If good sleep has felt like a distant dream lately, it could be time to upgrade your setup. Whether you’re tossing and turning at night or waking up with aches and pains, the best mattress can make all the difference – and I’m here to help you find it.
I’ve been testing mattresses for nearly a decade, from budget roll-ups to high-end hybrids. Through countless nights of trial and error, I’ve learned what really matters when it comes to finding the right one. The best mattress strikes the right balance between comfort and support, and offers pressure relief for your joints. I’ve also come to appreciate the importance of edge support and motion isolation (especially if you share your bed), as well as temperature regulation and durability.
After all this testing, my pick for the overall best mattress is the Simba hybrid luxe – it offers exceptional support, breathability and plush comfort that suits a wide range of sleepers. In fact, this list features three other Simba mattresses, which speaks to just how consistently strong the brand’s range is. That said, there are plenty of excellent alternatives here as well – from firm to soft, memory foam and pocket sprung – to suit all sleep styles, body types and budgets.
There’s a lot to consider, but once you’ve nailed the basics, all that’s left is to add the finishing touches – think mattress toppers, protectors and some luxe pillows. If you’re finding the search overwhelming, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent years trying and testing the best mattresses to find out exactly what truly performs (and what doesn’t) – keep reading for my honest reviews.
How I tested
I have put dozens of models from big names and smaller brands to the test in my own home. While testing, each mattress gets slept on for at least two months, but several in this guide I’ve tried for a number of years. To determine the best mattresses, I evaluated each one based on key criteria, including:
- Comfort: This has such a big impact on sleep quality and how rested you feel in the morning, so I paid close attention to how each mattress felt in different sleep positions, looking at things like cushioning, pressure relief, and overall support. Since comfort can be subjective, I also got feedback from a co-sleeper with different preferences to make sure the picks work well for a variety of sleep styles.
- Support: This was just as important, especially when it came to maintaining proper spinal alignment. I looked for mattresses that offered enough firmness to keep the body well-supported without feeling too rigid. I also asked my partner to take photos of me lying on each of the mattresses to assess how my spine looked.
- Motion transfer: I tested how well each mattress isolated movement to see if I could sleep undisturbed, even with someone tossing and turning beside me. I also got my fidgety co-sleeper’s feedback to understand how noticeable my movements were from their side, making sure the mattress performed well for both of us.
- Edge support: This can affect how usable the full surface of the mattress is, which is important if you tend to sit or sleep near the edge. One way I checked this was by doing the glass test: placing a glass of water near the edge and sitting close by to see if the glass wobbled or stayed steady. A mattress with good edge support felt stable and secure both when I sat on the edge and when I rolled near it during sleep.
- Temperature regulation: To get a full picture, I tested each mattress at different times of the year and in various weather conditions, so I could see how they performed year-round. I noted how warm or cool they felt after lying on them for a while and considered materials like breathable foams or cooling fabrics that help wick away heat. Since my co-sleeper tends to get warmer than I do, I also asked for their feedback to ensure the mattress kept both of us comfortable no matter the season.
- Delivery and set-up: I paid close attention to how simple it was to unpack each mattress, especially those that came boxed and needed time to expand. I timed how long it took for them to fully inflate and checked for any off-gassing smells that might be unpleasant.
- Value for money: Price and value for money were key factors I considered because a great mattress should feel worth the investment without breaking the bank. I looked at how each mattress balanced cost with quality, comfort, and durability to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Mattresses that offered generous sleep trials earned bonus points.
- Quality: Overall quality and build were crucial aspects because a mattress needs to stand up to regular use and last for years. I examined the materials, construction, and craftsmanship to get a sense of how durable each mattress would be over time. Feeling confident that a mattress won’t sag or break down quickly adds a lot to its long-term value.
If a mattress is listed here, you can rest assured that it’s high-quality, but be sure to read the full reviews to make sure you choose the right one. For more information on the testing process, read my in-depth guide, which covers each criterion from delivery to comfort. For reference, each price listed below is for a standard UK double mattress, but I’ve also detailed all the sizes available for each of them.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest, is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Sarah Jones has years of experience in testing mattresses and sleep products within her home – the same environment that you will be using them. As The Independent’s resident sleep expert, Sarah knows the best, most comfortable fabrics and materials to look for in mattresses and bedding. She had a strict criterion by which she judged each one, having slept on it for a minimum of two months at home, and in several cases, for many years. Beyond this, as a busy parent, she values a great night’s sleep, so if any mattress prevented her from snoozing comfortably, it did not make the cut.
The best mattresses for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Simba hybrid luxe mattress: £1,342.21, Simbasleep.com
- Best budget buy – Dusk memory foam 2000 pocket sprung hybrid mattress: £249, Dusk.com
- Best for medium firmness – Nectar premier hybrid mattress: £599, Nectarsleep.co.uk
- Best for back pain – Simba earth apex mattress: £1,599.20, Simbasleep.com
- Best firm mattress – Hypnos ortho support 7: £1,078.65, Mattressman.co.uk
