In a time of great uncertainty about international trade, mattresses are one purchase you can make without losing sleep. Because they’re large and heavy, roll-packed bed-in-a-box mattresses are relatively expensive to ship. And because they shouldn’t be left compressed for too long, reputable makers try to avoid shipping them over the ocean. This means that even in this (possibly waning) era of international manufacturing, most mattresses are a domestic product.
WIRED has a guide to the best mattress in the United States, made by sleep-testing hundreds of mattresses for a week each. We wanted to provide a similar story for our UK audience so that our British readers can likewise get support in all the right places, sleep soundly, and awaken refreshed and ready to face the day ahead.
Below, you’ll find hybrid, memory foam, and pocket-sprung options that provide a good balance between comfort and support. They do well to relieve the pressure in key areas such as the hips and lumbar area and work well for all sleeping positions. Our UK team likes the Nectar Premier Hybrid best—the American version ranks in the middle of our main list.
We’ve highlighted mattresses that work well at dampening motion from side to side, which makes them ideal if you’re sharing with a restless partner. We’ve also discovered mattresses that use natural fabrics and ingenious cooling technology that encourages air to flow around your body, ensuring you remain at an optimum temperature all night and all year round.
We’ve also pinpointed mattresses with the best edge support to make it easy to get in and out of bed. Strong edges also make it easy for you to make use of the full surface so you can sleep right up to the sides without falling out, and all our choices come with at least a 100-day sleep trial, so if you decide the mattress is not quite right for you, it’s easy to return. All prices listed are for a double size.
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We picked out a selection of the most popular mattresses in the UK including hybrid, pocket spring, and memory foam designs and tested them in our homes, at night, while we slept. We rated them on design, comfort, and materials, but in addition we were keen to see how well their sides held together when sitting on them and laying right up to the edges. We also checked how hot we felt when sleeping on the mattresses in relation to room temperature.
To gauge how good the pressure relief is on each mattress, we placed an 8-kilogram weight on the surface and measured how far it sank down. We were also keen to see how well the surface bounced back and retained its shape. We also tested any motion isolation technology—essentially, if your partner moves, do you move too?—using an empty long-stem wine glass and a 5-kilogram dumbbell. We wanted to see if the wine glass moved or buckled when the dumbbell was dropped at a distance nearby. The less the glass moves, the better the mattress does to limit movement from side to side.
Which Mattress Tension Should I Choose?
Many brands rate their mattresses from 1 to 10 to give you an idea of how firm or soft it is. This is the “tension.” It’s worth noting that what 1 and 10 represent differs depending on the brand. Emma rates 1 as the firmest side of its scale, while Simba rates 1 as the softest tension, for example.
Many of the latest medium-firm designs provide the sweet spot between soft and firm, making it easier for two people to agree on one mattress bought online without trying it first. For peace of mind, look for a company that offers a generous at-home sleep trial, so if you decide it’s not for you then it’s much easier to return.
“While there isn’t one size fits all when buying a mattress, you should look for designs that promise to keep your spine aligned while offering comfort to suit your pressure points,” says Josh Roberts, product manager at Bed Factory Direct. “Which tension you choose depends on how you sleep. Those that sleep on the side typically prefer something a bit softer, while back and stomach sleepers will benefit from having a firmer support.”
Memory Foam or Hybrid: Which Is Best?
Memory foam mattresses come in all shapes and sizes, with numerous layers making up their structure. They are sometimes crafted with special materials such as bamboo or charcoal to enhance their performance and breathability. Meanwhile, hybrid mattresses are made up of both memory foam and springs in various configurations and layering. Which option you go for is a highly personal choice, but there are some pros and cons to both mattress designs.
“Memory foam mattresses are known for their contouring comfort that can mold to your body shape to offer great pressure relief,” says Josh Roberts. “They are also a great option for limiting movement from side to side, which is ideal if you’re sharing a bed. Memory foam is known to trap heat, however, so if you are a hot sleeper it’s important to look for design with enhanced breathability and specific cooling materials included. Hybrid designs can offer the best of both worlds, as they have a layer of foam for comfort and a core of springs for additional support. Hybrid mattresses help with airflow and help you stay at an optimum temperature as you sleep, too. And if you’re heavier than average or you sleep on your back or side, then a hybrid mattress is usually better as it offers a bit more movement and bounce and can cushion those pressure points.”
Which Is the Best for Back Pain?
“A medium-firm to firm mattress is generally recommended for those experiencing back pain, as it promotes proper spinal alignment and prevents excessive sinking,” says Michael Buckle, senior mattress buyer at Dreams. “Zoned support, where targeted areas offer varying levels of firmness, can further enhance comfort and alleviate pressure points. Hybrid and orthopedic models often provide an effective combination of structure and cushioning, making them well-suited to individuals requiring additional lumbar support.”
For more information and WIRED’s pick for the best mattress for easing back pain, check out this comprehensive buyer’s guide.
