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Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to staying happy and healthy. In fact, it can not only increase your concentration during the day but also lower your risk of serious health problems.
A supportive mattress is key, but buying a new one without doing your research first can lead to sleepless nights and achy mornings. Mattresses can cost anything from a few hundred pounds to thousands, so you have to ensure your bed is worth the investment before you buy it.
We’ve put together everything you need to know before you hit the high street (or browse the web – online-only mattress companies are hugely popular), from the different types of mattresses to firmness levels and so much more.
Whether you’re a back or side sleeper or suffer from chronic back pain, read on to find out what option is best for you.
We test mattresses very thoroughly at IndyBest so you can trust our advice.
What are the different types of mattresses?
There’s a lot of jargon about mattresses, particularly about mattress types. Thankfully, it’s pretty straightforward.
Most are “hybrid” mattresses. These combine springs with memory foam for supportive but comfortable beds. However, knowing the ins and outs of all the different types can help you find the best mattress for you.
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam is a mouldable material that springs back to its original shape once deformed. These mattresses will react to temperature and weight, moulding to the shape of your body. This means that a memory foam mattress will absorb your weight and relieve pressure on your joints.
Not everyone likes the sinking sensation of this type of mattress, and it usually feels a little warm, but it’s ideal for those who need support. It will maintain posture and align your spine horizontally when sleeping on your side. It also tends to be the cheapest type of mattress, so memory foam beds can be an excellent choice when shopping on a budget.
These beds can be exceptionally comfortable, but don’t fall for the marketing. Memory foam mattresses are ultimately derived from polyurethane, the same material as kitchen sponges, so if you see a brand advertising a memory foam bed as ‘Nasa technology’, take it with a pinch of salt.
A great memory foam option is the Tempur pro smartcool mattress. While the top layer of memory foam is soft and adaptive to the contours of the body, its also supportive and takes the pressure off tired limbs. Our tester Samuel Mathewson said “After months of testing, the mattress improved the quality of my sleep with its combination of temperature regulation, adaptive memory foam technology for full-body support and excellent motion isolation.”
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are the most common type of mattress. It varies from bed to bed, but they usually include memory foam, latex and pocket springs.
The idea is that these mattresses are designed to give a more balanced sleeping experience. They typically combine the breathability of spring mattresses with the pressure relief of memory foam mattresses.
One of our top-rated mattresses overall is the Simba hybrid luxe. After years of testing, we found that its mix of wool, latex, springs and memory foam make for the most comfortable option you can buy.
Pocket-sprung mattress
This type of mattress is more luxurious, as it’s made from small springs, each housed in a pocket of fabric. This means each spring moves independently, providing more support than open-spring mattresses. You can buy soft, medium or firm versions, depending on your preference, and they are more breathable than memory foam or latex mattresses (ideal if you’re always overheating at night).
This is a good option if you’re looking for a bed for two people, as the separate springs will cater for your different needs and weights, while they will also minimise the risk of you rolling towards your partner in the middle of the night. These are heavy to turn, though, and can be filled with natural materials, such as lambswool, which may aggravate allergies.
Our favourite pocket-sprung mattress is the Harrison Spinks grassington 5750 mattress, made with premium, natural ingredients it has impressive motion isolation thanks to the pocket springs. “Whether I’m on my back, side, or sprawled out on my front, it adapts effortlessly, providing support without feeling too firm or too soft. It has great breathability and I also love that the overall build feels premium and durable, so you’re getting what you pay for here,” I wrote in my review.
Latex mattresses
As the name suggests, these mattresses are filled with latex foam. It’s an especially breathable material, so you won’t overheat in the middle of the night. It’s also extremely durable and should last for many years. It’s a good option for those with allergies or asthma.
However, they can feel rather solid at first, so they’re better suited to those who prefer a firmer bed. Heavy, latex mattresses can be difficult to turn, and cheaper versions can develop lumps and dents over time.
You should also watch out for greenwashing. Latex beds are usually made from rubber, which is derived from the sap of the rubber trees, so it’s technically a renewable resource. That means that lots of latex mattress companies advertise latex beds as “eco-friendly” or “vegan”. It’s worth looking out for CertiPUR-US
However, latex usually isn’t biodegradable, so it’s not that sustainable, and latex farming often requires deforestation. While it comes from a renewable resource, latex beds are only as eco-friendly as other rubber products like tyres or birthday balloons.
Open-spring mattress
Also known as open-coil or continuous-coil mattresses, these contain one long piece of metal wire coiled into several springs. There’s also an additional border rod or wire to maintain shape and provide structure. It’s a great value-for-money option, although the sides are machine-stitched rather than hand-stitched, they are lighter than other models, making them easy to turn.
However, they tend to be much less supportive than other mattresses, so they are most suited to guest bedrooms or as children’s beds, where they are used occasionally or will need to be replaced regularly anyway.
What are the size measurements of UK mattresses?
These are the UK standard sizes for mattresses:
- Small single: 75cm x 190cm
- Single: 90cm x 190cm
- Small double: 120cm x 190cm
- Double: 135cm x 190cm
- King size: 150cm x 200cm
- Super-king size: 180cm x 200cm
- Emperor: 200cm x 202cm
- Large emperor: 215cm x 217cm
Mattress firmness
How firm your mattress is will affect how well you sleep. The type of firmness you need will depend on your sleeping position, height and weight.
Soft mattresses
Side sleepers or those who change positions during the night are best suited to soft mattresses. This is because the way you sleep already relieves pressure from your spine, so you want your mattress to mould to your body’s natural position.
