Best mattress 2024: Memory foam, pocket sprung and hybrid models tested by experts

This substantial mattress has a whopping 11 layers and is therefore very robust. There’s a foam base with recycled fibres; a bamboo and wool layer, which promotes temperature regulation; and an open cell foam section for airflow. Meanwhile, the 14,000 titanium springs, which offer support, are nestled into two sections, including a foam element to prevent any digging in. We also liked that the top anti-allergy cover layer can be removed and machine-washed.

Having spent more than six months sleeping on this mattress, we found that it offers the ideal balance between a firm and medium sleeping base. Better still, it’s breathable and feels fresh. The layers work well together, and we’ve seen improved sleep, thanks to the coolness it offers during warmer months and increased cosiness seen in the autumn and winter. Our tester is a side and back sleeper and found it offers support for joints prone to aches, too.

The layers do mean that this mattress is both high (31cm) and heavy to manoeuvre, but we do think the solid composition creates a premium feel that matches the price point.

Read the full Simba hybrid luxe mattress review

If you’re anything like us, you perspire uncontrollably throughout the night during the summer months, trying all you can to stay cool, the Emma luxe cooling mattress could help. Made up of six layers which are all designed to regulate your temperature, with the removable top cover featuring open-pore fibres that pull the heat away from your body as you sleep.

The Emma luxe cooling isn’t a miracle maker. You’re still going to be hot when it’s 30C outside, but when the temperatures weren’t as extreme and dropped to around 23C, we were as cool as a cucumber. It regulated our body temperature so effectively that there weren’t any damp bedsheets the next morning. It’s a hybrid mattress, so it’s made from a combination of springs and foam. This meant it still moulded to our body effectively while stopping us from overheating.

In comparison to Simba’s hybrid pro mattress, it is softer and doesn’t have the same edge support, so we did find that we slipped off when sitting on the edge of it. But, once we got used to it, we found it to be a dream to sleep on.

Read the full Emma luxe cooling mattress review

This hybrid mattress from Panda calls on bamboo to give you a better night’s kip. It’s vegan, and topped with a luxe, naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial bamboo cover that immediately gets extra points for being removable. Beneath this layer, there’s a breathable foam layer, which is infused with the all-important bamboo, which is naturally temperature regulating, so should do well in every season.

The mattress is on the firmer side of medium and when lying down, we noticed a very slight sinking-in feeling, with a subtle bounce, owing to a layer of springs. Our side-sleeping tester found it to provide excellent comfort and support. However, the brand assures it’s suitable for front and back sleepers too, because there are two different kinds of foam working to accommodate you and your sleeping position, and keep you properly aligned right through the night.

For fans of firm mattresses, the Emma premium plus is sure to go down a treat. Not only is the bed-in-a-box brand’s offering incredibly easy to install – with the mattress arriving rolled up in an easy-to-manoeuvre box – it’s also one of the comfiest mattresses we’ve ever snoozed on. What makes this so impressive is the five layers of comfort, four of which are made from foam, and one a 12.5cm tall layer of pocket springs, making the whole thing soft and spongy.

But what sets this mattress apart from many other options is the premium honeycomb cover, which creates even more comfort and breathability. So, for those who sweat while they sleep, you’ll want to pay close attention, as the cover can also be removed and thrown in the washing machine. Genius.

The combination of mouldable memory foam and compartmented pocket springs also helped us sleep soundly. Separated into five sections, these have different levels of support for each area of the body: head, shoulders, lower back, thighs and feet. So, as long as you don’t sleep in any strange positions (such as your head where your feet should be), you’re sure to have just the right amount of support needed to sleep soundly.

Read the full Emma premium plus review

The Goldilocks of mattresses, this hybrid option is ideal for those who find memory foam too squishy, and springs too firm. Marrying the support of micro coils with Tempur’s famous Nasa-developed foam, it offers the best of both worlds – the enveloping comfort that the brand’s material is known for, plus the bounce and support of pocketed springs.

When we initially slept on the hybrid elite, we experienced a slight floaty, sinking feeling that, although not as pronounced as on others we tried, still took a little getting used to. After prolonged testing, though, we found that, while it felt softer than a traditional coiled mattress, it gave us maximum support in all the right places, no matter what position we slept in.

We also loved how easy this mattress is to look after as it’s “no turn”, and even comes with removable covers that can be easily unzipped and machine-washed, making sure your sleep surface is fresh and hygienic night after night – ideal for clumsy coffee drinkers or parents of toddlers.

The hybrid ultra is a medium-firm mattress that has 13 layers of foam and springs, and it comes complete with a zip-off cover. Interestingly, this Simba offering has the most springs (8,500) of all the brand’s hybrid mattresses. The sections include a double foam layer to promote coolness, as well as a layer incorporating kapok, wool and bamboo for further temperature regulation potential.

Thanks to its extensive layers, the mattress is 34cm high, so it’s something to bear in mind depending on how high your bed frame is. We found the mattress to offer a refreshing feel as we settled down to sleep, and, during a month’s trial period, we appreciated the Simba hybrid ultra’s cooling surface on nights we felt hot or had been tossing and turning.

