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14 best mattress 2024 UK; tried and tested hybrid, memory foam and budget recommendations

All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.

A GOOD mattress can make the difference between you getting up each morning full of energy or limping painfully into the day, still feeling like you need a night’s sleep.

More than that, the best mattresses will help ease niggling pains and backache, as they hold your spine in alignment and support your body.

If your mattress has seen better days and you’re in the market for a new one, there are a number of factors to consider. How do you find the best mattress for you? Are you a front, side or back sleeper? Do you prefer a traditional spring mattress, or a spring and foam hybrid mattress incorporating a memory foam layer? Do you easily overheat at night and if so, would a cooling mattress help prevent this?

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Whether you sleep alone or with a partner, the size of your bed, your preferred level of firmness and whether or not you move a lot in your sleep should also be taken into account.

Finally the practicalities of accessories – should you buy a mattress protector at the same time or does your new mattress come with one and will your sheets fit or will you need to buy deeper versions – shouldn’t be forgotten as all add to the cost.

Purchasing a mattress online requires a degree of trust as you can’t try it before buying. Happily most companies offer extended trial periods so if your new mattress doesn’t suit then you can return it for a refund. There’s also thousands of customer reviews online so make sure you read a few for your favoured brand to help you decide what’s right for you.

We’ve also tested a fair few here at Sun Shopping so read on for our reviews of the best mattresses available to buy in the UK, in 2024.

Best mattresses at a glance

  • Best mattress for back pain -
  • Best mattress overall -
  • Best memory foam mattress -
  • Best budget mattress -
  • Best kids mattress -

Simba Original Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Easy setup, supportive, comfortable

Cons: Very heavy, may require deep fitted sheets, plasticky smell when first unboxed

Rating: 4.5/5

Like many in this list, the Simba Original Hybrid is a mattress in a box which means it needs some time to 'inflate' before use, but this takes just a couple of hours to develop enough to be slept on and 24 hours before it's expanded fully. Not bad.

Made up of five layers - a breathable sleep surface, a layer of open-cell Simba-pure (Simba-pure= TCPP-free foam), a layer of patented Aerocoil springs, another layer of Simba-pure with edge support and a Simba-pure support base - it makes use of patented titanium Aerocoil springs to keep you supported and cool.

It's thick, which can mean it's quite heavy for putting on sheets, but also incredibly comfortable and thousands of reviews have stated it helps with back pain.

While it is firmer than my previous mattress, it was such a huge step up I barely even noticed.

It's not going too far to say it transformed my sleep: I slept soundly from the first night and I feel more rested than I have done in years.

Read my full Simba Hybrid Mattress review.

Review by Clara Wolsey.

Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

Zoma Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Very comfortable, easy to sleep on from the start, supportive,

Cons: May be a little too soft for some, warm

Rating: 4.5/5

I tested the in king size and from the get-go I found it incredibly comfortable to sleep on. There was no having to get used to it for a week or so to break it in; from the first night I slept soundly and woke up feeling rested.

The mattress arrived vacuum-packed and rolled. After cutting away the plastic and leaving it to inflate for several hours it was ready to sleep on – and there was none of that plasticky smell, which you can get with bed-in-a-box mattresses.

I found it supportive, but not too hard, in fact I’m surprised just how soft it feels for a medium firm mattress. That’s a good thing for me, but some people may find it a little too soft.

Pros: Comfortable, vegan-friendly, sustainable, soft and breathable, high-quality, 15-year guarantee

Cons: Heavy, will likely require deep-fitted sheets, long delivery times, short trial period

Rating: 4.5/5

The aim of the CocoCore Natural Bamboo Mattress from Ethical Bedding is to fuse luxury with sustainability. While these two qualities often don’t go hand-in-hand, the use of recycled and responsibly sourced fillings alongside an extended 15-year guarantee to ensure peace of mind.

Additionally, it’s vegan-friendly, utilises recycled plastic bottle fibres collected from coastlines and waterways, and contains a bamboo layer that is both hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

Having tested the mattress over three months, I can confidently say that the mattress improved my quality of sleep, and I also found I suffered less back and shoulder pain. 