Medium soft mattresses
This is ideal for those who change their sleeping position during the night, as it will still mould to your body position but provide a little more support.
Medium firm mattresses
This is best for people who sleep on their back, as they’ll require extra lower-back support, which this type of firmness offers.
The Dusk memory foam 2000 pocket sprung hybrid mattress is billed as medium firm by the brand, and our tester Lucy Smith gave it seven out of 10 on the firmness scale. This affordable option is just £300 but “it relieves pressure, is low-maintenance, and doesn’t sag or show signs of wear after extended nightly use,” says Lucy, who has slept on it for two years.
Firm mattresses
This type of mattress is ideal for those who sleep on their front, are over 15 stone or suffer from back pain. This is because it will keep your back in a relatively comfortable and stable position, preventing you from sinking into the mattress as you sleep, which can cause lower back pain.
The Sleepeezee regency kew is a great example of a firm mattress, and I rated it a nine on the firmness scale after putting it to the test. ‘”Overall, the mattress’s resistance is balanced with comfort, giving a supportive, stable feel without being punishing. For back sleepers who want durability and consistent support, this is a solid investment that delivers what it promises,” I wrote in my review.
How should you sleep while pregnant?
During your first trimester, you’ll often feel sleepy and want to nap. It’s important to get a lot of rest, so sleep in whichever position feels most comfortable, including on your front or back.
In your second trimester, you’ll feel the baby’s weight, which can feel uncomfortable. A soft mattress will help here. Your bigger bump means that you should sleep on your left side, as sleeping on your back will cause your bump to press against a main blood vessel, which may cause you to feel faint.
During your third trimester, your lower back may be a source of pain as it supports your baby’s increasing weight. To ease this, continue to sleep on your left side and with a pillow under your head, between your knees and under and around your bump, to ease discomfort and take pressure off your muscles and hips. We’ve also reviewed pregnancy pillows to help mums-to-be sleep, where the Cushy Puff pillow (£145, Cushypuff.com) took the top spot.
While this is general advice that has worked for our pregnant mattress testers, it’s important to get professional medical advice before selecting a mattress.
Read more: Best pillows for neck pain and support
What mattress do you need if you suffer from joint or back pain?
If you have joint or back pain, it’s always best to talk to a doctor or physiotherapist. A mattress can alleviate the symptoms of back pain, but it cannot cure them. Before you spend hundreds of pounds on a mattress to try and fix a sore back, make sure you’ve checked that your bad back or joints aren’t caused by other health conditions.
That said, a good mattress needs to give support and comfort, and that’s especially true for anyone who suffers from back problems.
Although a firm mattress is recommended by some retailers, you should always look for a mattress that keeps your back aligned while sleeping and relieves pressure points along your spine and joints. This has a lot to do with your weight (the heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be), so it’s best to try a mattress before you buy – many online retailers now offer a trial period where you can return the mattress and get your money back if you don’t think it’s right for you.
The pillow you use will also affect your sleeping position and back alignment, so make sure you pick one that suits your needs. Take a look at our pillow reviews to find out more – for a quick recommendation, though, the Simba hybrid pillow (£109, Simbasleep.com) was our favourite. For something a little more budget-friendly, we also love the Slumberdown memory plus pillow (£23.10, Slumberdown.co.uk).
How to care for a mattress
Once your mattress is delivered, make sure you let it air for at least four hours. This will remove any storage smells of damp or cold.
If you're wondering how often to clean your mattress, it should be aired weekly by removing the bed linen. Apart from that, it should be vacuumed every six months, unless you have an issue like bedbugs, which should be dealt with immediately.
Remember to turn your mattress regularly, too. This will stop dips from forming and your weight from altering part of the mattress, causing uneven sleeping.
Having a mattress protector will also help keep your mattress clean, prolonging its life. This is a sheet that goes on before your bed linen (and mattress topper) to protect your mattress from any stains or dirt.
You should aim to replace your mattresses every eight to 10 years. This is not only for hygiene reasons but because it will soften over time, reducing the support it gives you. If you feel sore when you wake up or you find you sleep better in other beds, it’s time for a change.
Read more: Best mattress protectors
Do I need a mattress topper?
A mattress topper is an extra layer of cushioning that goes over your mattress before you put your bed sheets on. They provide additional support and comfort while also making your bed feel more luxurious and cosy.
Most beds don’t need them, but if you rent and find that the provided mattress is too hard or too soft, a mattress topper can be a great way of making your bed more comfortable.
If you’re looking for one to complete your bed, take a look at our guide to the best mattress toppers for our tried and tested recommendations. Our top pick is the Simba hybrid topper (£299, Simbasleep.com).
Read more: Best mattress toppers
Mattress trials, warranties and returns explained
Many mattress brands offer ‘sleep trials’, allowing you to test out your mattress before you commit. You might find the firmness doesn’t suit you, or you want better edge support, so you can normally quite easily exchange the mattress for a different model.
Some companies like Tempur offer 100-day trials while brands like Nectar and SilentNight offer an entire year, 365-day trial. This will span an entire winter and summer to showcase how it fairs during seasonal temperature changes.
But make sure to read the small print, as these companies only allow exchanges and not full refunds after a certain amount of time.
Lots of brands also have strong warranties up to 10 years. As mattresses cared for properly should last 10 years, this is a good sign that they rate their own product. Again, read the small print because many warranties won’t cover any issues that are deemed to be caused by a consumer.
