Discover 10 of the best mattresses for a good night's sleep

Price: From £978 | Buy now from Eve Sleep

“We have an Eve hybrid mattress and the matching pillows. Love it.” Recommended by swampytiggaa.

If you’re having trouble finding something to suit both you and a sleeping partner, or if you just want the best of both worlds, Eve’s The Premium Hybrid ticks all the boxes.

Firstly, it’s made of both foam and springs, so you have the firmness of its (count ‘em) 1,500 springs, and then a squishy and comfortable layer of foam on top for that ‘aaaahh’ factor. Secondly, it’s great for side-, back- and front-sleepers (many mattresses don’t work so well for all three). And finally, while it keeps you nice and cosy, unlike many memory foam mattresses, it doesn’t let you overheat.

We like the fact that the antibacterial top panel can be removed and washed at 40 degrees too, so you can take your cuppa up to bed with you with impunity.

The people at Eve are big on customer service and they do all they can to make the whole process as stress-free as a good night’s sleep. Best of all, if you find The Premium Hybrid is not for you, you have 365 nights to change your mind.

Eve is a bed-in-a-box product so it’s delivered to your door ready to be unrolled. However, bed-in-a-box products often come with an unpleasant smell as some components of the mattress start to break down - and Eve is no exception to this, so do air the bedroom well.

Pros

• Hybrid mattress offers both firmness and comfort
• Ideal for all types of sleepers
• Antibacterial removable and washable top panel
• Comes with a one-year trial and 10 years warranty

Cons

• Has an unpleasant smell (which should be unnoticeable after a couple of months)
• Heavy mattress and difficult to move

Need to know

• 365 nights to see if you like it
• 10-year warranty
• Rotate (don’t flip) once a month for the first six months
• Washable cover
• Available as a double, king or superking

Price: From £229 | Buy now from IKEA

“Ikea Hovag. As recommended by Which and a ton of other places. We have a really expensive mattress, recently bought the Hovag for [my] teenage daughter and it is better than ours.” Tried and tested by Africa2go. 

Mumsnetters swear by the Hövåg for a really good night’s sleep at a price that will give you sweet dreams too. We wouldn’t generally have high expectations of a double mattress that costs under £250, but this has impressed Mumsnet users time and again.

The Hövåg is a basic pocket sprung mattress with a firm feel, so opt for the medium-firm option unless you like a seriously firm bed.

The springs have a thick layer of soft filling surrounding them which gives a real hotel-style feel. Many reviews say that there's little difference in feel between the Hövåg and a handmade mattress worth thousands of pounds.

It comes rolled so it’s easy to transport home yourself, but it's also available online for home delivery. However, some customers who have tried this mattress found it was difficult to move and rotate due to its weight.

Pros

• Affordable 
• Firm and comfortable mattress
• Easy to transport or home delivery available
• 365 nights return policy

Cons

• Mattress may overheat
• Difficult to move as the mattress is heavy

Need to know

• Pocket sprung
• Available as firm or medium-firm
• Can be bought as a single, double, king and superking as well as several non-standard UK sizes
• One-sided so you need to rotate rather than flip
• 365 nights return policy

Price: From £1,840 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners

“I love my mattresses. It's a tempur and it was expensive but one of the best investments I have made.” Reviewed by noscoobydoodle.

Tempur memory foam was originally designed for NASA astronauts to support them during lift-off, so we’re pretty happy that they’re supportive enough for a light snooze here on earth.

The Tempur Cloud has an extra-soft top layer to give you a light-as-air feeling as you drift off to sleep. It feels much less solid than some memory foam models, which some people may not get on well with. But, with 60 nights to change your mind, you can afford to give it a go.

What it’s really good at, according to Tempur, is “reducing motion transfer” (or “stopping your partner disturbing your sleep” to you and I). The many layers of high-tech foam means that, when one of you tosses and turns, the other is left undisturbed.

