From sumptuous memory foam to cosy pocket sprung mattresses, this guide will go through all the important choices to help you find the best mattress for your perfect night’s sleep.
The different mattress types
Open coil mattresses
The classic spring mattress. The springs are joined together by a coiled wire which spreads your weight across the surface.
They’re great because:
- They’re a smart value choice
- They offer good firmness and support
- They’re lighter and easier to turn
- Ideal for kids
On the flip side…
- If you’re sharing, you may feel your partner moving
- You could roll towards the middle
Continuous coil mattresses
The springs in a continuous coil mattress are made from one single continuous wire, with each spring drawing support from the one next to it.
They’re great because:
- More stability and durability than open coil
- More support in the centre
- Orthopaedic benefits for the lower back
On the flip side…
- You may feel a partner moving (less so than open coil)
- You may roll towards the middle (less so than open coil)
Memory foam mattress
A memory foam mattress is made from a block of foam with a memory foam outer layer. They can be soft or firm depending on the density of the foam interior.
Memory foam can also be used as a top layer for other types of mattress.
They’re great because:
- They mould to your shape
- More support for your body
- Relieves pressure on your joints
- Doesn’t need turning over
On the flip side…
- Tend to be warmer
- Harder to move around or roll over
Latex mattress
These work just like memory foam. A latex layer surrounds a solid foam interior, which will be softer or firmer depending on its density.
They’re great because:
- More responsive than memory foam
- Moulds to your shape faster
- Easier to roll over and change positions (adapts quicker)
- Doesn’t need turning over
- They’re hypoallergenic and anti-microbial
- Cooler than memory foam
On the flip side…
- Tend be more expensive
Pocket sprung mattress
A pocket sprung design has springs woven into individual pockets, which can all act independently to offer support wherever you need it.
They’re great because:
- Responds to your every movement
- Supports partners of different sizes and weights
- You won’t role together in the middle
- It won’t make you feel warmer
On the flip side…
- They’re heavier and harder to turn
Zoned mattress
Zoned mattresses have different areas of firmness, allowing some heavy areas like your hips and shoulders to sink a little into the mattress, while supporting areas like your waist and back.
Why they’re great…
- Tailored support for different areas of your body
- Better spinal alignment and pressure relief
- Available in both continuous coil and pocket sprung designs
On the flip side…
- Smaller bodies may not cross the different support zones
Mattress firmness
As a general rule, the heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be. This chart gives you an approximate idea of how to choose firmness based on your weight.
| Medium | Medium Firm | Firm | Extra Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 10 stone | 10 – 13 stone | 13 – 16 stone | Over 16 stone |
| Shop all | Shop all | Shop all | Shop all |
Firmer is not always better. You need to be able to sink a little into your mattress or else your spine won’t be aligned.
If you’re light and pick an extra firm mattress, the springs won’t compress and you won’t sink at all. Similarly, if you like to sleep on your side, you could end up with too much pressure on your shoulders and hips.
If you’ve a preference for firmness, you can always make the surface softer by purchasing a separate mattress topper. This is also useful if you have a partner who might find a firmer mattress uncomfortable.
Mattress tops and finishes
Micro quilting
Fabric is stitched to the mattress fillings, leaving a smooth, quilted surface. It’s stretchy and ideal for foam, latex and coil mattresses.
Deep quilt
Fabric is stitched to the filling with some extra padding, so the finish is more comfy and you’re unlikely to feel the springs beneath the surface.
Damask
A damask fibre finish has a smooth, luxurious feel and will help you to stay cooler in bed.
Tufting
Tufting is used to keep all the pockets in a pocket spring mattress in the right places, leaving small fibre tufts on the surface of the mattress.
Cushion top
A cushion top mattress has an extra layer of cushioning to make the surface layer softer.
Pillow top
Similar to a cushion top, pillow tops have an extra cushioning layer added to the mattress that’s soft like a pillow.
Memory foam
A memory foam layer will respond to your body temperature, shaping itself around your body to give your unique shape more support while relieving pressure on your joints.
Some final things you should consider
Anti-allergy
These mattresses are treated to provide long-lasting protection against dust mites, fungus and other common allergens.
No turn mattress
These don’t need turning over, but will still need to be rotated top to bottom regularly to prolong their life.
Rolled mattress
Rolled mattresses are compressed, rolled and packaged, making them much easier to transport. Some mattresses can be compressed by as much as 75%. They return to their original size and shape once opened.
Mattress topper
A mattress topper can be purchased to add an extra comfort layer to the top of your mattress, making a firm mattress a little softer. They’re a good compromise for partners, where one needs more firmness than the other. They can also prolong the life of a mattress
Mattress protector
A protector can be purchased to protect the mattress from moisture. The average adult sweats a pint of moisture every night. If this enters the mattress, along with dead skin and hair cells, it can increase the likelihood of dust mites and allergens. A protector can also help prolong your mattresses’ life.
We can recycle your old mattress
For just £19.99, we can take away your old mattress when we deliver your new one. We’ll send you a recycling bag to place over it before we take it away and dispose of it responsibly.
Sleep guarantee
A mattress is an important investment. It’s the difference between a good night’s sleep and a grumpy morning. That’s why we offer a 90 day sleep guarantee on selected mattresses.
So if you’re not sleeping soundly after buying one of these mattresses, you can exchange your mattress for a different one.
Now we do recommend that you give it a proper chance – a few weeks at least – because it sometimes takes a while to get used to a new mattress. But if at any time within the first 90 days you are still not getting on with it, we’ll happily exchange it. The only flip side to this is that we can’t exchange your snoring partner, noisy neighbours, or any ‘up at the crack of dawn’ toddlers. Sorry
Double check your bed’s size
All our bed and mattress sizes match up – a double mattress will always fit a double bed. But if you’re buying for an older bed, there’s a chance they might not. Double-check to be sure by using our chart.
Read more: Which mattress is the best?