Why we love it: Most Emma mattresses cost between £500 and £1000, so to be able to find one that covers all the Emma staples, but comes in at £469 is a big win in our eyes. Made from foam with pocket springs for support, it’s the next generation of its best-selling original mattress, and designed for all sleeping positions. The medium-firm mattress features three breathable foam layers and moisture-wicking material, making it a perfect starter mattress for those looking to explore the world of memory foam.
Ruth’s Verdict: ‘I found the Emma original to be on the firm side rather than medium firm, but this makes it a fantastic option for back sleepers who want good support around the lumbar region and alignment of their spine. Husband sleeping next to me also enjoyed the mattress. He found the layers of memory foam to be sufficient to comfort his shoulder and hip profiles, and the springs are ‘zoned’ so there is a gentle zone of springs around the shoulder (and especially) hip areas of the bed. If you don’t proceed with firmness, Emma will send a comfort layer free of charge, which is placed on top of the existing layers under the cover.’
pros
opposition
- The odor may be strong, but it dissipates within a few hours
Why we love it: One of the fundamental reasons why Origin was such a hit when it first landed in the UK (originally from Australia) is how incredible the value for money ratio is. With six layers that include springs, actively cooling foam, wool, a HexaGrid adaptive layer (for a highly responsive level of targeted pressure relief) and a HexaAdapt pillowtop that conforms to your body’s unique contours, this is the kind of mattress you’d expect to cost a fortune. For once, it’s not, with a free Origin latex pillow for a double currently priced at £431 thrown in for good measure. If you want even more pressure relief, and even more airflow (hot sleepers, this one’s for you) we’d suggest paying a bit more for the Origin Hybrid Pro, but most sleepers will be happier with this.
Joe’s Verdict: ‘Although Origin rates this mattress as medium firm, I found it decidedly on the firm side during testing. But this means that, like the Emma original above, it’s a fantastic choice for rear sleepers, for those who sleep on their front. As a light sleeper who prefers a firmer feel, I found the Origin mattress to be very supportive and did a great job of soothing my lower back pain. I would not recommend it for side sleepers as it is very firm. Motion isolation and temperature regulation are both excellent, but it’s worth noting that edge support is a little weak.’
Panda
Hybrid bamboo mattress
pros
- Highly breathable
- Very comfortable
opposition
- Quite heavy if you need to move it around
