Mumsnet Senior Content Editor, Rebecca, tests the Silentnight Ultragel Miracoil Mattress
Before you buy, ask yourself
How do you sleep? Side sleepers usually need more cushioning around the hips and shoulders; back and front sleepers often prefer firmer support.
Do you sleep hot? Look for pocket springs, breathable covers, wool or cooling foams rather than dense traditional memory foam.
Do you share a bed? Prioritise motion isolation and strong edge support.
What’s your realistic budget? A mattress that suits your body and comes with a good home trial matters more than simply buying the most expensive model.
Can you test it properly? We favour mattresses with generous trials wherever possible, so you have time to decide whether the firmness is right for you.
What should I look for when choosing a mattress?
Choosing the best mattress for your bed can be overwhelming, but focusing on a few key factors helps. Here’s what to pay attention to when you’re mattress shopping.
Firmness: Side sleepers usually prefer medium to medium-soft, while back and stomach sleepers often go for medium-firm to firm support.
Material: From memory foam to pocket sprung, hybrid and latex, each type offers different benefits. For example, hybrid mattresses combine comfort and bounce, while foam mattresses provide great pressure relief.
Breathability: If you tend to overheat, the best cooling mattress or one with gel-infused layers will help regulate your temperature.
Trial and warranty: Look for a good sleep trial (at least 100 nights) and a solid warranty - it’s a big purchase and peace of mind matters.
Who’s sleeping on it: Consider the needs of your partner or your kids if it’s a children’s mattress you’re after. Motion isolation and edge support can be key for shared beds.
On a tight budget? See our best budget mattress picks for doubles under £400.
How to get a good deal on a new mattress
Mattress brands like Simba, MattressNextDay and Emma regularly run promotions around bank holidays, Black Friday and Boxing Day, although discounts can appear throughout the year. We'd recommend comparing the actual selling price across retailers rather than relying on the advertised percentage saving, as full prices and promotions change frequently.
Bundles can be good value if you need the included pillows, protector or bedding - like if you're moving home or setting up a guest bedroom. Check the sleep trial, warranty, delivery charges and returns terms too, as a slightly cheaper mattress isn’t necessarily the better deal once those are taken into account.
Most importantly, don’t choose on discount alone. A well-priced mattress that suits your sleeping position and preferred firmness is a better buy than an unsuitable premium model with 50% off.
How do I choose the right mattress for my sleeping position?
Side sleepers generally benefit from enough cushioning to relieve pressure around the shoulders and hips. Medium to medium-firm foam and hybrid mattresses are common choices.
Back sleepers usually need enough firmness to stop the hips sinking excessively while still supporting the natural curve of the spine. The medium-firm end of the spectrum is a good starting point for many people.
Front sleepers tend to need a firmer surface to prevent the pelvis sinking too deeply, which can put the lower back in an uncomfortable position.
Your sleeping position isn't the only consideration, though. Think about your weight, whether you sleep hot and whether you share the bed. A generous home trial is particularly valuable because mattress firmness is subjective.
What type of mattress is best for most people?
A medium-firm hybrid mattress is a versatile starting point for many sleepers because it combines springs for support, responsiveness and airflow with comfort layers for cushioning and pressure relief.
That doesn't make hybrids universally better, however. Your weight, sleeping position, temperature and preferred feel all affect which mattress will be most comfortable.
How long should a mattress last?
Around seven to ten years is a useful rule of thumb, but condition matters more than age alone.
No mattress lasts forever and while general guidance is seven to eight years, most sleep organisations like Bed Advice UK suggest several factors affect when you should replace your mattress. Consider replacing yours sooner if it has visible dips or sagging, you regularly wake with new aches and stiffness, or you consistently sleep better in other beds. Some well-made mattresses can remain comfortable for longer, particularly when they're cared for according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Using a mattress protector and following the recommended rotation or flipping schedule can help extend its usable life.
Which mattress is best for couples?
For couples, we'd prioritise motion isolation, edge support and temperature regulation.
Our current pick is the Silentnight UltraGel Miracoil Pillowtop, which Rebecca tested with her husband for seven months. One of the biggest improvements over their previous mattress was how much less they disturbed one another during the night, and it remained supportive without noticeable sagging after extended use.
Hybrid mattresses are generally worth considering because individually pocketed springs and foam comfort layers can absorb movement while retaining some bounce. All-foam mattresses can offer excellent motion isolation too, although edge support and temperature regulation vary considerably between models.
What’s the best mattress for back pain?
When it comes to back pain, the best mattress is one that offers a balance of comfort and support to keep your spine aligned throughout the night, like Origin LumbarCloud Mattress.
Many sleep experts recommend a hybrid mattress or a firm pocket sprung mattress for back support, as these tend to contour to your shape without sinking too deeply. If you’re looking for pressure relief around your hips or shoulders, a memory foam mattress can also work wonders as long as you opt for one with medium to firm support to avoid that “stuck” feeling.
For chronic back issues, an orthopaedic mattress or a super firm mattress can provide that extra structure needed to prevent morning aches.
If you suspect you need extra rigidity, our best firm mattress guide explains when firm beats medium-firm.