Searching for the best mattresses can be a difficult job as we all require different things from one. Whether that's one that is best for our sleeping positions, how hot or cold we are when we sleep or supporting different aches and pains across the body. It's definitely one of the biggest homeware decisions you'll make. After all, we spend so much time sleeping that a supportive, comfortable mattress is vital.
Best mattresses shortlist:
• Best tried and tested mattress: Silentnight Studio Memory 1000 Pocket Mattress
• Best foam mattress for side sleepers: Silentnight 3 Zone Memory Foam Rolled Mattress
• Best for spinal support: Emma Original Mattress
• Best hybrid mattress: Simba Hybrid Mattress
• Best budget mattress: Handmade Cooling Foam Free Tufted Bonnell Mattress
There are loads of brands available online these days, meaning you no longer have to set aside a whole day to trawl the shops trying them out, desperately trying not to get your shoes on them, feeling ever-so awkward pretending to sleep in front of the always-too-keen salesperson. Lots of brands offer trials when you buy a mattress online, so you don't have to commit until you're 100 per cent happy with your purchase. It can take a few weeks for your body to become accustomed to a new one, so it might take a while to really work out if it's right for you.
There are three main types of mattresses available; pocket spring, hybrid and foam. A pocket spring mattress is more of a traditional style, with small, soft springs inside their own fabric pocket to support the body. Memory foam mattresses help cushion you and mould to the contours of your body over time. Hybrid mattresses, as the name suggests, offer the best of both worlds and combine the technology of both.
We've listed the best mattresses below in a range of styles for you to compare below. We've listed the information for double mattresses, but you can see all other sizes available when you check to see the up-to-date prices.
Best foam mattress for side sleepers
The Silentnight 3 Zone Memory Foam Rolled Mattress, as the name mentions, is topped with memory foam and features three zones to provide key support to your shoulders, hips and back to ease those aches and pains. Not too soft but not too firm, this is a great shout for side sleepers.
Pros
- Contours to your body for pressure relief
- Made using anti-allergy fibres
Cons
- Some reviewers have reported the mattress having a strong smell when it first arrived
| Support: | Medium |
| Recommended for: | Side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 18cm |
Mattress with the best warranty
You can trial the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress for a whole YEAR and send it back if you're not 100 per cent convinced, plus the warranty is 'forever' (well, as long as you own the mattress). It features a quilted cover that is designed to draw heat away from your body and circulate fresh air for a cooling night’s sleep.
Pros
- Made up of five layers to provide temperature-regulating and pressure-relieving properties
- Minimises motion transfer
Cons
- Mattress may be too deep for some
| Support: | Medium |
| Recommended for: | Back, front and side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
Best tried and tested mattress
www.argos.co.uk
The Silentnight Studio Memory 1000 Pocket Mattress has a pleasing bounce-back feel that responds intelligently to your body throughout the night. It's ideal for those that love that 'sink-in' feeling at bedtime as it moulds with the contours of your body to gently hug you to sleep. It also helps to relieve pressure and soothe minor aches and pains.
Want to know more about what we thought? Take a look at our Silentnight Studio Memory 1000 Pocket Mattress review.
Pros
- Body-hugging memory foam
- Great for a 'sink-in' sleep
Cons
- Length of the mattress measures approx. 187cm so if you're taller than that, it may not be suitable
| Support: | Medium/Firm |
| Recommended for: | Side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
Best for spinal support
www.argos.co.uk
Durable, pressure-relieving, and comes with 200 nights to try it out, the Emma Original Mattress has won loads of awards for its comfort. Made with three layers of pressure-relieving foam, including a temperature-regulating top cover and breathable bottom cover, it supports and takes the pressure off your spine and promises an undisturbed sleep whatever your sleeping position.
Pros
- Three layers of pressure-relieving foam
- 10 year warranty
Cons
- Some may prefer a mattress without foam
| Support: | Medium |
| Recommended for: | Back, front and side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
Best medium/firm mattress for all sleeping positions
www.evesleep.co.uk
"Your mattress is your sanctuary" according to Eve Sleep, so you want to make sure you're comfy considering how much time we spend asleep. There are three foam layers in the Eve Sleep Original Mattress to support your body, and the memory foam isolates movement, so you won't be woken up by your partner tossing and turning.
