If you’re in the market looking for a new mattress, informing yourself about the best mattresses the UK has to offer is a great start. Not only are there many options to be found at brick-and-mortar establishments, but there are an infinite amount of mattresses offered in the fragmented bed-in-a-box industry with trials. But what’s the best mattress?
New mattress models come out yearly from a growing number of brands and manufacturers. Buying a new mattress can be very difficult and confusing if you are not famili
We know that the findings from a particular study✓ imply that improving sleep in many individuals by improving mattress fit is quite possible. In addition to this, PubMed.gov✓ released a paper that found mattresses that are subjectively identified as a medium-firm mattress and are custom inflated (self-adjusted) are optimal for promoting sleep comfort, quality, and spinal alignment.
If you don’t have the time to spend hours on researching what is the most suitable mattress for you, we at The Mattress Guide lay out our top mattress picks you can buy.
We highly recommend you read our How to Choose a Mattress & Buying Guide in conjunction with this post. Here is our list of the Best Mattresses you can buy right now. Be sure to browse through each mattress as they all offer unique features (Important Mattress Buying Considerations in Conclusion).
| BRAND | MATTRESS | TYPE | FIRMNESS | TRIAL & WARRANTY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma | Original Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium | 200 Nights 10 Years | £429 |
| Nectar | Memory Foam Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 365 Nights Forever Years | £599 |
| Simba | Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid | Medium-firm | 200 Nights 10 Years | £549 |
| Brook + Wilde | Lux Mattress | Hybrid | Soft, medium & firm | 100 Nights 10 Years | £549 |
| OTTY | Hybrid Mattress | Hybrid | Medium-firm | 100 Nights 10 Years | £375 |
| Ergoflex | 5G Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 30 Nights 10 Years | £479 |
| Eve | Original Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 100 Nights 10 Years | £399 |
| Dormeo | Octasmart Hybrid Plus Mattress | Hybrid | Medium | 60 Nights* 18 Years | £1,199 |
| REM-Fit | 400 Mattress | Hybrid | Medium-firm | 100 Nights 15 Years | £699 |
| Tempur | Original Elite Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium | 100 Nights 10 Years | £1,729 |
1. Emma Original Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium Filling: airgocell foam, visco-elastic memory foam and HRX foam Depth: 25cm Trial: 200 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Single, small double, double, king, super king |
| Pros | Excellent reviews and multiple awards Excellent value Great for most sleepers Cover includes handles and is machine washable |
| Cons | Only UK sizes available |
We highly recommend the Emma Original Mattress which is due to its excellent material quality and multiple awards. Apart from our very own Best Mattress Overall Recommendation, the Emma mattress is highly positioned in the Which? mattresses comparison table, considered the Best Mattress by T3, awarded the Indy Best Buy,
Another confidence booster at least from our side was when Emma recently celebrated their one-millionth mattress being sold which is a milestone they had reached earlier than anticipated. Emma has also been named the world-leading D2C sleep brand and released their most advanced mattress yet, the Emma Motion Mattress.
Emma’s product development team has conducted countless tests (using humans and testing machines), done extensive research and received and evaluated customer feedback to create their best mattress to date
The Emma mattress has an advanced 3-layer zone profile which is designed for optimal spinal alignment and body support; polyfoam base, visco-elastic memory foam transition layer and the top layer, its very own Airgocell® foam layer. The layers combined make it extremely durable, breathable and pressure relieving. Emma has also made it very practical by incorporating a machine washable cover and handles for easy manoeuvring.
All of this is vacuum-sealed, rolled and delivered to you in a neat box (free of charge) which you can try out for yourself in the comfort of your own home for 200-nights and if you don’t fall in love with it, Emma will organise a collection and refund you your purchase amount. In the long run, Emma includes a 10-year guarantee so you can rest assured the mattress will last.
Emma is also highly rated on Trustpilot which is a great place to start your mattress research which can give you insights from current Emma mattress customers.
Mattress alternatives from Emma
- Emma Essential Mattress | A cheaper mattress that is only sold through 3rd party platforms that appeals to the more budget-conscious sleepers.
- Emma Hybrid Mattress | Very similar specs to this Emma Original Mattress but with an extra layer of mini-pocket strings.
- Emma Original Hybrid Mattress | An advanced Emma Hybrid mattress with added edge support and lengthened springs.