There’s no doubt the Tempur Cloud is an investment, but the smart design and high-tech materials used means you can see precisely where your money is going and reap the benefits. It really is like sleeping on a cloud.

Pros

• Comfortable and supportive
• Foam material reduces motion transfer
• Removable and washable cover
• Memory foam contours to your body

Cons

• Expensive
• Some people might not like the soft memory foam

Need to know

• 60 nights return
• 10-year warranty
• Free mattress protector if buying through Tempur
• Can't be turned
• Removable covers washable at 60 degrees
• Available in three depths (Supreme, Elite and Luxe)
• Available as single, double, king, superking, short single, long single and several other non-standard sizes

Price: From £303 | Buy now from IKEA

“I’ve got an Ikea Hokkasen which I really love. I do have the medium but they have a firm version also which is very firm!” Recommended by JackieTheFart.

Sleepers who like a lot of support recommend this IKEA mattress for its firm yet comfy feel.

The Hokkåsen is a bit thicker than other IKEA mattresses and has individually-wrapped pocket springs, with a layer of mini pocket springs on top of that. The whole thing is topped with a layer of latex foam to give extra cushioning. Although, some reviewers found that the latex foam gave off an unpleasant smell for a few months.

This is a great price for a mattress, particularly if you want to feel supported in bed (and who doesn’t?), and is ideal for pregnancy or those with hip or back pain. The thickness of the mattress also makes it easier for those who struggle with low mattresses, as it adds height to your bed.

Because it’s IKEA, ordering is simple and it even comes with a 365-day grace period if you happen to change your mind.

Pros

• Easier to get up as the mattress is thick - ideal for pregnant women and the elderly
• Affordable
• 365-day return policy
• Deep, comfortable and supportive

Cons

• Heavy and difficult to move
• May start to sag after years of use
• Unpleasant smell due to the latex foam (which should air out after a few months)

Need to know

• 365 days to change your mind
• Available as double, king and superking
• Choose between firm and medium-firm

Price: From £659 | Buy now from Amazon

“Sealy mattresses are great. I’d highly recommend.” Tried and tested by Ilikecheeseontoast.

If you’re a Princess and the Pea type of sleeper and want a really soft mattress, the Nostromo by Sealy (confusingly also known as the Teramo for reasons unknown) might be your ideal bedfellow.

Soft mattresses, it’s worth knowing, are generally intended for people who have a light body weight – about eight stone is the rule of thumb. That’s not to say they’re unsuitable for others if that’s the feel you want, but they may not last as long.

The Nostromo, however, is really well-built and classes itself as a medium-feel mattress, but happens to have a super-soft feel to it. When Which? tested it, they said that it was particularly durable and would offer good support for most people.

The 1,400 individually-encased pocket springs give you support just where you need it, and are topped with a latex layer that provides comfort and support. It also helps to distribute your body weight over the mattress.

The materials are hypoallergenic and antibacterial and include Tencel, a breathable eco-friendly fibre that helps to regulate your temperature. Despite the breathable materials, some reviewers found that the mattress led to overheating issues during the night.

Handmade in the UK, this is a mattress that will stand the test of time and will suit smaller, lighter people extremely well. 

Pros

• Offers good support for most people
• Hypoallergenic and antibacterial materials
• You can turn over without disturbing your partner

Cons

• Most suitable for smaller and lighter people
• May overheat, especially in summer
• Unpleasant mattress smell for first few months

Need to know

• Also known as the Teramo
• Five-year guarantee
• One-sided, so make sure you rotate, not flip

Price: From £919 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners

“We bought the Emma hybrid mattress, so sprung with a memory foam layer, which provided the right level of support but not too firm.” Tried and tested by Hopeishere52.

For side-sleepers who need a bit of support to keep their spine aligned at bedtime, the Emma Hybrid (not to be confused with The Premium Hybrid) is an excellent choice.

