When purchasing a mattress, there are many features you should consider, such as firmness, materials, construction and your own personal preferences. As well as this, it's also worth thinking about how compatible your mattress could be with your bed frame.
Slatted bed frames have been a popular choice amongst consumers for decades. They consist of wooden or metal slats which serve to hold and support the weight of the mattress and sleepers. Slatted beds are common due to their durability, support and relatively inexpensive cost. Here are our top recommended mattresses that could be a good match for a slatted bed.
(Important Facts, Studies, Advice, Considerations & FAQs In Conclusion)
| MATTRESS | TYPE | FIRMNESS | TRIAL & WARRANTY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Original Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium | 200 Nights 10 Years | £499 |
| Nectar Memory Foam Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 365 Nights Forever Years | £569 |
| Simba Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid | Medium-firm | 200 Nights 10 Years | £649 |
| Brook + Wilde Lux Mattress | Hybrid | Soft, medium & firm | 100 Nights 10 Years | £699 |
| OTTY Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid | Medium-firm | 100 Nights 10 Years | £599.99 |
| Ergoflex 5G Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 30 Nights 10 Years | £739 |
1. Emma Original Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • HRX Supreme ™ Foam • Point Elastic Airgocell® • Halo Memory Foam™ | • Couples • Those who enjoy memory foam mattresses • Sleepers seeking added comfort |
The Emma Original Mattress is a popular choice amongst many, with Emma claiming it is the UK's most awarded and best selling mattress. The mattress has received top ratings from third-party sites; positive reviews state the mattress helped with back pain and provided good comfort levels.
The Emma mattress has four key layers to provide comfort and breathability. The base layer uses HRX Supreme ™ Foam, which is designed to provide support and prevent any sagging. Above this, you will find the third layer, which uses Point Elastic Airgocell® technology to offer breathability and temperature regulation. This is followed by the Halo Memory Foam™ layer, designed for comfort and pressure relief. The layers are finished with the UltraDry™ Original Cover, an award-winning cover used for further breathability and moisture-wicking abilities.
Emma states that their mattress is designed for all body types and sleeping positions, so it should appeal to a wide range of sleepers. In addition, the mattress offers zero motion transfer, which can be helpful for those sharing a bed. Upon purchasing the mattress, you will receive a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee.
2. Nectar Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • 25cm depth • 7-zone supportive base • 365-day trial | • Those who value durability • Sleepers who enjoy a medium-firm feel • People seeking added support |
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress has a depth of 25cm with a medium-firm feel. The mattress comes with a 365-day trial, meaning you can test the mattress at home throughout all seasons. In addition, Nectar also offers a forever warranty, which will help protect your mattress against any possible damage.
The memory foam mattress consists of 5 layers, which have all been added to help the sleeper get a comfortable nights rest. The first layers are the quilted cooling cover and dynamic support layer; both aim to provide breathability, while the latter also offers support and bounce. This is followed by the memory foam layer, which is designed to provide comfort and pressure relief. The final layers have been constructed to provide support and stability, with a 7 zone supportive base to offer different areas of support.
The Nectar mattress has received many awards and reviews from third party associations and publications. Customers have also ranked the mattress highly on third-party review sites, with many commenting on the comfort and excellent customer service. The service includes free shipping and returns, as well as old mattress removal.
3. Simba Hybrid Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Graphite-infused Simbatex • Simba-Pure base • CertiPUR certified | • Environmentally-conscious individuals • Those who prefer a hybrid construction • People seeking spinal alignment |
Simba is an environmentally-conscious company and states that all their mattresses are CertiPUR certified, meaning the materials used are free from harmful metals or dyes. Whatsmore, all Simba's mattresses are 100% recyclable and carbon neutral.
The Simba mattress has a hybrid construction, which means it consists of both foam and springs. The foam layers include the Simbatex layer, graphite-infused and open-cell, to maximise airflow and breathability. There is also the zoned Simba-Pure base, which has five zones to help support different parts of the body while encouraging spinal alignment. The mattress also has edge to edge support to prevent sagging around the sides. In addition to the foam layers, the aerocoil spring-comfort layer has 2500 conical springs to help distribute weight and minimise motion transfer.
The Simba Hybrid Mattress comes with a 200-night trial, for you to test the mattress at home before fully committing. Simba also offers a 10-year guarantee and states that their mattress should be long-lasting and durable.
