Trying to make sense of all the sleep industry jargon and those diagrams showing mattresses dissected into endless layers can feel like a full-time job. Honestly, choosing the right mattress is more complicated than it should be.
One that’s really caught my attention over the years is Panda’s hybrid bamboo mattress pro. The brand is known for working bamboo into pretty much everything – mattresses, toppers, pillows, even bedding – and this one is no exception. Looking at bamboo from a sustainability standpoint, it’s less water-intensive to grow than cotton, which is also used to make mattresses. It also grows quickly, saving land and resources, so it’s considered a renewable resource. Panda says its bamboo is ethically sourced and organically grown in FSC-certified forests, too.
It’s worth noting, though, that some of the bamboo in the Panda hybrid bamboo mattress pro is actually bamboo viscose. This is a soft, breathable material made by chemically breaking bamboo down – a process that makes it less sustainable than fresh bamboo.
What else makes this mattress special? It’s in the medium-firm range, contains six layers including both memory foam and springs – seven zones of them, in fact – to provide pressure relief and support for you as you sleep, whatever position you sleep in. On paper, it sounds impressive, but I wanted to know how it actually feels night after night. And yes, the price tag isn’t tiny: a double will set you back more than £1,200.
I’ve been sleeping on this mattress for more than two years, so I’ve had plenty of time to really put it through its paces. Here’s my honest take on how it performs, and whether it’s worth the splurge.
Read more: Our review of the Panda bamboo mattress topper
How I tested
I’ve slept on this mattress night after night for several years. I’ve been able to experience all four seasons on it and monitor any changes in the mattress over extended use. With this in mind, I’ve experienced it very similarly to how you might. From comfort to support, motion transfer, temperature, and whether it’s worth the price, here’s everything I looked for during testing:
- Comfort: Of course, this is subjective, but I noted how the mattress felt during the night. Firmness, cushioning, pressure-relief and, ultimately, how pleasant the mattress was to sleep on, were factored into my verdict.
- Support: I got to grips with the construction of the mattress, to understand the role of each layer. In testing, I paid attention to whether my body felt aligned, any aches, pains or stiffness in the morning – all while sleeping alone, and also when sleeping next to someone.
- Motion transfer: I tested movement isolation by noting how much movement I felt when someone next to me turned over or got out of bed. To ensure a fair trial, we both weighed in on this. I also carried out the glass of water test – that is, filling a glass of water nearly to the brim and then placing it on one side of the bed and moving around, sitting down and getting up from the other, checking for any spills.
- Temperature regulation: This mattress has been tested through all seasons. In summer, I paid attention to how warm or cool I felt and whether I could feel heat building up beneath me.
- Value for money: The price of the mattress was weighed up against its quality and performance.
Read more: The best pillows for every kind of sleeper, reviewed
Panda bamboo hybrid mattress pro
Mattress sizes (UK): Single, small double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, emperor
Mattress type: Hybrid
Guarantee: 10 years
Sleep trial: 100 nights
Rotate or flip: Rotate
Tested by: Side-sleeper
Firmness rating: Advertised as "Medium to Firm" | Rated by tester as 6.5/10
Depth: 27cm
Cover: Machine washable up to 30C
Old mattress recycling: Free with all mattress orders
Why we love it
- Combination of foam and springs means it adapts well to all sleeping positions
- Bamboo-infused memory foam helps prevent heat retention
- Removable, machine-washable cover keeps mattress clean
Take note
- While supportive, heavier sleepers may notice gradual compression in the foam layers after extended use
- Edges can feel softer than the center, which might be noticeable when sitting or sleeping near the edge
Initial thoughts
Straight off the bat, the quality of the mattress is excellent. It looks neat and well-made, with a solid construction and premium materials. It looks luxe and inviting, with a geometric finish and expensive-looking navy fabric base. There are bulkier mattresses, but this one is still quite heavy. I have to heave it into position and moving it between rooms is a two person job.
Overview
During the more than two year-long period of using this mattress, I’ve basically never thought about it – a clear sign that, for me, it’s doing its job. It really is like sleeping on a cloud. I feel comfortable and supported, and well-rested in the morning. It provides cushioning for my pressure points (as a side and front sleeper, I like to have some sink for my shoulders and hips) without compromising on support.
The inclusion of bamboo in the cover and the top layer of memory foam is a standout, particularly for breathability – great if you're someone who finds memory foam too hot. It's also nice to know that bamboo is a sustainable resource. Bamboo is fast-growing, which saves land and resources, and this process doesn’t require a lot of water. However, I’ve noticed the top part of the cover has started to pill a little, given how much it’s been used over the two years. Although, this is is hardly visible and has made no difference at all to the experience of sleeping on the mattress.