Like other hybrid mattresses, it’s made up of premium steel springs as well as high-quality memory foam that won’t sag or soften over the years. In fact, in testing, Which? said it was one of the most durable mattresses they had tried.

The five layers of different memory foam allows this mattress to contour beautifully to your body, which is what makes it so good for side-sleepers.

It’s easy to turn over on, without disturbing your partner, so it's also good for active sleepers who often shift from side to side. A layer of Airgocell foam on the top and an UltraDry cover with layers add breathability and wick away moisture to help keep those who toss and turn in their sleep nice and cool. However, fidgety sleepers may cause disturbances to their partner due to feeling the motion transfer.

The cover is machine-washable too, meaning the mattress stays looking good for longer. If you sleep on your side or back, the Emma Original Mattress might be a better buy. But, for side-sleepers, the Emma Hybrid is a really comfy snooze that will last for years.

Pros

• Multiple layers of foam to keep you supported and cool
• Durable and comfortable
• Machine-washable cover
• Comes with a 200-night trial

Cons

• Can feel some motion transfer on this mattress
• Soft mattress - not ideal for those who like firmness

Need to know

• 200-night trial
• 10-year guarantee
• Available as single, small double, double, king and superking
• Machine-washable cover
• Springs and memory foam

Price: From £1,635 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners

“I know not everyone will agree, but I can honestly say that our Tempur mattress was one of the best investments we ever made. Even now (4 years later) DH will still get into bed and randomly say ‘well done on choosing the mattress Poptart’”. Recommended by PoptartPoptart.

Tempur’s combination of advanced memory foam to spread your weight and relieve pressure points, alongside its Precision Micro Coil technology (individually-pocketed springs) to give support, allows the mattress to respond to your movements in bed while also conforming to your body shape and weight. Great for those of you who wake with aches and pains in the mornings.

It’s a great mattress for absorbing motion so that you and your partner don’t disturb each other at night. On top, a really soft cover gives it a luxury feel, and the cover is removable and can be washed at 60 degrees, a practical touch that means a lot.

However, it’s not suitable for those needing a cooler mattress because as it relieves pressure, your body’s circulation increases, and this causes you to feel warmer. Another downside is that the Tempur Hybrid is firm but perhaps not firm enough for heavyweight people or stomach sleepers.

Pros

• Supportive mattress that helps prevent aches and pains
• No motion transfer
• 60 degree machine-washable top cover

Cons

• Expensive
• May overheat
• Not suitable for heavyweight or stomach sleepers

Need to know

• 10-year guarantee
• 60-night comfort trial
• Available in three options (Supreme, Elite and Luxe)
• Machine-washable cover

Price: From £829 | Buy now from Amazon

“We have the Simba and love it so much! It is like sleeping on a cloud!” Tried and tested by Glitterandunicorns.

We chose several hybrid mattresses for our top 10 for the simple reason that they suit a lot of people and offer the best of both worlds, but if we had to pick just one hybrid it would be the Simba.

All the materials used to construct this Simba mattress are non-toxic and are 100% recyclable. On the side of the springs, it has Simba’s own patented titanium Aerocoil spring-comfort layer, which acts as a bellow to push warm air away, keeping you much cooler than on traditional memory foam. The base also allows warm air to escape.

In terms of foam, open-cell Simbatex feels beautifully squishy while also combatting overheating, while the high-definition foam is used in particular zones to give your body the most support where it needs it.

The mattress construction feels really solid, thanks to edge-lift technology which prevents you from rolling towards the edge of the mattress. However, you will feel some motion transfer with this mattress, so you might want to think twice if you or your partner are sleep-wrigglers.

You should also note that the mattress is only suitable for sprung, rigid slatted, divan/box spring bed frames or slatted bed frames where the slats are more than 7.5 cm apart.

