As most are available online, you can’t try them out first as you can with pocket-sprung mattresses, but most manufacturers offer a trial period – usually of about 100 nights, but sometimes more – during which you can send the mattress back and ask for a refund. The fourth layer, the soft quilted adaptive cooling cover, means you won’t feel hot, and we also like the seven zoned layer which attends to all your support needs. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. An open-sprung mattress contains one long piece of wire coiled into springs. ‘Your mattress plays a huge part in your health and well-being when you consider you spend around eight hours every night sleeping on it.’. And if money is tight, our recommendation goes to Casper’s the essential mattress. Conveniently packaged, the box in question is a cinch to get upstairs and in fact, one of us managed it on our own although it’s probably better with two. The soft outer cover provided a lot of give but the springs beneath provided a sleep experience that was both cushioning and supportive for the back and shoulders. Pocket-sprung mattresses have been the most popular for many years now. When her shortlist is complete, she will reach out to manufacturers directly to request samples under the condition that she will give a full, frank and completely independent review. Leesa Mattress – £650 – medium/firm. Our overall best mattress is still Emma, The Original Mattress, which we rate for its support, warranty and cool, breathable surface. Now here comes the science bit – it’s composed of billions of viscoelastic cells, which respond to your temperature and weight. The idea is that you get the comfy support of memory foam without the problem of it making you feel too hot. If we had to give it a label we’d say it was medium firm. The great service, to be praised in today’s market where corners are often cut to keep prices down, was a brilliant start. Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super kingMattress depth: 17cmMaterial: Memory foamTrial period: 60 nightsGuarantee: 15 years. A more traditional composition of up to 2500 hand-nested pocket springs paired with all-natural hypoallergenic fillings such as cashmere, wool, cotton and silk the Herdwick from the Woolroom is a classic choice. If you're eco conscious and/or get too hot when you sleep, look to this offering from Silentnight. View now: Dormeo 6500 Octaspring memory foam mattress, £699.99 for a double, Dormeo. Cheaper versions can develop lumps and body impressions. Our most comfortable luxury mattress topper creates a more cushioned feel as opposed to a springy feel. View now: Tempur Sensation Elite mattress, £1,949 for a double, Furniture Village. Once in situ though, the instructions in the box are easy to follow. This, plus the lack of motion transfer those springs afforded resulted in a great night’s sleep, with a distinct lack of muscle pain in the morning. Check this option is available before purchase. Combining its now legendary foams with a base layer of springs, you get instant sumptuousness (from the moulding of the four foam layers around your body) coupled with added bounce and airflow (from the pocket coil springs). This premium model joins the original, hybrid and light mattresses in Eve's range, and we love it. Today is Black Friday – and while you might be thinking about Christmas shopping or getting new TV for all that seasonal telly, the truth is there’s no better time to pick up a new mattress. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent. The mattress comes with a handy, soft, washable cover too. Whereas 99 per cent of mattresses in the UK contain chemicals, wool is naturally flame retardant, so there is no need for any at all. 10 of the best mattresses – 2019 and 2020 NEctar Memory Foam Mattress – £699 – medium firmness. It’s got much more of a traditional mattress feel, with a smooth, silky top cover and the side mesh that airates the memory foam top layer. Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super kingMattress depth: 18cmMaterial: Memory foamTrial period: 60 nightsGuarantee: 10 years. It has a unique feel, so you’ll love it or hate it. There’s also a washable cover. There’s no dipping in the centre and the material moulds to your shape as you move. The fact that it’s noticeably softer than other Casper mattresses might not be for everyone, though, and made us surprised that Casper claims it’s the brand’s “most supportive mattress yet”. With its memory foam and spring core, Emma says this mattress will give you the 'comfiest sleep possible', but if you want to be confident it will offer the support your back needs you'll have to read our review first. But there are plenty of brands in the top half of our table that got good value-for-money ratings, so buying on a