Motion transfer is kept to a minimum, so there’s no annoying shake when someone next to you gets up in the night, and I’m a fan of the fact the mattress is removable and machine washable, too. It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum but, all things considered, I think it could be worth it for the premium feel and benefits of bamboo (more on this in a moment).
Pressure relief
This is a hybrid mattress, so you get the cushioning and contouring provided by foam as well as the support that’s delivered by springs. Inside, Panda has included a layer of orthoalign foam, which it says is ‘orthopaedic-grade’. Now, that term isn’t officially regulated, so take it with a pinch of salt but, in practice, the foam is designed to support your neck, hips, and spine, while also easing pressure points.
For me personally, this has made a noticeable difference. I used to wake up with a stiff neck or sore hips, especially after sleeping on softer mattresses in the past. When lying down on my side, my body sinks deep enough that I’m comfortably cocooned, but not so far that my spine feels misaligned. And the pressure relief is superb. I sleep in the free-fall or fetal position, and I never feel my shoulder being crushed. It’s subtle, but over the months, it really adds up and it’s one of the main reasons I’ve stuck with this mattress for more than two years.
Edge support
Another thing that surprised me is the edge support. On some mattresses, rolling toward the edge feels like you might topple off, but not here. The springs and foam work together to give the perimeter extra stability. I often sit on the edge to put on shoes or even curl up near the edge without feeling like I’m sliding off.
Temperature regulation
I’ve found the memory foam to be incredibly comfortable, but anyone who’s tried foam knows it can have a reputation for trapping heat and moisture. Panda tackles this by infusing bamboo into the foam, which makes it more breathable. It’s also moisture-wicking, so it pulls sweat away from your skin and keeps you from feeling clammy. In practice, this really works: even during hot summer nights, I didn’t notice any areas where heat seemed to build up under me, and the mattress never felt like it was holding onto my body heat.
Of course, I still felt a little warm on really sweltering nights – there’s only so much any mattress can do when it’s unbearably hot – but overall, the bamboo makes a noticeable difference in keeping things comfortable and airy.
Motion transfer
Motion isolation is impressive. This is thanks to the zoned springs and layer of high density foam at the bottom. I feel only a very light jiggle when someone turns over next to me, but my body doesn’t bounce. During the glass of water test, the water level moved slightly when I got onto the bed, but the glass stayed upright and the water didn’t spill despite being quite close to the brim.
Maintenance
When it comes to cleaning the mattress, I love that the cover is removable and machine washable – this seems like a no-brainer but not all mattresses have this. In terms of maintaining the body of the mattress, I do urge you to follow the brand’s instruction to rotate the mattress. I didn’t do this and after more than two years of testing, I do notice that there’s a slight roll towards the middle when I sleep towards the edge of the mattress, pointing to some permanent sink in the spot where I usually sleep.
I only notice the unevenness when I’m lying near the edge of the bed. It’s not visible, and I never notice it when I’m sleeping alone, nor have I noticed any drop-off in comfort of support. This is more a note on how to maintain your mattress than a comment on the mattress itself, as this tends to happen with mattresses if you don’t rotate them.
Buy now £1290, Pandalondon.com
Your questions about the Panda hybrid bamboo mattress pro mattress answered
Is the Panda hybrid bamboo mattress pro worth the money?
Panda’s hybrid bamboo mattress pro is a premium, expensive buy, but it makes bedtimes feel a little more luxurious. Medium firm, it provides a cocooning sink without compromising on support. I find it to be blissfully comfortable when sleeping on my side and front, as the pressure relief it provides is superb. In summer, I don’t notice it contributes to heat build up, for which I have the bamboo-infused memory foam and the cover to thank.
If you’re after excellent pressure relief and breathability (and your budget can stretch), Panda’s hybrid bamboo mattress pro is a mattress you’ll look forward to getting into, trust me.
What are the disadvantages of the Panda hybrid bamboo mattress pro mattress?
While I’ve generally loved sleeping on the Panda hybrid bamboo mattress pro, it might not be for everyone. First, the price is on the higher side, which might be a stretch for some budgets. It’s also on the firmer side of medium, so if you prefer a really soft, sinking-in feel, it might take some getting used to.
While the bamboo-infused foam helps with breathability, I still felt a little warm on extremely hot nights – though that’s pretty much unavoidable with any foam mattress – which is worth considering. Lastly, being a hybrid with multiple layers, it’s quite heavy, which makes moving or rotating the mattress a bit of a workout.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s shopping section, IndyBest, is dedicated to bringing readers reviews that help find the best products for their money. Our reviews are honest, fair and thorough, based on real-world, hands-on testing. Lois Borny has been on the product testing team for years and has tested mattress toppers and plenty more. For this review, the Panda hybrid bamboo mattress pro became a permanent fixture in her bedroom.
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