Pros
- 365 nights trial to make sure your mattress is just right
- Top cover can be removed and washed at 40°C
Cons
- Mattress doesn't need to be flipped but you might need to rotate it 180° every now and then to get the most from it
| Support: | Medium/Firm |
| Recommended for: | Back, front and side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 24cm |
Best wool mattress
www.soakandsleep.com
The Wool 2000 Pocket Spring Mattress has 2,000 pocket springs inside to comfort you while your sleep. Not to mention, there are two firmness levels to pick from; medium/firm or firm. The mattress is made with a thick layer of British wool that is temperature-regulating to give you a smooth and cool sleeping surface.
Pros
- Two firmness levels to choose from
- Naturally hypoallergenic so a great choice for allergy sufferers
Cons
- Although this mattress has temperature-regulating properties, the naturally insulating benefits of wool may make this a hotter mattress compared to others
| Support: | Firm |
| Recommended for: | Back and side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 28cm |
Best hybrid mattress
Lay back on the Simba Hybrid Mattress’ 2,500 springs for a great night's sleep, with seven layers to regulate your temperature and keep you cool all night. It's called a hybrid because it's in between a foam mattress and a coil-sprung mattress, giving you the benefits of both designs. You can try for 200 nights to make sure you're happy with it.
Pros
- Contains Simba's Aerocoil springs and Simbatex foam for a cooling and comfortable sleep
- 10-year guarantee
Cons
- Some may prefer a firmer mattress
| Support: | Medium |
| Recommended for: | Back, front and side sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 25cm |
Best budget mattress
www.wayfair.co.uk
On a budget? You can get this open-coil double Handmade Cooling Foam Free Tufted Bonnell Mattress for not much more than £100 on Wayfair. The breathable, knitted cool-touch cover allows air to easily flow through and helps to regulate your body’s core temperature to prevent overheating while you’re asleep. Its firmness is 'medium' meaning average support for your back.
Pros
- Value for money
- Vacuum-packed and rolled for easy transportation
Cons
- May not be suitable for those with back issues as they may require a more supportive mattress
| Support: | Medium |
| Recommended for: | Back and front sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 18cm |
Best orthopaedic mattress
www.dunelm.com
Being an orthopaedic mattress, this anti-allergy Fogarty Just Right Orthopaedic Open Coil Mattress will help your body to rest and recover by offering spinal support and aiding your body’s natural alignment while you sleep. It's double-sided so you can flip it regularly to keep it in top condition and it has air vents to keep you cool.
Pros
- Interconnected springs move with your body to provide a consistent layer of support
- 10-year guarantee
Cons
- There are no trials or sending it back for a refund if you don't like it, unlike many others on our list
| Support: | Medium/Firm |
| Recommended for: | Back and front sleepers |
| Mattress depth: | 20cm |
Prices stated are correct at time of writing, and for doubles unless otherwise stated.
FAQs
How often should you replace your mattress?
The Sleep Council recommends that you replace your mattress every seven years, as this means it's had over 20,000 hours of wear and tear, plus it's played host to all the fluid and skin cells we lose while sleeping.
A lot of brands offer up to 10-year guarantees so keep an eye on if it needs replacing and don't lose the receipt details!
If you do need to get rid of your old mattress, we've got a handy guide on how to dispose of a mattress that contains everything you need to know.
How to keep your mattress in good condition
Using a protector is a great basic way to keep it free from stains and washing it regularly will help keep your mattress fresh.
Flipping or turning it regularly helps to wear it out evenly, ensuring your body is always supported in the right places.
Let it breathe! When changing your sheets, let your mattress air out for an hour or two.
Give it a good clean at least every six months. Start by gently vacuuming the surface with an upholstery attachment, getting into any nooks and crannies to clear up any dust. If there are any stains, a mixture of baking soda and water will do the trick, but ensure you check with your manufacturer's guidelines before applying anything.
You can read more tips and tricks for mattress cleaning in our how to clean a mattress guide.
Sophie Knight is Editor of WhatsTheBest and Contributing Editor for Mother&Baby, Closer, Heat, Yours, and Empire websites.
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