4. Brook + Wilde Lux Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Wave technology • Zoned support layer • Made in the UK | • Those who prefer a customisable mattress • Sleepers seeking breathability • Individuals looking for pressure relief |
Brook + Wilde offers a customisable experience with their Lux Mattress, as you can choose the size and feel to suit your preferences. Sizes range from single to super king, while firmness levels include soft, medium and firm.
The Brooke + Wilde mattress has five layers that make up the hybrid construction. There are two spring layers, which consist of 2000 mini springs to help provide pressure relief and an additional 1000 larger pocket springs for extra bounce. Aside from the springs, there is also a memory foam layer, which is designed to offer breathability and comfort while reducing motion transfer. Brook + Wilde also uses their wave technology, a zoned layer that provides support to different body areas to help reduce pressure and aid spinal alignment.
All Brook + Wilde mattresses are designed and manufactured in the UK and comes with a 10-year guarantee. There is also a 100-night comfort trial, which allows you to swap your mattress for another with different firmness, without any extra cost. You can also receive a full refund within this trial period.
5. OTTY Hybrid Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • High-density reflex foam • Airflow side support • Medium-firm feel | • Hot sleepers • Those seeking reduced motion transfer • Individuals looking for good quality |
OTTY is an award-winning company offering its Original Hybrid Mattress. The mattress has received thousands of positive reviews online, with customers praising the product for being good quality and supportive.
Within the OTTY mattress, you will find temperature regulating memory foam and airflow side support, which have both been designed to offer breathability for hot sleepers. In addition to the memory foam, there is also the Reflex Foam, which is constructed to be high density and can offer both comfort and support. In the centre of the mattress, 2000 encapsulated pocket springs stand at 16cm and offer a medium-firm feel to the overall mattress. The springs also help to offer additional support and reduce motion transfer. To finish, the mattress has a removable cover that can be machine washed at 40 degrees.
The Orginal Hybrid Mattress has been approved by CertiPUR and Europur, which means the mattress has been quality tested and is free from harmful toxins. The mattress has also been FIRA tested and met UK fire regulations. When purchasing an OTTY mattress, you receive a 100-night trial and a 10-year guarantee.
6. Ergoflex Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Visco-elastic memory foam • TENCEL® cover • Recommended by a Back Doctor | • Those with a bigger budget • Individuals with allergies • People seeking posture support |
Ergoflex is an independently owned company that has been around since 2006. The company prides itself on using high-quality materials within its mattresses to produce maximum benefits. The Ergoflex Mattress has also been tested by Expert Reviews, who found the mattress to be supportive and back-friendly.
The Ergoflex mattress includes 9cm of HD visco-elastic memory foam, which is designed to contour to the body and offer pressure relief. There is also a 5cm cool-sleep airflow system which can help with temperature regulation. In addition, there is also the machine-washable TENCEL® cover to provide breathability and the 9cm high resistance foundation layer, which has been constructed to be impact-resistant. Ergoflex claims that this combination of layers can help give a feeling of weightlessness and help to relieve aches and pains.
For those with allergies, the mattress has been designed to be hypoallergenic, as well as asthma-friendly. In addition, the mattress has been recommended by a specialist Back Doctor, who claims the mattress can help with posture support and back pain.
Defining Slatted Beds
A slatted bed is a common type of bed frame or platform bed. This type of bed features metal or wooden planks which are placed across the width of the bed to support the mattress.
The slats are typically placed 2-3 inches apart, but this can vary depending on the design and model. They can either be screwed into the bed or fixed into place by clipping the slats into the brackets on either side of the bed. Slats can be solid or sprung and tend to be suitable for a range of mattress types.
Fun Fact!
Slatted beds have been used throughout history. The Ancient Egyptians were believed to sleep on a type of slatted bed. The 1400s saw the introduction of adjustable slats, as opposed to being fixed to the bed frame.
Mattress Types For Slatted Beds
Generally, slatted beds will support most mattress types; however, different mattress materials may offer slightly different feels when combined with the slats. Various mattress types may also complement the slats in different ways, so it’s important to identify these features alongside your personal preferences. Here are some of the most popular mattress types.
- Memory Foam: This mattress type is popular amongst many as it can mould and contour to the body. A memory foam mattress can work well with slats because the solid base can balance out the softness of the foam. That being said, it may be better to have the slats closer together as they can support the mattress better.