The mattress is medium to firm and offers all of the necessary support, with a softer upper layer providing comfort and mouldability. This lofty surface layer felt akin to adding a mattress topper, which required some adjustment after sleeping on an extra firm mattress, but ultimately I succumbed to the cradled feeling this provides. 

The outer material is also incredibly soft and breathable, helping with temperature regulation through the night, resulting in a profound ‘fresh’ feeling when waking up.

The CocoCore mattress comprises 17 individual comfort layers and 7,000 pocket springs, making this a deep mattress (30cm) and quite heavy to manoeuvre. However, this robustness does result in an overall premium feel and quality. 

The mattress did take quite a few weeks to arrive, which is in part due to each mattress being handmade to order, but communication regarding the order status was always quick and clear. The white-glove delivery service was also smooth with the delivery team disposing of all packaging and providing the option of old mattress disposal.

The CocoCore Natural Bamboo Mattress does come with a higher-than-average price tag, but with a guarantee of 15 years, this feels like a justifiable investment.

If you’re searching for a mattress that oozes luxury but you're conscious of the environmental impact often attached to that, I would point you in CocoCore’s direction.

Review by Josh Bounford

Mattress type: Pocket spring, Trial period: 14 days, Guarantee: 15 years

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Pros: Supportive, comfortable, excellent value

Cons: Slight odour when first out of the box

Rating: 4.5/5

A medium-firm mattress that keeps you cool on stuffy nights, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress is a great option - and it offers a one-year trial period.

It has supportive layers that felt more and more comfortable as I slept on it and it uses smart technology to maintain a good temperature throughout your body.

I'm a side sleeper so I liked how the mattress cradled my body but at the same time kept my spine straight.

I feel it has improved with every night's sleep and is firm enough to support my body but not so firm it's uncomfortable. It minimises motion transfer, which is another plus point.

You only have to rotate the mattress once every six months and it has kept its shape and firmness, continuing to be supportive and very comfortable

Read our full Nectar Memory Foam mattress review.

Review by Agne Gaidyte.

Mattress type: Memory foam, Trial period: 365 nights, Guarantee: Lifetime

Brook and Wilde Lux Mattress

Pros: Supportive, comfortable, stands the test of time

Cons: Expensive

Rating: 4.5/5

The Brook and Wilde Lux mattress has two separate layers of memory foam which sandwich two layers of pocket springs, which means it's pretty soft but also very comfortable.

I opted for medium firmness and my mattress arrived with white glove service, which saw two delivery people carrying it to the bedroom and removing all the packaging. Nice touch.

As with all bed-in-a-box mattresses, the Lux needed a few hours to expand but then was ready to go.

My first impression of the mattress was that it was pretty spongy for a medium, but I quickly discovered it is actually very supportive and incredibly comfortable.

Overall I love the Lux. After years of backbreaking, cheap mattresses it's lovely to have a well-made, well-designed and comfortable mattress to sleep on.

Read our full Brooke and Wilde Lux mattress review.

Review by Joel Watson.

Mattress type: hybrid, Trial period: 100 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

REM-Fit 400 Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Provides excellent back support, incredibly comfortable, good to share

Cons: Not particularly attractive presentation on arrival

Rating: 4.5/5

If back pain is something you battle with, then it might be time to upgrade your mattress. If that's the case, then the REM-Fit 400 Hybrid needs to be on your radar.

Granted, it's not presented aesthetically, but that's not a dealbreaker because this soft mattress helped to alleviate back issues.

As it’s a softer mattress, you can feel your partner moving around the bed a bit, but not enough to disturb your sleep or wake you up.

The REM-Fit 400 is also incredibly comfortable and very supportive.

If you're more of a firmer mattress lover then this one might not be your cup of tea, but if a soft, moulding option is for you then get your hands on the REM-Fit 400 Hybrid.

Read our full REM-Fit 400 Hybrid mattress review.

Review by Joel Watson.

Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 100 days, Guarantee: 15 year

Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress

Pros: Supportive, comfortable, didn't overheat

Cons: Expensive

Rating: 4.5/5

If you struggle with sleep, the Simba Hybrid Pro mattress could help.