2. Nectar Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium-firm Filling: memory foam, memory foam and support foam Depth: 25cm Trial: 365-nights Guarantee: forever |
| Sizes | Single, small double, double, king, super king |
| Pros | Exceptional trial period and warranty Great durability Excellent for heavy sleepers |
| Cons | The cover is recommended to be cleaned manually (not machine washable) |
A relatively new brand in the UK making waves and disrupting the industry. The Nectar mattress is a very durable memory foam mattress with exceptional pressure-relieving properties. Its durability is proven by its 365-night trial and forever warranty, which is mind-boggling as there is no other mattress we have reviewed with such an offer. There is very little that can go wrong with this purchase.
The Nectar mattress is an ideal fit for anyone looking for a mattress that embodies the classic memory foam feel. Three-layer design, 2 of which are memory foam which translates to great body contouring. The top memory foam layer is their 4th generation and is said to be up to 30 times more breathable than regular memory foam. Nectar also incorporated a gel memory foam layer quilted into the cover which is engineered to independently draw heat away. Certipur certified materials used as well as FSC approved packaging.
There is no doubt why the Nectar mattress is loved by Real Homes, approved by Ideal Home and Good Housekeeping, featured in the Evening Standard as well as recommended by Expert Reviews. Thousands of customers have also had very positive things to say about this mattress especially regarding the comfort.
Finally, Nectar is the first and only mattress company in the UK that is a 100% climate-neutral ‘bed in a box’ mattress. This shows their active progress towards reducing their carbon footprint through partnering with ClimatePartner.
3. Simba Hybrid Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium-firm Filling: open-cell foam, up to 2,500 aerocoil® springs, high definition foam, base foam Depth: 25cm Trial: 200 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double L, EU queen |
| Pros | A ton of positive customer reviews Titanium alloy springs EU sizes available |
| Cons | The current cover is not machine washable or removable |
The trusted online mattress retailer, Simba was one of the first to roll into the UK market. Europe’s most reviewed mattress in a box has over 100,000 5-star customer ratings from various independent sources including; Trustpilot, YOTPO, Google reviews and the Simba site.
T3 have given it a Best Buy and claim it is “the best mattress in the world” additionally it is also approved by Good Houseke
The 4 layer hybrid mattress with up to 2,500 conical springs adjust to your body as you sleep, ensuring a great nights rest. The combo of springs, open-cell foam technology, traditional memory foam and polyfoam makes creates a pleasant medium feel. Hybrid mattresses are known to bring the best of both worlds, support from springs and comfort from foam.
With the study of over 10 million sleepers and 180 million body profiles measured, however, this is debatable according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)✓. Nevertheless, this shows the extent Simba is willing to go to produce the best mattress in the UK. Simba has also brought out an app (Apple or Android) to help review your sleep performance as well as receive coaching from performance experts. This is not surprising to us as Simba have cemented their mark as an innovative sleep tech company, not just their mattresses but their pillows, weighted blankets and duvets all include some sort of advanced boundary-pushing material or technology.
Simba comes with free delivery and a 200-night trial with free returns if you’re not 100 % happy. Included is also the standard 10-year guarantee which we find to be the mean in the UK bed in a box scene.
Mattress alternatives from Simba
- Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress | A luxurious mattress Simba has to offer. With slight advancements made to the standard hybrid mattress. An additional spring layer, extra plush sleep surface and an added British wool layer.
- Simba Luxe Mattress | The most advanced mattress from Simba, with a bamboo wool layer, additional springs and now a removable washable cover.
- Simba Comfort Foam Mattress | A basic 2 layered foam mattress that is geared towards spare bedrooms or even those looking to save a buck or two.
- Simba Premium 7-Zoned Mattress | Also can be classified as a cheaper mattress but with zoned support in the base layer.
4. Brook + Wilde Lux Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: soft, medium or firm Filling: memory foam, 2,500 mini pocket springs, memory foam, 1,000 full-sized springs and polyfoam base Depth: 28cm Trial: 100 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king |
| Pros | Choice of 3 comfort grades Premium delivery Double spring layer |
| Cons | Limited customer reviews |
Brook and Wilde bring something completely different to the ever so competitive online bed-in-a-box mattress industry. When compared to the other mattresses on this list, the popular Brook and Wilde Lux mattress
The 5 layered Brook + Wilde Lux mattress boasts two sets of spring layers (2,000 + 1,000 springs), wave technology, memory foam and a supportive polyfoam base. This is all covered in a hypoallergenic cover. Every detail, stitch and component is hand-crafted. They have found the sweet spot between craftsmanship and practicality.
