight is most concentrated) and combines it with a soft top to make sure these pressure points are relaxed. In fact, it’s so good for support that it was even a real winner for a family member who’s had two hips replaced and found it to be a perfect fit. Do keep in mind though, it does have a particular firm feel that might be too much for certain types of sleepers.
Origin’s mattress also keeps up with the more innovative brands on the market with regards to temperature regulation, something that’s near-essential with any mattresses that include memory foam, with cooling particles that work to keep your body temperature at 18.3 degrees Celsius (an optimal number for sleep). Pair all of this with a sustainable mindset (as many of the materials as possible here are sourced in an eco-friendly way), and the fact you can have a 200-day trial to make sure the mattress is exactly what you need, and we’d say this is a winner. Michael Christensen, European Lifestyle Editor
As someone who has lived in the shackles of the London renting economy for all of the five years since I left uni, I’ve seldom had much choice in what I lay my head upon (the defaults have universally been cheap and pocket-sprung). But what denotes proper adulthood better than having a proper mattress? So I took the dive with the Nectar Premier. A friend with a similar product told me it’d take a while to notice the difference, which it did, but whew, now I couldn’t ever go back.
To this previous proper-mattress agnostic, the Nectar Premier has boasted so much bang for its buck. Leaning towards the firmer side in the pantheon of mattresses one can now get delivered to your door in a vacuum-sealed bag, it offers a huge upgrade on limb, joint and back support compared to its pocket-sprung brethren. It’s also the first time I’ve felt as though my temperature has properly regulated through the night, no doubt down to the “heat-wicking technology” touted by the purchase page. The only problem is that I might now spend too much time in bed. Thank god for working from home. Jack King, Contributing Writer
Dealing with back pain overnight can hamper your sleep, so to help you pick the right mattress type for reducing back pain we spoke to Alison Jones, Sleep Expert at Sealy. “Choosing the right mattress is integral for alleviating back pain and improving overall posture and muscle health. A poor mattress can place unnecessary pressure on the neck, spine and hips, and potentially contribute to the spine becoming misaligned, as well as exacerbating pre-existing joint, spine and ligament issues.” Jones explained.
“Many people don't recognise the connection between back pain, their mattress and their overall health. When choosing a mattress to relieve back pain, check the spring structure, because this is the element that defines the support created.” Jones added that you want to be looking for mattresses where the springs are designed to align the spine and to relieve pressure points, as well as to provide support.
Knowing when to replace your mattress is a question that gets asked regularly, so we put this one to Sealy's Sleep Expert, Alison Jones, as well. “It depends on the mattress, but as a general rule; your mattress should be replaced every eight years, but different factors can indicate that it may be time for a replacement. Common signs can include sagging, damage, noticeable noise or squeaking sounds. If you're consistently experiencing poor quality sleep, with no noticeable cause, your mattress could also be to blame”.
While you can always extend the life of your mattress a little bit by chucking on a mattress protector, it’s still worth replacing every few years, even if it’s just to keep the shape of the mattress to its best. Most top covers will be antimicrobial, antibacterial and sweat-wicking to extend the life as much as possible without sacrificing the levels of support you expect.
Replacing your mattress that frequently might raise some eyebrows, especially given the price you may have noticed almost across the board on the below mattresses, but there is some salvation for your bank balance with the mattress sales. One of the best times of year to shop for those pricey items, it’s also an excellent chance to get a mattress for a much more affordable price.
Different people suit different types of mattresses, so to find the most comfortable mattress for you, you need to take into account a few factors. Firstly, your sleeping position will have a big impact on which one is right and which firmness level and how many comfort layers you need, as front sleepers might prefer a firmer mattress, while a medium-firmness may be better suited to someone who sleeps on their side most of the time. After that, you'll want to think about things like temperature regulation, and then it comes down to your personal preferences about the style of mattress you find most comfortable. At the end of the day, there isn't one elite mattress that will rule them all, but we've listed above all of the best options that work for different people to help you get started.
In general, there are three main types of mattresses - pocket spring, hybrid and memory foam. Each one is catered towards slightly different types of sleepers, with their own unique feeling and comfort levels, but all of them have their advantages and disadvantages. To make matters even more complicated when trying to navigate the sleep world, there’s plenty of variation within each category too. Some mattresses focus almost entirely on pressure relief or back pain, while others incorporate temperature-regulating features, are designed to limit motion transfer, or are just layered with unique materials like bamboo, charcoal or cooling gels. In the same way, they’ll also vary on matters like firmness, with some pocket spring mattresses being quite soft, and others being very firm, making your choice all the more difficult.