It has a breathable sleep surface, two layers of patented MiQro springs to increase airflow, and a layer of British wool for temperature regulation, which should stop any waking up in the night because of overheating.

I can vouch that this works - I slept soundly, even on the warmest night of a heatwave, which was impressive.

The Simba Hybrid Pro is a huge improvement on my old mattress, with its temperature regulation making the biggest difference to my sleep.

It isn't cheap, but if you need a new mattress I'd say it's worth the price. It also has over 200,000 five-star reviews, as well as a 200-night trial and a 0% finance option. Plus standard delivery is free of charge.

Read our full Simba Hybrid Pro mattress review.

Review by Clara Wolsey.

Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress

Pros: Cool, eased back pain, supportive, comfortable

Cons: Heavy, large price tag, requires extra deep sheets

Rating: 4.5/5

For a high-quality, premium mattress, the Simba Hybrid Luxe is a good option and ultra-comfy.

It arrived quickly and once unwrapped it took around six hours to expand to its full size. It's a thick mattress so you will need deep sheets - my regular sheets didn't quite fit and the corners kept coming off, but buying deeper sheets solved that problem.

Its cooling technology helped stop me from overheating during the night and I didn't notice my partner moving around in bed as motion doesn't travel through the mattress, both of which ensured I slept well.

Also, I no longer wake up with back pain - I still experience it in day-to-day life, but not first thing in the morning, which is wonderful.

I'm not alone either. There are more than 2,100 reviews from Simba customers who feel the Luxe has helped with their lumbar aches too.

I can honestly say I love this mattress and look forward to getting into bed every night, which has never happened with a mattress before.

Read our full Simba Hybrid Luxe mattress review.

Review by Clara Wolsey.

Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress

Pros: effective cooling, supportive, UK-made with UK materials

Cons: expensive, hard to move, difficult to put sheets on

Rating: 4/5

The Simba Hybrid Ultra mattress is a premium mattress with a premium price tag to match, but its cooling properties are impressive.

I'm a warm sleeper and I find mattresses topped with memory foam can lead to me waking up sweating in the night, especially in the warmer months.

But that's not been a problem since I started testing out the Simba Hybrid Ultra mattress

It only comes in medium-firm, which isn't rock hard, but isn't squishy either; instead, it's supportive with a good amount of flex.

Simba says it's got two layers of Simbatex foam on top to help with air circulation and that, combined with the firmness of the mattress, led to me retaining very little of the heat that I normally bottle up in bed.

Simba also says the Ultra is packed with technology to help with airflow, including how its 8,000 springs are configured, to keep air flowing around your body as they compress.

The downside of this mattress is the price, it's pretty expensive, even for a premium mattress, with prices ranging from £1,999 for a single, to £3,459 for a king size.

On top of this, it's very heavy and rigid, which means it's a pain to manoeuvre, even if you're just changing the sheets. If you've got to move this from one room to another, you'll need a team of people to prevent it from becoming an ordeal!

In all though, this mattress delivers on its promise of giving you a cooler night's sleep and will be a faithful servant in the summer months.

Just make sure you buy some extra deep sheets to prevent changing sets from feeling like a judo match.

Review by Joel Watson.

Mattress type: Hybrid foam and springs, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro

Pros: Feels supportive, really comfortable, cooling bamboo, sustainable, several layers of foam and 1,200 individually enclosed springs, helped sort out my morning aches

Cons: Heavy to move, expensive, took a couple of weeks to get used to the firmness

Rating: 4/5

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to set you up for the day – and a great mattress is a prerequisite for this – so testing the was a dream of a task.

This bamboo hybrid is composed of six layers that work together to support your body, keeping your spine aligned and easing pressure on your joints, which is essential for your hips if you’re a side sleeper.

I am. And a back sleeper. Sometimes a front sleeper too, so I’ve always wondered about mattresses that are designed for one or other of these, I mean, where do you start? No need to worry with this beauty though as it’s made to support all sleep positions in comfort – and it absorbs the movement that accompanies such a nighttime dance, keeping you sleeping soundly throughout.

