We all fundamentally like the idea of buying products that are eco-friendly: protecting the planet feels like a no-brainer. But when it comes to putting our hands in our pockets, things get more complicated.
Such products do tend to be more expensive, and are often inferior to standard ones. And when it comes to the best mattresses, you certainly don't want to end up with an uncomfortable one. Given that we spend a third of our lives in bed, and a good night's sleep is so important to our mental and physical wellbeing, it's simply not something most of us are willing to compromise on.
So I was intrigued to hear that Simba announce a new range of environmentally sustainable mattresses. There are three mattresses under the Earth label: the entry-level Earth Source mattress, the level-up Earth Escape mattress and the luxury Earth Apex mattress, featuring sustainable materials grown and sourced in the UK.
I've always had good experiences with Simba beds, and they're the company behind my favourite mattress to date, the Simba Hybrid Ultra. I had high hopes that the brand had managed to combine a sustainable approach with the high levels of comfort I associate it with.
But the proof of the pudding is in the eating... or sleeping. So I got hold of a King Size review model of the Earth Source mattress, and have spent the last couple of months trying it out.
Simba Earth Source mattress review: Price and availability
The Simba Earth Source mattress is available in the UK in four different sizes. At time of writing, the UK Single (90 x 190cm) is priced on the Simba website at £749.25. The UK double size (135 x 190cm) costs £1,146.75. The UK King (150 x 200cm) is £1,199.25. And the UK Super King (180 x 200cm) is priced at £1,349.25.
Simba Earth Source review: Design and construction
The Simba Earth Source is delivered flat for immediate use; it arrives in a protective dampproof plastic bag (30% recycled plastic, locally sourced) with FSC cardboard corners.
This mattress does not contain any memory foam layers, which is a first for Simba. Instead, this is a six-layer spring mattress made up of natural and recycled materials including Yorkshire hemp and flax, British wool and cotton upcycled from French mills.
It has a depth of 25cm and contains 2,500 titanium alloy Aerocoil springs along with 768 high carbon steel QuadCore barrel springs in the base. The top cover is made from a smooth, breathable wool-viscose fabric.
The company's proprietary QuadCore spring system is designed to minimise motion transfer by grouping the springs in fours rather than rows. The idea behind this is to stop the ‘rippling effect’ of standard sprung mattresses for better motion isolation. The springs are also welded together sonically, rather than glued, to allow freer movement.
This new QuadCore construction has also been designed with airflow and breathability in mind, so you don’t get too hot at night. And finally, a small but important point: there are four handles on the side for when you need to carry it from room to room.
Simba Earth Source mattress review: Performance
So what is this mattress actually like to sleep on? In a nutshell, I'd describe it as quietly comfortable.
By "quietly", I mean that when I first starting using it, there was no sense of "wow". It wasn't amazingly bouncy. It wasn't like floating on a cloud. It was just… fine. Nice. Comfy. Pleasant. Enjoyable. Restful.
This might sound like I'm damning with faint praise but it's actually the opposite. Mattresses that you sink into on first use make me nervous. How long, you think, before they start sinking too much? Similarly, if a mattress is at first as bouncy on a trampoline, you suspect it's going to lose that bounce and grow limp over time.
In contrast, this medium-firm mattress (I'd call it a 6.5) feels safe, reassuring, robust and durable. Its finely balanced combination of comfort and pressure relief feels like a "grown up" mattress, if you like. So now, a couple of months in, I've really grown in to this mattress.
I now fully appreciate the consistent, stable support it provides to my ailing spine, neck and shoulders. Its motion isolation is excellent, minimising the amount of disruption I cause my long-suffering partner. And in the recent spate of warm weather, this mattress has stayed lovely and cool.
Most importantly, I always wake up feel refreshed in the morning. And ultimately, that's what it's all about, right?
Simba Earth Source mattress review: Maintenance
This mattress has a non-removable cover, so you're going to need a mattress protector to prolong the life of your mattress. There is no need to turn it, but Simba does recommend rotating it head to foot every month for the first three months, then every quarter thereafter. In fact, they've just sent me an automated email reminding me to do this (what a great idea!).
Importantly, you must never use a vacuum cleaner to clean this mattress, as this may displace the natural fillings. Dust should instead be removed with a soft brush, and spillages should be mopped up with a dry cloth.
Simba Earth Source review: Delivery
The Simba Earth Source mattress qualifies for Simba's free VIP delivery service to the mainland UK. It is delivered flat and ready to use, packaged in a protective plastic bag with recycled content.
Simba offers a 200-night trial, so you can return the mattress for a full refund if not satisfied during that period. Returned mattresses will be recycled.
The Simba Earth Source mattress big and bulky, and you'll need two people to carry it upstairs. Luckily, you don't have to, as Simba's VIP mattress delivery service is free of charge with this mattress, as long as you order it from the Simba website. This means the people who deliver the mattress will remove all packaging, install it on your bed, and take away the packaging too.
Once you place your order, you’ll be contacted directly by a courier, usually within 48 hours, to schedule a delivery time that’s convenient for you. You’ll receive a live tracking link via email, to keep you informed of the driver’s schedule on the day, plus a call from the driver within an hour of delivery. For a small extra fee, paid at time of checkout, the delivery staff will also take away your old mattress or bed for recycling.
A Simba mattress comes with a 10-year guarantee and you also get a 200-night trial for testing it. If you decide not to keep it, they'll collect it from you for free within the trial period, and give you a full refund. Your trial starts when your bed arrives, and you don't need to keep the packaging. Returned mattress are recycled, refurbished or donated.
Simba Earth Source review: verdict
After using the Simba Earth Source for over a month, I can confidently say that the brand's first sprung mattress is high-quality, eco-friendly and luxurious materials. The Aerocoil springs, hemp, flax and wool offer a comfortable and breathable construction, and spring fans and hot sleepers will definitely enjoy it, just like I did.
Simba Earth Source review: alternatives to consider
If you're looking for alternative eco-friendly options that are also based on springs, the Silentnight Studio Eco mattress is worth a look. It's made from 100% recycled fibres, and our reviewer found this firm mattress offered excellent support and great cooling properties, although its soft, sloped edges caused some issues.
Also, Simba itself offers the Simba Go, a premium, eco-friendly mattress which combines Aerocoils with latex and features a generous 30cm depth. Our reviewer says felt supportive but without being too firm, with great motion isolation and excellent edge support, although it is a bit pricier than the Simba Earth Source.
