Are you looking for a new mattress? This can be an overwhelming task. There's a huge selection of mattresses out there, all made of different materials, with different features, and with massive price differences. But that's where Sleep Hero comes in. We're a team of sleep enthusiasts and we try out all the popular mattresses. But there's more: We also compare mattresses to each other, give you information on different materials, and scout for the very best discounts.
There simply is no such thing as 'one mattress for all'. We're all far too unique for that. Your ideal mattress depends on your body type, preferred sleeping position, and your personal needs. And, of course, your budget plays an important role as well. But with the help of our reviews, you'll quickly become familiar with all of the most popular mattresses. We share our experiences in terms of comfort, value for money, firmness, and overall quality. Armed with all of this knowledge, you'll quickly find the mattress that's best for you.
Are you looking for a new mattress? Here are 6 steps to guide you:
You spend a third of your life on your mattress. This means that your choice of mattress is an important one. As with most products, you usually get what you pay for.
Sleep Hero divides mattresses into four price categories (according to the standard UK Double size 135 x 190 cm):
If your budget is low, you should think very carefully about which mattress to buy - and we highly recommend that you test the mattress first. Unfortunately, cheap mattresses are simply not comparable to more expensive ones. You'll find most of the IKEA mattresses in this price range.
You can find some high-quality mattresses in this price range - many of which are well-suited to most people. A good example of a mattress in this price range is the Emma Original.
You'll find some excellent mattresses in this price range, including some of our favourites, like Eve. There are also interesting options with special features, like the muun or the Simba.
Luxury mattresses, like the Tempur mattresses, fall into this category. These mattresses are of very high quality but do come at a significant cost.
High-quality mattresses are suitable for most sleeping positions and body types. But with mattresses under £300, you should pay special attention to your preferred sleeping position.
In general, people who sleep on their sides require a little more depth as the body only rests on the hips and shoulders. For cheaper mattresses, we recommend that you do not exceed 6/10 in our firmness scale. People who sleep on their backs or stomachs, however, can easily choose a harder model.
Many people believe that a firmer mattress is better for the back. This isn't always true. On the contrary, if the mattress is too firm, it will often cause back and neck pain as it does not allow the body to sink in sufficiently. At the same time, the mattress should not be too soft. A mattress that's too soft will result in the hammock effect, where the hips sink in too much and the spine bends as a result.
In general, the right degree of firmness depends on the type of body. Smaller and light-weight people (up to 70kg) usually sleep better on a slightly softer mattress (up to about 5/10 points on our firmness scale). Heavy-weight sleepers need more support and should, therefore, choose a mattress that's above 6/10 on our firmness scale.
High-quality mattresses that fall in the 5-7/10 points in our firmness scale are suitable for most people and sleeping positions.
Desired firmness is often a matter of personal preference, though, and depends on the level of comfort you experience when lying down. What do mattresses with different degrees of firmness feel like? Our test sleepers know.
Your ideal mattress size will depend on your personal situation. Do you sleep alone or with a partner? Are you very tall or very short? How big is your bed frame? How big is your bedroom?
It's very important to test whether a mattress really suits you. That being said, it takes the body a few weeks to get used to a new mattress. Testing a mattress for a few minutes in a shop is not enough. When you buy a mattress online, you have the chance to test the mattress risk-free for up to 100 days. We highly recommend that you make use of this trial period. If you don't like the mattress, you can simply return it and get a full refund.
We share our experiences of the mattresses we've tested in our mattress reviews. Here, you'll find all of the information that you may need, such as mattress composition, comfort, degree of firmness, prices, delivery, and the returns policy. Our team extensively tests each mattress and independently assesses the most important factors. This way you'll quickly gain knowledge on tons of mattresses. It's that simple.
Have you already found two mattresses but can't decide which one to choose? Then read our mattress comparisons, where we compare numerous popular mattresses.
Each type of mattress has certain characteristics, as well as advantages and disadvantages. There are many mattresses available that combine different elements. The best-known mattress types are:
Natural latex foam is a material made by the vulcanisation of rubber. Latex combines good body adaptation with high comfort. It also has great natural breathability, which improves the sleeping comfort. Synthetic latex has similar properties to natural latex. The main disadvantage of a latex mattress is its relatively high price.
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Spring mattresses are the 'traditional' mattresses. They are available in three sub-categories:
The inner-spring mattress is the cheapest model. It is durable and offers a good sleeping environment. But, in terms of comfort, adaptability, and point elasticity, these generally cannot compete with the newer high-quality foam and latex mattresses.
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Cold foam mattresses are made of polyurethane, a deformable synthetic foam. Cold foam mattresses are very stable and can be made to different degrees of firmness, depending on the density of the foam. There are big differences in quality and price of cold foam mattresses, and caution is advised when purchasing. These mattresses store heat and are best for those who want a warmer sleeping climate or who don't sweat much.
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Our favourite: the memory foam mattress. This is a polyurethane foam with memory effect: when you push your hand into the foam, it leaves a longer visible impression. Everyone who has tested a memory foam mattress knows that it feels unique. It is highly elastic and adapts perfectly to the body. It has a very high point elasticity and is thus often recommended for people suffering from back and neck pain. It also has a low motion transfer, so you'll be less disturbed at night when your partner tosses and turns.
A high-quality memory foam mattress can be pricey but you often get a very good product that will last many years. Our favourites are the Leesa mattress and the Eve mattress, but we have tested many others that are also very good.
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The hybrid mattress consists of a combination of foam layers and a spring core. It, therefore, combines the adaptability and pressure relief of a foam mattress with good breathability. The Simba mattress is an example of a hybrid mattress. Tempur also offers a range of hybrid models. These mattresses are complex and usually quite expensive.
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These mattresses combine the properties of memory foam and latex foam. The latex layers, which usually form the top layers, provide extra breathability. The feeling of lying on latex is different from lying on memory foam - it feels slightly more resilient. A good example of a combination mattress is the Casper.
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Want an amazing deal? We collate all specials, discounts, and great deals so you can grab your new mattress at the best price possible.
We're a team of sleep enthusiasts. We test hundreds of mattresses to provide you with accurate mattress reviews so that you can get the mattress best suited to you.
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