It arrived wrapped in plastic and was dutifully placed in position by two helpful delivery guys (who obligingly took the wrapping with them when they left). As with other ‘bed-in-a-box’ mattresses, it looked too thin, but, freed of its restraints, immediately began to swell. I left it to its own devices until bedtime, six or so hours later, by which point it had fully expanded.

The plasticky smell that seems to accompany these types of mattresses lasted a few days before dissipating, but it didn’t concern me as I was expecting it.

Memory foam has a reputation for being hot to sleep on so Panda has added a top layer of its BioCell Foam, which has an open-cell structure to increase airflow and breathability, coupled with bamboo for freshness.

Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and it helps regulate your body’s temperature, so it’s a great material to include in a mattress – and in the mattress cover. This one feels soft to the touch and it’s removable so you can wash it (handy).

I had no problems with fitting standard-depth sheets – even with several different layers the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro is not massively deep – and snuggled down for my first night.

It was firm. On the mattress firmness scale this one comes in at a 7, according to Panda, and it felt like I was lying on top of it, rather than sinking into it. This is not a bad thing, but it took a week or so to get used to after the softness of my old mattress.

During those first weeks there was a certain amount of give as we both became accustomed to each other and I’m glad to say it has all worked out fine; we’re very happy. I even wake up with fewer grumbling aches these days.

Mattress type: Hybrid foam and springs, Trial period: 100 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

Review by Lisa Burn

Tempur Sensation Luxe Mattress

Pros: Very thick, ultra-supportive, no need to flip, comfortable

Cons: Very heavy, may require deep fitted sheets, new mattress smell lingers for a while, expensive

Rating: 4/5

Here's a bit of a fun fact about this Tempur mattress - it's made using technology from NASA, so your night's sleep should literally be out of this world (sorry, couldn't help it).

Erring towards firm, the material is designed to conform to your body and distribute weight evenly to relieve pressure points, which means maximum support.

It distributes your weight evenly and we found it to be both thicker and cooler than our old memory foam mattress. There's no need to flip it either and the cover is removable for washing.

Tempur recommends you sleep on your new mattress for 60 days to get used to it and I'd say that's about right. It's firm and I think I'd struggle now to sleep on a softer model.

It has also helped with my minor back pain and it kept me cooler during a heatwave than my previous mattress.

The Tempur Sensation Luxe is expensive compared to others on the market but the company has 30 years' experience and excellent customer service.

Plus, it isn't a bed in a box, so your mattress will arrive unrolled and ready to sleep on, just like in the good old days.

Read our full Tempur Sensation Luxe mattress review.

Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 100 nights, Guarantee: 10 years

Eve Original Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Supportive, soft, bounces back well, reasonably priced

Cons: Heavy and awkward to rotate, isn't as cooling as expected

Rating: 4/5

For a sturdy and supportive mattress that makes use of both springs and memory foam but doesn't cost the world, check out the Eve Sleep Original Hybrid.

It comes vacuum-packed in a box and needs a little bit of time (around 4-6 hours) to expand to full size, in the same way other bed-in-a-box mattresses do.

I carry around a lot of tension from the day and in the past have found it difficult to switch off at night, suffering from insomnia. With the Original Hybrid, however, I sleep much better.

The combination of feeling supported without too much pressure on my limbs and joints has improved my comfort - both physical and mental,

It is much more relaxing than the spring mattress it replaced. I also wake up with fewer aches since I replaced my old mattress.

The level of support and comfort and support it provides, while still bouncing back into shape, is very impressive.

This mattress could have a huge impact on your physical well-being and mood. It reduces the level of tension, while its medium to firm rating means you're supported without too much pressure.

Read our full Eve Sleep Original Hybrid mattress review.

Review by Kevin Pocock

Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 100 night, Guarantee: 10 years

Dormeo Octasmart Plus Mattress

Pros: Lightweight, supportive, great for cold sleepers

Cons: Warm sleepers may need light sheets in summer

Rating: 4.5/5

Dormeo may not yet be a big name in the mattress-in-a-box sector, but its Octasmart Plus Memory Foam Mattress is well worth getting to know.

