Your questions about mattresses answered
What is the best mattress?
The best mattress overall is the Simba hybrid luxe. It combines advanced design, highly breathable materials, and comfort that works for all sleeping positions, making it the standout choice no matter how you sleep. After years of testing it, we can confidently say it delivers consistent support, excellent pressure relief, and a level of comfort that genuinely enhances your sleep.
If you’re a hot sleeper who likes the feel of memory foam, the Tempur pro plus smartcool is a standout for its temperature-regulating properties. If you’re dealing with back pain, look to the Hypnos luxurious earth 05, which offers fantastic orthopaedic-level support.
For budget-conscious shoppers, Dusk’s hybrid mattress impressed, but if you’ve got a touch more to spend, Simba’s hybrid essential mattress also offers great value for money and proves you don’t have to compromise quality for affordability.
How we tested and selected the best mattresses
To determine the best mattresses, the IndyBest team has put dozens of models to the test at home, collectively trialling more than 100 different beds. During testing, we evaluated each one based on several key criteria, including:
- Comfort: This has such a big impact on sleep quality and how rested you feel in the morning, so we 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, we 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. We looked for mattresses that offered enough firmness to keep the body well-supported without feeling too rigid. We also asked partners or friends to take photos of us lying on each of the mattresses to assess how our spines looked.
- Motion transfer: We tested how well each mattress isolated movement using the glass test – a method where a filled glass is placed on the bed while someone moves around, to see if the vibrations make it wobble. This shows how likely you are to be disturbed by a restless partner. We also got our co-sleeper’s feedback to understand how noticeable movements were from their side, making sure the mattress performed well for both.
- Edge support: This can affect how much of the mattress surface you can comfortably use, especially if you tend to sit or sleep near the edge. We measured sinkage at the very edge versus the centre to see how much the mattress compressed under weight. A mattress with strong edge support felt stable and secure, both when sitting on the edge and when rolling close to it during sleep.
- Temperature regulation: To get a full picture, we tested each mattress at different times of the year and in various weather conditions, so we could see how they performed year-round. We 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. Where appropriate, we also asked co-sleepers for their feedback to ensure the mattress kept both testers comfortable no matter the season.
- Delivery and setup: We paid close attention to how simple it was to unpack each mattress, especially those that came boxed and needed time to expand. We 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 we considered because a great mattress should feel worth the investment without breaking the bank. We 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. We 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.
Which mattress brand is best?
From our extensive tests, the best mattress brand is Simba. But Panda, Nectar and Hypnos also make dependable mattresses. We only highlight the best mattress brands that we genuinely trust for comfort, support, and quality – the ones we’d happily invest in ourselves.
What are the different types of mattresses?
There are three different types of mattresses. There are spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and combinations of the two, which are known as hybrids. So, what’s the difference?
What is a hybrid mattress?
A hybrid mattress combines memory foam and springs to give you the best of both worlds. They should provide that luxurious sinking feeling alongside some solid spring support.
What is a spring mattress?
A spring mattress is typically made with several thousand springs that provide support while you sleep. However, there are subdivisions within the spring category, too. Where mattresses are advertised as having many thousands of springs, this is where layers of micro-springs are placed over the top of the main pocket spring unit, as comfort layers.
What is a pocket sprung mattress?
Pocket-sprung is generally the best type of spring mattress, as the springs move individually, giving better support.
What is a memory foam mattress?
Alternatively, memory foam mattresses have become very popular in recent years, owing to their ability to help relieve pressure on joints. These mattresses feel very luxurious and, while this material used to have a reputation for causing overheating, most new memory foam mattresses are now designed to be more breathable and wick away moisture.
What are standard UK mattress sizes, and how do I choose the right one?
- Single: 90cm x 190cm
- Small Double: 120cm x 190cm
- Double: 135cm x 190cm
- King: 150cm x 200cm
- Super King: 180cm x 200cm
Keep in mind that some bed brands use European or US sizing, which can differ from standard UK dimensions, so double-check before you buy. Making sure you pick the correct size will help avoid any awkward gaps or fitting issues, ensuring your mattress fits snugly and comfortably. Here are the common UK mattress sizes and their measurements:
How to keep your mattress clean
Using a mattress protector helps to keep your mattress clean and free from stains – the Nectar mattress protector (from £39, Nectarsleep.co.uk) took the top spot in our review of the best mattress protectors.
Rotating or flipping your mattress will also help to keep it looking as good as new.
If you invest in a top-of-the-range mattress, it is important to take care of it. A mattress protector will help to prolong the life of your bed, and if you’re looking for recommendationsIf you find that your mattress requires cleaning, check out my detailed guide on how to clean a mattress, where you’ll find expert advice on the steps you should take, from vacuuming tips and cleaning hacks to the products that will keep your bed odour-free.
How often should you change your mattress?
The general rule is that you should change your mattress every seven to 10 years. Tristine Hargreaves, executive director at Bed Advice UK and The National Bed Federation, tells The Independent: “Rather than waiting until your mattress hits a particular milestone year, you should look out for signs that will help you understand if it is time to replace your bed.” This can include visible signs of wear and tear, such as lumps, bumps and sagging, or waking up with aches and pains. You can read more about the signs to look for in my guide on how often you should change your mattress, where I detail the tell-tale signs.
What are the best mattress deals?
Mattresses can be expensive, so I regularly update the guide to the best cheap mattress deals with the most impressive deals.
The mattress that didn’t make the cut
I was drawn to Emma’s original mattress because I’d never slept on a hybrid before. I was intrigued by the memory foam layer. But the price was also appealing as it’s one of the more affordable hybrid mattresses. In terms of construction, it’s fairly simple, with three foam layers and a layer of pocket springs (it was previously called the Emma hybrid original when I tested it). I was pregnant during the initial testing period, and I found it very comfortable. It felt softer and plusher than the brand’s “medium-firm” description suggested, but I found it suited side sleeping particularly well. However, as my pregnancy progressed, I needed more support. Getting out of bed became harder than you’d expect when heavily pregnant, and this was even more noticeable after my C-section. The mattress didn’t offer enough support for my lower back, which led to increased pain that only eased once I switched to a firmer, pocket-sprung mattress. That said, if you prefer a cushioned, softer feel and you’re on a budget, it could still be worth considering. But if you need strong support to help with aches and pains, this probably isn’t the one.
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 testing all manner of sleep products – from duvets to mattress toppers – so she’s well versed in the language brands use to make bold promises. She knows how easy it is for marketing to oversell the dream of “perfect” sleep, and approaches every claim with a healthy dose of scepticism.
Sleep is something she prioritises above almost everything when it comes to her wellbeing – not always simple as a parent of small children. She’s also had her own challenges with getting consistent, good-quality rest, including periods of back pain following surgery, so proper support and comfort aren’t abstract concepts to her. As The Independent’s resident sleep expert, Sarah knows the best, most comfortable fabrics and materials to look for in mattresses and bedding and has a strict criterion by which she and her fellow testers judged each one, having slept on them for a minimum of two weeks at home, and in several cases, for many years.
Here at IndyBest, we don’t pad our roundups for the sake of it. Our expert reviewers test products year-round to curate the very best. We only recommend mattresses we genuinely rate and would happily buy ourselves.
The wider IndyBest team has also reviewed and tested more furniture and bedroom-related items, such as the best storage beds to maximise space, best summer duvets and best winter duvets, best electric blankets and best weighted blankets. Even kids’ room essentials have been put to the test, including the best bunk beds and the best children’s beds.
Now you’ve got the mattress, these are the best pillows, the best linen bedding sets and the best electric blankets to buy