Do you prefer a firm, medium or soft feeling mattress? Brook + Wilde
Slowly climbing the ranks with awards and approvals. The Brook + Wilde Lux mattress has been awarded a Which? Best Buy, approved by GoodHomes, loved by Real Homes and Grand Designs and featured in Country & Townhouse. We have followed them closely and the progress they have been making in a short span of time is commendable.
Service is a field where Brook and Wilde seem to pride themselves in, their mattress includes free 2-man delivery service and if requested can remove your old mattress free of charge (this may be changing). They also offer a risk-free 100-night trial so you have plenty of time to really get into the mattress and decide if it’s for you or not. Finally, the Lux also comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Mattress alternatives from Brook + Wilde
- Brook + Wilde Elite Mattress | Regarded as the Lux’s bigger sibling and a slightly superior version which ranks highly in our Top Luxury Mattress list.
- Brook + Wilde Ultima Mattress | The most innovative mattress they have created.
5. OTTY Hybrid Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium-firm Filling: memory foam, reflex foam, 2,000 full-sized springs and HD foam Depth: 25cm Trial: 100 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Single, small double, double, king, super king, emperor, EU single, EU, double, EU king |
| Pros | Good value Side support foam Full-sized springs |
| Cons | May be firmer than expected but no real cons at this price point |
The versatile OTTY Hybrid is one of the most affordable mattresses. This value-option combines the best of both worlds; the support and push back from springs as well as the comfort and cushioning from foam.
The stand out layer is the “cool blue gel” memory foam, which is designed to dissipate any heat buildup. At its core, are 2,000 full-sized pocket springs (14cm), that significantly add more spring than you would find in other hybrid mattresses. Because of these sturdy springs, it nudges this mattress closer to the firmer category.
OTTY has also included side support allowing for edge-to-edge support which is very important especially if you are looking for a mattress as a couple.
OTTY is one of the only brands to be awarded small online retailer of the year by the national bed federation – who are the most prestigious bed organisation in the UK. It has also been named product of the year by Expert Reviews and Loved by Real Homes. The OTTY Hybrid mattress is also very well received by customers which we highly recommend you briefly read through.
As with the other mattress with free trials, the OTTY Hybrid mattress is delivered at no cost to you, includes a 100-night trial and boasts a 10-year warranty to cover you in the long run.
Mattress alternatives from OTTY
- OTTY Pure Bamboo Mattress | The most recent addition to OTTY’s mattress range. It incorporates advanced materials such as bamboo and charcoal which regulate temperature and create a naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic sleeping environment.
- OTTY Essential Mattress | An even cheaper version than the Original Hybrid. Made in a very similar way but with fewer pocket springs and regarded as not as firm.
- OTTY Aura Mattress | A mattress very similar to the original Otty Hybrid.
6. Ergoflex Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium-firm Filling: visco-elastic memory foam, high resilience foam Depth: 23cm Trial: 30 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king, EU double, EU king |
| Pros | The only mattress-in-a-box brand that has been in business longer than their warranty Backed by the Back Doctor (Dr Mark Craig) TENCEL® cover |
| Cons | Shorter trial period as compared to other mattress brands with trials |
Here we have the only bed in a box company here in the UK that has been trading longer than their 10-year warranty period. Ergoflex in some way has paved the path that many of the other competitors have taken.
The Ergoflex mattress is engineered to be the best memory foam mattress with very high memory foam to foam percentage. Memory foam has a slow response compression feeling with a gradual feeling. Memory foam is said to do particularly well for those who suffer from back pain or injuries. It is a great mattress from those with orthopaedic issues as per the Back Doctor which has helped Dr Mark Craig recover from his back pain. There is no wonder it has been awarded a Which? Best Buy.
It is also worth mentioning that the Ergoflex 5G is a medium to medium/firm mattress making it suitable for most of the UK sleepers.
The Ergoflex mattress is CertiPur-US® & OKEO-TEX® 100 certified. Manufactured to BS 5852✓ and BS 7177 UK✓ Safety Standards. This shows the dedication Ergoflex is putting into the manufacturing of their mattresses.
All the layers are wrapped in a neutral white and grey cover which is made from Tencel fabric, which are fibres produced by environmentally responsible processes from sustainably sourced natural raw material. That way it is very unlikely to cause any allergic reactions.