It's lightweight and thin, which means it's easy to rotate and you won't need to invest in deep fitted sheets, however, it's also supportive and comfortable.

The Octasmart Plus lies between soft and medium-firm, so I found that while I did sink into the mattress when I lay on it, I still felt supported.

I did notice I was warmer than usual when sleeping though, so in the summer I may be a little too warm and need to resort to a thinner duvet.

This mattress is also great for sharers as it's sturdy enough for each person to move without the effects rippling through the mattress and disturbing the other, which is particularly good for light sleepers.

For an extra layer of comfort, you can also use a mattress topper, although this is just an added luxury and not necessary for a great night's sleep.

Read our full Dormeo mattress review.

Mattress type: Memory foam, Trial period: 60 night, Guarantee: Up to 20 years

Emma Original Mattress

Pros: Super comfortable, good support, doesn't get too hot

Cons: More expensive than many traditional mattresses, needs to be left to expand when first setting up

Rating: 4/5

The Emma Original Mattress aims to be the ultimate bed in a box and Emma is convinced you’ll love it – so much so that they offer a 200-night sleep trial (365 nights in the USA) and a 10-year guarantee.

This memory foam mattress incorporates 3cm of breathable Airgocell foam that allows heat to escape, 2cm of visco-elastic memory foam and 19cm of cold foam, all within a machine-washable and temperature-regulating outer cover.

The mattress is designed to suit all body shapes, with the layers providing advanced zoning to support all areas of the body.

When first unpacked the Original looks thinner than expected, but once left to expand over several hours it plumps up to full size.

It has handles on both sides so it was easy to place on my bed - and they come in handy for helping turn the mattress should you wish to (though that's not necessary).

I found the Emma Original very supportive and firm but comfortable, the Airgocell layer ensuring a cool night’s sleep.

Read my full Emma Original mattress review.

Review by Emma Lake.

What is the best type of mattress?

There are a few different types of mattresses available, so here's a quick overview of some of the most popular to help you find one that suits your needs.

Memory Foam

Pros: Comfortable, reduces pressure on the spine, helps to realign the spine, neck and hips, quiet, little maintenance

Cons: Heavy, hotter than regular mattresses, changes softness depending on temperature

Memory foam mattresses are super popular because of how comfortable they are.

The hypoallergenic material also reduces pressure on the spine to help relieve back pain and realign the spine, neck and hips for an overall more comfortable night's sleep.

Hybrid

Pros: Comfortable, cooling, pressure relief, good for all sleeping positions

Cons: Heavy, expensive, not motion isolated, can't be flipped

Hybrid mattresses are a blend of pocket springs and memory foam, giving you the best of both worlds.

Many are seriously good at cooling because the springs facilitate airflow between the coils.

No matter what position you sleep in, a hybrid gives support and relieves stress points in your body while you sleep.

But, they are often expensive and because they are pocket springs on the lower layer and memory foam on the top, they can't be flipped which means the only way to keep them feeling fresh is by turning them.

Latex

Pros: Eco-friendly, chemical free, helps to relieve pain, breathability

Cons: Allergies, springy, expensive

Latex mattresses are the most eco-friendly option but, as is well known, some people are allergic to the material.

If you don't fall into the allergic category, then you'll find that latex mattresses can help to relieve back pain and are super breathable.

But if springiness isn't your thing, then be aware that latex can mean your mattress is pretty bouncy and it can be quite expensive too.

Pocket Spring

Pros: Good movement isolation, supportive

Cons: Pocket spring count can be confusing

The OG of mattresses, pocket springs are reliable, offering support and, crucially, good movement isolation.

If you share your mattress and are a light sleeper, you might find that even the smallest movement from your bedmate ripples through the mattress and wakes you from your much-needed slumber.

But with pocket springs, that's minimised, with little movement radiating through the mattress, which means an all-around better night's sleep.

Spring count can be confusing so it may take a little more research than a hybrid, memory foam or latex option.

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