To try and help you find a mattress that’s going to ease your journey to a great night’s sleep, we’ve summarised some of the key features and advantages of each style of mattress and bed in a box mattresses below, followed by our individual tried and tested reviews of all the best mattresses around to give you a bit more of an insight into what you can expect before you make the purchase.
Hybrid mattresses tend to be the most innovative and advanced types of mattress available, with most of our favourite mattress brands including Simba, Emma and Nectar all producing some really impressive designs. Rather than having to choose between a memory foam or pocket spring mattress, this style is the best of both worlds, capitalising on the pressure relief, support and comfort of each type, while using a number of layers to also incorporated temperature-regulating materials.
Pocket spring mattresses tend to have a very loyal fanbase, being the most traditional style, and one that some people really prefer the feel. The design consists of springs with a padded layer on top, with a wider variety of firmness options than you’ll get with a hybrid or memory foam. This isn’t the best choice if you’re struggling with motion transfer and wake up whenever your partner moves, but if you’re after extra support or are naturally heavier, it’s a good option.
Memory foam mattresses have been around for years, but the concept of them still feels quite new. The principle is simple - the memory foam adapts to your individual body shape and size to provide support and pressure relief, while also being super comfortable, Side sleepers in particular can benefit from memory foam for help with their alignment, so it’s worth a browse if that’s you.
Foam mattresses are known for how they adapt and respond to your body shape, offering good support that responds to your weight with the right amount of pressure. Normally, they are made from either memory foam, polyurethane foam or a blend of both. This is the option that people who sleep on their side tend to prefer, as it can help your body relax into that position, while still providing a good level of support. However, these mattresses can trap body heat making it less comfortable for long periods or during the summer months. Our favourites are the Eve Sleep mattresses.
Whereas foam mattresses have a fair amount of give and tend to let you sink into them more, a spring mattress is often firmer and more supportive. Spring mattresses tend to be more comfortable and longer-lasting for anyone with a greater-than-average body weight. Our current favourite is this Hypnos mattress. Choosing between memory foam or pocket-sprung mattresses is the first decision you have to make when shopping for a mattress. However, if you're truly stuck, there are now plenty of “hybrid” mattresses on the market that are made with both foam and springs, such as the Simba mattress.
Different mattresses suit different people, especially when you take into consideration variations between body types, sleeping positions and budgeting. At the end of the day, the main goal of mattress shopping is to buy something that you’re going to feel the most comfortable on and that will help you get a good night’s sleep.
Beyond whether a mattress is made from springs or foam, you need to think about firmness. Firmer mattresses will help you stay in position while you sleep and should help to prevent back pain, making them beneficial for anyone who either weighs more, sleeps on their front or tends to wake up with an aching back. Medium-firm or medium-soft mattresses are good for people who alternate positions or who sleep on their back, while soft mattresses are best for those who sleep on their side. Just make sure to read the recommendations about who each mattress is best for when you start browsing and before you make your purchase.
If you tend to be the kind of sleeper who wakes up nightly in a pool of their own sweat (don’t worry we’ve all been there), there are thankfully a few solutions worth having up your sleeve. And the best place to start? Your mattress. To prevent overheating, you’ll want to focus your attention on cooling mattresses and extra-breathable designs, one of the best of which is the Emma Luxe Cooling (the entire mattress is basically designed to be as temperature-regulating as possible), which uses Thermosync technology to absorb body heat and redistribute it. Most of the other mattresses in our guide also prioritise temperature control, but it’s definitely worth making sure you check on that before making a final purchase.
Once your mattress is in check, it can also be worth taking a look at the rest of your bed set-up to make sure there’s nothing that could be making you overheat. Look for lightweight, breathable duvets (the Simba Hybrid is our favourite), prioritise bedding that wicks away moisture and encourages airflow (we’d suggest looking at linen bedding), and then opt for a cooling pillow as well if you want to make sure you have that cool to the touch feeling against you as you sleep.
One of the beautiful things about mattress shopping, especially when you’re doing it online and can’t just hop from bed to bed in a mattress store until you feel the most comfortable, is that you can actually change your mind about most mattresses with no consequences (except a bit of a logistical challenge). Most mattress brands have pretty good trial periods, many of which go from 100 days to a year, giving you the chance to properly get to grips with how a mattress feels before making that final commitment. It might be a bit annoying to have to return and try out a new mattress, but if the mattress isn’t serving you, don’t be afraid to move on.
largest bed size If it’s been a good few years since you bought a new mattress or maybe you’ve moved into a new flat and aren’t sure what size will fit on your furnished bed frame, the simple solution is to whip out your tape measure and make some notes. We’ve included some of the standard mattress measurements below, but make sure to triple-check the dimensions of the brand you’re buying from first before you make a call.