If you’ve started looking for a new mattress then it’s likely you’re going to be drawing comparisons between the Simba hybrid and Emma original mattresses.
They are two of perhaps the most well-known mattress brands that are readily available to buy either direct or from some of your favourite shops. Both are hybrid mattresses – a construction of springs and foam – and both are delivered folded, wrapped and rolled in a box. Similarly, both hybrid mattresses have five layers of materials that equate to an overall mattress depth of 25cm.
Priced at £799 for a double Simba hybrid and £539 for a double Emma original, only £260 separates them. So what’s the real difference? Is it worth paying the extra money for a Simba? I slept on them one week after the other to find out which is the best mattress for your body, and budget.
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How I tested
I tested the Simba hybrid mattress and Emma original mattress at home for two weeks. For reference, I am 5ft 8in and weigh 12 stone 7lbs. From the point of ordering and unboxing through to sleeping on each mattress, I have followed the criteria as detailed in the how we test mattresses at IndyBest article. In practice, I considered comfort, motion isolation, edge support, temperature regulation and value for money. You can read more about my in-depth testing process at the end of this guide.
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Simba hybrid mattress, double
Best: hybrid mattress for support
Sizes avaliable: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Tension: Medium / firm
Mattress depth: 25cm
Materials: Aerocoil microsprings combined with extra deep Simbatex foam and CertiPUR foam
Trial period: 200-night
Guarantee: 10-years
Why we love it
- Firm yet squishy
- Ideal for larger people and / or side sleepers
- Fabulous motion transfer
- Great edge support
- Easily removable and washable cover
- Order by 1pm for free next-day delivery
Take note
- May be too heavy for one person to rotate
- Tension may be too firm for front-sleepers
First impressions count. From the point of ordering through to delivery and unpacking the Simba hybrid, it was seamless. Similarly, it was incredibly comfortable to sleep on.
In terms of construction, the Simba hybrid mattress is made up of five layers with Simbatex graphite-infused foam, Certipur foam and 1,900 conical micro springs. It’s designed to feel medium-firm to offer a hugged, cradled feeling in the top layers and firmer support in the base layers. The knitted cover can be zipped off for washing, while the layers of foam and springs offer comfort and support.
By zipping off the cover, I could see each layer (all of which looked of good quality); I liked that I couldn’t see the outline of springs around the side of the mattress, or feel the springs as I tucked the mattress protector around the edge of the mattress.
I found that there was just enough give for my joints and limbs to feel cushioned, with plenty of support provided through the micro springs, core foam layer and zoned foam support base. With all those layers working together, I didn’t experience any motion transfer as my husband and/or I switched sleeping positions, and the edge of the mattress didn’t dip when I was hustled to the edge.
Temperature regulation is also worth a shout-out. While this specific Simba isn’t ear marked as “menopause-friendly” like the more premium Simba luxe, I didn’t wake up hot as I sometimes do on other foam or hybrid mattresses. With a breathable cover and the brand’s graphite-infused, open-structure foam layer, airflow is promoted and warmth is wicked away from the body, which kept me feeling cool.
To keep your Simba hybrid looking and feeling its best, the brand advises to rotate it every three to six months. A double-size weighs 35kg and, with the pair of handles on each side of the mattress, a 180-degree rotation can be easily achieved.
Finally, Simba are proud to be B Corp. This means that they have been verified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. They are transparent about their factories, innovating for more sustainable materials and are working towards being Net Zero by 2030. They offer a nationwide mattress recycling scheme, regardless if you already have a Simba or not, and are working towards using more recycled materials in their mattresses. They are also one of the only UK mattress brands.
Buy now £899, Simbasleep.com
Emma original hybrid mattress
Best: hybrid mattress for bounce
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Tension: Medium/ firm
Mattress depth: 25cm
Materials: Airgocell foam, MemoryAdapt foam and an edge-to-edge spring system
Trial period: 200-nights
Guarantee: 10-years
Why we love it
- Bouncy yet supportive
- Ideal for lighter people or front sleepers
- Good edge support
- Exceptional temperature regulation
- Side handles to rotate and manoeuvre
Take note
- May be too soft for some
- Expect some motion transfer when sharing the bed
- Delivery can take up to two weeks from ordering
Softer and springier than the Simba hybrid mattress is the Emma original, formerly known as the Emma premium hybrid mattress.