budget doesn’t have to mean a bad mattress. A medium-firm mattress is the best mattress in this scenario as it offers the support of a firm mattress but also has a softer, more comfortable feel. Once unleashed from its box, the mattress takes 3-5 hours to fully take shape, ready for a night’s sleep. If you prefer to be cosseted by a cloud-like mattress but your partner yearns for one that’s on the firm side, then this ‘fits-all’ mattress, might well be the answer. For our restless ‘Night Owl’ sleeper, the Pro felt a little warmer than some other hybrids but our ‘Sleep Master’ was out like a light and stayed that way until morning. For a mattress that helps with back pain without breaking the bank, this is a great buy, although you’ll need to put some time aside to watch the video and figure out how it works. It definitely took our side sleeper a few more days to get use to the fact it had less give than their usual mattress, so not the best choice for those that prefer something more cloud-like, while the back sleeper preferred it, declaring afterwards that the old mattress now felt ‘too soft, too giving’. Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king. Despite the name, this model is the third mattress to join Eve’s hybrid range and it falls right in the middle on price, depth, support, number of springs and layers of foams. It did have a rather distinct ‘new mattress’ smell but that lessened after a few days and it wasn’t so bad that it stopped us drifting off into the land of nod pretty quickly. We tested Emma’s Original last year and gave it top marks so we were expecting great things of its Hybrid sister. but still rolled tightly, this mattress was easy to negotiate up twisty stairs. Another alternative to the bed-in-a-box market, this mattress has two great selling points. With a focus on more cooling versus other foam mattresses, you won't get too warm. For traditional luxury, the recently reviewed Herdwick mattress from The Woolroom gets five stars. We certainly found that the spring construction – which allows the bed to react independently to each sleeper –meant the fidgety sleeper didn’t disturb the light sleeper. View now: Studio Gel mattress, £399 for a 90 x 190cm for a single, £499 for a double, Silentnight. The Simba sleep app, which you can download to your smartphone is a nice accompaniment. View now: Eve memory foam Mattress, £349 , Eve Sleep. Pocket-sprung mattresses have been the most popular for many years now. We found it springy yet supportive, especially for anyone who is average weight or lighter, including children. According to the Sleep Council, you should change your mattress every seven years, or when you start waking up with stiffness or aches and pains. In this mattress guide we’ll explain the differences between memory foam, pocket sprung, latex and hybrid mattresses, as well as providing a pick of the very best mattresses to buy based on our expert testing. We couldn’t fault this three-layer foam mattress when it comes to breathability, which stops you getting too hot, and you can move around without much effort or disturbing your partner. Layla bed mattress senses, that is various than you have ever felt. Cons: As the foam moulds to the body it can feel too close and claustrophobic. There isn’t a body shape or type of sleeper that it wouldn’t suit, making it a great all-rounder, and it doesn't need turning, although there are handles if you need to move it. We’re fond of handles on mattresses, even if they don’t require turning as it means making the bed is a tad easier. It’s also great if you sleep next to that restless sleeper as we found movement didn’t ‘travel’ from one side of the bed to another. Again, our only bugbear with this was that it doesn't come with handles. Sleeping on your front – Firm Spine alignment gets full marks too, thanks to the four zones of support at the neck, shoulder, hip and leg. The Tempur Original Supreme, true to its name, is a supremely comfortable memory foam mattress. Best mattress 2021: Memory foam, pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses reviewed. Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, emperorMattress depth: 25cmMaterial: Memory foam and springsTrial period: 100 nightsGuarantee: 10 years. There is no obvious best mattress type, what works for you will depend on your needs. Read on to find out the … Some, by hundreds of pounds. If you and your partner have different ideas about whether a firm or softer mattress is preferable, then read on. The modern-day mattress can arrive in a box, and some even overnight! This is blended with synthetic latex and turned into latex foam, using the Talalay process, which produces the finest polymer. It also has a border rod of wire that gives the mattress a firm edge and helps retain its shape. The USP on this bed-in-a-box mattress is the 365-night trial, meaning you have an entire year to decide whether it’s right for you, and if you do keep it there’s a lifetime warranty. You’ll probably enjoy an uninterrupted night’s sleep with no morning aches and pains too, thanks to excellent support that results from the 9000 mini pocket springs (in kingsize), and there’s a British grown hemp core layer for extra support. It’s just a smidgen firmer than average, and the high breathability factor of the "ecocell" foam layer that sits on top of the other two layers of memory means it doesn’t get damp if you sweat. The unique layered construction of this mattress is what gives it enviable levels of support and helps to make it one of the coolest mattresses we tried. It also lets you keep cool, and bounce back extremely fast. It comes shrink-wrapped and rolled, which makes it so much easier to navigate the stairs and once unfurled, it quickly ‘inflates’. It’s particularly supportive for your spine and brilliant for those who sleep on their back. While we tried it for just a week or so, we’re not able to comment on whether it’s long-lasting or not but customer reviews seem to confirm that claim. A three-layered sleep system, it’s very breathable, instantly comfy and has noticeably more bounce, taking you to the land of nod in record time. Plus, Zoma’s memory foam is gel-infused to reduce any risk of sleeping hot. This is our top choice for people with back pain. Their mattresses feature universal comfort firmness with an all-foam design. The trusted online mattress retailer, Simba was one of the first to roll into the UK market. Delivered to the room of your choice it doesn’t come in a box, which means it’s more difficult to manoeuvre initially but it doesn’t require time to fill out either, meaning you can catch some ZZZ’s straight away should you so wish. We also like the S shape of the core that mirrors the natural curve of the spine to support you in all the right places (head, shoulders, hips and legs) no matter what position you sleep in and even when you rotate it. Buying a mattress ultimately comes down to personal preference, because no two people have the same needs and requirements. It doesn’t have side handles to help with that but as it’s one of the lightest mattresses we tried, that wasn’t the issue we imagined it might be. Mattresses explained: Memory Foam, Sprung, Latex and Hybrid. It’s robust and doesn’t sag, making it a keeper for years to come. When choosing a mattress, comfort and support is key. Although Loaf has five mattresses on offer, this is their bestseller and we can see why. If you’re sharing a bed, it should also be wide enough to allow you and your partner to lie side by side, hands behind heads, without your elbows touching. Don’t opt for bad quality simply because it’s cheaper – there are some great-value mattresses out there, meaning you don’t have to compromise, even if you are on a budget. It also has natural antimicrobial properties. If you suffer from any kind of joint or back pain, memory foam is an excellent choice. Make sure to read our article on returning mattresses here – it mostly happens without any problems, but there are some pitfalls to be aware of. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Ysanne has carefully picked the mattresses to review based on her own research into what’s new, innovative and popular in the marketplace – ensuring she looks across the full spectrum of price points. So a king-size is the minimum for someone 6ft or more. Firstly two layers of patented miQro coils sandwiched between high definition edge support foam and an open-cell foam layer. In the UK, most online mattress companies offer a 100 day trial, for example Simba (update: now 200! Nectar’s quilted mattress cover is moisture-wicking, more breathable, and softer than standard cotton covers so it looks great and feels great. It’s also available on a 100-night trial with free returns and, if you do decide to keep it, a 5-year guarantee. Cons: Some think these mattresses have a rather solid feel, and they can be heavy and difficult to move. Pros: Latex is breathable, so you won’t overheat. While not as deep as some, it nevertheless had plenty of bounce, probably because of the 1,000 micropocket springs, which definitely gave support where it was needed, particularly in the hips and spine, where our restless side sleeper needed it the most. She’s looked at mattresses made from a variety of materials, including popular memory foam, traditional pocket-sprung mattresses and hybrids of the two. It has a returns policy of 100 nights and a 10-year warranty. Luxurious options, such as cashmere and silk, will mean the finished product is more expensive, but are also less likely to cause issues. You can choose your own firmness – we