7. Eve Original Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium-firm Filling: evecomfort® foam, memory foam and polyfoam Depth: 24cm Trial: 100 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King |
| Pros | Good allrounder mattress Chosen as the official partner of British Rowing |
| Cons |
The mattress giant Eve has been around for quite some time and has cemented themselves as a trusted bed company in the UK. Eve differentiates itself from the rest not only by its vibrant design but also as they comply with strict ISO 9001 quality standards during the manufacturing process. Eve uses foams that are sourced from NBF members and that are Certipur Certified, the cover is also Oekotex certified.
What’s inside the Eve Original? a top Evecomfort® layer (which is said to be 30 times more breathable than traditional polyfoam), a middle memory foam layer and a durable poly foam base. The slow response from the memory foam is particularly good at reducing any motion transfer. The nearly 18cm base is made to give you enough support so you don’t feel like you are sinking into the mattress and always maintain correct spinal alignment.
The Eve Original has been awarded a Which? Best Buy award and featured in the Evening Standard.
Standard is also a 100-night trial to truly try out the Eve Original at home and a 10-year warranty covering performance issues.
Mattress alternatives from Eve
- Eve Hybrid Mattress | Very similar to the Original Eve mattress but with an extra spring layer. This may be more suitable for those who like a bit of bounce in their mattresses.
- Eve Premium Mattress | Eves new premium range that incorporates silver strands in their cover that makes the surface antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial.
- Eve Premium Hybrid Mattress | Just as the standard Eve Premium mattress but with springs. This mattress is one to watch out for as we have noticed it making waves and getting lots of well-deserved attention.
8. Dormeo Octasmart Hybrid Plus Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium Filling: memory foam, octaspring® technology, pocket springs, ecocell® foam Depth: 22cm Trial: 60 nights* Guarantee: 18 years |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king |
| Pros | Good warranty Designed for couples Technologies used helps you stay up to 3°C cooler |
| Cons | Price |
Dormeo uses some of the latest sleep technologies to transform their mattresses into some of the smartest and best mattresses in the UK. The Octasmart Hybrid Plus mattress is a highly rated mattress by customers with nearly all reviews being 5 stars.
The Octasmart Hybrid Plus mattress is a Sleep Expert Top Pick for Spring 2020 claiming it’s their smartest mattress ever that incorporates foam, pocket springs and Octaspring® technology to create the most complete mattress. The Octaspring® technology is the key stand out feature in Dormeo’s Octasmart range. They are designed to move in 3 dimensions and are proven to be 8X more breathable than traditional memory foam mattress technologies.
Aside from the Octasprings, you will find layers of memory foam, pocket springs and Ecocell® foam. The layers are arranged to offer zoning (3 areas) that allow for your spine to take its natural shape and helping it keep in alignment.
The cover is worth boasting about too, It has some of the best features and specs. It is anti-bacterial, anti-mould and anti-dust mite which creates a healthy sleep environment. It also incorporates Hundreds of comfort pockets which allow for additional air circulation.
The Octasmart Hybrid Plus mattress comes with a 60-night trial, allowing you to test it and ensure it is the one for you. To guard your purchase as time goes by, the Octasmart mattress includes an impressive 18-year warranty.
9. REM-Fit 400 Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium-firm Filling: open-cell memory foam, 2,000 full-sized springs and HD foam Depth: 25cm Trial: 100 nights Guarantee: 15 years |
| Sizes | Small Single, Long Small Single, Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King, EU single, EU Double, EU King |
| Pros | REM-Fit is a brand that focuses its products on sleep and recovery Machine washable cover |
| Cons | Limited customer reviews No mattress handles |
REM-Fit takes a different approach with their mattresses by focusing their product variety on providing great sleep recovery and optimal rest. This extract is based on the REM-Fit 400 model which is designed for the majority of UK sleepers.
This 4-layered hybrid mattress includes open-cell memory foam (30x more breathable than standard memory foam), 2,000 full-sized springs, edge support and a polyfoam base. REM-Fit uses CertiPUR certified manufacturers to ensure quality is maintained in the production and final mattress product. Their mattresses are also made by an NBF (National Bed Federation) member.
REM-Fit being relatively new to the UK market have already gained a Good Housekeeping approval, we look forward to seeing the progress they will be making in this new market.
The REM-Fit comes with a 100-night trial for you to test with a completely free return policy if it doesn’t happen to be the right mattress for you. Additionally, an impressive 15-year warranty follows your REM-Fit purchase that way you are secured in the long run.
