12 best mattresses, tried and tested by The Independent’s sleep expert

This substantial mattress has 11 layers – according to Simba, 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. There are also springs nestled into two sections, including a foam element to prevent any digging in. It’s a lot of jargon, but what I can say is this mattress lives up to the marketing.

After testing it for more than six months, I found that my sleep had hugely improved. It offers the ideal balance between a firm and medium sleeping base. Better still, it’s breathable and feels fresh. It’s cool during warmer months, yet cosy in the autumn and winter. I also found it offers good support for achy joints. While some may consider it a small point, I loved that the top anti-allergy cover layer can be removed and machine-washed.

The only drawback is that all the layers mean this mattress is both heavy and high (31cm). The good news is that you rarely need to move a mattress, so the weight shouldn’t be a huge issue. The height can be trickier; it’s rare, but the thickness means you may need to buy new fitted sheets.

Read the full Simba hybrid luxe mattress review

The hybrid mattress is made from eight layers of foam, micro-springs, memory foam and a supportive base. While everyone’s perception of mattress firmness will differ, I’d say this has a medium level of firmness to it, so it’s certainly not for you if you need a soft mattress – try the Simba earth apex for that.

However, my pressure points felt supported and my spine aligned, and it scored extra points for its ability to reduce motion transfer – I could not feel my partner turning over in the night. What’s more, when guests stayed in the bed, they commented on how comfortable it was. Unlike many memory foam mattresses, this is breathable.

One feature that sets Nectar apart from other brands is the 365-night free trial and forever warranty. By comparison, Simba offers 200-night trials, which is a fairly good trial period, but doesn’t let you try the bed through every season. Another great feature of this Nectar bed is that if you don’t get on with it, you can return it free of charge.

There’s a reason that mattress brand Hypnos has a royal warrant. You only have to look at a Hypnos mattress to understand the luxury, and the orthos support 7 is no exception. The layers of organic wool and cotton not only help to support you, but they also ensure that it's breathable. I remained at the perfect temperature throughout my 90 nights of testing.

If you need extra support from a mattress for any ongoing aches and pains, then there is a high chance this mattress could be what you’ve been looking for. It offers a supportive amount of firmness without feeling hard. It moulds to your body without feeling like you’re sinking, which means it’s also perfect for motion isolation. You won’t feel anyone sharing the bed.

However, the layers of comfort mean this mattress is very heavy – you may need more than one of you when tussling with an awkward sheet. As our pick for ‘best firm mattress’, most people will find this too hard, but it’s perfect if you need some support.

This incredibly comfortable mattress has an impressive multilayer system. Unlike other mattresses I’ve tested, which use synthetic materials (polyurethane and polyester), this is made of cashgora goat wool, silk and Hampshire wool, which are layered and surround 5,700 titanium alloy micro springs (based on a king-size). While this might sound technical, the result is simply one of the most comfortable mattresses I have ever tested.

When it arrived, I was concerned that it would be soft and offer poor support for my spine. I have intermittent back issues, and I’ve found that soft mattresses can trigger bouts of sciatica. However, there were no issues after four months on this mattress. It made me realise my previous mattress was too firm.

This is also a great choice for keeping cool. The wool and silk, combined with the breathable springs, mean it’s well-ventilated and keeps you cool in summer.

As with other Simba mattresses I’ve tested, this bed is both high (32cm) and heavy to lift. The solid construction makes for a premium feel, but you might need a lower, understated bed frame to offset the height. Equally, if you want under-bed storage, you might find drawers more suitable than an ottoman, as this bed might be too high and heavy for the hydraulics.

The Emma hybrid premium is perfect for anyone who needs a firm mattress. 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 I’ve ever snoozed on. What makes this so impressive is the five layers of comfort, four of which are made from foam, and one 12.5cm tall layer of pocket springs, making the whole thing soft and spongy.

But what sets this mattress apart from many other memory foam options is the premium honeycomb cover, which creates even more comfort and breathability.

The combination of mouldable foam and pocket springs also helped me 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 hybrid premium review

Mattresses are incredibly expensive, but Dusk brings a premium feel at an almost painless price point. I’ve tested this bed for a year and I’m still surprised at how comfortable it is. It has excellent motion isolation, so you won’t notice if your partner turns over in the night, and the pocket springs under the memory foam are quiet, so there’s no annoying squeaking.