went for medium, which was just the ticket for average weight and build. The mattress is pretty deep and has a real feeling of quality to it. It’s mighty heavy for turning, though. Two layers of Octasprings – open construction memory foam ‘springs’ – are grouped into three zones, which our testers found super supportive in key areas such as shoulders, lowers spine and hips. A sprung divan will make a mattress seem softer than a solid divan or slatted base. Traditionally, the most popular type of mattress was pocket-sprung, where the springs are sewn into individual fabric pockets. This allows the mattress to mould itself to the curves of the body. If you lean more towards foam than springs, but still want the best of both worlds – support, squidge, bounce and breathability – it’s definitely one to consider. A layer of unique S-Line pocket springs provide edge to edge support and offer pressure relief for areas such as shoulders, back and hips giving both testers a wriggle-free night’s sleep. Another hybrid, this one combines Duvalay’s Freshtec foam with a 3D breathable mesh cover that it claims gives a cooler, fresher night’s sleep. This gets a big thumbs up from us for stability and the level of edge-to-edge support – meaning it’s just as comfy even if you lie right at the edge, where other mattresses often become harder or softer. Sizes available: Single, double, king, super kingMattress depth: Dependent on foam insertsMaterial: Responsive memory foam and springsTrial period: 100 nightsGuarantee: 10 years. Those who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds may prefer the medium-firm or firm options. There are no carrying handles but as it doesn’t need turning, this isn’t too much of an issue, although it might be handy when removing the outer cover for washing. There’s initially a bit of a chemical pong, but it goes after a couple of weeks. Finding the best mattress for you is the number one way of ensuring a great night's sleep. You won’t disturb your partner if you toss and turn and it’s exceptional at keeping sweat at bay, thanks to the added wool (another advantage over the original version). It’s a tracker that helps you discover your sleep style – our testers were Night Owl and Sleep Master since you ask – and offers tips to improve your night, tailored to the way you slumber. We know you will be captivated with it and are confident you will agree this is the best quality and most comfortable luxurious mattress you … There is no obvious best mattress type, what works for you will depend on your needs. Secondly, below the soft outer cover sits a natural temperature-regulating British wool layer to help wick away nighttime sweat. Tempur is the forerunner of all other memory foam mattresses. Despite our tests being undertaken on unseasonably warm winter nights, there was no sign at all of the overheating that can be found with some memory foam mattresses. It definitely smacks of quality, with a beautiful finish and luxuriously soft exterior. Our testers tried the firm, and while our back sleeper felt it was comfortable, if a little un-giving, the side sleeper found it too hard and would opt for the medium in favour of this one. There are no handles either but it’s pretty easy to grab hold of and rotate when necessary. Made in the UK, the Emma uses a different kind of chemical foam to most other bed-in-box mattresses, which the makers say is more durable. The Gel features a breathable cover over a Geltex comfort layer that sits on traditional pocket springs. Cons: The ‘sinking’ sensation can put people off, which also means it isn’t recommended for young children, in case they roll onto their face and breathing is inhibited. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. Another vacuum-packed mattress, this medium-firm hybrid is an upgrade from Simba’s original model. It’s important that you do your research and make sure that you really are choosing the best mattress for you. They are lighter than other mattresses, so easier to turn, and can be turned in all directions, which extends the life of the mattress. Casper’s latest offering – and its most expensive yet – has already proven a hit in America. It’s a pretty bold stance for even this highly competitive bed-in-a-box market, so we were interested to see how it matched up to the rest. Although it was quite light, it was also the firmest and the most supportive of all the mattresses we tested. Read more: Mattress buying guide: How to choose a mattress for the best night’s sleep. We think it particularly suits combination sleepers, with the seven zoned sections helping to relieve key pressure points by being softer where protruding and heavier body parts (eg shoulder and pelvis) push down and firmer where they don’t. 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