Pros

• Offers good support for a comfortable night’s sleep
• Made from breathable, non-toxic materials
• Prevents overheating

Cons

• Motion transfer could be better
• Not suitable for slatted bed frames

Need to know

• 200-night sleep trial
• 10-year guarantee
• No cover, but the surface can be cleaned with a damp cloth
• Available as single, small double, double, king and superking as well as several European sizes

Price: £999 | Buy now from Land of Beds

“I've got a Hypnos one and I love it. Have had a more expensive one before which is not as good.” Recommended by Jamoffmytoast.

Gracing the bedrooms of hotels around the world, the Ortho Gold by Hypnos is ideal for bad back sufferers. Really firm support is what you need with a dodgy back or neck and this offers it in spades, along with supreme comfort.

It’s designed to recognise your body’s imprint, it does this by working out your shape and weight distribution and then it gives support where you need it most and adjusts to your every move. Reactive pocket springs mean you don’t move when your partner does – always grounds for divorce when you have back pain and have just got comfortable.

Multiple layers up the 'aaaah' factor with cashmere for comfort, wool for temperature regulation, and cotton for breathability. A cocona cover, made from recycled coconut shells, keeps you naturally dry and comfortable too.

The details are where this mattress really impresses, however. Traditional hand-tufting ensures that every part of the filling stays where it should be. Side handles help with regular turning. Chrome air vents aid air circulation, and three rows of hand-stitching at the sides, undertaken by senior upholsterers, ensure the edges and borders are as strong as possible, expanding your sleeping area and extending the life of the mattress.

So, while you’re paying just under a grand for this, it’s no off-the-shelf number and the craftsmanship that has gone into it makes it worth its price alone. Throw in the prospect of a night’s sleep, after which you wake up and spring out of bed without a thought, and this mattress is priceless. Some reviewers found that it took a week to break it in and get used to the mattress, but afterwards, there were only restful nights of sleep.

Pros

• Reactive pocket springs that help reduce partner disturbance
• Made with layers of wool and cotton, and has chrome air vents to keep you cool
• Easy to move with side handles

Cons

• Takes a week to break-in
• Not suitable for bed frames with slats greater than 7.5 cm

Need to know

• 10-year guarantee
• Available in firm or extra-firm
• Rotate and flip weekly for the first three months

Price: £466.83 | Buy now from Nectar

“We have [a Nectar] one and it's amazing! Incredibly comfortable.” Tried and tested by Whisper99.

Once upon a time, you wouldn’t even consider buying a mattress without spending several Saturdays lying down in a bed shop, wondering if you could get away with a quick nap on one of the many mattresses you’d try out. These days, there’s a positive plethora of mattresses that you can order to turn up to your bedroom and simply send back if you’re not keen.

The Nectar makes all this very easy with a seamless delivery and returns procedure, a year’s trial period during which you can get a refund if you decide against it, and even a special little tool to help you get it out of its packaging without accidentally snagging the mattress.

Best of all, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, which means that you can replace it at any point should it break or wear out, which makes us think Nectar are pretty confident in their mattress’ credentials.

This is a proper memory foam mattress with several layers of foam rather than springs, and it takes a couple of hours to fully inflate once out of the box.

It’s made up of five layers: a positioning base at the bottom to keep everything in place, a supportive base with seven different support zones to offer more support in places where you need it most, a layer of pressure-relieving memory foam for comfort, a layer of smart memory foam to dissipate heat and moisture, and, finally, an adaptive cooling cover to draw heat away from your body and help air circulate every time you make the smallest movement.

The Nectar is a medium-to-firm feel. Reviews suggest it’s best for back- and front-sleepers and for smaller or lighter people, but some Mumsnetters who don’t fall into any of those categories say they love it. However, some reviews said that the mattress was too firm for their preferences.

Pros

• Forever warranty and 365-day trial period
• Support where your body needs it most
• Limited motion transfer

Cons

• May be too firm for some preferences
• Memory foam may mould to your shape

Need to know

• 365-night trial
• Forever guarantee
• Available as single, small double, double, king or superking