Best mattresses UK 2026
Six mattresses from Emma, Simba and Silentnight, from a 15cm foam mattress for a guest room to a deep hybrid, with what each is made of, how firm it is and what trial or guarantee you get.
Our top pick
Emma Original Mattress
A 25cm hybrid of memory foam and zoned pocket springs, with a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee from Emma.
More quick picks (4)
- Best for hot sleepersSimba Simbatex Cool Mattress, Double, 23cmCheck price
- Best pocket sprungSilentnight 1200 Eco Comfort Mattress, Pocket, Medium Firm, DoubleCheck price
- Best with a sleep trialSilentnight Comfort Breathe 1000 Pocket Mattress, 24cmSilentnight
- Best for guest roomsSimba Mattress Lite, Double, 15cmCheck price
How we chose: I compared mattresses from Emma, Simba and Silentnight that were sold by the brand or by Amazon and in stock on 26 October 2026, using the makers' listings for construction, depth, firmness, trials and guarantees, and owner reviews for common complaints. I haven't slept on these mattresses. Prices change often, so I don't quote them. These products have not been tested hands-on; this is a research-based roundup. How the research works.
A mattress is one of the few things worth spending a bit more on, because you'll use it every night for years. But the most expensive mattress isn't necessarily the best for you: firmness, how hot you sleep and whether you share the bed matter more than the brand.
The main types are memory foam, which moulds to your body and absorbs movement; pocket sprung, with individually wrapped springs that feel bouncier and sleep cooler; and hybrid, which combines the two. Most mattresses sold online arrive rolled or folded and come with a home trial, so you can return one that doesn't suit you.
If your mattress is basically fine but too firm, a topper is a much cheaper fix: see our mattress toppers guide. For winter, pair your bed with a warmer duvet from our winter duvets guide.
Who this guide is for: Anyone replacing an old mattress, furnishing a new bedroom or a guest room. All the sizes quoted are double unless stated; most come in single to super king.
Black Friday tip: Mattress brands run sales almost all year, and Black Friday is one of the biggest. Compare against the price over the last few months rather than the 'was' price, and check the trial period still applies to sale purchases.
Comparison table
| Pick | Type | Depth | Feel | Trial / guarantee | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Original MattressBest overall | Hybrid (foam and pocket springs) | 25cm | Medium firm | 200 nights; 10 years (Emma) | Check price |
| Simba Simbatex Cool MattressBest for hot sleepers | All foam | 23cm | Medium firm | See Simba's terms | Check price |
| Silentnight 1200 Eco Comfort MattressBest pocket sprung | Pocket sprung (1,200 springs) | Not listed | Medium firm | Silentnight guarantee, see terms | Check price |
| Silentnight Comfort Breathe 1000 PocketBest with a sleep trial | Pocket sprung (1,000 springs) | 24cm | Medium firm | 60 nights; lifetime guarantee if registered | Silentnight |
| Silentnight 7 Zone Memory Foam Rolled MattressBest budget | Memory foam | Not listed | Medium firm | 5-year guarantee | Check price |
| Simba Mattress LiteBest for guest rooms | All foam | 15cm | Medium | See Simba's terms | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 26 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the retailer’s page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Emma Original Mattress, Double, 25cm hybrid
Best for: Most sleepers, including couples who don't want to feel each other move
- Type
- Hybrid (foam and pocket springs)
- Depth
- 25cm
- Feel
- Medium firm
- Trial / guarantee
- 200 nights; 10 years (Emma)
Emma's Original is now a hybrid: layers of memory foam over zoned pocket springs, with a breathable cover and a foam edge for better edge support. Emma describes it as medium firm, and the foam-and-spring combination is designed to absorb movement, which helps if you share the bed.
Buy from Emma directly and you get a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee; check the terms if you buy elsewhere. On 26 October the double was sold by Emma on Amazon and on Emma's own site, which also offers old mattress removal for an extra charge.
What owners and reviewers like
- Foam comfort with spring support
- 200-night trial from Emma
- Arrives rolled
Watch-outs
- Can smell of foam for a few days
- Not for people who like a very firm bed
Check current price on Amazon Also at Emma Amazon link is an affiliate link · Emma link is not an affiliate link
Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress, Double, 23cm
Best for: People who find memory foam too warm
- Type
- All foam
- Depth
- 23cm
- Feel
- Medium firm
- Trial / guarantee
- See Simba's terms
Simba's Simbatex Cool is an all-foam mattress made in Lancashire. Simba says its open-structure, graphite-infused Simbatex foam gives over five times more airflow than standard memory foam in its lab tests, and the base has seven support zones. The top of the cover zips off for machine washing.
Owners mostly rate the quality and price, but comfort reviews are mixed, with some finding it too firm for their back, so check the trial terms. On 26 October it was sold by Simba and shipped by Amazon, folded rather than boxed.