It felt lighter to carry in the box, and manoeuvre out of the box. Once I had cut back the thick plastic wrapping and started to remove it, the mattress immediately started to inflate. It doesn’t come with any “paperwork” like the Simba to advise on timings, or plug cross promotions, but I found that within a few hours post unwrapping it was ready to sleep on – with no noticeable off-gassing.
Like the Simba, the Emma original mattress is made up of five layers. It has a removable, washable cover that the label states can be removed after warranty (although mine seemed to have this glued to the foam layer underneath). It also has MemoryAdapt Foam, a SupportBase and an edge-to-edge spring system to evenly distribute weight and offer support.
By unzipping the cover, I could see the layers; the majority of the mattress depth is springs with the various layers of foam sitting on top. I could feel these springs through the thin removable cover as I was securing a mattress protector to the edge of the mattress.
The Emma original has a firmness rating of medium-firm. I found that my body gently nestled into the foam to support my head, shoulders, back, hips and legs, and the layers all worked in harmony to adapt to my body when I changed sleeping positions. It’s worth noting that it felt much springier than the Simba hybrid, though.
I experienced some motion transfer when my husband changed sleeping position throughout the night and I also didn’t feel as supported as I woul have liked when sleeping on my side or sitting up in bed, with some dipping in the middle.
Edge support while sitting on the side of the bed was good, and not once did I feel like I was about to fall out of bed when pushed to the sides by our infrequent co-sleeping toddler. Similarly, I didn’t overheat while sitting or sleeping on the Emma original.
Delivery is free and can take up to two weeks for it to be dropped into your porch or hallway – it costs £50 extra for delivery to a room of your choice, and old mattress removal. There is no option to unpack and dispose of packaging, as there is with Simba, though.
To keep your Emma original looking and feeling its best the brand advises to rotate it once a month for the first six months. The mattress has a pair of handles on either side and a double-size weighs 24kg (lighter than the Simba) so, with some help, rotation is easy enough.
Buy now £431.2, Emma-sleep.co.uk
The verdict: Emma vs Simba hybrid mattress
After unboxing, sitting and sleeping on both mattresses there is one clear winner for me, and that is the Simba hybrid.
I found the Simba to be comfortable and supportive in my preferred back and side-sleeping positions; my head, shoulders and hips felt relieved of pressure each night I laid on the mattress. It excelled for motion isolation and temperature regulation, too.
From next-day delivery through to unboxing, the Simba hybrid made a good first impression; good communications from ordering to delivery, paperwork to explain the mattress to me (a nice touch) and the use of quality materials. They’ll even remove and recycle your old mattress, unwrap your new Simba and remove all packaging for a little extra. And I love that the brand is making a conscious effort to use recycled materials where possible.
I appreciate that a mattress is a subjective and personal choice, and I don’t totally knock the Emma original. It’s a comfortable choice for front sleepers, especially if you're smaller and lighter than I am. It’s also £260 less than the Simba, which could help if you’re on a budget. If you can stretch the budget to a Simba hybrid though, I’d say it’s worth it.
How the Emma and Simba hybrid mattresses were tested
To give a fair and real-world comparison, I put both the Emma and Simba hybrid mattresses through a series of hands-on tests in my own home. Here’s how I assessed their comfort, support, and overall performance across everyday use:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jennifer Oksien is a writer with over a decade of experience working in e-commerce and is the former editor of Top Ten Reviews. As a busy mum-of-two, sleep is a priority so finding a hybrid mattress that delivers top-tier slumber was her aim through real-world testing.
The wider IndyBest team has rounded up the best mattresses and best mattress protectors, and bedroom-related items, such as the best storage beds to maximise space, best summer duvets and best winter duvets, best electric blankets and best weighted blankets. Even kids’ room essentials have been put to the test, including the best bunk beds and the best children’s beds.
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