While it comes with an investment price tag, if you are looking to splash out on a new mattress, Simba’s hybrid ultra provides supreme comfort, a sturdy medium-firm composition with a bit of springy bounce and breathable coolness. It’s suitable for front, back and side sleepers, too.

Arriving tightly rolled and vacuum packed, Dormeo’s mattress is easy to unbox, with it recovering most of its original shape within 15 minutes. Composed of six layers, the top three layers of foam create a supportive base for your body, allowing the mattress to mould to your shape for optimum comfort. We benefited from the cooling technology during balmy nights, as well as the hybrid design, which improved our pressure points in just two weeks.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with the octasmart mattress, with the firm and supportive design not compromising on any comfort. As someone with occasional back and neck aches, the build gave us the support we needed, while the design’s three “body zones” reduced disturbance when sharing a bed.

Read the full Dormeo octasmart plus memory mattress review

Simba’s bestselling mattress, the hybrid original features six layers of pure comfort. The most important layer – the core zoned foam support base – gives the mattress its thickness and stability. Better still, it’s zoned so every area of your body is supported, while the middle layer of pocket springs provides just the right amount of bounce. The top layer is soft, breathable and hypoallergenic (making it a great option for allergy sufferers), and the zip-off design is washable.

Arriving in a long box, clear instructions make the mattress a breeze to unpack and, within hours, it’s fully rolled out and ready to lie on. Sinkage is perfect, as is the balance of support and cloud-like cushioning. Its medium firmness is suited to those who sleep on their side, front or back, while its breathability makes the mattress a stellar option for those who tend to get hot during the night.

This is a hybrid that sits in the middle of the market in terms of price, and we’ve never slept more soundly.

Read the full Simba hybrid original mattress review

Courtesy of Hypnos – a British, family-run business that’s been making beds for more than 120 years – this mattress really is the ultimate in luxury. Endorsed by the Eden Project, it has been designed to enhance your sleep, using the finest natural, organic and sustainable materials, which are also responsibly sourced, including British wool, Himalayan allo fibres and natural Talalay latex from managed forests. When combined, these materials create a dreamy sleeping environment that delivers excellent breathability, pressure relief and hypoallergenic properties. As for support, the mattress is available in two different tensions: medium and firm.

We tested the medium and were surprised at just how solid it felt, which is something to consider if you’re hoping for a little bounce. However, if, like us, you experience back pain, the extra support is very much welcomed. We noted a significant reduction in discomfort after just a few weeks.

But let’s address the elephant in the room – at a penny shy of £3,300, this is a whopping investment and, while we can’t praise the mattress enough, its cost will likely turn many people off. If you have the budget, though, this is a mattress well worth considering, not only for its comfort levels but also its impressive quality and environmentally friendly design.

If you can’t seem to get on with the pocket-sprung variety, consider Emma’s memory foam mattress, which is designed to support your entire body and keep your spine evenly aligned for maximum relief and rest.

Made up of three layers of memory foam, we noticed a distinct sinking feeling as we were lying down. While this felt unusual at first, it became strangely comforting. The mattress helped relieve pressure on high-impact areas such as our hips and shoulders, and we also really appreciated the foam’s low transference of motion, which meant our sleep was far less disturbed by our fidgety partner.

A great option for front, back or side sleepers, the original delivered optimal cushioning and support whichever position we slept in, and the extra layers of breathable foam really do work, as we found both our body and the mattress were left dry and cool, even during a heatwave.

While the original ticked all our boxes, those looking for supreme plushness will be pleased to hear Emma has launched a new version, the original plus mattress (£483, Emma-sleep.co.uk), which comes with a comfort cover that offers extra thickness.

Read the full Emma original mattress review

Hypnos supplies mattresses to hotels, including Soho House and The Corinthia, but also the royal family, so it’s fair to say the luxury brand is good enough for VIPs. As always, we’ve got to question how this translates to the beds we can buy, but this mattress is quite something – and certainly fit for a king or queen.

The depth (31cm) means there are lots of layers of comfort here, including a pocket-spring system, which aids weight distribution to provide edge-to-edge support and helps to encourage better spinal alignment. While the depth gives it a luxe feel, it does mean the sheets are sometimes difficult to secure. Where the pillow top is concerned, we were initially worried it would be too soft, but it’s supportive and feels like a gentle hug. It’s a total dream to sink into, and it’s one of the most comfortable mattresses we’ve tested.

Read the full Hypnos pillow top elite mattress review

The hybrid mattress is made up of eight layers of foam, micro-springs, memory foam and a supportive base. While everyone’s perception of mattress firmness will differ, we’d say this has a medium level of firmness to it, so it’s certainly not for you if you’re after pillow-like softness (turn to the Hypnos mattress above for that).

That being said, our pressure points felt supported and our spine aligned, and it scored extra points for its ability to reduce motion transfer – we could not feel our wriggly sleeping partner. What’s more, when we allowed a guest to sleep in our bed, they commented on how comfortable it was.

One feature that sets Nectar apart from the big-name brands is the 365-night free trial and forever warranty – for example, both Simba and Emma offer 200-night trials. Knowing that the mattress is refundable is also a great feature because if you don’t get on with it, you can return it free of charge.