What owners and reviewers like
- Cooler-sleeping foam
- Washable zip-off top cover
- Made in the UK
Watch-outs
- Mixed comfort reviews
- All foam, so less bounce than springs
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Silentnight 1200 Eco Comfort Mattress, Pocket, Medium Firm, Double
Best for: Anyone who prefers a traditional, cooler sprung mattress
- Type
- Pocket sprung (1,200 springs)
- Depth
- Not listed
- Feel
- Medium firm
- Trial / guarantee
- Silentnight guarantee, see terms
A traditional pocket-sprung mattress with 1,200 Mirapocket springs in zones, and breathable Comfort Breathe fibres instead of foam to keep air moving. Silentnight says it's handmade in the UK, and owners note the handles for turning and that it's vegan.
Springs feel bouncier and sleep cooler than foam, and the firmer, stable edge suits people who sit on the side of the bed. It's heavier than a rolled foam mattress, so plan for the stairs. On 26 October it was sold and shipped by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- 1,200 pocket springs
- Cooler than foam
- Handles for turning
Watch-outs
- Heavy
- Depth not given on the listing
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Silentnight Comfort Breathe 1000 Pocket Mattress, 24cm
Best for: A pocket-sprung mattress bought direct with a trial and a guarantee
- Type
- Pocket sprung (1,000 springs)
- Depth
- 24cm
- Feel
- Medium firm
- Trial / guarantee
- 60 nights; lifetime guarantee if registered
Bought from Silentnight directly, this 24cm pocket-sprung mattress comes with a 60-night sleep trial and Silentnight's lifetime guarantee when you register within three months. It has 1,000 Mirapocket springs with a firmer centre for the hips, and breathable Comfort Breathe fibres.
On 26 October Silentnight listed it in single, small double, double and king sizes, with a free matching mattress protector.
What owners and reviewers like
- 60-night trial
- Lifetime guarantee when registered
- Free mattress protector
Watch-outs
- Medium firm only
- Trial applies only when bought direct
Check price at Silentnight Not an affiliate link at the moment · opens silentnight.co.uk
Silentnight 7 Zone Memory Foam Rolled Mattress, Medium Firm, Double
Best for: A new double mattress on a tighter budget
- Type
- Memory foam
- Depth
- Not listed
- Feel
- Medium firm
- Trial / guarantee
- 5-year guarantee
Silentnight's rolled memory foam mattress uses its Miratex foam in seven zones for back, hip and shoulder support. It arrives rolled, so it's easy to carry up awkward stairs, and it's made in the UK with a five-year guarantee.
Owner feedback is mixed on firmness and on how well it lasts, which is common at this price. On 26 October it was sold and shipped by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Lower price than the others
- Rolled, so easy to move
- Five-year guarantee
Watch-outs
- Mixed reviews on durability
- Foam can feel warm
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Simba Mattress Lite, Double, 15cm
Best for: Guest rooms, bunk beds and daybeds
- Type
- All foam
- Depth
- 15cm
- Feel
- Medium
- Trial / guarantee
- See Simba's terms
A slimmer, cheaper Simba made from its open-structure foam. At 15cm deep it's lighter and easier to move than a full-depth mattress, which suits bunk beds, daybeds and spare rooms. Simba describes it as a balanced, medium feel, and it's made in Lancashire.
It isn't the best choice for nightly use by heavier sleepers. On 26 October it was sold by Simba and shipped by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Slim and light
- Made in the UK
- Good for bunk and day beds
Watch-outs
- Too thin for some everyday sleepers
- All foam
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Side sleepers usually want softer to medium so the shoulders and hips sink in; back sleepers usually suit medium firm; front sleepers and heavier people often prefer firmer support. If you share a bed and can't agree, a medium-firm mattress with a topper on one side is a common compromise.
Memory foam absorbs movement and relieves pressure but can feel warm. Pocket springs are bouncier, cooler and easier to get out of, but heavier. Hybrids aim for the best of both. If you sleep hot, choose springs or a foam that's designed to breathe.
Read the trial terms before you buy: most need you to sleep on the mattress for a few weeks first, and some trials only apply when you buy direct. Emma offers a 200-night trial and a paid old-mattress removal service, and Silentnight offers a 60-night trial on its own site. Most councils collect old mattresses for a fee.
The Sleep Charity suggests replacing a mattress about every seven years. Signs it's time include sagging, springs you can feel, waking up stiff, or sleeping better elsewhere.
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FAQs
What's the best mattress in the UK?
For most people, the Emma Original: a 25cm medium-firm hybrid with a 200-night trial and 10-year guarantee when bought from Emma.
Is a memory foam or pocket sprung mattress better?
Neither is better for everyone. Foam absorbs movement and relieves pressure; springs sleep cooler and feel bouncier. Hybrids combine the two.
How long should a mattress last?
Usually around seven to ten years, depending on quality and use. Replace it sooner if it sags or you wake up aching.
Can I return a mattress bought online?
Usually, if it has a sleep trial. Check how long you must sleep on it first and whether collection is free.
Have you slept on these mattresses?
No. This guide is based on the makers' published specs, trial terms and owner feedback. See how we research.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through Amazon links on this page, Amazon may pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Emma and Silentnight links aren't affiliate links at present. See the affiliate disclosure.
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on the retailer’s site before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, let me know.