Unlike other memory foam beds, this is medium-firm, so there’s none of that awkward sinking feeling. The edge support is fantastic, and it has great support on pressure points, so it’s a good choice for side sleepers, too. It looks and feels much more expensive than it is, and it’s held up well; there have been no dips or bumps during the year I’ve put it to the test.

My only minor issue is that, though I love that you can wash it, the premium soft knitted outer layer on top isn’t particularly cool. You probably won’t overheat, but anyone who sleeps warm might want a slightly cooling mattress topper. You should also note that it takes a few days for the mattress to fully flatten out, so it may not feel fully comfortable at first. However, if you persevere, you’ll find a remarkably good bed for less than £400.

If you’re anything like me, you perspire uncontrollably throughout the night during the summer months, trying all you can to stay cool, the Emma hybrid thermosync 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 mattress 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, I was as cool as a cucumber. It regulated my 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 my body effectively while stopping me from overheating.

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

Read the full Emma hybrid thermosync mattress review

The hybrid ultra is a medium-firm mattress with 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. I welcomed the cooling focus on warm nights.

It also 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. Best of all, all those springs mean that this bed has great motion isolation. If your partner fidgets in their sleep, you probably won’t notice in this bed.

However, as with all Simba beds, this is very high. In fact, at 34cm high, it’s the tallest mattress I’ve ever tested, so you may need to buy new fitted sheets. Apart from the height, the biggest drawback is the price. This is one of the most expensive beds I’ve tested. Having said that, it’s worth every penny.

Bringing the comfort of a hotel room into your bedroom, you can buy the exact mattress used at Premier Inn hotels. The mattress is made up of seven layers, including an innovative gel layer for bounce and a memory foam layer for that sinking-in feeling. The design has edge-to-edge support to provide comfort, while the temperature-regulating sleep surface kept me cool in the summer and cosy on colder nights. Finished with a micro-quilted surface, the top layer can be unzipped and rotated, which is a lot easier than turning the entire thing.

When testing, I found that it offered medium to firm support and was impressed with the zoned system, which helps to evenly distribute weight across the mattress. Better still, I found that I got into a comfortable sleeping position far more quickly than with my old mattress. If you sleep on your side, this is a great option as it avoids putting too much pressure on your hips and shoulders.

My big gripe is how hefty it is to unpack and position, but once it’s on your bed frame, you’ll have no regrets. However, it’s a bit of a risk; there’s no sleep trial, so if it isn’t for you, you can’t send it back.

Read the full Premier Inn mattress review

Simba’s hybrid is the brand’s bestselling mattress. It features six layers of pure comfort, with the most important layer being the core-zoned foam support base, which gives the mattress its thickness and stability. Better still, it’s zoned so that 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, so it’s a great option for allergy sufferers. The zip-off design is also washable.

The sinkage is perfect, as is the balance of support and 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 hybrid sits right in the middle of the market, but it outperforms some beds nearly three times the price. However, it’s not perfect. There’s a strong off-gassing smell for the first few hours with this bed, and Simba says you need to rotate it 180 degrees once a month for the first three months, which is a little tedious. The motion isolation is good but not perfect, so light sleepers may want to look elsewhere.

Read the full Simba hybrid original mattress review

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

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

Read the full Emma hybrid original mattress review

The DreamCloud luxury hybrid mattress is an absolute steal. It challenges the brands at the top end of the market at a much lower price. I have a recurring bad back and have tried several memory foam mattresses and hybrids. I frequently find the market-leading memory foam ones too soft from me and find this aggravates my back. On the other hand, hybrids are heavy and expensive.

This mattress arrived rolled up, like a memory foam mattress in a tidy box. It was much easier to move it into position, and when it sprang into shape, it was refreshingly light and easy to move. Some of the premium ones are so dense that I found lifting them to change the sheets a challenge, but this mattress is lightweight.

But this lightness doesn’t compromise comfort. The mattress combines memory foam and reinforced edge pocket springs to provide incredible support while feeling soft and comfy. This bed provides perfect support, but it offers enough give to make going to bed feel like a treat.