Mattress alternatives from REM-Fit
- REM-Fit 500 Ortho Mattress | This is more of a specialised firm mattress that ranks very high on our Best Mattress for Back Pain and Best Orthopaedic mattresses.
- REM-Fit 600 Lux Mattress | As its name suggests this is their premium mattress made for those with a few extra quid to spare.
10. Tempur Original Mattress
| Specifications | Comfort: medium Filling: TEMPUR® comfort material, TEMPUR® support material and DURABASE™ Depth: 21, 25 or 30cm Trial: 100 nights Guarantee: 10 years |
| Sizes | Small single, long single, single, double, king, super king, special sizes |
| Pros | World-known brand Developed their own trademarked material |
| Cons | Customer reviews could be better Price without a discount |
Tempur is one of the most widely known and trusted mattress brands and is considered a more premium mattress brand which would appeal to those looking to spend a few extra quid. It all started when the material “TEMPUR®” that’s composed of a secret formula was developed by NASA to support astronauts during lift-off. After realising the commercial potential, Tempur was born.
Tempur offers their mattresses in 3 versions, Supreme (21cm), Elite (25cm) and Luxe (30cm) which affect not only the thickness but also the inner layers. We have chosen the balanced Tempur Original Elite version for this Best Mattress UK list.
Tempur is very discrete and secretive about the actual TEMPUR® material layers of the mattress. The Tempur Original Elite mattress is made up of a top comfort material, support material and a double Durabase™ tech layer. The combination of these specific layers gives it an all-round medium feel which is great for those not looking for any specific type of mattress but rather an allrounder.
To conclude, the Tempur Original Elite mattress comes with a 100-night trial and a 10 year guarantee.
Research and Resources for our Top Picks
In making this “Best Mattress UK 2020 and 2021” article, we:
- Researched dozens of online mattress brands, researching and even going undercover to find out about the materials they use and how the mattresses are manufactured.
- Looked at hundreds of customer reviews, the good, the bad and the ugly.
- Considered all pros and cons of the mattresses, and which mattress would be best suited for each type of sleeper.
- Spent over 50 hours writing and revising this article to provide you with the most informative and helpful content so you can find the best mattress for your sleeping needs.
*This Best Mattress UK list is our opinion and can be a great foundation, to sum up information about some of the top mattresses out there especially if you don’t know where to start or know what is out there. We always recommend you do your own research to come to a decision that makes you as a buyer happy.
Best Mattress by Type and Material
You may be wondering what is the best mattress type? well, this question is extremely subjective and depends on your sleeping position, body type, experiences and unique sleeping needs. Depending on your responses to these factors a certain mattress type may be better or more preferable for you.
Knowing the main points of differences may help get you closer to the best mattress for your situation.
Best Memory Foam Mattress
A memory foam mattress is a very popular choice as many sleepers enjoy the so-called “hugging” feeling it gives. Memory foam is arguably the best type of mattress to relieve pressure point pain. The biggest downside is it is known to sleep warm, however recent technologies are used to combat issues like these.
We have a whole article dedicated to explaining the different types of memory foams, their pros and cons and what to watch out for. Just head on over to our Top Memory Foam Mattress Picks.
Best Pocket Sprung and Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses were created to solve the issues that only memory foam mattresses had as well as the issues that a pocket sprung mattress had. In short, infuse the two to create a mattress that has the best of both worlds. This does generally come at a cost.
Our Best Pocket Sprung and Hybrid Mattress Recommendations post goes into a deeper analysis. From spring gauge/thickness to coil count considerations and of course our top picks for the UK.
Conclusion
Making our list of the best mattresses for 2020 and 2021 wasn’t a simple task. In the United Kingdom, there are dozens of mattress brands all with unique value propositions: But which is the best mattress?
Even though we landed on what we think are the best picks for 2020 and 2021, we would like to mention that this list will always be evolving and our viewpoints are likely to change as new mattresses are released into the market. As mattress brands constantly change their data there may be some inconsistencies however, we are continuously updating our site to keep our information up to date. We highly recommend you read the mattress trial and warranty terms and conditions to be fully aware of the fine print.
We are not doctors or experts. At The Mattress Guide, we are a bunch of sleep enthusiasts that enjoy writing about all things sleep and have had years of experience in this field and we just want to provide you with as much information (in a digestible way) so we can at least make your life a bit easier when deciding which product to purchase.