- Pocket sprung: A more traditional mattress type, pocket sprung mattresses consist of coils and springs which can vary in size and number. Pocket spring mattresses can be a good fit for solid slats because the firmness of the slats can help the springs to be more effective.
- Latex: The latex found in latex mattresses is often a natural material, derived from the sap of rubber trees. Latex mattresses are known for being one of the heaviest mattress types; therefore, a solid slatted base can provide enough support and durability.
- Hybrid: A hybrid mattress in generally constructed using springs and other materials, such as foam or latex. If the hybrid mattress has more foam, it’s recommended to have slats no more than 3 - 4 inches apart, as this should provide sufficient support
Slatted Bed Vs Box Spring
Both box spring and slatted beds are popular choices when selecting a bed type and can offer different advantages and disadvantages. Here is a summary of the two options which may help you decide which bed type is more suited to your needs.
| Slat Bed | Box Spring |
|---|---|
| ○ The wooden or metal slats are designed to reach over the width of the mattress and are often screwed in or fitted with brackets. | ▢ A box spring is a solid platform, typically made from wood, containing a set of springs enclosed within. |
| ○ Slatted beds are often lower down in height, which may be an issue for those suffering back pain as you may need to frequently bend over to make the bed. | ▢ Box spring beds tend to offer more height which is a good option for those who prefer more elevation from the ground. |
| ○ As there is less material, slatted beds can be relatively inexpensive and can typically range from £100 - £300. | ▢ A typical box spring bed can be more expensive than slatted beds and can vary from £200 to over £1000. |
| ○ The space in between the slats and under the bed can provide both ventilation and extra storage. | ▢ Due to the springs within the bed, box spring beds can offer more bounce whilst maintaining durability. |
| ○ The slats may be prone to breaking or becoming dislodged when under pressure or with lots of movement. | ▢ For some, a box spring bed may be too firm, especially for lighter individuals who tend to feel firmness more than heavy people. |
Types of Slats
There are typically two main forms of slats; solid and sprung. Many slats are wooden and can be made from pine wood or beech wood. You can also find metal slats, which can provide firm support but may be more prone to leaving ridges in the mattress, especially if the slats are too thin.
Solid slats are often made from timber, pine wood or metal and are designed to stay rigid and not bend. This gives the bed frame a firm and sturdy feel. Solid slats tend to run across the whole width of the bed and can be screwed into the bed frame. Since solid slats are so rigid, a downside is that a soft mattress may become damaged as it squeezes through the gaps of the slats.
Alternatively, sprung slats are often made from beech wood and are designed to bend when placed under pressure. This lack of rigidity can provide a more cushioned feel with more sinkage. A possible disadvantage to sprung slats is that they may develop a dip over time, especially under pressure; this is known as the ‘Hump Back Bridge Effect’.
Slatted Bed Benefits
Purchasing a bed can be a big investment and there are many advantages to owning a slatted bed. Here are some benefits which may appeal to your personal preferences.
- A slatted bed can provide strong support and hold heavy weights, especially solid slats.
- The space in between the slats can offer increased ventilation and airflow.
- Slatted bed frames are a popular option as they are relatively cheaper than other types of beds on the market.
- Slatted beds tend to be lightweight and easy to assemble by simply placing the slats within the brackets.
Slatted Bed Downsides
While there are several benefits to owning a slatted bed, there are also some downsides that are important to be aware of before purchasing.
- Sprung slats can sag under pressure and the bed could develop a dip as a result.
- If there is a lot of movement, the slats may become dislodged or even snap under pressure.
- Thin metal slats can place added pressure onto the mattress and potentially damage the structure.
- Some slats may form ridges in the mattress which can be a problem if you need to turn over the mattress. This can be prevented by adding an extra cushioned layer, such as a duvet or mattress topper, between the mattress and slats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a slatted bed base?
A slatted bed base is a type of bed frame that uses metal or wooden planks to hold and support the mattress. You can typically find either solid or sprung slats.
What mattress is best for a slatted bed?
This can depend on your personal preferences. A pocket spring mattress may provide firmer support, especially when combined with solid slats. If you want a more cushioned feel, try a memory foam mattress with sprung slats. A hybrid mattress can offer a good balance.
What is the best mattress for a wooden slatted bed?
Most mattress types should be compatible with a wooden slatted bed. If you have a softer, foam mattress, it’s recommended that the slats are closer together to support the mattress effectively.